As farmers in Botswana awake to a new dawn, Botswana Trade Portal is here to help you make bigger moves in agriculture.
As local farmers adapt to an all-new level of pressure and expectation, the big-picture benefits for the nation at large are clear.
In December last year, the Ministry of Agriculture announced an immediate ban on the importation of 16 different product categories.
Closing the border to a wide range of fresh produce has created some shortages — and indeed some tension. Consumers in Botswana are not accustomed to going without their favourite produce.
However, experts on the ground at the ministry of Agriculture believe that these are short-term effects. As local farmers adapt to an all-new level of pressure and expectation, the big-picture benefits for the nation at large are clear.
The new import bans (which will be reviewed in two years) give farmers the chance to prove themselves on a national stage — and confidence to bet on the future. To upscale their operations in an environment which is conducive to growth.
Both rural and urban youth now have another avenue for wealth creation: pursuing lucrative ideas in specialised farming suddenly becomes a genuine career option.
Restricting certain imports also creates a sustainable boost to businesses which participate all throughout the agricultural value chain. These include fertilizers, seeds, tools, heavy equipment, irrigation, logistics, packaging — even banking and finance.
‘We encourage anyone who is a farmer, or indeed working in a farming-adjacent sector, to register on our platform,’ says Botswana Trade Portal Manager, Boipelo Baakanyang.
‘We will help you stay abreast of all the latest trade regulations, procedures, stakeholder announcements — and more,’ she says.
She emphasises that the Trade Portal is a free online service which is easy to navigate, and an essential resource for entrepreneurs, especially in agribusiness, who want to carve out a place in the market and make quick, confident decisions.
‘The Botswana Trade Portal will help you take advantage of this important window of opportunity,’ she says confidently.
To access the Botswana Trade Portal and become a member, simply click here.
Take your first steps with confidence: the Botswana Trade Portal gives new entrepreneurs like you the support you need.
In Botswana, new entrepreneurs come into the ecosystem every day.
Special people like you, who have fresh ideas, endless passion and drive – and a clear vision for how you can add value to the marketplace.
Sound familiar?
However, what you may lack is a partner who can help you bridge the gap between your dreams and reality.
‘The Botswana Trade Portal is designed to provide this essential companionship,’ says Botswana Trade Portal Manager, Boipelo Baakanyang.
‘Here, you can download all your application forms, licences and permits necessary for cross-border trade. You can read up on all the latest laws, regulations, technical standards and procedures. You’ll find it all easily searchable, available at the click of a button,’ says Baakanyang.
‘And it’s all completely free,’ she emphasises.
This centralised online resource brings together a wide variety of key stakeholders and Government authorities who will have a role to play in the long term development story of your business.
‘Armed with the right knowledge, you can bring new goods to the local market, find the niche that’s perfect for you – and exploit emerging trends faster,’ she continues.
‘If you plan to embark on an export-led growth strategy, the Botswana Trade Portal will help you lay out a step-by-step action plan that is designed to succeed in the real world,’ Baaknyang says.
Too many entrepreneurs die an early death because they simply don’t have access to the same information that their established rivals do. That ends now. The Botswana Trade Portal levels the playing field for early-stage companies.
Many, well-established businesses of all shapes, sizes and industries are already taking advantage. If you are taking your first steps in business, it’s time for you to take your opportunity and sign up now.
It’s free. It always will be.
And you can activate your free membership today by clicking here.
‘Under-promise, over-deliver’: a case study in growth and retention from Sprint Couriers.
There is a line between a bold promise… and over-promising.
‘In 2022, customer expectations are higher than ever before,’ begins Sprint Couriers co-Founder, Michelle Gebrial.
‘In our industry, it seems like new competitors enter the market every day. For us, this underlines the importance of retaining every customer who comes our way,’ she continues.
In 2006, Gebrial founded the business with close friend Pinkie Setlalekgosi and a core team of 16 employees. Today, they oversee a countrywide operation and over 350 full time staff, the country’s largest citizen-owned delivery and logistics provider.
‘When it comes to long-term customer retention, we are open about sharing our strategy,’ she smiles.
‘We under-promise, and then we over-deliver.’
Gebrial proceeds to lay out a perfect example of how this works.
‘Our Budget service offers what we believe to be the best balance between speed and value. Anything the customer brings to us by 7pm will arrive at its destination before 5pm the next business day. We offer this service within a 500km radius of the drop-off point, and in any direction.’
‘The 5pm deadline is one we know we can meet comfortably, given the size of our fleet and the experience of our team,’ she explains.
