Being consistent in life both personally and professionally is an aspect that everyone needs to aspire to in order to be successful. Being consistent at work and at home creates room to rectify mistakes and work at your best.
Read moreStress is a dream stealer – understand why
Stress affects everybody; no one is immune to the effects of stress. In all aspects of life duality exists, and stress is no exception having both positive and negative aspects. On a positive note, stress is necessary for our survival and evolution as human beings – we learn through pain, suffering and stress. Stress is often a catalyst for change, as well as an early warning signal. Stress can also be character building, and can stretch us to achieve what we never believed was possible. Do you view your current stress as positive or negative, beneficial or detrimental?
Read moreAttitude is a little thing that makes a big difference
As every entrepreneur knows, if you have a team of people working with you in your business, you must deal with their performance, personal issues and attitudes, as much as you must deal with your own! Why this image for a post about attitude? Well, depending on your attitude, you may choose to focus on the heartbreaking results of the 2015 Cape fires – in this case a burnt-out tree in the Silvermine Nature Reserve, or notice the amazing resilience of the fynbos next to it that needs fire to germinate.
Read more#BizTrends2017: Top five mobile trends to help you plan for 2017
This is not another "year of the mobile" trends piece - that ship sailed five years ago. If you do not have a mobile presence then you really should not be playing in the digital space, because now in 2017, it is not a matter of digital vs mobile or marketing vs digital - your consumer is connected, whether you like it or not, and is partaking in an omnichannel world.
Read moreWhy not swap business services to grow?
Have you thought about swapping business services to grow your business? Some people call it bartering, trading or exchanging – it’s all the same thing. If you’re like me, you’re good at what you know and terrible at everything else. When you’ve got a limited budget or you’re keeping your costs as low as possible, you tend to do more for yourself than you should.
Read more8 Ways to ensure 2017 is a success
As the New Year kicks in, it's important to take time to reflect on the past year and all it has held. This includes both the highs and the lows, and an assessment of how far we have come (so we know how much further still to go). The reason why this is important is so that we can plan better for 2017. As they say "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” By reflecting on both the highs and lows, we can gain valuable insights and feedback for ourselves to help guide us going forward. Here's why....
Read moreWhat are your New Year’s Sales Resolutions?
A new year is upon us and like most entrepreneurs I’m really excited for what it has in store for us. A new start, a fresh beginning for many startups. Let’s be resolved to make this the best entrepreneurial year yet! What are your New Year’s Sales resolutions? Have you spent time working out a strategy, putting an action plan in motion, formulating ideas on how you’re going to grow your business this year?
Read moreIs all Stress Negative?
Stress can be likened to a coin which we all know has two sides – heads or tails, positive or negative, beneficial or detrimental. With discernment, and a level-headed approach, it is possible to determine how best to handle stress, including daily stressors. Contrary to popular belief, not all stress is negative, or even detrimental. To expand, I would like to share the following aspects for introspection of the stress in your life.
Read moreWhat are the characteristics of a good brand?
"What makes a great brand?” - As the co-owner of a vibrant creative studio specialising in design, branding and marketing called SummerTime, I probably get asked that question every single work day, at least… And while branding and marketing is both a science and an art, often entailing complex analysis and sophisticated insights, the answer to this question is pretty simple and straight forward.
Read moreENTREPRENEUR SMARTS: Mastering Trifocal Execution
Successful entrepreneurs are usually working on three horizons at once: 1. the now - their current products for the current market; 2. the next - products for emerging markets; and 3. the nascent - thinking and working towards the far future.
Read more12 Tips to Reduce Entrepreneurial Stress
Being an entrepreneur can be exciting, gratifying, challenging and of course, stressful too. The freedom of having your own business, being your own boss, making decisions maybe rewarding but the responsibility is stressful. More especially when there is more month than money, staff, suppliers and bills to pay with little left over for your needs. Entrepreneurs are renowned for juggling multiple roles, pushing the envelope, and squeezing the most out of any resource.
Read moreHow to deal with festive season holiday stress
December holidays and the festive season is supposed to be a joyous occasion and time for celebration, but in reality this has become an overrated commercial racket, complete with extravagance and over-indulgence. Typically prices sky-rocket and stocks are limited. People fret over what gifts to buy. Budgets are limited, yet people overspend and get into debt. Crowds, queues and traffic bottlenecks become the norm. Resorts are overcrowded. As people overindulge, diets fly out the window. Naturally emotions spiral uncontrollably. Frustrations, guilt, regret, remorse and stress levels soar.
Read moreThe importance of setting your small business marketing goals for 2017
We can all acknowledge that 2016 has been a phenomenal year, a year graced with fundamental business lessons, sprouting with opportunities and great networking sessions. So what does 2017 have in store for us? Do you have a marketing strategy in place for the New Year?
Read moreENTREPRENEUR SMARTS: Evolve or Die
Every month I see startups who are failing because they have not evolved. Every startup ecosystem goes through three distinct stages. Startups that do not evolve to fit each stage will die out. So what are these stages?
Read moreA legal guide to starting a business in South Africa
When you decide to start your own business, there are various legalities that you will need to take into account – below is a simple checklist of factors you may need to consider.
Read moreHow do I create my brand?
Imagine your business was a person… What would she look like? How would she talk? What would she say? Which words would she use? Would she talk passionately, using casual language? Or would she employ a more classical and formal tone? Why would people engage with her in conversation? Would she behave consistently and therefor build rapport and trust with others?
Read moreFor an entrepreneur, it's not a matter of how long you've been in business
Ever been asked, “so how long have you been doing this for?” Saying anything in terms of months doesn’t leave the impression that you know what you are doing”. At this point in the conversation, the doubtful voices in your head that seem to follow you everywhere, and get louder. I’ve seen how this question can burst the bubble of confidence at networking sessions.
Read moreBecome obsessed with making your business successful
“Don’t forget: What you are obsessed with will become a reality.” - Grant Cardone --- Do you wake up in the morning, thrilled to start the day, excited to tackle new challenges and take the day head on? Or do you start the day wishing you could have slept in a bit longer, or that you didn’t have to go to a certain meeting?
Read moreWhy All Women Recycling considers replication as a new pathway to scale impact
“Be creative, be unafraid, and take that step off the mountain. I assure you it’s worth it.” This advice from Lynn Worsley, the founder of the successful eco-inclusive enterprise and 2014 SEED South Africa Award Winner All Women Recycling, encourages women who are considering founding their own social enterprise to go for it.
Read moreSetting out your guide for your entrepreneurial journey
One of the advantages of leaving the corporate environment to start a business is you often know so much more of what you don’t want. However, having a clear vision of what you do want to achieve can be both a blessing and a curse.
Read more