During this past weekend’s TEDx Nairobi, I gave a presentation on the implications and considerations of high speed Internet connectivity in Kenya. You can download the same as a PDF file here.
Monthly Archive for August, 2009
Page 2 of 2
This past weekend, I had the privilege of being both a speaker and attendee at the inaugural TEDx Nairobi. TEDx Nairobi was so eye opening on so many levels that I left stunned at the amazing and diverse presentations made. It was a pleasure to meet great speakers like Ali Khan Satchu from Rich Management and Paula Kahumbu of Wildlife Direct whom until TEDx Nairobi I had mostly followed online via Twitter. Then there was the shocking and revealing presentation by Boniface Mwangi featuring his pictures of last year’s post-election violence. Kwame Nyong’o gave us an insightful and tantalizing view of Kenya and Africa’s emerging digital animation potential. Liz Njoroge of the Art of Music made an amazing presentation on Art Music and even sang a beautiful benediction for the audience. In a nutshell, TEDx Nairobi was excellent! We eagerly look forward to the next one!
Clearly, the bandwidth wars are with us since SEACOM went live a couple of weeks ago. Last week Orange Kenya launched its Internet Everywhere 3G+ for a set-up fee of approximately Kes. 4,000.00, including 25 megabytes (only?) of free data. This pricing is approximately the same for Safaricom’s 3G modem offer although there is no free data with their package for the time being. Safaricom is however pushing a major campaign and competition to get users on their service.
In other news, Kenya Data Networks (KDN) have reduced their internet bandwidth charges by as much as 90% since they connected to the SEACOM high speed under sea cable. KDN is largely focussed on the Internet Service Provider (ISP) market and large companies who use their network for data countrywide so they will be the main beneficiaries of the price drop. It will be up to the ISP’s to pass on these savings to their customers so don’t expect this to happen immediately.
We are looking to recruit a Business Developer to assume the responsibility of generating new business for our products and services. This position will entail the following:
> Generate new business for existing and prospective clients.
> Identifying and developing opportunities.
> Take part in varied, stimulating and challenging projects throughout East Africa
> Work as part of an elite Business Development team
> Be self motivated and a first class communicator with a professional and articulate manner.
The key skills and experience required for the role of Business Developer include:
> 2+ years sales and marketing experience.
> University Degree or Diploma Level Education (or the equivalent in work experience)
> Excellent sales skills, including experience of establishing need, objection handling, negotiation, closing
> Superior proposal writing skills and the ability to make compelling business presentations.
> A tenacious and organized approach to business development tasks.
> Proven ability to build business relationships
> Proven track record of working within a target driven environment and achieving these targets consistently
> Commercial acumen
> ICT literate.
Where you will work:
We have a great office in one of Nairobi’s quieter suburbs near the city centre with lots of windows and a very open floor plan. We dress down most of the time, but are always at our best in front of clients.​ We are professional and the management team is very hands on and engaged with the work that is done.
We try very hard not to require more hours that are required of anyone and we strive to work 8.30 to 5.00 pm every day with a one hour lunch break.​ That said, we’re flexible and recognize that we all have lives outside of the office – and we also know that sometimes, especially when deadlines demand it, normal working hours just won’t get the job done.​ When it doesn’t, we act accordingly – and we show our appreciation when people step-up.​ We use our leave days and so will you, for your sanity and ours.
If you are that special talent we may be looking for, kindly send us your CV on jobs@dotsavvyafrica.com by the 10th August 2009.
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The Web Project Manager will lead all phases of projects including requirements analysis, planning, design, web development, quality assurance, and deployment of revenue supporting products and services:
· Manage the timeline and project plan for all content, programming, design, and web development
· Collaborate closely with the Technical Team for managing system dependencies
· Collaborate closely with the Business Development and Production Team to ensure requirements are sufficiently outlined and executed
· Engage with cross-functional teams to help identify and execute the company’s strategic vision and business objectives related to the co-brand
· Communicate ongoing status for projects
· Escalate and lead the resolution of issues impacting an on-time, successful launch
· Manage appropriate dependencies with partners and other third-parties to ensure timely completion
· Manage and raise appropriate awareness to risks impacting the timeline or the quality of deliverables
· Lead the creation of and adherence to the production workflows for the maintenance of products
· Oversee and lead the planning for the implementation of all phases of products
· Facilitate appropriate ongoing product and functionality updates
Key Measurements:
· On-time delivery of projects
· Alignment of products at launch with PRDs
· Number of website with quality assurance issues past and present discovered after launch
· Escalation and coordination of issues and key decisions when appropriate
· Effective utilization of resources
Skills:
· Ability to excel in a constantly evolving environment
· Ability to quickly grasp the objectives and direction of the products
· Ability to operate in a product management capacity when needed
· Interest in creating, supporting and executing the operational guidelines necessary for ensuring the utmost efficiency of all resources
· Ability to develop and implement processes and procedures
· Capable of multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment
· Ability to collaborate with executive management and help execute the company’s strategic vision
· Ability to be responsible, accountable and result driven
· Excellent communication skills
· Excellent organization and documentation skills
· Strong people skills with a relationship-building, problem-solving approach
Experience:
· At least 5 years of related work experience
· International Project Management experience a plus
· Strong familiarity with the Web and comfort level working in the technical medium
· Experience working in a fast-paced Web environment
· At least a basic understanding of Internet technical protocols such as HTML, Javascript, XML, web publishing, and database structure
Note: Applicants must have a proven track record in delivering projects from the requirements analysis phase through the implementation cycle and be able to provide performance measures of success
Education:
4-year Bachelors degree in a related field
Where you will work:
We have a great office in one of Nairobi’s quieter suburbs near the city centre with lots of windows and a very open floor plan. We dress down most of the time, but are always at our best in front of clients.​ We are professional and the management team is very hands on and engaged with the work that is done.
We try very hard not to require more hours that are required of anyone and we strive to work 8.30 to 5.00 pm every day with a one hour lunch break.​ That said, we’re flexible and recognize that we all have lives outside of the office – and we also know that sometimes, especially when deadlines demand it, normal working hours just won’t get the job done.​ When it doesn’t, we act accordingly – and we show our appreciation when people step-up.​ We use our leave days and so will you, for your sanity and ours.
If you think that your that special talent we are be looking for, kindly send us your CV on jobs@dotsavvyafrica.com by the 10th August 2009.
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