Have you built a post-revenue business? Do you have at least five years of experience building a startup? Are you willing to share your experience with young aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs that are solving some of the world’s most pressing problems through innovation?
Then, Savvy is looking for you to serve as a mentor in its Fellowship Program for Aspiring and Early-Stage Entrepreneurs.
Every day, we are looking for experienced entrepreneurs with post-revenue businesses to join the ‘Savvy’ team that is building the new generation of impact entrepreneurs through mentorship. We are a diverse team, so we welcome people from different backgrounds.
We are looking for experienced entrepreneurs with a heart for helping others, and dedication to leaving the world better than they found it. So, if you think that describes you, then you might be whom we are looking for.
Currently, the Savvy mentorship team includes 154 changemakers from 39 countries, with a combined experience of over 700 years, and we are looking for more amazing persons to join the team.
We volunteer as mentors at Savvy because we believe that entrepreneurs are the catalyst for growth and the creators of wealth, so we’re building a program that is shaping passionate young professionals into the finest impact-driven entrepreneurs, and equipping them with all they need to be successful at what they do.
About the Savvy Fellowship Program:
Savvy Fellowship kicks off with a rigorous 12-weeks e-learning experience. As a Savvy Fellow, you will get to learn everything from ideation to venture scaling, including how to start, build, and scale an impact venture.
Using visual presentations, we’ll help you answer all the relevant questions you need to kickstart that amazing impact venture, gain early traction, achieve product-market fit, and scale into newer markets. Some of the things you’ll learn during the program are ‘understanding your customer’, ‘building a product or service that effectively solves their key challenges’, and ‘effectively positioning your solution in the market.’ Savvy is for every impact entrepreneur, no matter what stage your venture is.
So far, we have received nearly 52,000 applications from around the world, and have selected over 4,200 Fellows from 137 countries.
BENEFITS:
1. The opportunity to give back to others: Achieving greatness is nothing if you fail to help others achieve greatness too. Serving as a mentor in the Savvy program helps you give back to the younger generation, which gives you personal satisfaction as you make a difference in the entrepreneurial journey of others.
2. Network with other changemakers: The Savvy mentorship team includes over 150 changemakers from 39 countries that have built and exited innovative and profitable business ventures. So, joining the team brings you closer to these like-minded changemakers, which could foster collaboration and partnership in the nearest future.
3. Serve as a source of inspiration: You’re not only given a chance to give back and meet like-minded entrepreneurs that have created an impact in their community and the world at large. You’re given an opportunity to serve as a source of inspiration to the younger generation of impact-driven entrepreneurs who are passionate about solving some of the world’s most pressing issues through innovative means.
4. A certificate of appreciation.
ELIGIBILITY:
You must have a post-revenue business in any sector or industry.
Having a tech or tech-enabled business venture is not required, but it’s a plus.
You must be fluent in the English language; both written and verbal.
Fluency in French, Spanish or Portuguese is not required, but it’s a plus.
Be willing to impact and guide a Savvy Fellow in achieving their business goals.
Prior experience in mentorship is not required, but it’s a plus.
Be willing to devote an hour every week to mentoring a Savvy Fellow.
As corporate institutions continue to tap the commercial paper (CP) market to meet their short-term funding needs and liquidity requirements, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited has remained relentless in taking the necessary steps towards promoting transparency, governance, integrity, and efficiency in the Nigerian CP market and overall debt capital market (DCM).
It is with this mandate that the Board Listings and Markets Committee of FMDQ Exchange has approved the quotation of the United Capital PLC ₦1.56 billion Series 5, ₦13.99 billion Series 6 and ₦4.17 billion Series 7 CPs under its ₦50.00 billion CP Issuance Programme on the Exchange.
United Capital PLC is a leading financial services Group focused on leveraging technology to empower businesses, individuals and governments with excellent financial services.
The proceeds from the quotation of these CPs, which are co-sponsored by FSDH Capital Limited and UCML Capital PLC – Registration Member (Quotations) of FMDQ Exchange, will enable the company to provide a wider range of wholesale financing solutions to its clients as well as complement its funding base and support the growth of the overall business.
