Tag: Business Partners Limited

Having an established and well-communicated company purpose in place can be a powerful driver of positive change. This statement holds true in terms of a company’s broader social impact, but there is also a strong business case to be made for purpose-driven culture and as its value as a driver of employee engagement.

For many small businesses, 2022 was a year of unprecedented change, as businesses and consumers adapted to life after the worst of COVID-19. As 2023 starts, consider the following so that you face the the year ahead with renewed determination.

Several advantages make owning commercial or business property a viable prospect for small businesses. These include the benefit of asset appreciation, enjoying full control over interior design and renovations, security of tenure and avoiding above-inflation rent hikes.

Leaked documents detailing the forthcoming launch of ‘Project Fela’ – a new marketplace with its own membership programme owned by Amazon – has prompted much industry speculation and debate around the role that competition plays in sector development.

The sustainability concept is top priority for businesses globally, gaining significant traction in recent years. As a result, an increasing number of emerging entrepreneurs are entering the business world with a 'greener mindset', succinctly aware of issues around people and the planet.

According to the latest research by Statistics South Africa, the rate of unemployment among South Africans aged between 15 and 34 years, currently stands at 46,3 percent – and youth aged 15 to 24 years are the most vulnerable with over 63 percent of them not employed or in institutions of learning – these stats have worsened due to the pandemic.

Considering that South Africa won’t see the full roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine until later this year, and is still reeling from the first and second COVID-19 wave, one might assume that now is not an opportune time to consider starting a new business venture.

South Africa cannot afford to lose its mall and medium enterprises (SMEs), says financing expert. As local business relief initiatives such as the COVID-19 Loan Guarantee Scheme come to a close, many SMEs continue to struggle, with an unfortunate number of businesses’ liquidity eroded by the pandemic and various lockdowns - especially those that operate in the hospitality and tourism industry.

The global economy has been left winded and weak by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and governments the world over have a difficult task ahead. With the Minister of Finance delivering his much-anticipated 2021 National Budget this Wednesday (24 February 2021), one can’t help but reflect on what solutions need to be implemented to rebuild what was lost in 2020 because of the pandemic and years of low economic growth before then. Whatever the solutions, they need to be monumental and perhaps even radical in order to revive our economy.

As South Africa begins the long journey towards recovery following the economic toll taken by COVID-19 and the associated lockdown, tourism remains a critical piece of the puzzle in helping stabilise and rebuild the economy.