Becoming a Beauty Insider: My Melanin Beauty Circle Journey

January 16, 2026 Melanie Hawken

by Memuna Williams, DBA

What happens when a doctoral practitioner who is also a beauty enthusiast and has dark skin walks into a research dinner? She gets her skin measured under bright lights before the salad even arrives. Unexpected? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely. Earlier this year, this was my experience after I received an exclusive invitation to join the Melanin Beauty Circle by a new beauty brand, facilitated by a research group. They are developing a custom foundation technology for melanin-rich skin, and my skin (quite literally), and that of others who accepted the invitation, was in the room where it happened.

International Anti-Corruption Day: Combating Corruption in the Workplace through Effective Screening and Audits

December 7, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

Every year on December 9, the world observes International Anti-Corruption Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about corruption and its adverse effects on society, governance, and the economy. Corruption remains a pervasive problem that undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development, and contributes to governmental instability. In South Africa, the fight against corruption is particularly pertinent, especially in the wake of numerous high-profile scandals.

Business Growth: Efficient Processes for Managing Rapid Business Growth

December 7, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.”  — James Cash Penney

As part of our series exploring the role of process in business growth, this week I’d like to focus on the systems and workflows needed to manage rapid growth efficiently. Whether you're a tech startup scaling across Europe, an e-commerce business expanding from Johannesburg to Nairobi, or a services company growing regionally across Kenya, having the right processes in place is the difference between sustainable success and operational chaos.

Resilient Influence: Building a Life That Speaks When You are Not in the Room

December 6, 2025 Melanie Hawken

By Sandra B Zaca

I used to think influence was about being seen. That if I wasn’t in every room, posting every day, or building something loud enough, then I wasn’t doing enough. But life has taught me that true influence is not about noise, it's about presence. Not presence in the sense of popularity, but in the depth of your convictions, the clarity of your vision, and the courage to keep building quietly when no one is clapping.

Walk With Me: Understanding Data Breaches – When Prevention Becomes Protection

December 6, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Shenea Graham

In my last post, I spoke about regulatory compliance — how the rules, laws, and frameworks guide the way we handle personal data. But what happens when, despite all the rules and good intentions, something still goes wrong? That’s how I found myself diving into the topic of data breaches — one of the most sobering parts of learning about data privacy.

Tired of Carrying the Weight Alone? Why Peer Circles Are the New Engine for Exceptional Leadership

December 6, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer, Founder & CEO, ZER Consulting Africa

"Our legacy is more than just our business. When we empower others, especially our fellow women, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate sphere."

Africa is alive with audacious dreams, bustling tech hubs, and villages brimming with innovation. And guess who's increasingly at the forefront, turning those visions into reality and disrupting industries? African women entrepreneurs! But here’s the honest truth: even the most brilliant idea, the most meticulously crafted strategy, can feel like a marathon without the right gear and running buddy.

Your Identity is Your Equity: The 5 Personal Branding Shifts That Will Dominate in 2026

December 6, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Marilize Jacobs

For years, I was known as a “full-time mom.” It was my most important role. But when I stepped back into the “corporate world”, I didn't hide that chapter; I leveraged it. That journey, which I detailed on various platforms, wasn't just my story - it was my strategy. It proved that personal branding isn't a luxury; it's the core of modern business credibility. It transformed my identity into my most valuable professional equity.

Walk With Me: Navigating the Patchwork of Compliance

October 3, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Shenea Graham

In my last post, I shared how data privacy stopped being “someone else’s problem” and became part of my own story. This month, one theme kept resurfacing: regulatory compliance. Here’s the truth — privacy isn’t just about principles, it’s also about laws. And not just one law, but a whole patchwork of global, regional, and local regulations. GDPR in Europe. CCPA in California. HIPAA in the US. POPIA in South Africa. And those are just a few. Every country, every region, seems to be drawing its own map. And for businesses working across borders, it can feel like walking into a maze where the walls keep moving.

Business Growth: How to Leverage Technology to Simplify Growth

October 3, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Technology should do the heavy lifting, so people can focus on what matters most.” – Reid Hoffman

Whether you're an emerging enterprise or a well-established business entering new markets, integrated, process-led technology choices can reduce friction, improve efficiency, and unlock those opportunities.

The rise of fake applicants - how AI is fueling identity and CV fraud

October 3, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

In today's competitive job market, employers are more eager than ever to find the right talent quickly and efficiently. However, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology are also making it easier for dishonest applicants to falsify their identities, CVs, and qualifications, leading to a surge in fake applicants and fraud.

