Johnathan Shoniwa Reflections

Governance Issue: Overstated CVs The problem of senior managers and executives falsifying (overstating) their qualification has really not been an issue in Zimbabwe , m ainly because of the high integrity of the education system and the checks and balances  in the system or simply because we have not yet caught up with the culprits. However  as we integrate globally, more and more, this may need to be revisited. The increase in the number of senior people in South Africa who have overstated their qualifications, one way or the other, is, to say the least, cause for concern . I quote here some of the reported cases as a way of background/introduction. The latest being the  South African Airways (SAA) acting chief executive, Nico Bezuidenhout  who is one of the high-profile executives and politicians who have been exposed for o verstating their qualifications.  According to the Sunday Times,  Bezuidenhout  claimed to have a BCom degree and a...

Twelve months ago, no one (not me at least) would have forecast that the Zimbabwean political game would be where it is now! MDC (which ever version of it you pick - MDC-T, MDC-N, MDC-R, and who knows what else is in store, although I do not understand why we do not have an MDC-Z) is in disarray! Dare I say finished! ZPF is riddled in factional politics premised on the succession debate. Many are hoping (or is it yearning/aspiring) that the congress will clarify (I liked the word elucidate in high school) issues and the country and in deed the economy can move forward. Various scenarios have been put forward by 'political analysts'. Yours truly, being one such 'political analyst' cannot be left behind and therefore take this eve (before you through brickbats at me, eve also means 'verge', oh you thought 'evening before' only) occasion to hazard some forecast. This is important from a business planning point, this being the P in PESTLE or wh...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4 | NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 | NIV May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 | NIV I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 | NIV But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 | NIV So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of th...

Executives owe it to the organization and to their fellow workers not to tolerate nonperforming individuals in important jobs. —Peter Drucker   Don't let anyone say you can't do it. —John Ilhan Success is not for the timid. It is for those who seek guidance, make decisions, and take decisive action. —Jose Silva Making good decisions is a crucial skill at every level. —Peter Drucker Strong, deeply rooted desire is the starting point of all achievement. —Napoleon Hill Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing. the result. —Vince Lombardi Everyone experiences tough times, it is a measure of your determination and dedication how you deal with them and how you can come through them. —Lakshmi Mittal It is rare to find a business partner who is selfless. If you are lucky it happens once in a lifetime. —Michael Eisner The most important adage and the only adage is, the customer comes first, whatever the ...

Organisations are constantly faced with the need to change as a result of the changing operating environment, changing competitive landscape or internal imperatives within the organisation. Moran and Brightman (2001) defined change management as “the process of continually renewing an organization’s direction, structure, and capabilities to serve the ever-changing needs of external and internal customers”.  They further suggest the following process: Understand your current situation (How many times have you seen changes being implement with not a single clue of the current situation). Determine the desired state  (Interesting how we see situations where the target destination has not been identified - as the Americans would say "if it an't broken, don't fix it"). Develop a change plan - it requires critical analysis. Enlist others and develop a critical mass -  surely this must be out of sheer respect for fellow ...

​The challenge facing Zimbabwe today is that of competitiveness especially in view ​of stiff the competition from imported products and services.​This is exacerbated by a difficult operating environment characterized by: • High operating costs • Old equipment and obsolete technology • Scarcity of long term funding to recapitalize • Low disposable incomes affecting volumes ​Whilst there are many management and strategic tools available today to assist managers navigate the competitiveness landscape, ​Benchmarking is one tool which can be used by businesses not only to improve but ​also understand the competitors’ more and to be better prepared for their activities. Benchmarking is a structured process by which a firm seeks to identify and replicate ​“best practices” to enhance its business. Dimensions typically measured are ​quality, time and cost (en.wikipedia.org) In the process of best practice benchmarking, management identifies the best firms ​in their indust...

According to Kim and Maurbogne (2009), Porter's Five Forces analysis is a formula for remaining in “red oceans,” where the sharks compete mercilessly for the market. They argue that, the key to exceptional business success, is to redefine the terms of competition and move into the “blue ocean,” where you have the water to yourself. The goal of these strategies is not to beat the competition, but to make the competition irrelevant. They conceptualised a highly competitive strategic space as being a ‘red ocean’ – full of blood and negative profits. By contrast ‘blue oceans’ are strategic spaces where nobody else has yet been. The concept encourages us to seek out blue oceans by being different and creating strategic choices that are new – market spaces not yet being served. The classic case usually given being that of Cirque du Soleil, a Canadian culture business, which transformed itself when faced with decline in the circus industry. Three key concepts come from this thi...

MANAGING DIRECTOR’S SPEECH ON ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION –  5 NOVEMBER 2012 I am delighted with this wonderful achievement where we, as Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe , celebrate our ISO 14001:2004 Certification. This is a special event for the organisation as it marks a key milestone for us in reaffirming our commitment to sustainable development. Significant discussions, the world over, have been taking place on the importance of greening the economy and on this day we, at Lafarge, are pleased to be sharing this momentous occasion with you our customers, suppliers, communities and, indeed, all our valued stakeholders. At Lafarge, we believe we should pay special attention to all the aspects of our business that impact on our stakeholders and the environment.  This certification is therefore a natural progression arising from our commitment to a clean and sustainable development that is not only mindful to the economic consequences of our existence, but to the social and e...

I share this piece, which is an extract from two powerful sermons at our church, Borrowdale Community Church (BCC), which is part of Faith Ministries. The motivation, in sharing this, is to assist the afflicted understand the nature of their struggle which according to Ephesians 6:12 "is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms". Man is made up of the body, soul and spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:23 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ). Dr Magumise , BCC (2014), preaches "a human being is a triune being; consisting of body, soul and spirit. The body is sense conscious and interacts with the environment through the five senses; seeing, smelling, hearing, feeling and tasting. The soul is self-conscious, it relates wi...

ADDRESS BY MR JOHNATHAN SHONIWA, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LAFARGE CEMENT ZIMBABWE LTD & CHAIRMAN, BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ZIMBABWE (BCSDZ) AT THE GREEN INDUSTRY CONFERENCE, GUANGZHOU, CHINA  OCTOBER 2013 Introduction The Programme Director, Your Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen It is indeed a great privilege for me and the delegation from Zimbabwe to have the opportunity to participate in this important Green Industry Conference, thank you. Our delegation comprises private business people, government officials and non-governmental organisations , including UNIDO in Zimbabwe. All of us are keen to formally launch a Green Industry Initiative in Zimbabwe, and we have just come from South Korea where we were grateful to have had the opportunity of visiting and meeting with various organisations on the progress they have made in greening their industry. Zimbabwe operating environment Ladies and Gentlemen, every country obviously has its own ...