Company Profile Background Medi Publishing is a broad-based publisher with strengths in many areas including promotional materials, educational materials, fiction, as well as biographies and reference materials such as dictionaries, annual reports and atlases. The expertise that we have allows us to venture into unlimited areas of publishing. At Medi Publishing we also sell a plethora of publishing services including but not limited to; writing and re-writing, copy-editing, structural & substantive editing, proofreading, indexing, reviewing, fact checking, picture research, desk top publishing, project management research & translations. We pride ourselves in having developed and published some of the best Setswana publications including readers, grammar textbooks, a variety of Setswana genres in Literature for different levels of readership. We have published a monolingual Setswana Dictionary for the Setswana speakers in all the Setswana speaking countries;Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. We have more in our publishing program.. What sets us apart from our competitors are: e are independently owned and managed by professionals. We take a long-term view in our W decisions rather than focusing on short-term financial gains. We believe in continuous and dedicated adjustment and repositioning of our company to remain relevant and compliant. We take pride in our efficiency and professionalism in satisfying the ever changing needs of our customers whether small, mid-sized or large. At Medi Publishing, we believe in delivering quality publishing services at affordable prices with competitive royalties. With a wealth of publishing and marketing experience, we understand and anticipate the needs of our customers and partners, and we continuously challenge ourselves to provide the highest level of products and services. Our Mission To deliver excellence in all areas of publishing and to be an integral part of a growing publishing industry in the region. Our Values Integrity: we take pride in maintaining our integrity even in tough times and thrive to compete on merit. Passion for Excellence: we challenge ourselves to excel in all aspects of publishing and most importantly, we enjoy learning from our mistakes and creating new contexts within which to thrive. 2 Customer Oriented: we are committed to provide superior products and services at the highest level of quality and professionalism. Our People: we treat our employees as individuals and we empower them to realize their full potential and contribution. We believe in open communication and share our success with everyone in the organization. Innovation & Technology: we actively encourage a culture of innovation, which facilitates the development of new technologies and ensures a high quality product. Partnership: our market is global and we believe in the power of partnership with our customers and suppliers to meet our common objectives. Publishing experience expertise & capacity Since inception in 2003 Medi boasts a very successful list of quality publications comprising textbooks for learners, reference books for teachers and learners, biographies, dictionaries and atlases as well as promotional materials. General services Re-writing: Creating a new manuscript or parts of a manuscript based on content and research supplied by the author; may include adding original material to a draft, deleting material, reorganising material, collaborating with the in-house editors or producing a new draft. Copy-editing: Clarifying meaning, eliminating jargon, polishing language by editing for grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation and other mechanics of style; checking for consistency of mechanics and for internal consistency of facts; inserting head levels and approximate placement of art; editing tables, figures, and lists; ensuring that references in the text are correctly cited in the bibliography; notifying the designer of any unusual production requirements. Structural or substantive editing: Editing a manuscript for ‘global’ issues, clarifying or reorganising a manuscript for content, structure, style, length and level; may involve copy-editing, rewriting and negotiating changes with authors. Proofreading: Checking proofs or final formatted, edited material for adherence to design and for minor, mechanical errors in copy (such as spelling mistakes or small deviations from style sheet), using standard proof-correction marks; may include comparing the document with earlier versions to ensure corrections have been made, checking the accuracy of running heads, flagging locations of art and page references, verifying computer codes, and inserting page numbers in table of contents and cross-references. Indexing: Producing a systematic guide or key to the contents of a manuscript; includes reading and analysing the work, choosing subjects and concepts, and arranging entries alphabetically or in some other searchable order. 3 Fact checking: Checking the accuracy of facts and quotes by reference to original sources used by the authors. Picture research: Locating suitable photos or artwork; may include obtaining camera-ready reproductions; preparing descriptions, working sketches and/or artist’s references or co-ordinates for illustrations, maps and diagrams; supervising production of final artwork; obtaining permissions from and/or conducting financial negotiations with picture sources and artists; preparing labels, captions and sources for typesetting; and organising pictures for scanning. Desktop publishing/Book Design & typesetting: Creating a formatted document from an electronic manuscript according to a style template; includes sizing and placement of art; may include printing the document directly from the computer using a laser printer or sending it to a service bureau. Project management: Overseeing the execution of an entire project or publication from proposal or rough manuscript to