VENTURING INTO EXCELLENCE FUTURE LEADERS
One Opportunity. One Listening Ear.
A Future of Possibilities.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Lend Me a Listening Ear is a competition and talent-development initiative hosted by Venturing Into Excellence Future Leaders. It provides applicants with an opportunity to showcase their sales, marketing, communication, presentation and business development abilities to companies, entrepreneurs and business representatives.
Applicants will draw a category from the **Genie Baboo Tribal Pot**, the official mascot-led category-draw concept. Each applicant will prepare and deliver a **20-minute sales and marketing presentation** based on the category drawn.
The initiative aims to connect emerging talent with business opportunities, provide participating companies with promotional exposure and encourage potential business connections locally, nationally and internationally.
Through an elimination process, six finalists will be selected. The competition aims to identify **six winners for full-time employment opportunities within a sales and marketing team**, subject to available positions, formal employment offers, agreed remuneration and signed employment contracts.
Qualifying applicants will also receive documented recognition of their participation to support their professional portfolios and future career opportunities.
THE CONCEPT
The purpose of Lend Me a Listening Ear is to give applicants an opportunity to demonstrate their potential through practical presentations.
Each applicant will draw a category from the Genie Baboo Tribal Pot and develop a marketing pitch explaining how they would promote the selected programme, approach companies and create interest in the organisation's offerings.
Presentations should demonstrate how applicants would:
Introduce Venturing Into Excellence Future Leaders to potential corporate partners.
Market the allocated category creatively and professionally.
Present collaboration and business development opportunities.
Explore Corporate Social Investment (CSI) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Develop national and international business connections.
Communicate persuasively and build professional relationships.
Companies will be invited to watch presentations, ask questions, offer constructive feedback and participate in the assessment process where they choose to do so.
Company participation is voluntary. No company is required to sponsor, invest, purchase services or enter into a business agreement.
THE GENIE BABOO TRIBAL POT
Genie Baboo is the official mascot of the category-draw process.
The Tribal Pot introduces an element of surprise, creativity and adaptability. Applicants will not select their own presentation topics; each will draw an allocated category and develop a marketing strategy around it.
This encourages applicants to research unfamiliar topics, think creatively, develop practical sales strategies and present ideas confidently.
Categories may include:
Youth development and employability.
Kings, Queens and Chiefs Speak podcast.
Level Up Lounge podcast.
Majorette and performing arts programmes.
Indigenous choirs and cultural initiatives.
Fashion and creative competitions.
Business etiquette and Coffee with the CEO.
Sky's the Limit disability inclusion programme.
Forever Young elderly support initiative.
Wellness, entrepreneurship and community development.
Other approved programmes and projects.
HOW THE COMPETITION WILL WORK
Stage 1 —
Applications
The competition will be promoted through the organisation's website, social media, podcasts and other available channels. All eligible applicants are welcome.
Stage 2 —
Registration
Applicants complete the official application form and provide the required information.
Stage 3 —
Category Draw
Each applicant draws a category from the Genie Baboo Tribal Pot.
Stage 4 —
Preparation
Applicants research their allocated category and prepare a marketing presentation.
Stage 5 —
Presentation
Each applicant delivers a 20-minute presentation demonstrating their proposed sales and marketing strategy.
Stage 6 —
Media Documentation
Selected presentations may be recorded for videos, podcasts, interviews and other approved content, subject to appropriate consent.
Stage 7 —
Company Engagement
Participating companies may watch presentations, provide feedback and assess applicants against agreed criteria.
Stage 8 —
Elimination
Applicants are assessed fairly and transparently, with the process concluding in six finalists.
Stage 9 —
Final Selection
The competition aims to identify six winners for potential full-time sales and marketing employment with Venturing Into Excellence Future Leaders.
Employment will depend on available positions, applicable recruitment requirements and formal employment contracts. Participation does not guarantee employment.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
The competition welcomes people from diverse communities, educational backgrounds and professional experiences who are interested in sales, marketing, communication or business development.
Applicants should:
- Be willing to deliver a 20-minute presentation.
- Participate in the Genie Baboo Tribal Pot category draw.
- Demonstrate a willingness to learn and engage professionally.
- Be prepared to receive feedback and participate in assessments.
- Provide accurate application information.
- Comply with the competition rules.
- Meet applicable legal requirements for any employment offered.
Applicants do not need to be established business professionals to enter. Any specific qualifications or experience required for the employment positions will be communicated clearly.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must:
1. Complete and submit the official application form.
2. Provide accurate contact details and required application information.
3. Draw a category from the Genie Baboo Tribal Pot.
4. Prepare a 20-minute sales and marketing presentation.
5. Explain how they would approach potential companies and promote their allocated category.
6. Demonstrate communication, presentation and business development abilities.
7. Be available for scheduled presentations and assessment activities.
8. Agree to the competition rules and assessment procedures.
9. Provide appropriate consent for recording and publication, where required.
The organisers will communicate the closing date, presentation arrangements and assessment criteria before the competition begins.
Personal information will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and data-protection requirements, including POPIA
BENEFITS AND RECOGNITION FOR ALL APPLICANTS
Lend Me a Listening Ear aims to ensure that participation offers value beyond the competition itself.
Qualifying applicants who meet the participation requirements will receive:
Official Letter of Participation
An official letter confirming their participation in the competition, issued by Venturing Into Excellence Future Leaders.
Online Certificate of Participation
A digital certificate recognising their involvement in the initiative and their willingness to develop their sales, marketing and presentation skills.
CEO Letter — Coffee with the CEO
A letter from the CEO, branded under **Coffee with the CEO**, acknowledging the applicant's participation and professional development experience.
This letter may be retained in the applicant's professional portfolio and presented as supporting documentation when pursuing future employment or development opportunities. It does not constitute a guaranteed job offer, professional qualification or employment reference for unassessed work performance.
Media Exposure
Selected applicants may receive exposure through approved video presentations, podcasts, interviews and social media features.
Practical Experience
Applicants gain experience in researching a topic, developing a sales pitch, communicating ideas and presenting business opportunities.
Networking
The initiative may help applicants connect with participating companies, entrepreneurs and business representatives.
Employment Opportunities
The competition aims to identify six winners for full-time sales and marketing positions with Venturing Into Excellence Future Leaders, subject to formal employment offers and contracts.
MARKETING AND MEDIA EXPOSURE
The competition will create opportunities to showcase applicant talent and participating companies through the organisation's media platforms.
Potential channels include:
- The organisation's website.
- The BOES app.
- Podcasts and business interviews.
- Applicant presentation videos.
- Competition highlights and documentaries.
- Social media posts and promotional campaigns.
- Company interviews and approved promotional material.
- Relevant online communities and business networks.
Applicants may gain visibility and build professional credibility through approved content.
Participating companies may receive agreed promotional exposure through company profiles, logos, short introductions, interviews and approved product or service information.
The nature and extent of exposure will depend on agreed arrangements, editorial decisions and available resources. Exposure does not guarantee sales, employment, investment or financial returns.
BENEFITS FOR COMPANIES
Venturing Into Excellence Future Leaders invites companies, entrepreneurs, business leaders and corporate organisations to participate.
Brand
Visibility
Companies may showcase their logos, short introductions, products, services and approved promotional material through agreed media arrangements.
Access to
Emerging Talent
Companies can observe applicants demonstrating communication, creativity, sales, marketing and business development abilities.
CSI and Corporate Responsibility
Companies may explore initiatives supporting youth employability, entrepreneurship, community upliftment, education and skills development.
Networking and Collaboration
Participation may create opportunities for national and international networking, business connections and future collaborative projects.
Professional
Engagement
Companies can offer feedback, share industry experience and help applicants understand business expectations.
Corporate
Recognition
Participating companies may be acknowledged through approved communications, interviews and promotional features. Recognition will accurately reflect their actual level of participation.
HOW COMPANIES CAN PARTICIPATE
Companies may choose one or more of the following options.
Option 1 —
Lend a Listening Ear
Watch presentations and provide constructive feedback.
Option 2 —
Business Evaluator
Nominate a representative to assess presentations against agreed criteria.
Option 3 —
Podcast or Interview
Share professional experience and industry knowledge with aspiring sales and marketing professionals.
Option 4 —
Promotional Content
Submit an approved company logo, short introduction, flyer, video or company profile for consideration for publication.
Option 5 —
CSI/CSR Collaboration
Discuss potential youth development, employability or community upliftment initiatives.
Option 6 —
Employment Opportunities
Independently consider applicants for recruitment, subject to the company's own procedures.
Option 7 —
Final Presentation
Attend an in-person or virtual final, subject to arrangements confirmed by the organisers.
Company participation is voluntary. No company is required to provide sponsorship, funding, investment, employment or commercial commitments. Any paid advertising, sponsorship or additional promotional services will be governed by separate written arrangements.
CSI/CSR AND BUSINESS COLLABORATION
Applicants will be encouraged to consider how their marketing ideas could contribute to responsible business development and positive social outcomes.
Presentations may address youth development, employability, entrepreneurship, education, community upliftment, marketing opportunities and national or international collaboration.
Companies can consider whether proposals align with their priorities. The purpose is to encourage dialogue and explore possibilities, not to require companies to commit funding.
BOES APP INTEGRATION
The Lend Me a Listening Ear initiative will be included as a dedicated section within the **Venturing Into Excellence BOES app**, subject to development, funding and implementation.
The planned section may include:
- Competition information and announcements.
- Applicant registration and entry instructions.
- Genie Baboo Tribal Pot category information.
- Presentation guidelines and competition rules.
- Approved applicant profiles and media content.
- Company profiles, logos and short introductions.
- Podcasts, interviews and video presentations.
- Finalist and winner announcements.
- Digital participation letters and certificates, where supported by the platform.
The app is intended to connect applicants, participating companies and Venturing Into Excellence Future Leaders through a shared digital platform.
Personal documents and information will be managed using appropriate privacy, consent and access controls.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The project aims to:
1. Attract applicants interested in sales, marketing and business development.
2. Provide a platform for 20-minute category-based presentations.
3. Encourage creativity through the Genie Baboo Tribal Pot.
4. Complete an elimination process resulting in six finalists.
5. Identify six winners for potential full-time sales and marketing employment, subject to formal employment arrangements.
6. Recognise qualifying applicants through participation letters, online certificates and CEO letters.
7. Publish approved content through the BOES app and other media platforms.
8. Provide companies with promotional exposure and business engagement opportunities.
9. Encourage networking, professional development and potential CSI/CSR collaboration.
10. Establish a transparent competition process with clear outcomes.
Lend Me a Listening Ear is an opportunity to connect talent with business, ideas with experience and ambition with possibility.
Through the Genie Baboo Tribal Pot, applicants will be challenged to think creatively, present professionally and demonstrate how they can contribute to sales, marketing and business development.
Companies will have an opportunity to listen, share experience and explore potential connections, while applicants can build professional portfolios and compete for employment opportunities.
Lend me a listening ear. Give me the opportunity to show you what I can do.
Hosted by
Venturing Into Excellence Future Leaders
Project
Lend Me a Listening Ear
Motto
One Opportunity. One Listening Ear. A Future of Possibilities.
Mascot
Genie Baboo — The Magic of the Tribal Pot
Digital Platform
Venturing Into Excellence BOES App
Media Brand
Coffee with the CEO
Employment Objective
Six intended full-time sales and marketing positions, subject to available positions, formal employment offers and signed contracts.
Applicant Recognition
Letter of participation, online certificate of participation and CEO letter branded Coffee with the CEO, for qualifying applicants.