In today’s fast-paced and competitive environment, innovation is essential to remaining relevant and thriving in the ever-changing marketplace. Businesses must stay ahead of the curve and embrace new technologies and disruptive business models to remain competitive. The Master of Management in Technology and Innovation programme offered by The DaVinci Business School is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation and lead transformational change within organisations.
The qualification offers a unique blend of management and technology-focused courses, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between these two fields. From learning about the latest technologies such as blockchain, AI, and machine learning to developing skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, students are prepared to apply their knowledge to drive business growth and success.
The Master of Management in Technology and Innovation programme also emphasises the importance of leadership and strategic thinking in driving innovation. Students will develop the skills needed to lead teams and manage projects effectively, and to become leaders in driving innovation and transformational change within organisations.
Pursuing a Master of Management in Technology and Innovation is a valuable investment for individuals looking to advance their careers and become leaders in the innovative landscape. With this qualification, graduates will be equipped to drive innovation and lead transformational change within organisations, making a significant impact on the future of business.
Dimakatjo Elizabeth Thaba has a career spanning almost two decades in banking, predominantly retail/branch banking. Industries of which she has, over the years, gradually occupied several positions – from entry level to supervisory, senior management, and now she has reached the executive level. It may have been due to her industry work experiences that Dimakatjo witnessed at first hand the advent of digitalisation and advancements in technology that is compelling banks in South Africa into reorganising their model of operations, as well as strategic positioning.
Dimakatjo Thaba: Setting the Pace in Digital Banking
Dimakatjo asserts that while huge brick and mortar outlets are the centre of banking in developing nations, digitalisation is challenging the trend by offering customers conveniences for basic transactions. Her sharp eyes noticed a low customer adoption of digitalised technologies in South Africa’s banking sector, despite the numerous attempts by the South African government and banks to attract more customers to their digital platforms. Factors like perception, high unemployment and high poverty levels continue to challenge customer adoption of digitised banking services.
With the aforesaid in mind, Dimakatjo’s dissertation, entitled: Customer Adoption of Digitized Banking in the South African Retail Bank, adopted the qualitative methodology of research to collect perspectives of the customers on the adoption of digitised banking services as such a methodology of research allows the study to conduct a detailed examination of customer experiences and narrations. The findings indicate that there is a gradual adoption of digitised banking in First National Bank (FNB) South Africa. The main determinants for customer adoption of digitised banking include convenience, ease-of-use, functionality, low banking fees, timesaving, and 24/7 information access on financial status. The other determinants are user-friendlessness, safety, flexibility, and the alleviation of stress.
The findings further indicate that the ideal banking framework for the widespread adoption of digitalised banking by FNB South Africa’s customers is the IBM digitized banking model because of its compatibility to South Africa’s demographics and market. The IBM digitised banking model considers numerous spheres of South Africa’s banking sector, as well as transition. The South African banking industry, policymakers as well as regulators contemplate efficient customer adoption of digitised banking services. Importantly, Dimakatjo’s study raises the following recommendations: Customer education and awareness, gather more demographic information, regulate and foster a secure environment for banking and increased coordination.
When asked about the journey, Dimakatjo credits her tenacity, commitment and willpower, and recognises that her “journey was one filled with all sorts of emotions, trauma, loss, grief, growth, pressure, sacrifices and celebration. My plan was to complete on record time (which I did). It was not easy separating personal life, career growth and academia.”
Yet, finding a balance and sticking to a plan while committing to tasks kept Dimakatjo committed. Additionally, having cheerleaders and a firm support structure was critical in this path, she adds. Positively, having emerged from the experienced, Dimakatjo says presently, “more than ever, I am determined to make a tangible impact. Not only in my life but in society. I’d love to live a remarkable legacy … I plan to be active and to participate in Curiosita Colloquium and Think tank dialogues. There are plenty of platforms to gain more and to share knowledge. This journey is never ending. I’d love to learn and engage other dynamic leaders in different industries and spaces.”