final manuscript, including allocating tasks, organising and scheduling the writing and production process and attending to administrative details; may include budgeting, hiring members of the production team and design supervision. Researching: Gathering and verifying information to develop all or part of a publication. Translations: All documents are translated by professional translators with a proven track record. For each project we choose the right translator with the expertise in the subject-matter and knowledge of the terminology, which guarantees the highest quality of translation. We never accept work beyond our capability. Special products & services Lexicography In 2012 published the biggest Setswana monolingual Setswana Dictionary in all the Setswana speaking markets in Southern Africa for schools and general readership. Early Childhood Development In 2005 developed Standard 1 & 2 learners with accompanying teachers’ guides for Guidance and Counsellling. The books are doing very well in the market. We also have books for Standard 3 & 4 which we have since published awaiting the next call for submissions. In 2008 we did a country wide tour with Early Childhood experts to identify needs for early childhood development in collaboration with UNICEF in Botswana. In the tour we also trained practitioners on how to use the toys to develop different skills. A service we are still to provide over and above providing appropriate materials both for learners and practitioners at Early Childhood level from pre-school up to Standard 4 depending on the needs. In 2015 we are to start supplying Early Childhood Learning & Teaching materials including toys to accompany our 36 week learning programs. The program constitutes Learners books, Practitioners’ Guide, toys and materials for varied activities including; painting, cutting, drawing, building, molding, printing, pasting, tearing, construction, educational games, storytelling, songs & rhythm, movement and other. We also provide BIG BOOKS and chats among others. 4 PUBLISHING & EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Portia Baagi Bernice Tshoagong Education & Credentials ambridge O-level Certificate 1979 · Gaborone Secondary School C iploma in Secondary Education 1980-83 · University of Swaziland D Masters Degree, Publishing, 2000-2001 · Oxford Brookes University, UK Professional Profile A wealth of experience in publishing spanning close to two decades. Worldwide exposure having worked on projects for different markets, locally, regionally and internationally (Botswana, South Africa, Uganda, Caribbean Islands, Ghana and United Kingdom. A results driven publisher with a proven record of successful back lists. Unparalleled publishing passion and knowledge. Strategic Publishing Planning New Markets Identification New List Development Market Research & Analysis Management of the Company Activities Team Building & Management Direct Publishing Programs Playing Public Relations Professional Experience Publishing director: Medi publishing: 2003 - To date Set up a home grown publishing house and developed a strong backlist of over 60 titles 15 of which are prescribed and used in schools across all levels of education from primary to tertiary. Duties include: rawing & managing the budget for the five year publishing plan and making projections for all projects; D r esearching trends in the national and international book markets; managing the list in the current market as well as identifying future markets and new products/titles with commercial potential; managing the ‘back-list’ (titles already published) and making decisions on whether to reprint, revise, make a new edition or put out of print; planning, organising, and maintaining a book publishing program as well as monitoring progress throughout the publication process. Identifying new markets and product lines Identifying books to publish in order to build up a publisher’s list; Commissioned work by finding authors or responding to book proposals; Training new auothors in educational material development 5 E nsuring that authors delivered manuscripts to specification and on time; negotiating contracts with author, photographers & photo researchers, artists, cartographers etc; reading, evaluating book proposals and manuscripts offered by authors and commissioning titles drawing a schedule for various stages of the work to be completed supervising the copy editing manuscripts and organizing illustration briefs; superising the editing of manuscripts for overall clarity and quality control; supervising the proofreading or sending proofs to proofreaders; supervising the collatiion of corrections and generally overseeing the book production process; Applying for clearance of third party copyright material; ______________________________________________________________________________________ Selected Contributions: In 2011 published a biography for one of Botswana’s outstanding senior citizens, Gobe Matenge. In 2012 published a world class monolingual Setswana dictionary, Tlhalosi ya Medi ya Setswana, to be used in southern Africa to augment the efforts of (ACALAN) Academy of African Languages in developing Setswana into a cross border language for regional development and integration; ______________________________________________________________________________________ Publishing Experience outside Medi: ublisher: Heinemann publishers: Botswana/southern Africa: 1998-2003 P ARKETING & EDITORIAL SUPPORT: HEINEMANN OXFORD UK: 2000-2001 M COMMISSIONING EDITOR: Heinemann publishers: southern African region/Botswana: 1996–1998 DESK EDITOR: Heinemann publishers: Botswana: 1995–1996 ______________________________________________________________________________________ Professional Background APNET (African Publishers Network) - Publishing Trainer: trained in Malawi as a Trainer of Trainers in publishing BOPIA (Botswana Publishing Industry association, served in different positions in the executive committee PAB (Publishers Association of Botswana) – served in different positions in the executive committee – still serving. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Contributions in Publishing Industry In 2004 Portia Tshoagong established a robust, vibrant Indigenous Publishing company, Medi Publishing. In its short life Medi made a mark in the industry by publishing successful world class books in a wide variety of subjects. In addition to the educational backlist, Medi Publishing also published a political book by one of Botswana’s political scientists Zibani Maundeni, Civil Society Politics and the State in Botswana, a biography of one of Botswana’s most revered civil servants Gobe Matenge, Unearthing the Hidden Treasure and recently in 2012, a regional monolingual Setswana Dictionary Tlhalosi ya Medi ya Setswana, which is used in schools in South Africa and Botswana. 6 Having started as a one man–woman led company Medi Publishing has developed into a fully fleshed Publishing House with an office in Phakalane Carramba Business Park. Founding member of The Association of Publishers and Booksellers called BOPIA (Botswana Publishing Industry Association) and member of the executive committee. Founding member of the Association of Publishers, PAB (Publishers Association of Botswana) which is now exclusively for Publishers and serves in the Exc Committee. Member of the Committee of Elders for BOSETU – Botswana Secondary Teachers’ Union. 7 FINANCE, SALES, MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION Isang Tshoagong E d u c at i o n & C r e d e n t i a l s Cambridge O-level Certificate 1979 · Maru a Pula Secondary School Bachelor of Social Science Degree, Economics and Sociology, 1986-90 · University of Botswana Masters Degree, Economics, 1992-94 · University of Botswana Professional Profile Talented, results-producing Marketing Professional with a proven record of accomplishment in planning and leading comprehensive marketing strategies in support of business goals and objectives. Expertise in directing the creation of marketing tools and steering the execution of marketing programs. Demonstrated success driving growth in targeted markets through implementation of key projects. Solid leadership skills; able to build and guide top-performing marketing teams. Adept at communicating with management, vendors, and internal departments to coordinate overall marketing efforts. Strategic Market Planning New Market Penetration Marketing Collateral Development Market Research & Analysis Web Development & Management Team Building & Management Direct Marketing Programs Budget Preparation/Administration P r o f e s s i o n a l E x pe r i e n c e - Marketing Director: Medi Publishing 2005 - To date Founded a family managed SMME in educational publishing devising appropriate objectives, strategy and tactics for each product or group of products, developing and working within the overall strategy for the Publishing programme. Selected Contributions: chieved consistent growth such that company has exceeded P6 million annual turnovers for the first A three years of its existence and therefore placing it above the LEA threshold of SMME by turnover. Company has managed to publish over 60 titles 15 of which are prescribed texts from primary school level to University. 8 - Assistant General: Manager Marketing 2004 -2005 Brand Management / Market Research / Strategic Positioning BOTSWANA LIFE Defined strategy for and developed, executed, and managed comprehensive marketing plan encompassing integrated marketing initiatives designed to penetrate and grow targeted markets. Communicated with customers, management, internal departments, and vendors to coordinate overall marketing effort in accordance with corporate goals. Planned and carried out regional market research and analyses. Played integral role in product development activities. Led and directed forward-thinking marketing team. Prepared and managed P40-million annual SALES budget. Selected Contributions: rove up target-market product sales through designing and launching new marketing strategy. D Exceeded business goal of 25% market share for one product, propelling overall market share beyond 35%. - Divisional Manager Brokers 2001 – 2004 BOTSWANA LIFE - National Manager Brokers 1996 – 2001 BOTSWANA LIFE - Broker Consultant 1995 – 1996 BOTSWANA LIFE - Assistant Front Office Manager 1990 – 1991 SHERATON HOTEL AND TOWERS – GABORONE Developed and managed a wide range of marketing tools, including promotional materials. Defined and evaluated product marketing collateral, programs, and analyses. Tracked, projected, and reported both advertising and circulation-based marketing programs. Maintained communication with management to ensure marketing activities aligned with business goals. Provided leadership and direction to marketing associates to guide the creation of marketing materials and ensure congruence with objectives. Selected Contributions: uccessfully maintained and increased client base by designing and implementing strategic customerS retention projects. - Graphic Designer 1980 – 1986 TSHIPIDI PROMOTIONS - GABORONE Worked within a team environment to carry out a full range of marketing functions. Established product selection, pricing, and programs. Assisted in promotions and in communicating marketing programs. Developed creative print and online marketing collateral. Provided direct support to Marketing Manager. Selected Contribution: emonstrated immediate talent upon hire and excelled quickly to become recognized by management as D key member of marketing team. Contributed campaign theme idea that proved effective in delivering overall message. 9 Phakalane Phase 2, Carramba Business Park Plot 43173/ Unit 6, Gaborone, Botswana P.O Box 47680, Gaborone Botswana Tel: +267 3913203, Fax: +267 3121110 e-mail: [email protected]
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