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Brett Levy
Mama Mio... the three-dimension inspiration campaign
Anyone looking to do some cool AR - let me know - check out what we are doing - www.b-ar.co.za Posted on 15 Aug 2012 22:07
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Vusi Thembekwayo
Why 'Stop the NYDA' is worse than the NYDA
Response

In discussing important issues that are or at least ought to be part of the national agenda and discourse it is really important that we take the time to verse ourselves in the subject matter. Equally important is that we neither personalise the substance of the debate nor attack other natural persons (I always knew those hours spent slaving away at my Commercial Law textbook would yield some results) in constructing our argument.

Dear Mongezi,
Apologies for taking this long to respond to you, but I was running a business.
There are a few points where you and I agree. Entrepreneurship has not until recently become synonymous with funding. Funding, fund raising and capital structures were for many years the sole preserve of high paid bankers who were more concerned with leveraging highly cash generative, asset rich businesses for their individual “carry” than developing entrepreneurs. Many entrepreneurs started their business on shoestring budgets, some out of their pensions and even bootstrapping. I should know. I started our business (www.mtv8.co.za) with R35 seed-capital. Yes, just 35bucks.
But you and I cant be so disingenuous as to assert that this ought to be the path of every entrepreneur. Quite the contrary, it is incumbent on you and I to ensure that future “starters” have a better framework of support and guidance to build their businesses. Think about the advent of “tenderpreneurship”. It is nothing more than the manifestation of creativity and entrepreneurship spoilt by the “easy-money” fixation.
Here is the heart of the debate: in a country where the social construct is such that most young black youth leave school unprepared and under-equipped, you and I (the lucky few that have escaped this trap) must ensure that we speak truth to power. It is neither sustainable nor is it viable to hold the view that where the state and its organs are failing or falling short, we must pick up the slack. That sounds noble, but it creates a situation in which those elected to serve don't, and we accept it.

Let’s look at the content of your argument
1. Imagine this: Steve Jobs hosts a launch for a new phone and at the launch proclaims that he couldn’t reach consensus with the board on the colours of the phone, therefore they will no longer be releasing it. Imagine the mayhem that would cause and how the Apple brand would suffer. For Steven (CEO of NYDA) to assert that the resulting inefficiencies are not of his making 3years into the job speaks to one thing: that he is either not the man for the job, or he is not a true CEO empowered with the necessary power to discharge his duties.

I have had the privilege of serving on boards where the company was about the tank (and I was part of the turn-around team) and where the company was thriving. In both cases the CEOs got no respite for the difficulties they faced. The reason they are appointed and rewarded so handsomely – and Steven is no exception – is precisely because they must possess the skill and flair must be deliver results with their contexts and constraints. Academics at local business schools believe that a good manager is responsible for all his team outputs 6-months after his appointed. The argument that Steven inherited inefficiencies doesn't hold.
2. I am not sure how you infer from our raising a grievance that we are “moaning”. If this were the case we would not have sought and confirmed a meeting both the CEO and the CFO of the NYDA. And even where they have cancelled, gone completely silent and even ignored us, we have persisted. If we were moaning we would have accepted the tens of media interviews that wanted us to speak when we have nothing “new” to say. If we were moaning, Steven would not have confirmed to me and the nation that we are raising valid issues. Speaking truth to power is not moaning.
3. I find it cowardly – almost mischievous – for you to ask “where is the action” when this campaign is the action. Would you rather we took to the popular South African pass time and marched? Or maybe we should put more money in the coffers of Southern Sun and host a conference? What is required is discourse and this campaign has achieved that.
4. I don't agree that we are missing an opportunity to impact positive change. This argument doesn't understand and follow the principles of causality: we must question the status-quo so that we can -> discuss and agree on a “future-state” – the form and substance of what we want; this will allow us to -> draft alternatives around how best to get there and the tools required to ensure that we get there so that we -> action.
This is not missing an opportunity, quite the contrary… it’s designing it.
5. You make a valid point around, “create something effective - that will show NYDA what it should be doing” but you dilute it by saying we ought not to recount the past. That is as valid as an Afri-Forum saying apartheid is over so lets move on and pretend it never happened. We must ask that the NYDA account for itself, present and past forms.
6. Entrepreneurship doesn't need more funding to thrive. But this is not solely about entrepreneurship. The NYDA have a mandate and they are measured on eight key deliverables. I would advise that you read our position statement to find out what those are and how the measures this far. When we ask they account, it is on all these counts, not just the entrepreneurship pillar and whilst I understand this is something you are passionate, I would advise that you study our position statement to better inform yourself.
In the 2010 – 2011 year, the NYDA gave bursaries to only 20 youth. In a country where young people cant write CVs, can we be expected to draft business plans? Key to the NYDA mandate is the development and emancipation of youth. 20 bursaries plus young people volunteering at the FIFA World Cup as ushers is what they have to show for themselves. If you can tell me what explicit skill that carries economic value is gained by volunteering at the FIFA World Cup then I may be persuaded.
If you look at the their voucher program (part of their National Youth Service platform): how many youth have they assisted? How many were Umsobomvu assisting before the NYDA? How many needed the help vs how many need the help now? Where is the research – which is part of their mandate – that speaks to the needs on young people in SA? Why does the DA have to raise the issue of the youth wage subsidy whilst it is the NYDA’s job to advocate and lobby for youth?
This is what the campaign is about. Asking the NYDA and all youth to question what is being done and it serves this country.

