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As it moves to ensure the prosperity and well being of its shareholders and staff, Zimpapers (1980) Ltd continues to invest in innovation and staff development.
This was revealed by the group’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Pikirayi Deketeke as he presented a report at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Harare recently. Mr. Deketeke said the fully integrated media group’s strategy is hinged on leadership, redefining the operating model and adapting to the changing technological environment.
“There is value in us constantly investing in the future. We owe it to our shareholders to remain viable and to be profitable. This is why we believe in adapting to the changing, volatile and uncertain environment we find ourselves operating in. Trends are changing and we cannot forever remain the printing and publishing house of yesteryear,” he said.
The Zimpapers CEO said the company believes that it can continue to grow through the creation of new audiences and innovating on the channels in which to package content to disseminate to these new audiences.
“This is why you find us hosting business breakfast meetings now; we are holding expos and social events too. All this is premised on the realisation that we have the ability to bring different players together to deliberate on key issues;” said Mr Deketeke.
Zimpapers through its Herald Business brand recently partnered the Office of the President and Cabinet in an Ease of doing Business Symposium and more than 300 market leaders, policy makers and media practitioners attended the event; which was officiated by Vice President Emmerson Munanganwa officiated at the event.
In line with its expansion and growth strategy; Zimpapers has over the last year launched a regional radio station in Mutare; Diamond FM; and the station is already making itself a household name in that part of the country. The Group also launched two Suburban newspapers last year which service the Avondale and Borrowdale areas. All suburbs in the vicinity of the two areas are covered under these publications whose aim is to highlight issues affecting residents in those areas. The publications also allow advertisers operating in these suburbs to market their products and services.
Such innovations; said Mr Deketeke; would not be possible without the company’s biggest asset; its human capital. He said the Group’s staff and its commitment to duty underpins who and what Zimpapers does.
Consequently to ensure success of the company’s growth, the company is pursuing talent management, share management which allows staff to own shares in the company, staff development and work exposure as well as the promotion of environment; health and safety awareness.
The company has been steadily growing with all its strategic business units; Nat print, Star FM, Bulawayo and Harare branches recording profits in the second quarter; at a time when the economy has been depressed; with a number of listed firms recording declines in revenues and profits.
Online Reporter