BrandQuantum has today announced that technology research and consulting company, Gartner has rated BrandMail the number one email signature solution globally. The rating is based on comparison reviews across the Gartner Digital Markets which comprises the three leading B2B software search websites — Capterra, GetApp and Software Advice. These reports are independent assessments based on user ratings and reviews. Across all three websites, BrandMail came out tops for its Customer Support and Value for Money. The email branding solution, which is available for Outlook, Google and O365, also ranked highly for its functionality and ease of use. According to Paula Sartini, founder and CEO at BrandQuantum, “We are delighted to receive this accolated from Gartner. At BrandQuantum we develop easy-to-use software solutions in conjunction with our customers to ensure that our software helps them to overcome business challenges and helps them to meet their brand consistency needs.” BrandMail is an email signature management software solution that delivers tamperproof email signatures that are centrally managed to deliver brand consistency in every email interaction. “We would not have been able to develop the software solutions we do without our customer input and recommendations,” adds Sartini. “At the same time, without our customer’s support, BrandMail would not be recognised as a leading email signature solution. It is this support that reminds us that our brand consistency software solutions remove the pain associated with driving brand consistency across organisations and helps our customers to deliver consistently branded emails that result in consistent customer experiences every time.”
How digital access is transforming financial inclusion in Africa
In the convenience economy, digital payment solutions are central to businesses providing a service that is quick and seamless. In Africa, digital technologies are not …
SMEs should not overlook the importance of marketing
Many entrepreneurs who are starting out often overlook the importance of marketing and solely rely on the strength and popularity of their product or services. Palesa Mabasa, FNB Business Development Head, SME Funding says, “while this may be true, especially for some businesses who rely only on word of mouth as a marketing tool, entrepreneurs who are serious about growing their businesses need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a marketing strategy that will help them attract more customers and increase sales.” “Often, when entrepreneurs market their businesses, they assume that its only about putting their brands on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram, without necessarily having a comprehensive marketing strategy and plan in place,” adds Mabasa, as she unpacks tips for developing a business marketing strategy: Marketing strategy – as part of your marketing strategy, develop a marketing plan that aligns to your business objectives. For example, if your plan includes a social media plan or campaign – depending on the depth and frequency of your planned activities, you can then decide to appoint a social media manager or manage the activities yourself in alignment with the business’ broader marketing activities. It’s more than just randomly posting on Twitter and Instagram as and when you deem relevant. Competitive advantage – it’s important to know and understand your competitors, determine your unique selling point, and what you can deliver to satisfy your customer needs. For example, when running a bakery, you could offer your customers discounts, such as muffins when buying three coffees. Free online marketing tools – there are many online tools that SMEs can use to learn more and or market their businesses, often at no cost. For example, FNB provides customers with Fundaba, a free digital app-based entrepreneurship learning programme on the FNB App, that covers various topics to help you start, run and grow your business including a section on marketing and sales. The bank also has a digital marketplace on the FNB App called Nav marketplace, where business clients can load their services, a logo, images, and a catchy description exposing their businesses to over 4 million FNB App users. Business that can list their services includes, homes services, professional services like accountants, tutors, and GIG workers. Return on investments – in addition to the marketing activities that will be implemented, it is important to use the right tools to accurately measure and determine return on investment. This will help the business owners to determine whether their marketing activities have helped to deliver on their strategy “Lastly – the importance of fully understanding your competitors, customers, market and landscape in which you operate and matching that with an adequate marketing plan that will help the business to reach its objectives – cannot not be overemphasized”, concludes Mabasa.
