A decade of difficulty: reasons for South Africa to be fearful and reasons for hope

South Africa’s economic performance is highly correlated with that of our traditional economic partners, including Britain, Western Europe the US and Japan.  Evidence of the extent of this economic inter-relatedness follows from the fact that each time Europe has gone into recession in the last two decade, South Africa has followed.  Thus, whilst internal factors – such as the political landscape, considerations of nationalisation, currency volatility and stability of electricity supply – will matter to South Africa’s economic performance in 2012, external factors will matter at least as much.  

Which country’s economy grew the fastest over the last decade? No, it’s not China

Almost 10 years since the Angolan ceasefire, the country’s economy has risen like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes. Adrian Saville, CIO of Cannon Asset Managers, reviews Angola’s ten year of independence as its anniversary approaches in April 2012.

When Angola gained independence from Portugal in the mid-1970s, the country was the fourth largest coffee producer in world.  Alongside coffee, this large, fertile country exported other cash crops,

A year of “Elegant Chaos”

2012 is likely to be a year characterised by high technology, volatile asset prices and a positive economic undercurrent. In short, a year of “Elegant Chaos”. These were the takeaway themes from the first Finweek Outlook event for 2012 hosted in conjunction with consulting group Accenture. Guest speakers for the day included technology guru Simon Dingle, ETM Analytics Economist Russell Lamberti and Finweek Editor Marc Ashton.

Strange but true, Ocean Basket Flies into Dubai

Ocean Basket launches their 11^th restaurant beyond South African boarders

Dubai, the setting of the most mind-blowing modern architecture on the planet, also has one of the most fabulous – and busy – airports. In fact it ranks as the busiest in the world in terms of international passengers, serving 150 airlines flying to over 220 destinations on six continents. (Latest figures from Airports Council International [ACI])

Free smartphone app that alerts you to specials

A ground breaking free smart phone application has been developed in South Africa, called DialMedia Deals, which will inform subscribers of relevant deals and specials available at major shopping centres around the country. Developed and launched by South African company DialMedia, consumers are able to download the application for free to their smart phones...

Another view of change

A while back I had the exceedingly pleasurable experience of being ready and waiting in the right place and the right time.  It was a small day at The Pipe (our local break) and a group of surfers hung around in-shore, competing for little waves.

SA national Cadet training project gains momentum

On Tuesday, South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) together with the South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) bid farewell to 16 Cadets who will be going to sea to complete their training as Seafarers. 

The Cadets are part of the SAMSA CADET PROGRAMME which is in line with the SAMSA skills development programme.

Negotiating with peers & colleagues

We all have a need, now and again, to influence one of our peers to our way of thinking – without the benefit of authority.  So how can we increase our success rate?

Frank L Acuff points out that Authority is the right granted  to you by your position...

How businesses create value from sustainability

“The resilience of your organisation is what will determine its longevity.” That’s the message from the London-based Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) CEO Charles Tilley, who adds that focusing on the long term success of your business is critical in a shifting economy.

In a talk at the 2011 CIMA Global Conference held in Cape Town on 24 and 25 October, Tilley shared his insights on how businesses create value from sustainability. “It starts with a proper understanding of your business model,” he says.

Leveraging performance in your workplace, Step 3

So now your top performers are stretching and the top of the middle are kicking in.  Where can you focus next?

Well now would be a good time to focus on the non-performers.

So what about the non-performers? Well if you are Jack Welsh you fire them.  He says people who consistently under-perform are probably doing the wrong job have to go.  He supports John Maxwell’s “Indispensable Law” that weak links create great difficulties in teams. They don’t deliver and they demotivate the more enthusiastic members who are left wondering why the weak links are tolerated by the leadership.