In keeping with its commitment to develop the DCM, FMDQ Exchange shall sustain its efforts in supporting issuers with tailored financing options to enable them achieve their strategic objectives, deepen and effectively position the Nigerian DCM for growth.
FMDQ Group is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI) group, strategically positioned to provide registration, listing, quotation and noting services; integrated trading, clearing & central counterparty, settlement, risk management for financial market transactions; and depository of securities; as well as data and information services, across the debt capital, foreign exchange, derivatives and equity markets, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries – FMDQ Exchange, FMDQ Clear Limited, FMDQ Depository Limited and FMDQ Private Markets Limited.
It has been a great summer for Nigerian artists on Spotify, as the last three months shows that music lovers from all over the country chose to listen to songs by local artists during the season.
With global acceptance of Nigerian music and artists growing by the day, it is not surprising that more and more Nigerians are turning to hits from their home-grown artists on Spotify for their listening pleasure.
“Nigerians’ support of homegrown talent has always been a joy to behold. It’s great to see that theme persevere and show up strong this summer!” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Top 10 Most-Streamed Summer Tracks on Spotify In Nigeria-Brand Spur Nigeria
The only non-Nigerian song in the Top 10 list is “Dimension” by JAE5, the British-born Ghanaian Grammy Award-winning producer. The track which features Skepta & Rema came in at seven. Next on the list is “Outside” by Buju, followed by Wizkid and Burna Boy’s “Ginger”, and “Monalisa” by Lojay.
Car as living and workspace: an Audi becomes an experienced device
5G mobile communications: cars alert each other to danger spots
Software unit CARIAD as a stronger technology partner for Audi
Smart solutions also make production and logistics more flexible and efficient
Audi is creating an ecosystem for electric and autonomous driving. With new physical and digital offerings, the premium brand will enrich the customer experience and meet the growing needs and demands for the mobility of the future.
Digitalization offers an opportunity to rethink the automobile and for that reason, it is an essential driver of transformation. The ecosystem around the vehicle makes an essential contribution to networked, sustainable premium mobility.
The software unit CARIAD is playing an important role in that. It is developing a car operating system for the entire Volkswagen Group and creating the conditions for the next autonomous driving functions. In the meantime, Audi is aggressively developing new business models and sales potential – in retail, in the vehicle, and via innovative mobility services.
And not least of all, the internet of things, the new 5G mobile communications standard, and artificial intelligence are making production and logistics processes more efficient. As part of Audi Media Days during IAA MOBILITY 2021, Spotlight Digitalization provided an overview of the core digitalization activities undertaken by the company with the four rings.
The automotive industry is currently in the midst of the greatest transformation in its history. The mobility of the future is sustainable and networked. Digitalization is making it simpler, more personal, and smarter.
Even now, numerous Audi services and features ensure that cars are more and more smoothly integrated into our customers’ digital environment. But that is just the beginning – in the future, Audi models will increasingly become personal experience devices.
The experience in the interior while driving from point A to point B is coming more clearly into focus. It is transforming into a living and working space – calibrated precisely to specific needs – with completely new possibilities and free spaces for the occupants.
Audi Creating A Universal Digital Customer Experience-Brand Spur Nigeria
Mobility doesn’t start in the vehicle. We are convinced that the digitalization of the entire customer journey will be the most important competitive differentiator. To that end, Audi is creating a consistent, seamless, and emotional premium experience at all brand touchpoints – online as well as offline.
In order to honor that promise, the company has comprehensively repositioned itself and is increasingly focusing on software and IT solutions. And it is doing so across all fields – from digital sales structures, e-commerce platforms, and interfaces to smart cities infrastructures all the way to production and logistics. Strong partners like CARIAD are accompanying Audi along the way.
Number one in customer experience
A personalized website, improved myAudi app features, and additional consultation options: Audi is pushing the digitalization of marketing, sales, and aftersales further.
In the process, the brand is pursuing a clear vision: interested parties and customers should be offered the possibility of a seamless, emotional, and intuitive brand experience – online as well as offline, across all contact points, from initial interest in an Audi model to the utilization phase.
The website, which was relaunched in spring 2021, is the point of entry into Audi’s digital offerings. It provides interested parties and customers with personalized information on all models and services. At its heart is an interactive car configurator with high-end visualizations and detailed information.
