Networking Workshop
On 24 July 2010, the Johannesburg branch of BWA hosted a Networking Workshop presented by Gill Kabe, who also facilitates the branch’s monthly networking sessions, and her partner Kevin Spence. The workshop Effective Business Networking and Connect The Dots helped demystify the art of effective business networking. The workshop was held at the Sandton Lodge in Rivonia, which sponsored the venue.
Just Between Us
The Johannesburg branch of BWA hosted another intimate and informative 'Just Between Us' in July was with Professor Shirley Zinn, chief human resources officer at Nedbank.
The committee would like to thank Professor Zinn for her time and the inspirational message she shared with members and guests and it is sure that the audience agreed that her story has motivated and encouraged them all to follow their dreams.
Thank you to Nedbank who sponsored the event, which was held at the Hilton in Sandton.
The next Just between Us is on 31 August with Jenna Clifford and there is a limit to number of guests of 35 to maintain the intimacy of the event, so book soon.
Just Between Us was piloted during 2009 and it is an opportunity for a small audience to have an informal discussion focusing on the woman behind the job, as opposed to the woman in the job or her company - an opportunity to learn the wisdom of living, rather than the ABC of success. An opportunity to get answers to your questions on the challenges, opportunities, desires, fears and thoughts on current issues facing women globally and in South Africa.
Networking opportunities
The June monthly networking was held at the new Monarch Hotel in Rosebank on 30 June 2010 and the committee’s thanks go to the hotel for th sponsorship of the venue. Gill Kabe, once again facilitated a wonderful and extremely beneficial networking session. Approximately 50 members and guests attended the session and presented their various businesses to the forum.
The next monthly networking will be held on 26 August 2010.
Networking session - Lead without Title
The second monthly networking held on 29 April was also a success. Alf McKnight presented "Lead without Title," sharing his insight and expertise. Gill Kabe facilitated the structured networking part of the evening. Each guest had an opportunity to introduce herself and her company and saw this as an opportunity to market her company and expand her network.
The committee thanks African Romance, which sponsored the venue and Maureen Davy of HSBC who hosted and sponsored the event.
The next networking session will be held on 30 June 2010.
Kick off 2010 Luncheon
On 24 March 2010, the BWA hosted a Kick Off 2010 Luncheon. The objective of the lunch was to present a balanced view of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the real impact it was going to have on South Africans and businesses (particularly in Johannesburg) to allow them to plan - for the party and the challenges. The topics discussed included what South African’s could expect from the World Cup in terms of key areas such relating to infrastructure, tourism, transport, safety and security, health etc.
The panellists were Lael Bethlehem, Christa Venter, Mmatsatsi Marobe who provided valuable insights and Cindy Poluta who facilitated the discussion.
Some discussion points were
• How are business operations are going to be impacted during the period?
• How they can contribute?
• How is movement and access control to be impacted?
• Will it be business as usual during the World Cup or will work come to a grinding halt in favour of the soccer and the estimated visitor’s needs?
• What are the realities and risks, if any, around some key areas such as:
o Safety and security
o Power
o Health
o Transport and movement
o Etc..
• What are the plans to mitigate the risks?
• What is the plan to get South Africans involved and what will their role be in the World Cup?
• What opportunities still exist for women in business?
Monthly Networking Session
31 March 2010
African Romance
The Johannesburg branch launched the 1st of our monthly networking sessions on 31st March 2010. Thank you to African Romance who sponsored the venue and Zoe Molapisi from By Design Marketing Group who hosted and sponsored the event.
Thank you to Danny Tuckwood and Gill Kabe for your input and sharing your vast knowledge and experiences regarding Networking Skills. The information is extremely valuable and I am sure that all the guests walked away with a better understanding of how to network effectively.
We had a phenomenal response to the event with approx 50 guests and members.
Here are some of the comments from our members.
“Wonderful meeting all of you last week, it was a wonderful experience and I do certainly look forward to those to follow.”
“It was really a blessing meeting you guys, I left the meeting feeling like there's hope at the end of the tunnel after all.”
Gill Kabe who was one of the guest speakers – “Just wanted to say thank you for inviting me to speak at last nights event. I found it a fantastic group of women and I foresee huge networking opportunities for the people that get it.”
Backsberg Wine Tasting
23 September 2009
Zenatude, Rivonia
While I'm not an expert on wine tasting, I have indulged in the activity from time to time. It however never ceases to amaze me the poise, elegance and richness one can bring to drinking wine.
The BWA Johannesburg branch held a wine tasting function at Zenatude, on Wednesday 23 September 2009, proudly sponsored by FMC leisure...here are a few tips I learnt from Simon, the great grandson to the founder of the Backsberg wine farm:
Before tasting, swirl the wine around the glass and notice how "thick" the wine seems. This is what the experts call the legs. Thin watery wines aren't as nice as wines that cling to the sides and drip slowly down. A wine with good legs will be more pleasant to drink, and will impress your culture-less friends. Swirling the wine allows for it to "breathe", and prepares the taster to smell the wine. You can tell a lot about a wine from the smell, and it'll give you a great idea of what the wine will eventually taste like (yes, you get to drink it at some point). There really isn't a preferred smell as far as I'm concerned, just your own personal taste I guess. My preference is the somewhat earthy smells, especially the vanilla and / or oak varieties.
When you've done all of this, and to make it look like you know what you are doing, take some wine in and roll it around in your mouth. Let it hit all of your taste buds, even under your tongue. Make some appreciative noises, and then part your lips and suck air in through your teeth, allowing it to bubble through the wine and up to the back of your throat. Get as much flavour and smell as you can from that part of the tasting and nod your head knowingly as you swallow. Yes, swallow. You don't necessarily need to spit it out on these excursions, because really... it's a disgusting act anyways. Think all the time of what smells, flavours and memories the wine evokes.
Wow! Wine tasting 101. It was a fun filled evening with lessons on history of the Backsberg Estate Cellars, laughter and more wine.
One of the guests won a weekend away for two to the Drankensberg, courtesy of FMC Leisure. Well done BWA, see you at the next one...
Just Between Us!
24 August 2009
Bert Wessels Theatre, Wits Business School
Just Between Us was a smashing hit yet again! Ipeleng Mkhari was in the hot seat this time and Kgomotso did a sterling job of asking her questions about the real, human issues that successful women leaders face. I think we all left there not only relieved that we are not alone in some of the challenges we encounter along the way but also encouraged by some of the practical tips that were offered. Thank you Ipeleng!
