Dipopego Julius Tsheko
Director, International Business
Gaborone
Summary
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1999
1999
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Director, International Business – India & Asia
Botswana Investment & Trade Centre
07.2023 - Current
- Facilitation of foreign direct investment from India and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region into Botswana through organizing of business seminars for potential investors to inform them about investment opportunities in Botswana.
- Facilitation of business to business meetings with high net worth individuals from India and the Asia-Pacific in order to present investment opportunities in Botswana.
- Assisting Botswana-based exporters with finding export markets for their goods in India and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.
- Arranging stakeholder engagements with heads of chambers of commerce and industry and business associations in India and the Asia-Pacific region to inform them of investment and trade opportunities between Botswana and India/Asia.
- Running the administrative and financial management of the BITC Regional Office in India such as hiring of administration/accounting staff, hiring of support staff such as driver/messenger, as well as ensuring responsible and prudent management of the Office’s finances.
Acting Director, Export Development and Promotion
Botswana Investment & Trade Centre
01.2021 - 06.2023
- Managing the four business units of Global Expo Botswana (GEB), Export Development, Export Promotion and Botswana Trade Portal and supervising their four Managers.
- Implementation of the National Export Strategy (NES) whose aim is to make Botswana more internationally competitive and more productive in order that the country can diversify its export base.
- Implementation and management of BITC’s export development and promotion strategic plan in collaboration with other departments such as Business Intelligence, Investment Promotion and Regional Offices.
- Driving the implementation of the Botswana Exporter Development Programme (BEDP), an initiative that seeks to identify, capacitate, nurture and grow potential exporters to enable them to reach the global exporter status.
- Stimulation of the establishment of Export-oriented companies, and to encourage exports through targeted export promotion programmes.
- Management of export clients according to key account management and strategic account management principles.
Project Manager, Global Expo Botswana
Botswana Investment & Trade Centre
07.2020 - 03.2021
- Global Expo Botswana (GEB) is a premier b2b trade exhibition that aims to promote investment opportunities within Botswana, to promote the export of locally produced goods and services, to encourage joint venture partnerships between citizen-owned and foreign-owned businesses, and to promote intra-regional trade exchange between Botswana and other countries.
- GEB is a premier b2b trade exhibition that attracts over 200 exhibitors from all over the world to Gaborone, Botswana every year.
- In 2020 we introduced the first ever virtual trade expo in Botswana, and it was widely reported as having been successful by all the participants.
- My brief involved travelling all over the globe to meet potential investors and sell the “Botswana story” to them as well as visiting various targeted countries to promote and sell locally manufactured goods and services to potential buyers there.
- My brief also entailed primarily managing the project, including prudently and effectively managing its annual budget, setting the tone and direction for the project every year, leading the GEB team and giving the team strategic direction, being actively involved in the selling and promotion of GEB to potential investors and other stakeholders, working closely with the GEB marketing & advertising agency to deliver a premier b2b event, engaging both the local and international media to ensure that our messages reach our intended target audiences, and drafting speeches for VVIPs such as Ministers, The Vice President, The President, Board Chair and the CEO.
Market Access Manager
Local Enterprise Authority
08.2011 - 07.2013
- Providing strategic direction to the market access function
- Functional supervision of 7 Market Analysts based in 13 branches all over the country, and direct supervision of 2 Market Access Specialists based at Head Office.
- I was tasked with developing the “Market Access Operational Strategy for LEA” in 2012.
- I also cultivated a lot of warm relationships with various stakeholders such as the big retailers within the FMCG sector that resulted in some local products being listed on the shelves of some big retailers in Botswana.
- During my tenure at LEA I also represented the Authority in a number of Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI) technical committees that included the Technical Committee on Market Access (TCMA), Technical Committee on Export Development & Investment Promotion (TCEDIP), Technical Committee on Services (TCS) and Technical Committee on Agriculture (TCA). All these technical committees reported to the main National Committee on Trade Policy & Negotiations (NCTPN).
- I also represented the CEO of LEA on various occasions at the NCTPN chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI).
Market Access Specialist
Local Enterprise Authority
03.2010 - 07.2011
- Creating a conducive SMME environment through:
- Facilitating changes in regulations and standards through advocacy and lobbying through the relevant authoritative channels
- Domestic and international linkages between local SMMEs and other potential partners or buyers of their goods and services
- Identifying new business opportunities and nudging the local SMMEs in the right direction
- Facilitating market access for Botswana SMMEs both locally and internationally
- Promoting general entrepreneurship culture and SMME awareness in Botswana through facilitation of exhibitions, workshops, SMME Pitso and other forums.
Personal Banker – Insurance
Barclays Bank of Botswana Ltd
04.2009 - 02.2010
- Recruited new customers to the Bank
- Advised customers on risk & insurance, assessing their insurable interest
- Pioneered “Montshegetsi” Whole Life Cover policy at Barclays Bank in conjunction with Botswana Life Insurance Company
- Sold other assets & liabilities to existing Barclays Bank clientele.