At any point during the configuration process, the user has the option of saving their selected configuration online using a code, downloading it in the form of a brochure, switching directly to an online consultation, or scheduling a test drive at a local dealership.
myAudi and the digital ecosystem around the car
The myAudi app remains the key to Audi’s digitally connected world. By using the app, customers can access important vehicle data and digital services. After the app’s relaunch with a new design, new vehicle-related functions will be available to users.
With functions on demand, Audi customers will be able to retroactively book additional options via myAudi to align the car more precisely with their individual needs. For that, different durations and booking options will be available.
This means that customers will have the opportunity to initially familiarize themselves with a function by booking a one-month test phase. Likewise, the available Audi connect packages can be extended and new Audi connect features can be booked using myAudi.
Here as well, the customer will be able to choose different durations for individual digital products. To do that, AudiPay functions as a safe and convenient global payment and billing platform for supplemental digital offerings. In the process, the transition between the functional world in the car and the outside becomes fluid.
Linking the best of two worlds
Digitalization is also moving forward and offering new possibilities for on-site consultation at dealerships. For example, the customer experience in the new flagship store in Munich’s Trudering district is getting better and better thanks to interactive modules and large-scale visualizations. Using the most up-to-date configurator, Audi models are presented there interactively in photorealistic depictions.
That way, the desired configuration can be shown in 3-D as well as in-stock cars with similar equipment from other locations, all in real-time. Supplementary to that is the possibility of Audi Live consultation, in which employees are directly linked with customers via data glasses and as a result can be advised on products and services completely regardless of the online user’s location.
Digital consultation is already in use across Germany in more than 40 partner businesses as well as Audi City in Berlin. Additionally, in the months and years to come, Audi will further develop its digital sales along with its retail trade.
Our goal is a central e-commerce platform on which customers can find all the services that they are looking for built-in – from new and used vehicle purchasing to maintenance packages to leasing and financing. That is how Audi is bringing the strengths of online sales together with stationary dealerships.
The interior of the future
The vehicle interior is increasingly becoming a personal “experience device,” in which living and working spaces are merged. Infotainment offerings will play a critical role in the interior of the future. A variety of assistance systems and networking with other road users and infrastructure will increase safety and comfort while new technologies like holoride will revolutionize in-car entertainment starting in 2022.
In the future, the high bandwidth of 5G mobile communications will make an essential contribution to an infotainment experience in the car that is typical for the brand. Smooth and high-resolution multichannel audio and video streaming, video conferencing, and immersive gaming via a VR headset will all be possible.
Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) will make high data rates possible for applications that require a lot of bandwidth. This will significantly increase not only comfort, but also safety. In addition, further developments right up to the “empathetic car,” which knows its occupants, their habits, and their needs and increases comfort, safety, and wellbeing through artificial intelligence, are conceivable.
New data-based business models
The car’s progression toward being a software-based product creates the conditions for new business models based on data – for instance, new charging and energy services and on-demand functions. Using data, we can better analyze customers’ desires in order to derive product optimizations, new digital services, or business models.
This means that our model portfolio and services can be precisely adapted to different markets and individual customer needs.
Additionally, is a developing possibility of expanding business models to new fields, such as traffic reporting and data-based services for safe and relaxing travel, entertainment offerings, or personalized telematics information for insurance products or fleet services.
Transparency and security are important for that, which is why customers should be able to determine for themselves how and which data are used at any time. Likewise, what is known as privacy mode, which enables the customer to limit data streams directly from the vehicle, is anchored in the car.
Car2X and C-V2X – more safety and comfort through networking
Nonetheless, digital applications and technologies are not only significantly increasing comfort, but also safety. On the road to the “smart city,” Audi is already networking its models with traffic lights. And with the start of 5G in China, Audi is once again proving its role as an innovation leader in the field of connected cars. Currently, Car2X and C-V2X technologies are the central pillars in that effort.
For Car2X, mobile communications technology is permanently installed in each vehicle. The car sends and receives information from other vehicles and components of the traffic-engineering infrastructure – things like traffic lights or intelligent road signs. Car2X communication happens in real-time.
