Top Women Business Unusual Podcast

Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa, stepped into the Cyber Security and Tech space merely by ‘coincidence’, as she puts it. If anything, she is the perfect example of the saying ‘If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead your right into your purpose’. Anna, who is of German roots, has spent 20 years in the field, and is extremely passionate about raising awareness around safe online practices, phishing tactics and empowering young women in tech. A mom, avid runner, and techpreneur, she was the recipient of the Women in Tech Award, during Africa Tech Week 2020, for her commitment to technological innovation and actionable transformation in the field of Risk and Security.

In this week’s Business Unusual podcast, Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media engages in conversation with Anna Collard to unpack critical themes relating to being a techpreneur in SA, navigating through acquisitions, cyber crime and gender empowerment. Anna also goes in depth on security subjects, such as 4IR, targeted customized phishing tactics, nifty Google Tools, and online psychological behaviour that is detrimental to cyber security - with specific reference to Amygdala hijacking.

Co-Managing Partner at Knife Capital, Cape Town, Andrea Böhmert, is passionate about planning how to strategically and successfully scale businesses, and meeting the entrepreneurs responsible for building them. She is actively involved in numerous initiatives aiming to accelerate the African entrepreneurial ecosystem, and is a member of The Institute of Directors in South Africa NPC (IoDSA). Her mandate is simple: Make optimal use of knowledge, networks and funding.

In this week’s Business Unusual podcast, Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media sits down with Andrea Böhmert to discuss a host of venture-capital-related themes, from addressing the COVID-19 induced disruptions and loss of workplace control, to long-term portfolios and making success stories heard. Andrea shines a light on important wisdom and learnings she’s obtained throughout her career as a venture capital enthusiast, and provides solutions on how start-ups and entrepreneurs can secure their place in the entrepreneurial space in South Africa, and globally.

Andrea Böhmert is currently Co-Managing Partner at Knife Capital, located in Cape Town, South Africa. She is a high growth venture investor with extensive experience in all aspects of the investment cycle, and thoroughly enjoys the energy surrounding entrepreneurs. Andrea specialises in many areas, namely Growth Strategy, Exit Readiness, Investment Due Diligence, and International Expansion, for example. Knife Capital is an independent growth equity investment firm focusing on innovation-driven ventures with proven traction. By leveraging knowledge, networks & funding, they accelerate the international expansion of entrepreneurial businesses that achieved a product/market fit in a beachhead market.

Jasmin Pillay talks on how organisations can better manage emerging cultural transitions alongside spontaneous digital disruption

HR Director of Microsoft South Africa, Jasmin Pillay, is a strong advocate for taking a programmatic approach to cultivating organisations that are seeking out and amplifying the potential of their individual employees. She believes that “the HOW is important”, as South Africa now faces massive transformation and workplace culture shifts, propelling the HR function to greater heights. Her broad portfolio over the years has provided her with direct experience, across a variety of international destinations and multi-nationals, including experience with people management and matrixed business environments.

In this week’s Business Unusual podcast, Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media sits down with Jasmin Pillay to discuss a host of HR-related topics, from the importance of embracing diversity of thought in organisations to long term investment in upskilling and supporting employees. Jasmin shares insight and valuable lessons that she’s obtained throughout her career at one of the world’s best employers, Microsoft, and sheds light on how to maximise the development of any organisation during Covid-19.

Fasten your seat belts! This is a powerful conversation! Group Chief Digital and Fintech Officer at MTN unpacks her journey and her vision

Last week Topco CEO, Ralf Fletcher spoke to award-winning Group Chief Digital and Fintech Officer at MTN, Yolanda Cuba. Since winning the Top Empowerment Business Woman of the Year Award in 2006, Yolanda has steadily climbed the ladder to success while staying true to herself, her upbringing and her core values. Success comes with hard hard work and in Yolanda’s case the application of a determined, enquiring mind which was honed in her childhood homes of Cape Town and Jo’burg. It was a tale of two cities, with two realities – both of which had a profound impact on her decision making and aptitude as evidenced in her career choices and where she is today. In Cape Town her mother’s family owned businesses and while other children played TV games she digitised her aunt’s inventory. In Jp’burg her gran lived in a shack and unequivocally taught her the value of education as the key to getting out of poverty. These childhood experiences combined to develop a latent form of enquiry, which over time developed into business interest and then more recently pivoted into a technology-based curiosity. Yolanda’s current driving goals are: To ensure there isn’t anyone who does not have financial access in Africa – and to make sure MTN is the leading digital content provider of relevant solutions for the continent.

