Econorisk is fast becoming one of South Africa’s leading independent short term insurance brokerages, with a national footprint and a passion for personal service and individual advice being key to its success. One of the people behind the business is none other than former South African bowler, Brett Schultz.  

Brett, your cricket career was brought to an abrupt end through injury. Describe the transition from sport to business?  

“I became involved in the financial services industry while playing cricket, as I wanted to diversify my interests as well as have something to fall back on after my playing days were over. This proved to be the right decision and the exposure was good business grounding for me. I quickly learnt that a successful business is all about excellence in service delivery through the right product and relevant pricing. When my cricket career was over, I returned to the financial services industry, joining Econorisk in 2003.”  

The business is going from strength to strength. To what do you attribute Econorisk’s success?  

“You need to be passionate about what you do, as it is infectious and it affects the people around you. Whether it’s your team mates, colleagues or clients, your attitude has an enormous impact on the overall outcome. In cricket, we expect to be judged on the results we deliver; the same goes for business. At Econorisk we understand that having a passion for producing results is essential.   We’re committed to delivering an all-round service, getting to know our clients and their individual short-term insurance needs, and being in the best position to provide them with the right solutions to alleviate risk.”  

Econorisk believes in doing business the traditional way with relationships and personal service…  

“Rob Sylvester founded the business together with Econometrix in 2001 with a mission to provide what clients wanted, but were not getting – a professional, personal service. It is this philosophy that drives our business. We believe in conducting business the traditional way, with relationships and personal service at the top of our priority list. By getting to know our clients, we are able to provide informed advice and the most suitable products tailored to their individual needs. This, coupled with our strong industry relationships with almost all Insurers and Underwriting Managers, enables us to deliver a comprehensive service which continually looks after our clients’ ever-changing risk profiles.”  

You have a wealth of experienced specialists at Econorisk, with some recent key appointments and substantial investment in the business. Tell us more about this?  

“Since its inception, the business has grown as a brand with a core staff compliment of insurance specialists. In 2011 Cyan Capital invested into Econorisk which provided the capacity to bring in industry leader Guy Scott as CEO and operations specialist John Rivers-Moore as COO. These key appointments have in turn attracted highly skilled employees to fill critical positions. In addition to moving into a new head office in Rivonia in Johannesburg, Econorisk has also in the past year opened offices in Umhlanga Ridge, Durban and Woodstock, Cape Town. Econorisk now has the platform for extensive growth through both employment and acquisition of the required expertise to be able to become a market leader.”  

You’ve not forgotten your sporting roots. Econorisk is actively involved in supporting a number of charitable organisations, including dressage competitor and Paralympic hopeful, Nicole Sanders….  

“With limited access to training and insufficient funds, Nicole was running out of time to make her dream of competing in the 2016 Paralympic Games come true. The commitment and dedication that Nicole has shown is remarkable, even when all the odds seemed stacked against her. This sort of passion and drive is in keeping with our own ethos, so we set about raising funds for Nicole to help keep her Paralympic dream alive. We are extremely proud of Nicole and her determination.”  

There are many comparisons drawn between business and sport. As a professional sportsman turned businessman, where do you see these similarities?  

“In business, as with sport, it is essential to keep an ear to the ground and an eye on your competitors, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, then working as a team to achieve a better result for your clients and your stakeholders. This, coupled with a passion to be your best, will help keep you ahead of the game.”  

Tel: 0861 ECRISK (327475)

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.econorisk.co.za
Twitter @_econorisk
LinkedIn - econorisk-pty-ltd

Cape Town based StateoftheART, an innovator in the online art world, has been showcasing and selling affordable contemporary art by emerging artists since 2010. This month they launched their new website to support the keen interest in South African art, bringing their works to a global  audience with easy access via the web.

The recent boom in the online art trade, currently valued at around R28bn is forecast to more than double by 2018. At least 71% of art collectors have now purchased artwork online according to the 2014 Hiscox Online Trade Report , with that number expected to rise. StateoftheART founder Jennifer Reynolds says "We want to offer our visitors the personal touch and intimacy of a gallery setting, without the limited selection associated with a physical space. More than half of our customers use a mobile device to browse our online art gallery, perhaps because there is something particularly satisfying about viewing art on a tablet as the tactile experience of holding the device feels almost the same as picking up a painting to look at it more closely."

The great advantage of StateoftheART is that it affords visitors to the site the opportunity to discover and buy affordable fine art that would not otherwise be easily found.  The slick and easy to use website allows visitors to browse and buy high quality art in the comfort of their own home, making contemporary art even more accessible. Works can be bought directly from the website and delivered anywhere in the world. The site offers a 7 day money-back guarantee. To discover the world of StateoftheART, please visit www.stateoftheart-gallery.com

About

StateoftheART is South Africa's premier online gallery where you will discover an exclusive selection of carefully curated art by top emerging artists. Our virtual platform is complemented by the brick-and-mortar StateoftheART gallery in Cape Town; an intimate space in which we regularly host exhibitions and where art lovers can view a dynamic selection of works by our represented artists.