The data is sent anonymously to the communication network, where they are only saved for a short period.
C-V2X is based on the 5G mobile communications standard and transfers data directly to appropriate receivers within the sender’s environment with the least possible latency and the highest possible reliability. Since 2017, Audi models have already been able to alert each other to accidents, service vehicles, traffic jams, slippery road surfaces, and limited visibility.
The car-to-X service “Local Hazard Information” assesses various vehicle data for that purpose. In Europe, more than 1.7 million vehicles from the Volkswagen Group will provide the “Hazard Information” service with current data in 2021 and in 2022, that number will be more than three million.
In worldwide pilot projects, Audi is testing its hazard warning system for road construction sites or how vehicles can communicate with school buses more safely in order to avoid accidents with schoolchildren.
The Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA) service calculates the optimal speed for a “green wave” through traffic lights. Through the ConVex project, Audi is working with Ducati to test C-V2X technology in three situations that are as common for motorcyclists as they are likely to cause accidents: pulling into an intersection, turning left, and sudden braking by the vehicle in front.
The Audi A7 L and A6 L models will initially be equipped in China with a 5G communications module. With its low latency and high availability, 5G offers the conditions needed for safe autonomous driving. That is how using 5G to network with traffic light systems ensures more efficient and relaxed driving in the city.
New services based on C-V2X are increasing traffic safety: an immediate warning that a vehicle in front has slammed on its brakes appears in vehicles behind it. Or a warning of approaching service vehicles, even when they cannot be heard or seen yet.
Stronger partners: CARIAD software company
One essential success factor for designing the mobility of the future more individually, intelligently, and safely is our technology partner CARIAD. The software company, which combines the digital competencies of every brand in the Volkswagen Group, will be the Group’s backbone in a few years.
The new organization’s structure brings the software-development mindset together with the experience of one of the world’s largest auto manufacturers. CARIAD’s cross-brand software development is making an enormous scaling effect as well as customized solutions possible for Audi as a brand.
At the heart of that is the development of our own operating system as well as a uniform and scalable software and technology platform for every brand in the Group. That assures the company of short development cycles and customized customer offerings.
Digitalization in production and logistics
Intelligent digital solutions are also increasing flexibility and efficiency in production and logistics. Audi is playing a central role in the Volkswagen Group’s digitalization strategy. As part of Automotive Initiative 2025 (AI25), Audi is expanding its Neckarsulm location to include a leading factory for digital production and logistics in the Group.
Partners like the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering, the Technical University of Munich, SAP, and Capgemini are supporting that process. AI25 is an interdisciplinary network for factory transformation. Within it, the Audi site in Neckarsulm plays a pivotal role as a pilot factory and real-world laboratory for digital transformation.
Solutions will be tested and developed there until they are ready for series production. One core element of our digitalization efforts is the Digital Production Platform (DPP), in which the data from all the machines, facilities, and systems from all the factories in the Volkswagen Group are brought together in the world’s largest IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) platform.
Over the medium to long term, digital solutions for the factory of the future will be developed here and transferred into series models in vehicle production and logistics – with the ultimate goal of designing them more efficiently and flexibly.
Audi is particularly using their expertise in small-series and volume production at the Boellinger Hoefe facility and the Neckarsulm factory. In the next step, Audi will roll out its digital solutions in Group locations worldwide.
A variety of pioneering projects with digital technologies like 3-D printing, 5G mobile communications, virtual reality, or autonomous transportation systems are already revolutionizing the operational process at Audi and creating synergies and new forms of global networking.
For example, RFID (radio frequency identification) technology is being used for contactless vehicle identification in production. In Supermarket 2.0, Audi is reversing the sequencing principle in the field of intralogistics by using driverless transportation systems. Here, goods come to the employee rather than the other way around.
This is possible thanks to innovative control software developed by Audi experts together with Ingolstadt-based start-up arculus. The Predictive Maintenance project in Neckarsulm makes upkeep on production facilities more efficient and reduces downtime in production.
AI is used in the field of quality assurance, for example in recognizing the smallest cracks in sheet metal parts. Using VR glasses and controllers, employees from various specialties and locations tested assembly processes completely virtually.