In this week’s Business Unusual podcast, Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media, speaks to multiple award winner Dr Snowy Khoza, Group CEO of Bigen Africa and renowned for driving business growth in the infrastructure development sector. Born into a family which suffered extreme hardship, Dr Khoza has become one of the most influential women on the continent, and is passionate about transforming the lives of disadvantaged communities. Watch this inspiring podcast.

Dr Khoza is a seasoned executive, acknowledged strategist and development activist in the infrastructure development space. She is the Group CEO and previous Executive Chairperson of the Bigen Group. In 2018, she received a Lifetime Achievement in Engineering Award from SA Professional Services, sponsored by Sanlam and she has been nominated to the G20 Business Women Leaders Taskforce. In 2017 she was recognised by the Standard Bank Top Women Awards for her leadership in Bigen Africa - receiving the Top Gender Empowered Infrastructure Development Award.

During her tenure 2011-2016 and now since 2019 July]as CEO of Bigen Group, the company won over 30 business awards. She is respected for her passion in 'doing good while doing business' thus improving the quality of life of people.

Currently Dr Khoza sits at the Water Institute Advisory Board of University of Pretoria. She is an independent non-executive director at UBANK and non-executive chairperson at ETION. She is also the president of Agape Christian Women's Network (ACWN).

Originally shy and introverted, Leanne Manas found a voice and a dream. As one of South Africa’s most prominent journalists and news anchors, she certainly found her way. What sets Leanne apart from many others who do what she does is her steadfast belief in what she’s there to do. Leanne wholeheartedly maintains that she’s not there to teach anyone a lesson or change their mind − she’s there to listen and give people a voice. “I’m not a court of law and never will be,” she says. From Leanne’s perspective, her role is to inform people and let them decide for themselves.

In this week’s Top Women podcast, Topco Head of Marketing, Karla Fletcher, sits down with Leanne to discuss a host of topics, from the importance of having a safe space to what keeps her grounded in South Africa. Leanne shares some of the vital lessons she’s learned throughout her career and dives into what it really means to make a change.

Leanne Manas is a South African TV presenter at the SABC especially known as the anchor of the flagship show, Morning Live. Manas has a BA (Hons) in English and Communications and a diploma in Speech and Drama teaching from Trinity College London. Her interest in finance journalism led her to completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics Journalism from Rhodes University.

Manas's broadcasting career started in 2001, with the anchoring role at the Essential Business Channel Summit TV. This lasted until 2003. While working in Essential Business Channel Summit TV, she started hosting the SABC 3 programmes, Business Update and Business Focus. In 2004 Manas became the presenter on South Africa’s longest-running breakfast programme, SABC 2’s Morning Live.

Manas has worked for radio stations such as Radio Algoa, Jacaranda FM, SAfm and East Coast Radio.

She was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador by UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency in January 2019.

In this week’s Top Women podcast, Topco Media Director, Karla Fletcher, sits down with Becky Motumo − Sports Talent & Brand Manager for Caster Semenya and Carol Tshabalala. Becky is also a radio personality and fitness model who believes whole-heartedly in empowering young South African girls and pointing them in directions which they may not originally have considered. She believes in recognising what you’re good at and knowing how to use it.

Becky, Caster and Carol are a formidable trio. The three of them are committed to empowering young girls and familiarising them with the idea that sport-related jobs are not only for men. Becky discusses the importance of staying in your lane, not taking no for an answer, and how she navigates managing high-profile brands as well as her own.

Becky Polane Motumo is a sports talent and brand manager for Carol Tshabalala and Caster Semenya. She is also a radio personality, fitness model and mother. Becky worked for South African Tourism until 2014 when she met and partnered with Carol Tshabalala.

Tara Fela-Durotoye is an entrepreneurial powerhouse. But more than that, she is real. As a beauty entrepreneur, lawyer and founder of House of Tara, she has received multiple national and international awards for her contribution to the industry and active role in entrepreneurship and empowerment among women. Although Tara is undoubtedly an expert in the field of entrepreneurship, she remains open to learning new things and takes ownership of her mistakes. Tara’s philosophy for getting what you require? Have the audacity to ask for what you want and make no apologies for it.

