Absolute Media
Editors making a difference ...
Minx Avrabos,
Colleen Larsen, Edith Venter & Lance Whatmore
The Businesswoman Magazine leads the way in inspiring, motivating and informing the successful business women of South Africa.
As you no doubt witnessed, the last issue of The Businesswoman was spectacular to say the least! The response from the business women community has been equally spectacular with a flood of phone calls, letters, emails and more! Everyone wants to be a part of this energised, growing community. We are the magazine in South Africa that focuses on everyday women who are achieving exceptional success. As the only official mouthpiece for South African business women and entrepreneurs, The Businesswoman Magazine has taken giant leaps in providing the right information at the right time to empower women to be gladiators in the ever changing business world of today. The Businesswoman magazine has a minimum circulation of 25 000 copies and thus a reach to over 75 000 (@ 3 readers per copy) professional decision makers across South Africa. Showcasing your products or services will not only add value to thousands of business women across SA, but also increase your company’s network and brand equity in the business arena of South Africa - whilst at the same time, being a brilliant Corporate Social Investment. The Businesswoman is designed to empower and assist women in business. It serves as a voice for business women in SA by addressing issues that are pivotal to the lives of women in business.
As well-known business guru Tom Peters so eloquently puts it... “If women are not your major focus as a company - you are going out of business and just don’t recognise it!” This is your opportunity to truly connect with women and deliver your message through a credible network that powerfully reaches out to South African business women. The Business Woman magazine provides business, financial and personal education, inspiration and motivation for women across South Africa and facilitates opportunities for them to network, learn and be inspired by role models, mentorship and by each other. We will also introduce you to some amazing women every month - who inspire others and make a difference locally, nationally and internationally. The Businesswoman recognises new market opportunities; we believe in the power of collective networking, providing essential education and leadership, which means that the interactive experience results in business growth for your business.
The magazine is built around the concept of the power of women, recognising their influence as a force to be reckoned within the marketplace, as primary decision makers, as major role players in business, as mentors and entrepreneurs, as mothers, wives, partners and friends, as consumers and trend-setters, as the glue that holds together family units, communities and organisations.
“The challenge this year for advertisers is to really connect with their consumers on credible platforms and learn how to become part of their personal space with an authentic voice, not client or brand speak”, predicts Nazeer Suliman, Universal McCann South Africa GM in his broad predictions for 2009. We know that women are making 87.7% of buying decisions in South Africa, BUT how are you marketing to these women, and most importantly is your strategy effective? Chances are you are still talking at women instead of talking with them.
> Women are the sole or primary decision-makers for every kind of product
> Women buy brands they can establish a relationship with
> Women make connections everywhere they go
> Women are not a niche market – they are your business
Why? Tom Peters makes the following points:
Women need to trust
Women affiliate
Women seek understanding
Women get personal
Women have a longer list of criteria
Women want “the Perfect Answer”
Women have always wielded an enormous amount of power and influence, but corporate business is only just starting to recognise this and to invest in gender-appropriate marketing and cater for women with specific products and packages that take cognisance of their unique needs and aspirations”.
The Businesswoman magazine is the mouthpiece of the South African business women fraternity.
Edith Venter | WIF Patron | Editor
Women in Finance welcomes our Patron of Women in Finance : Edith Venter - a move we believe will take Women in Finance to new levels and allow for wider interventions in terms of small business development and sustainability
Edith Venter is the consummate businesswoman and philanthropist. Her role model is her late mother and she supports Red Cross, SA Guide Dogs, Hospice, Johannesburg Child Welfare, Reach For a Dream, Cotlands Baby Sanctuary and Street Children.
Edith Venter is a woman who will not let much get her down. When she realized that her divorce - the big one - was going to be a very public affair, she made an even greater effort to pull it all together. “I had to be strong for my sons,” she says. “They made me get up, put on lipstick and face those other moms in the parking lot at school. I have a really strong bond with them, we share it all.”
She firmly believes that it’s the way you go into the next part of your life that makes the difference.
