|
|
|
| Review of operations – Corporate Services continued |
|
|
| |
| Bid Corporate Services |
Bid Corporate Services complemented its oversight of strategic investments and international interests with intensive work on funding efficiency and the pursuit of acquisition opportunities.
The Angliss and Viamax transactions were taken to a successful conclusion. However, the possible acquisition of a major US foodservices business was not pursued as it would have been value-detracting.
To diversify our borrower base and further improve funding efficiency, a domestic medium-term note programme has been set up, leading in August to the first issue of Bidvest bonds.
Leadership development, communication and sustainability strategy, brand development and investor relations remain key focus areas.
All stationery, signage and vehicle liveries worldwide now carry the Proudly Bidvest slogan. In the South African home market, our sponsorship of Bidvest Wits Football Club has significantly increased corporate brand recognition among black sports fans while increased advertising investment has boosted general brand awareness.
The successful BEE partnership with Dinatla was the catalyst for a sustained effort to build wider awareness of the Bidvest brand. More recently, closer linkage of the corporate and operational brands has become the focus area of this ongoing initiative.
Divisional feedback indicates growing success with the communication of core messages; specifically Bidvest’s status as a BEE leader and the Group’s commitment to business sustainability.
Reinforcement of sustainable business practice is ongoing while communication platforms with all stakeholder groups are continually reinforced.
The Bidvest Academy, the touring campus for the development of a new generation of Bidvest leaders, was further strengthened by the launch of a graduate academy to foster continual management development.
In addition, sales orientation and sales management courses have been developed for national roll-out. The strategic aim is to make every Bidvest department a sales department.
The development of Bidvest people at all levels is a major theme of our sustainability strategy. Key attributes in the corporate DNA are being supported, notably the chemistry that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Over two decades, the capacity for achieving extraordinary outcomes in humdrum industries or unpromising circumstances has been a defining characteristic of Bidvest people. Appropriate developmental strategies to ensure the long-term continuation of this happy knack are an important area of future focus for Corporate Services. |
|
|
|
|
|
