Neli Mpungose

Contact --- Resume/ Professional Profile Miss Neliswa Mpungose Observer, Barista, Business Enthusiast, Reasearcher. Graphic Designer, Multifaceted Problem Solver, City/ Urban Design, Photography. In a nutshell, I’m in the business of people. Resume/ Professional Profile Contents ABOUT NELISWA MPUNGOSE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES EXPERIMENTAL PROJECTS A brief description of who I am, what I have done in my professional life and where I’d like my career to go. Formal education I have received and how it has informed who I am today. My professional experiences are certianly not linear, but they seem to have led me to the same direction, or have moulded me to wanting to make impact on people’s lives. Life experiences have meant that I have had to look at things very differently, because uncertainty in my future seemed to lurk. Thus, I developed a knack to conceptualize and test ideas quickly. PAGES 1-2 PAGES 3-4 PAGES 5-9 PAGES 10- Blackstar Communications About Neliswa Mpungose Interests: Observer, Barista, Business Enthusiast, Reasearcher. Graphic Designer, Multifaceted Problem Solver, City/ Urban Design, Photography. After working in the corporate environment there were numerous aspects that I failed to come to terms with. It was almost as if I was able to spot problems that no one else could see. It was the attention to detail and spotting opportunities that others managed to successfully overlook that stimulated a certain thought wave. However, I learned from that experience because it allowed me to reinvent who I was and find my passion in culture and people. Security makes me complacent. It’s a distraction from taking risks and willing the mind to take a chance on dreams. I cannot stop thinking about my potential as a start-up or how to get a head start by learning about the things that shape my world for the better. LANGUAGES English fluent French intermediate German level a2 Sesotho intermediate 1 Marketing is not something I would have considered studying and yet it is now a field that I can identify with. As I immersed myself in marketing I began to understand the dynamics of the way each customer segment thinks. That has helped me find my new interest in branding. I worked on a project for Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (PRASA) in Blackstar Communications, where every piece of work that I executed was self-taught on the job. The Managing Director possessed the quality of humility which is why I was fortunate to learn from him and hone my skills in the right direction. In terms of branding, however, I have discovered my passion in defining the corporate culture for companies and manipulating the “working wheel” by fostering a movement in the manner which employees and employers work for and with one another. What Blackstar taught me is that the success of a company is largely dependent on the individual with the least performance outcome. Never underestimate the impact of the weakest link. How vital it is, then, that the working system of that company is to continue building one another; perpetually taking interest, not just in your own assignment, but in the assignment of those around you in the working force. This builds a network of connectivity, community and concession that have a positive bearing on the end result of one’s work. Initial concept handbook shft The Handsome Setup Upon leaving Blackstar Communications I ventured into a start-up called The Handsome Setup and was responsible for the networking and finding clients. I enjoyed this part of the start-up and decided to explore a concept called Shift. Shift was created to help people escape form the monotony of their work environment and remember that there is a world outside of their organisation filled with people and enriched with culture. It maximised on the principles of street photography which is a photojournalistic method of studying people in their most authentic state. It was a way of collecting empirical visual data and identifying a pattern in human behaviour. Freelance Graphic Design the urists A short while after that, I engaged in small projects as a freelance graphic designer offering my advice to people trying to start a small venture. I’d advice on logo designs and website strategy and layouts. The Purists Coffee Concept A little later I started exploring with a concept called The Purists. It is a creative coffee concept that visually depicts the importance of coffee as a corporate pass time and fulcrum to creating culture and collaborations. For this concept I was privileged to speak in the Levi’s Pioneer Nation event which is a ted-talk conference for young entrepreneurs looking to make an impact in the world. 2 Home Designing Cities While working on the conceptual phase of the concept, I took an online course in the designing of cities. City/ Urban design is at the heart of studying and influencing people. Each city has its own character which influences the way people work together, the kind of businesses that come to the city, the aesthetics and ideas that shape the city and the social and corporate governance that the city puts in place and guides the processes and policies that a city is governed by. Urban Design is less about architecture and more about studying the needs and social behaviours of its citizens. From there a predominating personality and character is chosen to guide how the city developed. The governance of the city needs to decide the most important factors for a specific location. For example factors such as walkability, transportation, environmental sustainability, economy and public spaces that encourage community and social interaction are necessary topics of discussion that determine the dominant personality and mind set of the city. Barista In trying to combine these multi-faceted disciplines across, I have started small and become a barista. A barista is a person who prepares and serves coffee drinks. They are trained to become an expert in their field and they have a relentless determination to become better at what they do and produce quality through and through. What many do not realise is that baristas are connectors in society. They have a unique ability to communicate with customers from various professional backgrounds and make connections on their behalf. 