Recent Highlights From Business Engage
Business Engage
A collective of corporates building a sustainable business case for gender mainstreaming in Africa
The launch of LeadersWalk in Botswana
Business Engage recently held the first LeadersWalk event in Gaborone, focusing on and promoting Gender Mainstreaming. Aspiring leaders attended the event with the theme being
“Do women add a competitive advantage to the economy?”
The audience of corporate leaders were captivated and enlightened as everyone soaked up the imparted knowledge.?
The honourable Sethomo Lelatisitswse, Botswana’s Deputy Health Minister, was the esteemed key guest speaker. Many influential individuals from various industries, including insurance, banking, and the telecommunications sectors attended.?
Providing an invaluable forum for leaders to engage in meaningful discussions on various topics, including strategies for business growth, leadership development, and gender diversity initiatives.
CEOs and other leaders shared their insights, practices, and success stories, offering different perspectives on overcoming challenges and driving positive change within their organisations.
Attendees had the opportunity to network with peers, industry experts, and thought leaders, facilitating valuable connections and collaboration opportunities.
The response was overwhelming, with many expressing appreciation for the valuable insights gained and the quality of the discussions.?
The LeadersWalk, plays a crucial role in driving meaningful change and empowers leaders and future leaders to thrive in inclusive environments
The next LeadersWalk event was held at Webber Wentzel in Sandton, Johannesburg?
The topic was the same as the Botswana event. The LeadersWalk aims to nurture aspiring leaders and have round table discussions exchanging ideas.?
The guest speaker was Ntombi Langa-Royds.
Leaders walk the talk - Disrupted/Disruptor
Ntombi is a wife and mother of two grown children, she holds two legal degrees and NED directorships in various companies, added to her accolades she is an author and a “Student Observer of Life”.
Discussing the expectations of leaders today and why, as well as, what leaders of today require to be effective. Ntombi addressed change in business covering issues from Covid, various enterprises and increased economic power blocks. Continuing, she addressed rising social unrest and restlessness, environmental issues, governance expectations and the number of elections held in 2024.
Seven key ESG metrics to be tracked:
Social aspects were also covered from human rights and equity to inclusion strategies and philosophies. When speaking about governance and ethics Ntombi covered corporate structure, activities, supportive policies, values, and cultures involving people and the planet.
How governance is measured by performance management and assurance, remuneration philosophies, and ensuring structure and implementation.?
She presented what is required of leaders from strategic contributors, to being multi-skilled, versatile, competent, analytical, and having the right EQ, IQ, and SQ.
Are we the Disruptors or the Disrupted?
Are we far more than just experts, are we versatile and adaptable or are we continuing as usual, slowly disappearing, just treading water and fighting for life?
This was an exciting and informative event for the industry, affording leaders an opportunity to network and soak up the shared knowledge.
BoardWalk KZN
On a daily basis Business Engage continues to thrive and make a difference in Gender Mainstreaming within corporate workplaces.?
The BoardWalk event took place in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal.?
Themed “Agents of Positive Change in SA,” the event’s guest speaker was RCL’s CEO Paul Cruickshank.?
The BoardWalk is an initiative that has been created to nurture the development of aspiring directors who are currently in senior management positions and help them to unlock their full potential.?
Paul answered many interesting and pertinent questions which can be read here.
After Paul became the CEO, the business defined its Purpose, WE GROW WHAT MATTERS.
Paul explained what purpose is : “A purpose is what gets you out of bed in the morning. A purpose gives you direction, for me it is the North Star and it guides the decisions we make and the things we do or don’t do. It’s the same with business. A business that has a strong purpose knows why it exists and where it is going.”
Gender Mainstreaming Awards
The 2024 Gender Mainstreaming Awards are looming.?
Business Engage launched the East Africa Gender Mainstreaming Awards. To mark this auspicious occasion, an event was held in April in Nairobi, Kenya.?
The Gender Mainstreaming Awards recognises and acknowledges the powerful indication of progress towards gender mainstreaming in the corporate sector.?
GMA proudly returns for its 12th event in Africa.?
One of the key reasons for these awards is to inspire corporates to champion gender mainstreaming as a strategic imperative.?
The awards also recognise individuals who are contributing to this.?
The East Africa Gender Mainstreaming Awards launch was attended with positivity and excitement.?
“The GMA launch was electrifying, a gathering of visionary leaders advancing gender mainstreaming. I am thrilled to be part of this movement,” said Evelyn Ngatia, founder, and CEO of TechaWatt Ltd.?
Business Engage is excited to accept corporate and individual nominees for the upcoming Africa and Middle East Gender Mainstreaming Awards.
Our stakeholders and members make us who we are, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for making this event a success.
Entries are free of charge and close on 31 May 2024.
To enter, visit: https://www.genderawards.com
For more information contact Colleen Larsen, email: [email protected]
Colleen Larsen at PWC
The premise of the presentation was “Crafting a Unique You”, building a distinct personal brand with authenticity and consistency.
Key aspects discussed:
Rome wasn’t built in a day and crafting your own brand awareness for your personal journey needs achievable goals. As in most aspects of life, obstacles and barriers hamper our journey, overcome personal barriers by cultivating resilience, finding your voice, becoming a corporate influencer, recognising your worth, and contributing your ideals and ideas.?
You are your brand, renew yourself, renew your brand. A strong personal brand opens doors. This is me, this is my brand. Take that first step, and take action now.
Reflect on your purpose, create a detailed blue print to achieve your purpose, share your goals and never stop believing in yourself. Your brand is what makes you, uniquely you, be authentic and always remain true to who you are.
Three inspirational stories were presented, that of J K Rowling, Mpumi Madisa and Colleen Larsen.
Personal branding isn't about how other people see you, it's deeply rooted in truths, values, and the courage to pursue what genuinely matters to you. Most people encounter obstacles in their lives, it’s how we deal with them that makes the difference, turning obstacles into lessons, sidestepping, or conquering them.
“You will have failures along the way, but you are not a failure.? It is just a detour in the road.” Colleen Larsen
Building self-worth and encouraging business leaders to do the right thing.? Making Africa the gender hub from which we export stories of success in gender mainstreaming to the rest of the world is making a difference!
“We believe the best way to influence change is to strengthen and grow the current conversation, then couple that with deliberate actions.” Colleen Larsen
For more information or to book a talk, contact Business Engage: [email protected]
We invite you to join us in our mission to promote gender mainstreaming in the corporate sector.
To join future events: https://www.businessengage.africa/events/
For further information, Email: [email protected]