FEEDBACK from the 3rd Annual BEE Conference, October 2009

Following the success of the 3rd Annual BEE Conference in October 2009, we bring you a selection of the feedback from our delegates.

Below are some of the comments we received:

• Lots of information. Excellent networking opportunities (Thabe Khasapane, Emerald Casino)
• Very informative sessions and excellent speakers. I am happy that the BEE Institute is launched but I do believe that it could have been presented at a higher level to attack more people’s interest. The cost should be in the booklet. (Karen Stein, SAS Institute)
• I appreciated the opportunity to meet other persons involved in BEE, to discuss company strategy, failures and successes and to learn from those leading in the industry (Joshila Ranchhod, Medscheme)
• Discussions were frank and to the point. Has put BEE in a clearer context. (Mawonga Mhlantla, ABSA)
• Sharing of ideas and scenarios. Excellent speakers and hearing the voices of others (Ruaan Gijben, Empowerdex)
• Great learning experience and good to see BEE taking a stand (Nikki Scrimgeour, Adreach)
• We experienced shared enlightenment of BBBEE sustainability as apposed to just achieving figures (Angeline Maeko, Barloworld Equipment)
• Content rich (Linda Mpuru, Fluor SA)
• The level of experience and expertise of most of the speakers was great. Seeing the successes of organisations but more so, what made them succeed. (Lebohang, ABSA)
• Learnt a lot. It was very informative and worthwhile (Edna Sathekga, SAB)
• Good speakers. Efficient w.r.t. logistics. Very friendly and helpful staff. Very good content; however, programme content should be structured to avoid duplication and repetition. Overall the conference was a great success. The facilitators were very sufficient in inspiring the audience towards consensus on BEE. In future, please include a list of delegates with details (Danielle Nel, National Research Foundation)
• Good mix of topics covering BEE. Workshops were very valuable and good opportunity to network (Tania Mulligan, ABSA)
• I have learnt a lot from this conference. Hope that I will share the information that I have received from the other people, even the conference organisers. I really thank them a lot. Please send me more information about procurement training or conferences (Maki Hlatshwayo, EDI Holdings)
• The migration from narrow based BEE, which purely focuses on and emphasises the ownership and management to a much more sustainable BEE, which was the main objective of BEE, when it was first developed. The paradigm shift does occur or take place in one's perspective on BEE; furthermore understanding the concept helps to a large extent in getting buy-in. Therefore my role will be to educate my superiors on the subject. I was very impressed that the event  organisers were able to draw more delegates for this year's annual event (Lucky Maduna, Electricity Distribution Industry)
• Very useful and informative. Speakers and presenters well chosen with good spread (Penny Ngcogo, Engen Petroleum)
• Insightful in terms of BEE Strategies. Good networking (Ernest Mambolo, SAB)
• The interaction and workshop setups were excellent (Sipho Bambisa, Engen)
• Analytical and enlightening (Mark Glauvill, Palabora Foundation)
• The content was awesome. I can’t really explain it in words. It was 3 days of time and money well spent. Event well organised, admin ladies very friendly and professional (Odwa Radebe, The Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market)
• Very informative. There was a great deal of information that I have to take back to my workplace and loads of work to be done to be fully compliant (B Joseph, TWP Projects)
• Good learning from the experiences of a wide range of different organisations and realising that our organisation was not alone in struggling with BBBEE/EE (Celeste Appollis, Omnia Group)
• The emphasis on sustainable economic growth. Varied knowledgeable speakers (Jenni Fleming, Palabora Foundation)
• New insights. Reinforcing positive aspects of the BEE process (Niel du Plessis, Price Waterhouse Coopers)
• High level of speakers. Well organised (No name)
• Yes – was an eye opener for us as a company – we have so much to do! (Chantal Naidoo, Bulk Connections)
• Good interaction between participants and presenters. Well organised. Flow very good. Excellent choice of speakers (with a couple of exceptions though). Loved the continuous assessment of the presentations and conference provides for more quantitative input (Ally Cassiem, Emerald Casino Resort)
• I derived a lot of value from this conference. Very informative, relevant content and very good presenters. Good networking opportunities for future use (Lesego Kobue, Gauteng Gambling Board)
• Mervyn King and Vincent Maphai stand out as the two speakers who had a great message to import and who obviously have a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience to share. Johnny Klopper’s workshop was excellent and worth attending (Anthea Steyn, Barone, Budge & Dominick )
• Key note speakers good – Mervyn King and Vincent Maphai. Thoroughly enjoyed the breakaway session. Very informative and related to operational issues. Enjoyed video of case studies. Workshops valuable (Ana O’Donoghue, Barone Budge & Dominick)
• Valuable - Case studies of those companies who are on the road to “getting BEE right”. Interaction and workshops fantastic. Critique of whether BEE is achievable in the SA economy is fantastic. I found all aspects of the conference to be beneficial, useful and relevant to my role as the SDF within Barloworld. Thanks for giving me the inspiration to “pioneer forward” with driving sustainable BEE within our business (Verna Christian, Barloworld Equipment )
• I gained practical tools that I can actually implement in my company and really started the conversation about sustainable BEE. Most of the speakers were passionate and inspiring (Kimberley Gibbon, Leo Burnett Group)
• Interaction with the various elements of business who undertake the BEE function, networking. Very useful slides were included with which we could review the day’s happenings/discussions. Useful to formulate our “business case” argument to business is implementing a successful and sustainable BEE plan (Olande Stols, DHL Supply Chain)