Sabbatical Break

Brand Builder and Business Executive

Standard Bank Group

Chief Brand & Marketing Officer

Chief Marketing Officer

Nedbank

Managing Executive - Group Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs

Hollard Insurance

Head of Marketing

Vodacom

Primary responsibilities include branding and communication for the Vodacom brand.  I contribute to the brand strategy and ensuring a consistent manifestation of the identity in S. Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.

Executive Head of Department: Brand Management

Procter & Gamble

Leadership of the Marketing team for Health & Beauty brands in South Africa - Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Body on Tap, Viva, Nice & Easy, Olay and Oral B. Adaptation of regional strategy to develop locally-relevant marketing plans to grow topline and market shares.

Associate Marketing Director

- CEEMEA (Central Europe East, Middle East and Africa)regional responsibility for Oral B
- Brand development for manual and power toothbrushes through adapting global strategies to developing markets
- Deliver volume and financial objectives, including allocation of advertising investments across the region

Group Business Manager / Associate Marketing Director

- Responsible for Oral B and Braun
- P&L and market share responsibility in South Africa and Sub Sahara 
- Member of Executive Leadership team

Regional Business Director

Polaroid

Marketing Manager

Gillette Company

Various Marketing Positions

Business leader and Marketing & Communication executive. Demonstrated results in the consumer goods, telecommunications and financial services industries. Studied or worked in South Africa, Zimbabwe, USA, U.K. and Switzerland - with regional leadership experience in Africa, Middle East, Eastern Europe and India. 

Skilled in Leadership and People Management, Coaching, Strategy, Brand and Marketing Management, P&L Optimisation, Business Planning and Communication. 

Graduated from California State University Sacramento and Henley Business School. A Chartered Marketer.

I’ve just completed a year of my sabbatical. It’s been wonderful. One day I’ll tell you about it. 

Today I’m gossiping about someone who’s made the sabbatical enjoyable, my wife Peggy. 

I appreciate her for many things she is, many of which have come in handy for my sabbatical break. 

Years ago she gave me a visa to get a cruiser motor bike. In recent months, time spent on the saddle has brought special moments of freedom on the road. 

Although she sometimes thinks I’m crazy for my mild adventure and selective flexibility, she’s the best travel partner I have. When I suggested we go to the Karoo the following day without hotel bookings, she said it’s too hot for her, I should enjoy. We’ve also enjoyed our trips to the bush where I get to enjoy natural scenes, wildlife and photography. 

Although she gives me errands and is partly the reason for my recent trips to the Builders Warehouse, she’s best to be around at home. She has a bigger appetite for the small screen than I do. I’ve enjoyed watching with her stand up comedies and documentaries on her Netflix profile. I’m the only one without a Netflix profile. 

I spend a fair amount of time in our study and sometimes lose track of time. She will make food magically appear. Many of you don’t know how great a cook Peggy is. Ok, now you do. There’s a reason why we have more than 43 spices in the kitchen. Before I got married, my complete savoury regimen was made up of only salt, pepper, curry and barbecue - that’s 4. I’m digressing. But Peggy’s food is not only tasty, it’s healthy too. Our son Tinashe is deputy chef. He’s made us some fine dishes in recent months. 

Although I miss the time with large groups of work colleagues and teams at the offfice, Peggy has been the most supportive sabbatical colleague. There’s less meetings and PowerPoint presentations, but still many moments to share jokes. 

I’ve lightly said before, “be careful who you marry - some people live for a very long time.” I chose well with Peggy. She’s been my cheer leader when she was deputy CMO and now when I have no title. 

It’s true that who you marry significantly influences your career. 

She hasn’t yet asked when am I returning to ‘work’ but I’m now itching to get back to the corporate drama, in addition to the other pursuits I’m exploring. 

#HappyFriday 

#gratitude #sabbaticalchronicles #careers

Thulani Sibeko CM (SA)

Yesterday, Monday, was my gym day. 

