Johnathan Shoniwa Reflections

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...