Win by being agile and customer-centric

December 14, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Alice da Silva

A case study based on my personal experience:

Despite a current difficult economy, business services are still needed. Customers are under strain and are more discerning when it comes to choosing a service provider. Sometimes it’s a grudge spend following an unplanned emergency. It’s bad enough being forced to spend money when survival and priorities must be carefully considered, so to have bad service on top of that is just too unpleasant. Customers still have choices, and they choose who gets the business.

My ABC of business: Celebrating your fellow female entrepreneur

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa

I was watching the after-show of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Tokyo on TV recently, and I experienced goosebumps as I watched South Africans from all walks of life sing “Shozoloza” in unity outside the stadium. It was electrifying and heart-warming. Sometimes we focus so much on what makes us different from each other, that we tend to forget how similar we actually are, and what makes our country so unique.

Own your time off

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Think about the last time you took leave. Was it filled with a slight sense of dread and the self-talk went ‘this is the worst possible time to take leave’. And then you take the leave and spend the time with a heavy cloud of guilt hanging over your head worrying about the ‘stuff’ that can’t possibly get done without you. Eventually you get to the end of the period and you return to work possibly more highly strung than before you left. If this resonates or sounds familiar…I encourage you to continue reading….. The truth is there is never going to be a time where it feels like it’s finally the perfect opportunity to take leave. So knowing this universal truth, I encourage you to plan your time off in advance before you reach near burnout or breaking point.

Avoid the festive season financial hangover!

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Sylvia Walker, author of SmartWoman

It’s that time of the year again when we are bombarded with messages enticing us to spend money, and the heat is on in terms of spoiling those nearest and dearest to us. So much expectation is created around this season - entertaining, socializing, gifting and more. While it’s a wonderful time to connect with family and friends, it’s also a very easy time to fall into the trap of over-spending, leaving a financial hangover to deal with as you enter the new year.

You don’t have to be naked to be noticed

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Thozama Ponti

Very often, we see people getting naked very easily, the world is boring because there’s a lot of nakedness - I will explain further about what I mean by this. People don’t think twice about revealing or exposing much about themselves, I mean it’s very easy to get to know about a person nowadays with them verbally communicating in the digital space.

Own the change you want to make

December 1, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

Most of us live with this feeling that we are not living our greatest potential. It usually comes down to one habit, trigger or pattern that we repeat again and again that holds us back. So when it comes to making a change - for example, start exercising, eating better, stop smoking, participate in meetings – we need to become aware of the barriers holding us back.

Black Friday, who benefits?

November 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken

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by Mandisa Makubalo, Unlimited Experiences

Research has revealed that from the year 2020 (which is less than 6 weeks away) Product and Price will no longer be the differentiator but Customer Experience, what does this mean for the future of Black Friday when the very essence of this day is about Product and Price.

The Entrepreneur’s Journey

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, founder of Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos

Nowadays, a diversity of market opportunities can be created thanks to the general economic and financial crises that have made many awaken their dormant dreams and hidden ideas, meaning people had to feel the pressure of a lack of things to pursue fulfilment. Lately, all we hear about is entrepreneurship and people coming up with great, innovative ideas for the creation of a business and it seems like everybody wants to be an entrepreneur.

How To Become The Employer of Choice

November 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Marang Marekimane, founder of Business Process Mechanics

There is a standing call-to-action for all small business owners to “create employment opportunities for the unemployed”. This call is supported by various policies and incentive programs to assist people to either start a business, therefore removing themselves out of the unemployment line or for people to grow their business, in the hopes they’ll employ those left in the queue.

Business without a business plan

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, founder of Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos

Fortunately, today we have many people who talk about business and how a business plan can make your abstract ideas become a reality. There is also a range of business plan samples that are available online for free, meaning, anyone can sit down and write a business plan. Before I started my natural cosmetic company, Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos, I tried many businesses but couldn’t get them off the ground - not because they were bad, but I was creating blockages as soon as I started to write a business plan. Let me say that I have got nothing against business plans as such, and I’m not saying that people shouldn’t plan because planning is very important when one wants to take proper steps towards achieving goals and having a successful business.

