Programme Updates

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The 5th Amalgam Class of 2023 started with a weekend retreat to the Fairmont Safari Club in the Masai Mara. A beautiful setting by the Mara River ensured participants could leave the office behind, allowing them to unwind and reflect. This new class of future African business leaders from Kenya, Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania represent business sectors which include manufacturing, logistics, IT, microfinance and agriculture.

The class of 2022 shared video advice with the incoming class encouraging them to use Amalgam to grow in all aspects of their life and to embrace the opportunity they have been given to participate in Amalgam fully.

Moments that matter

We started the weekend with self-reflection - one of the foundations of high emotional intelligence. Participants were asked to review their lives and select some of the critical moments – good and bad – that have shaped their lives. Faculty kicked off the process, and their openness and authentic stories enabled participants to overcome initial fears and share their life and work journeys to date. As a group, we concluded that we have all had challenges, luck, failure and success and that learning comes from how you deal with each.

Life Assessment

At Amalgam, we believe you can’t lead a company until you know how to lead others and you can’t lead others until you can lead yourself. This life assessment encourages participants to take stock of their lives in all areas ranging from career, finance, family and fun to community. Once participants had reflected on their gaps and challenges, they were able to set goals and areas to work on over the coming year.

Leadership Styles

One of the Amalgam Programme’s fundamental tenets is that many people find themselves in a leadership programme following a meteoric rise in one technical discipline. Unfortunately, these honed technical skills in finance, marketing or administration are unlikely to be those that will help you excel as a leader. Chris Harrison led a session on ‘your leadership style’, assisting participants in assessing whether they are managers or leaders and what new skills and behaviours they need to take on to evolve their leadership style.

Emotional Intelligence

Practising self-reflection and analysing beliefs and behaviours are critical facets of emotional intelligence (EQ). Yolande Coombes introduced participants to how EQ can enhance your leadership abilities and how, in particular, using empathy sets you apart from other leaders. Participants were asked to assess their EQ and leadership and think of actions they might take to address any shortcomings.

MyGrow

A new addition to the Amalgam curriculum this year is the addition of MyGrow App. The App allows participants to practice their emotional intelligence skills and traits and use them to build their leadership capacity and develop the culture within their teams. Mygrow makes it possible to create, measure and track Emotional intelligence at scale. The Amalgam group started with their first psychometric assessment and asked their peers back in their companies to assess them.

The hare and the tortoise

The participants were able to practice some of their new leadership skills during a team game based on a safari game drive. It was lots of fun, and although some teams could see rhinos, lions, elephants and hares, the elusive tortoise caused the most issues. The winning team had a strong collaborative leadership style that was inclusive and friendly, and the team had fun completing the task.The special bond created in the opening weekend is just one of the many things that set the Amalgam Leadership programme apart from others. When we meet again in February, the new class will have already put into practice many of the aims and skills they gained from the opening session.

The February Amalgam leadership session began immersing the 2023 cohort in the areas of knowledge crucial to leadership success. The two-day session started off with the erudite RB Ndung’u taking the participants through designing and implementing Performance Dashboards. In his inimitable style peppered with etymological references RB explained the origins, evolution, and utility of dashboards and their value to a leader in setting and gauging business performance.

The next session was on “Understanding Big Data” delivered by Tim Oriedo, CEO of Predictive Analytics, and he took the participants on a journey of understanding what Big data is, its evolution, and the significant gains organisations can make from drawing insights from mining big data, but at the same time enhancing their awareness of the data protection laws and best practices. Tim also gave the cohort a peek into the future of what Big data will be capable of with an exploration of the near future possibilities of the coming together of AI and Big data, and how this will transform the way we work, eliminate some jobs and create totally new ones.

Dr Yolande Coombes then took the cohort through Negotiations which is a skill crucial to every leader. She engaged the cohort on how to prepare for a negotiation, how to recognize both the rational and emotional factors at play in a negotiation, how to work towards mutually satisfactory results, and how to close a negotiation successfully.

In Amalgam’s tradition of applicable learning from leaders who have walked the path, the guest speaker was Philip Kuria, An Amalgam alumnus from the very first cohort, and he shared the story of his leadership journey right from his confusion leading to a University degree that earned him an interview in a Horticultural firm, to his employment and being led by a firm and fair boss who encouraged personal growth and made him strive to be better in every way, to his leaving formal employment and setting up his own company in the same industry now servicing an unaddressed niche he saw during his time as General Manager. The values of leadership that served him well in his journey are humility, authentic relationships, perseverance, teamwork, and growing with others.

After lunch, Chris Harrison challenged the participants on their “Mission, Vision, Values” and whether these are guiding lights for their organisations or just dusty placards that hang in receptions, boardrooms and corridors that mean nothing to anyone. Chris then further provoked debate around whether the organisation’s brand would be a better rallying call for all, both emotionally and behaviourally, and would align organisational performance and culture much better.

