The AfCFTA and African Women in Business: Strategies for Engagement and Participation

October 27, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Tsitsi Mutendi

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a transformative initiative aimed at creating a single market for goods and services across the African continent. With the potential to significantly boost trade and economic growth, the AfCFTA offers numerous opportunities for businesses, and this includes African women entrepreneurs. In this article, we will explore the implications of the AfCFTA for women in business, how they can engage in this historic trade agreement, and the strategies they can adopt to maximise its benefits.

10 ways leaders can help team members adjust to change

October 27, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Anja van Beek, Talent Strategist, Leadership & HR Expert and Executive Coach

The one constant thing we can be certain of is change. The world we were used to was flipped upside down. Here’s what you need to know about the human side of change to support your team. We all can relate to the term RUPT (rapid, unpredictable, paradoxical, tangled) coined by the Centre for Creative Leadership. Almost everything that has been ‘normal’ for us, changed. The uncertainty has reached new heights – as we are not sure what the future will look like – we only know it will be quite different from what we were used to.

The unexpected pivoting factor in the Supply Chain Management Industry - the power of a Purposeful and Impactful Personal or Business Brand

October 21, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Blessed Agyemang

In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of supply chain management, the power of a purposeful, impactful, and strong personal or business brand cannot be underestimated. Just as an efficient and agile supply chain is essential for business success, a well-crafted brand identity is the cornerstone of recognition, credibility, and influence. Whether you're an individual professional or a business entity within the supply chain industry, it has become of utmost importance and benefit to master the art of building a powerful brand that stands out and commands attention. I will touch on a few points.

Do You Fear Running Out of Energy? It’s More Common Than You Think

October 21, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Most people's first thought on waking in the morning is the fear of not having enough time and how they will get it all done and find the balance. Naturally, finance is another area where scarcity thinking comes into play. Through coaching hundreds of people, I've discovered the fear of running out of energy. Although this fear is common, how it's translated into reality differs from person to person because what may drain one person energises another.

The Legal Landscape of Influencer Marketing in South Africa

October 21, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

In recent years, South Africa has witnessed a surge in the influencer marketing industry. With the rise of social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, individuals from various walks of life have harnessed their online presence to become influential figures. These influencers can help brands reach a wider audience and boost their marketing efforts. However, as this industry continues to evolve, both influencers and brands must be aware of the legal implications and responsibilities that come with it.

The Curse of The Like-Minded

October 13, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

“We need to get more like-minded people together. Lets put together a group of other people like ourselves, and we can really make an impact.” Unfortunately the last time I had a conversation like this will not be the last time I will have this conversation; and the problem is, I have a problem with this kind of thinking.

Collaboration

October 13, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

Collaboration is the name of the game! The old African saying “If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together,” it is so true, in business as well. I see so many startups who go really fast and then fail.

Is Your Employee Screening Policy Up to Date?

October 13, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Sonya Skipp

iFacts, a leading employee screening and vetting organisation, has published its annual employee screening trends report. With these insights, iFacts offers an overview of the current trends in employee screening and vetting.

Working to be happy and happy to be working

October 13, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Marilize Jacobs

Being a single mom of twins is a full-time job. So is running my own business. This is what I do for a living and for the last couple of years I have been on a quest to feel truly at peace with my daily actions. I wanted to derive happiness from the fact that I was my own boss and had the freedom to live my life accordingly. In a nutshell: I wanted to be happy at work. Really happy.

No Jacket Required!

October 8, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

In the world of entrepreneurship, there is no place to hide. Where the corporate world might have allowed you the cover of a jacket and tie, a shiny pair of shoes, and an impressive title, entrepreneurship strips you naked, and leaves you with nothing but yourself and your wits — or whatever it is that you bring to the table.

The Work/Life Balance While Working Remotely

October 7, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

As traditional offices evolve into virtual workspaces, the impact of working from home on individuals is undeniable. We were forced into this during Covid and suddenly Zoom became a household word and we were able to continue working from home which felt really strange initially - but it was so super to be able to go to the loo without walking across a busy shop and to make a cup of tea when you felt like it and not wait for the “tea lady” to bring it to you at 10am and 3 pm!

How to Create Progress When You Feel Stuck

October 7, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

If you ask someone if they like surprises, they'll say of course. That's because they are picturing the surprises they would like to receive. You only like the surprises you want, but we know life also gives us the surprises you don't want. These come wrapped in challenges, setbacks or even loss. When these surprises arrive unannounced, they can knock us off our feet, leaving us feeling helpless to participate in the solution.

Wild Spaces in Africa

October 7, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle

As I write this, I’m sitting overlooking a river in a wild space in Africa. Each year my husband and go on an adventure to a new place and explore an area we haven’t experienced before. Deciding to take a full 23 days off mid-year has become a regular thing for us for the past few years and it’s enriched my life in too many ways to explain.

Coming Into Our Courage

September 30, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

Maya Angelou says that courage is the most important of all the virtues, because “without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.” Of all the virtues required in our nation at this time, courage is probably the one we need the most, and not just courage but consistent courage. Here are my thoughts on how we might begin to find our courage:

Smashing the Myth of How Life Works

September 30, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

There’s a common belief that happiness is something you have to look for. I used to believe that too. Eventually after exhausting myself with my affirmations, meditations, journal writing, juicing, fasting, exercising and so on and so on…….. believing that I had to tick all the boxes that the experts told me I had to achieve or else I would be unhappy.

There is no denying the benefits of having a healthy organisational culture

September 30, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

When data was studied on why so many employees were resigning, it was found that employee discontent is rooted in the intrinsic need for status and autonomy, two essential drivers of human motivation. When employees feel their sense of status and autonomy are under threat—creating a physiological fight-or-flight response—they’re more motivated to quit. (Source)

Success as an Entrepreneur Lies Within Mastering Yourself

September 30, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya

In my journey as a mentor and entrepreneur, I have learned the power of personal mastery and self-actualized leadership as the key weapon in achieving success as an entrepreneur. You cannot reinvent a business without reinventing the person who is leading that business. Therefore, in understanding your purpose, strengths, and talents as a leader you become more inspired and confident in the knowledge of what your skills and talents can achieve, and you are able to inspire your team to follow suit.

What is your employee turnover costing you, your team, and your organisation?

September 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

Do you know what your staff turnover is costing you? Stats based on Remchannel's survey of almost 40,000 employee resignations and the recruitment and HR process costs associated with filling those vacant positions total almost R24 billion. The main reasons cited for resignations in the PwC Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey is because employees don't find their current job fulfilling, feel they can't be their true self at work, don't feel their team cares about them, and feel like their managers don't listen to them.

An A for Audacity!

September 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

It is a beautiful thing when a personal brand lives out its own manifesto. It fills me with awe and wonder to watch someone else unleash the full force of their fabulosity on the world. In case you’re wondering, yes fabulosity is a real word, made famous by fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons.

What is Needed for Lasting Change in Your Organisation

September 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Rochelle Roos

If organisations want to compete and thrive in today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape - change is not only inevitable but essential. Change strategies are crucial in various scenarios, including when an organisation suffers from market disruptions, significant growth, or restructuring. Other common examples are businesses that want to foster new culture, enhance employee engagement, promote diversity and inclusion, or address performance issues like declining profitability, or decreased customer satisfaction.

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