Company Profile - Medi Publishing

Company Profile
Background
Medi Publishing is a broad-based publisher with strengths in many areas including promotional
materials, educational materials, fiction, as well as biographies and reference materials such as
dictionaries, annual reports and atlases. The expertise that we have allows us to venture into unlimited
areas of publishing.
At Medi Publishing we also sell a plethora of publishing services including but not limited to; writing
and re-writing, copy-editing, structural & substantive editing, proofreading, indexing, reviewing, fact
checking, picture research, desk top publishing, project management research & translations.
We pride ourselves in having developed and published some of the best Setswana publications
including readers, grammar textbooks, a variety of Setswana genres in Literature for different levels
of readership. We have published a monolingual Setswana Dictionary for the Setswana speakers in
all the Setswana speaking countries;Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. We have more
in our publishing program..
What sets us apart from our competitors are:
e are independently owned and managed by professionals. We take a long-term view in our
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decisions rather than focusing on short-term financial gains.
We believe in continuous and dedicated adjustment and repositioning of our company to remain
relevant and compliant.
We take pride in our efficiency and professionalism in satisfying the ever changing needs of our
customers whether small, mid-sized or large.
At Medi Publishing, we believe in delivering quality publishing services at affordable prices with
competitive royalties.
With a wealth of publishing and marketing experience, we understand and anticipate the needs of
our customers and partners, and we continuously challenge ourselves to provide the highest level
of products and services.
Our Mission
To deliver excellence in all areas of publishing and to be an integral part of a growing publishing
industry in the region.
Our Values
Integrity: we take pride in maintaining our integrity even in tough times and thrive to compete on
merit.
Passion for Excellence: we challenge ourselves to excel in all aspects of publishing and most
importantly, we enjoy learning from our mistakes and creating new contexts within which to thrive.
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Customer Oriented: we are committed to provide superior products and services at the highest level
of quality and professionalism.
Our People: we treat our employees as individuals and we empower them to realize their full potential
and contribution. We believe in open communication and share our success with everyone in the
organization.
Innovation & Technology: we actively encourage a culture of innovation, which facilitates the
development of new technologies and ensures a high quality product.
Partnership: our market is global and we believe in the power of partnership with our customers and
suppliers to meet our common objectives.
Publishing experience expertise & capacity
Since inception in 2003 Medi boasts a very successful list of quality publications comprising textbooks
for learners, reference books for teachers and learners, biographies, dictionaries and atlases as well
as promotional materials.
General services
Re-writing: Creating a new manuscript or parts of a manuscript based on content and research
supplied by the author; may include adding original material to a draft, deleting material, reorganising
material, collaborating with the in-house editors or producing a new draft.
Copy-editing: Clarifying meaning, eliminating jargon, polishing language by editing for grammar,
usage, spelling, punctuation and other mechanics of style; checking for consistency of mechanics
and for internal consistency of facts; inserting head levels and approximate placement of art; editing
tables, figures, and lists; ensuring that references in the text are correctly cited in the bibliography;
notifying the designer of any unusual production requirements.
Structural or substantive editing: Editing a manuscript for ‘global’ issues, clarifying or reorganising
a manuscript for content, structure, style, length and level; may involve copy-editing, rewriting and
negotiating changes with authors.
Proofreading: Checking proofs or final formatted, edited material for adherence to design and for
minor, mechanical errors in copy (such as spelling mistakes or small deviations from style sheet),
using standard proof-correction marks; may include comparing the document with earlier versions to
ensure corrections have been made, checking the accuracy of running heads, flagging locations of art
and page references, verifying computer codes, and inserting page numbers in table of contents and
cross-references.
Indexing: Producing a systematic guide or key to the contents of a manuscript; includes reading and
analysing the work, choosing subjects and concepts, and arranging entries alphabetically or in some
other searchable order.
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Fact checking: Checking the accuracy of facts and quotes by reference to original sources used by
the authors.
Picture research: Locating suitable photos or artwork; may include obtaining camera-ready
reproductions; preparing descriptions, working sketches and/or artist’s references or co-ordinates for
illustrations, maps and diagrams; supervising production of final artwork; obtaining permissions from
and/or conducting financial negotiations with picture sources and artists; preparing labels, captions
and sources for typesetting; and organising pictures for scanning.
Desktop publishing/Book Design & typesetting: Creating a formatted document from an electronic
manuscript according to a style template; includes sizing and placement of art; may include printing
the document directly from the computer using a laser printer or sending it to a service bureau.
Project management: Overseeing the execution of an entire project or publication from proposal
or rough manuscript to final manuscript, including allocating tasks, organising and scheduling the
writing and production process and attending to administrative details; may include budgeting, hiring
members of the production team and design supervision.
Researching: Gathering and verifying information to develop all or part of a publication.
