Z.A.ZEN Marketing & Consulting has been providing strategic marketing solutions for international corporations, government organisations, non-profit organisations and others since 2002.

We offer more than twenty years' international experience in adapting to different fields, cultures and issues. – By listening and understanding, we help clients identify their own solutions.

Our consulting approach is highly interactive and based on intuitive questions and active listening. As a result, many of our original clients are still working with us today.

Z.A.ZEN works with expert consultants and service providers for the handling of larger scale projects. Through a close-knit team tailored to a client’s needs, we can provide:

Business plans


Research and case studies


Strategic marketing workshops and plans


Marketing campaigns


Graphic design, branding, marketing materials and


Assistance with promotional and in-field execution.

Below are some examples of the solutions we have offered to our clients:



One of Z.A.ZEN's key strengths is the ability to assist organisations of all sizes in the development of strategic marketing plans. These range from large corporate plans, including strategic marketing plans for 10 countries, to action plans for one-person operations. Our approach to strategy is that it must make sense, be simple and be executable within an individual or organisation's capabilities and circumstances.

One of our clients is Mvula Trust, the leading non-profit organisation in water and sanitation in Southern Africa. More than ever before, non-profits are finding that a business approach is necessary to their survival. Today, Mvula Trust actively uses the plan co-developed with Z.A.ZEN to assist in their relationships with their board, constituents, donors and others.



Delivering creative solutions can be a challenge for the best of organisations. Z.A.ZEN’s creative marketing services are designed to assist this process through the development of logos or marketing materials, creative concepts and approaches or the tailoring of unique promotional or gift items.

When the City of Johannesburg sought to create a campaign to help drive environmental awareness in the inner city, Z.A.ZEN's knowledge of the city, gained in the making of over six maps in Joburg, was a deciding factor. A campaign was devised for inner city residents and visitors with specific calls to action for changing behaviour, measured by radio station KayaFM's results in increased awareness.





At times, a pure business approach is required. This may require an understanding of a specific market, or creating a solutions-based approach. Z.A.ZEN is known for its ability to provide clients with creative, fresh solutions to challenges.

One such client is Appletiser South Africa. Appletiser has had operations in Japan, one of the
world's most difficult markets, for over twenty years. The Z.A.ZEN approach was to help Appletiser gain a deeper understanding of the soft drink market in Japan through a market analysis, make recommendations on handling cultural issues, and provide assistance with annual strategic planning with the local distributor.





Z.A.ZEN's approach is non-traditional, and resonates far more with a business coaching and mentoring model, which often translates to workshop facilitation. By assisting groups in clearly identifying their own objectives and ways to meet those goals, Z.A.ZEN provides strong strategic planning facilitation.

Johannesburg City Parks requested help with fund-raising to generate funds to plant 200,000 trees in Soweto, prior to 2010. The Z.A.ZEN solution was not to fund-raise, but rather to raise in-house capability through strategic team workshops and proposal development. Today, City Parks has raised over R20 million in funds and is planting trees to green the famous township.





While Z.A.ZEN's consulting approach is primarily to assist others in the development of their own plans, at times customers request assistance in writing marketing strategy, project plans, or business plans. Z.A.ZEN has a track record of writing successful strategic marketing plans, case studies, project research and reports. and effective business plans or proposals, and in managing project teams to develop extensive materials.

For a comprehensive list of our professional writing publications, please contact us. Samples of some work include:

City of Johannesburg 2011 – 2012 Case Studies


Appletiser Strategic Marketing Plan 2008
(due to the confidential nature of the document, only the cover page is available)


The Bateleurs NGO Fund-raising Proposals 2009

Since 2002, Z.A.ZEN has opened markets for hand-made arts and crafts for more then 120 organisations employing 3000 individuals, with R7 million in sales to Japan. By visiting the site of every manufacturer represented, and working closely with crafters to meet Japan’s exacting standards, Z.A.ZEN has gained a unique understanding of how crafters and small businesses work. For more information on these goods, please visit the Products section of the website.

In addition to our experience as an export agent, Z.A.ZEN also manufacturers a small line of Joburg and Soweto-branded products for the local market. In 2010 Z.A.ZEN launched African Trade Beads Jewellery, a range of jewellery made from authentic hand-made African trade beads. This range provides income and employment for women from local townships, and is launching into international markets. More information is available on www.africantradebeads.co.za.