Unpacking renewable energy technologies - Part 2 Solar Thermal

August 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa | by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sectors, Absa

In article two of a four-part series, Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sectors at Absa, unpacks solar thermal with upcoming articles on wind as a technology as well as concluding the series with a view on the technologies which are changing the future state of the industry. With some houses using a much as 30% to 40% of their energy consumption on water heating, solar thermal is a popular means for many households of reducing their energy bills.

Unpacking renewable energy technologies - Part 1 Solar

August 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa | by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sectors, Absa

In this series of four articles by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sectors at Absa, he will unpack the three most topical renewable energy technologies and conclude the series with a view on the technologies which are changing the future state of the industry.

Covid-19 health pandemic amplified by a financial fraud crisis

August 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa | By Ulrich Janse van Rensburg, Head of Fraud Strategy for Absa’s Retail and Business Bank

A heartfelt call to exercise vigilance when it comes to money matters.

The past few months have been a really tough period for Jack and Sarah. While they are committed to curbing the spread of Covid-19 and have gone out of their way to protect themselves and the people around them during this time, they co-own a popular barber shop, which was closed for business during the first phases of the national lockdown. The lack of income has been a massive worry. Fortunately, the couple had accumulated some savings over the years, which was seeing them through this tough period, but it was fast running out.

Learn the art of creative problem solving in business

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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Impact Partner Content: Absa

To celebrate Women’s Month in South Africa, Lionesses of Africa is launching a very special one-hour Lioness Business Agility Live Webinar for women entrepreneurs, hosted in partnership with Absa on the morning of Friday 14 August.

Digital Networking During Covid-19

August 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa

At a recent online National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) event, Mr Oscar Siziba, Managing Executive for Absa Bank’s Gauteng and Limpopo regions, gave small business owners tips for creating effective digital networks.

Managing distressed business during Covid-19

July 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Hwalani Mabaso, Provincial General Manager: Distribution, Relationship Banking, Absa

The Covid-19 pandemic has left many businesses distressed, with some businesses scrambling for survival. It’s important for any business to think of business resilience during Covid-19 and post. If your business is currently in distress it’s crucial to first assess the situation and develop a practical insolvency plan and avoid any false movements which can ultimately impact the business performance.

Josie Van Aswegen, a South African bespoke floral design entrepreneur taking creativity to the next level

July 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Josie Van Aswegen, owner of Fabulous Flowers (Cape Town, South Africa)

Impact Partner Content: Absa / Startup Story

Every business has a heart – a core to its operations. The soul and drum beat to the golden thread that runs throughout the works. Fabulous Flowers would not be where it is today without the owner - Josie Van Aswegen. We had the privilege of catching up over the past week. And what a week! Her beautiful new studio in Toffie Lane, Claremont, South Africa, is a pleasure to visit and the creativity happening there is infectious.

Understanding your electricity bill better could be a way to quickly save money

July 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Vishay Rabbipal, Head: Renewable Energy, Retail and Business Banking, Absa

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has affected all areas of our daily lives – the way we work, the way we manage our finances and how we interact with each other. In these unprecedented times, many have concerns about the future, their income and are looking at ways to save costs in monthly household budgets. One cost that continues to put pressure on households, is utility tariff increases, and given that most families are home for extended periods, their personal energy use may have increased. Added to this the fact it is winter (there is a usual, seasonal use increase), and costs are being increased to reflect this seasonal peak in demand.

Business agility in turbulent times

June 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: by James Noble, Head of Wholesale, Retail and Franchising – Absa Business Banking

No business has been left unscathed by the COVID19 pandemic. Even businesses in the fast- moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector that trade in groceries, health, hygiene, long-life consumables and pharmaceutical products have been impacted due to shorter trading hours and more conservative purchasing behaviour by consumers.