Translations: All documents are translated by professional translators with a proven track record. For
each project we choose the right translator with the expertise in the subject-matter and knowledge of
the terminology, which guarantees the highest quality of translation. We never accept work beyond
our capability.
Special products & services
Lexicography
In 2012 published the biggest Setswana monolingual Setswana Dictionary in all the Setswana speaking
markets in Southern Africa for schools and general readership.
Early Childhood Development
In 2005 developed Standard 1 & 2 learners with accompanying teachers’ guides for Guidance and Counsellling.
The books are doing very well in the market. We also have books for Standard 3 & 4 which we have since
published awaiting the next call for submissions.
In 2008 we did a country wide tour with Early Childhood experts to identify needs for early childhood development
in collaboration with UNICEF in Botswana. In the tour we also trained practitioners on how to use the toys to
develop different skills. A service we are still to provide over and above providing appropriate materials both for
learners and practitioners at Early Childhood level from pre-school up to Standard 4 depending on the needs.
In 2015 we are to start supplying Early Childhood Learning & Teaching materials including toys to accompany
our 36 week learning programs. The program constitutes Learners books, Practitioners’ Guide, toys and
materials for varied activities including; painting, cutting, drawing, building, molding, printing, pasting, tearing,
construction, educational games, storytelling, songs & rhythm, movement and other. We also provide BIG
BOOKS and chats among others.
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PUBLISHING & EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Portia Baagi Bernice Tshoagong
Education & Credentials
ambridge O-level Certificate 1979 · Gaborone Secondary School
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iploma in Secondary Education 1980-83 · University of Swaziland
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Masters Degree, Publishing, 2000-2001 · Oxford Brookes University, UK
Professional Profile
A wealth of experience in publishing spanning close to two decades. Worldwide exposure having worked
on projects for different markets, locally, regionally and internationally (Botswana, South Africa, Uganda,
Caribbean Islands, Ghana and United Kingdom. A results driven publisher with a proven record of successful
back lists. Unparalleled publishing passion and knowledge.
Strategic Publishing Planning
New Markets Identification
New List Development
Market Research & Analysis
Management of the Company Activities
Team Building & Management
Direct Publishing Programs
Playing Public Relations
Professional Experience
Publishing director: Medi publishing: 2003 - To date
Set up a home grown publishing house and developed a strong backlist of over 60 titles 15 of which are
prescribed and used in schools across all levels of education from primary to tertiary.
Duties include:
rawing & managing the budget for the five year publishing plan and making projections for all projects;
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r esearching trends in the national and international book markets;
managing the list in the current market as well as identifying future markets and new products/titles with
commercial potential;
managing the ‘back-list’ (titles already published) and making decisions on whether to reprint, revise,
make a new edition or put out of print;
planning, organising, and maintaining a book publishing program as well as monitoring progress throughout
the publication process.
Identifying new markets and product lines
Identifying books to publish in order to build up a publisher’s list;
Commissioned work by finding authors or responding to book proposals;
Training new auothors in educational material development
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E nsuring that authors delivered manuscripts to specification and on time;
negotiating contracts with author, photographers & photo researchers, artists, cartographers
etc;
reading, evaluating book proposals and manuscripts offered by authors and commissioning
titles
drawing a schedule for various stages of the work to be completed
supervising the copy editing manuscripts and organizing illustration briefs;
superising the editing of manuscripts for overall clarity and quality control;
supervising the proofreading or sending proofs to proofreaders;
supervising the collatiion of corrections and generally overseeing the book production process;
Applying for clearance of third party copyright material;
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Selected Contributions:
In 2011 published a biography for one of Botswana’s outstanding senior citizens, Gobe Matenge.
In 2012 published a world class monolingual Setswana dictionary, Tlhalosi ya Medi ya Setswana, to be used
in southern Africa to augment the efforts of (ACALAN) Academy of African Languages in developing Setswana
into a cross border language for regional development and integration;
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Publishing Experience outside Medi:
ublisher: Heinemann publishers: Botswana/southern Africa: 1998-2003
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ARKETING & EDITORIAL SUPPORT: HEINEMANN OXFORD UK: 2000-2001
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COMMISSIONING EDITOR: Heinemann publishers: southern African region/Botswana: 1996–1998
DESK EDITOR: Heinemann publishers: Botswana: 1995–1996
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Professional Background
APNET (African Publishers Network) - Publishing Trainer: trained in Malawi as a Trainer of Trainers in publishing
BOPIA (Botswana Publishing Industry association, served in different positions in the executive committee
PAB (Publishers Association of Botswana) – served in different positions in the executive committee – still
serving.
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Contributions in Publishing Industry
In 2004 Portia Tshoagong established a robust, vibrant Indigenous Publishing company, Medi Publishing.
