Making light work of career

Lorato Maphiri has made lighting, and more particularly energy-efficient lighting, her career. As the marketing and communications officer at a leading lighting company, she spends her time trying to win clients over to the benefits of LED lighting. She tells Margaret Harris about some of the common mistakes we make at home and in the office

What attracted you to a career in lighting?

My husband works in the lighting industry and his passion for his work steered me in this direction.

You have been trying to encourage more people to move to light emitting diode (LED) lighting. Why is this?

LED technology is energy efficient, better for the environment and lasts much longer than incandescent lighting.

LED lighting can reduce your energy bills. In fact, it can save up to 80% on your lighting electricity bill. Where previously a 50W tungsten halogen lamp was used, now a 7W LED can be used for the same light output.

LED lights also last for about 25000 hours, which means that consumers will replace lamps much less frequently. LED lighting is mercury-free to help protect the environment.

How easy is it to convince people to make the change?

It has been a challenge, but through our commitment to continue educating people on the benefits of energy-efficient lighting we are seeing a change in how people approach their lighting at work and at home.

Although LED technology has been around for a few years, it is still considered to be "new" technology in the lighting industry, meaning that some LED lamps can be more expensive than other lighting options.

 This, too, is changing, but in the meantime it can be challenging to convince people to spend more on an LED now in order to benefit from the energy savings and low maintenance later.

What qualifications do you have and how do they help you do your work?

I have a strong sales background and moving into a marketing role made more sense to me. Marketing is what I love and am passionate about.

What lighting projects are you working on at present?

The company I work for is a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa and works with architects and engineers to ensure that buildings are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Whether it's renovating an older building or designing a new one, we work alongside architects, engineers, interior designers and even landscapists to find the best lighting solutions for indoor and outdoor applications.

Together we address the light output required, the colouring that would be most appropriate in each area of a home or workplace, and the types of lamps needed. From chandeliers to downlights, parkade lighting and outdoor lighting, there is a solution for every issue.

What personality traits do you need to do your job?

It helps to be an outgoing person with strong communication skills, as I communicate with a variety of different clients - in very different environments.

It is also important to enjoy learning on the job as well as being enthusiastic about protecting the environment and having a passion for uplifting the community.

We are providing 100 light centres - solar LED lighting areas for communities who use the centres for evening soccer games, educational opportunities and to uplift the economy and improve the safety of disadvantaged areas.

This is where passion plays an important role in ensuring that these incredible projects reach the communities who benefit the most from access to light at night.

What do you love most about what you do?

Every day is different and you never know what to expect. I enjoy the excitement my job brings, as well as the opportunity to learn about new and innovative technology.

What do you find difficult about what you do?

Being reliant on others, who may not always treat your needs as urgent.

What advice would you give to someone interested in doing what you do?

Learn to multitask and manage pressure. It is important to have some experience and knowledge about the world of marketing, as well as an interest in lighting, energy or environmental management.

As the world shifts towards the need for energy and environmental preservation, it is essential that in this position, you are aware of lighting trends, environmental legislation and a passion for understanding local and global practices that will help to change the way we approach lighting in the future.

What mistakes do we make at work with our lighting?

Leaving lights on 24/7 is very expensive - your energy bills will be high as will your maintenance costs. Switching to LED at the office enables you to leave on lights for security purposes without having to pay a fortune at the end of the month.

Smart sensor solutions are incredibly valuable in the working environment. The sensors can detect the brightness of natural light in the office and automatically dim artificial lighting or switch it off completely if a boardroom, for example, is not being used. There are many smart lighting solutions on offer that can greatly reduce your energy costs.

And at home? What are some of the most common mistakes ?

Buying the wrong colour temperature for the wrong rooms. Light comes in a range of white - from warm white, which is more yellow, to cool white, which can often have a bluish tinge and feel more clinical. Buying a warmer colour for the kitchen, for example, could make the room seem dull.

We recommend a cool, crisp light so you are able to see what you are cooking.