Today’s customers need a very good reason to give you their money, and it is high time businesses got out there to understand just how customers perceive and experience their brands. Not just at the point of purchase, but holistically. It means embedding a customer-centric perspective into your organisation’s corporate DNA.
Read moreOwn your Goals
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
I was listening to an interview with Essentialism author, Greg McKeon. He shared an interesting story of how he was in a fancy dress shop looking for a Halloween costume recently. He tried on a Star Wars Storm Trooper outfit and when he was looking in the mirror he remembered a significant childhood memory of him and his older brother as kids. His brother told him ‘You know you have really made it when you can buy your own Storm Trooper outfit’ (he was an avid Star Wars fan). Greg realized that the only reason he had this outfit on was because of the subconscious meaning behind it. But more interestingly, he recognized he didn’t want this outfit. It meant nothing to him, the only reason he had it on was because of his brother.
Read moreDigital marketing, the ‘in thing’ for female entrepreneurs
by Tatenda Rungisa
Digital marketing is simply using digital ways to connect with different parties. Digital marketing encompasses websites, online brochures, bulk emails and so much more. For female entrepreneurs, digital marketing is advisable as it is more convenient, fast, and reaches larger groups of people rather than the traditional ways of marketing. So, what are the basics to kick off a digital marketing campaign?
Read moreIt's time to talk honestly about failure
Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka
I attended a seminar recently with failure as the overarching topic. It’s always refreshing when a group of individuals come together in a safe environment to speak truthfully about their experiences. I realized just how important and necessary these authentic conversations are as a means to dilute the heavy traffic of information that we consume on a daily basis, some of which is not always a true reflection of reality. Failure, unfortunately, is as real as it comes, yet it is one of the least spoken about issues today. People would rather project themselves as pseudo superheroes, adopting phrases like “black don’t crack” than to show the real stories about their everyday struggles.
Read moreMentorship is a relationship
by Phindile Ndlovu, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
Like any other relationship, mentorship requires two individuals who put in the effort. I recently spoke to both a mentor and mentees. They were passionate about the issues they faced. The mentors blamed the mentees, the mentees blamed the mentors. I soon realized that it is easier to see the fault of someone else rather than acknowledging the role you played.
Read moreOwn your happiness
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
Dandapani is a Hindu priest, speaker on self-development and an entrepreneur. He lived as a monk for 10 years and then moved to New York City to pass on his teachings to the West. He made a profound statement saying we shouldn’t pursue happiness. What we need to do is create a lifestyle where the bi-product is happiness. For example, when you spend time with people who energize you, you feel happy. On the contrast, when you spend time with people or on work that drains you, then naturally you will tend to feel miserable.
Read moreAre you using the 'warm bodies' system in your business?
by Eldari Visser founder of Picketfence Life
Running a business is like constantly getting ready for a holiday trip, a hiking trip, a physical retreat or a tough walk in the bush. You need to be fit! Being part of a fit team is a full-time job! This goes for any size business. So, whether you are starting up or have been doing this for a long time - your team and you need to be fit - all the time.
Read morePursue your dreams
by Thozama Ponti
Have you ever wondered what happened to all the dreams you had when you were young. Do you remember those occasions when adults constantly asked you the question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Can you still remember some of your answers? Well, whether you can recall them or not, it’s okay.
Read moreWhat to do when your jungle starts to burn?
by Eldari Visser, founder of Picketfence Life
For most citizens of the world, we reeled with shock when the beautiful Amazon forest was burning for more than 60 days. The #Amazonforest is the lungs of our planet our survival pumps! As usual, everybody started pointing fingers and most of us could just watch, capable of doing nothing. A sick feeling of despair as we watched the destruction.
Read moreThe Things Clients Say
by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko
There is an idea formed by many of us that people who run businesses, or at least render some service to us, are not human like us. For some reason we see them as the ‘lady at the coffee shop’ or the ‘petrol attendant’; we never ever relate to them as people who sleep at night and wake up in the morning. This experience is the same for me. I believe a lot of fashion business people like myself feel like this...no…just me? Ok LOL. I have seen that many clients are not aware of the things they say that could be offensive or just make no sense at all. Most of the time, they say things that benefit themselves.
Read moreMaximize Your Failures
by Laura Camacho
You know failure is part of success, but what is the best way to get the most benefit from those painful and maybe embarrassing mistakes?
Read moreMake sure that your shopping trip doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg!
by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman
Ever walked into a supermarket intending to buy only a few items, and ended up walking out with bags and bags of goodies, and a good few hundred Rand poorer? Granted, we have to eat, and for that to happen, we have to shop, but is there a way to shop smarter? Here are some shopping hacks that help you to keep your grocery bill in check…
Read moreHow to get a steady flow of clients all year round
by Ola Harris, Independent Sales Specialist
Do you ever wonder why some businesses and consultants are just never stressed about the flow of income? They seem to have everything figured out and hit their revenue goals and they just seem sort of superhuman.
Read moreHow to show up to your habits
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
A habit is something we do every day that becomes automatic, we do it without thinking. For example, brushing our teeth, making a coffee as we get out of bed, even worrying is a habit we adopt.
Read moreAre you serving your company to create wealth?
by Eldari Visser founder of Picketfence Life
For this Women’s Month 2019, I had a couple of ideas to share with you, but then I read an article about probably the strongest pack of ladies that one could find in the wild. The South African Wild dog. For many uninformed readers they are just horrific predators that kill in the most gruesome ways possible. Here in Africa, we hope to conserve them as they are an extremely endangered species and nature needs them for the proper circle of life.
Read moreWhat role has luck played in your life?
by Thato Mokhothu
I consider myself very lucky to be in business school and interacting with some of the most talented and hardworking individuals I have ever met. I’ll tell you why. Out of hundreds of applications someone or some people in charge of admissions chose me and gave me an opportunity. There might have been other applicants who were more knowledgeable and experienced but they did not make it. Adding to that, it is probable that someone out there with enormous intelligence and potential chose not to even apply because of financial constraints.
Read more10 simple ways to truly relax (for busy, stressed entrepreneurs)
By Bridget Edwards
Mental health awareness has become a vitally important topic today especially since the ever-increasing statistics are alarming. Mental health applies to all of us because it’s a natural part of everyday life. It’s not something to feel ashamed, guilty or uncomfortable about, nor should this topic be something that carries discrimination, stigma or taboo. Mental health is a fact of life that really needs awareness, conversation and active engagement.
Read moreFrom surviving to flourishing in 4 easy steps
by Saajidah Esat
In the daily rush of our lives, we can forget about the things that seem little, but are actually the big things, that make for a high quality and good life. These things don’t need money, or complex systems and processes to make them work. They just need some awareness, time and the willingness to put in the effort.
Read moreKrystal Bella Shabani, a Burundian fashion designer creating exciting clothing, jewelry and accessories
Krystal Bella Shabani, founder of Krysbel Designs (Burundi)
Startup Story by Martine Irakoze
My goal in writing this first article in what will become a series of Startup Story features for Lionesses of Africa is to shine a light on Burundian female entrepreneurs who are moving things in their country. My first interviewee is Krystal Bella Shabani, an ambitious Burundian young woman who is revolutionizing the fashion industry in the country.
Read moreTop 3 Yes Blockers …
by Laura Camacho
You probably were not aware of this when you started your business but now you know. Thriving businesses must sell. A lot. Ideas. Solutions. Products. Services. Add ons. Contracts. Upgrades. ROI…
Read more