The basis for those tests is 360-degree scans, which provide a three-dimensional indoor map of the virtual space as well as VR software that Audi developed itself. That technology was used for the first time in preparations for production of the Audi e-tron GT1 at the Neckarsulm location.
Several applications are currently being tested in the Audi production lab under real production conditions in order to be able to formulate what challenges Audi’s manufacturing environment will present to 5G technology.
An exclusive frequency spectrum – a 5G campus network within the factory – has been in use in Ingolstadt since mid-2020. This local frequency is an important condition for successful 5G deployment in smart production.
But Vorsprung Durch Technik means much more than just technology: optimal networking of humans and machines in the factory of the future. Innovative technologies support Audi employees and reduce difficult physical labor and monotonous movements. Within the framework of various programs, Audi is therefore training its workforce for digital tasks.
At a higher level, the Audi Academy offers a wide range of training in the futuristic digitalization field and thereby prepares its employees for the future. Audi has also been actively pushing this area forward through its vocational training for several years.
Among other things, prospective mechatronics technicians can receive additional training in 3-D printing and trainees from factory logistics can practice routine activities via VR.
Decline in cost of funds buoys interest segment– Zenith’s recently released half-year results for 2021 revealed an improvement in the interest segment, with the net interest income inching up by 1.61% to N159.94 billion.
This improvement owes no thanks to the interest income, as the line item dipped by 6.00% to N203.93 billion, consequently causing the net interest margin to fall from 6.60% to 5.60%.
However, the increase in the net interest income rode on the back of a decline in the cost of funds, as it fell by 7 basis points to 1.30% in the review period.
It is also important to note that the moderation in the cost of funds came in against a backdrop of a higher yield environment relative to the low yield levels seen throughout 2020. Also providing support to the topline of Zenith, was a decline in their impairment charge, as it fell by 17.24% to N19.80 billion.
Non-interest segment consolidates topline growth– The non-interest segment sustained its resilience, largely due to an improvement in the net fees and commission income. This revenue line was up by 42.27% to N47.66 billion.
Decoupling the performance of the fee-based income, the underpinning drivers were upticks in the fees from account maintenance and electronic products, as these segments rose by 53.49% and 90.76%, respectively, while accounting for 50.42% of the total income received from fees. However, a surge in the operating expenses capped non-interest gains, as the expenditure line item was up by 17.95% to N97.59 billion.
This was largely due to a 28.83% upsurge in the amount expended on information technology, but the uptick was also supported by increases in several other expenditure line items under the operating segment.
Conversely, trading income remained supportive as it inched up marginally by 0.75% to N59.28 billion in the reporting period.
Bottom-line records improvement– The bottom-line performance of Zenith printed in the greens, on the back of the improved performance in the interest and operating segments.
Accordingly, profit before tax and profit after tax increased by 2.57% and 2.21%, to N117.06 billion and N106.12 billion, respectively (as against N114.12 bn and N103.83 bn in HY’2020). Likewise, the earnings per share ticked up by 2.42% to N3.38 in HY’2021, from N3.30 in HY’2020.
Zenith strengthens loan book, while sustaining sufficient capital buffers – The lender’s loan book inched up by 8.12% to N2.84 trillion, receiving support from a 17.64% increase in customers’ deposit for the period, while the loan-to-deposit ratio declined to 49.17% in HY’2021 from 53.50% in HY’2020.
This ratio is significantly shy of the 65.00% regulatory minimum set by the Apex bank. Elsewhere, the capital buffers of Zenith Bank sat comfortably above the 15% regulatory minimum, as it printed at 22.00% in the review period.
Keeping to the trend of interim dividends– In its characteristic manner, Zenith announced an interim dividend of N0.30, which is at par with the interim dividend paid in 2020. Qualification ends on September 10, 2021, while electronic payments will be made on September 20, 2021.
We remain bullish on Zenith
The improvements seen in the topline of Zenith is expected to be sustained, as the company continues to leverage its mainstream brand to keep the cost of funds low. Likewise, the non-interest segment should continue to receive support from fee-based incomes like the fees on electronic products, as this line item should experience continuous improvement as digitalization becomes more popular.
