CORPORATE SCENE
“... Kinda Trade connects manufactures , distributors and wholesalers to the final customer , thereby short circuiting the supply chain and enhancing efficiency . It offers an automated sales management tool targeted at sales teams . By digitally connecting the sales person for example to the wholesaler they take orders without travelling ...”
A few years later I landed a regional gender advisory role with an international NGO to work on Bill and Melinda Gates Specialty coffee project . This position relocated me to Rwanda as a young expatriate with a coverage of four countries , Kenya , Rwanda , Tanzania , and Ethiopia . The job involved traveling almost weekly across the countries as the project was in its inception and a lot of preparation had to be done , especially in a new field such as gender .
One and a half years into the role and word went round the region on my expertise , I started receiving invitations to speak at regional workshops , train regional teams and develop organizational and government strategies . With demand being high , I decided to leave full time employment and build my consulting portfolio , which was surprisingly growing fast .
A year later I received a call from Nike Foundation , I interviewed for a Senior Opening in Rwanda , and I joined them , winding up a couple of consultancies I had with Plan International and International Trade Centre while on that job , of course with a declaration that I needed to complete what I had started . I stayed with the Nike Project ‘ Girlhub ’ for 24 months with a resignation in January 2013 .
What did you learn from each of the places you ’ ve worked ?
I am a believer that wherever one works there are two important things they need to fulfil . One is to contribute to the organization thus making an impact and leaving a mark . The other is to take the opportunity to learn as much as possible by being curious and taking on tasks that are beyond the job description . This must be intentional and one must be a sponge and soak in as much as possible . I must however say that some of the lessons become clearer later in life when faced with a similar situation and then our subconscient kicks in .
Donors get many proposals and it ’ s important to stand out . From the wording to formatting and flow one must write with clarity and conviction . My sojourn substantially improved my prowess in crafting these . From Ford , while working as I receptionist , I learnt that it doesn ’ t matter what position or tasks one is performing as there ’ s always an opportunity to contribute , stand out and learn . It ’ s the attitude and drive that matters . I refused to be defined by the tittle receptionist and went beyond my call of duty . At Nike Foundation I learnt how to think through things before making a decision or acting . It ’ s important to gather information , data and draw on insights to avoid costly mistakes . Always ask the right questions and look deeper than the surface for there-in lays the opportunity or the potholes that could stand in your way .
Signifide Group
Having learnt enough it was time for me to take a different trajectory and venture on my own while still very committed to the empowerment of women but with a twist . I added another group , the youth . Thus in October 2012 I set up Signifide in Rwanda , an African owned and youth led social enterprise . The idea was to turn the individual demand on my skill to entity demand , leading to the setting up of the company .
A year later , I got a consulting assignment in Kenya and moved back . I registered Signifide in Kenya in 2014 and continued pushing the market to open up for me as an entity and not individual . The name has a meaning : it marries two words Significance and Bonafied as it seeks to make a significant difference by responding to a known problem .
We have pivoted countless times , and this is because we start with excitement , and the market tells us otherwise . We are now humble enough to live by our tag line
“ Innovate , Deliver , Respond , which is a true description of our journey ! We are also in Zambia , having registered in 2018 , after I moved there on an expatriate offer and saw the market demand .
The company runs two arms . The first is Signifide Consult , which basically offers consultancy services in the field of gender and youth empowerment , as well as research on effects of technology on women and youth social and economic empowerment .
Our second arm is Kinda Digital ; which currently powers three products ; Kinda Trade - a distribution , supply and sales management web and app based platform ( in Kenya and Zambia ): Kinda Connect - A global apprenticeship and internships for young skilled Africans and Kinda Works - A global employment connection platform for the Gig Economy .
Kinda Trade connects manufactures , distributors and wholesalers to the final customer , thereby short circuiting the supply chain and enhancing efficiency . It offers an automated sales management tool targeted at sales teams . By digitally
connecting the sales person for example to the wholesaler they take orders without travelling . This leads to better utilization of their time , enables them to process more orders and improves overall efficiency . It is also a useful tool for stock management , a constant headache for those in the supply chain .
One of the beneficiaries of Kinda Trade is the farmer , especially women , who by using this platform enjoy higher prices as we connect them straight to the customers . Moreover it reduces speculation and uncertainty and they are able to concentrate on farming without worrying whether there will be a market for their products . They have peace of mind knowing there is a ready market . One of our clients is JUMRA , the online trading platform for which we provide back office support . Kinda Trade has offices in Kenya and Zambia as well as partners in South Africa and Namibia .
Kinda Works is a tool for those in the gig economy especially in the informal sector . These include plumbers , gardeners , electricians and other ‘ fundis ’. We provide them a platform where they can register
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