The Rise of double meanings and Risqué Advertising.

Back then, I was having some trouble working with my device. Airtel, Warid and I have some history. I used to give them quite a lot of trouble with the customer support. But this is different. I once sent a request to client support. There was a problem with my device or sim card. The device was 'seeing' my phone as though I was in a foreign country (roaming). When I requested assistance from support, the person on the the side simply said. 

Please Remove and Re-insert. 

One of my followers or Airtel Support followers (people who can see our conversation), replied with quite a lot of laughter and humor. Apparently he had interpreted the conversation and taken it out of proportion to the point of some innuendo. 

This kind of thinking does not come from the Telcos...this is much too risky for global players but it is often used when for example you wish to have conversations regarding adult matters in the presence of Children. You can find similar uses of language when you tune in to local radio at say about 3AM. 

But this got me thinking. Do we have a universal acceptance for at-the-edge advertising?

Example 1

I am asking because another major player recently decided to have an ad campaign dubbed-Threesome! Probably some calling things that could let you have three way conversations with people on the same network and at a low cost. 

Example 2 

A local retirement and social security service provider has decided to create a program called 'friends with benefits'. The first time I heard this term was way back in 2000 while in the U.S. we were 'working' with some young people (was sent to us for community service). He casually mentioned the term 'benefits' in reference to an agreement between two young people that allows them to 'enjoy' the additional opportunities that they may accrue out of a relationship (I use my words with caution). 

Example 3 

There is another provider that has created a service that allows users to have access to social media during weekdays for the services are least costly. They are calling it WTF. That fine for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday but unacceptable when you do a search for new emerging terms often used on social media. So imagine my shock when I found a post on twitter where I had thanked the provider for WTF! 

Other casualties can be found in Charles Dicken's book but you have to read it all to know what I am talking about.

Making sense of MTN Group's changes in Structure after the Fallout in Nigeria.

The MTN group is a major player in the local, regional and global telecommunications market. Launched in 1994, the MTN Group has subscribers in 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa and as of 31st December 2015, MTN recorded 232.5 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia.

The changes that the group is making and the new hires in this region highlight some major areas that can be split into several sections. It must be clear that local disturbances in Nigeria where the company faced legal action for not turning off sim-cards was partially responsible for these shifts in thinking and restructuring after a massive loss of money. As such we have looked or created a category which we have referred to as Corporations which is really a study under governance and how difficult it is becoming for companies and international corporations to divorce themselves from the politics of local governments. For this reason we have also chosen to focus on regional issues believing for example that having business in the middle east or in trouble areas in East Africa would have an effect on the general operations of business. 

MTN GROUP's DNA 

It is almost impossible to speak about MTN and not talk about the rise of its mobile money platform. This is not a phenomenon restricted only to this telecom but a reflection of a trend in the region (mainly third world) that had brought about an invasion of telephony into banking. There are other shocks in the banking industry and in places like Asia this has brought about a rise in micro finance institutions that have been designed for less fortunate users which have thrived by simplifying the process of banking and by creating a saving culture. The bed rock of most of these systems has been the existence of strong social structures where the poor have really had no choice but to work together. The Rollout of infrastructure for telephony has caused a corresponding effect on the populace bringing about increased sales in cheap mobile handsets. There are several markets for these groups. 

1. The affordable handset.

2. The dual sim handset.

3. The affordable smart phone that can handle simple applications. 

4. The rise of the phone application (to boost agriculture, banking, health and education) and the need for young design professionals. 

5. The creation of online stores for the hosting of applications. 

So in this regard the decision to hire people with some extensive knowledge in the functions of banking institutions makes a lot of sense (both the Group CEO and the Vice President for Strategy have extensive banking experience).

THE BOARD 

As can be expected, such massive penalties may have prompted a loss of staff. 

The most natural process of larger groups such as these is to cut costs. If for example the group was charged a certain amount by the courts, it would make sense to ensure that the same amount of money that would go into payment of staff be diverted in order to cut costs. In addition to this the group would also make sure that new hires are given much broader portfolios so that less would be spent hiring more costly top level staff. 

In addition to this the group would meet and observe the performance of its different regions and localities and then figure out where monies from one region or country can be sent to salvage the operations of another. 

