Harnessing my biggest strength

May 10, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile

My biggest strength in running a business in South Africa is that I am multilingual. I can comprehend Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana, isiSwati, Xitsonga, Tshivenda, isiXhosa, isiZulu, English and Afrikaans. I am struggling with isiNdebele, and lately Shona; the reason for Shona is merely the fact that we have over 700 000 Zimbabweans living in SA, and a portion of them are definitely Shona. If they are Ndebele, I can comprehend it too as it sounds (to me) close to isiZulu.

Being good at what you do is no longer enough

May 10, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Naike Moshi

Being good at what you do is undoubtedly an essential component of success, but it is not enough to guarantee that you will get all the opportunities you want. There are many other factors that come into play when it comes to getting ahead in your career or achieving your goals.

Business Uniqueness

May 10, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila

The world today is characterized by businesses operating in various sectors of the economy. Every sector is unique thus calling for business uniqueness in identity, operation, services, products, structure, and culture. Business uniqueness is imperative for the business to be different and unique in the sector of operation. The business would be identified easily because of the unique features embedded within the services being offered and products being sold. It is also important that the uniqueness of the business is engraved in the structure for it to be recognized easily by potential customers.

Creating access to markets

May 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Kathryn Main

When you are ready to start your new business venture, you need to think about all the ways this product or service can make you money. How many sources of income can you get from this one business? Can you build multiple income streams and make those income streams passive income streams?

Do you need a bestie in business?

May 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lizl Naude

Friendship between women can be the most beautiful thing. It can be a safe place and is very important to your overall well-being. But...it can also be challenging. And as we navigate through seasons and life, it can sometimes also be very heart-breaking.

How to manifest anything you want in your life

May 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Margaret Hirsch

My mother came from a reasonably middle to upper class family where she had been brought up with everything she needed. She had married the boy next door, and they had moved to the old Rhodesia where they went to seek their fortune. They had two children, myself - and my brother five years later - and everything was perfect. My mother was living her dream, playing tennis at the country club and socialising over weekends and being the proverbial housewife. My father’s sudden death was devastating to her! She was quickly swindled out of the pension money she had been left and found herself having to cope with two children, no job and no money and she was only in her mid 30’s.

From Toxic to Terrific: Transforming Your Workplace Culture

May 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Anja van Beek, Talent Strategist, Leadership & HR Expert and Executive Coach

A toxic workplace can have a devastating impact on employees and organisations alike. It can cause high levels of stress, low morale, and high turnover rates. In extreme cases, it can even lead to legal action. For leaders, especially the HR leader who is often seen as the custodian of culture, managing a toxic workplace is a critical responsibility that requires a strategic approach.

How to successfully use Google Business Profile for Small Business

April 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Heideli Loubser

Google Business Profile (GMB) is an invaluable tool for small businesses. It helps you to increase visibility and reach more customers. But it doesn't work automatically; you need to optimize it properly in order to get the most out of it. In this article, we will discuss how to successfully use Google Business Profile for Small Businesses so that you can reap the benefits of GMB optimization.

Choosing the correct dispute resolution method for your business

April 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

Electing the most appropriate method of resolving disputes may be the difference between your business surviving this challenge or failing. In many instances, business owners need to be aware of the options at their disposal when resolving future disputes. As such, they do not contract correctly. In other instances, there is awareness, but a complete understanding of the implications of pre-selecting a specific dispute resolution alternative is needed. As such, business owners must better understand the other options and contract most appropriately from the outset.

The Pause

April 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Zodidi Gaseb

I took a break from my business towards the end of 2022. I was burnt out and felt the sparkle I once had fizzle out. The general sigh of frustration rang through social media when I made the announcement, and honestly, I didn’t know if I even wanted to come back. During that time however, I realized the importance of the pause, of restructuring and getting your affairs in order that running a business sometimes doesn’t afford us. It can sometimes feel contrary to what we are taught about “the hustle”, the grinding until there is nothing left.

What is a Brand Audit, and why you need it for your business?

April 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Cindy Maléombho-Codo

A Brand Audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a company's brand and how it is perceived by its target audience. It involves a systematic review of all the brand elements, including its visual identity, messaging, products, services, customer experience, and market positioning. The purpose of this specific audit is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a brand, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop a strategy to enhance its overall effectiveness and competitiveness.

Are employees feeling burnt out already?

April 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

We're hearing a lot of feedback in our networks that so many people are feeling exhausted already and it's only April....what are they going to feel like when we get to December....burnt out, stretched and hanging on for dear life?

Some do’s and don'ts when it comes to your bank account

April 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

We often read about banks, clients and scams. Often we see litigation between the bank and its Client. So, where does the reciprocal duty start and end?

Marketing Strategies Explained

April 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila

It is said that, it is not known until it is said, seen or shared. Therefore, as entrepreneurs, we should make our businesses known to others. We do this by using various marketing strategies. We should do this for all customers to be able to know our businesses using an inclusive approach of using both traditional and modern marketing strategies.

4 Ways to say no without saying no

April 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Saying no is challenging; most of us dread it because it questions our identity as being a good person. We fear saying no because we are afraid people won't like us or will let them down and disappoint them. We attach so much guilt and dread to this little word that we end up giving away our yes too quickly.

Unpacking the Contempt of Court process

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Nicolene Schoeman-Louw

Many litigants often find that getting recourse at Court only partially resolves all issues between them. It usually calls for referring the matter back even after it was concluded and is typically where a contempt of court application would follow.

The Key to Your Self-Care Goals Is Thinking Small and Here’s Why

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

When making progress on self-care goals, having a good intention is not enough. In my work as a coach and trainer, I know people genuinely have every good intention to show up on the calendar without guilt to make time for their self-care goals. They make promises to themselves, intending to honour them, but ultimately these agreements get broken. The excuses are coming from a good place — my boss needed something, I didn’t have enough time or my bed was too warm.

Building a Brand. What is branding, exactly?

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Kathryn Main

What is branding, exactly? Contrary to popular belief, branding is far more than just a logo. Your customers’ first impression of your company is formed through your brand. Therefore, your brand experience should be encapsulated and epitomised in your branding. This can be achieved through various elements such as…

Is a Nocturnal Work Style Good For You? Here are 5 reasons why it’s not so bad - or is it?

April 15, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Eldari Visser

I recently read an article with a lengthy discussion about people that are early risers and the positivity around that. Early birdies and worms. How a person can get lots more done in the early hours of the morning and that it is good for your body, soul and mind to jump up, get some sunshine at the early stage of the sunrise in the morning, feeling fresh and get so much more done. Right!

When it comes to business success – managing workflow, not people, is key

March 31, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Rochelle Roos

In the business world, knowing how to successfully manage workflow or flow is key.

Simply put, flow is the movement and delivery of customer value through a process. Not having a good grip on flow means that an organisation cannot sustainably deliver value to its customers. In short, bad workflow means a constant struggle to accomplish more and faster which results in added stress.

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