A Simple Guide to Effective Market Research for Your Startup

March 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Farida Yahya

For any business to succeed, especially a new one making its way into the market, it must be armed with accurate and detailed information. After all, “Knowledge is power!” With the knowledge gleaned from the market research, it provides the entrepreneur with a wealth of information about prospective and existing customers, the competition, and the industry in general. It allows you to determine the feasibility of a business before committing your resources to the venture.

How to become the chief architect of your life

March 13, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” - Jim Rohn

If you had to design your ideal day from the moment you wake up to when you go to sleep - what does that look like? Some things to consider...

COVID-19 Impact on the Guarding Industry

March 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya

The coronavirus pandemic is the most challenging situation the security industry has faced. The pandemic has caused an extraordinary degree of business and economic disruption, from local communities to global supply chains—and that’s before you get to the health scare itself and its impacts on families and businesses. The virus has had an impact on the fundamentals of society and security is both becoming critically important and disposable at the same time.

Rethinking Development in Africa

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Shatho Babitse

The relationship between African women and the economy is a strange paradox globally. Women work two-thirds of the working hours and produce more than half of the food, but only earn 10% of the total income, have less than 2% of the land, and receive less than 5% bank loans.

1 choice + 2 simple words is all it takes to be successful

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

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By Lori Milner

“All overnight success takes about 10 years.” — Jeff Bezos

When you think about success, often it feels like it will come from one game changing decision or one significant event. Someone is finally going discover your talents or give you your big break. The problem with this way of thinking is that you are putting your happiness in the control of someone else’s hands, you are leaving your life up to external factors. When you keep waiting for things outside your influence to drive your sense of accomplishment, it tends to leave you despondent and feeling out of control. You are always future focused and this is where anxiety breeds so it’s definitely not a good strategy.

First Meetings

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

**“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” — Maya Angelou**

Life is busy, and days pass by in a flash. Often, I reach the end of the day wondering what the heck happened! It is the most disorienting feeling to know that one has been not just busy, but frantically consumed by activity, and yet we are unable to account for our time and we have made no progress on our own goals.

Woman, arise!

February 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Nandi Odri Usher

An unapologetic and unstoppable force, a yet to be discovered by the world gem, a game changer, Miss Fidelia Obonetse Masomosomo is a 30 year old beautiful young lady from the village of Mochudi here in Botswana. A young lady on a journey of recovery, re-discovery and re-building her life, her dreams and her purpose. In a world full of players, Miss Fidelia has shown to be a game changer; playing by her rules, running her own race.

Want to Publish a Book? Here are The Key Things You Need to Consider

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Tapiwa Matsinde

There is a saying that everyone has got a book in them. Publishing a book is a great way to share your knowledge, skills, and experience with your world. However, knowing what to do and where to turn to for help can make it a daunting task. As with any project you embark on planning and preparation will make the publishing process a whole lot smoother. So, if you want to publish a book but are not sure of where and how to start here are some of the key things you will need to consider…

Challenge…

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Mircea Neto

Challenge - it is a word that everyone knows, that has about 39 synonyms and that carries immense meaning, because without realizing it every new day there is a challenge to be faced.

Compassion is your compass to happiness

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.” - Lao Tzu

The definition of compassion is “to recognize the suffering of others and then take action to help through acts of kindness”. The component of action is what separates compassion from empathy, sympathy, pity, concern, or any other compassion synonym. The difference is that compassion gets involved”.

The Power Of Habit

February 21, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Safiyyah Boolay-Jappie

For a long time now I have had a healthy appreciation for the power of habit in my life, in the lives of others as well as in the lifespan of businesses. I can’t say that I absolutely believe that what you put into something determines what you get out, but for the most part I am in agreement that what you get out of any endeavour strongly correlates with what you put in. The only challenge is that we are quite often completely oblivious to what exactly we put in.

The Awakening of the Mind

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Elizandra dos Santos

About the book “Ho'oponopono", today I come to share the insights I had after reading the work three times, at different stages of my life. Written by three authors of different backgrounds, it is a very interesting and easy-to-understand book. I recommend it to all who seek to live a life with more love and lightness in their hearts.

A simple guide to building your dream team

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Farida Yahya

Let’s face it, building a team is nerve wrecking for most founders. It’s a cross between anxiety and excitement and it’s usually as a result of projected fear, usually from experience, and sometimes just from hearsay. I am sharing these simple tips with you to broaden your horizon, and make you realize that it’s possible to build your dream dream.

Tips for Tax Year-end

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Ronel Jooste

When you plan and prepare for tax year-end, you can utilize tax savings more effectively and experience less stress and hassle when submitting your tax returns.

Will you become Money Savvy this year?

February 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Kathryn Main

Everyone’s life is different, but many have still been impacted in similar ways because of the impact of COVID-19. 2020 was a mean teacher but the lessons were clear. In some way or another, you and your family have probably been impacted by a job loss or reduction in income. 2021 is promising a bit of the same and the potential for more job losses, pay cuts and reduction in income is prominent. I join you in shouting “this sucks!”

Fundamentals of WhatsApp Updated Privacy Policy (Part 2)

February 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lufuno Khorommbi

In the second of my series of articles on the Fundamentals of WhatsApp Updated Privacy Policy (read Part 1), we look at possible alternatives that WhatsApp users can migrate to, and what that migration might entail.

Can You Be A Carpenter?

February 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser founder of Picketfence Life

This is a story with a different angle. I am sure many of you get into the kitchen late at night or frankly any time of day and then “bam” the kitchen top has got a beautiful crazy ant party going on! Most of us freak out and grab the best pesticides. But, it is not a party - they are carrying food to their home.

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak tree that resists

February 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Ashika Pillay

The title of this article, a Japanese proverb, encapsulates this year for me. I have heard and read so much about resilience and stress management this year, and all with good reason and need. It really got me thinking though, about what true resilience and strength is and where it comes from.

How to beat Zoom fatigue

February 5, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“To do two things at once is to do neither” - Publilius Syrus

The spontaneous conversation in the passage has disappeared. Because you can’t just pop your head into someone’s office, you now need to set up a dedicated time in the day to chat to them. Multiply this across your team and numerous stakeholders and your day is a jam-packed calendar of virtual meetings.

Keep the beat, keep your passion, keep your vision in the groove!

January 30, 2021 Melanie Hawken

By Mbalenhle Ndaba

Is there a future in blaming your past for your present? You are now aware of the past and its experiences, it is time for you not to ignore the past so you cannot repeat it, and it is time to incorporate push with stillness