Avoid a resignation ending you up in court

January 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

In a recent labour court judgement, the legal nature of resignation was considered. It was also considered whether, and if so - how it could be revoked. We are currently in a great resignation globally, for reasons including but not limited to employees seeking to access provident fund benefits. Employees want to start their businesses. Short working time was never adjusted, leading to searching for greener pastures, regardless of the chances that you could face several resignations this year. You must avoid ending up in court over it.

To feed your dream or to feed your children?

January 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Tshego Dludla

Being a visionary is an amazing thing. Having a dream and wanting to see it through might set your soul on fire but the process is not always linear and simple. More often than not, it is an uphill battle with many tough moments and sacrifices. The highs are high, and the lows are really low. At times you must invest all your time, energy, and resources into seeing your vision to fruition. As a mother, your life doesn’t start and end at the office. You have at least two main jobs and your beloved children are the most important thing to you.

Getting the Basics Right: Website Must-Haves

January 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Cindy Maléombho-Codo

A website is essential for any business or organization in today's digital world. It's an easy way to reach a wide audience, build brand recognition, and establish credibility. But what do you need to create a successful website? This article will provide an overview of the components that should be included to ensure a successful online presence.

6 Lessons I Learned in My 40s I’m Grateful I Never Knew in My 20s

January 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

I've read many articles about life lessons people wished they had known earlier. Arguably this could have given me a better start, but the truth is had I known what I know now, I wouldn't have experienced the growth and discomfort that has shaped me into who I am today.

The Pros of Running My Own Business

January 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile

I have been running a business since 2014 and I can confirm it feels like I have been studying towards a masters of sorts. There are so many things I have discovered, learned and realized in the past 9 years. Some of which I wonder if I would have learned had I been in another industry or type of career. I also suspect each business owner has their own learning based on the industry they are in. Here is a list of the top 3 things I think are most important…

4 Habits to Create a Powerful Personal Brand

January 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

How do you know if you’re a powerful personal brand? It’s very simple. Are people excited to work with you? What do people expect of you when they engage with you? If you think back to university or college, you were forced to do group projects. There was always that person who did nothing and took the credit. It was easier to do their part because you knew it wouldn’t be done to the standard appropriate for your team. You didn’t say that person was a poor personal brand. However, you did associate them with labels such as unreliable, a taker and lazy.

How to find product-market fit

January 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Felicity Cowie, author of Exposure

In my earlier blog for LoA, What Exactly is Media Relations, I said there are at least eight mega benefits of media relations for any business to consider…

The Long and Winding Road of a Deceased Estate

January 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

Every attorney will tell you that it is critical to have a professionally drafted will and to ensure that you appoint the right executor to administer the deceased estate. Ultimately it aims to ensure that the administration of the deceased estate runs smoothly and without the added trauma of conflict. The question is, then, why are some deceased estates still marked with so much difficulty? Why does gut-wrenching conflict shadow so many legacies? Even when there is a Will?

Not sure if your business needs a rebrand?

January 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Cindy Maléombho-Codo

A rebrand can be a powerful tool for your business. It can help you change your image, connect with new customers, and tap into new markets. But why exactly should a company consider a rebrand? This article will explore why a rebrand can be a valuable asset for your business. You may be thinking your business is doing just fine, but if you're not seeing the growth you want, it might be time for a rebrand.

Creating Money Savvy Kids for the future

January 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Kathryn Main

Ask any child what they want to be when they grow up and you will hear things like; “I want to be a doctor”, “I want to be a pilot”, “I want to travel the world” or “I want to save the whales”, but dreams cost money and if dreams cost money why are we teaching our children to live the life of their means and not live the life of their dreams? Financial freedom starts with financial education!

5 Crucial Interpersonal Skills For A Successful Career

January 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Our interpersonal or people skills come down to how well we interact with people around us and the strength of our relationships. We already know that performance doesn't count for everything, and the higher up the ladder you go, the more critical your people skills become. You will inevitably experience difficult situations at the workplace, which are further inflamed by complex personalities.

How to build your pipeline faster

January 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Felicity Cowie, The Media Relations Coach

In my earlier blogs for Lionesses of Africa, What Exactly is Media Relations, I said there are at least eight mega benefits of media relations for any business to consider…

From Designing a Customer Experience Business Unit to Organisational Transformation

January 8, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Mandisa Makubalo

When organisations talk about wanting to set up a new business unit, there is often so much confusion within the organisation and outside the organisation. This confusion could be justified by the fact that most individuals both internally and externally are not part of the boardroom conversations where decisions are made. To some this decision is seen as a response to a business need; to some this introduction is met with great resistance as they feel left out and anxious about the thought of new people coming into the organisation. There’s concerns about who will be promoted, some immediately make accusations about unfair recruitment practices like “they already know who they want for those roles” which begins to threaten their relationship with the organisation.

How to get funding using media coverage

January 8, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Felicity Cowie, author of Exposure

In my earlier blog for Lionesses of Africa, What Exactly is Media Relations, I said there are at least eight mega benefits of media relations for any business to consider: Gain exposure with zero to low financial investment; Build credibility; Build pipeline faster; Get highly valuable shareable content; Find product-market fit; Become a thought leader and ‘category queen’; Get funding and more funding; Gain external validation.

Risks and Considerations for Privacy, Cybercrime and Blockchain

January 8, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

It is common cause that the legal framework around blockchain technology in most countries around the world is in its infancy. In most jurisdictions, the debate centres around the taxation of the assets as opposed to the regulating standards to limit user risk.

How to Lead Yourself Through Uncertainty

January 8, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Change is inevitable; it's the only constant. The question is, how comfortable are you with feeling uncomfortable? Consider that uncertainty came naturally to you in your twenties; you craved it. Very rarely did you plan your Saturday nights, the spontaneity of not knowing where you would land up was half the fun.

Moving Overwhelm to Well-m

January 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Ashika Pillay

Do you sometimes feel that, just like your computer, you have too many tabs open? A sense of frazzle - neither here nor there. Too much needing to be done - now! As the year comes to a close, a collective sigh can be felt echoing through our communities. It’s been a tough year or rather couple of years. Change has happened at a fast pace, and many of us have needed to adapt swiftly and move quickly on all fronts - home, work, communities.

How to become a thought leader and ‘category queen’

January 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Felicity Cowie, The Media Relations Coach

In my earlier blog for LoA, 'What Exactly is Media Relations?', I said there are at least eight mega benefits of media relations for any business to consider…

The four R’s to write more valuable emails

December 22, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Laura Camacho

There are conflicting statistics about how many emails people receive at work every day. It’s at least 100 emails. While we’re not sure how many we get each day on average, what we can agree on is that we get too many. Because emails tend to reach larger audiences than texts and phone conversations, rethinking the way you respond to an email is a good investment of your brain power. It’s a way to contribute more value to your company.

Expression not suppression is the path to peace

December 22, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Sharon Castle - Lifestyle and Wellness Coach

At the time of writing this blog, I had recently experienced my 64th birthday. I say experienced because it really wasn’t a celebration. My attention and focus were on making myself available for my niece and her family to enjoy her time in South Africa while celebrating her 50th birthday and the very important task of sifting through her late mother’s belongings (my sister). My sister passed 2.5 years ago and Covid prevented her daughter from attending the memorial service or visiting to complete the difficult task of deciding what to do with her belongings. Therefore, my birthday was just another day and all my energy was around holding space for my family.

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