“Management of Innovation” has become, with good reason, a popular buzz in the business world and having a good understanding of the organisation’s context is important. In fact, how the organisation tracks and interrogates external and internal issues and trends is key to building a successful organisation.
Organisations can uncover possibilities for innovation and stay ahead of the competition by tracking internal and external concerns and trends through various methods such as:
1. Market research and analysis:
Market research and analysis is a process of gathering and analyzing information about a market, including information about customers, competitors, and the overall industry. This research can be used to inform business decisions, such as product development, marketing strategy, and sales tactics. The goal of market research and analysis is to provide a deeper understanding of the market and to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
2. SWOT analysis:
SWOT analysis is used to identify an organisation’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It can be used to identify both internal and external factors that may impact the organisation.
Strengths and weaknesses lie within the business that give it an advantage or a disadvantage relative to others in the industry.
Threats and opportunities are external factors that could either negatively impact the business or present the business with exploitable opportunities to enhance their current situation.
By understanding the SWOT of a business, a company can make informed decisions on how to improve its performance and achieve its goals. The result of the analysis can help the company identify its core competencies, areas for improvement, and potential opportunities for growth.
3. Employee surveys:
A business cannot thrive without its employees – they are the income producers. and having the right employees with a good employee / company culture should always be measured.
Employee survey findings can be used to pinpoint workplace issues that need to be addressed, like poor communication or low morale, and to implement changes that will enhance employee skills and knowledge or even the interface with customers.
4. Social media monitoring:
Organisations can use social media monitoring tools to track mentions of their brand and identify any external issues or trends related to their industry or products.
The goal of social media monitoring is to gain insight into how a brand is perceived by its audience, identify key influencers and industry trends, and manage and respond to any negative or positive comments about the brand.
Tracking social media assists in the identification of areas of improvement and to make more informed decisions about social media strategies. In addition, it can help businesses to identify opportunities to engage with their audience and to build relationships with key influencers.
Overall, social media monitoring is a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes to track, analyze and engage with conversations on social media platforms, and gain a deeper understanding of their audience, competitors, and industry trends.
5. Key performance indicators (KPIs):
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are metrics that are used to measure and track the performance and success of a business, department, or specific project. They are chosen based on the specific goals and objectives of the organisation and are used to track progress over time.
Regularly monitoring and reporting on KPIs can help organisations to stay on track and to achieve their goals.
6. Incident management:
An incident\risk is any event that disrupts normal operations and can include things like natural disasters, equipment failures, cyber – attacks, and other types of emergencies.
Organisations can track internal issues and trends by implementing incident management systems (Risk Management) that allow them to log, track and resolve issues that may impact their operations, in order to minimize the impact of an incident on the organisation, its employees, customers and industries, and to quickly restore normal operations.
Using an innovation management system allows companies to achieve continued revenue and margin growth, increased market share and strong enduring brands – the primary goals of most companies today.
An innovation management system would and should cover many of the requirements of looking at internal and external factors plus monitoring of the critical criteria for best business practice.
Meet The DaVinci Business School’s Master’s Alumnus, David Sebiloane who is engaging us about his path to remarkability.
David Sebiloane.
David Sebiloane exudes a sense of confidence, and the self-awareness about the direction towards which he is moving is palpable. He is a certified Project Management Practitioner. With his excellent business acumen, David likens himself to a delivery agent by experience. He has worked in the academic, energy, petrochemical and logistics sectors – industries in which he successfully led teams in the execution of strategic projects and programmes.
With a scholarly bent of mind, David is a Master’s degree graduate of The Da Vinci Institute (class of 2022). His dissertation, entitled: Managing cross-border project teams: The case of Transnet SOC Ltd and Eswatini Railways, explores ways that cultural differences and communication influence project management of a cross-border project. The study attempted to make significant contributions to both academia and practice. In the main, this study found that cultural differences certainly have an impact on communication, which in turn may influence various project management functions such as negotiations, allocation of tasks, team building, conflict resolutions and other processes. Moreover, David’s study recommends that management should adopt a proactive and culturally sensitive approach to the management of a cross-border project in order to ensure its success.
