Page 8 - Nine Yards Magazine 2021/2022 - Old Mutual Corporate

contributors
JONATHAN KATENDE
Get insider tips on digital marketing from Jonathan on p40.
Why marketing? What excites you about it?
‘For me, it has always been about people and the triggers that influence our purchasing decisions. I am big on data, and technology allows me to understand customers’ behaviour. In this new digital age, and specifically the era of Web 3.0, it is important to appreciate customers’ demands in terms of personalisation.’
Has the lockdown taught you anything new about marketing? ‘Two things stood out for me. The one was that authentic brands always win. The second realisation was that agility really is an underrated superpower.’
What book has recently changed the way you think about things? ‘Probably Adam Grant’s book Think Again – The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know. He has a great perspective on the importance
of challenging ourselves to be
okay with not knowing, being wrong, and rethinking our own conventional wisdom.’
NICOLENE SCHOEMAN-LOUW
The founder of SchoemanLaw lists the legal terms you simply have to understand on p30.
Which challenges do almost all entrepreneurs face with regard to the law?
‘In my experience they do not budget for the legal side of the business until there is a critical legal issue to resolve.’
Is it merely a matter
of compliance?
‘Five out of seven South African small businesses fail in the first 12 months. The reasons are related to poor access to funding and markets. However, we don’t unpack sufficiently why this is. From what I’ve seen, lack of compliance is the real underlying cause or at least a major factor.’
What lesson did you have to learn in business?
‘The most important thing I’ve learnt is to embrace failure and struggle with the same openness as progress and success; to look beyond the current situation and see the bigger picture to avoid being paralysed by a problem in a way that prevents progress.’
SIPHOKAZI MARIVATE
Turn to p20 to see Siphokazi’s photographs for our cover story.
What has been the most positive aspect of being a woman in photography? ‘Right now, it’s being able to open doors for other women creatives and to work with them and learn from them. I also want to make clients aware that there are indeed brilliant women photographers out there.’
Has the photography industry changed in the 10 years since you started?
‘I don’t think it has, not in South Africa. We have a lot to catch up on when it comes to taking risks. However, I always do my best to create work that stands out. I don’t want to be seen as someone who does the same work as others.’
If you could travel anywhere with your camera, where would you go?
‘I would definitely fly over to Spain. I believe it’s a beautiful country and I’d be able to capture
calm, soothing images my way.’
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
GO TO CONTENTS
4 2021/2022