Page 3 - KZN Business Sense 7.1

DURBAN BUSINESSES

BENEFIT FROM

REWARDS

PROGRAMME

hen you become the bottom line of our member
a member of the businesses,” explained Phili.
WDurban Chamber “The Durban Chamber
of Commerce and Industry Business Benefits will assist
(DCCI), you are offered access many businesses in the
to an established network where eThekwini business ecosystem in
legitimate business can meet and regenerating their productivity
engage. The Durban Chamber’s levels as we enter 2021. The
strategic purpose is to help rewards programme between
create a conducive business members is also available
environment that facilitates and for all employees who apply
promotes economic growth in their skills and services to Nikita Pillay, Merrill King, Palesa Phili, Mpume Langa and Maimoona Salim at the Standard Bank KZN Top
the region. Durban Chamber members. Business Women gala dinner. (Please note, picture taken prior to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions)
For this reason, the Durban By simply downloading the STRIVING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Chamber offers its members a Durban Chamber App you
bouquet of exclusive business will have a full spectra of
benefits. These deals were Business Benefit rewards at ALESA PHILI became Numerous people assisted her her husband helps with most of
the parental tasks. Her support
the CEO of the Durban
along the way, and she has had
created to provide members with your disposal. Allowing you several different mentors for structure is important to her.
another service to add value to to; increase financial benefits PChamber of Commerce different aspects of her career and “Without assistance, I would not
and Industry (DCCI) after a very
their Chamber membership. through member – to – member successful corporate career. This life who have helped her achieve be able to do everything I need
This programme offers a unique sales, decrease expenditure included being in an executive role her goals. to do and achieve a work-life
through discounted prices
combination of promoting whilst increasing member – to – with a computer company looking balance,” she adds.
member to member buying, member networking.” after the organisation’s services Success inspires Palesa. She adds,
boosting sales for members, and in the southern, eastern, and “One does not want to be around Looking back at younger self,
increasing member visibility. Over the year, this member central regions of Africa, being something that is negative or Palesa would advise herself
benefit programme has continued does not work.” Successful people not to take things at face value
“In the current challenging to evolve with more benefits being the executive head for Vodacom across the country and across the but to analyse situations and
economic environment, no offered by participating Chamber Business in KZN and then the world attract her attention and ensure that she makes the right
business, no matter the size members. Other new benefits are regional head for MTN. inspire her. “I try to see what I can decisions. She explains that she
or industry, is immune to currently being negotiated, which DCCI represents the business do personally, in my own way, to would react spontaneously when
the operational and revenue will offer some exciting discounts community. As CEO, Palesa add to the betterment of my city, she was young, so she would
pressures being experienced to members. oversees the organisation, my province, my country, and the tell herself to listen more before
across business sectors,” ensuring good governance and world at large.” making decisions.
said Durban Chamber CEO, However, currently many of the that the Chamber fulfils its
Palesa Phili. benefits that have been negotiated mandate, which is to look after its Keep your eye on the ball, the There is much more to achieve
are not being fully utilised by members, who are mostly from
During 2020, the Durban members. Consequently, the rules for women are different Palesa says that if she looks back
Chamber worked on an exclusive Durban Chamber of Commerce the business community of the “Women definitely need to at her corporate background, what
Durban region.
business benefits package for and Industry is working towards approach business differently to she achieved was mostly target
active Chamber members to ensuring that all Chamber The Durban Chamber identifies men,” says Palesa. And thinks driven to make profits for an
include a total of 24 value- members are aware of and government policy relevant to the existence of “The Boy’s Club organisation.
adding benefits, which were can easily access the range of organised business in Durban by out there” cannot be denied and Her involvement with the
based on member input and benefits. To this end the Durban amplifying core issues that impact that women cannot fit into the Chamber does, however, give her
requests. The Chamber has Chamber Mobi app will be used on business with short, medium club. “As a woman, typically, as a greater purpose and this enables
negotiated these agreements to as a platform to both promote - and long-term perspectives. At you grow in your career, as you her to achieve more. The Chamber
provide exclusive benefits valued and access the member benefits. the heart of this unit are industry- go higher, you become more of a enables her to make a difference
in excess of R50 million, an An added platform to ensure that specific forums and area forums loner as there are very few women and impact on many people.
unprecedented injection of direct all required control measures is (Western, Northern, Southern, up there.” Palesa adds that males Palesa explains, “I always had a
value into member businesses. currently under development, and and Central) that engage on a are still in the majority at the top thing in me, even when growing
will be launched in January 2021. monthly or bi-quarterly base. of the corporate world and that the up, to give back. In everything I
The benefits are offered in the rules for women are very different.
form of preferential pricing or A further ‘referral benefit’ “Our forums provide the coal “As a woman, you need to be clear do, I try and give back in my own
small way. I would like to look
discounts as well as free service being developed will reward face of interaction between about your objectives, why you are back in five years from now and
opportunities. Chamber members who refer our members and the Durban where you are and what it is that
other members to a service Chamber. This is where we get say this is the number of jobs I
By taking advantage of the provider once a transaction is city officials and provincial policy you want to achieve.” helped to create, and this is the
business benefits tremendous successfully concluded. makers to interact with our Palesa says one of her mentors number of entrepreneurs I have
savings on doing business is members in terms of any plans told her that one is at work to do assisted to grow and get where
possible. Benefits offered such Member to member referrals that are being put in place as well work, not to make friends, and they are.”
as discounts on new vehicles, and benefits are a great way to as business opportunities that are you need to make sure the job gets Palesa concluded that she would
tyres, hotel accommodation, car attract new customers, build available,” says Palesa. done. Her advice to women is, like to see measurable growth, and
hire, vehicle services, catering, relationships with current “When you encounter corporate only once she gets there would
Advocacy is central to the
coaching, and training can customers, save money and role the Chamber plays and politics, it is important to keep she be happy with what she has
help you save hundreds, if not strengthen our economy. partnership approaches to your eye on the ball, understand achieved. 
thousands of Rands every year. To participate as a supplier in the complex and problematic issues the rules are different for you as a
“As part of the Durban benefits programme, your business affecting business are promoted. woman, and then you should be
Chamber of Commerce and must be a member in good The Chamber’s extensive networks fine.” SCAN
Industry’s ongoing support standing of the Durban Chamber also connect members both As she is a wife and the mother QR CODE
to a member network of of Commerce and Industry.  with local and international of two boys, achieving a work-
approximately 3 000 SMMEs organisations. life balance is not easy for TO SEE
and 54,000 informal businesses Please visit page 10 and 11 to see Palesa. She says she is too busy VIDEO
in eThekwini and beyond, we the current benefits available from Success is inspirational to attend social gatherings like
have looked for value-adding participating members. Palesa attributes her success and breakfasts for moms or personally (Open the camera on your phone and

benefits, securing tangible value For more information, please contact where she is today to her Christian dropping her boys off at school. hover steadily for 2-3 seconds over the
that will alleviate pressure on tracy@topbusiness.co.za faith, hard work, and dedication. However, Palesa is fortunate that QR Code to see the video.)

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