The fourth Amalgam session of 2023 had a focus on finance and governance. As part of the internal accountability of an applicable learning programme Dr Yolande Coombes started the two-day session by asking all participants to reflect on what new things they had learned or tried out since the last session. The range of learnings included: starting journaling, trying to be more vulnerable, using my strengths differently, trying ideas from books, increasing self-awareness, techniques to be calmer, learning AI, and a “positive news only” meeting to get team members focussed on what is working.

Cashflow Statements

The first session was led by RB Ndung’u on demystifying cash flows. This practical session highlighted the difference between direct and indirect accounting methods and how information can be buried in accounts. Using accounts from a company on the Nairobi Stock Exchange, the participants had a real-time exercise to uncover the company’s health by using their newfound ability to interrogate financial statements to extract decision-making information. The objective of this module is to get the participants to understand cash flows from a leadership perspective. This session highlighted for participants how to read accounts more diligently and to understand the importance of following up on the notes and cross-referencing accounts – this is where you find the ‘secrets’ and how you drill down to a company’s financial health.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

This is the second year that Raymond Kaptich has taken the class through the fundamental concepts of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies and how they work. Raymond conceptualised that Blockchain is like the internet, and Cryptocurrency is one application of Blockchain, but there are many more. Blockchain is a way of building trust and eliminating intermediaries. Blockchain spreads data regarding transactions, deals, and records to multiple people, meaning it is almost impossible to forge or manipulate data. Blockchain can be used for land registries, passports, and supply chains. We are only just beginning to tap into the multiple uses of Blockchain.

The primary use of Blockchain has been in Cryptocurrency. Raymond explained that Crypto is akin to loyalty points at a supermarket or Bonga points with Safaricom - you can’t see them, but you can exchange them. He then talked through the different types of Cryptocurrencies, their application and uses, and introduced the class to Ethereum and the possibilities unlocked by the decentralised apps that can run on the Ethereum blockchain. He also explained the different ways to invest in the cryptocurrency economy, the risks and rewards of each method, and how to get started in this area.

Assignment Feedback

Chris Harrison gave feedback to the participants on the business culture homework they had been set at the last session. The assignment has been to identify areas of culture within their businesses that needed addressing or strengthening. Participants reflected on how they could take their ideas through to execution and spent some time outlining the next steps.

Guest Speaker – Julian Kyula

Amalgam Leadership’s guest speaker this month was Julian Kyula. Julian is an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader who has been nominated and received awards for his accomplishments from organisations such as IBM, CNBC and Top 40 under 40. He is the founder of MODE group, a fintech with a presence in over 26 countries (including 14 in Africa). He also started Kyula Capital International, EDOMx and Beulah City (affordable real estate for community welfare).

Julian’s presentation to the participants on the moments that have mattered in his life began by outlining some of the key traits that have helped him succeed: creativity, courage, grit and focus. He piqued the class’s interest with his assertion that ‘Thought - not money is the real business capital’ quoting Harvey Firestone. He surprised the participants by explaining how as an entrepreneur, sometimes you have to consider destroying your business as part of your strategy to build something better. He urged the class to think about what they were doing as leaders. He indicated that critical leadership ability puts substance into the details of who, where, what, and when; the most important focus is why.

Mining Human Truths

Ndirangu wa Maina, Amalgam co-founder and CEO of Consumer Insight explained to the class the process of deriving insights into a company’s customers to serve their needs better and win market share, and loyalty and ultimately drive-up revenues. Ndirangu used a series of case studies as part of an interactive session where they had to deduce the insights driving the communication. Participants were very thoughtful about the notion of universal insights and how these might apply to their businesses and, in particular, the value of placing the customer at the centre of your businesses.

Mentor Time

The final session of the first day was mentor time where participants had a chance to connect with their mentors in small groups and update them on their emotional intelligence journey using the Mygrow app. Participants have found that they are becoming more self-aware which is helping them lead themselves and in turn lead others better. The mentor session was also a time to discuss problems in their business and to identify some new or different things to try out as part of the emphasis on applicable learning.

Financial Ratios for Leaders

The second session of the weekend by RB Ndung’u was on how to use financial ratios to assess the health and future direction of a company. RB took the cohort through the different ratios, their use, and their implications for a business, all extracted from the audited financial statements of a company listed on the Nairobi securities exchange.

Participants were tasked to calculate the ratios for this company, they then had to summarise what they thought the health and future of the company is. RB encouraged them to carry out a similar exercise with their own accounts for the businesses they work in. Many participants were intrigued by the way ratios can provide a depth of information that is not as obvious when looking at the balance sheet.

