TCSA REPORT PRODUCED WITH PLUS 94 RESEARCH

INDEPENDENT Media has partnered with search engine Plus 94 Research to produce the 2019 Top Companies South Africa (TCSA), an annual reputation index study that delves into the key drivers of brand recognition and reputation. With data going back to 2001, the TCSA provides a holistic reputation index of South Africa’s top 200 companies. The group executive: business and public sector at Independent Media, Mike Ntsasa, said the 2019 study would show that South African customers had become more critical of the brands that they supported. “Understanding a business’s reputation enables it to remain competitive in a tough economic climate. A favourable business reputation is imperative in an emerging economy, with its pressing needs to create more jobs, as well as grow and transform the economy,” Ntsasa said. Plus 94 Research used quantitative research methodologies to conduct the survey. Further openended questions were included to explore insights that are not easily quantified. The research was conducted face-to-face with the respondents using Tablet-Assisted Personal Interviewing. “What makes TCSA unique is its extensive list of reputational pillars used to assess each company. However, TCSA goes beyond providing a ranking of the top companies and provides actionable insights into what drives reputation,” says Sifiso Falala, the chief executive of Plus 94 Research. The 2019 instalment of the survey analysed 201 top companies. The survey utilised eight crucial reputation pillars for its assessment. The pillars were weighted according to their potential impact on reputation to provide each company with a score out of 100. | Staff Reporter