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We have to ask how it is that the Gupta name resonates so loud. Is it not because of their highly publicised relationship with the family of the President? It is not because their name does not already and on a regular basis open the door to extraordinary privilege? Are there other business people whose name secures similarly privileged access to public resources?
Although winning in business is important, it’s how we win that matters. Winning the goodwill of customers by giving them better service or a better product is much more critical. Winning should not be about making more money. It’s about doing the best that you can AND doing what’s in the long-term best interests of all your stakeholders, be they customers, your staff or the environment. We should demand this much from companies’ leaders and their boards
South African financial markets have been rocked this morning by a 20% decline in the share price of African Bank Investments Limited (Abil). The banking group had fallen sharply after the release of interim financial results for the six months ended 31 March 2013. While various social media and news channels have been absorbed with the sharp decline in the Abil shareprice, the folks at ETM Analytics managed to pull together the attached graph showing just how unsecured lending had ballooned in South Africa over the last few years.
While a lack of funding, skills shortage and red tape make it very difficult for local small businesses to thrive, Avocado Vision CEO Jules Newton identifies another obstacle that cripples small businesses: slack payment. In this opinion piece she explains how late payments affect small business and how you can help.
As a student, Finweek contributor Johan Fourie had to make a very important financial decision and chose to invest in a money market. While he still has to live with the bitter regret of that decision, he did learn a few important lessons from the experience.
“It’s probably no coincidence that ‘policy’ and ‘police’ have a common etymological basis,” says Andy Rice, a brand strategist. “But if a social media policy is only sustained by vigilant policing (= “control”) your brand is in trouble!” Jessica Hubbard investigates why your brand needs a social media policy.
When the disclosure requirements were introduced, it enabled the man in the street to see what the CEOs of listed companies were being paid. However, it also enabled the CEOs themselves to see what other CEOs were getting paid. Those CEOs who were getting less than their colleagues threw their toys out the cot and demanded that their salaries be brought in line with those of their peers. Gain Symanowitz explores why CEOs get the big bucks.
Hands up, those who’ve heard the phrase, “But just buy me a Coke and it’s all okay,” from a traffic officer? Dinner table conversation often reverts to the topic of bribing traffic police. If you do consent to “buying a Coke” instead of getting a ticket, I say shame on you. All you’re doing is [...]
Having your staff’s best interests at heart (and actively demonstrating this to them), you will not only create a peaceful and productive company – but a profitable one too. Jessica Hubbard explains the importance of company culture.
Whether your family is poor or fabulously wealthy, children need to understand the value of money from an early age. Without a real time commitment to charity and some prolonged exposure to the harsher realities of life, wealthy children are unlikely to develop a sense of responsibility that should accompany their wealth. A sense of entitlement combined with a lack of real responsibilities is enough to destabilise the nicest children.
