Following its first Fast Forward series launched last year, Vodacom Business has announced that its second version will be launching in March 2020, and will be extending physically into the Western Cape & digitally on Vodacom’s flagship video-streaming platform, Videoplay.

“This series is designed to promote business growth and strategic decision-making in an ever-changing environment for both C-level executives in large corporates and owners of small businesses. Vodacom Business understands that entrepreneurs often need digital solutions & resources for their businesses to thrive in the market today,” explained Fatima Hassim, Managing Executive at Vodacom Business.

“With “unicorn companies” that change the game and disrupt industries, business strategies need to constantly evolve and as such, there is a definitive need for entrepreneurs to acquire new skills to regain their competitive advantage. This is why, Vodacom Business is excited to offer this initiative,” she continued.

The rationale behind the series, according to Vodacom Business, is that today’s challenging market is calling for South African Business role players to step forward and make real, impactful changes to drive economic inclusion and growth.

The company stressed that businesses in South Africa, small or large, have a key role to play in job creation and skills development. Delivering on the digital workforce requirements of the 4IR and adapting strategies to increase socio-economic growth to positively influence South Africa’s future will be of paramount importance. 

The first Fast Forward Series included workshops and interactive sessions to create a change within the South African business sector by providing leaders and business owners with the appropriate tools, skills and insights to help their businesses succeed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Season Two of the series will include large enterprise roundtables that will focus on the future of business & digital transformation as a key theme with industry experts sharing their insights on the current technology landscape, challenges and future opportunities provided by digital technology.

 “The sessions gave me a new perspective on running my business. It was refreshing to go there to learn,” commented Nina Pieters, the owner of Extraordinary Events & Tours who attended the first series. “The course provided relevant topics for SMEs. It was great being given details on who to call for more information and help. They spoke about growth and shared great insights on running a business,” she continued.

“The Fourth Industrial Revolution has already begun to shift the business landscape. The challenges faced by businesses has increased at the same pace as their competitors and so our objective is to continue to provide a platform that will address key business challenges whilst focusing on empowering entrepreneurs to develop strategies to thrive in today’s digital economy,” added Hassim.

Small businesses can register to attend the business acceleration programmes in partnership with Startup Grind, Vodacom Digital Advertising and Business Doctors.

Business Owners can register to attend a Fast Forward acceleration session on the Vodacom Business website and can choose to attend a workshop at either the experience centre in Vodacom World in Midrand, Johannesburg or our pop-up Business Experience space at The Young Bloods Gallery in Cape Town. More information on the acceleration programmes is available on the website vodacombusiness.co.za