In this week’s Top Women podcast, Topco CEO, Ralf Fletcher, sits down with Tara to discuss entrepreneurship, the key to being able to sell your product and the hard truth that relationships (in all areas of life) take work and consistency.

Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Nigerian beauty entrepreneur and lawyer. A pioneer in the bridal makeup profession in Nigeria, she launched the first bridal directory in 1999, set up international standard makeup studios and established the first makeup school in Nigeria.

She is the founder and CEO of House of Tara International and creator of the Tara Orekelewa Beauty range, Inspired Perfume and the H.I.P Beauty range. She is considered a major force in the Nigerian female entrepreneurship community having created an impact business that has empowered tens of thousands of beauty entrepreneurs through the "Tara Beauty Entrepreneur" initiative.

In 2007, Tara was awarded the Africa SMME Award and the Entrepreneur award in South Africa and in 2013, Forbes listed her as one 20 Young Power Women in Africa.

She is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Programme, Abu Dhabi, Yale University, The Stanford SEED Transformation Programme, and the Harvard Kennedy School having completed the Global Leadership and Public Policy in the 21st century, She is a member of the France/Nigeria Investment club which was incorporated in 2018 by the French President.

In this week’s Topco Business Unusual podcast, Karla Fletcher sits down with Jayshree Naidoo − CEO of YiEDi.

According to Jayshree the output of entrepreneurship is innovation. In terms of entrepreneurship, Jayshree knows what she’s talking about. As a technical expert in helping entrepreneurs, Jayshree and her company focus on innovation and strategy consulting, incubation design and management, entrepreneurship and supplier development and digital and eLearning solutions.

Karla and Jayshree discuss the ins and outs of entrepreneurship − the good, the bad and the ugly. Jayshree shares her experience and knowledge on what it takes to make it as an entrepreneur in South Africa. She discusses the importance of believing in one’s self and one’s work, as well as how women can continue to uplift and support each other in a world where we are conditioned to sit down and listen.

Jayshree Naidoo is the CEO of YIEDI. She has developed several frameworks and models for Innovation and Incubation and has created several structured acceleration programmes for Start-ups and Growth Entrepreneurs as well as Leadership Programmes for Corporates.

She was the founder and Head of the Standard Bank Incubator programme that focused on growing and developing entrepreneurs and improving the innovation stack of the bank and its corporate clients. The seven pillar Incubator model that she created was also applied to launch the 1st Incubator outside of South Africa for the bank within Maputo in Mozambique.

She has held several leadership roles in SA that include positions at Development Bank of Southern Africa, Discovery, ABSA and Internet Solutions. She was previously the CEO of Feenix, a crowd funding platform for students launched by the bank, a board member of JASA (Junior Achievement South Africa), as well as the Chairperson of SAINe (The Southern African Innovation Network), and held a seat on NACI (The National Advisory Council on Innovation).

When it comes to coaching − both personal and professional − there is often a massive misconception around how it’s done and what the goal is. What generally comes to mind is sitting down with someone and being given a set of instructions on how to do things. For this reason, coaching often gets a negative connotation, especially from those who struggle to take orders. =

There’s a science behind coaching and a strong link to neuroscience. In order to create change, we need to understand how the brain naturally functions. Coaching, which ultimately aims to transform the way people think, react and behave, takes into account how the brain reacts to change so that strategies can be aligned and implemented accordingly. Our brains have their own inherent way of doing things, but unfortunately, sometimes wires can get crossed and we need a little help.

Contrary to what many people think, professional and personal coaching is not about giving advice or being told what to do. It’s about being readily equipped with the tools needed in order to improve performance in various aspects. There has been a shift away from telling people what to do and towards making suggestions and collaborating as a team. Moving towards a coaching culture means adopting a specific style in which we interact with people both inside and outside the workplace.

As a professional Integral Coach and Academic Director of the Centre for Coaching , Janine Ahlers is a guru in the field of Integral Coaching − a form of coaching with a sound theoretical base. In this week’s Top Women podcast, Topco Media CEO, Ralf Fletcher sits down with Janine to discuss the ins and outs of coaching, why we should always look inwards and the secrets to successful leadership.