Is remote working killing corporate culture?

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Paula Quinsee

With the majority of people working from home these days, there are less team and one-on-one interactions with the majority of communications being done almost entirely online. Some concerns that are already being flagged in organisations are that of: "employees are increasingly disconnected and as a result, projects can take longer to complete. New hires are failing to integrate effectively and young professionals can take longer to professionally develop without mentors at hand or behaviours to emmulate.”

Evolution or Revolution?

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

The Head of Finance (HoF) waltzed into the office this morning and called us all together. “Time to come down from the incredible high of the VW Lionesses Den and crack on with our Business Unusual take on business in difficult times! So let’s look at one of my favourite topics! - Crisis Transformation.”

Get better prepared for the impact of yesterday and the future of tomorrow

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Gercia Sequeira, CEO and cofounder of ITIS

I can't change the direction of the wind or the tides, but I can adjust my sails to rich my destination - Confucius

Suddenly everything changed, and the worst of all nightmares was the increasingly palpable uncertainty! And the voice that screams in every entrepreneurial woman’s heart is that, a time of crisis is a time of opportunity. It seems like a “cliché”, unreachable. However, it allowed us to identify the harsh reality. We weren’t prepared! Schools, supermarkets, people, the government, nobody was prepared.

Conquering the Rocky Battlefield of 2020

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Elizabeth Otieno

Earthquakes, locust infestations, food wastage and shortage, Forest fires, park fires, mismanagement of funds, police brutality, and don't get me started on the Covid-19 pandemic. When historians finally write about the year 2020, it will most definitely sound like a horror story lifted from the pages of an Edgar Allan Poe or a Stephan King novel. Nothing from the year feels real, and yet here we are reading this on our laptops, from the safety of our homes with our masks nearby. Even though it feels like a pre-apocalyptic era, it doesn't mean we should live in a state of constant melancholy.

How To Create A Content Marketing Strategy That Converts

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Wuraola Ademola-Shanu

Apart from being a Copywriter, I also double as a Content Strategist. And having gained an experience of over 5 years in the field, I’ve always been asked certain content marketing questions by clients, potential customers, business owners and content marketing enthusiast.

Can movement be your medicine?

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Ashika Pillay

It’s a well-known fact that exercise changes the body and improves physical health. It makes us look better, and when we look better, we feel better. You may have also heard of “runners high” the common understanding that the body releases natural “feel good” endorphins after a run or workout. However, what do we know about its impact on the brain, on performance, mood, and focus? Is there even such a thing?

5 Things to Consider To Turn Your Hobby Into a Business

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Tapiwa Matsinde

Turning your hobby into a business is a highly rewarding experience. Not only can it mean making a living doing what you love, but also learning more about yourself and just what you are capable of. Turning your hobby into a business is a big step, one that requires a shift in mindset from creating for pleasure as and when you feel like it to creating for-profit and having to put routines and goals in place.

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, a new generation mining entrepreneur in Africa

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tiguidanke Mounir Camara, founder of Tigui Mining Group (TMG)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Tigui Mining Group, a business that represents sustainable mining which empowers communities

Africa’s mining sector is focused on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the continent. Local communities depend on these natural resources for their futures and this requires new ways of thinking, not to mention a new approach to ensuring diversity in the sector. One woman entrepreneur is leading the way - Tiguidanke Mounir Camara is the founder of the woman-mine owned Tigui Mining Group (TMG) and is carving a new and exciting pathway for women in Africa’s mining sector.

Unpacking renewable energy technologies - Part 3 Wind Energy

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

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

In article three of a four-part series by Justin Schmidt, Head of New Sectors at Absa, he will unpack Wind with next weeks final articles unpacking the technologies which are changing the future state of the industry. South Africa will see a large investment into generation from wind farms in the coming decade, with this source of energy equating to 23% of the total generation capacity by 2030. In other words, this will be the fastest growing energy source in South Africa in the coming decade. While this is promising you won’t be able to install a huge tower and wind turbine at your business premises. In this article, wind turbine solutions for households and businesses will be explored and although many of us would love to have a wind turbine producing energy at home, the practical implications are explored below.

Ask & Act: 10 Inspirational Tips to Get You Started on Your Entrepreneurial Journey by Jo Macfarlane

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Book Review

Do you want to create the life and business of your dreams? In this debut book from award winning candlemaker and inspirational #SmallBusinessSaturday winner, Jo Macfarlane, founder of the brand that carries her name, you'll learn a host of useful insights and advice about business and entrepreneurship.

Lioness Launch / New Human Capital Advice service launched by South Africa’s Shiluvah

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

Shiluvah, a specialist Human Resource and Labour Law Consultancy in South Africa founded by Kulani Shiluvane and which offers dynamic, customized and integrated people management solutions, is launching it’s new Human Capital Advice service. The new specialist service provides clients with all the human capital management advice they need over the phone or via email.

Quote of the Day by Edna Carolina Gabriel de Alegria

September 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“I don’t have any entrepreneurial background, I’m going with my gut feeling.”

Edna Carolina Gabriel de Alegria, founder of Fisiochic (Angola)

Entrepreneur Advice from Marta Roff / Think about what is important

September 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Think about what is important!…

“We have been given the gift of time to stop and think what is important ... take advantage.”

Marta Roff, co-founder, Maputo Relocation Solutions (Mozambique)

VW Lionesses Den announces top three women entrepreneur winners

September 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

VW Lionesses Den Competition

Volkswagen South Africa in partnership with Lionesses of Africa, are thrilled to announce the winners of the VW Lionesses Den competition. The panel of judges have selected the top three pitches after calling on women-owned businesses all over South Africa to share a two-minute pitch to win a total of R175,000 cash injection for their businesses. The winners will use the capital to invest in their businesses and in turn, help drive the South African economy forward.

Bathabile Mpofu, a South African entrepreneur passionate about science education

September 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bathabile Mpofu, founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences (South Africa)

Startup Story

Many young learners in South Africa never get the chance to perform science experiments as part of their studies, and this means that few go on to study science as a possible future career. Entrepreneur Bathabile Mpofu, founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, is on a mission to change that.

Sarah Morrow, a South African edupreneur creating an accessible, affordable preschool experience

September 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sarah Morrow, owner of Little Leaders Preschool (South Africa)

Startup Story

In South Africa, for many parents finding a preschool for their children to attend that is both accessible and affordable can be a hugely challenging experience, often with little reward. But one passionate, impact driven woman entrepreneur is changing that reality. Sarah Morrow, founder of Little Leaders Preschool is making quality, affordable preschool education available to parents and their children from all walks of life.