Through focus and the knowledge of the end goal, David holds that his was a journey of tenacity, hard work and passion. “The journey to completing this qualification was exciting and challenging. The modules were designed in a way that challenged my view of the status quo and what I knew to be the norm. The interactions forced one to think out of the box and to be innovative. On the other hand, the research journey was challenging as the supervisor fostered a pioneering approach in dealing with the identified research problem”, says David.
Concurrently, David’s way of thinking was, as he asserts, “altered greatly as the modules introduced a systems’ thinking in my persona which was impactful to my personal life as well. Furthermore, my outlook and execution approach in the programme I am currently running was also positively impacted.” David’s advice to a student embarking on this journey is that they should keep an open mind, work hard and persevere even when the going gets tough.
As the world continues to rapidly change and evolve, so too must the way we approach education. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the business world, where the skills required for success are constantly shifting and adapting to new realities. That’s why the business school of the future must prioritise learning for real life application, putting students in a position to thrive in a world of constant change.
What does this look like in practice? For starters, it means moving away from traditional lecture-based learning in favour of more experiential and hands-on approaches. Rather than simply memorising facts and figures, students need to be given the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, working collaboratively to solve complex problems and make informed strategic decisions.
This approach also requires a greater emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, recognising that the challenges of the modern business world often require a broad range of skills and expertise. Business school students should, therefore, be encouraged to explore diverse fields and disciplines to develop the ability to think creatively and outside the box.
At the heart of this approach is a focus on agility and adaptability. The business world of the future will undoubtedly present challenges that we cannot even imagine today, and the key to success will be the ability to pivot and adapt quickly in response. This requires a willingness to experiment and take risks, as well as a strong foundation of core business knowledge and skills.
Perhaps most importantly, this approach to learning must be centred around the idea of lifelong learning. In a rapidly changing world, the skills and knowledge that are relevant today may be obsolete tomorrow, and it is, therefore, essential that students are equipped with the tools and mindset necessary to continue learning and growing throughout their careers.
Of course, implementing this kind of approach is easier said than done. It requires a fundamentally eco-systemic rethinking of the way we approach education, from the curriculum to the classroom to the very nature of the student-facilitator relationship. But the potential benefits are enormous, both for individual students and for the wider business community.
By prioritising learning for real life application, the business school of the future can create a new generation of business leaders who are prepared to thrive in a world of constant change and disruption. These leaders will be adaptable, creative, and agile, with a deep understanding of the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the modern business landscape. They will be equipped to tackle the complex challenges of the future, driving innovation and growth across industries and sectors.
In summary, the business school of the future must be designed to equip students with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world and by focusing on real-life application, interdisciplinary learning, and lifelong learning, we can create a new generation of business leaders who are prepared to take on the challenges of the future and drive growth and innovation in the years to come.
Education is an investment in your future, but the cost of tuition can be a major barrier to pursuing higher education. Many individuals want to advance their careers and improve their earning potential through education, but do not have the funding available upfront.
Fortunately, financing options make education more affordable by spreading the payments over a longer term.
At DaVinci Business School, we understand the importance of providing flexible payment options for our students. That’s why we have partnered with Student Hero, South Africa’s largest student finance facilitation service. Through Student Hero, our applicants can learn about, apply for, and qualify for study funding from multiple funding providers, all from a single platform and at zero cost to the student.
Student Hero’s platform is designed to make the funding application process as easy and accessible as possible. By completing a single application form, students can apply for funding from multiple sources. This saves time and effort compared to researching and applying to individual funding providers. Student Hero also provides guidance and support throughout the application process, ensuring that students have the best chance of success.
One of the key benefits of financing education through Student Hero is the flexibility it offers. Students can choose from a range of payment options that suit their individual circumstances. For example, some funding providers offer interest-free loans, while others may offer longer repayment terms. This allows students to select a payment plan that fits their budget and ensures they can manage their finances effectively while studying.
