Employee share ownership plans (ESOPs) have become increasingly common for multinational, listed and unlisted companies operating in South Africa as a way to attract, retain and reward their employees. ESOPs can also be effective mechanisms to drive companies’ broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) strategies and to align stakeholder and employee values. Accounting for these complex…
For accountants looking to grow their businesses or those advising their clients on a growth journey, there are many considerations when it comes to securing funding. Too often, entrepreneurs rush into seeking funding, despite not really understanding what funders are looking for. This approach can result in an overwhelming feeling of unpreparedness and disappointment for…
This feature is about four tech founders who lead companies that exemplify the principles of design thinking, particularly its focus on empathy. By putting themselves in the shoes of people who encounter a range of challenges in South Africa, they demonstrate a commitment to asking ‘What’s the human need behind it?’ and exemplify a mindset…
A crisis could be a real or impending danger that has the potential to be life-threatening to human beings or an organisation. A crisis could range from adverse weather conditions to public disturbance, riots, disease outbreaks, hacking of critical data of an entity, or an event that has the potential to erode corporate brand identity.…
Flex your accounting muscle to add value and boost the growth and success of your entrepreneur clients. Kevin Phillips CA(SA)CEO of IDU Gro Entrepreneurs and small businesses are so important – creating jobs and contributing to the GDP. As accountants, we should consider how we can provide our entrepreneur clients with a truly valuable service…
Having to start building a network when I left the corporate world was initially quite daunting for me, but over the years I developed my networking skills. Here are a few tips that helped me to build a big and powerful network. Ronel Jooste CA(SA) Director at FinanciallyFiTLife and author, speaker and radio talk show…
As a professional striving for productivity in the workplace, few feelings compare to the satisfaction of ticking off tasks. Yet, when pursuing efficiency, we often forget about one of our most powerful tools: exercise. Physical activity isn’t just about staying fit or looking good: it’s a fundamental component of holistic well-being with far-reaching effects on…
In the three years since the entire world shut down, the impact of well-being on our lives has become the main character in large swathes of public discourse. According to the peer-reviewed journal Science Direct, one in six adult South Africans meet the diagnostic criteria for depression, anxiety or substance use in a 12-month period.…
Who was your father and how was your relationship with him? This is usually not a question asked at the morning meeting. This is unfortunate because it says a lot about the way someone enters into relationships, also at work. During a leadership programme, I counselled senior executives from around the world for a week.…
Suren Maharaj’s superpower is turning around financially struggling entities. He has proved that financial analysis, strategic planning, and governance restructuring empower even moribund organisations to focus on revenue enhancement, cost efficiencies, and accountability. In his 29-year career, Suren Maharaj has accumulated extensive experience and expertise, distinguishing himself as an astute chief financial officer (CFO) and…