“I got involved with charities, counselled cancer patients... these things put my life in perspective,” she says.
For Edith, when the going gets tough, it’s time to get back to her roots. She comes from a nice Catholic family who lived on the East Rand, a mom and dad who had a firm respect for education and made sure that each of their children got theirs.
But when she was left devastated after another divorce, this time from a man she describes as a “con artist” she needed to find a way to make money in the best way she knew how. “I love people, and can throw a good party,” she says. “So Edith Venter Promotions was born. I’ve never looked back.”
She is also now happily married - again - though she swore she would never repeat that walk down the aisle . She is besotted with her Johnny, and tells how they were held up at gunpoint and robbed of her jewellery, including wedding and engagement rings. “Johnny went to the jewellers and got them to make up the rings again,” she smiles, but what touched her more is that he staged a second act to exchange their vows with the new rings at the garden of remembrance in the Catholic church where her parents’ ashes are kept.
Edith shares with us some of the rules by which she lives: “Make no judgements,” is one of them. This coming from the woman whose mere presence sets tongues wagging, with assumptions about plastic surgery, values and behaviour.
Edith hosts the monthly WIF Hot Tables events and works closely with Colleen Larsen on all the WIF events and initiatives, empowering businesswomen 365 days a year!
Colleen Larsen | Managing Editor
Colleen was involved with the South African Women Entrepreneurs Network (SAWEN), an initiative of the Department of Trade & Industry (dti) to support women owned SMMEs. She was Chairperson of the Board of SAWEN Ltd, a Section 21 company set up by the dti to control the affairs of the network. She was instrumental in the establishment of the SAWEN national strategy, organisation and the constitution. She has also assisted many women entrepreneurs requesting advice regarding their businesses.
In November 2005, Colleen became the founder and CEO of Women in Finance (www.womeninfinance.co.za)..
She has grown the organisation to receive support of the following corporates and government agencies : FNB, Microsoft, Business Partners, IFC, Development Bank of South Africa, ABSA, SEDA, Franchising Association, Industrial Development Corporation, International Labour Organisation, SA Trade Hub (funded by USAID), Business Connexion, Edgars, Mercedes and BHP Billiton.
Colleen is also the co-founder of United Businesswomen of South Africa which is an organisation that promotes interaction between women business organisations in order to achieve real business opportunities for women. Through this organisation, membership of Business Unity South Africa has been achieved.
She is also co-head of 85broads (www.85broads.com) – a multi-cultural, multi-generational international network of over 22 000 trailblazing, visionary women.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS...
Colleen is a networker and organiser, but more than that she is a visionary with a passion for empowering entrepreneurs. She has the ability to take issues faced by those entrepreneurs and to implement solutions with the aim of growing the economy.
She is a leader whose career spans 28 years within the financial services market which includes the pension fund and insurance direct marketing fields.
During her direct marketing career she was responsible for the management, development and growth of market share for 9 of the top companies in this field including AIG, FNB, ABSA, Standard Bank, and Diners Club.
For a period of 4 years Colleen managed the pension and provident fund accounts for both the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union and the Contract Cleaning National Provident Funds.
What some people say about Colleen
“Meeting Colleen you sense the focus and power immediately. This is one dynamic and very capable lady who somehow manages to be a business genius and a family director all at once.”
”Colleen is a very open person with an amazing gift of trying to find as many solutions as possible to help grow our economy. You are a true leader in your field.”
“Colleen is an inspiring leader who has an empowering approach to achieving shared goals collectively with others. She is passionate about bringing professionals together in order to positively influence women empowerment across many sectors.”
Minx Avrabos | Editor-In-Chief
A prolific publisher and South African media icon, Minx Avrabos, has over 15 years of niché magazine publishing under her belt. Having been thrown into the deep end in 1995, Minx cut her teeth as editor of a styling magazine and realised her potential in the world of media.
Currently the Editor-in-Chief of one of SA's leading media houses, Absolute Media, Minx is responsible for four in-house publications and numerous other media campaigns and projects.
