Every business has a central challenge. With my first business it was this: We were distributors for several famous software companies, reselling their products in South Africa through a network of partners that included IBM, Unisys, NCR, Accenture, DiData, etc, often as part of large systems solutions.
Read moreWhat do Entrepreneurs need more support with to be successful?
P.T. Barnum was an entrepreneur in the 19th century and his quote stands true to this day, for both men and women entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs bravely forge forward and will dare to go where no man (or woman) has gone before. We know the countless hours you’ve put into growing your business - the thankless menial tasks you’ve conquered - the sweat and tears shed to make this venture a success. As an aspiring entrepreneur you may wonder at times what are the missing links to transition from your business’s current state to success? We may look at other successful entrepreneurs and feel that they make the leap look quite easy.
Read moreWhat exactly is your Accountant talking about and your Banker getting excited over?
In the latest of a series of guest blogs that look at issues around financial management for women entrepreneurs, this week our focus is on understanding the numbers in our businesses.
Read moreWhere are the Cub Lionesses of Africa?
Tausi Suedi, Co-Founder & Country Team Leader, Childbirth Survival International
As the times are changing and more women are becoming fearless lionesses in the world, we need to make sure the cubs are following right behind. Today, we have female Presidents, Vice-Presidents, CEOs, Entrepreneurs, and more; women have taken their space to advance gender equality and be part of the many processes where decisions are made for women. I was born on July 26th, a natural lioness, and joining the Lionesses of Africa family is a great way to keep the roar loud and significant. As I traverse different parts of the world, I always ask myself where are the cubs?
Read moreWhy saying no gives you the freedom you want
Do you flinch every time you hear the word no? Living in a society where we’ve been raised that saying no means being rude certainly does make it difficult to give your opinion and set valuable boundaries. The word “Yes” has been engrained in us from a young age, and from that perspective it seems counter-intuitive that by saying no you give yourself the opportunity to empower yourself and harness a positive change in your life.
Read moreMake Something Beautiful
It is the early 1980’s and computer monitors have a uniform monotonous green text running across them. But someone has studied calligraphy at college, and dreams of bringing beauty and elegance to computers….
Read moreFinancial Smarts for Women Entrepreneurs: So what should I have in my armoury from the Bank and should I shop around?
In the latest of a series of fascinating and insightful guest blogs that look at issues around financial management for women entrepreneurs, this week our focus is on understanding what exactly you need in your financial armoury and the benefits of shopping around for the right source of banking support.
Read moreMap Your Assumptions
It is April 1992 and Disney is opening their second theme park outside the United States in Paris, after twenty years of running other theme parks. Despite their experience and the meticulous planning that went into this $5b project, the park will have racked up losses of more than $1 billion by 1994. How could things go so wrong?
Read moreHow to Boost your LinkedIn profile
Are you using LinkedIn to its fullest potential? I sure hope so! LinkedIn is my all time favorite social media site. It's the place to see and be seen. So, in order to get the best value from LinkedIn I've compiled a couple of pointers I would love to share with you. Who knows, you may too experience the magic of LinkedIn and see excellent returns on your business growth!
Read moreFinancial Smarts for Women Entrepreneurs: The Dark Side to Compound Interest and why you need to keep your friendly Banker in the loop
In the latest of a series of guest blogs that look at issues around financial management for women entrepreneurs, this week our focus is on understanding how Compound Interest works, and why it is so important to keep your friendly Banker on side.
Read moreCreate an Emeritus Board
Successful ventures will need an exceptional management team. But your startup has a young team without a lot of experience or a track record that will impress people. What can you do? Create an "Emeritus Board" of advisors. Ask some of the best and brightest people in your field to join an advisory board for your company.
Read moreFinancial Smarts for Women Entrepreneurs: Valuing your Company
In the latest of a series of guest blogs that look at issues around financial management for women entrepreneurs, this week our focus is on understanding how to value your company. I want to sell 25% of my company to a friend - just how much is my company worth?
Read moreGood entrepreneurs begin by listening
Good entrepreneurs begin by listening, hearing something that is growing or that needs a solution... You need to hear the bell first. Many people think that entrepreneurship starts with creativity, with dreaming up an idea. But it doesn't. Creativity comes after you hear the bell, in responding to that call. First the work of the ear, then the hands....
Read moreFINANCIAL SMARTS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: Incoterms and why they matter to Lionesses
In the latest in a series of informative guest blogs that look at issues around financial management issues for women entrepreneurs, this week we get a better understanding of Incoterms why they matter to Lionesses, particularly for those businesses that import and export.
Read moreConnect to a Deeper Purpose
Keep your eye on the cathedral.... A man stops at a huge construction site and asks one of the workers, 'What are you doing?'. The worker replies 'I'm laying bricks'. Still puzzled, the man asks another worker 'What are you doing?'. This man replies 'I am helping to build a cathedral that will glorify God for centuries'.
Read moreSuccess needs a superb team
Many entrepreneurs think a good idea will ensure success. Then they present their idea to an investor and get the response below.
Read moreThe art of juggling and multi-tasking for women entrepreneurs
How do you keep all the balls in the air, whilst building a company and brand? As women we are often referred to as master jugglers. Somewhere in our lifetime we have learnt the art of juggling many tasks at once, whilst at the same time producing excellent results. Being able to multi-task means not missing out on opportunities. Most entrepreneurs share the same traits of being courageous, persistent and having great vision. Pair this with juggling several tasks at once and you know you have a winning combination!
Read moreFINANCIAL SMARTS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: Foreign Exchange - having a plan and sticking to it
In the third of a fascinating series of guest blogs simplifying issues around financial management for all those women entrepreneurs who are looking to import and export in their business, this week the focus is on the importance of having a foreign exchange plan and sticking to it.
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Women Pioneering the Development of Africa’s Contemporary Artisanal Crafts
Artisanal craft has often been seen as the lowly cousin to more high profile creative disciplines such as design, sculpture and art, with the artisans themselves tending to be consigned to the background. This perception is now changing as the artisan sector undergoes a global resurgence. The high profile support of initiatives such as the recently launched #ChooseArtisan campaign are helping to keep the momentum going.
Read moreHow to successfully build a uniquely African yet global brand
In the past, many of the strongest global brands were afforded a luxury that is in short supply these days: time. The results of the latest Global Brand Survey demonstrate that being seen as part of the local culture is a significant driver of purchase intent for both global and local brands. However, while consumers have usually grown up with the local brand, the global brand is often less familiar because it has not been around as long.
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