An aside:
I am quite amused at Ramon Thomas rather feeble defense for the NYDA, that being that they assisted him therefore they must be working. Part of the challenge we face as a generation is this heightened sense of individualism where people believe that because they are better of or can access services then either everyone else can too or nobody else matters. I run several successful businesses. Just this year we launched our incubator – fully funded by each of the partners – and have plans to go to market with a VC fairly soon. I live in a rather plush estate (in-fact Steven lives in the same estate as me) drive a comfortable car, have the offshore property and manage the compulsory 2-overseas leisure trips per year but this not absolve me of my responsibility to speak out where I see injustice.
What is fated to most youth in SA is just that, an injustice.
There is nothing altruistic about Ramon’s argument (they helped me and I am not even black, therefore they must be working) but rather it stinks of the kind of individualism that saw some nouve riche eat sushi of a nude models body. You can’t deduce the realities of all youth from a single personal experience. Moreover this is the same individual who hijacked my and other prominent speakers profiles, purported to represent us (on the web) and then gave his contact details for bookings – which he no doubt kept for himself. This is a documented case and you can contact PSASA for the details. This to me speaks clearly of a person ethical framework. I adjoin that incident with the demeanor he has displayed during this discussion and remain convinced about my conviction. But my convictions are my personal business. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 20:08
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Vusi Thembekwayo
Why 'Stop the NYDA' is worse than the NYDA
Great comments gents. Check my reply Posted on 15 Aug 2012 19:56
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textmessage
Eight mobile technologies that are changing the face of CRM
Mobile Coupons are like text messages which are sent to your targeted audiences or customers to offers latest products, services, discounts, events and upcoming offers to customers. (http://www.txtimpact.com/mobile_coupons.asp) Posted on 15 Aug 2012 19:29
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Anthony Duke
ANC forcing media back into apartheid-era mode
Yawn... Posted on 15 Aug 2012 18:31
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Chemory Gunko
Making email stand out in cluttered communication
Huge pleasure :) No point in having knowledge if you don't share it! Posted on 15 Aug 2012 16:05
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Chemory Gunko
How to make your digital marketing strategy easy to manage
Hi Athar - couldn't agree with you more :) Leave it to the pros! There's way more to it than meets the eye! Posted on 15 Aug 2012 16:00
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Samantha Wright
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
Richard I think I've answered the questions posed.

I'm not against social media nor am I against young professionals gaining experience and being given a chance.

I'm against people claiming to have the answer when the answer was simply copied and pasted from another forum/blog/site etc.

