Recovery Part II / Adapting your plan whilst remaining relevant

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

In the recent Lioness Enterprise Webinar, the brilliant Bruce Whitfield (voted by our team to have the second best radio voice on this planet - the first obviously being Matthew McConaughey…sorry Bruce!), reminded us of Mike Tyson’s famous quote (at the time he was the undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion): “We all have a plan, until we are punched in the face!” Although that is quite dramatic, we all agree that the business world has indeed had a huge punch to the face, but what we should also concentrate on from this quote is the: “We all have a plan…”.

Re-align your money mindset during lockdown

April 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser

Without a doubt we have been attacked. Many of us feel it in our core as humans. We hear of devastating news, people that mourn and people that suffer. This has a tremendous impact on the psychological thinking of a human as validation that we are still in control. We surely don’t feel in control. The only way to feel in control is to make a living. Work makes us feel that we are..... in control!

Coronavirus. Thinking of the early next steps.

April 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

We have covered the initial shock and awe of this terrible virus. We did not have enough time to prepare (but there was never going to be enough time), yet whatever we managed to do in the short time we had, will have significant results.

How To Balance Work And Motherhood During COVID-19 Lockdown

April 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Grace Stevens

Female entrepreneur, baker extraordinaire and mother of four, Grace Stevens understands that during lockdown many entrepreneurs are thinking about their business’ livelihood and sustainability. However, for many women managing their businesses in such an unpredictable climate whilst providing the love, care and comfort their families need can seem like a daunting task. So, what is Grace's secret to this seemingly superwoman status?

Avoid home fatigue. Make the best of your home spaces.

April 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Kim Williams

Cape Town based interior creative and behavioural specialist Kim Williams says that during the lockdown we can be more creative with how we use our space if we are going to get the most out of spending more time in our homes. During the COVID19 pandemic, we should be able to connect with our domestic spaces on a deeper level, increase their functionality and adapt their aesthetics to suit our new needs.

Working from home tips for working moms

April 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Phindile Tapula, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation

Working from home is tough during this pandemic outbreak. As a mom, this time is demanding. From scheduling and prioritizing playtime, preparing food more often than before, being on time and prepared for Zoom meetings. I have decided to share some tips for moms to stay sane and better manage working from home. Disclaimer, these tips work for me, they may not work for you. I am sharing them in order to inspire moms to establish their own systems. I suggest you try these tips and if they work, great and if they don’t - change them and make up your own.

When a virus pandemic provides a personal and business opportunity

April 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Sian Lovegrove, Director of the Open University of Tanzania, International Studies Centre

In this post, Sian shares how she finds light in the darkness of the coronavirus pandemic.

As I sit here in Dar es Salaam looking out across a flat Indian Ocean, quiet golden beaches, with a frothy coffee in my sweaty hands it feels like the calm before the coronavirus storm. This is a time of great concern for our global friends and family and people are dying in their thousands. However, I am an eternal optimist and I am turning this period of hibernation, stagnation and global frustration into a business and personal opportunity.

The S.M.A.R.T way to dealing with the Lockdown

April 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Saajidah Esat

As we enter into the extended period of the lockdown here, some of you may have found a rhythm to your days and established a set of thoughts and processes to help you stay positive and productive. I would like to share a tool that I have been using that has helped me immensely through these challenging times.

Your Saving Grace. An Emergency Fund.

April 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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.

Why it’s more important than ever to share your story

April 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Tapiwa Matsinde, founder of atelier 55

In times of crisis, we seek to connect to those who have been through or are going through what we are facing. Their stories are comforting, helping us to see that we are not alone, and give us a thread of hope that we too will make it through. And that is why sharing your story matters now more than ever because there is someone out there who is waiting to hear it and form that connection with you.

It’s hard to start building something new when the ruins surround you

April 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Marlese Wallis, founder of MIES body products

My company, MIES body products, manufactures natural bath and body products made from plant based ingredients, which are not tested on animals or bad for the environment. My heart has been devastated by this hard blow on all of us due to COVID-19. As you, I think of my family who depend on me; I think of my employees who depend on me for their families; and it is just plainly stressful! Although I feel I am not ready to write an article, I feel it is also important for others like me to see that there are others like you in business, taking this massive blow.

That silly little emotion called Guilt

April 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

If you're anything like me, then perhaps you are already starting to feel the impact of being in lock-down. Most days I wake up enthusiastic and ready to tackle my day and task list, but it does seem to be getting harder and harder each day as we head further into our extended lock down.

Domestic Work. Like it or not it has to be done!

April 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

In this time where most of us are ‘stuck’ at home, there are a lot of things we suddenly have to do ourselves. I have seen many many posts about how tedious it is to have to cook every day and more than once a day. A lot of us were at work, in an office for most of the day; we either packed lunch to work or just grabbed a sandwich from the tuck shop. Well, suddenly we have to cook breakfast, lunch and supper. For some, it is for an entire family vs you living alone for most of the year.

Budgets in the time of Coronavirus

April 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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!

Minimise Cyber-Attacks During Covid-19

April 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Adv. Lufuno Khorommbi, Cyber Law Consultant and MD: Orizur Consulting Enterprise

Did you know that using public WiFi increases your online vulnerability? Public WiFi comes as a great relief to many internet users since it relieves them from the burden of having to pay for data to access the much-needed internet services. These free services are conveniently available in public places like airports, restaurants, hotels, malls, etc in that promoting amongst others users’ productivity and mobility.

Regenerative Economics. Rethinking your business and life options.

April 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Natasha Singh-Ally

Together we are conceiving of the complexity and fragility of the living ecosystem we have always been a part of, but perhaps never before so harshly experienced.

How to find your happy place at home

April 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Michelle Wilbraham, Entrepreneur and Virtual Assistant at VA Connect

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic that we are all facing at present I thought that it would be very appropriate to encourage everyone to find that place that you can call your happy place.

Payment holiday. What you should know.

April 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste CA(SA), Financial Consultant, Speaker and Author of ‘Financially Fit and Wealthy’

Covid-19 certainly calls for extreme measures. The financial impact on individuals and businesses is extreme. The impact on the economy is extreme. Individuals and businesses are desperately looking for solutions to carry them through the lockdown period as well as the recovery phase thereafter. Most banks and other credit providers have offered payment holidays. Payment holidays are a welcome relief and definitely one solution to consider. It is however important to fully understand what a payment holiday entails and what the impact is over the longer-term.

Coronavirus / 8 practical steps to get your employee communication right

April 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

In the world of entrepreneurship, the founder of the business is the most trusted of all social messengers when it comes to effective communication – beating business in general, government, media and NGOs by 20-point margins. When the founder speaks, people listen, in particular employees — and the tone, accuracy and relevance of employers’ advice can make all the difference between calm and panic in this current, unsettling crisis situation.

COVID-19 Funding Relief landscape in South Africa

April 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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Impact Partner Content: Absa

The recent global health crisis has many of us deeply concerned about the health and wellbeing of our family, friends and employees. Not to mention the impact it has on us as business owners. We may consider a multitude of strategies, tactics and angles, but at the end of the day it effectively comes down to one thing – the lifeblood of our businesses…cashflow!

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