3 2 JHB Johannesburg - The city of opportunities. This new vision for Jo’burg tranforms the way its citizens use the space entirely. It promotes exposure to opporunities that would otherwise not be available to those in lower income groups Neliswa Mpungose-South Africa, Johannesburg BA RIS TA TIMELINE OF MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND IN Business Strategy, Design, Concept Development, Sociology 2013 2017 Freelance Graphic Desgner Blackstar Communications Typography Brand Refinement Illustartion Animation SHFT SOCIOLOGY CONCEPT Social Media Networking Graphic Design Consulting City Design UX Design BARISTA Web Design The Handsome Setup Research 3 2 Concept Logo Design Marketing & Communications Brand Positioning The Purists Coffee Design Influenes Human Intreaction Transportation Branding Indusrtial Revolution Sociology History Photography Educational Background Primary School: Houghton Primary to Crawford Prep Sandton; High School: Crawford College Lonehill ‘Formal’ Education Gap ; Was given an opportunity and my career began; Completed Matric, ; 10-week course on Designing Cities & learning German. HIGH SCHOOL: CRAWFROD COLLEDGE LONEHILL Mathematics; English; French; Physical Science; Business Studies; Zulu; Design; Afrikaans; Life Orientation. THE STORY BEHIND MY ‘FORMAL EDUCATION’ GAP When I was supposed to enter my final high school year, the one that every young one anticipates, I was faced with a challenge. Simply put, I couldn’t finish my final year with my peers.This tore me apart. I wanted, so badly, to finish my basic education so that I could finally begin to execute my passion in animation and design. I could have either used the time to feel sorry for myself or I could try to find a sponsor to somehow get me there. But my couldn’t not gear my mind to gravitate towards ne or the other. There was a strong urge in me that told me that waiting was for the passive and the one thing I can tell you I am not, is passive. My family and I started brainstorming plans for the future of 2013 and this is where my whole paradigm shifted. 3 2 COMPLETING MY MATRIC WITH ‘BRAINLINE’ Mathematics; English; French; Physical Science; Business Studies; Engineering Graphics and Design; Design; Afrikaans; Life Orientation. GOETHE INSTITUT GERMAN Certification for successfully completing level A 2.1 of German Language Course. PENN DESIGN - UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANNIA DESIGNING CITIES COURSE Certification in completing a ten week course in Designing Cities 4 Professional Experiences Promotions; Barista at Cup Cafe Marketing Communications Intern at Blackstar Communications; Freelance Graphic Design; Building Business Plans; Barista at The Grind Coffee Shop 2013 MAY SEVENTHSTAR PROPOMOTIONS BRAND AMBASSADOR Actively engaged in the training of the brand,unde stood mission of the campaign and strategisedways to maximise sales. What I learnt: Strategy is about the Future, not the past. 2013 BLACKSTAR COMMUNICATIONS MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS INTERN This position covers various areas of communication internally and externally in the business. Typically a marketing and communications intern would be notified of a problem within the company (e.g losing sales to new entrants) and would be responsible for investigation of the issue. The intern would design a system to get to the core issues and develop key insights into the matter. First of all it would be important to recognise the most pertinent concerns of the business and study the structures, culture, mission and vision of the company. Second, upon collection data, the intern would conduct empirical research, by studying people and making use of methods such as 5 participant observation and face-to-face interviewing. Thirdly, this data would then be aggregated and visualized into personas, user journey maps, stakeholder maps and the works. Depending on the interest of the company the data would be presented with a focus on that pressing issue. Fourth, the marketing team would construct a four step process, based on insight, that would help the company innovate change and enhance their product to negate competition that is being experienced. This entire process is customer centric and involves the buy in of internal and external stakeholders. This process plays around the concepts of exploration, creation, reflection and implementation. This provided me with skills to re-create a brand plan for a segment in the PRASA project. This includes: Brand DNA, positioning, strategy and tactics, as well as communicating and creating a unified vision, mission and goal for the Brand. What I learnt: Entrepreneurship is impact. 