Africa is not easily pigeonholed, and making generalizations about its consumers is a risky proposition. The continent has 1 billion inhabitants"”speaking more than 2,100 languages and spanning 54 countries that cover an area larger than China, the U.S., India, and Europe combined. Despite this diversity, one thing is clear, however: a new consumer class is emerging across Africa"”one with increasing purchasing power and a hunger for products and services that once seemed unattainable.

For many years, people have been talking about the rising importance of multi-channel and using the term omni-channel to describe the complete and seamless integration of the customer's experience across multiple channels.

No matter what we automate in manufacturing, or how flexible and effective a supply chain we develop, it's how we manage the people in the business that will make the difference between good and world class.