Business Ethics and Diversity & Inclusion

Dr Angela Gichaga flew back especially to take the class of 2023 through two thought provoking sessions; one on Business Ethics and the second on Diversity and Inclusion. It stimulated some interesting discussion about the role of leaders, businesses and organisations in shaping how business should take place.

In the Business Ethics session, Angela challenged the class to consider the long-term implications of corruption and how one small act can become pervasive throughout society. Ultimately - ethical businesses do better in the long term. She also challenged the class on whether we are really clear on what corruption is. The participants were given some scenarios (acted out) which challenged their approaches to ethics and diversity and inclusion. Angela informed the class about the perceived trade off and misconceptions of business ethics.

Angela explained how a diverse workforce (in terms of age, ethnicity, gender, religion, capability, and culture) and an inclusive work environment where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully with equal access to opportunities and resources can impact the bottomline success of a company. She shared research data showing how diverse companies can be up to 25% more profitable.

Data protection and privacy session

A new module for the 2023 curriculum is Data Protection and Privacy which was presented by Cynthia Mathenge from SeeWhy Source. Participants were orientated to some recent changes in law that will affect them in terms of data protection and privacy. Cynthia explored with participants the value of data protection and privacy in terms of brand reputation and stakeholder assurance. She shared cases of where companies have been fined or had legal claims against them for not taking the issues seriously enough.

Networking

A final session to embed a transferable skill of networking was facilitated by Yolande for the participants to learn better skills in gaining and sharing information and to be able to offer assistance to one another. It was set up as ‘speed dating’ where participants had 4 minutes to find a connection with the person they were talking to and an area of mutual interest where they might be able to offer some assistance to one another. Most of the participants ended the session wanting second dates to follow up on the advice or ideas they had gained!

Amalgam Leadership met online on 19th May for the second online session this year. Although most sessions are face-to-face, the online sessions give those participants from other countries a respite from travel. The online sessions are much shorter in terms of content, but they offer an opportunity for participants to check in with faculty and peers as well as to receive content.

Consumer Segmentation

Ndirangu wa Maina started the session with a follow on from his engaging session on Mining Human Truths with a session focused on customer segmentation. As markets become more competitive and consumers more sophisticated the one-size-fits all marketing strategy comes under severe pressure. Ndirangu highlighted how competitors start “stealing” a market leader’s customers by attracting specific groups who feel alienated by a generic product. He used examples from toothpaste to movies to show how marketers segment.

As Ndirangu elaborated on segmentation, he explained the process of how to segment customers, the differentiators that can be used, the do’s and don'ts, and the value of segmentation when done well. Carefully selected case studies brought these concepts to life for the cohort, and they were challenged to re-look their business’ segmentation when they got back to work and see if improvements can be made, or hitherto unseen segments could emerge.

Breaking habits and Prioritising the Essential

On the leadership side, the focus was on leading the self, and the participants learned the concept of “Essentialism” i.e., Identifying and focusing on what is essential to your goals and performance and being ruthless about cutting out the non-essential.

Determining what your personal and business bad habits are was the focus of a session led by Dr Yolande Coombes. Participants reviewed how bad habits such as micromanaging, over-promising, or focusing too much on finances can creep into a business and eventually take it off track by negatively influencing the culture. Participants reflected on their own personal and work habits and learned ways of mitigating them. The session also looked at techniques for prioritisation and focusing on their most important goals and activities in a constructive way.

Participants were assigned two exercises to complete which involve mapping out where their time goes, and where it ideally should go, and looking for insights to help them change this. As part of the Amalgam philosophy of implementing practical solutions, each participant will draft an action plan to work towards their ideal time allocation and begin practicing it.

The Amalgam Business Creativity weekend is one of the highlights of our Annual Programme. Inspired by the insight that 95% of new products and services fail within their first year, this immersive session addresses the key challenge of innovation. The reality is that not enough African businesses have the kind of collaborative cultures that permit true innovation - defined as true creativity plus effective execution. The session is designed and led by Amalgam Partner Chris Harrison.

During an intensive 36-hour period, the Amalgam Class is formed into teams and coached in effective Team Dynamics by Amalgam Partner Dr. Yolande Coombes. Then, the core of the weekend is devoted to Design Thinking, a customer-centric approach to new product development, coached by Martin Kiare of Bean Interactive. Participants share their ideas for new product opportunities that range from side hustles to category changing initiatives, and vote on which ones to develop. This year our 3 teams pioneered:

• ● An ecosystem to support farmers to be more commercially successful.
• ● A technology solution for salon owners that enables them to balance customer satisfaction with profitable service.
• ● A consultancy offering that delivers a more human approach to onboarding new staff.

Teams work through the night to bring their new product to life, complete with an appropriate Customer Experience. The next morning Amalgam Partner Lenny Ng’ang’a opens their minds to the power of creativity to make their offering special and dramatise its impact on the market.

