My career – Janet Kapenda

SHE says while work can come with its own stress and frustrations, she is never bored at work. The daily learning experiences make the whole thing fun. This week, The Namibian’s Walter Kariko (WK) chats to MTC Namibia’s brand executive Janet Kapenda (JK) about her career.

WK: Who is Janet Kapenda?

JK: I was raised in Windhoek and attended Holy Cross Convent, before matriculating at St Paul’s College. I’ve always been a creative person and, after high school I moved to Cape Town to fully realise my creative potential. My academic journey included graphic communication, then digital marketing and marketing strategy at the Cape Peninsula University. I also just turned in my thesis for my MBA. I am a professional, a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, colleague and more.

WK: As a brand executive at MTC, what do you exactly do?

JK: I can honestly say that I have the most incredible job working for an outstanding company, that places a huge responsibility on us to safeguard and maintain this formidable brand. I am responsible for envisioning initiatives that grow the brand by working with internal cross-functional partners and creative agency partners, and aligning all our marketing initiatives with the company’s strategic intent, while never losing sight of very real consumer needs.

WK: Walk us through some of the career experiences that have helped shape you?

JK: After graduating from university, I worked for the advertising agency DV8 Saatchi and Saatchi for about five years. I was part of the creative team before finding my niche in account management, which spoke to my strategic leanings. Managing clients’ expectations and brand management spoke to my ambition. The transition was intentional and very carefully aligned with my career path.

WK: What is it like working at one of the biggest companies in the country?

JK: There are many reasons that get me excited about working for the biggest telecommunications company in Namibia, like how these technologies change the way we relate to each other and do business. I am constantly fascinated by the profoundness in our brand promise; ‘make the connection’ because I see it every day. This ‘connection’ to the world of learning, or doing business, or nurturing communities. I think this pandemic brought it home for me in a deeper manner, because at no time in human existence has connection been more important or relevant. Working at MTC has been both interesting and rewarding. My working environment is made up of hard-working employees who give their most to the company. That kind of environment is where growth happens.

WK: What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

JK: Marketing is by default regarded as a fun job: it thrives on change, innovation, and cutting-edge technology. It doesn’t matter how much I learn; there is always something new to discover, and there has never been a better time to pursue a career in marketing than now, especially with the prevalence of digital platforms and social media. You’re continuously obtaining new knowledge, and the technology behind digital marketing is continually evolving.

WK: What are the three top skills one needs for the future in your sector?

JK: Creativity is non-negotiable. Indeed, in the future of work report, creativity is the number one skill that individuals will need to navigate the world of work successfully. Even more so in marketing. Great communication skills, verbally and written, are key. Strategic thinking is a skill that is thrown around in our field, it’s assumed that it comes naturally. It doesn’t. You need to study, really hard. It’s also ever changing, so you have to keep studying.

WK: How would you encourage young people eager to enter the corporate sector?

JK: Study. Acquire the qualifications that will support your ambitions. Be willing to start at the bottom. Watch and learn from the people around you. Once you’ve developed a proper work ethic and passion for doing your best, the sky is well and truly the limit. But you must also articulate that ambition, and pursue it diligently. Grit is the one thing I will tell young people to cultivate in this industry. And courage.

WK: From whose well of wisdom do you draw?

JK: No one is self-made. I have had many mentors in my life. At different points I have had influences from my family, teachers and bosses. I also have a tight-knit community of friends that allow the sharing of professional challenges. Mentorship as a concept must be dynamic because some people will not serve your purpose throughout your career. I tend to seek out the mentors that have the most impact in the phase of life I am in. I also draw a wealth of wisdom from having a life partner who is also a professional in his field.

WK: Recommend three good reads?

JK: Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ is seminal. I like Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘Blink’ because it addresses instinctive creativity and intuition. All marketers should read ‘The Tipping Point’ because it really emphasises the importance of credibility in affecting people’s behaviour. I also really liked reading Gabrielle Union’s ‘We’re Going to Need More Wine.’

WK: What do you do in your spare time?

JK: Spare time? What’s that? Between doing everything I have shared, and studying and keeping a home, and managing the most vibrant exciting brand in the country, ‘spare time’ is down time. I rest. I spend time with my children and family. I recently started working out again and I am loving it. I try to get quality sleep.