Mlungisi Phungula

• Current duties are to create pre-sales opportunities and leads through direct engagement with communities, and other relevant stakeholders to enable Open-serve to meet requirements or demands of present and future customers
• Conduct research to provide valid and current market trends and competitor activities to achieve Mass Market goals and revenue targets with special focus to increase connection rate in niche markets
• Scout for new developments , compile pre verification report per SDC/ FDA as required on Master Plan Program, check and recommend areas to target and add on Fibre on Demand list and master plan program.
• Do HP Verifications for PM office claiming of new and existing splitters in all completed FTTH & FOD projects and provide supporting functions in Demand Research to provide a comprehensive forecasting service to enable Open-serve to meet the requirements/ demands of present and future customers
• To provide valid and current market information to Network and Sales teams to achieve organization's goals and targets
• Research demand trends, develop processes and negotiate with different Home Owners Association's or Body Corporate for different complexes to arrange access for Open-serve
• Engage with clients and work with Sales Teams to ascertain demand and in assisting with network build input and capability input
• Assist with Marketing campaigns and activity
• Core competencies & Primary Functions:
• Forecasting Techniques; Research Processes and Methodologies; Market Trends; Products and Services; Business Acumen; Scenario formulation
• Functional Skills: Pressure Handling Techniques; Consultation Techniques; Computer Applications;
• Decision Making; Cross-Functional Teamwork Generate pre-sales opportunities and leads to achieve set Broadband targets with special focus on targeted markets (e.g. Gated communities)
• Assist with Marketing campaigns and activations to improve connection rates in targeted communities/ markets
• Engage various community stakeholders to influence and position Open-serve brand as key enabler to pursue network build and sales activations
• To aid Gauteng region by ensuring valid and current market information to the Network and business development teams (which enables our teams to achieve organizations goals and target)
• Proactively analyze market trends, customer behavior and competitive landscape to inform sales initiatives and network rollout plans as well as to confirm demand in selected markets
• Provide support to Open-serve business development teams, including (not limited to) network/coverage inventory updates, liaison with gated communities/ product management/ marketing/ customer value management, order processing fulfillment support and presales
• ATTITUDES/ LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
• Motivated; Innovative; Systematic; Accurate; Proactive; Customer Focus; Maintain Confidentiality
• Configured and modified product systems to meet customer-specific needs
• Assisted customers in troubleshooting product issues and provided timely technical support
• Tracked sales data for analysis and forecasting
• Wrote detailed technical documentation for company products
• Created product training plans centered on customer success and satisfaction
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver successful product implementations
• Developed and implemented product marketing plans to reach target customers
• Delivered technical presentations matching audience level of expertise to explain products and services to customers
• Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with customers to ensure a positive customer experience
• Helped customers improve results by recommending changes focused on lowering costs, increasing production, or adding new functionality
• Gained extensive knowledge of products and services to provide best-in-class sales engineering solutions
• Contributed additional revenue to sales plans through resale opportunities
• Organized product demonstrations and trial installations of equipment to promote products
• Presented technical presentations to clients to explain product features and benefits
• Worked closely with sales team on understanding customer requirements, promoting products and delivering sales support
• Worked with customers and engineering team to determine equipment needs and system requirements
• Responded to specific customer requests and industry-specific solutions

