“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” (Peter F. Drucker, Business Management Guru) Entrepreneurs are hardwired to look forward, and chase the next win. This constant looking ahead can create a costly strategic blind spot. When you rush past December’s data to write January’s plan, you run the risk of missing the critical lessons already paid for in time, money, and stress. A comprehensive review gives you the opportunity to pinpoint previous issues and create solid

“A fresh start is not a place, it is a mindset.” (Jordan Peterson) The beginning of the new year can be more than another Monday morning: it can be a powerful psychological reset button. The ‘fresh start effect’ comes after milestones, like New Year's or anniversaries, that help people believe they can become better versions of themselves – and this applies just as powerfully to teams as it does to individuals.  It’s as if a mere calendar flip wipes the slate clean, making ne

“The outlook is clear: resilience and innovation will define Africa’s growth story.” (Ignatius Sehoole, CEO of KPMG South Africa) “A continent brimming with optimism.” This is how KPMG’s 11th Africa CEO Outlook describes Africa. Among the African CEOs surveyed, 63% expressed optimism about their country’s growth prospects and 78% expressed strong business confidence. Over the short term, 98% expect business expansion and 86% are likely to pursue acquisitions. “African CEOs ar

“People don’t mind price increases as much as they mind surprises.” (Robert Cialdini, Psychologist and Business Author) Costs go up and so do prices. And yet most businesses raise prices later than they should. A global study by Simon-Kucher found that less than a quarter of companies adjust prices multiple times a year as needed, with almost 30% discussing price changes only once annually, and 26% waiting for new customer tenders or contract expirations. By the time owners t

"Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax." (Mark Black) By prioritising rest and relaxation (R&R) over the holidays, businesses can cultivate a healthier, more productive, and more resilient workforce – which ultimately leads to sustained high performance. Here’s why R&R matters for your business performance… And how to help your team make the most of their December break. 6 ways R&R boosts business performance Prevents costly burnout.  Chronic stress leads to

“You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it requires people to make the dream a reality.” (Walt Disney) Faced with rising demand, every successful solo-business person or freelancer will start wishing they had someone around who could help. But deciding to hire means planning for ongoing salary costs, statutory contributions, written contracts and record-keeping. Do it deliberately, with preparation and you will gain capacity and pot

“The key is not to prioritise what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” (Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) In business it’s too easy for an entrepreneur or business leader to mistake being busy for being effective. Working long hours with back-to-back meetings can look like productivity – but without clarity and boundaries, the important work, may not actually be getting done.  According to a study conducted by McKinsey, 61% of senior

“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” (Benjamin Franklin) Extending 30-, 60- or 90-day payment terms may seem like a simple trick to help your sales teams convert sales, smooth negotiations and boost customer service. What you may not recognise, though, is that those terms are not neutral commercial niceties – they are a form of credit. When your business supplies goods or services today and accepts payment weeks or months later, it has effectively

“Paying yourself isn’t selfish, it’s sustainable. The goal is to strike a balance that supports your personal life without compromising...

“Taking bold action on climate change simply makes good business sense. It's also the right thing to do for people and the planet.”...

“Accounting is the language of business.” (Warren Buffett) Increasingly, banks and other organisations are requiring businesses to submit...

“Financial planning causes a struggle between the rational brain and the emotional brain.” (Michael C. Finke, author of Money Management...

“Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with...

“Too many businesses only realise the value of intellectual capital when a key person leaves – or a competitor copies what they’ve...

“Defining your target market is about understanding motivations, challenges, and goals. Without this, your messaging falls flat and your...

“When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” (Simon Sinek)...

“Trust the young people; trust this generation's innovation. They're making things, changing innovation every day.” (Jack Ma, Co-Founder...

Last month’s Budget 3.0 withdrew the contentious proposed VAT changes. This resulted in inflation-linked fuel levy increases of 16c for...

“Too often we hold fast to the clichés of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the...

“Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” (Richard...