“Too many businesses only realise the value of intellectual capital when a key person leaves – or a competitor copies what they’ve built.” (Alicia Mendes, author of Futureproofing Through People) In the rush to raise capital, improve profitability or streamline efficiency, business owners often miss what truly drives their success: the knowledge, relationships, and systems… Continue reading Don’t Let Your Best Ideas Go: Why You Must Protect Your Intellectual Capital
Category: Business
Business Hack: How to Better Define Your Target Market
“Defining your target market is about understanding motivations, challenges, and goals. Without this, your messaging falls flat and your marketing budget burns fast.” (Elena Kwan, Founder of MarketLens Consulting) Fundamentally, businesses start because business owners believe they see a gap and aim to fill it. Their target market is built into the essence of the… Continue reading Business Hack: How to Better Define Your Target Market
5 Tips for Helping Your Employees Through a Crisis
“When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” (Simon Sinek) Employee engagement. It determines so much about the direction of a company, its staff productivity and how likely it is to succeed. According to a Gallup poll just 23% of South African employees are actively… Continue reading 5 Tips for Helping Your Employees Through a Crisis
Youth Day: How Businesses Can Benefit from the ETI
“Trust the young people; trust this generation’s innovation. They’re making things, changing innovation every day.” (Jack Ma, Co-Founder Alibaba Group) South African businesses are always looking for ways to foster growth and innovation while still reducing costs. One way to achieve both is to employ young people. Young workers bring unique advantages that can… Continue reading Youth Day: How Businesses Can Benefit from the ETI
Budget 3.0: VAT Increase Out, Fuel Levy Hikes In
Last month’s Budget 3.0 withdrew the contentious proposed VAT changes. This resulted in inflation-linked fuel levy increases of 16c for petrol and 15c for diesel, from 4 June. Other tax proposals from March’s Budget – including static personal tax thresholds, reduced transfer duties, and sin tax increases – remain unchanged. The tax measures contained in… Continue reading Budget 3.0: VAT Increase Out, Fuel Levy Hikes In
The 5 Cognitive Biases That Could Sink Your Business
“Too often we hold fast to the clichés of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” (John F. Kennedy, former US president) Humans are creatures of habit. We form opinions and sets of actions that we use as shorthand… Continue reading The 5 Cognitive Biases That Could Sink Your Business
This Workers’ Day, Look After Your Business’ Greatest Asset
“Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” (Richard Branson) Whether you call it May Day, Labour Day or International Workers’ Day, 1 May is an opportune time for businesses to consider and prioritise their workers. Here’s why happy workers are… Continue reading This Workers’ Day, Look After Your Business’ Greatest Asset
Zen and the Art of Fostering Job Stability in an Uncertain World
“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.” (James Allen) The world of work has never felt less stable. Between high unemployment rates, a quicksand political environment, the gig economy and the introduction of new disruptive technologies (and tariffs!) almost daily, it’s no surprise that recent… Continue reading Zen and the Art of Fostering Job Stability in an Uncertain World
Budget 2025: How It Affects You and Your Business
“… the economy needs to grow much faster and in an inclusive manner. This is the central objective of the current administration.” (Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana – Budget 2025) The tabling of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s fourth Budget in February was marked by an unprecedented three-week postponement, following a deadlock around the original Budget proposal… Continue reading Budget 2025: How It Affects You and Your Business
5 Tips for Using Reviews to Boost Your Business
“Reviews aren’t just about feedback, they’re about building a relationship with your customers.” (Oprah Winfrey) According to a recent survey, 91% of people regularly or occasionally read online reviews, and 84% trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation from a friend. There’s no doubt that reviews are having a moment. The challenge comes… Continue reading 5 Tips for Using Reviews to Boost Your Business