the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
Negotiation, a word that brings fear into many, not least because it usually involves two or more parties that are not close, don’t know much about each other, and are not sure as yet if their counterpart can be trusted to ‘negotiate in good faith’. Easy to be overwhelmed.
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By Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
Every so often we come across real life practical issues amongst our Lionesses and even from outside of our inspirational membership as we talk, mentor and occasionally consult to these companies. Sharing the issues and the practical solutions we find, helps others who are in the same position. Obviously no names will be mentioned, but these are all generic problems that can potentially hit us all and from the experiences of others, we all can learn.
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From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
It was the morning after the night before and the Head of Finance (HoF) was in a pensive mood, finally calling us one by one into the Boardroom.
What was this all about?
Why all the secrecy from the HoF?
Had we possibly made a terrible error and put decaffeinated beans in the Coffee machine?
These questions and many other horrific thoughts rushed through our minds.
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Impact Partner Content: Absa | By Ulrich Janse van Rensburg, Head of Fraud Strategy for Absa’s Retail and Business Bank
A heartfelt call to exercise vigilance when it comes to money matters.
The past few months have been a really tough period for Jack and Sarah. While they are committed to curbing the spread of Covid-19 and have gone out of their way to protect themselves and the people around them during this time, they co-own a popular barber shop, which was closed for business during the first phases of the national lockdown. The lack of income has been a massive worry. Fortunately, the couple had accumulated some savings over the years, which was seeing them through this tough period, but it was fast running out.
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From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
Question: “What do you get if you wrap all the Economists in the world around the globe end to end?” Answer: “No conclusion…” This was attributed to George Bernard Shaw in May 1933 and he does seem to have a point. With so many conflicting views in the early stages of the Coronavirus attack, even from Scientists who we have always believed live in a binary world rather than the ‘Is it a Science or is it an Art’ world of Economics, should we start to question the worth of forecasting? What conclusions can any of us draw currently?
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by Deborah Hartung, founder of Pivot PeopleTech
As if it wasn’t already challenging enough to manage a business and lead a team of people every day, we suddenly all find ourselves facing the global Covid-19 pandemic. Along with eerily quiet city streets and deserted tourist attractions, we have collectively found ourselves at home, trying desperately to maintain a semblance of normalcy while our living rooms have been turned into offices, gyms, classrooms, playgrounds and movie theaters.
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by Catia Mondlane, Founder Isabella - Estética & Cosméticos
The COVID-19 driven economy has brought major challenges to many industrial firms and business owners. Now makes it the perfect time to re-evaluate what really creates value, what is critical to clients at this moment, and what would those new offerings and capabilities look like after all.
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from the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
“Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t,
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t,
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes,
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul.”
….and that was what greeted us as we arrived in our office this morning, blaring from our Head of Finance’s open door!
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by Adv. Lufuno Khorommbi, Cyber Law Consultant and MD: Orizur Consulting Enterprise
Did you know that internet users are not only having to protect themselves from Covid-19; but from online vulnerabilities as well? During the wake of Covid-19 being declared a world crisis; cyber criminals (hackers) jumped at an opportunity to deceive internet users? It does seem that internet users are not only having to fight against Covid-19 virus, but against cyber-attacks as well. Since everyone is genuinely seeking to know more about Covid-19, they saw an opportunity to defraud internet users.
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by Robyn Keet
A strategy for Creatives to earn an income during location restrictions.
Are you a Creative at home waiting for the lockdown to be lifted so you can go back to work? Or you can get back to work but your clients are a little concerned to be going out or going ahead with your services? If this is you, then I might have an idea or two on how you can either add or adapt your current creative business to service your audience while making a living during these uncertain times.
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Impact Partner Content: by James Noble, Head of Wholesale, Retail and Franchising – Absa Business Banking
No business has been left unscathed by the COVID19 pandemic. Even businesses in the fast- moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector that trade in groceries, health, hygiene, long-life consumables and pharmaceutical products have been impacted due to shorter trading hours and more conservative purchasing behaviour by consumers.
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by Mandisa Makubalo, ceo, Unlimited Experiences SA
We are living in times where the way of doing business and living has been redefined for years to come. Pandemics are generally known for taking years to reach their full destructive potential, it is therefore critical for organizations to behave responsibly during the different phases of the pandemic. The consequence of irresponsible behaviour is a new era of disputes that are going to need to be resolved by employers.
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by Catia Mondlane
The current circumstances have brought a new, unfamiliar and extraordinary market era. It is one where many are being guided to creatively re-think and re-construct their businesses to build resilient companies and bounce-back from any future boundaries. It is becoming clear that the contingency plans previously established are not enough to face the actual situation, and coming up with a plan that could strategically create a positive shift is where many have been focusing their energies. The urgency to implement might be higher than before as each day passes, and uncertainties seem to be greater than sureness.
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From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
Having received many questions about last week’s blog discussing the value of certain customers and how we seemed to be quite happy to lose customers, we just want to make one point before we move to an unemotional and purely clinical look at your products. The undercurrent of both these letters is Time.
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From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept
The lockdowns are starting to be reviewed and in some cases reversed, but have we been making full use of our time to prepare our businesses for when the doors open and life returns to some semblance of normality?
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by Nomazibulo Tshanga, Ziyana Business Consulting
As the global pandemic deepens and the human cost of Covid-19 rises, the novel coronavirus is sending shocks through the world economy. Across industries, organizations are now taking action to protect their employees, customers and also minimize the economic damage. I wonder if that’s the case for all organizations?
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Impact Partner Content: Absa
In spite of social and economic difficulties before the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African prepared food market remained resilient. However, as the pressure of the pandemic is felt heavily in the restaurant and quick-service industry; the shift to food delivery becomes more important as an option for these businesses to get to their consumers.
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by Ronel Jooste CA(SA), Financial Consultant, Speaker and Author of ‘Financially Fit and Wealthy’
The real value of having an emergency fund will only be fully appreciated during an emergency like the current pandemic. During the lockdown period imposed to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, both businesses and individuals are being severally impacted. Many businesses cannot trade during this period or are on a reduced level, resulting in no income or less income, but the expenses still have to be paid. Certain employees were put on unpaid leave or had to settle for a reduction in their salaries, but their living costs still have to be covered. Massive job losses are already predicted.
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From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department
With everything changing daily, with suppliers going bust and customers canceling orders, how can we possibly budget? Is it not simply better to stick our heads in the sand and hope when we come up for air, the Sun is shining and that Spring has arrived? Does that actually help with your sleeping patterns? Sorry - no such luck!
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