The Uganda group has seen the potential in alternative unrelated sources of revenue such as Marathons (which are held at the end of each year as possible sources of more revenue), in addition to this sponsorships of local artistes in large events have also proven quite effective as additional means of driving growth. The broad content or nature of some of these contracts has proven useful in for example making use of the popularity of local talents in the sell of handsets and device promotions. 

EXPERIENCE LEVELS OF NEW HIRES

There are three key words in MTN groups thinking. Strategy, Management and Governance. On the whole, the three major hires at least in this country seem to be asking for a very broad skill level which feels a lot more like the need for evaluators (consultants). The MTN Group has also made sure that it continues to engages directly with locals in their Corporate Social Responsibility. This they have done using what they call Y'ello Care. A program for visually impaired children that assists the young learners as well as rolls out MTN Technological Strenghts is an example of a positive footstep that can ensure long term governance that is both 'visible' and noteworthy. A program that has run for over ten years covering a whole range of areas and subjects and givings it management staff more access to locals continues to provide useful insight into the future and in areas where growth is possible. This time around the partnership was with the Ministry of Education but there is plenty of room for growth given the youthful populations in the Country. We see possibilities of collaborations with other ministries such as Gender Labor and Social Development (which handles youth issues as well as disabilities). We also see an interconnection with the Ministry of Health for the creations of more platforms and MTN sponsored competitions that could drive up the level of partcipations and force the technology sector into the First World. 

REGIONAL AND LOCAL CHALLENGES

We would expect to see some varying strategies for different regions. In areas affected by refugees we would hope to see more innovation to help people in need and those in transition. We also foresee the a lot of activity in the strategy department which makes sense given MTN GROUP's focus. For countries that are trying to achieve peace we see many opportunities for youth and employment and also for growth in infrastructure in places like South Sudan. Coastal areas have to be used to the maximum to ensure that fiber optic cables are fully utilized. In addition to this we hope to see a lot more engagement on a policy level. The ability to negotiate the different interests that are represented by governments in conflict will be a plus. The middle east represents a mix potential and possibility which must be balanced with politics and policy. 

Middle East

Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Syria,Yemen.

West Africa

Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Liberia, Nigeria. 

Eastern Africa

Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan,Uganda.

Southern Africa

Swaziland, South Africa and Zambia. 

TECHNOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITIES (4G LTE)

The release of new technology is welcome but must be tempered. The group should ensure that there are regulations that prevent unhealthy excitement over new technologies that causes older ones to become almost obsolete. 

We also foresee partnerships with phone makers that are currently running newer Technologies. This means more links with the Chinese and companies like Huawei for tablets phones, dongles, routers and switches. 

THE BROADER GROUP VISION

Perhaps the most notable part in the new changes in management is the choice of a former Vodafone employee. Maybe the groups sees an opportunity for a merger in the future ala Airtel and Warid. But the choice also reflects the need for fresher experience and perhaps even the need to extend and expand MTN thinking to reflect new possibilities for a continent on the move. A person with extensive experience in Europe might prove useful in the management of continental MTN. We also see this in light of regional telcos activity in East Africa where for example different countries often have very different dynamics and therefore a need for a whole new way of thinking. There are some positive ideas around Tanzania for example and fears regarding Kenya. Regional stability will tend to drive the manner in which these groups operate.

THE RISE OF CORPORATIONS

As corporations continue to rise and increase in power, there will be a need to think differently and across borders and to engage more deeply with governments in a manner not before seen. Risk areas have to be identified and decisions to invest weighed in light of concerns such as conflict and corruption. 

CHANGES IN SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND WHAT THEY MEAN

We see a three major changes that reflect a thrust that is driving the activity of the management of the regional and local team. The first is focused on client loyalty and retention, the second is focused on services and products while the third is focused on sponsorships and events with an emphasis on the Geography or the region. 

a) You have numbers, how do you keep them and how do you increase them? How do you create a system that can manage your existing clients so that you can meet their needs more effectively. Is the group going to outsource the customer service function to enhance it or will it boost the same and further computerize it? 

