Any business owner knows that software can make or break a business. And when software is built by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, the benefits are even clearer.

Like many great businesses, Olympia Engage was created to solve the challenges its founders faced in their previous businesses. With hands-on experience managing large teams and running performance and incentivisation programmes, brothers Manie and George Van Greunen set out to build digital solutions that address these challenges.

In episode 9 of The Finance Ghost Plugged in with Capitec, get ready to learn from these software ‘brogrammers’ about how Olympia Engage uses various techniques to improve adoption rates, create internal alignment and support measurable performance.

Episode 9 covers:

• The difficulties companies face when tackling performance management processes, including tasks like leader boards and performance reviews
• How Olympia Engage uses elements of CRM software and customer nurturing systems to align performance to measurable results
• Practical insights into implementation and the change management that comes with rolling out new systems
• The expected impact of AI on the software industry
• The debate between diversification and focus in SME service offerings

• (00:00:00) - Plugged In With Capitec
• (00:00:59) - Top Chef: The Free State
• (00:01:47) - How to Make Performance Reviews More Interesting
• (00:02:47) - How Olympia Engage: Managing People, Performance & Revenue
• (00:06:25) - Performance Review
• (00:08:11) - The Secret to a Good Team
• (00:10:13) - WSJD Live: Our Digital Solutions
• (00:12:53) - How to Manage a Business on a Farm
• (00:14:37) - How to Drive Engagement with Gamification
• (00:15:13) - WSJD.com: The Adoption of the Leaderboards
• (00:21:59) - WSJD Live: The Future of AI in Software
• (00:25:20) - Finance Ghost: How AI Will Change the Way Leaders Manage
• (00:29:03) - Sticking with Capitec Bank
• (00:31:33) - Olympia Engage: Focus or Diversification?

Capitec understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. Throughout this season of The Finance Ghost Plugged in with Capitec, we’ve explored how affordable transactional banking and access to finance can help business owners grow.

But how does it all come together? And how did Capitec make such a strong impact on the business banking scene so quickly?

In episode 8, we reflect on the acquisition of Mercantile Bank just before COVID hit – and how Capitec's innovative approach helped shape the products, systems and client experience that followed.

This is The Finance Ghost in conversation with Karl Kumbier (Executive for Business Bank), Amrei Botha (Executive of Client Experience Delivery) and Sicelo Mkhize (Head of Distribution).

Episode 8 covers:

• Why understanding SME challenges is the starting point for better products and solutions – including Capitec's simple, transparent pricing structure

• The systems architecture of Capitec Business and why it was built to stand alongside the rest of our business

• How the pandemic shaped Capitec's blend of digital innovation and personal support in the business centres

• The rapid growth from 30 000 to 85 000 clients in just one year – and why individual clients still matter

• (00:00:00) - Finance Ghost
• (00:01:24) - Capitec's'simply the bank'
• (00:02:07) - The Future of Capitec in SA
• (00:04:47) - Buy Rather Than Build: Capitec's Business Banking
• (00:07:22) - How Capitec Went From Afresh to SMEs
• (00:08:54) - Capitec's Sixto Susello's story
• (00:10:23) - An Evolving Capitec
• (00:12:38) - A New Business Bank at Capitec
• (00:14:53) - The 4 fundamentals of Capitex Business Banking
• (00:17:04) - What Made Capitec Bank So Interesting
• (00:20:01) - Capitex Bank: No Silos
• (00:21:41) - Onboarding the Capitec Bank
• (00:25:28) - How Business Banking has simplified for our clients
• (00:28:32) - The Credit Card Innovation at Capitec
• (00:30:40) - How Citigroup's Relationship Suite has empowered its bankers
• (00:33:33) - Citi Business Center and the Relationship Suite
• (00:41:10) - Capitec Business Banking: Pricing
• (00:45:05) - Capitec Business Banking: Growing, Profits
• (00:47:30) - Clients' stories
• (00:49:59) - Multiple stories from the townships
• (00:50:57) - MR: Future of Business Banking
• (00:52:37) - Podcast

Priscilla Msimanga made the leap that so many dream of, yet few are willing to make: leaving a big corporate role and shifting into the grinding world of entrepreneurship. To add to the intrigue, she bought a Shell forecourt and stepped into specialist retail.

From managing staff to complying with petroleum regulations, the learning curve was steep. Drawing on her corporate experience, her love of sales and her passion for service, Priscilla rolled up her sleeves and did everything – from pumping fuel to serving food.

And yes, that means there’s a food truck to go with this great story!

On episode 7 of The Finance Ghost Plugged in with Capitec, Priscilla tells us more about her leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship.

Episode 7 covers:

• Her corporate background and why she wanted to do something of her own

• How she prepared before leaving corporate

• Finding the right forecourt to buy

• The retail strategy of a forecourt and adapting to local consumer tastes

• Why hands-on involvement matters for success

• An honest look at the short-term financial impact of leaving corporate and starting a business

• (00:00:00) - How to start a business in South Africa
• (00:01:28) - Going From Corporate to Entrepreneur
• (00:05:06) - Making the decision to leave corporate life
• (00:07:54) - How to start a petrol station from scratch in South Africa
• (00:13:22) - What was the biggest challenge in running a petrol station?
• (00:19:38) - How to start a business in Nigeria
• (00:22:51) - Inside the Food Truck
• (00:24:49) - How does a fuel shop make money?
• (00:29:16) - Startup Money: How do you balance your finances?
• (00:33:37) - Dancing Off The Corporate Runway
• (00:36:03) - The Alchemist