Women and Resilience

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Elsa Figueiredo Tchikanha

Due to the financial crisis the country is facing as a result of the fall in oil prices, and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic, part of the strategy of companies to avoid bankruptcy and remain competitive is to reduce costs, among which are lay-offs. The layoffs have been throwing a significant number of people into unemployment, and thus many women have no choice but to become entrepreneurs and start small businesses, from catering to personal shoppers and influencers.

Use the gift of hindsight to let go of the past and reframe your future

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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By Lori Milner

“If a problem can't be solved within the frame it was conceived, the solution lies in reframing the problem.” — Brian McGreevy

I started my career at an advertising agency at the age of 21 as an account executive. I was privileged to work on a luxury car brand as part of my first portfolio. A few months into my role, an international client was visiting from Germany and the agency needed to present some work rather urgently one Friday afternoon. My boss was unavailable so I took it upon myself to go through to the client’s office and present to this executive. The following day I get called into my MD’s office and asked me to explain why this client is so furious.

Leading With Authenticity

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Shatho Babitse

Have you ever encountered an authentic leader? Someone whose voice resonates with their heart when they speak, to such an extent that you get goose-bumps? Someone who, even if you disagree with, you respect and seek to emulate? Well, I have. And it is truly a remarkable experience.

Become a Smart Investor

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Ronel Jooste

Investments play a vital role in creating financial stability and adding muscle to your wealth portfolio. The more you can invest today, the stronger financial future you can create. To make smart investment decisions, you need to understand a few investment concepts and principles.

The Key to Women’s Success

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Usha Maharaj

Following decades of research and spend on women empowerment, women still hold fewer leadership positions and earn less than their male counterparts. In keeping with the reflective theme of International Women’s Day which took place on 8 March 2021 #IWD2021, let us #ChooseToChallenge the key to women’s success.

1 Choice + 2 simple words is all it takes to be successful

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“All overnight success takes about 10 years.” — Jeff Bezos

When you think about success, often it feels like it will come from one game changing decision or one significant event. Someone is finally going discover your talents or give you your big break. The problem with this way of thinking is that you are putting your happiness in the control of someone else’s hands, you are leaving your life up to external factors. When you keep waiting for things outside your influence to drive your sense of accomplishment, it tends to leave you despondent and feeling out of control. You are always future focused and this is where anxiety breeds so it’s definitely not a good strategy.

Levelling the playing field

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Usha Maharaj

Unemployment rates are on the rise, retrenchments are commonplace, the job market is transforming, and hope turns to despair everyday as graduates face the reality of a saturated job market. Levelling the playing field matters more today than it ever has before.

Digital Marketing 101

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Geraldine Eve

There are basic questions that you need to answer before you embark on your digital marketing journey, and in this article we shall go through them. You may need a pen and paper or better still just open your notes app on your device and answer the questions.

Practicing Mindfulness in Entrepreneurship

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Zodidi Jewel Gaseb

Last week I almost quit because of exhaustion. My body and mind were operating in overdrive, a state all too familiar to many of us running a business. We strategize daily, from operation, marketing and financial opportunities to explore, as well as making your third cup of coffee to keep up with it all. Surviving a global pandemic in the midst of running a business can also be tiring.

Beyond their day jobs in the world of Tech, 7 women unpack their private passions sharing their ‘how’ and their ‘why’

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Moyosola Kara

In celebration of International Women’s day this month, I spoke to 7 women holding senior positions in the Tech industry while concurrently running thriving side businesses and (or) social enterprises despite their incredibly demanding schedules.

Shine Your Light - Yes, Lets!

March 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Angelique Adcock & Dr Alison Hofer

Yes, let’s talk about YOU. The minute you were born, your life in this world began and things and people around you changed to accommodate and support you. As you grew up and started taking responsibility for yourself you started to recognize who you are and what drives you and what makes you happy.

Over 92% of New Year’s Resolutions fail within 6 weeks, don’t become a statistic

March 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Emily Kandanga

There’s a reason why most fitness and health goals turn into pure and utter nothingness in a matter of a few weeks, especially this time of year. Sure, change is hard, but it’s also not acceptable to pigeon hole your goals before they even start with magical quick fix mindsets that leave you worse off than ever before.

A New Year, A New You

March 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Jess Mostert

Boy! It really doesn’t take much thought or consideration to identify 2020 as a STINKER of a year. In fact, at first thought and at a glance, it is probably the WORST year most of us have ever experienced. There is no denying that it has been filled with loss, devastation, and broken moments (maybe even days, weeks or months). The hardest loss faced by far too many people would be that of loved ones: friends and family gone far too soon. It is difficult to see the beauty in anything with that amount of pain. Overcoming loss of that magnitude takes great courage, but the grieving process often offers us the beauty of reflection; reflecting on a life lived, a person loved, memories shared and lessons learned.

My ABC of Business: Tips on how to plan for the year ahead

March 20, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude

2021 is underway and it couldn’t have arrived sooner and come as a lifeline for most, as we all struggled to make sense of 2020. Just imagine we didn’t have TIME. Or imagine that we didn’t measure time in years and it just kept on going - an on-going year that never ended!!!

The Why, What, and How of Building Your Personal Brand

March 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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by Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho

I am sure you have noticed more and more personal brands popping up and business leaders finding creative and innovative ways to position themselves and their companies. You may be shaking your head at this trend and wondering why you should jump on the band wagon and invest in building your personal brand in the first place…. Indulge me a little, as I demystify the WHY, WHAT and HOW of Building Your Personal Brand…. I promise it will be worth the read.

A Simple Guide to Effective Market Research for Your Startup

March 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Farida Yahya

For any business to succeed, especially a new one making its way into the market, it must be armed with accurate and detailed information. After all, “Knowledge is power!” With the knowledge gleaned from the market research, it provides the entrepreneur with a wealth of information about prospective and existing customers, the competition, and the industry in general. It allows you to determine the feasibility of a business before committing your resources to the venture.

How to become the chief architect of your life

March 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” - Jim Rohn

If you had to design your ideal day from the moment you wake up to when you go to sleep - what does that look like? Some things to consider...

COVID-19 Impact on the Guarding Industry

March 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya

The coronavirus pandemic is the most challenging situation the security industry has faced. The pandemic has caused an extraordinary degree of business and economic disruption, from local communities to global supply chains—and that’s before you get to the health scare itself and its impacts on families and businesses. The virus has had an impact on the fundamentals of society and security is both becoming critically important and disposable at the same time.

Rethinking Development in Africa

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Shatho Babitse

The relationship between African women and the economy is a strange paradox globally. Women work two-thirds of the working hours and produce more than half of the food, but only earn 10% of the total income, have less than 2% of the land, and receive less than 5% bank loans.