‘Because we give ourselves a deadline that is within our capacity, we often wow the customer. They’re expecting a 5pm delivery, but often find their packages arriving in the morning, or just after lunch.’
This is what Gebrial calls ‘under-promising’.
Managing the customer’s expectations in this way then sets the stage to shine – and win lifetime customer loyalty.
‘If you hand out bold promises and then fall short, you will experience increased complaints, a reduction in repeat business and even social media fallout,’ she explains.
‘That is why we go the opposite way: we only make guarantees that we know we can sustainably keep. This is a key driver of our retention strategy and overall growth,’ concludes Gebrial.
There is a line between a bold promise… and over-promising. Train your team not to cross that line.
If you are a young, hard-working Motswana looking to make an impactful career choice, engineering should be at the top of your list.
Engineering professionals are essential for our society to function, develop and move forward.
Let’s take a closer look at what this career can give you.
Strong remuneration packages
‘Qualified engineering professionals are in possession of rare, high-value skills which are always in demand in both the public and private sector,’ says Engineers Registration Board (ERB) CEO, Dennis Olaotse.
For this reason, engineers enjoy above-average compensation throughout the industry’s many diverse disciplines.
‘If you want a sustainable career with both salary and growth potential, find your niche as an engineering professional,’ he encourages.
Variety and growth
Engineering offers more diversity than any other career.
‘Industrial. Mechanical. Civil. Chemical. Biomedical. Mining. Aeronautical. The list goes on. Engineering is a mind-blowing industry because of its diversity,’ explains Olaotse.
‘This profession offers so many opportunities to challenge yourself and contribute to society, which is one of the reasons why engineers the world over enjoy higher job satisfaction than many of their peers in other industries.’
In every field, professional engineers are respected for the value they create.
Olaotse explains that the best way to authenticate your status and make your mark after graduation is to register with ERB.
Career mobility
‘By law, every practicing engineer in Botswana must be registered with ERB,’ emphasises Olaotse.
But this registration process has a value beyond Botswana’s borders. After all, qualified engineers are in demand the world over.
‘If you have set your gaze outside the country, your registration with ERB will be taken into account by recruiters as an expression of your education, experience, skills, commitment to the highest ethical standards — and overall competence level,’ he explains.
In 2022, we are all embracing speed as an essential business skill.
Since the dawn of commerce, wealth has been attracted to people who act with velocity and conviction.
Today, the ability to make quick decisions is becoming even more important. Speed and growth opportunities go hand-in-hand: in times like these, good ideas can quickly become a bad ones if executed too slowly.
‘The COVID-19 pandemic has made importing and exporting much more challenging than normal for business owners in Botswana,’ says Botswana Trade Portal Manager, Boipelo Baakanyang.
‘Any company that imports stock or raw materials into Botswana must keep up with, anticipate and work around a new set of complexities and regulations that can (and often do) change overnight. The same applies to exporters,’ she explains further.
Welcome to the realities of cross-border trade in the pandemic era.
In 2022, it’s the speed fanatics who will grow the fastest. Entrepreneurs who understand the power of ‘now’ will surge ahead, over the horizon.
‘If you value speed as an essential competitive advantage, Botswana Trade Portal is available to answer any question you may have about moving your goods from one side of the border to another,’ says Baakanyang.
‘This initiative, spearheaded by the Botswana International Trade Centre, provides you with accurate, up-to-the-minute information that will enable you to make high quality business decisions in times of uncertainty.’
No more expensive, time-consuming mistakes and setbacks.
Baakanyang and her team encourage businesses of all shapes and sizes to log in and reap the benefits.
‘Seize the moment and accelerate the smooth movement of your goods with the Botswana Trade Portal,’
‘We want our clients to make quick decisions with confidence: this is not just about ensuring that your enterprise is compliant, it’s about making sure that you have an edge,’ she concludes.
In Botswana, fibre-optic internet is no longer reserved for big corporations. Ambitious expansion plans driven by BoFiNet and internet service providers like OPQ are bringing this new world standard to your doorstep — and the time is now.
‘As we live more of our lives online than ever before, fibre-optic internet is the only technology with enough bandwidth to handle the increasing demands of consumers,’ says OPQ Director, Stewart Anderson.
‘Think for a moment about how your internet usage has increased during the last few years. If you’re like most people, you’re doing a lot more, and you’re expecting a lot more,’ he continues.
Time goes by so quickly, we often forget how our internet usage has evolved. Think about all the things you now do online. You expect increased interactivity. Cloud storage. E-commerce. Rich media. Video meetings. Regular uploads and downloads of large files. And all of it on multiple devices.
