In an attempt to ensure strict adherence to corporate branding, financial services firm Mwananchi Credit has ordered its employees to follow certain guidelines, reaching as far as what they should post on their WhatsApp statuses.
An internal memo seen by Business Today circulating on WhatsApp platforms, shows that the company’s HR department is not joking around with achieving what it terms as making staff brand ambassadors for Mwananchi Credit.
“It is the responsibility of all staff to be responsible for and own the brand Mwananchi Credit Ltd and act as brand ambassadors,” the memo signed by the HR department reads in part.
The internal memo dated August 26 which Business Today is still seeking verification for, continues, “In order to make this a reality, effective immediately, all staff are required to do the following …”
Mwananchi Credit then, according to the shared internal memo, goes on to list four things that the company’s employees must do in order to be brand ambassadors for the firm.
Logo and Branding, Everywhere
One of the things Mwananchi Credit employees must be wary of is the wearing of apparell that displays the company’s brand.
“All staff must wear their staff badges with branded lanyards at all times within business premises and working hours”
Like, Follow and Share on Social Media
Employees of Mwananchi Credit have also been directed to like and follow all of the company’s social media platforms.
Additionally, staff of the firm must also share what the company posts on its social media platforms.
WhatsApp Status
When it comes to social media, WhatsApp has not been left out.
The Mwananchi Credit internal memo says, “Upload products and company promotional material on WhatsApp statuses.”
It is still not yet clear whether this guideline applies to individuals using their personal mobile phones, or to handsets bought for its employees by the company.
Skiza Tunes
“Mobile phone ring tunes popularly known as Skiza tunes must be the Mwananchi business tune,” the internal memo reads.
The four guidelines, directly ordered by the HR department, are bound to elicit mixed reactions from the company’s employees.
Mwananchi Credit is a financial solutions provider that was established in Kenya in 2010.
Initially under the name Mwananchi Microlink Ltd, the firm changed name in 2012 to take up the current Mwananchi Credit Limited.
On its website, the company says that Mwananchi Credit Ltd is a micro-finance company that offers tailor-made financial solutions for its customers to meet cash flow challenges faced by both individuals and SMEs.
“We specialize affordable loans to Kenyas from salary advance, asset finance, LPO financing, logbook loans,” the Mwananchi Credit website says.
The firm’s website also adds that the company is a customer-focused micro-finance company with a range of loan products custom-made to suit borrowing needs. “We pride ourselves in offering our financial solutions, timely and at competitive pricing.”
Currently, the firm has four branches, two in Nairobi and one each at Kitengela and Eldoret.
In June, at the Automotive Sector Excellence Awards, Mwananchi Credit bagged an award for being the most preferred credit microfinance in logbook loans.
