Innovator leads local retailers’ embrace of ecommerce
Wynand Geldenhuys was still at school when he sold his first computer programme. It was to the owner of a cell phone shop who wanted a computer-based repairs booking system, and Wynand, who fell in love with computer coding at 16, had no problem writing the programme. At that stage he had no idea that […]
Pioneering duo opens new path in marketing industry
As ad agency CEO, Taryn Hunter Sharman knew how to spot talent, and had more than once tried to convince a young marketer, Perri King, to join Ebony+Ivory which she ran. Perri, who was carving a career for herself in the corporate sector, always turned her down, mostly because the pay could not match whatever […]
Negotiating a fair trade exchange – what businesses should know
Maintaining a constant stream of cashflow is a common challenge that many businesses experience. Strategic business partnerships involving a barter exchange (the direct exchange of goods and services for other goods or services) can, however, be a great alternative solution for preserving much-needed working capital. If done correctly, a barter system can help less established […]
Bright future ahead for fast-growing lighting company
It is hard to imagine a more difficult time start to a business than that of Mario Roos’s experience with his lighting and energy company LighTec, a finalist in the 2019 Business Partners Ltd Entrepreneur of the Year® competition. The initial spark was a massive fall-out that Mario had with his employer. He was general manager […]
Finding the right mentor to help grow your business
Any business owner worth his salt can acknowledge the fact that there is always something new to learn about their business or market. Especially when starting a new company and guiding it through its initial years of operation, the value of learning from other, more experienced entrepreneurs, cannot be overstated. However, finding a suitable mentor […]
Fabulous fashion brand built dress by dress
Malesela “Ouma” Tema’s Plus Fab fashion brand started long before she knew it, when she began shopping for fashion at the turn of the century just like all of her teenage peers. None of the popular clothing chains catered for her size, and the one business that did was far from fashionable. Ouma was young and […]
Are your workplace COVID protocols up to scratch?
With the start of the 2021 commercial year coinciding with the peak of South Africa’s second wave of COVID-19 infections, the Department of Employment and Labour has called on local businesses to ensure that their workplaces are still following all required safety measures and protocols. After all, it may be a new year, but the pandemic is […]
Township entrepreneur opens path for others to follow
Most people who manage to escape the grinding poverty of South African townships find a single goal to focus on – a skill, a career path or a field of study – and climb that ladder step by step. The extraordinary thing about Siyabulela Mandla is that he climbed two ladders, simultaneously, so that others […]
Tips to up the ante for your e-commerce offering to compete in the new normal
Due to COVID-19, consumer behaviour has changed drastically and instead of doing their shopping in-store, many customers are buying their groceries, clothes and almost everything else online. In response to this, businesses have had to adapt not only their online presence but also their supply chain to keep up with the new normal. As more […]