When I woke up before 6 it was dark, wet and cold. I had only anticipated the dark part. For a moment I was tempted to instantly change the day to a non-gym day 😀

The cold and the wet were such motivation dampeners. 

Because I couldn’t change the weather, I changed my gym clothes. I put away the short pants and got out track pants. Instead of leaving home with only a T-shirt for a top, I also put on the the track suit jacket. Of course I also reached out for a cap to cover my shaved head. I left out the gloves to avoid drama - it’s only autumn. 

With the adverse weather effects neutralised, it felt like an ordinary gym day. I had a full workout. As I was drinking my post-exercise shake, I realised what I almost missed out on. 

It’s true that when you can’t change circumstances, it’s better to focus on things you can change…even on small things like simply changing your gym clothes.  

P.S. For my friends who are not from Johannesburg or South Africa, you may not understand this local challenge. In Joburg we often act surprised when temperatures drop. Some don’t even call this season Autumn, you’ll hear them say winter has come early this year 😜

#circumstances #reactions #responses #gymchronicles #healthandwellness #wellness

Success is seldom overnight or a big bang.

It often comes from the progress of many small but consistent steps.

#KeepWalking

#progress #persistence #perseverance #consistent #discipline #focus #growth #success

A BOOK RECOMMENDATION

Many people have glossophobia, the fear of public speaking. If you’re one of them, the good news is you’re not alone. The best news is that this fear can be overcome - if you take appropriate change steps. 

Eleanor Rosevelt, Warren Buffet, Samuel L. Jackson, Steve Jobs, Princess Diana, and many others overcame this fear…and achieved great success as a result, in part. 

I recommend “The Art Of Public Speaking” by Dale Carnegie and J B Esenwein. 

Among other things, the book teaches:
- How to gain confidence 
- How to use the voice deliberately and in various ways
- Relevant insights about gestures
- The power of growing your vocabulary
- How to influence and persuade through your speeches 

The book is a classic on public speaking because it has practical and effective advice, and it narrated in a simple and relatable way. 

For many careers, excellence in communication is vital - and that includes public speaking. 

With the lessons from this book and their application through practice, your public speaking can only get better. 

#HappyChooseDay

#communication #speeches #publicspeaking #influence #persuasion

As you build your career or business in pursuit of extraordinary achievements, remember not to make life worse than it should be.

Avoid these JOY STEALERS:
1. Jealousy

2. Comparing your life with other peeps’. I almost said especially lives depicted on Instagram and Facebook 😀
Love and be the best of who you are.

3. Stressing or fighting over stuff that won’t matter in five year’s time

Instead you can ADD TO YOUR JOY by:
a. Counting your blessings, especially the priceless ones

b. Appreciating every day and not taking its gifts for granted. Not going through a day without a smile and and a good laugh.

c. Nurturing important relationships. Be a giver and receiver of love and kindness. Prioritise those who prioritise and value   you.

#HappyHumpDay 

#joy #perspective

There are many things that can spoil your week and even impede your life. 

Some are not inevitable - you can avoid them or stop them if they are already a part of your being.

#HappyFriday 

#growth #joy #peaceofmind #progress #mentalhealth #courage #boldness #selfcare

Have you ever seen and wondered why such an intelligent person made such a stupid decision or choice? Have you been that person?

There could be many reasons for this unexpected failure. 

One of the causes is the lack of intellectual humility, i.e. not recognising the limits of your own knowledge and not acknowledging your own infallibility.

The more ambitious and audacious you are, the more intellectual humility you need to avoid making poor and costly decisions and mistakes. 

Even if you’re a genius, be humble and open to other people’s knowledge - even in the subject matter you know very well. Be open to ideas beyond your own and don’t think too highly of yourself. 

#intellectualhumilty #intelligence #knowledge #humility #arrogance #growth #change #decisions #choices

At school and in the early days of my career, I was taught that working hard is important for success. This was true - but it was not the whole success story.

