South Africa, June 11 -- My day kicks off with a cup of Douwe Egberts-it's my daily ritual. I then check in with the marketing team to align on campaign progress before diving into meetings with cross-functional partners like sales, insights, and our agencies.

Midday is usually when I carve out time to review campaign assets, refine messaging, and provide feedback on packaging or digital content. I also keep an eye on consumer trends and competitor activity. Being a brand manager means balancing strategy with creativity and making sure every touchpoint reflects the brand's story.

Honestly, it's a bit of a juggling act most days. I try to start with a clear sense of what must get done-those are my non-negotiables. Once those are mapped o...