Another advantage of financing education through Student Hero is the ability to focus on your studies without worrying about finances. Instead of having to work part-time or full-time to pay for tuition, students can concentrate on their studies and achieve their academic goals. This can lead to better academic performance, which in turn can improve job prospects and earning potential in the future.
In addition to the financial benefits, financing education through Student Hero can also provide students with peace of mind. Knowing that they have secured funding for their studies can reduce stress and anxiety, allowing students to focus on their academic pursuits with confidence.
It’s important to note that financing education through Student Hero is not limited to undergraduate studies. Postgraduate students can also benefit from the funding options available through Student Hero. This is particularly relevant for individuals who want to pursue further education to advance their careers, but may not have the financial resources to do so upfront.
In conclusion, financing education through Student Hero offers a range of benefits for students. It makes education more accessible and affordable, offers flexibility in payment options, allows students to focus on their studies without worrying about finances, and provides peace of mind. By partnering with Student Hero, DaVinci Business School is committed to providing our students with the best possible education and support to achieve their career goals.
If you are interested in financing your education, apply for student finance through Student Hero here. With their help, you can invest in your future self and achieve your academic and career aspirations with The DaVinci Business School.
Anneline’s extensive career began as a social worker in 1988. She has just over three decades of experience in case work, safeguarding, court work and understands ministerial functions. Much of her work included counselling where exceptional listening skills were essential. Being a probation officer, Anneline often did court duty to testify as an expert witness and present pre-sentence reports on criminal offenders.
Anneline Lewies.
Anneline believes her experience as a social worker contributes to her ability to grasp information, deduct, assess situations and find solutions in an arbitrating as well as empathic manner. She says that she, “possesses good interpersonal skills, am an excellent team worker, and keen and very willing to learn and develop new skills. I can communicate well with people from all walks of life. My experience as a social worker contributed to my ability to.” These skills may have influenced her decision to traverse into being a thriving sports coach and sports coach developer.
Anneline asserts that, “I always participated in various sports codes but ultimately focused on netball coaching – being a former player and SA umpire. I also learned many of my leaderships skills within the netball sector as an administrator and leader of an affiliated district of Netball South Africa. I coached since 1984 and have even coached in all four domains of coaching: children, adults, talent, and high-performance level.” She also completed an extensive coach developer training programme through the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) from 2012 and completed this program successfully in 2014 as a facilitator, assessor and moderator, and formed part of the SA Coaching Framework.
Interestingly, Anneline’s election as an executive director at Netball South Africa, introduced her, she says, “to the pathways of coaching development, and it struck a chord with me to train and develop coaches. I also served as the director of coaching of Netball South Africa from 2011 to 2021.” Anneline has held the position of president of Gauteng West Netball Association from 2004 until 2011 when she was elected to the Netball South Africa (NSA) Executive as Director of Coaching. Anneline currently serves as the Vice-Chairperson of SASCA (SA Sports Coaching Association).
A remarkable facilitator, Anneline has coached both national and international players who represented the country in global championships, and she is also an educator at the South African Institute for Drug-free Sport. One would think that her hands are full but Anneline’s transdisciplinarity knows no bounds where she is also involved with other sport codes such as Tennis SA, Lifesaving SA, Cricket SA, Wrestling SA, SAFA, Athletics South Africa, and Swim South Africa in various capacities for training and strategic planning and consulting.
Anneline has assisted with coach development in Namibia and Kenya and has even put in place a coaching system for Namibia. With her vast experience, Anneline has further tapped into such by contributing as a servant leader on various boards in roles such as coordinator for the steering committee for the provincial plan of action for children, protection of children in difficult circumstances. She has been a representative on the child abuse liaison committee and Gauteng child protection and treatment protocol and has served in various other secretary positions.
The aforesaid illustrates a virtuosic career of a formidable woman ever on the move to the next step.