Within this portfolio she amicably interacts with a broad spectrum of people from the Department of International relations and Cooperation, numerous premier Women’s Associations’ and top people within the fashion, beauty and nail industry.
2010 has been a wonderful year for Minx as she married Andrea Avrabos in March and was recently awarded a directorship within the group; Minx is now the CEO of Poppysmic Publications.
She has an intimate knowledge of all the processes related to publishing and has been involved in the launch of various magazine titles into the South African market. A consummate professional businesswoman on the world stage, Minx has built a career on ensuring that advertisers and corporates alike have an endless opportunity to enhance their brands through spectacular media.
Minx is living testament that the devil wears Prada! This fashionista is as exacting in her wardrobe as she is in her work acumen.
Associations making a difference | Women making a difference
Getting together to make a difference. Empowering women. These Associations and Movements are revolutionising the plight of women around the world. They are looking after your interests, making a difference. They are your voice. Get connected, become part of the revolution. Link up ...
Black Business Women’s Association (BBWA) www.bbwa.co.za
The purpose of the BBWA is to highlight the achievements of black women in the arena of business, to highlight the various vehicles that have been set-up to fast-track women empowerment in business, to create a platform for networking, strategic partnerships and learning and to facilitate education, training and development and skills transfer through workshops and seminars
Women in Finance (WIF)
www.womeninfinance.co.za
Women in Finance (WIF) is an exciting and inventive organisation that is at the forefront of SME assistance & development and the empowerment of women. The aim of WIF is to enable individuals and companies to maximise their growth and profits through its diverse offerings that include networking, mentorship, training, collaboration, entrepreneurship development and support.
Women in IT
www.womeninit.co.za
www.fizzmarketing.co.za
Women in IT is an initiative that was launched by Fizz Marketing with the support of big IT players like Microsoft to provide a support structure for those women working in what is today a male dominated IT environment.
The United Businesswomen of South Africa (UBSA)
www.womeninfinance.co.za
UBSA has been formed to provide a collaborative support structure to organisations involved in women empowerment and to leverage the untapped potential of women.
Gender Advocacy Programme (GAP)
www.5050.co.za
The Gender Advocacy Programme (GAP) is an independent, non-governmental advocacy and lobbying organisation based in Cape Town. We see our position as bridging the gap between women in civil society and structures of governance and to increase the participation of women in policy formulation and decision-making.
HIRS
www.hirs.co.za
Why is it that we are still speaking about gender barriers in the workplace? Despite the media hype, the various charters and increasing numbers of women’s conferences, equal opportunities still seem to be eluding women. The HIRS Women’s Development Consultancy aims to change this status quo.
South African Women in Mining Association (SAWIMA)
www.mqa.org.za
The South African Women in Mining Association (SAWIMA) was formed in 1999 and organised themselves in 2002 to support women entrepreneurs in the mining industry.
Women for Housing (WFH)
www.kuthaza.org.za
Women for Housing (WFH) facilitates opportunities for women involved in the housing sector. Through advocacy, training and support we aim to empower women to play a leading role in the field of housing.
South African Women Entrepreneurs Network (SAWEN)
www.dti.gov.za
The establishment of South African Women Entrepreneurs Network (SAWEN) is a reaction to the fact that women entrepreneurs in South Africa continuously face a wide array of obstacles in starting, growing and sustaining their own enterprises.
Technology For Women In Business (TWIB)
www.thedti.gov.za/thedti/twib
The vision for TWIB is to move women in business from the periphery into the mainstream of the economy through the use of technology and by facilitating focused action by women enterpreneurs at all levels, creating successful role models, unlocking solutions to progressive approaches to doing business in a global economy and exploiting partnerships with government, corporates and woman focused organisations.
Net-workingwomen
www.networkingwomen.com
www.networkingwomen.co.za is an A-Z online directory for working women to advertise their businesses, products, services, skills and resources – easy to access, user friendly, with FREE listings!