For images, information and interviews with Jennifer Reynolds, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile devices are more than mere communication tools today. Globally, smartphones and tablets are now contributing to roughly 25% of the user traffic on eCommerce and travel websites. Sales through smartphones and tablets contribute to around 15% of the total online sales. With the rapid adoption of smart phones and tablets across the globe, these numbers can only go north.

Online sales through mobile devices as a percentage of the total online sales globally Challenges in Mobile Web Marketing Mobile marketing is relatively new and advertisers face several challenges to run an effective mobile marketing campaign. Some of them are:
• Advertiser's and Publisher's mobile presence is fragmented between mobile web and mobile apps.
• Identification of a user across mobile web and mobile app and messaging across these two channels.
• Identification of users across multiple devices (such as mobile, desktop) and messaging across channels.
• Patchy support to cookie and other tracking mechanisms on mobile browsers and apps.

How does it work:

1. While the user is on the advertiser mobile website, products like Vizury MobiConvert, records anonymous user behaviour such as products viewed, duration of visit, drop off page etc.

2. This user behaviour data is then used to create and display customised ads for the mobile user across mobile internet.

3. However, unlike desktop, mobile uses a different technology for banners- HTML5, the one that works across mobile devices.

The need to go mobile is more imminent today more than ever. Mobile has taken centre stage in your users' purchase cycle and it's time to go mobile! More on 'Shades of Mobile Retargeting' coming soon.

Learn more about Vizury MobiConvert and other products by Vizury at their stand at the eCommerce Africa Confex. This exciting 2-day conference and exhibition takes place on the 3rd-4th February 2015 at the Cape Town International Centre.

Register as a delegate or find out more about sponsor and exhibitor opportunities by contacting Kirsten Pow Chong on 021 180 4700 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Kinetic is pleased to announce the latest additions to our speaker line up for the eCommerce Africa Confex. With just over 2 months to go, the agenda is jam-packed with the best that Africa's eCommerce industry has to offer as they address current topics and share valuable insight into establishing a successful eCommerce business.

Mike Cotterell, Head of Online for Pick n Pay, and Peter Allerstorfer, Founding Partner of Silvertree Capital, will be sitting on a panel that will discuss the trends for delivery of online orders. They will be joined by Business Development Executive of DPD Laser, Hilton Eachus, and Justin Drennan, CEO of wantitall.co.za, to elaborate on the importance of good infrastructure and the transnational cooperation of all companies involved to meet customer needs.

Want to know what the best consumer and business brands are doing to drive a greater user experience? The following eCommerce professionals have all reserved their seats for the panel discussion that will answer this very question:

• Lee Zuk, General Manager, justplay.co.za
• Gysbert Kappers, Co-Founder, Wyzetalk
• Clinton Arnot, Head of Online Distribution, Protea Hotels
• Amanda Cromhout, Founder and CEO, Truth
• Stephan Ekbergh, CEO, Travelstart
• Bryan Porter, eCommerce Manager, Comair

The 2-day conference sessions will wrap up with Mohammed Parker, Deputy Director: IT Strategy, eCommerce and Governance from Western Cape Government, and Andrew Dean, Managing Director of Calleo. They will discuss the security and regulation of data collection as well as online sales in Africa. Joining them will be Alastair Tempest, COO of Direct Marketing Association of South Africa (DMASA), and Craig Shapiro, Partner at WCIS Attorneys.

Africa's premier eCommerce conference and exhibition is taking place on the 3rd-4th February 2015 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and seats are filling up quickly. To avoid disappointment, register to become a delegate or find out more about sponsor and exhibitor opportunities by contacting Kirsten Pow Chong on 021 180 4700 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

www.ecommerce-africa.com For all the latest updates, follow us on Twitter: @eCommerceConfex and @KineticEventsSA or like our Facebook page: eCommerce Africa Confex

Interroll SA, partnering with company SICK Automation, for the largest e-tailer, Kalahari.com, recently commissioned a fully automated tote and parcel handling system for the picking, packing and sorting of goods.

The conveyor system manages the in-bound receiving of goods, the put-away and then onto order processing, to finally be automatically sorted to different destinations for the delivery process to follow. "By having such an integrated system, Kalahari.com has been able to meet the increasing demand with ease, build for the future capacity and have complete visibility through the entire processes", says Annes Schreuder, Supply Chain Director.