I later learnt that working smart added leverage to my hard work. It made me achieve more with less effort and time. Also, it helped me to find better ways of doing things.

Now I believe that working hard and working smart, together, are both critical for success.

#WorkHardAndSmart

#growth #change #progress #work #leverage #betterways #success #achievement

Even if you hope for the best, be also prepared for the worst. You’ll thank yourself for it.

#HappyFriday

#optimism #preparation #experienced

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man." ~Mark Twain

When it comes to reciprocity and loyalty, don’t worry about dogs. Be wary of men.

#HappyFriday

#reciprocity #loyalty #respect #collaboration

If learning comes at a cost, you can be efficient by learning from mistakes of others. 

#learning #mistakes #growth #wisdom

Many have highlighted the often undervalued and underdeveloped trait or skill of being “EASY TO WORK WITH”. It is an important skill. 

Here are 9 Ways to Make Yourself Easy to Work With:

1. Make a Connection

2. Say Yes

3. Be a Helper and a Solver

4. Respond Quickly and Briefly

5. Keep it Positive

6. Be Ethical

7. Stay Focused

8. Arrive Promptly. Be on time. 

9. Express Appreciation

Source: Forbes (2013)

The list obviously not exhaustive but it has good pointers. I would add ‘Communicate Effectively’.

The key is to do these things in a genuine and natural way. Also, you should be careful not to say yes without limit - that may lead to burnout. 

#careers #collaboration #teamwork #leadership #partnerships

“I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others.” ~Marcus Aurelius

Among the many opinions about you, your own opinion about you matters extremely. Make it count. 

#HappyChooseDay

#confidence #selfimage #boldness #courage #opinion #choices

Common sense is a shared ability but it is not always present.  Be prepared for its absence, even when most expected. 

Also, common sense is not always universal. Sometimes what is common in one cultural group or context, may be uncommon to another. Be open to understand beyond surface assumptions. 

#commonsense #assumptions #expectations #thinking #behaviour #biases #communication

Be daring. Learn to see others’ points of views. 

1. Listen enthusiastically
2. Ask open-ended questions
3. Invite others to share their viewpoints 
4. Expose yourself to diverse perspectives 
5. Respect people’s differences 

#PerspectiveTaking

#listening #connecting #relationships #empathy #respect #diversity #communication #leadership

Your energy and time are limited. 

There are limited benefits to perennially tweaking, repairing, renovating, fixing or patching the same old thing. 

Sometimes a completely new thing is what is best: a new environment, a new experience, a new direction, new relationships, a new goal, etc.

#growth #change #decisionmaking #choices #progress

Sometimes we are adventurous and gain new experiences because we are moved by the fear of missing out. 

At other times we don’t try different things or pursue new opportunities because we are held back by the fear of failing. 

We can’t avoid some dose of fear but we can choose which type of fear dominates our decisions, choices and actions. 

#fear #experiences #newbeginnings #growth #choices #actions

We can either act like the many “Can’t-Be-Done-ers”, or be like the few who say “It Can.”

Nothing new, better, remarkable or extraordinary is produced by the “Can’t-Be-Done-ers” because their thinking is confirmed by ‘not doing’.

#HappyChooseDay

#attitude #viewpoint #perspective #choice #decisionmaking #change #innovation #creativity #leadership #action

Taplio

Thulani Sibeko CM (SA)'s Linkedin Analytics

Thulani Sibeko CM (SA)

What is Thulani talking about?

Thulani Sibeko CM (SA)'s Best Posts (last 30 days)

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

Taplio

.css-1jgreyo{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;}Thulani Sibeko CM (SA)'s Linkedin Analytics

Thulani Sibeko CM (SA)

What is Thulani talking about?

Thulani Sibeko CM (SA)'s Best Posts .css-qqfgvy{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);}(last 30 days)

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

Thulani Sibeko CM (SA)'s Linkedin Analytics

Thulani Sibeko CM (SA)'s Best Posts (last 30 days)