Direct Writer
Metropolitan Life Botswana
01.2007 - 03.2009
- Selling life insurance policies and other investment products such as funeral plans, pure endowment policies, retirement annuities, education plans and hospital cash-back plans directly to both individuals and corporate clients.
Sales Executive
Standard Chartered Bank Botswana
03.2004 - 12.2006
- Preparation and submission of sales propositions to prospective clients
- Acquisition of new business, especially liabilities
- Direct selling of both assets & liabilities to prospective clients.
Information Services Officer
University of Botswana
06.2001 - 02.2004
- Assisting both students and lecturers with their research and general academic needs by providing them with the right academic research tools
- I was responsible for both the Economics and Demography portfolio of the University of Botswana (UB) Library and Information Services department.
Underwriter
Botswana Eagle Insurance Company
08.1999 - 05.2001
- I started my career as a Trainee Underwriter for six months
- Thereafter, I was promoted to the position of Underwriter, where my duties included, amongst others;
- Receiving new business
- Issuing of short-term insurance policies to both individuals and corporates
- Effecting amendments to existing policies as and when required
- Carrying out risk assessments
- Liaising with the claims department and other teams to ensure that the business remained profitable.
Education
BA - Economics & Demography
University of Botswana
Certificate of Proficiency (COP) - Long Term Insurance
Insurance Institute of Zimbabwe
Strategic Marketing, Effective Sales Techniques & Management Master Class
Innovative Ideas Training Academy
Using Market Analysis Tools and Trade Map for finding Export Markets
International Trade Centre
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Project Management
National Institute of Business Management
Finance for Non-Finance Managers
SADC Development Finance Resource Centre
Prince2 Foundation Certificate - Project Management
PeopleCert
Prince2 Practitioner Certificate - Project Management
PeopleCert
Management Development Programme
University of Stellenbosch
Six Sigma White Belt
MF Treinamentos
Master of Research (MRes) - Business Leadership
Eaton Business School
Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) - undefined
Eaton Business School
Skills
- Direct Sales & Marketing
- Insurance Underwriting Skills
- Project Management
- Strategic Management
- Information & Knowledge Management
- Presentation & Research Skills
Teamwork and collaboration
Friendly, positive attitude
Customer service
Computer skills
References
Trunklinah, Gabonthone, Executive Director, +267-363 3001, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Private Bag 00445, Gaborone, Mobile#: +267-363 3001
Interests
Corporate Sales & Marketing, Project Management, Corporate Strategy & Strategic Management, Risk & Insurance
Other Vital Attributes
- Ability to meet targets within set timeframes.
- Good business acumen and ability to take on challenges.
- Professional etiquette – presenting myself in a professional manner.
- Excellent negotiation & communication skills
- Good networking skills
- Ability to seamlessly cross-sell any product to prospective and existing customers.
- Assertiveness – ability to successfully conquer objections
- Team player, Interpersonal Relations Skills, Good leadership skills, and ability to motivate others.
Timeline
Director, International Business – India & Asia
Botswana Investment & Trade Centre
07.2023 - Current
Acting Director, Export Development and Promotion
Botswana Investment & Trade Centre
01.2021 - 06.2023
Project Manager, Global Expo Botswana
Botswana Investment & Trade Centre
07.2020 - 03.2021
Market Access Manager
Local Enterprise Authority
08.2011 - 07.2013
Market Access Specialist
Local Enterprise Authority
03.2010 - 07.2011
Personal Banker – Insurance
Barclays Bank of Botswana Ltd
04.2009 - 02.2010
Direct Writer
Metropolitan Life Botswana
01.2007 - 03.2009
Sales Executive
Standard Chartered Bank Botswana
03.2004 - 12.2006
Information Services Officer
University of Botswana
06.2001 - 02.2004
Underwriter
Botswana Eagle Insurance Company
08.1999 - 05.2001
Certificate of Proficiency (COP) - Long Term Insurance
Insurance Institute of Zimbabwe
Strategic Marketing, Effective Sales Techniques & Management Master Class
Innovative Ideas Training Academy
Using Market Analysis Tools and Trade Map for finding Export Markets
International Trade Centre
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Project Management
National Institute of Business Management
Finance for Non-Finance Managers
SADC Development Finance Resource Centre
Prince2 Foundation Certificate - Project Management
PeopleCert
Prince2 Practitioner Certificate - Project Management
PeopleCert
Management Development Programme
University of Stellenbosch
Six Sigma White Belt
MF Treinamentos
Master of Research (MRes) - Business Leadership
Eaton Business School
Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) - undefined
Eaton Business School
BA - Economics & Demography
University of Botswana
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