Kaizen Business:Cheaper ways of advertising

Cheaper ways of Advertising

We at Kaizen understand the role advertising plays in establishing a brand, product or a service and such is necessary. No business model can survive without advertising especially profit-driven businesses. Most newly-established business especially small micro medium enterprises find it expensive to advertise on traditional media such as TV, radio and national newspapers. Although they provide maximum return, they require large budgets and when I say large budget I mean a million rands and above. However, we have come up with alternative ways of advertising which can prove successful without the business having to spend all the profit.

1. The yellow pages.

The yellow pages directory has been around for decades and has proven successful for businesses in past before the era of social networking sites such as Facebook, twitter, Skype and such. The yellow pages provide contact listing, physical addresses listing and business classification, so when possible clients cannot allocate your business online, the yellow pages may provide them with such information.



2. Direct mail

This can be sent physically as in post mails or electronically via email or an electronic newsletter to all your contacts and clients. The type of direct mail used will depend on the type of business and what suits your business needs best. The advantage about direct mail is that it helps to build a relationship with all the business contacts and clients by updating them on a regular basis about useful information related to your products and services and also updates them on any specials.



3. Community newspaper

Community newspapers can provide your business with maximum advertising in your core targeted area. The best thing is that advertising in local newspapers is inexpensive and reaches the core target market e.g if your business is aimed at students then advertise with a student newspaper such The UJ Observer, Student Village’s newsletter and etc.



4. Host an event

Host an event that will put your business in a positive light with your clients or customers. This can be a charity event or a fund raising event, as long as it’s relevant to your business. By organising an event it gives your business an opportunity to showcase what it has to offer or rather what you sell. A perfect example is Soweto-based clothing store Thesis in Mofolo which hosts monthly sessions which not only showcases the young talent associated with the store but it also serve as an exhibition for their latest designs. Also these sessions provide an income for the store and have gained numerous sponsors such at Redbull. So when hosting an event, it would be an added advantage to advertise this event in your targeted newspaper which will ensure that you reach your target market to attend the event.





5. Mahala, give away or something for free.

Most consumers would not mind getting something for free without having to do anything hectic. One place to give out something for free would be at your event, here you can give out samples or your product (depending on your business), brochures and even vouchers that can be redeemed any time or within a certain time period. So consider this as killing two birds with one stone



Bare in mind that although these may prove successful, they need your full backing and support as an entrepreneur. With advertising a business must always look for new ways to reinvent ways of targeting it’s consumers and reaching maximum profit.









By Nhlanhla Molepo

Kaizen Bespoke:THE TRIED AND TESTED 10 COMMANDMENTS OF STYLE

1. THOU SHALL NOT WEAR ANYTHING OFF THE BOOT: if it does not have the authentic certificate then it is not original no matter how beautiful it looks. If u can’t afford the real deal rather support local designers who are also as good as international.


2. THOU SHALL NOT BE SEEN IN RUNNING SNEAKERS: you are not an athlete right? Keep those fancy running shoes at the gym or when your are participating in the marathon.

3. THOU SHALL NEVER EVER WEAR SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT: they are called sunglasses for a reason.

4. REMEMBER TO MOISTEN THY LIPS: it is always advisable to carry your OWN lip stuff; we know it sounds unimportant but ladies like a man who looks after himself and get turned off by chapped dry lips.

5. KNOW WHERE THY TAILOR LIVES: buy a correct size take it to the tailor to finish off the suit. The sleeves, the buttons, the pants need to be shortened etc, your suit has to be slim fitting.

6. NOW YOUR SOCKS CAN BE BRIGHER THAN YOU PANTS: despite what you have heard before regarding your socks and pants being the same color, you are allowed to go pink, red, and yellow with a black or even a navy blue suit. Just make sure the socks compliment the tie or shirt.

7. ALWAYS SMELL GOOD: we are not saying go buy a designer fragrance, if you can afford tom ford go for it. Have a trusted smell that will never disappoint.

8. REMEMBER TO CLIP THY TOE NAILS: if you got nasty toes stay away from open sandals and always clip you toe nails.

9. STAY AWAY FROM FEMININE HAIRDOS:, cornrows, plaits, and those dreaded pony tails? NOT COOL.

10. KEEP THY BREATH FRESH: buy breath mints, a breath spray, brush your teeth three times a day whatever you do never let you breath smell bad.






by: Tshepang

Kaizen Entertainment: La Dolce Vita Sunsets At Radisson Blu

Last year Kaizen attended LaDolceVita by Soul Candi during summer 2010, the events that people called "the best Sunday they ever had".




The exciting news is that Soul Candi is having one special edition event planned before summer is over to reminisce over great times.So on Sunday 13 March, they are doing it all again and they'd like to invite 300 lucky people back to revell in sunshine on the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel pooldeck.



All you need to do to stand a chance to get invited is head on to www.soulcandi.co.za/ldv, fill in the form and wait to see if you're chosen! Those who are will be allowed to extend the invitation to 3 friends.

ENTERTAINMENT: Yeezy's new video 'All of the lights''

Kanye West aka Yeezy has poured his creative geniuses to deliver his new video All of the Lights featuring so called devil worshipper and bootyful Rihanna and Kid Cudi. The video which debuted last friday already has 10 million views on Youtube WORLDWIDE.


WARNING:
This video has been identified by Epilepsy Action to potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.

JFW 2011 Winter/Autumn DAY 1: Fast Track Day

NKULULEKO MSIBI

NKOSINATHI NKALA

LEBOGANG MOATSHE

photo: Simon Deiner

For more pictures go to the Kaizen Facebook page

LIFESTYLE: Kaizen Lifestyle Magazine x Dope Store x photo collage

Hanging out with Shekeshe 'Shakes' Mokgosi

By Nhlanhla Molepo

After countless phone calls and arrangements, I finally manage to get Shakes to do an interviews for the empowerment section. We agree to meet at Sopiatown in Newtown 

The interview day approaches and I'm nervous(call it pre-interview paranoia), but I come to my senses as I start the interview.

Dressed in a Lyle&Scott sweater, Carducci pants, shirts and Shoes, Shekeshe Mokgosi is a busy man with a hectic schedule.

‘Shakes’ as he is known by colleagues and friends around Jozi’s social circle is a Project Manager at Absolute Change which is a change management consultancy and human resource development and training organisation.

Kaizen got talking about him and his career and how he started out, so here’s what went down.

Who is Shekeshe ‘Shakes’ Mokgosi

Well...Shakes is a 35 year old socialite and a hard worker. I’m actually a project manager at Absolute Change.


What does a day in your life entail?

My day at the office starts with follow ups on current projects. I have to make sure that we stick to the budget, track some of our milestones, ensure that the are enough resources for the project and report back to the client. By reporting back to the client we deal with the current issues, goals and then make recommendations. So communication is very important in my line of work.



Why did you decide on this career?

I actually worked for government in the finance sector handling a number of projects after getting my junior degree. Whilst working Wits University was starting an Equity development unit and I got a call from them (Wits) saying that they would like me to be part of the unit.

Here we taught graduates with Masters and PHD’s life-skills basically this unit was more focused on capacity building. Then the Oprah Winfrey organisation called me to help them set up an orphanage this side which proved to be difficult due to the red tape so whilst handling this project, I was asked to be part of the team building the Oprah Winfrey Academy of Leadership. I managed the construction of the school building and from there I became a project manager.

I then later joined Absolute Change. But me being a project manager would have not been possible had I not been part of the Equity Development unit.

Looking stylish as ever

Growing up, who did you idolise

I always looked up to my great uncle, who funny enough I was named after (Shekeshe). My great uncle was the first to go to varsity and what I idolised the most is that despite his achievements he still manages to be humble. Besides him, I’m always inspired by other people’s qualities both formal and informal.

What have been the biggest career moves you’ve made?

Well..like I said I started in government, I then moved to Wits for the Equity Development unit. From there I became a part of the task team responsible for the construction of the Oprah Winfrey School and then I moved to Absolute Change. So I’ve made some big changes from finance to University to construction and then project manager.

What type of person is best suited for this career

I would say this career requires a person who is a socialite, one must be a people’s person, must be patient, a mediator, must ensure team effectiveness and best of all should possess leadership skills.

What growth aspects are in this career?

There are many growth aspects in project management. Every business and government department has a project management division, so it’s relatively easy for one to work and to merge into other career fields.

On a night out