You are one step closer to establishing yourself as a successful eTailer

June 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Lesego Mpakanyane, Sector Specialist, Relationship Banking: Wholesale and Retail Sector, Absa

One of the features of our globalized world is the level at which we are able to trade across borders due to easy and convenient eCommerce trade with a value of $2 trillion in 2019, or R33.66 trillion ($/R16.82 as at the time of publishing).

The impact of IoT on retail

June 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Absa Business Banking

The ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is becoming an increasingly growing topic of conversation in the workplace. It’s a concept that not only has the potential to impact how we live, but also how we work. IoT has particular implications for the retail industry.

Rand volatility – manufacturers should be managing their exposure

May 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Justin Schmidt

The manufacturing sector saw capacity utilization fall to 79.3% in February, a 7-year low, indicating that there was rising pressure on the sector even before COVID-19 enforced lockdown restrictions. This underutilization was driven by a lack of demand, as well as the high levels of load shedding.

What is the expected future value of the Rand in 2020?

May 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Michael Keenan, Peter Worthington & Wessel Lemmer

Farmers’ expertise lies in the production of agricultural commodities, but the exchange rate is critical to farmers’ profitability. South Africa has one of the most volatile exchange rates in the world, for a complicated variety of reasons, which adds to the risk faced by agricultural producers in South Africa’s risky environmental situation, with unpredictable rainfall. Absa’s expertise in financial markets can help agricultural producers to manage their foreign exchange risks to the benefit of their bottom line.

COVID-19 Funding Relief for South Africa’s business owners

May 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa

The recent global health crisis has many of us deeply concerned about the health and wellbeing of our family, friends and employees. Not to mention the impact it has on us as business owners. We may consider a multitude of strategies, tactics and angles, but at the end of the day it effectively comes down to one thing – the lifeblood of our businesses…cashflow!

Food delivery in the restaurant and quick-service restaurant industry

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa

In spite of social and economic difficulties before the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African prepared food market remained resilient. However, as the pressure of the pandemic is felt heavily in the restaurant and quick-service industry; the shift to food delivery becomes more important as an option for these businesses to get to their consumers.

The importance of an ecommerce strategy

April 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Absa Business Banking

An ecommerce strategy is vital, but the relevance of your offering remains key. Internet traffic has increased by 50% during the COVID-19 crisis, but ecommerce conversion rates are dropping. Having the right channels are key, but at the same time, constant re-evaluation of the relevance of your proposition will sustain your business in the long run.

Perspectives on black female producers in South African agriculture

April 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Dr Langelihle Simela, Business Development Manager, Absa AgriBusiness and Wessel Lemmer, Senior Agricultural Economist at Absa Agribusiness

Perspective on black women in agriculture: participation, support and prospects. — In South Africa, agriculture is known as male dominated industry - a fact well supported by the 2017 census of commercial agriculture. Therefore, it must be understood that black women who aspire to be become successful farmers enter largely unchartered waters.

COVID-19 Funding Relief landscape in South Africa

April 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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Impact Partner Content: Absa

Managing liquidity: a key consideration as businesses deal with the Covid-19 crisis

April 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sector Development, Absa Retail and Business Bank

While COVID-19 is first and foremost a global health crisis, the brutal reality is that the measures to “flatten the curve” have had a devastating impact on many businesses already – and will continue to in the medium to long term. The need to quickly conserve cash and to alleviate inefficiencies that may have crept into business in the good times are more important than ever, with revenues being down substantially due to these shocks. Acting quickly to manage your liquidity is essential in these uncertain times.

Coronavirus necessitates new ways of doing business

March 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Riaan Petersen, Head of Business Banking Segment Solutions, Absa Retail and Business Bank

Governments across the world are taking drastic measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19. At the time of writing this article, the virus affected 199 countries and territories, 536.6k confirmed cases, 24.1k deaths and 124.4k recoveries. There are now more than 2,400 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across Africa and growing warnings that the pandemic will cause major challenges for the continent’s under-resourced health services.

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