Rizél De’Lano (RDL) Background

In the past RDL has fulfilled:

CAREER ACTIVITY & ROLES OF

• CONSULTANT
• JOURNALIST
• PROJECT MANAGER
• BRAND MANAGER
• PUBLICIST
• PRESS ATTACHÉ
• RESEARCHER
• BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
• CONTENT DIRECTOR
• PRODUCER
• PUBLISHER
• REPRESENTITIVE

INDEPENDENT – FREELANCE – INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST

Curious: RDL is very curious and has an interest in a lot of stuff which she explores and investigates, for herself and other times for publications or clients. From this the knowledge gained find their way to articles, reports, white papers, books, talks, documentaries, movies, products, programs and courses.

Investigative: As investigative journalist, RDL has grown in tandem with rapidly changing times to stay relevant in various sectors of the economy, thereby gaining much experience and competence in various subjects, and is now positioned as an authority on many subjects and industries.

Independent: RDL works with a strong code of morals, ethics and professional integrity, honesty and objectivity, which is the main reason why she works totally independent from any agency or publisher to bring you clear, easily understood, accurate, credible, reliable and trustworthy information.

Strict ethical codes: In investigating topics, RDL adheres to strict codes, principles and policies that include clinical and applied research using the scientific method, deep-dive interviews, and collaborative assessments by advisors, experts and achievers – because before any credible information can be published, full and integral understanding needs to be reached.

Highly skilled: RDL is a critical thinker with well-developed skills of: close observation, analysis, scrutinising facts, interpreting big data, reflection, evaluation, inference, drawing reasonable conclusions from the information, discriminating between useful and less useful details, making reasoned judgments on findings, and explaining information objectively.

Strategy: RDL quickly sorts through the clutter and finds the best routes and outcomes with strategic thought. Being strategic is not a skill that can be taught. It’s a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large, which is what makes RDL such a diverse talent working in various professions and dominions – and as a consultant, guiding new projects and ideas.

Insight: Since one must have a broad familiarity with and understanding of the subject, and looking for patterns, motives, and influences that explain the issue, RDL investigates the topics that has a huge interest for her or her clients – which incorporate a wide range of subjects. RDL delves deeper into human interest, background, and context of a topic to provide a deeper understanding of the topic, idea, concept or concern.

As leadership journalist RDL interviewed some of the world’s finest leaders and achievers, C-Suite Executives, Government Heads, Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Pioneers, which means she has a pretty good idea of what makes a competent thought leader. RDL studied and learned everything about leadership, taking from interviewees’ strategies for building personal success, discovering how they led their teams, nations and countries to peak performance, how important it is to have a strong identity, to have clarity, authentic credentials and the habits for creating a meaningful and valuable personal brand.

Industry Specific Topics – RDL has researched and written about a wide range of topics in industries she has an interest in mostly: travel, hospitality, real estate, architecture, design, decor, health and wellbeing, luxury businesses, social strata, politics, motoring, aviation, energy, smart cities, mining, shipping, agriculture.

Some published articles can be Found Here >>>

Journalism gave RDL a large skillset to tap from – Read The Power Of A Writer >>>

RESEARCHER

Investigative journalism cultivates many of the most valuable skills in research-driven fields. Translating these skills is mostly about reframing RDL’s experience in the terminology of research, analysis, and evidence rather than storytelling or media, as they completely overlap.

Conduct primary and secondary research across diverse sources to verify and synthesise complex datasets for evidence-based reporting; findings informed public policy discussions and media narratives.

Implemented multi-layered fact-checking and validation processes to maintain data accuracy and methodological integrity in high-stakes reporting. Synthesise large volumes of technical, legal, and statistical information into clear, concise reports accessible to both expert and public audiences.

Analyse cross-sector datasets and narratives to identify underlying trends and causal relationships influencing outcomes.

RDL often acts as a Research & Development >>> Project Manager on contract basis for organisations (private + public) researching certain topics of concern to the business, for instance, wanting to penetrate a new emerging market with a new product. Here are some case studies (there are more of course but they are too many to list here)

RDL also researches and writes independent reports and manuals of her own interest, looking for benchmarks and strategies that can inform the future of work…

For instance after doing research for a client in: Hospitality… RDL realised there is a gap in the global hospitality industry regarding different and outdated grading standards…. and compiled the operational manual: THE HOSPITALITY GOLDEN STANDARD – A Benchmark Strategy To Elevate Hospitality Establishments.

PROJECT MANAGER

As project manager RDL identifies, recruits, trains, coaches, organises, supervises, oversees and manages people, specifically suited for a certain project – assisting them with well-developed strategies and processes to perform their daily activities at high performance levels to reach set targets successfully.

Journalism and project management might seem like two very different fields, but many of the core competencies of a skilled journalist directly support the key responsibilities and soft skills needed in project management. The ability to track down information and ask the right questions gives RDL deeper insights into project scope, risks, and resource needs.

Journalists excel at clear and concise writing, interviewing, and storytelling. They know how to tailor information for different audiences. RDL’s skill in explaining complex topics simply and engagingly helps to foster collaboration, alignment, and buy-in from diverse stakeholders.

Leveraging journalistic networking skills helps to build strong stakeholder relationships, ensure better collaboration, and create a positive environment for project success. The discipline and urgency inherent in journalism directly help RDL maintain momentum, manage time effectively, and keep the team focused on hitting deliverables.

Journalistic skills like clear communication, research, relationship-building, and deadline management naturally support the demands of any project. By embracing these transferable strengths, investigative inquiry, compelling storytelling, and ethical, clear communication, RDL can lead teams more effectively, navigate complexities, and consistently deliver successful outcomes.