Customer Experience and Loyalty Management 

Customer Retention and Development

Strategic input

Budget Management

b) What are the areas that are most promising given the demographic challenges that are unique to regions and geographies? How do you harness these areas to create products that are relevant and useful and how do you boost your services? 

Product Strategy

Product Design & Build

Product Solutions and Delivery Implementation

Product Management

Device Management

Budget Management

c) Can MTN group and it's regional managers make better use of events that are reflections of MTN Groups global vision? How can events and sponsorships be used to harmonize the bigger vision on a smaller scale? 

Strategic planning

Regional Marketing Strategy 

Operational Planning

Customer Experience & Customer Satisfaction 

Regional Planning and Implementation Management

The Article is written by Nicholas Kyanda of the Hope First Group. Sources of information for this article were derived from post on the MTN social media page. Use of this article without permission is forbidden. 

Social media blockages and traffic reroutes.

It's been months since the last major social media interruption in Uganda. The outage took place around election time and was designed to help 'steer' the country away from unnecessary talk about election issues and outcomes. We have had many more since then but the response has been tempered probably after the strain of so much 'screaming'. 

The few interactions that I had with the community of Internet business users pointed towards a deep sense of disappointment at a system that was failing to make the great leap into a future that other more 'aware' global citizens and countries had already embraced. 

With shrinking space in the city it was obvious to many of us that there was an unlimited capacity and speed in cyber space and that if exploited could be used to drive our businesses into the future. Education, Commerce, Security would all be catapulted into the modern age. 

So maybe this is where the connection now becomes clearer with the sudden change of routes for residents of Entebbe. 

To those who have little or no business in the area the disruptions are just that disruptions but for those with important business travel and yes homes to return to, a visit by a head of state should be just that-a visit. The inability to do business and to stay connected to your life line is what members of the ICT community had to go through when mass outages took place for all users across the board. Maybe our argument is more with application of the law and certain aspects of its implementation. Perhaps our push should have been for a much more rigorous fire walling system that would be deployed to deny access to a select group of users (which would demand much more manpower and yes generate some more jobs for our youth). But even that would probably have been opposed at some level...and would have brought about bloating of an already over stretched economy. 

Pulpitations, Prophets and Primaries

This week we went through the Primaries for the National Resistance Movement. The coverage by local media channels was impressive. There are shows every morning both on television and on the radio where the hosts dish out bits of news are presented printed press.

Different channels have chosen different approaches to this coverage. This is in a sense the effect of digitization. We have a lot more people trying to cash in on the expansion of the spectrum. One of the vast open spaces that is yet to be filled in out politically sensitive environment talk radio and the emergence of 'celebrity' hosts. The way the Americans work that space is by creating exclusive spots for experts and opinion makers where they get a chance at hosting their own shows. Many then use this to create talk shows to match what they do on Television. On the local scene, I see political commentetors such as Political Dons at the Main University, Analysts and Influential Bloggers as well as Veteran Hosts taking this on.

A belated response to West Nile, would be the revival of Idi Amin's dream of creating an Africa Wide Station covering most of the common languages. This was a dream that was destroyed way beyond its time. What you now see, is that any nation that wishes to express itself on the broader continent now finds itself having to create some kind of media channel to present its own perspective and maybe even to serve in the interest of soft power.

While the journalists were going back and forth reporting on the events as they took place, there were some interesting undertones to watch in the interactions between 'studio' and 'stage'. Traditionally, the studio is supposed to run the show and make the calls while the stage responds to queue with up to date information and news. But it was clear in some regards that some of the people on the stage were really much to large of the stage and would probably suit the studio. Or maybe the two groups were very comfortable with each other and willing to stretch the space?

If you also noticed there have been some interesting career moves by some of the station hosts In the country. This is not unique to the country but we do stand out in a sense maybe bacause we live in a relatively small country. Career moves here are made rapidly and seemelessly across sectors. It is not unusual to see the exit of one from a telcom to another or from a prominent TV station to another. And the friction within the work space is also often pulpable. The more notable of these moves took place in the media space and demonstrate the stiffness of the competition that will be a mark of the days and months to come. In a sense most of these moves are enhanced by the current political climate as the country prepares for the 2016 election.