Women In Business (WIB)
www.womeninbusiness.org.za
Women In Business (WIB) is a voluntary non-profit organisation. WIB was formed to assist, empower, offer friendship and support to fellow business women. WIB is ABOUT the “warm & fuzzies”, about working together with all other Women’s organisations for the betterment of women, about the economic upliftment of ALL women, about kindness, love, strength, commitment and loyalty. WIB is about learning skills from others, living the life which embodies a well rounded entrepreneur who is empathetic, loving, kind, sympathetic and who has entrepreneurial drive and commitment. WIB is about having someone to call on when you need a helping hand. WIB members run courses: WIB learns from fellow members and share skills.
Women in Film and Television South Africa (WIFTSA)
www.wiftsa.org.za
WIFTSA is a South African chapter of Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI). WIFTI is a global network comprised of some 35 Women In Film chapters worldwide and over 10,000 members dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media.
Women’s Legal Centre
www.wlce.co.za
The Women’s Legal Centre is a non-profit, independently funded law centre started by a group of women lawyers. The WLC has been established to advance women’s rights by conducting constitutional litigation and advocacy on gender issues.
International Women’s Forum of South Africa (IWFSA)
www.iwforum.org/south_africa.aspx
IWFSA is a progressive organisation of women leaders whose vision is to educate, empower, nurture and mentor the next generation of women leaders in South Africa through various programmes.
Association for Office Professionals of South Africa (OPSA) www.opsa.org.za
The Association for Office Professionals of South Africa (OPSA) is a non-profit Association, founded in 1982, for all office professionals.
The National Council of Women of South Africa (NCW) www.ncw.org.za
NCWSA appeals to all who are interested in women’s issues and the well being of the community.The current International President is Anamah Tan of Singapore.
Women’s Net www.womensnet.org.za
Women’sNet works to advance gender equality and justice in South Africa through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by providing training and facilitating content dissemination and creation that supports women, girls, and women’s and gender organisations and networks to take control of their own content and ICT use.
Rural Women’s Movement
www.ruralwomensmovement.org
In South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu Natal, women’s independent access to land has not been realized. The way that the majority of women have gained security of tenure and access to land resources has been predominantly through their participation in patriarchal household structures. RWM advocates for women’s independent land rights and use of natural resources.
Leading Women of Africa/Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World
www.leadingwomen.org
www.leadingwomenofafrica.com
Individual and corporate memberships are available for Businesses wanting to expand their operations in Africa. Africa has a wealth of resources and opportunities just waiting to be captured. What better time than NOW! Discover new opportunities through by getting to know the heartbeat of Africa. It is these women who are rising up and leading the next generation to their destiny.
SA Women in Engineering (SAWomEng)
www.sawomeng.co.za
SAWomEng (South African Women in Engineering) is a non-profit, student-run body founded at the University of Cape Town in . The organisation was the brainchild of two then third-year University of Cape Town civil engineering students, Mabohlale Mampuru and Naadiya Moosajee, who envisioned a platform through which young women in the field, like themselves, would be able to fast-track their careers.
Spice4life
www.spice4life.co.za
Believing in your SELFWORTH, discovering & kindling your PASSION, finding your INSPIRATION, giving your COMMITMENT and consistently gathering and applying EDUTAINMENT
“...capture vision, take possession of it. I am all for seeing your true potential come to pass, am all for seeing you show up on this planet before you leave, that you go about unlocking the leadership potential in others, that you leave a legacy for the next generation and that you remain persistent and passionate so that mankind will be different because you decided to show up!”
SA Women in Construction (SAWiC)
www.inoventing.com/sawic/index
SAWiC is a National Association of Women Construction Entrepreneurs (SMMEs) or women employed in all areas of construction, from the skilled trades to business ownership. SAWiC promotes and supports the advancement of women in the construction industry as it administers, intervenes, facilitates and negotiates to empower its members to successfully take up and complete job opportunities, contracts and related legal aspects, training, finance, networks, marketing. SAWiC has chapters in the SA nine provinces each headed by a national board member. SAWiC services more than 2000 women contractors across South Africa.
