Foreign Trade Administration - Ministry of Economy & Industry

Identifying Business Opportunities: Research and identify potential markets and business opportunities                                                                                                                         
Developing Strategic Plans: Create and implement strategic business plans to expand the company's international presence and achieve business objectives                                                                                                                                                          Building Relationships: Establish and maintain strong relationships with key international partners, clients, and stakeholders                            
Market Research: Conduct market research to stay updated on international market trends, competitor activities, and potential business opportunities                                                                                                                                                                                         Managing Projects: Oversee the management of international projects and contracts, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget                                                                                                                                                                                                      Leadership: Provide guidance and leadership to the business development team, ensuring they meet their targets and objectives                                                                                                                                            Facilitation:  Discussions and collaborations between different departments, partners, and stakeholders to ensure smooth execution of international business plans                                   
Business Transformation Solutions: Develop and implement business transformation solutions to improve operational efficiency, drive innovation, and adapt to changing market conditions

Business Development Director / 2iC

My role affords me the opportunity to work closely with both South African and Israeli companies wanting to exchange trade. This entails marketing and promoting Israeli products and services to South African companies. 

My Key Responsibilities:

Building, Nurturing and Maintaining Business Relationships

Market research and identifying business relationships

Setting up of meetings and networking with decision makers of South African companies and Israeli companies and delegations

Logistics, individual meetings with representatives from different companies and organizing and marketing local seminars with Israeli / South African companies. This includes media coverage. In this regard trips are often planned and this included report writing of successes and lessons learned

As a result of this role I have developed and maintained relationships with senior staff in both South African and Israeli companies and media owners


My career highlights:

I have arranged and delivered multiple inward and outward trade missions, successfully facilitating meetings between Key Industry Players in South Africa and Israel. These missions allowing for numerous networks and relationships being formed between decision makers.

Due to the smooth execution of these Trade Missions, I am proud to be associated with many successful agreements between both countries. More recently an agreement in excess of a million dollars was finalized in the Agri-Tech sector

My strong relationships have increased the database I work from by more than 1000%

Senior Business Development Manager

HOMEWORK FRANCHISE - Johannesburg

My Key Responsibilities:

Operational and management responsibility for the store (A niche market retail boutique catering for upper and middle income LSM 6 to 10 consumers) which sold locally designed and produced merchandise

Implemented objectives, programmes and policy decisions as regards strategic direction and core focus. Discussed standards and targets for the business, including human resources and marketing. The owners limited their involvement in the business to strategic and financial decisions

Monitored and evaluated performance determined sales budgets and provided the owners with monthly sales reports

Planned and managed the activities of a dedicated store manager and provided ongoing product knowledge, marketing, merchandising and financial management training

Liaised with supplier representatives on new product launches and special promotions on existing products and ranges

Co-ordinated all in-store promotions and below-the-line marketing, including setting up of point-of-sale and display material

During this time worked on adapting and applying management experience gained in a large corporate environment. Set up efficient systems and controls and created a customer data base. Drove an aggressive shopper marketing initiative which created more merchandise impact and increased store sales, profitability and stock turns and rotation

General Manager

Caxton

My Key Responsibilities:

Managed a staff complement of 12

Accountable to the Divisional GM and the Group MD, for all financial, Admin and HR. Between 2001 and 2013 served as a Trustee of the Group Pension Fund, responsible for funds under management of over R1 billion

Recipient of the  CoreXalance Award (2010, 2011, 2012) *media industry recognition for credit management ability

Part of the professional project team involved in the creation of strategies, proposals and business plans to secure overseas Titles

Ensured compliance with royalty and other conditions as regards licensing agreements with overseas principles

Involved in EXCO meetings, chaired by the Group MD

Setting and implementation of policy decisions as regards strategic direction and core focus, finance, marketing and advertising, human resources and IT

Project managed the roll-out of new and upgraded existing systems and controls

In consultation with the Editors of the different Titles, advertising and marketing heads, determined, formulated consolidated and implemented budgets, policies and procedures for the various business units in the division

Advised operations, marketing and sales management on commercial and legal issues concerning the the business 

Analysed and approved monthly and annual financial statements for submission to the main board of directors

Commended for contributions in returning the division to profitability from a severe loss making situation

Received consistently favourable audits from both internal and external auditors

Participated in the FIPP World Wide Media Association Conference, London

Responsible for the payroll for 250 employees, and 1000 freelancers

Became extensively involved with integrating the new titles into the existing profile

Formed part of the management team tasked with launching and marketing Woman and Home in South Africa, which has subsequently grown to one of the largest selling general women's interest titles in South Africa

Financial Manager

Netcare

Property Management

Portfolio Management

Let's connect and explore how I can add value to your business journey.

I am passionate about supporting business startups, connecting like-minded individuals, and facilitating initiatives that drive growth and success.
 
As a dedicated business consultant and mentor, I thrive on coaching and guiding entrepreneurs and businesses to achieve their full potential. My career has been marked by successful business transformations, strategic consultations, and the facilitation of impactful initiatives. Ranked 23rd out of 100 employees in customer satisfaction, my commitment to adding value and contributing to clients' bottom lines has been recognized and appreciated. My approach revolves around identifying opportunities, staying commercially astute, and expertly connecting parties to foster successful partnerships.
 
Being referred to as the Go-to Person" in my field, has been earned through my ability to connect with diverse individuals and drive successful partnerships. By acting as a connector and facilitator, I open doors, create opportunities, and assist clients in closing vital deals. My entrepreneurial spirit and effective processes have consistently turned around businesses, business units, and departments, demonstrating my capacity to see and seize opportunities. As a natural leader, I excel in managing and mentoring teams, leveraging my analytical skills and affinity for numbers to make informed commercial decisions.
 
Achievements:
 
• Founding member of The Lekker Network, fostering a global community of South Africans. 
• Founded the MediSmart Breakfast Club, a distinguished healthcare forum dedicated to knowledge 
    sharing and trend discussions over breakfast.  
• Led a delegation of 50 top farmers from Southern Africa to explore Israeli Agritech, fostering trade and 
    agricultural collaboration between the regions.
• JDC (The Joint) Innovation Journey in South Africa :  small-scale farmers in SA to Israeli innovative companies
• Arranged trade missions, facilitating meetings between key industry players in South Africa and Israel. 
• Facilitated a million-dollar deal in the Agri-Tech sector. 
• Secured partnerships with MedTech companies to advance healthcare accessibility across Africa.
• Expanded my professional network by over 1000%. 
• Recipient of the CoreXalance Award (2010, 2011, 2012) for media industry credit management. 
• Participated in the FIPP World Wide Media Association Conference in London. 
• Launched and marketed Woman and Home in South Africa. 
• Turned around underperforming business units with innovative solutions.

taplio

Charmaine Hirshowitz's Linkedin Analytics

Charmaine Hirshowitz

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

.css-6ytdur{background-image:linear-gradient(284deg, rgba(39, 43, 72, 1) 0%, rgba(33, 47, 183, 1) 100%);color:transparent;-webkit-background-clip:text;background-clip:text;}Charmaine Hirshowitz's Linkedin Analytics

Charmaine Hirshowitz

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Charmaine Hirshowitz's Linkedin Analytics