My CV of Bustle: How Divorce, Autism and Burnout Trained Me for World Domination

October 3, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Marilize Jacobs

If you’d told me fresh after varsity that my greatest professional qualifications in my mid-30s would be earned not in an office, but on the floor of a paediatric therapist’s room and in divorce court, I’d have cried. In 2017, I was deep in the “triathlon of overwhelm”: navigating my son’s autism diagnosis, a marriage ending, and a body screaming with adrenal fatigue. I was a shell, crying over spilt milk because the spilt milk felt like the final, cruel joke.

Walk With Me: A Journey into Data Privacy

September 28, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Shenea Graham

I want to share something personal — a journey I’m still on. It’s about data privacy. Not the technical, legal kind you might scroll past, but the kind that sneaks up on you and suddenly matters more than you realised.

Business Growth: Designing Scalable Processes for Membership-Based Organizations

September 28, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

"Scalability is about building systems that work at ten customers as well as ten thousand." — Reid Hoffman

As part of our series on how processes support growth, this week we focus on Designing Scalable Processes for Membership-Based Organizations. Growth is not just about acquiring more members—it's about delivering consistent value as that base expands. A scalable process ensures that operations remain efficient, personalized, and sustainable no matter the size of the community.

Do you believe that the HR role in business is evolving?

September 28, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Jenny Reid

In the rapidly changing landscape of global business, Human Resources (HR) is no longer just an administrative function managing payroll, recruitment, and employee records. The trajectory of HR's evolution over recent decades shows a clear shift toward becoming a strategic driver within organisations, a vital partner in shaping corporate success and mitigating human-related risks.

The BOLD Change the World: Lessons from GEC 2025

August 16, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Arriving in Indianapolis for the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) felt like being welcomed home by a community of friends. GEC chose Indiana intentionally, recognizing the state’s strong startup ecosystem and culture of innovation. “The BOLD Change the World” was the event’s tagline, but also served as a call to action. From the moment we landed, GEC volunteers greeted each of the 5,000 attendees arriving from 150 countries, guiding us to buses, sharing local dining tips, and ensuring a seamless transition to the main conference hotel. Registration was swift, credentials were issued (Founder, Ecosystem Builder, Policymaker, Investor), and a sense of shared purpose was already in the air.

Business Growth - The Critical Role of Process in Expanding to New Markets

August 16, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“You can’t scale chaos. You can only scale clarity.” – Anonymous

Expanding into new markets is an exciting growth milestone—but it also brings complexity, risk, and the need for operational precision. Whether you're entering a new region, industry, or customer segment, success depends on more than ambition. It requires robust, repeatable processes that guide your team, protect your standards, and adapt to new conditions.

What's Your Money Mindset? (And Why It Might Be Running Your Whole Life)

August 14, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Seanice Lojede

What if I told you that your relationship with money was decided before you could even spell “budget"? This morning, I hosted a powerful training session. The women of Stanbic Bank Uganda's Ignite mentorship program gathered virtually for a session called "Money & Your Mindset" and something extraordinary happened. One woman messaged, "I would pay VERY GOOD money for this." Another said, "This is the first time I've understood why I do what I do with money.” From the first few minutes, you could feel the energy shift. Heads nodding. Eyes widening. Truths landing. They didn't just learn about money, honestly - they met themselves, truthfully, and maybe for the first time in this way. I FELT IT TOO! What we explored wasn’t how to budget or save (though that’s important). It was something deeper: the invisible beliefs and emotional habits that shape how we relate to money. And ultimately, how we lead our lives.

Beyond Networking: Building Strategic Sisterhood That Fuel Growth

August 14, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya

There is a moment in every woman’s journey when she realizes that success alone is not enough. It is not enough to collect business cards, chase applause, or sit at every table just to be seen. I reached that moment years ago - in a boardroom full of people, yet profoundly alone in my mission. My business was growing, yes. My name was on event posters, my calendar was full. But behind the scenes, I was carrying the weight of leadership in isolation. Surrounded, yet unseen. Accomplished, yet unanchored. That’s when I began to understand something no networking event had ever taught me:

You don’t just need more contacts. You need a council. You need an advisory board. A strategy of proximity.

Prizing More

July 26, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Earlier this year, I made a deliberately planned stop in Oxford on my way to the Paris Marathon to spend a few days on the sidelines of the Skoll World Forum. I was curious to see how leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers are thinking about systems change today.

Business Growth: Processes That Enable SMEs to Scale Sustainably

July 26, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“You don’t build a business – you build processes, and the processes build the business.” – Anonymous

Scaling isn’t just about selling more—it’s about delivering more with consistency, efficiency, and control. Without scalable processes, growth quickly leads to chaos, service breakdowns, and overwhelmed teams. Sustainable growth requires SMEs to invest in processes that can grow with them.

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