Spring clean your finances – JustMoney
September is the first month of spring – a time, traditionally, to clean out, refresh and renew. It’s a good reminder to review your budget and put plans in place to help your finances flourish. Consumer finance website JustMoney.co.za offers some helpful tips to assist you with this process, and get your financial affairs in order. Review your budgeting goals: Review your bank statements to see where your money goes. Cutting extraneous spending can free up cash, enabling you to reduce your debt and reach your financial goals. Organise paperwork: Documents left lying around are likely to get lost. File important documents and shred records you no longer require. Examine your policies: Are your insurance policies still relevant to your needs? Your circumstances may have changed in the past few years, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Seek expert advice: A reputable financial adviser can help you to review your policies, and advise you of the financial implications of any changes you are considering. Check investment performance: Are you receiving optimal returns, paying fair management fees, and adopting the appropriate risk profile for your life stage? For example, a middle-aged manager would generally require a more conservative investment portfolio, while a young professional may be less risk-averse. Make the most of your medical aid: Ensure that you make the most of any benefits, such as free health checks, and savings at affiliated companies. Check that you are on the appropriate tier for your needs. Consider gap cover to prevent major shortfall expenses. Check your credit score: Your credit score is used by lenders use to assess your risk profile, and determine the interest rate you should be charged. It’s important to know your score and work to improve it if necessary. Take a debt inventory: Get a clear picture of what you owe, and the interest rates charged for each amount. Work towards paying off the debt that charges the highest interest rate, such as credit cards. If you are struggling to pay off debt, contact a reputable debt counselling company to assess your situation. Update your will: Your circumstances may have changed sinceyou last drew up your will. Ensure it’s up to date and reflects your wishes. If you don’t have a will, draw one up as soon as possible. “Spring is when many people tend to take action, clear clutter and create change,” says JustMoney Marketing Manager Shafeeka Anthony. “Addressing niggling money matters and getting your affairs in order may take time initially, but it will give you peace of mind and pay off in the long run. Check your progress monthly, and adapt your goals as needed.” JustMoney.co.za is a trusted voice in the South African personal finance sector. The website offers articles, money management tools such as a free credit report, and a wide range of financial products and services. Over 200,000 South Africans subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed and learn how to become financially savvy. Find the websitehere.
Steri Stumpie Is Bringing The Steri-bration To The People As The Brand Celebrates Its 50th Birthday
Steri Stumpie Is Bringing The Steri-bration To The People As The Brand Celebrates Its 50th Birthday Over the last half a decade, Steri Stumpie has cemented itself as South Africa’s favourite flavoured milk brand. Two years ago, the brand had to put a big celebration back in the fridge and now, to celebrate their 50th birthday, the brand is bringing the spontaneous, colourful and fun to South Africans around the country because, let’s face it – lately life has been a little colour-less, fun-less & flavour-less thanks to ‘you know what’. Steri Stumpie will be hosting an array of Steri-brations at popular locations around Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Steri-mobile will be visiting hotspots around the cities and adding a little colour and flavour to fans of the popular drink and celebrating everything this iconic brand stands for.Throughout the years, Steri Stumpie has become a staple in the South African beverage industry. With its array of delicious flavour, packed with natural goodness, Steri Stumpie remains a firm favourite with adults and children alike. For any brand, reaching a milestone half a century is a feat on its own – and that’s worth celebrating!These activations will see Steri Stumpie throwing the ultimate celebration with incredible music, selfie walls, product giveaways and so much more.Catch the Steri-mobile in Johannesburg on:2 September: Johanneburg Zoo and Zoo Lake3 September: Ghandi Square and Rosebank College4 September: Sandton Central Park9 September: Johanneburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam10 September: Golden Harvest Park11 September: Lion Park and James & Ethel Gray ParkCatch the Steri-mobile in Cape Town on:16 September: Camps Bay and Clifton Beach17 September: Green Point Park18 September: Strand and Gordon’s Bay23 September: Muizenburg Beach24 September: Sea Point Promenade25 September: Eden on the Bay, Melkbosstrand, Bloubergstrand Beach and Blaauwberg Beach30 September: Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens & Die Boord1 October: Hout Bay Beach, Bay Harbour Market & Chapman’s Peak Drive2 October: Simon’s Town8 October: Kirstenbosch Botanical GardensTo celebrate their 50th birthday in style, Steri Stumpie has teamed up with some of Mzansi’s hottest personalities. Cassidy Nicholson, Khanyisa Jaceni, Reece C Lewis, Juandre Nortje, Liam Stoffberg and Holly Rey will be attending some of the celebrations where they will be creating content for their social channels and interact with fans – all while enjoying that Steri Stumpie goodness.