Vusumuzi Dube
Valencia Ndhlovu
Sunday News Reporter
MARKETERS have been urged to collaborate and share customers as well as continue upgrading themselves so that they are in sync with global trends and the obtaining digital environment if they are going to remain relevant.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by Marketers Association Zimbabwe (MAZ) at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) on Wednesday, MAZ secretary general and founder Mr Gillian Rusike said it was important that marketers should not be left out in the digital transformation.
He took time to educate marketing students on key attributes of a successful marketer and also shared skills on how to secure a job in Zimbabwe. MAZ is a membership-driven body whose major mandate is to uplift the marketing profession. He said to be a successful marketer, one must be street-smart and aware of their environment and its needs.
“One needs to be street smart and knowledgeable about their surroundings to be an effective marketer. As a result, it is simple to identify the various target markets in society and determine who should receive information and advertisements,” said Mr Rusike.
He added that marketers should be able to establish connections with various individuals stressing that networking was crucial.
“When someone is seated next to you in a room, you should strike up a discussion with them since you never know what they could know that could be useful to you,” added Mr. Rusike.
Mr Rusike also said being a lifelong learner is being open to new ideas and expanding one’s knowledge, which gives marketers significant tactics to use in their line of business. One of the board members of MAZ Mr Andrew Tawodzera shed some light on how one should present themselves in a professional manner and be well-groomed for work.
“Good communication is very crucial when one wants to be respected and taken seriously as a marketer. Eloquence, should be mastered. This means that one should be able to speak well and convincingly making little or no mistakes. Making mistakes will mean that people now focus on your mistakes and don’t actually understand what you are saying,” said Mr Tawodzera.
He said the power of collaboration has worked for many in the field and being able to collaborate well with other business people gives a lot of advantages to a marketer.
“This will mean that you are able to share customers, for example, you can’t sell bread and not know someone who sells margarine,” he added.
Online Reporter