Wakey, wakey sleepy head!

June 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

Sadly those in a Leadership role simply cannot relax. Remember, if leadership were easy, everyone would do it. So while you have been pacing up and down your living room worrying about your business, employees and customers during this lockdown, your employees have not had such pressures. There is no doubt they will have had other pressures (and none of us ever can start to gauge the weight or worry others may carry and certainly not judge), but from a business perspective they are not the ones trying to work out where the cash will come from to pay for the salaries, lights or stock.

The Buyer’s Journey

May 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

In trying to prepare ourselves for the wasteland that might face us when we reopen our doors, we should be looking at how to fine-tune our offering to our clients in a world where sales will be everything. A single sale could mean the difference between keeping your workers on or going bust.

Finding solutions to problems

May 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

Everything has drastically changed and having to adapt to the new situations hasn’t been an easy task especially when one is used to being outdoors, interacting and building new relationships. When selling a service, one can easily customize to meet a range of needs or even solving specific problems. Since the social distancing began it has been a challenge for many service providers because it might be difficult to describe one’s service to prospects, especially if customers have a hard time visualizing what one does or how can be helped.

Why it’s more important than ever to share your story

April 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Tapiwa Matsinde, founder of atelier 55

In times of crisis, we seek to connect to those who have been through or are going through what we are facing. Their stories are comforting, helping us to see that we are not alone, and give us a thread of hope that we too will make it through. And that is why sharing your story matters now more than ever because there is someone out there who is waiting to hear it and form that connection with you.

Why compassionate sales is the new way of doing business

April 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Karen van Zyl, Founder & CEO, VA Connect and SnappSales

If you Googled “always be closing” the first page will bring up results of Alec Baldwin’s monologue in a dated movie called Glengarry Glen Ross. There was a lot of hype back then regarding this ABC monologue. And if you ask around today they’ll tell you this mind-set dead.

Effective brand communication during uncertain times of COVID-19

March 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Kelebogile Makhafola

The saying that goes, “you cannot manage what you cannot measure” proves to be earnest in such a time. Marketing managers, brand leaders and business owners are not only having to deal with the core sustenance of the business, but also forced to figure out how best to keep their brand healthy and helpful in such a time. Effective brand communication during uncertain times is vital for stakeholder management and brand impact. Below are 5 ways to keep your brand engaged and empathetic to its’ customers as we globally navigate uncharted territory.

Pandemic marketing. Working through the Covid-19 pandemic.

March 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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by Damaris Nyabuti

For the past week, schools and other learning institutions have remained shutdown, several countries have gone on lockdown-closing their borders indefinitely, businesses are working from home, events and gatherings have been made illegal and thus cancelled and soon so many other establishments will be forced into closure. All of this will have a detrimental impact on the economy. Hence, until this quarantine period is over, businesses globally must be aware of how to correctly market their goods and services.

Sales Un-usual: These sales techniques will help you in this unprecedented time

March 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Karen van Zyl, Founder & CEO, VA Connect and SnappSales

The world is a-changing and at a rapid pace too! A few short months ago you were putting your New Year’s Resolutions in place and gearing for an exciting year. And then everything changed. It’s so surreal and those that I have spoken to say they feel like they are in a movie. The Corona Virus has hit and has hit us hard. Nothing could have prepared us for what is about to unfold.

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