Focusing on things that matter In a series of interviews, I explore the approaches of different business leaders (all of them chartered accountants) to strategy. This month I was in conversation with Jeneen Galbraith, partner at the SMP (small-medium practices) firm of Galbraith Rushby based in Woodstock, Cape Town The same themes usually come to…
As we navigate the turmoil and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all eyes are on keeping one another safe while preparing for a post-pandemic world. The custodians of this post-pandemic future are young people – and when one considers that the official unemployment rate for people under 35 in South Africa is 46,3%, the…
A global study reveals that South Africans are more concerned about their financial wellbeing since the onset of COVID-19 but are determined to recover financially. According to the 2021 Schroders Global Investor Study (GIS), 86% of South African investors have spent more time thinking about their financial wellbeing since the onset of COVID-19. This translated…
Your credibility as a speaker is a factor of whether or not your audience can trust you. If trust is a must, how do you maintain your ethics as a speaker and build trust simultaneously? Use the power of story to connect with your audience It is hard for your audience to listen to your…
‘It is curious – curious that physical courage should be so common in the world, and moral courage so rare’ – Mark Twain. How accurately would we rate our individual level of ethical behaviour? Do our choices pass the ethics ‘acid test’? I bought my twin boys ice cream recently. The busy vendor gave me…
In 2018, amendments were made to section 11(j) of the Income Tax Act to provide specific criteria for determining doubtful debt allowances. Further amendments have now been introduced which take effect for years of assessment commencing on or after 1 January 2021. This means that the new rules will effectively apply for the first time…
The other day I was looking for something in a shop. A packer noticed my confusion and cheerfully offered to help. He took me from aisle to aisle until I found what I was looking for. He did not need to help me but he did, with all his heart. He taught me a few…
Obviously, you can’t avoid all distractions. As real people living in the real world, we will all be distracted from time to time. We can, however, ensure that we keep regular distractions to a minimum and that we focus on increasing our effectiveness and productivity You get to work, open up your computer and more…
One of my favourite business success stories from 2020 (yes, there were plenty!) was Granadilla’s almost overnight pivot from a swimwear company to a fresh produce delivery service. It’s a masterclass in creating value out of chaos by acting quickly and decisively Kevin Phillips CA(SA) CEO of IDU Group Granadilla’s leadership realised that with the…
‘Never accept the unacceptable … Once we all start to look not only inward but outward at the things that are not acceptable in the world, we will find ourselves (and much more) in the good that we do for each other’ − Richard Branson Usha Maharaj CA(SA) Passionate about women empowerment and human potential…