I also wrote the piece as I was tired of people laying claim and making money off other people's innovation and creation. Changing the sentence construction of a blog post or article does not then make it original or allow you to lay claim to it.

Credit the people with the great ideas, learn from them, suggest them but in order to ever be successful you will need a few of your own. In my opinion anyway. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 15:03
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Samantha Wright
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
Arthur, I actually agree with you completely and am in no way saying young professionals shouldn't be allowed time to feel their way around.

Hell, I studied journalism and was thrown into a marketing position, I bumped my head a few times but I found my way eventually.

The point of the article, which I think you may be missing, is that businesses need to be careful of WHO they hire. There are marketing firms copying and pasting content from others and plagiarising work. They're throwing the title "expert" and "guru" onto their personal descriptions - but really are simply stealing content.

That, in my opinion, is not finding your feet. It's theft and lying - businesses have had their fingers burnt and it is negatively influencing the industry. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 14:53
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Sammy Mwirigi
Kenya's cinema business is about thinking without the box
@Carole: IMAX Kenya have also introduced a lounge bar - Afra Lounge Bar (next to their theatre) where you can enjoy special movie theme nights while sipping your favourite drink Posted on 15 Aug 2012 14:41
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Richard Simmonds
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
I agree with you Arthur, your points are valid and you have hit the nail on the proverbial head - Samantha you need to keep the ownership here and engage with your audience, you are writing about social media and you as the author need to keep the engagement levels with your audience high.

Samantha please don't see this as direct criticism as this is an area we all fall short in. We all need to engage more with the people commenting on our stories, as this gives us the best mileage for our articles and ultimately our personal brand influence.

Richard Posted on 15 Aug 2012 14:12
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Arthur Charles Van Wyk
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
I agree completely with the gist of what you're saying. What I disagree with is that social media marketing can be done in-house. The reason people use agencies is because the view is clearer from the outside looking in. On top of that if my business is selling widgets I'd like to put 99% of my energy into selling widgets and leave the non-core aspects of my business to people who are reasonably experienced in doing that.

I am going to assume that the people who complain about the "experts" crapping on their parade are not people of colour, because we're so used to struggling for everything we have - it's perfectly normal to see someone else with less talent and skill grab food off your table just because of an ethnic, tertiary or clique association. Just an objective fact. Some of my best friends are not people of colour. It's only when you're used to getting everything easily that you would complain about getting snubbed in favour of an "expert".

I like that you had the chutzpah to write this post though. Yes, even I have been thinking this (but have no time to write about it.. paying the bills myself) Posted on 15 Aug 2012 14:01
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Arthur Charles Van Wyk
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
Well articulated sir.. or madame (these anonymous posts are annoying). I spent 3 years blindly updating Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and Youtube for a company and at the end of the day everything I did translated into real value because I was consistent and persistent. I gleaned tons of insights from that experience, which I apply in the work I do for companies these days. Once again, why pick on social media professionals when everybody else does this. On the Marklives website is an article about the CEO of Digivox who publicly claims she knew nothing about media planning but was given a job as a media planner in Cape Town.. another perfect example of the racial polarisation of the creative and marketing industries, but a discussion for another day. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 13:48
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Fuzzy Muzzy
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
I like the way you put out there what everyone else is thinking.. I don't believe this is something that can be regulated or controlled any more than the mechanic around the corner who advertises he can fix any car but can't.

The advertising industry is full of start up's who need an edge and will say anything to get that client, after all, if they can't get the client by smoke and mirrors how can they expect to make good on any hype they are selling.

Most marketers sell themselves before they sell results even if they have no track record. Who are we to stop them from giving their start up a go. It is the usual chicken and egg story, only use the 'experts' who have experience and don't give the new guy a chance.. but the so called experts got their 1st few jobs by pulling the same rabbit out of the hat in the same manner.. basically thumb sucking their way through a medium that is changing faster than they can keep track of it. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 11:38
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Antonio
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
Ever heard of a meatball sunday?

Thought not. Most SME's probably don't need a social media presence, unless their a market-orientated organisation, which would more than likely mean that their current 'SME status' is only temporary, something far from their long-term vision.