Accordingly, with an estimated fair value of N36.31, we place a long term buy recommendation on Zenith Bank Plc; hence, providing an upside potential of 48.41% at the current market price.
Budweiser is getting frothy on non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Budweiser USA changed its Twitter profile picture Tuesday to that of a rocket ship designed by NFT artist Tom Sachs.
Crypto watchers says the beer company also purchased the Beer.eth domain name for 30 ether, or roughly $95,000.
“Budweiser is taking its first steps into the NFT universe,” an Anheuser-Busch InBev spokesperson told CoinDesk via email. “We’re excited to support Tom Sachs and his Rocket Factory project and join this incredible community.”
A link to the DNS (domain name system) address on NFT marketplace OpenSea shows the rocket displayed in Budweiser’s Twitter profile was bought for 8 ETH ($25,000).
Richard Oppy, vice president of global brands at Budweiser’s parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, told CoinDesk last month the beer brand is investing in a new NFT media shop run by internet entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk.
The shop, touted as a “long-term business play” by beer company executives, will see the intellectual property of Budweiser and other beer brands packaged and sold as NFTs.
AFEX has partnered with South-West Agriculture Company (SWAgCo), and the Ogun State Government for the development of five thousand hectares (5000 ha.) for the production of multi-crops in the South-West region of Nigeria.
The partnership was announced at an MoU signing ceremony at the deal room of the Feed Nigeria Summit 2021 with the focus crops for the partnership to include cassava, rice and maize.
According to the Commissioner of Agriculture for Ogun State, Dr. Adeola Odedina, the parties aim to create a Staple Crop Zone, a vital part of the Special Agro-Industrial Zone (SAPZ) for the state which is being developed in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Under the project, AFEX will deploy its exchange platform to both raise financing for the project and enable market access for the produce derived from the project, reports Vanguard.
AFEX Partners SWAgCo To Promote Production Of Staple Crops
“Our partnership with the Ogun State government and SWAgCo is integrating the private sector’s efficiency and innovation with the forward-thinking plans and agenda of the government of Ogun state in a way that will create jobs and enable wealth creation for the country.
AFEX Partners SWAgCo To Promote Production Of Staple Crops-Brand Spur Nigeria
“As a commodities exchange and capital market player, we are able to deploy a blended finance product that will drive production and industrialization within the state, and help to achieve the mandate of the SAPZ,” said Ayodeji Balogun, CEO, AFEX.
Although the project will be funded from both public, development as well as private and commercial sources, AFEX, as a commodities exchange, will be responsible for mitigating the project’s market risk by ensuring that the project’s output is guaranteed market access.
MD/CEO of SWAgCo, BabajideArowosafe, said, “We are working with an institution like AFEX that is able to structure the agricultural food system in the country in a commercial way that delivers value to different operators in the value chain.
“We have come into an alliance with AFEX to drive the SAPZ agenda in partnership with the Ogun State Government. We have a triplicate agreement – AFEX, SwagCo, and the Ogun State Government – to create the right platform for a seamless takeoff of the SAPZ agenda under commercial and private sector terms.”
The execution of the agreement will strengthen all levels of agricultural activities in Ogun State, and help in job creation and the achievement of food security for the country.
Data usage in Nigeria surged by 202.08 per cent in three years, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to the subscriber/network data reports of 2018, 2019, and 2020, data usage rose from 68,154.12 terabytes in 2018 to 125,149.86TB in 2019 and 205,880.4TB in 2020.
The total national and local outgoing voice calls were 121,935,927,123.15 in 2018. The calls grew to 149,584,465,210 in 2019 to 150,825,830,687.40.
According to the NCC, in 2018, broadband penetration figures stood at 31.48 per cent. The total active 3G connections were 47,325,726 while 4G connections were 12,761,473 subscriptions.
In 2019, broadband penetration grew to 37.80 per cent, with the total active 3G connections growing to 50,441,608 while 4G grew to 21,712,216.
In 2020, broadband penetration stood at 45.02 per cent, with the total active 3G connection falling to 49,402,994, while 4G grew to 36,538,228.
In the period under review, GSM internet subscribers grew by 53,639,503 from 100,234,283 in January 2018 to 153,873,786 in December 2020.
