The Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) once again participated at the BOCCIM Northern Trade Fair held May 22-25, 2008 in Francistown. The objective of participation was to continuously increase awareness, encourage stakeholders to fully utilize services such as training, testing, sale of standards, laboratory, certification, trade and industrial metrology and participation of the public in standards formulation. The BOBS participation also helps to inform customers of the existence of the BOBS Francistown Branch.

The BOCCIM fair is organized and managed by the Botswana Confederation of Commerce Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM). Each fair is premised around a particular theme and the theme for 2008 event was “Making SMMEs Competent for Sustainable Economic Growth”. Exhibitors are required as much as possible to evidentially demonstrate fully how their day-to-day operations meet the requirements of the theme. The creativity of demonstrating how organizations are achieving or intending to make the theme realizable is left to each exhibitor. It is standard practice that the first day is strictly reserved for two main activities of judging of the exhibitors’ stalls and the official opening in the afternoon. In line with the theme the Guest of Honour was the Local Enterprise Authority, Chief Executive Officer-Dr Tebogo Matome. 

Most of the preparations by exhibitors are therefore focused on insuring that their stalls would be appealing and encouraging the public to want to know more about the organization.  The team of judges would also assess each organizations readiness to assist customers throughout the exhibition, available samples of products and services meant to assist customers on the spot. The product knowledge and the confidence displayed by the presenters amongst other factors.

Customer Focus

As organizers, we have always prepared thoroughly to win the first prize, as it gives winners free media publicity and high stakeholder attention. However, BOBS has always been rated outside the best three in its category. The first rules for the organizing team that comprised of Mrs Regina Sarumi, Mrs Masa Ndlangamandla, Mr Bofeto Lekone and Ms Patricia Masemola – Francistown Branch Manager were to turn the weaknesses of the past into opportunities. The areas looked into were the presentation and how it should be done. These were to prepare for the judges the day before the event and never ever ask them because the officials were not ready for them or for whatever reason. It was also resolved that the BOBS stand be ready for any eventuality including the sale of standards.

In order to create visual reality, the BOBS flag for management system, copies of products and management system certificates (for some existing clients) and the DQS flag were displayed as part of giving the public first hand information.

BOBS won the Bronze Certificate of Excellence

These preparations won BOBS a Bronze Certificate at the 2008 BOCCIM Northern Fair for the first time since it took part. The BOBS stand handled an increased number of serious enquiries from customers just looking for information and those who came by invitations. The plan to sell standards sold at the stand was successful as few standards were sold.

The bronze certificate awarded to BOBS at BOCCIM Trade Fair

The BOBS awareness campaigns appears to be paying off as quite a relatively good number of customers went to the stand well prepared and demanding certain services. The most frequently asked question was the procurement of the certification process either for management systems and product. There were others who made follow-ups from the last exhibition or BOBS workshops.

The Challenge