the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Jenny Reid
As of the fourth quarter of 2024, South Africa’s official unemployment stats, state that the unemployment rate has declined slightly to 31.9%, down from 32.1% the previous quarter. While this marks the second consecutive quarterly decrease and the lowest rate since the third quarter of 2023, the persistently high levels of unemployment remain a pressing concern.
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by Dr Michélle Booysen
“What gets measured gets managed.” – Peter Drucker
Performance dashboards are powerful tools to drive decision-making, improve efficiency, and align daily operations with strategic goals. For dashboards to truly work, they must be simple, relevant, and actionable. A well-crafted performance dashboard is not about volume of data—it’s about clarity and purpose.
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by Teboho Seretlo
It is no secret that there is a huge challenge in access to funding generally and specifically for women-owned businesses. In fact, I recently read somewhere that the funding gap globally is $300 billion for funding women-owned businesses. Access to traditional funding remains skewed, with women entrepreneurs receiving a fraction of available capital globally. We therefore need to look at other means, where possible, of funding, especially our start-ups, on our way to building our businesses.
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by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila
Lifelong learning is the New Paradigm of Education (NPE). This paradigm breaks the paradigms of an outdated educational system. The journey of learning never genuinely ends for committed, and impactful entrepreneurs. Engaging in ongoing education helps entrepreneurs stay unlimited and relevant in a rapidly changing and growing business terrain. Entrepreneurs are required to understand market trends, technological advancements, and paradigm shifts in consumer behaviour. By educating yourself as an entrepreneur, you can pivot your strategies effectively and protect your business from potential challenges and economic loss.
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by Jenny Reid
In today's digital age, where personal security and privacy are more critical than ever, safeguarding your identity extends beyond online practices. In South Africa, the contents of your rubbish bin can easily become a source of vulnerability, exposing sensitive information to identity thieves without you ever realising it.
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by Dr Michélle Booysen
“When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” – Simon Sinek
Engaged teams are the engine behind successful customer experiences and business growth. When processes are designed to empower individuals and foster collaboration, teams become more motivated, productive, and accountable. Empowerment through process means giving teams clarity, autonomy, and the tools to succeed.
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by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA
I have been really fortunate in my life. Today, my siblings and my mum from the family I grew up in are among the closest people to me. We regularly celebrate the life of my father, who was a huge influence on me, showering me with his unique brand of love. I couldn’t have been luckier in finding a life partner in my husband, Victor. Together, we have three amazing young men who are finding their way in the world. Through the careers of my father and husband, as well as some of my own experiences in education and work, I have had the opportunity to enjoy many wonderful experiences around the world. It has been truly great.
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by Margaret Hirsch
If there’s one quality that has kept me moving forward, through decades of business, changing economies, and personal growth, it’s curiosity. Not certainty. Not having all the answers. Not even a flawless plan. Just the simple willingness to ask, “What if?”
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by Jenny Reid
In today's competitive job market, having the right tools for employee screening is essential. One tool gaining popularity in South Africa is the integrity test offered by iFacts, the official provider of these assessments from INTEG. These tests focus on reliability, validity, and fairness, ensuring organisations can effectively evaluate potential employees.
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by Ntsoaki Sibiya
Have you ever met someone who changed the trajectory of your life with just a few words? Maybe it was a teacher who believed in you when no one else did. Or a leader who saw potential in you that you hadn't yet recognized. These individuals weren’t just advisors; they were influencers in the truest sense. They understood the science of influence—the art of shaping perspectives, nurturing potential, and igniting transformation.
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by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA
Navigating the complexities of geopolitical changes presents unique challenges for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It is important to reiterate that SMEs are not just scaled-down versions of larger corporations, and that they play a complementary role in society alongside their larger counterparts.
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by Dr Michélle Booysen
“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” – Proverb
Bottlenecks are process weak points that slow down operations, cause delays, and frustrate customers. Identifying and addressing these inefficiencies is essential to improving performance and customer satisfaction. With a process-driven mindset, businesses can pinpoint bottlenecks, eliminate waste, and streamline workflows for smoother service delivery.
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by Jenny Reid
World Backup Day, observed on the 31st of March, reminded businesses globally, to protect their data from theft, loss or corruption and focuses on how essential it is that data protections are as comprehensive as possible.
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by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up approximately 90% of businesses worldwide, and play a pivotal role in economic development and employment. Given shifting geopolitical landscapes—from trade tensions to international aid cuts—these businesses must recognize and address the emotional and mental well-being of their stakeholders. This is particularly crucial at a time when geopolitical changes are already having an impact.
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by Ntsoaki Sibiya
Have you ever paused to think about the impact you are making—not just today, but in the years to come? Legacy isn’t just about wealth or status; it’s about the lives you touch, the lessons you pass on, and the path you pave for others. True leaders don’t just build businesses or careers; they build people. And the most profound way to do that is through mentorship.
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by Dr Michélle Booysen
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” – Peter Drucker
Processes are the foundation of operational efficiency, but without measurable data, businesses risk making decisions based on assumptions rather than insights. Metrics provide a clear, objective view of how well processes are performing and where improvements are needed. By tracking the right metrics, one can identify inefficiencies, enhance performance, and drive continuous improvement.
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by Jenny Reid
As cybercrime continues to surge in South Africa, the importance of effective employee screening to address this risk is paramount.
In 2024 alone, Interpol reported over 3,300 global cybercrime incidents affecting governments, banks, and the general public each week, reflecting a growing threat landscape. With cyber threats increasingly targeting organisations across South Africa, businesses must prioritise comprehensive screening processes to safeguard against potential breaches stemming from internal and external sources.
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by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA
The Inspiration: Seeing the Impact of Geopolitics Up Close
I had the privilege of attending NBA All-Star 2025 in the San Francisco Bay Area as a guest of NBA Africa. There I joined the annual Newsmaker Breakfast. The session discussion was moderated by journalist Stephanie Ruhle and featured media giants Tom Friedman, Rashida Jones, and David Brooks. It resonated deeply and Roland Martin and Michael Eric Dyson were in the room. However, it was the question "How does what is happening domestically in the U.S. reflect globally?"—posed during the Q&A—that struck me.
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by Dr Michélle Booysen
“Every process is an opportunity for performance improvement.” – Michael Hammer
Over the past ten blogs, we have explored how processes play a crucial role in delivering outstanding customer service. The next series shifts focus to how aligning processes with business goals drives performance, efficiency, and sustainable growth.
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by Sonja Cilliers and Maryke Groenewald
The legal profession is facing an era of unprecedented change. Rapid technological advancements, evolving client expectations and increasing regulatory complexities demand that legal professionals adapt and innovate. Traditional legal problem-solving methods, while effective in many respects, can often be rigid and slow to respond to modern challenges. Design thinking, a human-centred, iterative approach to problem-solving, offers legal professionals a fresh perspective to enhance client service, improve efficiency, and drive meaningful innovation.
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