Thoughts on how to eat an elephant ‘How do you eat an elephant? − Bite by bite,’ said my porter to an over-zealous teenager at the base of Kilimanjaro. It’s a powerful African metaphor providing perspective in my current role of aiding small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) in South Africa. In a nation often grappling…
DetailsMy journey from addiction to entrepreneurial inspiration Imagine being awake without sleep for two to three days … the sun rises, and the weight of the day consumes you: being a trainee in a very competitive programme, needing to ensure that you stand out amongst your peers, needing to find time to study to pass…
DetailsHow the CA(SA) designation and the Springboks are united as winners On 17 October 2023, CA(SA) was announced as the world’s most trusted CA designation. Eleven days later the Springboks were crowned Rugby World Cup winners. While the two are polar opposite professions, it is apparent that both achievements will have a positive impact on…
DetailsLess-spoken truths on empowerment Empowering men has been one of my passions, as I recognise that the societal challenges I faced as a young girl in the township were equally experienced by boys in the same environment. Understanding men’s empowerment is a crucial starting point. Male empowerment refers to the efforts and actions taken to…
DetailsCracking the zero-start problem: Transforming retail sales forecasting At the start of every month, retailers review the previous month’s sales numbers. Some months see a commendable uptick in sales, while others witness a decline. No matter the outcome, one constant plagues the world of retail: starting each month with zero sales and the need to…
DetailsThe power of positive encouragement: Overcoming limiting beliefs and embracing optimism In a world inundated with negativity and divisive rhetoric, it’s crucial to recognise the transformative influence of positive encouragement. Challenging the notion of inherent inequality A few years back I read Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers, and I was fascinated by a study that showed that…
DetailsChampions through the lens of a CFO ”Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months, and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character” – Alan Armstrong. The role of the CFO requires one to be well-versed…
DetailsThe fringe benefits of spilt milk It’s easy to fall into the trap of perfection. However, having perfection as a baseline expectation makes it nearly impossible for us and the people around us to take risks that are essential for growth and innovation. How do we embrace both excellence and experimentation? It was just before…
DetailsStories worth telling During the last few weeks, I was captivated by uniquely South African stories – the kind of special moments that can only be written in a country such as ours. The first is the victory of the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup, which doesn’t need much elaboration. Captain Siya Kolisi said…
DetailsAssertiveness and Ethics The Springboks became the first nation to win four Rugby World Cups and SAICA, in a survey conducted by Edelman with over 1 300 participants in eight global markets, was rated the most trusted chartered accountant profession in the world. So you might ask me, what is the link between these two…
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