Women in Oil and Energy South Africa
www.woesa.com
WOESA is a Section 21 Company whose aim is to facilitate and promote business opportunities for and enhance the participation of South African women in the oil and energy sector. Black women in South Africa have either been at the lowest end of any form of business opportunity, or totally excluded. It therefore is imperative for women to focus cohesively on addressing their unique position in order to address these facts. WOESA’s first priority is to facilitate women’s participation in business opportunities in the oil, gas and other energy sector in South Africa.
WOESA offers services to its member companies, organisations and individuals, that focus on developing a knowledge base and building capacity amongst women through education and training. We facilitate access to business opportunities; we do advocacy work for women by participating in drafting legislation and policies. WOESA further endeavours to facilitate access to funding for women.
THE BUSINESSWOMAN MAGAZINE | READER PROFILE
Distribution
The Businesswoman Magazine is distributed to the members of various South African business women associations, corporate business women across S.A., subscribers and women in business management positions (decision makers).
Circulation
27,373 copies
Readers Per Copy
2.92
Readership
79,929
Subscription Fee
R161.42 (Incl. VAT) for 6 issues
Subscribers
16,307 of our readers are paid up subscribers
Frequency
Bi - Monthly
Reader’s Radio Choice
Jacaranda, SAFM and Classic FM
LSM
(Living Standards) 69% of our readers are LSM 9 & 10
Average Career Level
56% of our readers are either line management, senior management or executive positions
Purchasing Power
38% of our readers have purchased luxury personal accessories in the past 12 months
Reader Attention
Our readers spend just over 2 hours on average reading The Businesswoman Magazine
Unusual Circulation
The Businesswoman Magazine is distributed through various hotels (in the rooms), through leading financial institutions and many other unique channels
Air Travel
68% of our readers have made use of air travel in the past year
Finance
88% of our readers have debit and/or credit cards, make use of vehicle finance and overdraft facilities or have a personal loan
Education
76% of our readers have a tertiary qualification
Driving Style
More than 58% of our readers have a luxury vehicle
Who Decides
More than 82% of our readers are the primary purchasing decision makers in their household
Leisure
28% of our readers have spent in excess of R50 000 on holiday and/or leisure activities in the past 12 months
Reader Age Profile
20-30 years of age : 14%
30-40 years of age : 30%
40-50 years of age : 38%
50-60 years of age : 18%
CORPORATE INITIATIVES | CURRENTLY UNDERWAY
There are many South African corporates involved in initiatives to empower women in the work place. Some notable examples are:
• Business Partners - The Women’s Fund.
• Vodacom - Graduate Programme for Females in Technology.
• Telkom - Women’s ICT Programme - headed up by Charlotte Mokoena.
• Standard Bank - Women Entrepreneurs & Incredible Woman Of The Year (with Marie Claire).
• PriceWaterhouseCoopers - Women in PwC Steering Committee; The Faranani Rural
Women Training Initiative; A.W.A.R.E. - Attract Women Advance Retain and Empower.
• Wesbank - The Wesbank Women’s Forum.
• Sanlam - Women Entrepreneurs in Agriculture.
• Shoprite Checkers - Woman Of The Year.
• KPMG - KPMG Network Of Women (KNOW).
• Deloitte - The Deloitte Women’s Leadership Initiative.
• African Bank & Women’s Development Business (WDB) - Rural Entrepreneurship.
• Motorola - Business Leadership Development Program (BLDP).
• Nedbank - Women Development Initiatives.
• Unilever - Ponds Passport to Success Campaign; Dawn Voice Out Female Poets
• BankSETA - Women’s Development Programme.
• The Department of Economic Development - Passing The Torch.
• TWIB / DTI - Technology For Women In Business Awards.
Media is …
Irrespective of whether you're giving someone your business card or perhaps a quote on a letterhead, you are branding your company with media. The more obvious examples of advanced brochures or advertisements are correctly percieved as media for your brand - but don't be fooled - everything you present about your company carries an inherent media value! At Absolute Media, we recognise that no matter what form media takes, it is a vehicle that carries your brand message, even with something as simple as a logo or brand identity.