Management

It has been just over a year since COVID-19 has hit our shores, and as a small business we are still struggling to find our feet. COVID-19 has introduced new ways of business survival and operations, the 'adapt or die' quote has become a reality and small businesses have had to make crucial changes and learn new skills.

The world we left behind when we entered lockdown will be very different to the world we walk into after the devastating effects of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented test of our resilience and demands during these uncertain times that we find ourselves in.

Many entrepreneurs will have no option but to close down their businesses. With the ravaging effects COVID-19 has had on the economy, formal employment may not be an alternative for many. Starting again is the only choice available for these entrepreneurs.

This book was born out of an idea that the author had during the period in which he spent time with several young people who had approached him to assist them in different ways, including personal development, career advancement and growth, as well as growing their businesses and entrepreneurial acumen and skills. he took the challenge but felt that more could be achieved, hence this book.

There comes a time in every successful entrepreneur’s life when he or she has to consider how best to transition to the preservation of the wealth they’ve built, not only for their own enjoyment, but also for the sake of the legacy they want to leave behind.

We’re often told that entrepreneurship is crucial to securing Africa’s future, especially when it comes to providing the jobs the continent so desperately needs. There’s also no doubt that the continent has any number of entrepreneurial stories to draw inspiration from.

In today’s digital age, data-driven insights have become the cornerstone of business success. These insights help businesses thrive. Understanding customer needs provides a greater competitive edge. Additionally, analysing financial data helps businesses plot their growth. This allows them to fulfill their full potential. The benefits of data in the business world are endless.

Fuel forecourt retailers or convenience shops are highly vulnerable to disruption. Although their operations have always provided a convenience-driven competitive advantage, they now have a lot more to grapple with. South African consumers are more tech-savvy and time-strapped, demanding greater relevance and convenience from service providers, all within a tighter economy and rising fuel costs.

After years of sustained pressure especially from organisations like Sakeliga, the government relented in November last year and promulgated regulations stating that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) no longer have to comply with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), requirements when awarding government contracts.

Although South African women are making great strides within the workplace, corporate South Africa has more work to do to effectively transform boardrooms. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed deep-rooted inequalities in social, political and economic systems, and has demonstrated the importance of the unique skills that women bring to societies.