MTN had the largest market share. In 2018, it had an internet subscriber base of 37,201,086, which grew to 59,594,891 in December 2020.
In 2018, MTN made N164.79bn from data, and N674.78bn from voice. Its data revenue rose from N218.69bn in 2019 to N332.37bn in 2020 while voice revenue increased from N723.92bn to N766.39bn.
The NCC attributed the increase in data usage in 2020 to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the pandemic disrupted normal activities and most functions had to pivot to virtual forms.
Former MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Ferdi Moolman, had said, “The year 2020 was challenging for all. The unprecedented disruption that the COVID-19 pandemic caused the businesses and people we serve, challenged us in new and demanding ways.
“The impact continues to evolve. Adoption of our data and digital services accelerated as lockdowns and gathering restrictions were imposed, and work-from-home became the norm for many.”
Commenting on the increase in data traffic, Airtel had in a report said, “Our improved 4G network contributed to an increase in smartphone penetration, in data customers and in up-take of large data volumes, resulting in greater data consumption per customer.
“Smartphone penetration was up by one percentage point to 33 per cent and our data customer base grew by 14.5 per cent, now representing 34.3 per cent of our total customer base.
“Data usage per customer reached 2.6 GB per customer (from 1.8 GB per customer) led by an increase in smartphone penetration and expansion of our home broadband and enterprise customers.
“This helped us grow data revenue 31.2 per cent in constant currency. Growing penetration and usage of 3G and 4G data customers helped us grow data ARPU 8.2 per cent. Fourth Generation data usage more than doubled in the year, contributing 62.2 per cent of total data usage on the network in Q4’21.”
The uptake in data usage is being driven by mobile devices, with GSM having the large portion of the market. The mobile device market is dominated by smartphones. According to GSMA, Nigeria had 53 million smartphone connections in 2018. GSMA estimates that smartphone connections will rise to 154 million by 2025.
How can you attract top talent to your field team and retain them? It’s no question the effects of the pandemic have brought unprecedented challenges and obstacles throughout 2020 and into the calendar year.
Many companies were forced to re-examine how they work and operate from the top-down and quickly pivoted operations to digital platforms out of necessity to stay in communication with one another. But one challenge, in particular, has many field managers scratching their heads in search of answers. Finding qualified talent who want to work.
Due to U.S. and Canadian unemployment laws and benefits, many qualified workers are choosing to stay at home rather than work in the field. So how can you attract top talent to your field team and retain them? Increasing wages seems like the obvious answer, but it requires more than just a few extra dollars for your strong merchandising talent to feel excited and engaged.
We spoke with a handful of CPG experts to help us unpack this difficult yet crucial conundrum, and the leading minds agree: relationships and leaning into technology have always been key to the success of their reps and their businesses regardless of all the external factors that could impact their daily working routines. While Covid-19 has certainly shifted the mindset of many companies and expedited the need for digital transformation that had taken years to adopt, the business that survived, and even thrived, during the pandemic were already prepared with retail execution platforms to pivot and adapt to meet new challenges.
Empower Reps to Connect and Collaborate
In a time when engagement and culture could not be more difficult to capture, this Toronto-based beverage company is finding ways to leverage its tech stack to maintain its culture and morale. Meet Greenhouse Juice Co., which leverages its retail execution platform for crucial data, but also as an engagement tool, giving the team visibility into the other reps and enticing them to friendly competitions across territories and regions.
“Our reps can see each other’s wins and can humble brag about their placements, and ultimately, can support each other and share new ideas,” said Kate Teeter, Field Merchandising Manager at Greenhouse. “It’s something that we’re really pushing for this year. The team’s been great at using it in the past, but we’re making that an even bigger focus in 2021.”
Kate explained that their retail execution platform allows the reps to see into each other’s stores for performance comparison, and will reach out to each other for support. “The reps can exchange ideas about what they’re talking to managers about by reviewing each other’s notes, commenting back and forth on posts, or by using the group chat function on the app, which we’ve created for each region, as well as one for the entire team,” Kate said.
For example, when someone wins a great secondary placement, they’ll comment, “This is so bold, this is great.” The Greenhouse field team is constantly using their retail execution platform to highlight wins and share best practices creatively.