Grit is Necessary for a Successful Journey

November 15, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Fatuma Abdullah

I get hot under the collar, when I attend seminars or conferences and entrepreneurs are presented in a romanticized fashion. Or worse, glamorizing the subject of entrepreneurship and neglecting the most important unseen component of the journey, the sleepless nights, the self-discipline, rejection, disappointments, failure, the lack of support and resources.

Feeling Overwhelmed By A Big (Or Small) Life Challenge? Read This…

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Saajidah Esat, Freelancer

The challenges we experience in our lives present themselves when we’re ready to learn something. Any challenge we face, big or small, comes as a sign, to show us what we need to learn, where we need to grow and how we can adjust our sails so that we can get to where we want to be.

What grass can reveal about your financial mindset

November 10, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser

I want you to hear David Attenborough’s voice* in your head. Smooth, soft and slowly describing a lioness making her way towards her prey. It goes like this, “she knows that she has this one opportunity today.…..slowly she makes her way forward using the long yellow grasslands to be her cover. The grass is her best support system. As it sways in the wind she catches a glimpse of the gazelle.….the grass protects her from being seen… here she will stay until the moment comes to charge.” Can you imagine this scene? Long, wavy, thick grass is her necessary tool for a day’s work.

When NOW is the perfect time

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, ceo & founder of Isabella – Estética & Cosméticos

Everyone wants immediate and effortless success, but as I started the entrepreneurial journey I realized that some actions needed to take place. I actually had to have a plan to reach where I wanted to be, by setting goals. More than planning to win, I had to understand how badly I wanted my dreams to come true. Also, to understand if I was ready to own a business, because it isn’t just about the money a business can bring to my life, but how driven I am to take action to make it a reality. To be a successful business owner, I have to both serve a higher purpose that is valuable for people, and at the same time, make money, because the more I serve, the more successful I become.

Why You Must Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Saajidah Esat

I was inspired to write this article because of a book I am reading (for the second time). The title of the book is ‘Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway’ by Susan Jeffers. Fear comes up in our lives regularly and contrary to the belief that feeling fearful is a sign of weakness or lack of courage, this book enforces the fact that fear is a very normal emotion. It also offers great tips on how to act in spite of fear, when you are most likely to experience fear and a unique perspective on turning pain into power.

Own your values

November 3, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress

When we think about the word values – we tend to think of a poster inside corporate companies – ‘we value team work, trust, innovation’ – blah blah! Hopefully these values get brought into company culture and it forms the basis for how decisions are made, what to focus on and how to live the company brand. If they don’t – they live on the wall as a reminder of what they could choose to become.

Creating a compliant cyber secure environment

October 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi, Cyber Law Consultant and MD Orizur Consulting Enterprise

Is there a reason to be concerned about cyber security? Absolutely! In fact, October has been declared a cybersecurity awareness month where campaigns are held to inform the public and businesses about the importance of cybersecurity.

Build A Belief Ladder to Reach Your Goals

October 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho

Just because you don’t know how to do something doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

According to the psychological concept of “agency”, which is essentially your belief in your own abilities, you will not achieve more than you think you can. That means if you want to build your business, you have to have the belief that you can do it.

The Strong African Woman Stereotype and Entrepreneurship

October 26, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Martine Irakoze

African women. Do you feel like you were raised to be strong? Do you feel like being an African woman embodies a perpetual and unique strength? Have you heard words such as “African women are indestructible. African women are tough lionesses.” “Girl, get up! You got this in your heritage!” “Think of your mothers and grandmothers who raised nations through tough history!”

Can a Micro Loan Help My Small Business?

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Are your day-to-day financial needs making it difficult for you to maintain and grow your business operations? This is the problem that small businesses often face when they reach a certain point. There is nothing to be worried about, as there are many options you can choose to manage your financial needs. Micro-loans are considered to be an attractive option for businesses that are going through such kinds of issues.

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