Join us as we celebrate some of the incredible women who make up Vodacom's workforce. Today we find out more about Oyisa Besman, the Managing Executive for Consumer Business Unit in Gauteng at Vodacom.
What did you originally study, and how did you come to be at Vodacom?
I studied Communications and Public Relations. A friend of mine was working at Vodacom Direct at the time and they were looking for Centre Co-ordinators at Vodacom World, and he recommended that I should apply. I have gone on to do a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management and currently studying for my Masters in Business Administration.
What kind of work do you do at Vodacom?
My work is about developing the Gauteng regional strategy by engaging with internal and external stakeholders. This includes:
- Acting as a key representative for Vodacom South Africa
- Managing the end-to-end performance of the region
- Managing a team to drive performance
What’s your favourite way to de-stress outside of the office?
Working out, gardening and connecting with loved ones over a good meal (at home or out).
Share one of your most significant achievements – professionally, personally or both.
Being tasked to lead the Design, Build and Engineering stream for the transformation of Vodacom World. My previous construction experience was limited to a maximum of 400m2 retail store revamps and Vodacom World is a 7 000 m2 Vodacom flagship mall that needed to change from a multi-tenanted environment to a seamless experiential centre, showcasing all that the brand has to offer. This project challenged my ability to learn new information and use that information to make recommendations and or decisions for the benefit of the business. We delivered the project within budget, with a three-week delay, while completing the first year of my MBA. The project team won the Vodacom CEO Award for the work we did.
What or who inspires you most?
I am inspired by people that can turn their lives around, by trying new ways of doing things when they tap into new mental models. I am inspired by providing solutions to complex problems.
Who is your role model & why?
Oprah Winfrey and sporting women and men across different disciplines who look like me.
What does Women’s Month mean to you?
It is an opportunity to reflect on what has been done to advance the Women’s agenda while being cognisant of the challenges that society still needs to address to unlock the benefits of equal opportunities.
What are the biggest barriers for South African women in general?
In society, the constant threat to women and their vulnerability. In the workplace, women being used to meet key performance areas, without the true achievement of transformation.
Do you feel empowered as a woman at Vodacom? How does Vodacom empower you and other women in the organisation?
I cannot separate my feelings on empowerment from my gender in a corporate setting, as my sense of empowerment comes from/with the position I occupy, which requires that I make decisions and make recommendations to the business. Therefore, I am empowered (and required) to fulfil my mandate. Vodacom empowers women by creating safe spaces and or forums for women to engage in and by driving progressive policies that are designed to deliver on being an inclusive organisation.
Do you think women have ample opportunity to take leadership roles in business and society?
Yes, there are opportunities for women, however, the yardstick to measure readiness between females and males, constantly shifts the goalpost.
What advice would you give other women in business, or those aspiring to be?
- Lead (engage people) with authenticity
- Be willing to learn by asking questions of the people (even Google Scholar) around you
- Know your subject well to help you establish credibility