Build Community and Engagement
For Sara Clarkson, President of Storesupport, communication has always been in the DNA of her teams. The major shift amongst businesses in the past year and a half has provided validation for the methods she’s found success in as well at Storesupport. “My word of advice – and especially during this time – is if you think you’ve communicated enough, communicate more,” Sarah said.
“Communication is huge. Not only through the systems you already have but live or virtual as well. Occasionally, we do town halls, we try to do that to have some live component so they can hear from people.
I just find that, again, because we are a third-party merchandising team and we don’t have people all over the country, same within the U.S., these people are out on their own island when they’re starting, and to over-communicate with them during this time is incredibly important because it’s really easy for someone to say, ‘there are so many jobs out there. I don’t like this, I’m going to another job.’”
“Communication is key and making sure that you’re engaged with them is huge. People need that. Money talks, but you know what? If you’re at a company that provides really good customer service to your employees that helps a ton.”
Celebrate and Recognize Wins
One of the most globally well-recognized energy brands – Nutrabolt – has also uncovered additional benefits from using their retail execution platform by promoting connectivity and recognition throughout the entire company.
Nutrabolt’s field teams posts photos of their wins in the chat for the entire company to see, giving the entire organization visibility into the market. Hagen Panton, VP of Global Retail Development & Training at Nutrabolt, explained that while their retail execution platform helps provide visibility for sales leaders and executives to understand what’s taking place in the field, “the biggest benefit we’ve unlocked for our team, especially this year, is connectivity and recognition of the amazing work our field team accomplishes,” he said.
Nutrabolt has also discovered that by making their retail data easily available to everyone in the organization, it’s enabled many team members to proactively pull reports when and where they need them, and quickly pivot with that data in hand. And through the comment and chat functionalities, Nutrabolt’s entire organization can celebrate and recognize their field team wins.
“A day in the life of a field rep can be a lonely role, so when a VP or manager comments on their work, regardless of it being positive or negative, at least they feel their work is being recognized,” Panton said. “I love commenting ‘Hey, that’s a killer display!’ That recognition and feeling like someone is taking an interest in your work and celebrating your wins truly makes all the difference. None of that happens without our retail execution platform. It’s made everybody better, recognizing that someone cares about their success and is noticing their work.”
Brand Spur Nigeria reports that the English Premier League giants, Manchester United agreed to a transfer fee in the region of €28million to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo 12 years after he left the club.
The Manchester Evening News (MEN) understands Juventus still owe money on the €100m fee they agreed to sign Ronaldo for in 2018 and wants it covered by United. The deal has been described by sources privy to negotiations as ‘amortized’.
In the latest of a string of exclusives, the MEN revealed United are planning a medical for Ronaldo in Lisbon and the 36-year-old is set to sign a two-year contract worth £480,000-a-week.
The official statement Cristiano Ronaldo return reads as thus; “Manchester United is delighted to confirm that the club has reached an agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical.
“Cristiano, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has so far won over 30 major trophies during his career, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in “England, Spain and Italy, and the European Championship for his native Portugal.
“In his first spell for Manchester United, he scored 118 goals in 292 games.
“Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester,” the statement from Manchester United on Cristiano Ronaldo’s return added.
Ronaldo spent six years at Old Trafford earlier in his career, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League, before he left for Real Madrid.
“We’ve always had good communication. Bruno [Fernandes] has been talking to him as well and he knows what we feel about him. And if he was ever gonna move away from Juventus he knows we’re here,” United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, told a press conference on Friday.
Ronaldo To Fight Cavani For Number 7 Shirt
During his first spell with United, Ronaldo inherited the number 7 shirt from David Beckham.
He has continued to play with the shirt even at Real Madrid and Juventus.
At Juventus, Juan Cuadrado had to vacate the shirt for the Portugal captain.
However, Edinson Cavani, who joined United last year, has taken the number 7 shirt. Cavani is yet to feature for the club this season, having been given an extended break.
It remains to be seen if the Uruguay striker will also vacate the shirt for Ronaldo, who many years ago registered the CR7 brand for his fashion, menswear and hotel businesses.
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