Insurance has a crucial role to play in driving the sustainability of farming and give impetus to Zambia’s socio-economic development

With Zambia having recently commemorated Farmer’s Day and the contributions and work made by farmers in the agricultural sector in the country, Hollard has highlighted the importance of ensuring the sustainability of farming in the country, by providing adequate disaster risk financing mechanisms as a means to protect farmers against natural and man-made disasters.

Hey Google! 5 Strategies to Future-Proof your Online Content for Voice Search

As the digital landscape evolves, voice search is becoming a vital part of online behaviour. Jacqueline van Rooijen, Business Growth Consultant and Director at Ycagel, emphasises that with the widespread use of smart speakers and virtual assistants, optimising content for voice search is now a necessity. Voice search is growing rapidly, with significant adoption in both the United States and South Africa. Understanding how voice search works, particularly its reliance on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and the conversational nature of queries, is essential for effective SEO. Key strategies for optimising voice search include focusing on conversational keywords, creating FAQ pages, leveraging local SEO, structuring content for featured snippets, improving page load speed, and using structured data. Embracing these strategies will allow businesses to stay competitive and enhance user experiences in the evolving digital landscape.

Beyond metrics: Trust is crucial to brand building

Vanity metrics aside, trust plays a vital role in the longevity of global brands; with key players such as Google, Coca-Cola, and Apple – which are known for their iconic logos and substantial market shares – focused heavily on continuously building consumer trust. Ivie Media’s partnership with Tractor Outdoor and Lula highlights this approach, providing SMEs with opportunities to boost their visibility and achieve long-term growth. Amid economic challenges, marketing leaders must balance short-term performance with long-term brand building to secure sustainable success.

SME confidence on the rise as GNU promises growth

iKhokha conducted a survey which found that 79% of SMEs are now feeling confident that the economy will grow under the leadership of the GNU, with the fintech noting a 20% increase in working capital distributions in July, attributed in part to businesses recommitting to growth initiatives and investing in their futures.