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.

5 things I'm currently doing to keep my anxiety in check

May 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Abigail K, Confidence Crusader, Women’s Portrait Photographer, Founder of Confident Creative Academy

In this video I'm sharing 5 things I'm currently doing to keep my anxiety in check.

We can't control everything going on around us, but we can control how we show up every day. I'm sharing the 5 things I'm doing to help me keep my anxiety about the corona virus down and keep my confidence up.

Quote of the Day by Cátia Mondlane

May 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Our ability to adapt to the current situation has been showing faster and more positive results that we can clearly see from the virtual traffic that is opening many doors to online business.”

Catia Mondlane, founder, Estética & Cosméticos (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Laura Camacho / Take a calculated risk

May 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Laura Camacho, founder, Mixonian Institute (USA)

Take a calculated risk…

“When you get things wrong, you learn. Be sure to congratulate yourself on trying something, on getting out of your comfort zone and taking the calculated risk. Not everyone does that and your failure is testament to your personal courage.”

Laura Camacho, founder, Mixonian Institute (USA)

My thoughts on the Future World of Work

May 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Nomazibulo Tshanga, Ziyana Business Consulting

As the world pandemic deepens and the human cost rises, we will see a lot of changes when it comes to the world of work post Covid19. We will see most organisations rethink their business strategies and relook at their approaches, particularly in terms of how it will change the careers of employees and how organisations will respond to that.

Strong Woman, Strong Coffee

May 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Diane Nsengiyumva, founder of Shamba Kahawa (Burundi)

by Martine Irakoze

The pandemic has proven that women leaders and health workers are managing these stressful situations better than the typical ‘strongmen’. At home, mothers are also holding families together while juggling online work, home-school, or businesses. Surely, behind these strong and successful women, there is a substantial amount of coffee. To inspire strength to fellow female entrepreneurs, this article will talk about an industry reputed to be strong and tough: coffee.

Quote of the Day by Yolanda Nlovu

May 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Good entrepreneurs are resilient because they will face more rejection than opportunities.”

Yolanda Ndhlovu, founder, Essy Sandisiwe (Zimbabwe)

Entrepreneur Advice from Kulani Shiluvane / Embrace change

May 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kulani Shiluvane, founder, Shiluvah (South Africa)

Embrace change…

“As an entrepreneur, change needs to be one of your board members. It is in the ability to embrace change or having a change mindset that allows us to find new solutions for the challenges we’ll face.”

Kulani Shiluvane, founder, Shiluvah (South Africa)

Are the lock down cracks starting to show?

May 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee: Relationship Expert, Tedx speaker and author of Embracing Conflict and Embracing No.

Coming out of lock down is going to mean different things to many people but for the majority of us it smacks of freedom. Freedom to move, to go back to work, to see our families and friends – or does it?

Finding solutions to problems

May 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

Everything has drastically changed and having to adapt to the new situations hasn’t been an easy task especially when one is used to being outdoors, interacting and building new relationships. When selling a service, one can easily customize to meet a range of needs or even solving specific problems. Since the social distancing began it has been a challenge for many service providers because it might be difficult to describe one’s service to prospects, especially if customers have a hard time visualizing what one does or how can be helped.

Feelings are not fact

May 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

This was my favourite quote from Lance - it goes: “Feelings are not fact. It’s what you do that counts. If you feel hungry, if you feel tired, those aren’t fact. It’s what you do that counts. Just do the next right thing. Just keep making the right decisions, one at a time.”

Help our Health Workers

May 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Abigail K, Confidence Crusader, Women’s Portrait Photographer, Founder of Confident Creative Academy

This post is intended to rally support for the mental wellbeing of our South African Healthcare workers by calling for volunteer mental health professionals.

Quote of the Day by Tania Reid

May 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“It has always been said that where there are problems there are opportunities. It depends entirely on perception”

Tania Reid, founder, ithemba Office Solutions (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Damaris Nyabuti / Show your customers you care

May 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Damaris Nyabuti, founder, Dharkemmy Corporate Communications Limited (Kenya)

Show your customers you care…

“Don’t stop providing services because of the pandemic, adapt to cater for the public’s needs. Show them you care and want to serve them, just with better precautions and the same efficiency.”

Damaris Nyabuti, founder, Dharkemmy Corporate Communications Limited (Kenya)

Quote of the Day by Saajidah Esat

May 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Busy is not necessarily productive and being productive does not always mean being busy.”

Saajidah Esat, Freelancer & Writer, (Zimbabwe)

Entrepreneur Advice from Mariam Lawani / Don’t get easily discouraged

May 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mariam Lawani, founder, Greenhill Recycling, (Nigeria)

Don’t get easily discouraged…

“I would say do not see the limitations, they are there deliberately to discourage you. Engage in sufficient research, ensure your solution meets a need, and just do it!”

Mariam Lawani, founder, Greenhill Recycling, (Nigeria)

Online meeting etiquette. Avoid embarrassing mistakes.

May 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Marjon Meyer

Virtual meetings have become an essential part of how businesses maintain contact with staff, clients and ensure productivity and continuity. As many people internationally are a restricted form of work, few organisations and individuals can still communicate using traditional methods.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me This Sh*t Before?: Wit and Wisdom from Women in Business By Marcella Allison and Laura Gale

May 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

"Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me This Sh*t Before?" by Marcella Allison and Laura Gale is the book you wish you had already read. A collection of more than 60 letters from female leaders of multimillion dollar companies, to solopreneurs and every kind of woman in between, these stories are both a lifeline and a roadmap for women navigating our increasingly complex world - and running businesses at the same time.

Lilly Alfonso, a renowned Malawian fashion brand builder

May 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Lilly Alfonso is a renowned and credible fashion brand with over ten years of experience in fashion and design. Its founder and Head Designer, Lilly Alfonso, is a two-time International Fashion Award winning designer for her contributions to the fashion industry. The unique and high-quality garments she designs have been showcased on numerous runways such as: Kigali, Cairo, Paris, London, Milan, Kuala Lumpur, Amsterdam, Sydney and Barcelona. The Lilly Alfonso Brand has two flagship labels; men’s wear collection is under the LAmann Label while, Women’s wear collection is under the LAwomann Label. Lilly Alfonso introduced a sporting collection under LAsport which is still under development.

Satu Vienings, a Mozambican entrepreneur transporting loved pets around the world

May 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Satu Vienings, founder of Air A Pet (Mozambique)

Startup Story

All pet lovers will know how difficult it is when you move house or jobs overseas and you want your beloved pets to join you. But the logistics involved in making this happen can be difficult to organize. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Satu Vienings, founder of Air A Pet, is there to help with practical solutions and a passion for your pets.