6 2013 THE HANDSOME SETUP SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST & DESIGN ASSISTANT After working in Blackstar, it was apparent that information was crucial part of the company’s core competencies. In order to get internal and then external buy in from stakeholders it is crucial that all have an insightful understanding of the problem and the information gathered and analysed. Time is a very important factor to consider when presenting this information thus, it is imperative that one considers how to communicate, simply and effectively with the least amount of effort possible. Thus I assisted in starting a small consultancy called the handsome setup which is a design firm that specializes in information design. Its key customers are corporate professionals and start-ups that are interested in presenting their information in a way that makes effortless sense. 7 2013 THE GRIND COFFEE COMPANY BARISTA ASSOCIATE A barista promotes coffee consumption by educating customers; selling coffee and coffee grinding and brewing equipment, accessories, and supplies; preparing and serving a variety of coffee drinks, along with pastries and cookies. Baristas are important in the industry because they are influential in their environment. The job of a barista is twofold. They have to be well-trained, highly educated and genuinely inspired to create the perfect experience from a technical a stand point. They also have to have exceptional customer service delivery and insight into each of their customer’s needs and preferences. My role involves: • • • • • • • • • • • • • 8 Greeting their customers Stopping by tables to talk to customers about their drinks Knowing how to explain what and why they perform certain tasks Having a love of coffee Having a love for talking to people Asking questions Smiling CLEANING THE CAFE making people feel welcome Concluding the coffee shop experience supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs. Maintains safe and healthy work environment by following organization standards and sanitation regulations. Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; implementing changes; maintaining and improving the appearance of the • • 9 store and coffee bar. Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading coffee, retail trade, and food service publications; maintaining personal networks. Enhances coffee shop reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments. Experimental Projects Shft is the Ultimate Storytelling Hub. It fosters a movement in perceptions of our city and the people in it. Our group exists because we simply aim to challenge how people define the quality of life. We are driven to reach people who would like to break free from the lifelessness of the typical working industry and help them find a slight form of escapism. Shift; The Purists; SHFT When you’re sitting in your chair and you get uncomfortable the first chioce to change that is to SHIFT. It subconsiously makes a huge differ ence to the way you work “because a little movement goes a long way.” 10 Initial concept handbook shft When you’re sitting in your chair and you get uncomfortable the first chioce to change that is to SHIFT. It subconsiously makes a huge differ ence to the way you work “because a little movement goes a long way.” shft “little movement goes a long way” Many are fixed in an ingenuine mannerism that is “cast-in-stone” within a corporate organisational’s culture. Because people are they believe that they are highly content in their current state. However, they are still striken with boredism of the monotony of their environment. These individuals have lost appreciation for the simple touch points that remind them of the joy of the simpler things in life: connectivity. Rather Shft targets a personality. All of this happens through a blog website that has interactive features that allow for maximum customer engagement. 6 the urists 6 Home HOME ILLUSTRATIONS ABOUT US BLOG thepurist.org 6 Coffee Shop with Wi-Fi As a barista, you will come across customers from various poffessional backgrounds. We have recently experienced a loss of customers due to a new entrant in the precint who has the competitive advantage of an established internattional brand. I have assisted in implemeting small re-inforcements of the brand to strengthen the brand DNA and help the owner rethink the positioning of the company. Because of internal policies, however, the project will take time to progress and requires a thorough service design strategy that will enforce tranformative change across all of the brands touchpoints. This will result in better customer experiences throughpersonal as well as digital services. BARISTA RESPONSIBILITIES Coffee Shop with Wi-Fi Opening Name: Company Name (if relevant): Phone Number: Email : Website: DURing Agreement 1. Wash portafilter (every hour) 2. Flush heads (every 2 hours) 3. Keep station clean at all times 4. Reset cups 5. Check & refill beans 6.Reset grind 7. Check your shots 8. Clean fridge per the booking form, subject to the attached Terms and Conditions: Name of Hirer Closing 1. Wash your last two heads 2. Dose single and decaf 3. Clean counter top and machines with soapy water 4. Empty 3 bins 5. Count Stock and issue stock 6. Mop floor 7. Clean cloth 8. Milk jugs, knock box and pitcher 9. Soak steamwand head 10. Empty bins in front 11. Clean mop head 9 CO-WORKING HIRE AGREEMENT the form please contact us via email or whatsapp on-. 1. Flush heads 2. Set your grind. 3. Take out milk jugs (2 FC & 1 LW) 4. Organsize milk station 5. Refill sugar, tswetners & table numbers 6. Eat Coffee Shop Coffee Shop Total Hire Amount (Including GST) R Coffee Shop Signature Date Signature Date