• As project manager was responsible for project management of wireless infrastructure projects for new site build and modifications to existing facilities
• Was also responsible for fostering customer relationships, managing budgets, projects timelines, goals, internal staff and external vendors in accordance with existing contract terms and conditions
• Accountable for achieving project milestones for all assigned projects
• Managed cross-functional teams of professional, technical, site acquisition and construction employees/ subcontractors through numerous project milestones to project completion and in compliance with established processes and policies established by company, client, and regulatory agencies
• This position was primary interface between company and customer
• Work was performed with minimal direction and reviewed by senior management
• Outputs:
• Manage projects that include multiple disciplines or cover multiple markets
• Manage all project activities including but not limited to, site acquisition, leasing, due diligence, zoning, pre-construction services, architectural and engineering services, permitting, internal pre-deployment meetings, client deployment meetings, utility coordination, material ordering, construction management and closeout packages
• Creates and executes project work plans and revises as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements
• Oversee all activities associated with projects
• Interface with clients and management on daily basis as to indicate status of these projects
• Ensure workflow is being achieved and milestones are being reached in a timely fashion
• Provide management direction, supervision and leadership for Project Team
• Insure successful completion of all project deliverables, and contract compliance
• Create and maintain strong Client relations and communication
• Interpret contracts, communicate scope of work to project team and develop schedule and budget forecasts
• Conducted weekly meetings with project staff to review individual site progress; oversee project tracking and documentation
• Maintain proper communications and relations with project personnel; coordinate internal resources and ensure team has competent personnel to accomplish their respective duties
• Establish, manage and control budget
• Minimizes company exposure and risk on project
• Effectively communicates relevant project information to superiors
• Resolves and/or escalates issues in timely fashion
• Effectively apply company methodology and enforces project standards
• Deliver engaging, informative, well-organized presentations
• Ensures timely and accurate invoicing, and monitors receivables for project.
• Achieved project deadlines by coordinating with contractors to manage performance
• Managed projects from procurement to commission
• Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives
• Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects
• Developed and initiated projects, managed costs, and monitored performance
• Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks
• Coordinated material procurement and required services for projects within budget requirements
• Provided detailed project status updates to stakeholders and executive management
• Developed and implemented strategic project plans to meet business objectives
• Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments
• Prepared and submitted project invoices for review and approval
• Negotiated and managed third-party contracts related to project deliverables
• Drafted project reports to identify successful outcomes, insights and future recommendations
• Provided detailed technical and operational direction in project challenges, consistently meeting deliverables according to deadlines
• Verified quality of deliverables and conformance to specifications before submitting to clients
• Sourced, vetted and managed vendors needed to accomplish project goals
• Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers
• Developed and implemented project plans and budgets to ensure successful execution
• Recruited and oversaw personnel to achieve performance and quality targets
• Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays
• Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed
• Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts
• Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress and technical problems
• Facilitated workshops to collect project requirements and user feedback
• Analyzed project performance data to identify areas of improvement
• Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety
• Achieved project deadlines by coordinating with contractors to manage performance.
• Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
• Managed projects from procurement to commission.
• Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
• Developed and initiated projects, managed costs, and monitored performance.
• Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
• Coordinated material procurement and required services for projects within budget requirements.
• Provided detailed project status updates to stakeholders and executive management.
• Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
• Prepared and submitted project invoices for review and approval.
• Negotiated and managed third-party contracts related to project deliverables.
• Drafted project reports to identify successful outcomes, insights and future recommendations.
• Provided detailed technical and operational direction in project challenges, consistently meeting deliverables according to deadlines.
• Verified quality of deliverables and conformance to specifications before submitting to clients.
• Sourced, vetted and managed vendors needed to accomplish project goals.
• Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers.
• Developed and implemented project plans and budgets to ensure successful execution.
• Analyzed project performance data to identify areas of improvement.
• Recruited and oversaw personnel to achieve performance and quality targets.
• Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
• Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress and technical problems.

• Was responsible for company effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, training, coaching and disciplining staff; communicating values, strategies and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring stock variances, and developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities
• As manager was responsible to ensure smooth running of all aspects of business, production, stock, accuracy and cost monitoring, always keeping customer-comes-first mentality
• Accomplish subsidiary objectives by establishing plans, budgets, and results measurements; allocating resources; reviewing progress; Creating and improving processes
• Solve all HR issues, Coordinate & compile contract documents for employees and Service providers, Maintaining and building relations with suppliers, quality control and Signing off of purchase orders or invoices and ensuring accuracy
• Build company image by collaborating with customers, community organizations, and employees; enforcing ethical business practices
• Meeting with teams to “check-in” and assist with any needs that might arise
• Maintain quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
• Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time
• Set, enforced, and optimized internal policies to maintain responsiveness to demands
• Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency and help company evolve and grow
• Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines
• Devised processes to boost long-term business success and increase profit levels
• Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices
• Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
• Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to obtain best pricing and terms
• Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements
• Supervised operations staff and kept employees compliant with company policies and procedures
• Developed and implemented strategies to maximize customer satisfaction
• Increased profit by streamlining operations
• Directed initiatives to improve work environment, company culture or overall business strategy
• Developed and maintained relationships with external vendors and suppliers
• Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms
• Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit
• Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness
• Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance
• Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits
• Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships

• Was responsible for designing and planning cost-effective, world-class Transport network to enable Telkom SA to provide superlative customer service
• Create and manage Master Plans and Technical Plans for Eastern Region Transport networks that facilitated evolution to a world-class Transport Network
• This role was fulfilled within framework of company objectives, value structure and international standards
• Co-ordinate or lead multiple virtual teams in design or development stage of all new Eastern Region customer specific solutions for different CRD's ( Customer Requirements Definition), Do feasibility study and costing of LTN portion including required Fiber Optic for different CSS project when compiled technical report is completed forwarded solution or planning documents to Technical Product Development section called SDPM (Specific Design Project Management)
• Also provided high level network support to internal and external customers, verifying existing networks and implement or design solutions to meet customer's needs or to improve integrity of customer's network by providing different SLA's (Service Level Agreement) to their new and existing services
• Gained knowledge of Core NGN infrastructure FSP 3000 DWDM technology, ATM, ME, NG-SDH, CWDM, IP networks and IP services infrastructure, LAN and WAN & SAN, WDM & POTN, HUAWEI OSN 9800 U64/ U32/U16 & HUAWEI OSN 1800V

Outputs:

• Monitoring Network Capacity and Plan new footprint for ER transport network
• Prepare Eastern Region Transport Master Plan Program
• Prepare Eastern Region Fibre Optic Master Plan Program
• Do all costing of customer Specific Solutions for Eastern Region focusing mainly on Local Transport Network requirements..ie National Broadband Project network requirements
• Solution Architect for different CRD's
• Plan Transport network capacity requirements for IP network
• Plan Transport network capacity requirements for Metro Ethernet network
• Prepare a Project List for every Financial Year
• Providing information to Business case Managers to help them motivate for funding
• Determine Funding and costing for ER CSS
• Determine Capital Requirements for every financial year
• Conducting Feasibility Study
• Resolving Queries (Ad Hoc Support work)
• Determine Funding requirements for ad hoc requests
• Assist Sales Team in interpretation of the customers' requirements
• Incorporate ROSE projects into TNMP
• Ad Hoc Support work
• Provide financial information as and when required
• Determine 5 year Capex Requirements as and when required
• Approve CPAs that are in accordance with TNMP
• Listened and responded to customer requests and forwarded necessary information to superiors
• Interpreted clients' needs and introduced services to fit specific requirements
• Followed all company policies and procedures to deliver quality work
• Coordinated and executed marketing campaigns to generate new leads and sales opportunities
• Attended training programs to deepen professional skillset and assisted in training fellow store associates on existing and new training programs

• Plan and co-ordinate all CSS (Customer Specific Solutions) projects and compile a Technical document with pricing for complete solution for different customer specific requirements
• These projects involve all bandwidth covered by Telkom SA from VPN Supreme services, Metro LAN Services, LAN Connect services ,Giga bit Ethernet services and 10Giga bit services
• Interface with various divisions and responsible to manage multiple virtual teams in the successful planning and integration of new network solutions internally and externally
• Have knowledge of ATM, ME, NG-SDH, WDM, CWDM, IP networks and
• IP services infrastructure, LAN, WAN and core NGN infrastructure
• Do research on different technologies and select most cost effective and flexible solution
• Co-ordinate or lead multiple virtual teams in design or development stage of all new solutions for different CRD's ( Customer Requirements Definition), when compiled technical report is completed
• Forwarded solution or planning documents to Technical Product Development section called SDPM (Specific Design Project Management).I also provide high level network support to internal and external customers, verifying existing networks and implement or design solutions to meet customer's needs or to improve integrity of customer's network by providing different SLA's (Service Level
• Agreement) to their new and existing services

Outputs:

• Analyze CRD (customer requirements definition) doc contents and determine which Technologies are going to be used
• Ability to interpret all CRD's or customer's perspective or requirements
• Task CRD to all relevant role players
• Consult with role players & conduct feasibility study and site visit or arrange a meeting with role players to discuss possible solutions
• Lead planner in solution or design development team
• Do costing on project-estim
• Verify detailed estimates
• Compiled / documented complete customer solution or Design proposal document with costs and forward to SDPM
• Provide technical support to sales and rest of engineering team
• Developed/ Customised Solutions
• Compiled Technical Reports
• Coordinated Resources
• Coordinated Teams
• Facilitated Service Delivery
• Managed Projects Conducting Feasibility Study Compiling Engineering Specifications Compiling Bill of Quantities Compiling Detailed Estimate Monitoring Network Capacity Resolving Queries
• Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed
• Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines
• Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance
• Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems
• Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations
• Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts
• Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
• Paid attention to detail while completing assignments
• Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively
• Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others
• Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis and reporting
• Worked effectively in fast-paced environments
• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility
• Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines