that asset for their training needs. This also helped generate revenue for the Federation, substantially.
Q
: To what extent did SAEFA’ s resignation from SEIFSA affect the Federation’ s finances?
A
: The impact would have been enormous. had we sat back and done nothing. Instead, we embarked on a re-recruitment strategy aimed at returning to SEIFSA the companies that had left with the break-away Association. The CEO, the Operations Director and I made personal visits to member companies and we were very successful in that regard since approximately 40 % of the companies – employing around 70 % of the employees – had since returned to SEIFSA, through other Associations, by the end of 2017.
Q
: Do you believe you have successfully managed to turn SEIFSA’ s financial fortunes around?
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: Indeed, we have, during the 2016 / 17 financial year, managed to break even and make a profit for the first time in five years.
Q
: And what do you attribute this to?
A
: I think it’ s the combination of all the measures we’ ve put in place; but, most importantly, I think it is the fact that we do not cease to continually look at and implement cost- containment measures. I think the digital marketing campaign we launched a couple of years ago is also beginning to yield some results.
Q
: Can you tell us more about the digital marketing campaign?
A
: Yes, in response to current trends in the market, we decided to supplement our traditional marketing methods with a digital marketing campaign using platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn to advertise our products and services( seeing that the world appears to be moving in that direction). Although it has taken a bit of time, we are now beginning to see a link between digital marketing and an increased uptake on the products and services advertised on digital media platforms. In addition to our deliberate efforts, the South African economy is also generally beginning to come out of the doldrums. We’ re beginning to see improvements and positive sentiments, all of which bode well for our sector and for us going forward.
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Entrepreneurship Small Business Support and Incubation
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UNIQUE SOLUTIONS WE OFFER:
BBBEE Strategy and Consulting
Youth Development Programs Career Success, youth post school readiness, World of Work Readiness & Success and Young Professional
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Artisan and Technical Skills Development Skills Programs, learnerships, Apprenticeships, Specialist programs
Skills Development elopment, BBBEE E, EE, Transformation, Human Capital Services & Solutions, Consulting, Project Management
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World Class Manufacturing, production, maintenance & services, learnerships Skills Programs, Specialist Programs
Corporate Training Programs Management and Leadership, Business Skills ls, Mentoring & Coaching, Talent & Career Success
For further information please contact: Telephone: 011 825 0647
Preggy Chetty: 082 389 2363, preggy @ thuthukisa. co. za Paulos Mahlangu: 081 425 4719, paulos @ thuthukisa. co. za Homera Kadwa: 072 561 4799, homera @ thuthukisa. co. za Eugene Vermaak: 083 430 6501, eugene @ thuthukisa. co. za
SEIFSA AT 75 SEIFSA AT 75- SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE A SEIFSA ALLIANCE PARTNER 53
Making companies learning organisations 53
IN THE NATIONAL PRIORITY TRADES‘ CENTRES OF SPECIALIZATION’ PROJECT