that asset for their training needs . This also helped generate revenue for the Federation , substantially .
Q
: To what extent did SAEFA ’ s resignation from SEIFSA affect the Federation ’ s finances ?
A
: The impact would have been enormous . had we sat back and done nothing . Instead , we embarked on a re-recruitment strategy aimed at returning to SEIFSA the companies that had left with the break-away Association . The CEO , the Operations Director and I made personal visits to member companies and we were very successful in that regard since approximately 40 % of the companies – employing around 70 % of the employees – had since returned to SEIFSA , through other Associations , by the end of 2017 .
Q
: Do you believe you have successfully managed to turn SEIFSA ’ s financial fortunes around ?
A
: Indeed , we have , during the 2016 / 17 financial year , managed to break even and make a profit for the first time in five years .
Q
: And what do you attribute this to ?
A
: I think it ’ s the combination of all the measures we ’ ve put in place ; but , most importantly , I think it is the fact that we do not cease to continually look at and implement cost- containment measures . I think the digital marketing campaign we launched a couple of years ago is also beginning to yield some results .
Q
: Can you tell us more about the digital marketing campaign ?
A
: Yes , in response to current trends in the market , we decided to supplement our traditional marketing methods with a digital marketing campaign using platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn to advertise our products and services ( seeing that the world appears to be moving in that direction ). Although it has taken a bit of time , we are now beginning to see a link between digital marketing and an increased uptake on the products and services advertised on digital media platforms . In addition to our deliberate efforts , the South African economy is also generally beginning to come out of the doldrums . We ’ re beginning to see improvements and positive sentiments , all of which bode well for our sector and for us going forward .
U
E
NIQU
S
O
LU
Entrepreneurship Small Business Support and Incubation
TIO
N
OFFER
OFFE WE
W
UNIQUE SOLUTIONS WE OFFER :
BBBEE Strategy and Consulting
Youth Development Programs Career Success , youth post school readiness , World of Work Readiness & Success and Young Professional
S
Artisan and Technical Skills Development Skills Programs , learnerships , Apprenticeships , Specialist programs
Skills Development elopment , BBBEE E , EE , Transformation , Human Capital Services & Solutions , Consulting , Project Management
E
R
World Class Manufacturing , production , maintenance & services , learnerships Skills Programs , Specialist Programs
Corporate Training Programs Management and Leadership , Business Skills ls , Mentoring & Coaching , Talent & Career Success
For further information please contact : Telephone : 011 825 0647
Preggy Chetty : 082 389 2363 , preggy @ thuthukisa . co . za Paulos Mahlangu : 081 425 4719 , paulos @ thuthukisa . co . za Homera Kadwa : 072 561 4799 , homera @ thuthukisa . co . za Eugene Vermaak : 083 430 6501 , eugene @ thuthukisa . co . za
SEIFSA AT 75 SEIFSA AT 75 - SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE A SEIFSA ALLIANCE PARTNER 53
Making companies learning organisations 53
IN THE NATIONAL PRIORITY TRADES ‘ CENTRES OF SPECIALIZATION ’ PROJECT