What happens in the week of a an Innovation Strategy and M&E Consultant, Angel Investor and Corporate Moderator? Oh, and with a new title as the Host of the #ESGforSMEs podcast, what goes into moderating a week of new beginnings and impact? Read more.
It’s been a while, perhaps over a year, since I’ve had the opportunity to blog again on the happenings of a highlight reel of what happens in a week of my life. And I’m so happy to be able to share again what happens in my week as a Founder of InnovTel, an impact design studio designing impact and facilitating shared value through Innovation Strategy and Monitoring and Evaluation, while Vuyolwethu As a Service (VaaS) is strictly focused on Corporate Moderation, and Brand Influence through Partnerships.
And, what a week thus far!
I’ve segmented this outlook into two verticals (VaaS and InnovTel) with three highlights each of a scenario that will hopefully provide you with a lens of how I spend my week.
Let’s take a look.
Vuyolwethu as a Service (VaaS):
- Preparation for International Moderating for a Family Office Conference: After taking an unscheduled break from corporate moderation due to the heavy plate at InnovTel, I’m so happy to get back to designing conversations of consequence. For my very first moderating engagement in 2023, I’ll be moderating panel discussions on the African startups and venture capital ecosystem with key industry leaders in the ecosystem, and incredibly excited for this opportunity. I’m currently in preparation mode this week, from the design of the conversations to the travel arrangements.
- Delivery of Assets for Mentorship Role : It’s an absolute thrill for me to return as a mentor for the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. As I was out of the country for the first 2-3 weeks of January, the AGOF team had to delay my welcome package until I was back – and this week, I received it. Really happy about the assets (read corporate gifts) I received, and even more amped to mentor a young, black woman preparing for the world outside of university.
- Potential Partnership for #ESGforSMEs Season 2: So, Season 1 of #ESGforSMEs is 9 episodes away from completion, and I’m so glad that this week brought forth a potential partnership for Season 2 which launches on 17 May 2023. Stay tuned! Oh, and if you’d like to get in touch for Season 2 sponsorship, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
InnovTel:
- Wrapping up: It’s never easy to say goodbye to a client, but this closing will go over the next few weeks, which includes wrapping up two impact reports we’ve created which will make it a total of four (4) reports that we’ve had the pleasure of doing with this (investment) client over the last 3 years. What an absolute impactful journey!
- New Angel Investment Opportunity Meeting: Angel investing is something that I’ve been privileged t have been doing a little over a year now, and it’s always great to meet founders doing innovative, inclusive and impactful work. This week, I met a Kenyan edtech startup that is revolutionizing the impact for teachers and using data to drive this amazing solution.
- Tax Strategy: Scheduled a meeting with my business’ tax advisor, I can’t host #ESGforSMEs and not cover the G in ESG for my own SME. It’s one of the least sexy parts of the management of a business, but incredibly important one.
And there you have it, a brief executive summary of what goes on in my week – some highlights, important lowlights and some tactics employed to ensure that value creation is achieved.
How does your week look like, and what services and conversations do you engage in to ensure that you make the most of the value that you trade?
I’d love to hear from you.
