Yolanda Cezula
Executive Consultant
Cape Town
Summary
As a proactive Product Expert, I leverage advanced problem-solving skills and technical aptitudes. I excel at working both independently and as a collaborative team member. My expertise lies in day-to-day product management.
I am an organized and dependable candidate who successfully manages multiple priorities with a positive attitude. I’m always willing to take on additional responsibilities to help the team achieve its goals. As an effective communicator, I connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. My keen eye for detail allows me to quickly identify areas for improvement and propose strategies to help businesses reach their objectives. I’m dedicated to introducing efficient systems and processes.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
Certificates
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Chairperson: Employment Equity Committee
Sanlam Corporate
- Current
- Conduct an analysis of the Sanlam Corporate Cluster
- Prepare and implement an employment equity plan
- Assist with drafting of employment equity reports, which include, but not limited to, trained, promoted, recruited staff.
Member of the Board of Trustees
Sanlam Easy Retirement Fund
03.2023 - Current
- Sponsor appointed member of the board of trustees of the Fund.
Executive Consultant
Sanlam Corporate
11.2018 - Current
- Maximize long-term revenue opportunities by becoming a trusted source to clients and strengthen their loyalty
- Establish, maintain, and advance business and stakeholder relations
- Assist sales team with new business presentations and product and process training
- Assist with developing strategic value adding packages that complement the primary product offering
- Obtain competitor information and analyse in a meaningful way to allow the sales team to handle objections to the product accordingly
- Create and maintain targeted action plan with specific engagement strategies for potential large new business clients
- Member of various strategic Product House sub-committees, namely: Product Committee, Communications Committee (additional member), New Business Collaboration Committee - Chairperson
- Lead the strategic development of the Sanlam Easy Retirement Plan from concept to execution
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to define product goals, features, and user experiences
- Utilized comprehensive market research insights, conducted by a dedicated team, to inform and refine the product strategy and positioning
- Translated market findings into actionable strategies that aligned with customer needs and competitive landscape
- Created and maintained a detailed business plan, including revenue projections, cost analysis, and ROI calculations
- Presented plans to senior management and secured necessary project resources
- Identified potential risks and challenges associated with the Sanlam Easy Retirement Plan product and formulating mitigation strategies to ensure successful implementation
- Collaborated with the Sanlam Easy Retirement Plan’s Benefit Consultant and their legal and compliance teams to address any compliance issues, to ensure that product complied with all relevant regulations and standards
- Developed marketing strategies and messaging to promote the Sanlam Easy Retirement Plan
- Collaborated with the marketing team to create compelling marketing materials and product documentation
- Fostered a collaborative culture by working closely with engineering, design, sales, and customer support teams to ensure a coordinated effort in the digital product development and delivery
- Develop and manage a clear product roadmap for all Sanlam Umbrella Solutions retirement funds, aligning it with the company's long-term strategic goals
- Developed and implemented a range of member value-added benefits to enhance the Sanlam Umbrella Solution’s retirement funds
- This involved end-to-end responsibility, from benefit design to ensuring accessibility and seamless integration into the product offering.
- Conducted comprehensive industry research to identify opportunities for business growth and expansion
- Influenced key decision-makers by presenting persuasive arguments backed by data-driven insights, ultimately leading to the adoption of best practices for business growth
- Built strong relationships with key stakeholders, facilitating open dialogue and fostering long-term partnerships
- Negotiated contracts with external vendors, securing cost-effective solutions for clients while maintaining quality standards
- Liaised with sales team to better understand client needs and recommend appropriate solutions
- Collaborated with teams to define, strategize, and implement marketing strategies
- Evaluated current processes to develop improvement plans
Alternate Sponsor Trustee
Sanlam Easy Retirement Fund
07.2021 - 03.2023
- Sponsor appointed alternate member of the board of trustees of the Fund.
Regional Marketing Manager
Old Mutual Personal Financial Advice
06.2016 - 10.2018
- Drafting & implementation of regional marketing strategy
- Establish close relationships with Regional General Manager, Area Managers & Sales Managers
- Drive the successful marketing roll-out of new products or enhancements in the region
- Provide region and areas with researched market intelligence to help inform the sales planning process
- Identify weaknesses and opportunities and delivers marketing initiatives in conjunction with product specialists and sales management to achieve the regional business plan
- Identify & open new markets to grow sales in line with the business plan
- Conduct presentations and facilitates marketing workshops, events, seminars
- Manage the regional marketing budget within guidelines while reporting monthly on the investment return on marketing spend and marketing activities
- Drive and provide conceptual input into marketing campaigns
- Drive usage on the leads management system.
