Lindiwe is the founder and CEO of Frotcom, an intelligent vehicle tracking and fleet management system that helps companies save money by controlling fleet activities , thereby reducing costs increasing productivity, improving customer service, enabling risk mitigation and extending vehicle life expectancy.
In this interview, she speaks more on the company's origin, the traction it has managed to garner so, its ambitions, and much more.
In your own words, please tell us who Lindiwe Masuku is?
Lindiwe is a young woman who is innovative, open minded , confident and bearer breaker limitless.
Your background is in Business Management. Briefly take us through your journey to a career as a tech entrepreneur.
I have a BA degree in Business Administration and Management and have worked in managerial positions for over 10 years experience in finance and administration. My experience exposed me to the business administration and management side of this of cause with limitations as in role playing .
In 2019 just before Covid , i ventured into fleet tech solution, an industry that is male dominated i should say. I had a lot of learning to do which has been a journey im still on. I had the experience of working with different kinds of people from different spheres of life. I learnt to go from conventional employment to being an employer and investor having to protect your investment and grow the company grow beyond Covid-19.
It's been an amazing journey. I believe the positioning was great seeing that a lot of solutions are now tech based. I have had to look at the opportunity and rise beyond the tide. In its 3 year of operations we are already offering our services to reputable institutions and industries we are visible in Botswana.
What motivated you to pursue this career path?
I felt had reached the ceiling in my corporate space. I had occupied the highest position i could ever take and was going to be there even today doing the normal duties which were limiting for personal and professional growth. I felt i could be more could do more if i wasn't boxed into conventional roles which i played very well.
Please tell us more about Frotcom
Frotcom is an intelligent vehicle tracking and fleet management system that helps companies save money by controlling fleet activities , thereby reducing costs increasing productivity, improving customer service, enabling risk mitigation and extending vehicle life expectancy. The solution has been adopted by both small and large companies
What was the motivation for starting Frotcom?
Starting a business that will stand and prevail and become sustainable for generations seeing i retired at 35 years in the corporate space . I still had a life to live and bills to pay. I have a son who still needed to go to school so yah i had to think smart and act. I was raised by an entrepreneur, my late father who never worked but we still went to school ate and dressed. I also felt i was almost unemployable in that i saw beyond the normal and found joy in executing my duties and even beyond conforming and not having to step another person because i could do more or even play other people s roles. Generally the employment work space became a little smaller for me.
What challenges has Frotcom had throughout its operations?
Market penetration, brand visibility, getting the right people for the job, hostility by the market growing in the midst of all this
How have you been approaching these challenges?
Devising overnight strategies in marketing , brand visibility and implementation, trying to identify the correct people for the job, Consistency eventually speaks because we have a world class solution that is intimidating the old players.
What’s something you know now that you wish you knew earlier in your entrepreneurship journey?
Oh not yet i think i was ready mentally ,emotionally. I did my research except things will work out as how there are meant to work out and i believe it was perfect timing. If i knew covid would come i wouldn't have started and would have procrastinated until now. I wish i started earlier actually.
What is the best advice you received in your entrepreneurship journey?
To make business decisions that favour the business and also not to personalise business. Business is business
What advice would you give to local businesses and individuals who are still slow and hesitant to use Frotcom?
Every business require controls. Internal processes or controls are a must have. If you are 1 vehicle to a 1000 vehicles it will assist with accountability, cost reduction and greater productivity not forgetting minimizing costs especially with the economic challenges and the high fuel prices.
What advice can you give young people interested in pursuing a career in entrepreneurship?
You need discipline. You have to study or research more on your area of your venture and do it. First of all if you are not a self starter or disciplined you may have to stay away as without these qualities chances of success are very minimal. You need resilience and staying capacity more.
Are there any interesting developments coming to Frotcom that you would like to share with our readers?
Frotcom is innovative with the tech industry. You have to move with trends or become an initiator. We are continuously running updates and releases which our users or client are very much aware of them . Any other important details are often communicated in our online platforms
Lastly, please share with our readers where you can be reached if they are interested in getting in touch
Frotcom website is www.frotcom.com
Our social media handles Frotcom Botswana (linked in, Facebook, Instagram )
Our physical address is Plot 103 unit 8 Commerce Park , Gaborone Botswana tel : +2673117454 mobiles +26776171800/+26775751857
Email info@bw.frotcom.com