A life-long learner, Anneline, grasped the opportunity to study at DaVinci with both hands. Anneline explains that the past five years of study at DaVinci Business School, “has been an absolute journey of finding myself, and of living my dreams, but to also inspire others to pursue theirs in the process. Through the TIPS™ Model, I Identified my niche to examine the talents and passions of other coaches and to employ such to the benefit of others. It was remarkable to witness others trying out new things. Coaches being more pro-active and looking at other ways to assist athletes to perform to the best of their abilities.”
Anneline’s dissertation is entitled, Transformation of Elite Women Coaches within the South African Netball Context. The following objectives were set for this study:
Anneline argues that to become an elite women sports coach does not happen by default, and further comments on the term ‘elite’, that it ought to “be earned through a culture and environment of being truly elite.” She further argues about the importance of a particular mindset for elite women coaches which, she says, is essential and critical to following a growth mindset. “Coaching education, competency, experience, lifelong learning, and turning barriers into opportunities are essential steppingstones in the quest for coaching competencies for elite women netball coaches”, states the erudite Anneline.
When asked what kept her going on this journey, Anneline explains that it was her discovery of “the corporate value of further training and return on investment, which kept myself and the community of practice, coaches from grassroots level and high-performance coaches, towards fulfilling our dreams and still staying in touch with changing circumstances such as the Covid-19 pandemic that could have made us lose touch with our reality. In serving not only the netball community during this time, but I was also able to reach out to other sports codes, serving them to pursue their own dreams.”
Anneline notes that as leaders, “we should co-create meaning and add value to our working environment, be guided by our dreams and the dreams of our co-workers, involve people in conversation, engage in creative networks of culture, trust, knowledge, and integrity, promote innovation end experimentation, and celebrate accomplishments.”
Anneline concludes that, “the alignment of managerial leadership competencies emerges in becoming a global and digital citizen with the ability to show compassion and care, being responsible and ethical, and serving as remarkable [human] resources within our networks. Managers and leaders will probe problems, express problems, and related solutions through computational thinking. They will ground themselves in the present, visualize the future and harness the past and present in an uninterrupted continuum.”
Self-confidence. It helps people banish negativity and feel good about their lives and abilities. Those who are self-confident tend to try new things more often, bounce back from disappointment faster, and overcome obstacles more easily. As a result, they are more successful at handling stress, relating to others, and achieving their goals.
From physical fitness and mental health to work and finances, to social interactions and education, self-confidence affects every aspect of life.
The first steps to developing self-confidence take place in childhood, but it is possible to develop it on your own at any age. Finishing your degree is the perfect example of how you can achieve this. Adults can develop their self-confidence and social capital through tertiary education, as well as embrace their identity as learners.
The following advice, activities, and strategies will help you overcome self-defeating patterns and gain newfound self-confidence. These are the kinds of traits that will lead to better career opportunities, improved financial success, and greater job satisfaction.
ANALYSE THE SITUATION REALISTICALLY
Create a list of your best qualities. Are there any things you can do? What do you excel at? How do others perceive you? You should read your list slowly and out loud. Your strengths and achievements are unique, so take the time to appreciate and celebrate them.
TAKE THE CHALLENGE ON
Most people are afraid of trying something new. Getting back into study is no exception. The key to victory, however, is facing your fear. Instead of focusing on the fear, consider it an opportunity. Visualise a successful outcome. Once you have taken a small step, take another and another. When you complete a tough assignment or ask your facilitator for help, you gain confidence.
BEING SELF-CONFIDENT CAN ACTUALLY PRODUCE CONFIDENCE
The practice of assuming something to be true (despite it not being true) dates back to the 1960s. In addition to changing behaviour, it is an extremely effective tool known as a positive feedback loop. Suppose you feel uncomfortable during lectures. You haven’t studied in years. In addition, you are surrounded by people who are younger than you. Instead of focusing on your differences, act as if you belong. Due to the fact that going back to study does not have an age restriction, you can really belong! Interact with others and participate in discussions.