Hilton Campbell, Managing Director for Interroll SA comments, "Partnering with South Africa's largest eCommerce company and to be part of the build for the growing industry has been a fantastic experience. There were a number of parties involved to satisfy the complete integrated solution, from getting the go-ahead in November last year to having the system in complete operation in middle of August was a fantastic achievement by all parties."

Come to the eCommerce Africa Confex and visit Interroll's stand as they elaborate on conveyor automation in response to the courier express and parcel industries. You will also have the opportunity to receive specialist advice from teams of experts sent by payment solution providers, PayPal with FNB and PayFast, as well as logistics companies, eSolutions by DPD Laser and RAM, to name a few.

The eCommerce Africa Confex takes place on the 3-4 February 2015 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. For more information visit http://www.ecommerce-africa.com or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The eCommerce Africa Confex is proving to be Africa's most influential eCommerce gathering as we bring you face to face with the key individuals in the industry. The conference agenda will cover all things eCommerce, from how to expand your business into Africa to the survival and flourishing of SME's and small businesses. 

Raphael Afaedor, Co-Founder of Jumia and CEO/Co-Founder of Supermart, together with Simdul Shagaya, CEO and Founder of Konga.com will both be sitting on a panel discussing how to sell into Africa and grow your business beyond South Africa. 

Raphael is part of the advisory panel that has been consulted to tailor the event agenda. He co-founded one of Nigeria's largest online stores, Jumia, in 2012 and has since left to start Supermart, an online platform that allows the consumer to shop from over 18 000 grocery items. Simdul is the CEO and co-founder of recently Naspers-invested, Konga.com which is known as Africa's answer to Amazon.com. He was on Forbe's list of "The 10 Most Powerful Men in Africa 2014" and also won "Entrepreneur of the Year" at the 2013 All Africa Business Leaders Awards. 

SME's and startups can gather valuable insight during a panel that will discuss what small businesses, without the big corporate budgets, can do to build a business that will not only survive but thrive and flourish in the eCommerce industry. Panellists for this discussion include:

• David Muller, Managing Director of CyberCellar

• Phaedon Gourtsoyannis, Founder of Cape Coffee Beans

• Gary Hadfield, CEO of loot.co.za

• Olivier Chas, Managing Director and Co-Founder of CitySlicker

The eCommerce Africa Confex takes places on the 3rd and 4th February 2015 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Should you wish to register as a delegate or are interested in sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please contact Greg Johnson on 021 180 4700 or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Firstly we would like to thank all our fans, followers, friends and partners for your continued love and support. The emails you’ve been sending asking questions and the calls you’ve made show us how much you care for us and how important Red Diamond FM has been to you whether for inspiration, entertainment or the growth of your music career as an artist. We would like to assure you all that this establishment is permanent.

Red Diamond FM went through structural and organizational changes over the past two months. We decided to sit down and plan and strategize, we went back to the drawing board to revisit our mission which was to help unsigned musicians and start up record and music labels grow. Having than this, we chose to expand our media platforms in Red Diamond World for the benefit of South African musicians, in all genres. We are working on building a community of young celebrities who deserve to be celebrated because of the hustle they have put in towards their success.

Today Red Diamond FM is under the media division of Red Diamond World (Pty) Ltd (K2014198007), a South African tech company run by young innovative entrepreneurs. The company holds various major market shares in the South African technology industry and above that has founded two unique social networks and a world class eCommerce store.

The multimedia division of Red Diamond World aims to bring innovative internet radio, television and great features via the online magazine T·R·E·N·D·S. This division also assists unsigned South African artists get their music on to over 40 digital stores including iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

The scope of involvement at this stage of the process transcends the traditional approach to multimedia. What Red Diamond World aims to achieve through its multimedia division goes beyond merely fulfilling the market’s need. Multimedia is a tool for social engineering and it is important that it is used for such. ‘Conscious broadcasting’ is integral to the vision of Red Diamond World. Today, technology has limited the boundaries which were yesterday exploited for much monetary gain. The music industry has become so open with much accessibility to music production that separating the entertainer and the entertained is becoming impossible. Social commentators have also expressed the coming age where genres will be done away with. Music is not the only multimedia division experiencing changes. The worlds of art and fashion have also been demystified through the embrace of pioneers who dare to legitimize the unusual- multimedia has no boundaries.

Red Diamond World is committed to furthering the cause of innovation and creativity. The aim is to bring entertainment to the entertainer. The recognition of upcoming entertainers is pivotal in all our initiatives. Music, art and fashion on radio, television and T·R·E·N·D·S will be geared at exposing fresh innovative expressions of multimedia today.

