News
Vodafone renews its relationship with Facebook’s Workplace
Workplace by Facebook will continue to help Vodafone bridge the distance between 90,000+ employees over the next 3 years.
Thanks to its 2019 adoption of Facebook’s Workplace, Vodafone maintained a sense of connection and engagement among its global workforce. Not only that, it experienced growth in employee-led initiatives, campaigns, and communities, as people rallied together.
Vodafone, Workplace by Facebook
Making it easy to connect people
Nurturing what was built during that unprecedented time now remains top of mind for 2021 and beyond, according to Vodafone CTO Johan Wibergh. “More than 90,000 of our employees worldwide use Workplace to keep in touch. With many of them currently working remotely, Workplace has become an invaluable central resource for connecting, stage live events, share information, and collaborate on projects to help our customers. Above all, it is intuitive and accessible so our people can feel part of an inclusive community.”
The last 18 months have certainly seen Vodafone make the most out of engagement and community-building features like Facebook Workplace Live and Groups. As a result, its global base of employees has held two-way conversations with leadership while also helping leaders be more transparent when communicating across the entire organization.
Building bridges
This sense of community and connection has had an enormously positive impact on employees staying connected during the pandemic, according to Vodafone’s Social Media and Channels Lead, Patrick Yiu.
Thanks to Workplace, a significant number of employees have come to feel closer to one another now more than ever before – despite the physical distance that has kept them apart. For Vodafone, Workplace has been a game-changer when people haven’t been able to meet physically.
“We embarked on a series of activities under a banner called ‘Stay Connected with Nick’,” says Yiu of the company’s efforts to keep its people connected. “We have regular sessions and conversations about all areas of the business with our CEO, in conversation with other Vodafone employees and executives.”
These interactive sessions also enable employees to comment and ask questions through Workplace. That level of direct access for any global employee is something that Vodafone didn’t capitalize on before.
Inspiring a common purpose
Vodafone also made full use of the Workplace to help support employees’ mental health. In addition, to live events timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness week, Workplace was also used to drive participation in pulse surveys that gauged employee sentiment.
The platform helped Vodafone ask people how they feel about working from home or if they had enough support on mental health and general wellbeing. Survey results were then converted into easy-to-consume graphics and posted on Workplace to give people an authentic feel for what their colleagues were saying and experiencing.
Putting the spotlight on Vodafone’s work with charities and good causes went a long way in boosting morale for the entire organization during the pandemic, too.
Connecting essential services like hospitals and schools is what Vodafone does every day. Vodafone used Workplace to inspire a sense of pride among employees by shedding light on minority voices from the Black Professional Network and LGBTQ+ communities and highlighting its work supporting communities through issues such as domestic violence or relief and assistance for countries experiencing natural disasters.
Adopting a ‘future-ready approach
Eighteen months into the pandemic, Vodafone is now looking at a “future-ready” approach to how, where, and when people work. And Workplace is set to play an essential role in that strategy – whatever shape it may take. In particular, they plan to continue Live video to broadcast events that can engage employees in a mix of physical and virtual environments. By doing so, people can stay connected wherever they’re working.
Vodafone also wants to use the power of video to create a series of virtual office tours. By recording a series of walkthroughs at various offices and posting them in specific Workplace Groups, employees can experience what it will be like to be back in the work environment after an extended break. What’s changed at the reception? What are the new security measures? And people can ask questions and share more details in the comments for everyone to see.
Whatever the future holds, Vodafone’s goal remains the same – cultivating a thriving workforce that’s informed, engaged, and connected across the globe. And we’re excited to watch how Workplace can help make that happen.
Julien Codorniou, VP, Workplace, said: “Vodafone is a company that lives and breathes its future-ready concept. By connecting its employees worldwide with Workplace, Vodafone has maintained community during the pandemic while preparing for a new world of work. We are excited to continue powering Vodafone’s community through this renewal.”
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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