Over coffee following an excellent September luncheon, a well-seasoned meeting planner/manager posed the question ‘Who needs initials behind one’s name – imported or otherwise – just to prove one has the knowledge to do the job?’
It’s a good question and one that deserves a good answer.
Although there may be a number of excellent SA credentials that prove an effective status has been attained, the limited size of most SA economic sectors excludes real value especially beyond our borders. By the same token if one is targeting an American, European or Australasian MICE market – it makes sense to be identified with credentials that the targeted market can identify with, especially in the manner of planning comprehension with certain nuances. With imported systems – there is likely to be a whole bunch of other challenges in the long term.
The Academy has many years of experience in regard to imported credentials. Equally, extensive research into that which is successful and indeed flourishes has proved of great benefit going forward.
Economic sectors of: forensics, accounting, purchasing, marketing, people management have been thoroughly investigated and the main reasons for success remains constant.
Established presence
Irrespective of the potential ‘buy-in’, a base of office address, personnel, website (with SA terms & currency) plus email contact (co.za) within the country should be ensured.
Financial investment
A committed annual budget for marketing, promotion plus a host of PR activities is essential. Included is the ongoing familiarisation via workshops are not issues to be compromised in the strategy plan.
Anticipated royalties on sales would be pre-determined against effective marketing. Bulk income being returned via forex to the host country is unacceptable for all the right reasons of growing the South African investment base with confidence in the tremendous benefits of the product. Nothing less should be contemplated otherwise it is merely a ‘get-rich-get-out’ scenario.
Monitoring and mediation
There are few credentials or EM systems that do not have rules together with a code of conduct. Clearly the control and mediation must be by South Africans for South Africans within South Africa. Successfully imported examples also show that a representative from the management country of origin would be included in the mediation process – if and when required.
Conformity to SA Law
Unless all the various laws of the land are adhered to – as a registered commercial or academic entity, the EM (event management) industry should be more than cautious of buy-in going forward.
Imported status attainment credentials and systems can be expensive and in the final analyse may prove of limited benefit especially where no real critical mass of ‘take-up’ is evident or applicability to South Africa is dubious. You have been warned. Ends/