How many SME's (a ridiculously broad term, and ineffective in the sense of a basis for any sort of segmentation or targeting strategies) are strategic in their approach to business? Most are just concerned with day-to-day operations and putting out fires.

Seth Godin's Meatball Sunday is a worthy read in the light of this article: http://www.amazon.com/Meatball-Sundae-Your-Marketing-Sync/dp/1591841747 Posted on 15 Aug 2012 11:34
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Murray Campbell
20 tips for writing well
Mixit, Twitter and many online ways of communication don't help the cause much either, most kids can't spell because of the abbv they use in daily communication. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 11:23
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Samantha Wright
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
Have to pay the bills Arthur! Thus my lack of peeping on the topic.

My argument in this regard was that there are social media experts. No doubt. There are also social media charlatans simply copying and pasting ideas and selling them as their own. How do we draw the line? How do we stop it?

I’m not against social media, but I do believe for most SMEs it is not something that needs to be outsourced and can be done in-house for a much smaller cost. What is needed is a consultant to guide and educate. Why would the local three man accounting firm with an annual profit of less than R1 million need to pay someone a 5k retainer to manage their social media? They’re being told they do and because they believe these companies to be “experts” they believe them. They’re being bombarded with marketing terms and being told about the intricacies of social media. Really, it’s not rocket science.

I’m simply saying – before you believe the hype, make sure you really are speaking to someone who understands your business and the market rather than someone peddling a standard formula they read about on a forum such as this.

Kagiso and Neil – I am in no way against young entrepreneurs. I am against young guys simply touting the same strategy to a multitude of businesses because they read an article or a blog from a big firm. There are a large number of very successful “young” marketers out there who are original and innovative. I’ve also noticed that there are a large number of “young” guys charging a small fortune to SMEs and not providing bang for their buck. Within 3 months the SMEs notice and end the contracts but it puts them off social media and that is what I hoped the piece would get across:

Do not be wary of social media; be wary of the person attempting to sell it to you.

Smith – Please visit my twitter account @IAmSamW – there has been a huge response from 20 something marketers who read the article and thanked me for finally saying what most of us young guys were thinking. We’re losing business because other people are attempting to take the quick route and ultimately “rip off” businesses.

This piece was never hitting out at Social media – it was hitting out at the “gurus” who are abusing the medium, plagiarising work and ultimately giving the marketing fraternity a bad name. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 10:28
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Smith
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
Noticing the age range of the writer and the responders to this article tells me one thing: you are an older market of business owners/professionals. Are younger 20 somethings (who are not butt-kissing for a job) reading this article? Unfortunately not.

They are on social networking sites looking at "funny pictures". Young "professionals" are professionals at finding the buzz. It will not be found in a business twitter account tooting it's own horn about how wonderful it is and the good causes it's engaged in. In fact if a business owner truly understood the twittersphere he/she will understand that any company talking about itself is a complete buzzkill. Now owners of small-medium companies are beginning to write "No Comercial tweets" in their profiles so users will not plainly ignore them, which in my opinion is a well deserved response. The consumer is not getting anything entertaining from following you then why should they bother with irrelevant, uninteresting company fodder?

My advice to business owners would be to get over themselves and embrace the new. If you are solely interested in sales conversations you obviously need a more creative strategy than just social networking which should should be common sense to any decision maker presented with a "social media expert". As for brand awareness, Social Networking is king. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 09:41
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Arthur Charles Van Wyk
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
Hey. Are you able to cite one or two examples of glorified web designers in the South African digital space please? Very curious. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 08:03
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Arthur Charles Van Wyk
Social media 'experts'... copy that!
I'm not sure social media is really a conversion mechanism. Conversion is YOUR job as the business owner. Social platforms and channels merely serve to render a company, brand, product or service findable and draws prospects into the sales or marketing funnel. And that is where your conversion strategy should kick in.

Too many of us assume social media marketing is a silver bullet. It is not. Posted on 15 Aug 2012 08:01
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