GATHER PROOF
Seek success. Verify your abilities. You can do this by creating an evidence file. On your computer, you can create a physical or electronic file. The folder should contain papers, projects, awards, notes from others that say good things about you, thank you notes from classmates, and a letter of recommendation from your facilitator.
KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU ARE ONLY HUMAN
It takes time and effort to build self-confidence. It is inevitable that you will make mistakes from time to time. There will be times when you feel defeated. It is common to encounter people who seem smarter or better than you in some way. Stay away from self-criticism. Don’t compare yourself to others. Behaviours like these are completely counterproductive. Instead, you should reassess your reality. Make a list of your admirable traits and qualities, and then add some new ones. Moreover, commend or reward yourself for your ability to bounce back from negative self-talk while you’re at it.
The New Year is on the horizon, which means that there are also new year’s resolutions to consider. You may reminisce about 2022 or you may be grateful that it’s behind you. Either way, 2023 is a new beginning with lots of possibilities.
Do you wish to maximise your potential as a Doctoral candidate? Perhaps consider putting the below suggested four tasks on the top of your priority list to ensure that the new year is off to a remarkable start.
A plan to alleviate stress
Doctoral candidates face a lot of stress in their lives. There is pressure to finish the apex qualification, to find a job during or afterwards, and even just to stay on top of all the work that needs to be completed every day. It, therefore may be helpful if you schedule your work each day, and spread out large projects over time. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of the work day. You can also set goals for yourself, such as how much work you want to accomplish each day. This can help you stay motivated when things get difficult.
A plan for finances
Doctoral candidates have to pay their bills while they’re studying, which means that budgeting and planning are important. With a family to support, there is a need to ensure that an individual’s financial situation does not get out of control as this could affect one’s study journey.
A plan for time
It can be difficult to find time for yourself when you’re studying for your Doctorate, but taking a few minutes each day to relax and unwind is important.
A plan for fun
Doctoral candidates have many demands on their time, so it’s important that they make some time every day to do something pleasurable.
May your 2023 be healthy, productive and remarkable!
The 21st century has brought about many social challenges that require innovative solutions. Some of the most pressing issues include poverty, inequality, climate change, and political polarization. These challenges are interconnected and require a multi-disciplinary approach to address them effectively. A business degree can make a positive impact by equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle these issues head-on.
One of the most significant social challenges of the 21st century is poverty. Despite global economic growth, the number of people living in extreme poverty remains stubbornly high. A business degree can help individuals understand the economic systems that contribute to poverty and develop strategies to address it. For example, a business degree can equip individuals with the skills to create sustainable and inclusive economic growth, which can lift people out of poverty.
Another significant social challenge is inequality. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen, and this has a detrimental impact on society. A business degree can help individuals understand the structural factors that contribute to inequality and develop strategies to address it. For example, a business degree can equip individuals with the skills to create fair and equitable economic systems that promote shared prosperity.
Climate change is another pressing issue that requires urgent action. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities have led to a warming planet, which poses a significant threat to humanity. A business degree can help individuals understand the economic systems that contribute to climate change and develop strategies to mitigate its effects. For example, a business degree can equip individuals with the skills to create sustainable and renewable energy systems, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb global warming.
Political polarization is another social challenge of the 21st century. In many countries, people are becoming increasingly divided along ideological lines, making it difficult to find common ground and work together to address social problems. A business degree can help individuals understand the economic and political systems that contribute to polarization and develop strategies to bridge the divide. For example, a business degree can equip individuals with the skills to create inclusive and participatory economic systems, which can promote social cohesion and reduce polarization.
In conclusion, the 21st century has brought about many social challenges that require innovative solutions. A business degree can make a positive impact by equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle these issues head-on. A business degree can help individuals understand the economic systems that contribute to poverty, inequality, climate change, and political polarization, and develop strategies to address them effectively. In short, a business degree can be a powerful tool to bring about positive change in the world and make a real difference to the lives of people.