Associate EB Consultant
Old Mutual Corporate Consultants
03.2014 - 05.2016
- Providing consulting services to a portfolio of clients
- Developing and implementing strategy for a portfolio of clients
- Supporting retention of existing business by ensuring services are met to the required agreed standards (SLA)
- Supporting the new business take on function
- Building, enhancing, and managing client relationships through service delivery
- Presenting and consulting to Board of Trustees or Management Committees of Funds
- Ensuring that team is equipped with necessary documentation to proceed with meetings including printing and binding of necessary documentation
- Liaising with and negotiates deadlines with relevant parties
- Arranging and managing meetings and functions
- Preparing client presentations
- Overseeing section 14 transfers into and out of the Fund and ensuring compliance by the Fund with all legal requirements associated with transfers
- Managing client relationships through ensuring business retention if the Fund is under threat.
EB Consultant
NBC Holdings
07.2012 - 02.2014
- Coordinated & facilitated between different departments in ensuring that SLAs are always met.
- Established and implemented best operating practices
- Ensured sustainable employee benefit programs are implemented.
- Promoted company products and services to existing and potential clients
- Ensured clients Funds comply with the applicable legislation and subscribe to the highest standards of corporate governance.
- Developed retention strategies as per service model
- Identified opportunities to expand existing business portfolio.
- Provided solutions mitigating any risk
- Liaised between Funds and their chosen insurer and the claimant or employer
- Obtained industry cost comparison where necessary to the client.
Intermediary Service Consultant
Old Mutual Corporate
10.2009 - 06.2012
- Services clients through specific broker/intermediary accounts
- Promoted company products and services to Intermediaries and potential clients
- Ensured intermediaries are kept up to date with product and industry developments
- Maintained and strengthened relationship by delivering excellent service
- Liaised constantly with Broker Sales Consultant responsible for sales relationship with Intermediary
- Assisted Broker Sales Consultant in ensuring new business sign-up, through presentations and delivery of excellent onboarding experience
- Identified key intermediaries and clients and ensured that their service expectations are met
- Represented Old Mutual in servicing relationship with intermediaries as per their tailored servicing model
- Accepted new business from the Broker Sales Consultant, validated and resolved data issues to fully complete onboarding process
- Pro-actively identified business under threat and managed the situation
- Developed retention strategies as per servicing model
- Pro-actively identified opportunities to expand business portfolio
- Ensured admin requirements as negotiated are complied with
Education
Post-Graduate Diploma in Futures Studies - Future Studies
STELLENBOSCH BUSINESS SCHOOL
Stellenbosch, South Africa 01.2024 - Current
Certificate in Strategic Businesss Management - Strategic Business Management
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
04.2020 - 05.2020
Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning - Financial Planning
MILPARK EDUCATION
12.2018 - 05.2018
Certificate in Digital Marketing - Digital Marketing
RED & YELLOW CREATIVE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
01.2018 - 04.2018
Junior Management Programme - Junior Management
GORDON’S INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS SCIENCES (GIBS)
12.2015 - 05.2015
National Diploma in Accounting - Accounting
CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (CPUT)
12.2008 - 05.2008
Skills
Executive Consulting
Certification
FSCA CERTIFCATION: RETIREMENT FUND TRUSTEE TRAINING TOOLKIT
Timeline
Post-Graduate Diploma in Futures Studies - Future Studies
STELLENBOSCH BUSINESS SCHOOL
01.2024 - Current
Member of the Board of Trustees
Sanlam Easy Retirement Fund
03.2023 - Current
Alternate Sponsor Trustee
Sanlam Easy Retirement Fund
07.2021 - 03.2023
Certificate in Strategic Businesss Management - Strategic Business Management
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
04.2020 - 05.2020
Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning - Financial Planning
MILPARK EDUCATION
12.2018 - 05.2018
Executive Consultant
Sanlam Corporate
11.2018 - Current
Certificate in Digital Marketing - Digital Marketing
RED & YELLOW CREATIVE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
01.2018 - 04.2018
Regional Marketing Manager
Old Mutual Personal Financial Advice
06.2016 - 10.2018
Junior Management Programme - Junior Management
GORDON’S INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS SCIENCES (GIBS)
12.2015 - 05.2015
Associate EB Consultant
Old Mutual Corporate Consultants
03.2014 - 05.2016
EB Consultant
NBC Holdings
07.2012 - 02.2014
Intermediary Service Consultant
Old Mutual Corporate
10.2009 - 06.2012
National Diploma in Accounting - Accounting
CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (CPUT)
12.2008 - 05.2008
Chairperson: Employment Equity Committee
Sanlam Corporate
- Current
References
To be provided on request.
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