The P•O•W•E•R of business networking

Guest speaker Jacky du Plessis of DKA Consulting seen here with Martin Yuill of The Innovation Hub who initiated the breakfast series as one of a number of value-added services on offer at The Innovation Hub.

September saw 50 members of The Innovation Hub's INNOV8 high-tech community participate enthusiastically in another P•O•W•E•R Breakfast event.

Guest speaker Jacky du Plessis of DKA Consulting, and one of South Africa's leading "Issues Management" consultants, provided guests with a fascinating perspective on issues management - a topic that members of the INNOV8 community have indicated to be of particular interest. Jacky's talk - "Image Does Count! Sales, Profitability and Growth depend more and more on Reputation" - provided significant insights into how emerging social, political, environmental, technological and other issues could impact on the growth trajectories of companies.

This is particularly important for companies working at the cutting edge in a variety of technology fields such as biotechnology, life sciences, nanotechnology and ICT and electronics. The issues that have to be considered are indeed broad ranging and could affect established and start-up companies alike. Issues that are not recognised in time and correctly managed in a proactive manner, could turn into long, drawn out and costly affairs that negatively affect business reputations - the GMO issue and the anti-GM campaigning currently in full force is an example.

DKA Consulting is a unique South African "issues management" consulting firm that assists clients to:

• identify and monitor those public issues that could affect their reputation or operations
• identify external organisations that may influence public perceptions
• assist with the development or strengthening of strategic relationships with selected organisations, and
• help define strategies that develop and mobilise networks and alliances best designed to manage issues.

For further information or assistance, or for a copy of her presentation, contact Jacky on 082 872 9265 or 011 465 8847, or on e-mail at dkaconsult@mweb.co.za

The P•O•W•E•R Breakfast sessions are intended for those who operate at the edge of technological progress and believe that in a 21st Century economy, information, ideas and technology are more important than physical assets.

Through this initiative The Innovation Hub brings together small groups in an interactive setting to facilitate interaction, networking and the exchange of information, all with a view to adding value to your business initiatives.

If you are interested in becoming part of the greater INNOV8 community, or have colleagues or business associates who might benefit from such networking occasions - or would like to receive an invitation to future P•O•W•E•R Breakfast events, click here!

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