‘These are the trends that have characterised home internet usage over the past two years — and all of them are bandwidth-hungry,’ Anderson explains.
‘At OPQ, we want Batswana to understand that fibre-optic internet in the home is not the future — in fact it’s the present.It re-defines what we can do as society. In a world where technology becomes obsolete so quickly, this infrastructure is future-proof.’
Migrating to fibre in your home will also eliminate your exposure to environmental hazards. Have you ever lost your wi-fi connection during a thunderstorm, a tree growing upwards in the way of your receiver or — even worse — for no reason you could fathom?
Today, fibre-optic internet transfers data through a beam of light inside an underground glass cable which is thinner than a human hair. Copper cables? Soon to be a thing of the past.
If you are experiencing a sluggish connection and wish for a far more responsive online experience while using multiple devices concurrently — then OPQ may be able to help you, depending on your location.
To find out more about fibre-optic internet, and make an inquiry about coverage in your area, contact OPQ by clicking here.
In times of change, take every possible step to ‘recession-proof’ your career.
Authority.
It’s the hallmark of a professional.
When we come into contact with a true professional, we see it. We hear it. We know it.
Authority stands up tall: confident, competent — commanding even.
‘The most successful engineers across the industry embody this special quality,’ says Engineers Registration Board (ERB) CEO, Dennis Olaotse.
‘No matter your level of career development, every practicing engineer in Botswana must be registered with ERB,’ he emphasises.
‘Certification with us underlines your qualifications, your competence, your experience, your accountability, your commitment to ethical practices — in essence, it’s a statement to the world about your level of authority,’ he continues.
The engineering profession has not been spared by the economic slowdown brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the industry, and indeed all over the world, engineering firms are cutting costs, slashing production and reducing hiring.
‘In uncertain times, engineers in Botswana must take every possible step to insulate themselves from anything which could disrupt their career development. This includes legally-mandated registration with ERB,’ explains Olaotse.
He says, ‘We are here to help engineering professionals navigate possible changes in their careers that may occur now and in the future.’
Registration with ERB recognises your proficiency in addition to any other related qualifications you may have acquired. Professional registration captures the experience you have accumulated and shows your level of competence.
It also demonstrates your commitment to integrity, regard for public interest and responsibility for others.
‘Now is the time to cement your position as an authority figure in the engineering community by registering with ERB without delay,’ encourages Olaotse.
If you’re looking for a blueprint for starting from scratch and scaling up sustainably, these four key lessons will give you clear direction.
Side by side, Michelle Gebrial and Pinkie Setlalekgosi have built the country’s largest privately-owned couriers and logistics operation: Sprint Couriers.
How did you make your very first sales?
It was 2006. Every day, Pinkie and I would go out searching for potential clients door to door — all day, every day, for months on end. We literally walked the streets. It was gruelling. But essential.
We took every meeting we could, desperate for face-time with any potential decision maker who could send business our way. We learned as much as we could about their needs, and explained to them why they should choose us.
Yes, there was a lot of rejection. But slowly, our efforts started to bear fruit.
I think that a lot of new entrepreneurs are spending too much time in their offices, hiding behind a team of sales reps, rather than going out there and pounding the pavement, representing their brands in person.
✅KEY TAKE-AWAY: Early stage enterprises need sales fast. As the founder, you must be the one who goes out and gets them.
You seem to have a unique relationship with Pinkie, your partner.
Absolutely. We both had decades of experience in the courier and logistics business before we began.
I focus on admin and financial management, and Pinkie is an expert in operations.
It’s important to have a partner who brings complementary skills to the table. If you want a business partner, don’t look for a mirror image of yourself. You have to put your faith in someone who sees things that you won’t see.
✅ KEY TAKE-AWAY: If you have a partner, the success of your enterprise depends on the strength and longevity of your relationship with each other.
Did you ever make use of government funding?
Not at all. I believed we would be successful without it. Personal savings was our main method of finance to get Sprint Couriers off the ground.
In the first year, we refused to pay ourselves a salary. That’s a hard way to live. But extremely valuable in the long term. We know what it means to sacrifice for the sake of the company — and you can only learn these lessons when it’s your own money on the table.
We started with 16 employees. Today, we have over 350. Financial discipline is a big component of this growth.
✅ KEY TAKE-AWAY: Re-think your “need” for government funding.
Would you describe yourselves as ‘tough’ bosses?
Definitely. And why not? In our line of work, the smallest error or delay can result in massive inconvenience for the customer. Our customers expect a lot from us, which means we must expect a lot from each other as a team.