All of this effort comes to fruition when teams pitch their ideas in front of an invited audience, in Amalgam’s homage to the hit global TV franchise Dragon’s Den.

All Amalgam Leadership Programme content is designed to be applied to the businesses our Class members own or work in. Over the coming months, Faculty will challenge them to showcase successful innovation they have managed to create for their own customers.

Team Andama won this year’s Amalgam Creativity Weekend business idea.

In today's digital age, business is not merely about offering a product or a service; it is about carving a space within the intricate web of global interconnectedness and real-time information flow. At the August session of the Amalgam Leadership Programme, participants had a lively online session with Martin Kiare on the topic of Business in a Digital World.

The digital realm has transformed the traditional business landscape, shifting from localised markets to expansive digital frontiers. For East African business leaders, embracing digital means unlocking unparalleled opportunities to expand their reach, foster innovation, and tap into global markets. Furthermore, with several international companies looking towards East Africa as an emerging hub of growth and potential, there's an amplified need to integrate digital strategies for seamless collaborations, efficient operations, and to maintain a competitive edge.

However, the importance of business in this digital era isn't confined solely to leveraging technology for expansion or profit. It is equally about understanding and adapting to the evolving expectations of a more informed, digitally savvy consumer base. One of Martin’s key messages was that digital business is about creating more valuable value chains and using technology to enable the value transfer. Customers today demand transparency, instant gratification, and personalised experiences and thinking about their journey, and needs is paramount.

In the ever-evolving landscape of leadership, the Amalgam Leadership Programme continually strives to illuminate the pathway by harnessing the synergy of experienced leaders and emerging talents. This was demonstrated during our meeting held on the 22nd and 23rd of September.

The first day unveiled multi-faceted leadership paradigms. Yolande Coombes tackled the pervasive issue of Human Bias in leadership, delineating the subtle yet impactful ways stereotypes and judgments permeate our decision-making processes. The depth of discussions encircled not only recognizing biases but also structuring mechanisms to mitigate their inadvertent impacts on organisational culture and decision-making.

Lenny Ng’ang’a presented a crucial session on Online Reputation Management. In the digital age where information spreads rapidly, the tenuous thread upon which reputations hang was explored through vivid case studies like Chipotle. The session transcended traditional discussions, linking reputation management directly with organizational and personal fiscal health, risk management, and strategic positioning in digital spaces.

Tim Oriedo propelled us into the future with his session on AI in Business, emphasizing that the intersection of AI and business operations is not a futuristic concept, but a present-day reality. Drawing upon data analytics, machine learning, and predictive analysis, he illustrated how AI is reshaping decision-making, customer experiences, and operational efficiencies.

Fred Afune (an Amalgam Alumnus) joined as Guest Speaker to share the ‘Moments that have Mattered’ in his leadership journey. His insights emphasized pragmatism, adaptive learning, and the importance of aligning career trajectories with passion and curiosity. He shared some stories that included occasional necessity of prioritising passion over paycheck, as well as providing practical insights into adaptive leadership style.

Joe Mbugua’s exploration into Influencer Marketing presented a modern-day conundrum: navigating the digital landscape with authenticity and measurable impact. He decrypted metrics, emphasizing the necessity to understand and leverage data to strategize and measure marketing campaigns effectively in the digital space.

Following a session with mentors, the evening saw an alumni event where participants from previous cohorts attended, and Yolande Coombes gave a presentation emphasizing a crisis brewing in numerous organisations: a crisis of meaning and engagement in the workplace. With tangible data linking employee engagement, organisational purpose, and financial health, the need to create meaningful work environments was crystalized as not merely a moral imperative but a fiscal one. The presentation was based on a White Paper she had written for The Core Story.

One the Second day - an on-site visit to Royal Media Services (RMS) granted participants a behind-the-scenes viewpoint of media operations, illuminating the delicate balance between traditional media, digital platforms, and brand management. From observing radio and TV studios to engaging with digital media strategists, participants witnessed the multidimensional aspects of modern media houses.

However, learning was not a one-way street. Participants, utilising insights garnered from their visit and presentations, engaged with RMS, dissecting presented challenges and providing strategic feedback. This practical application of knowledge in real-time problem-solving underscored the Amalgam Leadership Programme's commitment to not only impart knowledge but to facilitate practical and applicable learning experiences.

In conclusion, these two days were not merely a meeting but a dynamic confluence of ideas, practical learning, and leadership application. We extend our gratitude to our speakers, engaged participants, and RMS for facilitating a rich learning environment. The Amalgam Leadership Programme remains committed to shaping leaders who are not only cognizant of contemporary challenges but are also equipped to navigate through them effectively and ethically.