Digital Marketing Meets ICT: The Perfect Code for Sisanda Mbodlela and SM Solutions Success

By Innovator Trust on 03 Sep 24

Digital Marketing Meets ICT: The Perfect Code for Sisanda Mbodlela and SM Solutions Success

Sisanda Mbodlela, the dynamic force behind SM Solutions PE, embodies resilience and ingenuity in the progressively advancing ICT landscape. Her story is one of triumph over formidable challenges, deftly navigating the complex waters of gender biases, and building a company that excels in digital marketing and automation and uplifts women and youth across the Eastern Cape.

A Challenging Market in Port Elizabeth

The market in Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape as a whole presents unique challenges. Limited access to digital marketing services and a general lack of education about the importance of digital tools are significant hurdles. Sisanda recognised these gaps early on and made it her mission to accommodate the digital marketing needs of businesses in her community. SM Solutions has gone beyond digital marketing services, incorporating more traditional marketing and a strong ICT component, including software development, web development, and, importantly, business automation processes. This holistic approach demonstrates SM Solution's ability to lean into market needs and provide solutions. It also sets SM Solutions apart, making it a crucial player in the region's digital transformation.

Innovation in ICT

The company specialises in business automation services that make operations more efficient and effective. For instance, SM Solutions develops interactive websites that provide automated communication for businesses, using chatbots to engage with clients and maintain a database of prospects. This technology frees up valuable time for business owners, allowing them to focus on other aspects of their operations while ensuring continuous customer engagement.

One of the standout projects from SM Solutions is the customer portal developed for Petro SA. This portal goes beyond mere procurement functions, offering a unified platform where clients can interact, track progress, and identify bottlenecks. The portal has significantly improved service delivery, providing a clear organisational performance and employee management overview. By integrating AI tools, SM Solutions is helping businesses in the Eastern Cape operate more smoothly and efficiently, even in sectors traditionally resistant to technological advancements.

Although an ICT hero now, Sisanda's journey was like navigating a complex code—full of unexpected bugs and challenging algorithms that ultimately sharpened her problem-solving skills and refined her vision.

The Inspiration Behind SM Solutions

After graduating with a qualification in software development, she found herself unable to secure a job in her field. She had to take on various jobs in retail and telecommunications to make ends meet, which left her feeling stuck while her peers seemed to be progressing. The turning point came when she started cold-calling businesses in her community, offering basic digital marketing services like logo design and invitations. This experience rekindled her love for technology and creativity, leading to the creation of SM Solutions.

Her initial foray into web development and digital marketing soon expanded into a broader mission: making the digitally invisible visible. Sisanda began by helping small startups in her community establish an online presence. She landed the front-end developer role for an SMME, where she honed her skills.

Her natural talent for design and a deepening understanding of technology allowed her to create beautiful, functional websites that resonated with her clients. Sisanda has faced her fair share of challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

Empowering Women in Tech

Entering a space filled with experienced male developers, she initially felt out of place, overwhelmed by the technical jargon and the pressure to perform. However, Sisanda's determination to succeed drove her to upskill herself, often working late into the night after fulfilling her duties as a single mother. Her efforts paid off, and she quickly advanced from a front-end developer to a project manager, taking on multiple roles within her company. Despite her contributions, she faced discrimination in the form of unequal pay and a lack of recognition for her work.

In one instance, a client explicitly told her to stand down and let the men in the room speak first, a clear indication of the deep-seated gender biases that still exist in her corner of the country. However, Sisanda has never allowed these experiences to deter her. Instead, she uses her work as her voice, letting the quality and impact of her projects speak for themselves. Her relationship with the Innovator Trust was like a stabilising force, ensuring she stayed the course, even when the challenges felt like deciphering a maze of tangled code.

Sisanda believes in nurturing the unique qualities that women bring to the table, particularly their high emotional intelligence and innate ability to connect with clients. She has made it her mission to provide a space where women can be professionals and caregivers without choosing between the two.

A Community at Work: Support and Awards

Sisanda's relationship with the Innovator Trust has enhanced her leadership skills and professional approach to running her business. The comprehensive business management training, coaching, and gaining valuable insights into deal-making, prospecting, and market research and analysis have been invaluable for Sisanda.

Additionally, the marketing materials provided by the Innovator Trust have significantly elevated her business's identity. This support enabled her to showcase her business at prominent ICT conferences across the country, including the ICT Summit, the SMMEs in ICT Conference, and GovTech. These opportunities have boosted the business's visibility and credibility.

The increased exposure has culminated in a prestigious accolade: a Global Brands Magazine award for the Fastest Growing Digital Marketing Service Provider. The dream certainly doesn't end here.

By continuously upskilling her team and embracing new technologies, Sisanda is preparing SM Solutions to tackle future challenges. Her commitment to mentoring women and youth ensures that SM Solutions will continue to be a hub of empowerment and innovation in the Eastern Cape.

For more information on SM Solutions PE, visit their website: www.smsolutionspe.co.za





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