We would never ask anything of our team which we wouldn’t be willing to do ourselves. Our staff know that. We’ve built that sense of shared commitment and trust.
✅ KEY TAKE-AWAY: Every business lives and dies by its standards.
My interview with this real-life Investment Banker
‘The attitude we bring to our work is priceless: it creates space for innovation and creativity,’ says Stanbic Bank Head of Wholesale Clients, Shep Aisam.
When I sat down to meet Stanbic Bank Head of Wholesale Clients, Shep Aisam, I got a lot more than I bargained for.
In the midst of this, the greatest economic challenge that many of us will ever see in our lives, Aisam and his team’s focus on the future gives businesses of all shapes and sizes a blueprint to follow and build on, no matter what industry you may be working in.
I left feeling energised, connected to my goals — and with a much clearer understanding of what exactly it will take to succeed in the ‘new economy’.
Here’s what he taught me.
LESSON #1 Adopt an impeccable mentality
Aisam explained to me how Stanbic Bank is positioning itself to help stimulate growth across industries and lead the charge towards economy-wide recovery in the aftermath of this pandemic.
Maintaining this focus requires a next-level mentality.
‘My team and I want to build a reputation for saying it can be,’ he says, very plainly.
‘In the face of uncertainty, Stanbic Bank wants to drive Botswana’s growth. We want to take on new challenges while others play it safe. We want to embrace this unique opportunity in our lives and careers to be empathetic, solve problems and open new doors.’
LESSON #2 Concentrate on what you can control
COVID-19 has taught the business community many lessons, perhaps the most important of which is to re-define what ‘essential’ really means — and get back to creating value for the customer as priority number one.
‘In Wholesale Banking, we have made use of this window of time to truly get closer to our clients, holding hundreds of remote meetings which have provided immense value creation opportunities,’ says Aisam.
‘This dialogue with our clients gives us clarity moving forward — a priceless asset in times of uncertainty.’
LESSON #3 Harness the knowledge economy
As the world reels from the socio-economic effects of COVID-19, Aisam underlines the value of up-to-the-minute market intelligence.
‘The pandemic is re-shaping entire industries. Our clients benefit from a team of experts working around the region who specialise in key sectors, such as mining, energy and renewables, manufacturing, consumer goods, technology and media,’ he explains.
‘This gives them access to the very latest in emerging trends and research: a long-term competitive advantage which enables them to make informed decisions, to do more — and be more.’
‘When they work with Stanbic Bank, we can provide deeper insights that allow them navigate uncertainty and volatility with confidence.’
LESSON #4 Focus like crazy on the customer
‘At Stanbic Bank, we work hard to attract, nurture and retain a special breed of Banker,’ he says.
‘It’s a special mix of skill, experience — and a passion for seeing the world from our clients’ point of view.
He tells me, ‘Our institutional clients have very specific needs: to identify opportunities, grow their wealth and protect themselves from excessive risk. We passionately, consistently support them in the achievement of these goals. This connectedness is our secret sauce.’
NEW HORIZONS Creating opportunities at scale
What will the legacy of COVID-19 be in Botswana, and what lessons can we learn from our collective experiences? The experts at Stanbic Bank have their say.
‘We are seeing an accelerated rate of change in a wide variety of industries,’ emphasises Aisam. ‘Many sectors will never be the same again, and we are seeing wide avenues of growth opening up.’
Let’s take a closer look.
The mass-disruption of global and regional supply chains caused by the pandemic has underlined the importance of import substitution.
COVID-19 teaches us clear lessons about acknowledging our weaknesses: as Batswana, we must become more self-sufficient in all areas of manufacturing. Those who invest now face brighter prospects than they would have in previous years.
The drive to ensure food security will spark investments across the full agribusiness and food processing value chains.
Over the past 18-months, agriculture has proven its worth in the region as a recession-proof component of any economy.
As a result of the pandemic, this sector will become more important and diversified, as well as a greater contributor to GDP in Botswana.
Healthcare is priority number one, and will remain so for years to come. This applies the world over.
Whether it is in the production of personal protective equipment, over-the-counter medication, testing kits and even vaccines, investment opportunities will be plentiful for entrepreneurs who can define their role in the medical ecosystem, find their own niche and fill it.
Mobile-enabled payment and transfer platforms are essential to ensuring that people can still transact despite movement restrictions and evolving shopping habits.
These new cashless payment options support vital economic activity at all levels of the economy. COVID-19 has forever changed the way people pay for goods and services, setting fintech up to thrive in the long term.
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