Thread by @EDSE_programme

The fifth webinar in the joint @Seda_dsbd, @EDSE_programme Market Access for Digital Entrepreneurs (MADE) series gets under way.

Today's topic: Finding the way through the forest for your mobile app. A great line up of speakers will share their experiences.

https://twitter.com/EDSE_programme/status/1452932248806821893

#1. Welcoming participants and speakers, Mr Colin Leshou, the acting executive manager of @Seda_dsbd's Technology Programme, acknowledges support from the @EDSE_programme for the series of webinars. Today's discussion will be moderated by @grayhaley, the CEO of Cut To Code.

#2. @grayhaley talks about her personal experience as a mobile app developer and entrepreneur - being inundated with information and tools, yet not knowing where to start. Haley stresses the importance of the ideation phase: "what is your problem statement and your market fit".

#3. @grayhaley says she comes across fantastic ideas by entrepreneurs who have dived into communities "finding out ideas, noticing problems that need to be solved". But she cautions against expecting software companies and engineers to understand your app idea.

#4. Panel 1, with @sabeehabanubhai and @Geekulcha's Mixo Ngoveni, starts.

➡️Sharing the best methodology on designing, building, and publishing Mobile Apps

➡️Understanding the reason behind building your tech

➡️Understanding how the AppStore and Google Play Store works

#5. Both speakers stress the need to find the right technical co-founder in developing your app idea. A co-founder "must be willing to go the miles with you", says @Geekulcha's Mixo Ngoveni.

#6. @sabeehabanubhai stresses the benefits of taking clients through a 4 to 8 week process to test their app idea and engaging clients to understand the solution, before the costly process of app development begins.

#7. Both Mixo and Sabeeha stress the importance of being part of a tech or design community in developing and showcasing your prototype, and of gaining ideas for additional elements for your app idea.

#8. Crisp advice from our panelists in concluding the panel discussion:
@sabeehabanubhai: "Just start, reach out"
Mixo urges aspirant developers: "Grab pen and paper".

#9. Panel 2 starts. Perspectives from @kovinimoodley (Boss Babes), @Marlonbha (Story Advantage) and Krystle Hastings (@finchatbot):

➡️How to do proper resourcing, getting freelancers when necessary.

➡️The routes to market, new business development, onboarding customers.

#10. Krystle Hastings takes participants through @finchatbot's brand identity experience: begin by "understanding the market, do focus groups, know your competitors". Also: social media is "literally free", allowing exposure to reach thousands and thousands of people.

#11. Also, says Krystle, marketing your brand on social media "should be authentic, super humble, and share small successes". @finchatbot

#12. "Think about your business being a sales funnel" says @Marlonbha, that engages customers on the smallest price item in your "store" to the most expensive.

#13. Panel 3 - Understanding a founder’s perspective - is set to start. @MrJezile (Busymed), @Mo_Malele (Shopapolitan.com), Raeef Meyer (@FficiencyE), will discuss the challenges and opportunities for Mobile App developers and coders in South Africa.

#14. The tough, big question to each panelist: what was the hardest thing in building your tech?

➡️ From an engaging @MrJezile:

"Temper your expectations in the initial phase"
"Figure out a way to keep moving, improving".

#15. @Mo_Malele's big lesson: "Understand that what you have in mind, and build with your team in your garage, can be very different to what the market needs". But it leads to Version 2 and Version 3!

#16. The big tech lesson from Raeef Meyer (@FficiencyE): "being able to manage the time to market".

Other big lessons, wrapping up the panel:

➡️Build the initial must-haves first, the rest follow.

➡️Take your time, do your homework, before rushing to the party.

➡️Its a lonely road, with lots of nay-sayers. Stay focused and ask people for help.

#18. An inspirational point in closing from @Seda_dsbd's Colin Leshou: seda will replicate today's discussion, on a much bigger scale and bigger platform, during @Seda_dsbd's entrepreneurship week in November 2021! Details to be shared when finalised.

#19. A huge thanks to @grayhaley (out of Lisbon) for her engaging and conversational style in managing the proceedings. And to our panelists for sharing inspirational advice from their own hard-earned experiences in their individual mobile app journey. Much appreciated.

cc: @DSBD_SA, @Seda_dsbd, @PalladiumImpact, @EUinSA, @TutwaConsulting, @evans_gwynne, @oralegacy, #EUinSA

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