Skilled And Experienced In Managing All Types Of Projects:

• Stakeholders
• Publics
• Reputation
• Risk
• Crisis
• Change
• Campaigns
• Product Development
• Supply Chain
• Systems
• Processes
• Brands
• Content
• Sales Teams
• Destinations
• Programs
• Events
• Media Trips
• FAM Trips
• Incentives
• Exhibitions
• Seminar
• Summits
• Conferences

INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

With AI and the internet, the historical power of subject matter expertise has become somewhat eroded, with expert information now readily available at everyone’s fingertips.

With information traditionally associated with individual industry experts now stored within large bodies of work by a collective (AI knowledge systems) – knowing about something… is less important than… knowing how to find something. 

But, a system does not know if the knowledge is 100% accurate, or, how to infer this knowledge. So the role of an expert has become somewhat different, in that expertise now involves procedural knowledge of how to find the information called for by a situation, how to infer that, and how to communicate it so it can be useful and applied.

Being an expert now, includes the ability to rearrange information, and construct knowledge to apply and use in a higher dimension of creativity. 

RDL specialises in several areas using the above methodologies.

EXPERT IN COMMUNICATIONS

Naturally, due to vast expertise gained in journalism and media, RDL is experienced in various communication aspects.

Communication refers to the all the means, ways, platforms, channels and processes by which information (content) is conveyed to all publics and stakeholders that will result in growth and realising higher profits.

Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) – refers to the all the means, ways, platforms, channels and processes by which marketing messages are conveyed as informed by the content matrix.

The content matrix shows all the channels, platforms and mediums (internal and external) where content are placed and distributed among all stakeholders, what type of content to be used for each channel, medium, platform or customer touchpoint journey stage, how it should be developed according to the value proposition messages. And how content performance will be monitored and measured.

Marketing and promotion are crucial business functions: 

Marketing is the broad strategy of understanding customer needs, developing products, pricing, placing, and promoting them to build long-term relationships

Promotion is a key part of marketing focused on specific, persuasive communication (advertising, sales, PR) to drive immediate awareness, interest, and sales for a product or service. 

• A marketing plan identifies the target audience, sets the long-term strategy (who, what, why)
• and promotion executes the tactical communication to reach that audience with the right mix of tools (ads, social, etc.) to reach them effectively.

Marketing: The Big Picture

• Definition: The entire process of creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, partners, and society at large.
• The 4 Ps: Product, Price, Place (distribution), and Promotion (communication).
• Goal: Understand customer needs, build brand equity, and foster lasting customer relationships. 

Promotion: The Communication Push

• Definition: Specific activities to inform, persuade, and remind customers about a product or service, activities that create awareness, interest, and demand for a product or service.
• Goal: Drive awareness, interest, trial, and sales for a specific campaign or product, notes Indeed. To encourage immediate purchase, build loyalty, and communicate value.
• Examples: Advertising, discounts, publicity, special offers, or creating buzz 

Common Promotional Strategies to achieve sales goals and build brand value. 

• Advertising: Paid placements (TV, print, online ads).
• Sales Promotion: Discounts, coupons, free samples, contests, special offers
• Public Relations (PR): Earned media, publicity, brand reputation.
• Digital Marketing: Social media, email, SEO, content marketing, influencer marketing.
• Personal Selling: Direct, face-to-face interaction. 
• Events: Creating buzz
• Campaigns

EXPERT IN PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public relations (PR), is a strategic communication process that entities use to build mutually beneficial relationships with their audiences and shape public perception. 

Publicity is the result of PR efforts and refers to the media coverage or general attention given to a person, product, or organisation, often through news stories or other forms of public exposure. 

PR encompasses broad activities such as media outreach, press conferences, event planning, reputation management, and crisis communication to foster trust and credibility over the long term.

EXPERT IN LUXURY BRANDS

With an avid interest in Luxury Brands, the management thereof, and the consumer psychology behind why people buy luxury goods, RDL has, for the past seven years, studied the Luxury industry intensively and generated a dataset of all luxury brands in every industry subset across the globe, compiled as The Luxury Codex.

RDL studied their business models, operations and practises, gaining direct insights from executive teams, university professors and tutors, advisors and authors in sectors:

Business and executive services, architectural and interior design, property development, real estate, travel, tourism, hospitality, motoring, aviation, mega-yachting, health, longevity, wellbeing, gemstones, precious metals, watches, fashion, beauty, private wealth, art, wine, collectables, beverage, cuisine, concierge, entity, city, place and nation branding.

RDL has travelled the world all over to further advance her expertise in various luxury markets such as Africa, USA, Europe (France, Italy), Turkiye and Asia where she augmented her experience and expertise on Luxury Brand Management, Luxury Product Sales, and in Guest, Customer and User Experience (Events).

RDL is involved in a myriad of services in this regard, writing about it, consulting on it – giving advice, direction, and hosting workshops and talks about it.

EXPERT IN BEAUTY, HEALTH, WELLBEING AND LONGEVITY

Although wellbeing always includes striving for health, it’s more about living life fully. It’s about designing a personal lifestyle suited to who you are, and living in such a way to be the best version of what your potentials, circumstances, and fate allow.

RDL believes, Wellbeing is The Prerequisite For A Good Life and has written on this extensively, and acts as a consultant to various prominent clients and celebrities – advising on various subjects for a happy, fulfilled life filled with beauty, goodness and harmony >>>.