The underlying principal behind ‘conscious broadcasting’ is the philosophical belief that profit is NOT worth getting by using every means necessary. Red Diamond World understands the failure of unregulated capitalism. Good initiatives end up existing solely for capital gain when their pursuit for profit is achieved at the expense of the basic laws of humanity. Thus, ethical broadcasting is at the forefront of our multimedia division. We have taken great cognisance of the need to humanize every initiative we are involved in including the various companies who have aligned themselves with us. We aim to solidify the image of our partners as well as help achieve their goals in so far as we are able to. ‘Conscious broadcasting’ is geared towards broadcasting with a purpose. It is an ongoing balance of enjoying, shaping and gaining from our world.

Website: rediamondworld.com

Aldes Atlantic will be hosting a seminar “The secrets to selling a business successfully”. This seminar will introduce you to the how to of selling your business for sale.

Aldes Atlantic has brought in a panel of experts consisting of Aldes Atlantic business brokers, Business Accounting Networking (BAN), IPROTECT and Business Partners. Each of these organizations are experts in their fields and will cover relevant topics pertaining to selling a business successfully.

Aldes Business Brokers will provide insight into business broking and covers topics of “Doing the sale yourself or hiring a professional”, “What to expect from your business broker”, “Important factors for buying and Factors that affect the value of your business for sale, does your expectation pass the reality check”.

An expert in valuating your business, BAN will cover topics on “How much is your business worth” and “improving your financial health to make the sale of your business more predictable”.

When selling your business, there are legal implications involved in this. Aldes Atlantic has IPROTECT to present on “minimizing tax on the sale of your business” and will your contract of sale save you or sink you”.

Business Partners has been an expert in funding future ventures and presents on “Funding of new acquisitions to improve future selling and what your buyers’ funders will expect from your financials.

The seminar is open to all interested in buying or selling a business and takes place the 11th November 2014.

Visit www.aldesatlantic.co.za for more details on this seminar and how to book your seat.

20/10/2014 – Johannesburg, with over 150 Women SMME’s in attendance, the Inaugural Women in Transport Forum became the highlight of the Gauteng Transport Month Campaign.  

Invigorating discussion with between the private sector, MMC Christine Walters and MEC Dr. Ismail Valdi definitely spoke to the women and encouraged them to employ “think differently” mindset to the sector in order to offer innovation and participation for more women participants in the transport & logistics industry.  

The insightful forum offered over 150 women awareness into how to become more visible in the Transport sector and offered them a better knowledge of the investor cycle and mindset of investors when embarking on funding women transport owned businesses. MMC Christine Walters opened the forum giving her message of thanks to the women and encouraged more women to move past the common barriers and align themselves with orgnaisations that can facilitate and fast track the interaction of women in the sector.  

MEC Dr. Ismail Valdi deliberated a keynote on the road map for Transport in 2015 and urged more women to think big in tackling issues in the Transport Sector. MEC Dr. Valdi and MMC Christine Walters presented the winners of the Women in Transport Forum awards of acknowledgement.   The City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Road sand Transport awarded 5 women the award of acknowledgement. The awards were a token of appreciation for the role the women are playing in community upliftment through job creation while being able to transform the industry through their respective organization.     As we unpack and address the issues facing women in the transport sector, the Women in Transport Forum aims to engage more women in the sector that looks to create sustainability women in transport while drive the economic agenda.  

For additional information, please contact Yasmine Kazadi at 011 027 5842 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Mercatique Consulting  

Mercatique Consulting is a 100% Black Owned B-BBEE Level 1 Communications Firm, focusing on providing primarily the finest Marketing, Media, Publicity, Events, Communications and Project Management Solutions for Small, Medium, Micro and Large organizations, both locally and internationally with a global reach and an exciting service offering, delivering innovative ideas across the continent and the globe.   We are dedicated, creative thinkers, which bring this association to life, offering clients a one stop offering, extending a message to a wider audience.   As a service company, our people are our most important asset and it is their contributions which drive the ongoing success of our organisation. www.mercatiqueconsulting.co.za

If you haven't heard about it let me tell you more. Cybatar is a new social networking and collaboration application that allows users to send SMS messages to mobile phones for free. The network also allows users to share document files besides media files which is uncommon with all available social networks.

The company responsible for this product has developed their first application, being made available on stores and only available on Android devices for now. The development team on Red Diamond World is confident that it has developed an awesome product which will go viral a soon as the public becomes aware of it.

Cybatar comes as a more innovative service, on a different market with common social networking websites Facebook and Twitter and is not looking to substitute them but co-exist with them as the are very important especially for companies and professionals to increase their online presence which is a contribution Cybatar will make to users. This shows that Red Diamond World is in this for the long-run like big internet companies Facebook, Amazon and Google.Users can find the application on various Android application stores from today.

The application will reach more stores as time goes by and more application for Apple and Windows devices will be developed. Cybatar is currently available on HTML5 for all devices with internet access on http://www.cybatar.com and users are able to access all features.