Speaker, author, and business leadership expert, Ian Russell, believes that this generation will be defined by the events of late 2019 and early 2020 – the period before Covid-19 (BC) and after Covid-19 (AC). It may also be how many businesses will start referencing their trajectories, whether they be soaring up or spiralling down as they lick their wounds from the effects of national and global lockdowns.
It has been five months since the already ailing South African economy was placed under the added strain of the Covid-19 lockdown, and where in the first month alone, more than 3 million South Africans had lost their jobs. These months have undeniably been some of the toughest that corporate institutions, small businesses, and entrepreneurs could have anticipated. The lockdown has impacted everyone across the board, with a devastating effect particularly on SMME’s active in local supply chains.
Catherine Wijnberg, CEO of Fetola – a company involved with establishing supply chain programmes for the country’s most visible brands – says, “Small suppliers and supply chains, that form the vital backbone of businesses in South Africa, have been hard hit by Covid. As a country we need now to focus not only on transformation but on bridging the gap and encouraging a collaborative ecosystem that lifts all ships as the tide of change comes in, as part of our recovery and rebuilding effort.”
The reliance of various businesses on each other has been highlighted during the lockdown, and initiatives to keep the relationships and services intact will be a priority moving forward.
The reliance of various businesses on each other has been highlighted during the lockdown, and initiatives to keep the relationships and services intact will be a priority moving forward.
It is for this reason that the Absa Business Day Supplier Development Dialogues series has gained traction by bringing together thought leaders, Supplier Development managers, corporates, suppliers and SMME’s to host critical discussions on supporting the global and domestic response to South Africa’s current crisis, and to reignite growth.
Three exciting Dialogues are lined up in September, ahead of the online announcement of the winners of the third Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards. The Dialogues – pre-award discussions with participation from this year’s Awards finalists – will focus on SMME resilience strategies (1 September, 12h30), future-based skills, collaboration & innovation (2 September, 12h30), and building thriving and inclusive supply chains (3 September, 12h30)
On 9 September, the digital announcement of the winners of the third Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards will kick-off with a keynote from the author of ‘The Other End of the Telescope’, Ian Russell, before the winners across ten categories which include Local Manufacturing, Small Suppliers, Collaboration, 4IR, as well as Youth, Black Women, and Rural & Township Development are celebrated.
Look out for the special digital edition of the Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards report, published by Cold Press Media. It will include features on supplier development best practice, lessons from experts in the field, winners’ interviews, and more.
Join us for the upcoming Absa Business Day Supplier Development events:
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1 September | 12h30 Nation building to reignite growth – A focus on SMME resilience strategies |
2 September | 12h30
Embracing future based skills, collaboration & innovation |
3 September | 12h30
The winning edge – building thriving, inclusive and healthy supply chains |
9 September | 12h00
Keynote presentation and awards announcement |
| Register here |
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Register here | Register here |