In its short life Medi made a mark in the industry by publishing successful world class books in a wide
variety of subjects. In addition to the educational backlist, Medi Publishing also published a political book
by one of Botswana’s political scientists Zibani Maundeni, Civil Society Politics and the State in Botswana,
a biography of one of Botswana’s most revered civil servants Gobe Matenge, Unearthing the Hidden
Treasure and recently in 2012, a regional monolingual Setswana Dictionary Tlhalosi ya Medi ya Setswana,
which is used in schools in South Africa and Botswana.
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Having started as a one man–woman led company Medi Publishing has developed into a fully fleshed
Publishing House with an office in Phakalane Carramba Business Park.
Founding member of The Association of Publishers and Booksellers called BOPIA (Botswana Publishing
Industry Association) and member of the executive committee.
Founding member of the Association of Publishers, PAB (Publishers Association of Botswana) which is
now exclusively for Publishers and serves in the Exc Committee.
Member of the Committee of Elders for BOSETU – Botswana Secondary Teachers’ Union.
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FINANCE, SALES, MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION
Isang Tshoagong
E d u c at i o n & C r e d e n t i a l s
Cambridge O-level Certificate 1979 · Maru a Pula Secondary School
Bachelor of Social Science Degree, Economics and Sociology, 1986-90 · University of Botswana
Masters Degree, Economics, 1992-94 · University of Botswana
Professional Profile
Talented, results-producing Marketing Professional with a proven record of accomplishment in planning and
leading comprehensive marketing strategies in support of business goals and objectives. Expertise in directing
the creation of marketing tools and steering the execution of marketing programs. Demonstrated success
driving growth in targeted markets through implementation of key projects. Solid leadership skills; able to build
and guide top-performing marketing teams. Adept at communicating with management, vendors, and internal
departments to coordinate overall marketing efforts.
Strategic Market Planning
New Market Penetration
Marketing Collateral Development
Market Research & Analysis
Web Development & Management
Team Building & Management
Direct Marketing Programs
Budget Preparation/Administration
P r o f e s s i o n a l E x pe r i e n c e
- Marketing Director: Medi Publishing 2005 - To date
Founded a family managed SMME in educational publishing devising appropriate objectives, strategy and
tactics for each product or group of products, developing and working within the overall strategy for the
Publishing programme.
Selected Contributions:
chieved consistent growth such that company has exceeded P6 million annual turnovers for the first
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three years of its existence and therefore placing it above the LEA threshold of SMME by turnover.
Company has managed to publish over 60 titles 15 of which are prescribed texts from primary school level
to University.
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- Assistant General: Manager Marketing 2004 -2005
Brand Management / Market Research / Strategic Positioning
BOTSWANA LIFE
Defined strategy for and developed, executed, and managed comprehensive marketing plan encompassing
integrated marketing initiatives designed to penetrate and grow targeted markets. Communicated with
customers, management, internal departments, and vendors to coordinate overall marketing effort in
accordance with corporate goals. Planned and carried out regional market research and analyses. Played
integral role in product development activities. Led and directed forward-thinking marketing team. Prepared
and managed P40-million annual SALES budget.
Selected Contributions:
rove up target-market product sales through designing and launching new marketing strategy.
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Exceeded business goal of 25% market share for one product, propelling overall market share beyond
35%.
- Divisional Manager Brokers 2001 – 2004
BOTSWANA LIFE
- National Manager Brokers 1996 – 2001
BOTSWANA LIFE
- Broker Consultant 1995 – 1996
BOTSWANA LIFE
- Assistant Front Office Manager 1990 – 1991
SHERATON HOTEL AND TOWERS – GABORONE
Developed and managed a wide range of marketing tools, including promotional materials. Defined and
evaluated product marketing collateral, programs, and analyses. Tracked, projected, and reported both
advertising and circulation-based marketing programs. Maintained communication with management to ensure
marketing activities aligned with business goals. Provided leadership and direction to marketing associates to
guide the creation of marketing materials and ensure congruence with objectives.
Selected Contributions:
uccessfully maintained and increased client base by designing and implementing strategic customerS
retention projects.
- Graphic Designer 1980 – 1986
TSHIPIDI PROMOTIONS - GABORONE
Worked within a team environment to carry out a full range of marketing functions. Established product selection,
pricing, and programs. Assisted in promotions and in communicating marketing programs. Developed creative
print and online marketing collateral. Provided direct support to Marketing Manager.
Selected Contribution:
emonstrated immediate talent upon hire and excelled quickly to become recognized by management as
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key member of marketing team.
Contributed campaign theme idea that proved effective in delivering overall message.
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Phakalane Phase 2, Carramba Business Park
Plot 43173/ Unit 6, Gaborone, Botswana
P.O Box 47680, Gaborone Botswana
Tel: +267 3913203, Fax: +267 3121110
e-mail: medi@btcmail.co.bw