Maybe the only negative aspect about the news space is that late commers are often under very little pressure to innovate. Five years or so ago, the major players were WBS, NTV and NBS. Now though others have emerged and began to influence the manner in which the new groups do their work. The interests of the brands have been overtaken by the rise of popular hosts who command quite a lot of influence and can now command their own pay. So you will continue to see new super hosts moving from station to station making more but growing only in a limited sense. The major brands will suffer because it will become almost impossible to keep your core group and to create an ethos around the manner in which you work. 

Apply no more my child

"Access to MTN infrastructure, technical support, and marketing muscle"

This quote was a section of a well presented section that made it into my Google+ page. This was Zulu's response to the MTN App challenge and the reason why he was encouraging members of the Outbox Hub to participate in the activities that would take place in that week. 

And so I did what I have done countless times before except this time around I was applying for an application design competition. 

When this event was being planned for I was watching and monitoring a group of students chosen from some of our finest Learning Institutions who had earlier taken part in a similar application design project organized by Orange Uganda. I had the privilege to attend and visit almost all the exhibitors that covered just about the same general areas. Health, Agriculture and Business. 

When I heard about MTN's project I wanted to see what this meant for the participants and what major differences would exist between the two. 

Having taken part in an intellectual property course at MUK (designed in collaboration with Harvard University) I also wanted to see if agreements between the participants and the global conglomerate had any intellectual property concerns at heart and included in the agreement. To say it simply, I wanted to see if it would be fair to the designers. 

Would it be simpler to go it alone as a designer, coder, marketer independent of the big companies and brave your way through the densely packed woods of application design or would it be better to leverage the size of the larger group so as to benefit from already existing infrastructure? 

I think we are similar. I too have filled tonnes of Job applications knowing very well that i have managed to design and host a combined 30 pages. In addition to painting several portraits, submitted and helped design several project proposals, created image concepts for health, started a small bakery, started a small seed funding project, concepts for business spaces, run a small online training platform as well as a media company. 

So I find myself in a dilemma. Do I continue searching for opportunities for employment or should I once and for all decide never to look back.

I think you know the answer. 

The last one there is a rotten egg!

Its been a few weeks since the introduction of the new Umeme Yaka Payment system. Two or three technicians stuck a gadget on one of the poles in the garden and replaced the old meter marking a new phase in the lives of not just myself but many other users. 

My initial response to this was to wonder how quickly our ingenious residents would adapt to the new system which is much harder to infiltrate...for lack of a better word. 

We were handed a card and a code with a substantial set of figures which would serve as a unique identifier. 

Now like we often do with our moving phones, we would need only top up and then manage the use of our power.

Which brings me to another slightly different conversation. Payment for utilities is improving by the day and there is no shortage of innovators to help simplify the process by which we do. There is talk to introduce a similar process for water that howls also handle flow and regulation. 

There has been a lot of talk about the Internet as a utility. Are we about to see similar systems that arrive right at the door of citizens through which many of us will be paying as we do for water to access out internet service? Maybe as new forms of access are developed we might find a time when our Internet lines run along side out power lines or that we receive our wireless using light (li-fi). My point is that our telecoms ought to be innovating. Maybe someone should take advantage of the existing phone line infrastructure to put a system of this type in place. 

Let us watch and see who makes it to the proverbial finish line. 

Weddings and Marriages

Received an interesting SMS from Warid/Airtel that revealed to me that the two were well over the pomp and circumstance of the wedding and were now officially into the marriage.

The SMS described a new method of payment for the internet service that was initially used for Warid Telcom. Well now after some work, and the official merger the older Warid model can now work in the Airtel environment. Much like the user who get older scratch cards can use them with both Warid and Airtel lines!

You ask why this is so significant?

Well because mergers are taking place on a technical level which in my view is much harder. A little like couples who begin to navigate around each other and the little idiosyncrasies that exist behavior. The lonely techie who sits in the office working on complex code to enable devices to talk to servers across multiple platforms and who builds databases to manage these interactions while trying to maintain security can be a daunting task.

Merge all these technologies to work seamlessly together with limited error and you will not be surprised why he asks for close to six figures and chooses to grow a beard and arrive in sandals!

Thumbs up if you ask me!