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		<title>Five Tips For Entrepreneurs To Survive The Holidays</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/DruM/~3/sKJ5uf2dth4/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/17/five-tips-for-entrepreneurs-to-survive-the-holidays/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 10:27:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Allon Raiz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Entrepreneurial Ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneur tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South African Entrepreneur]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ideate.co.za/?p=11245</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The holidays should be a time to sit back, relax, and enjoy life… But for many small business owners, holidays seem to represent nothing more than lost sales and extra stress. It is true that public and religious holidays can have a serious impact on small businesses. Low productivity and difficult staffing issues are just [...]


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<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2011/02/01/empowering-entrepreneurs-competition/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Empowering Entrepreneurs Competition'>Empowering Entrepreneurs Competition</a></li>
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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">The holidays should be a time to sit back, relax, and enjoy life… But for many small business owners, holidays seem to represent nothing more than lost sales and extra stress. It is true that public and religious holidays can have a serious impact on small businesses. Low productivity and difficult staffing issues are just some of the problems caused and these problems are compounded when several holidays occur close to each other. However, there are several things entrepreneurs can do to reduce – or even take advantage of – the disruption that holidays bring.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/387933_0_8-5311-tropical-bedroom.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-11248" title="387933_0_8-5311-tropical-bedroom" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/387933_0_8-5311-tropical-bedroom-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>1.	Plan for the holidays</strong></p>
<p>Because we know well in advance when holidays are coming up, it’s possible to prepare for them. Make sure that staff understand what is needed to keep the business running through the holidays and allocate leave accordingly. Take sales into account in your preparation. Push for deals in the pipeline to be closed before the holidays arrive. Where possible, commit to post-holiday delivery.</p>
<p><strong>2.	Look for holiday-related opportunities</strong></p>
<p>Think differently about how holidays affect your business environment. It may be that holidays offer opportunities that other periods don’t. For example, hotels, restaurants and retail stores do extremely well around the holidays. Is there a way that you can adapt your business or products to serve these potential clients?</p>
<p><strong>3.	Get rid of clutter</strong></p>
<p>Use the opportunity to clean out your work space. Do your filing, clean out your office, tidy your desk and inbox and throw away anything that you don’t need. This may seem trivial, but the physical act of going through and disposing of all the clutter that inevitably gathers allows you to clean out your mind and tie up loose ends. This process may also remind you of leads that weren’t followed up or ideas that you haven’t had time to work on yet.</p>
<p><strong>4.	Use the time to think</strong></p>
<p>For many entrepreneurs, there simply isn’t enough time during the year to sit back and take a longer, strategic view of their businesses. The holidays give you an opportunity to do this. Be sure to write down what you think about and any ideas you have. Even if you can’t act on these ideas immediately, writing them down will allow them to filter through into your subconscious, where your brain will keep on figuring out how to make them a reality.</p>
<p><strong>5.	Keep working on finding work</strong></p>
<p>No matter what time of year it is, there is always work to be found. Take the time to put together proposals that may have been put on the backburner. Do some relevant research to find out how to implement the strategies you have designed.</p>
<p>Remember, holidays are what you make of them. With careful planning and some lateral thinking, it’s possible not only to limit the problems that may crop up, but also to use the time to strategise and develop new ways of looking at your products, your business and finding sources of work.</p>
<p><i>Allon Raiz is an entrepreneur, author, radio show and reality TV show host. Allon is the CEO of Raizcorp, a SA-based incubator supporting over 200 businesses and start-ups. In 2008 the World Economic Forum awarded Allon as a Young Global Leader. View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/allon/' title='Posts by Allon Raiz'>Allon Raiz</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11245&type=feed" alt="" />

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<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/03/16/small-businesses-and-entrepreneurs-find-support-in-black-business-council/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Small Businesses And Entrepreneurs Find Support In Black Business Council'>Small Businesses And Entrepreneurs Find Support In Black Business Council</a></li>
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		<title>Project Management: A Necessity In Any Industry?</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/DruM/~3/Ma0rRr4HPeM/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/16/project-management-a-necessity-in-any-industry/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 07:36:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff Reporter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Admin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Managing Skills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ideate.co.za/?p=11240</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In today’s tough market conditions, ensuring that a company’s resources are utilised in a way that maximises efficiency is critical to its success and profitability. The increasing complexity of the modern manufacturing and service industries has meant that a specialised approach to project planning, resource allocation and cost management is necessary to avoid waste and [...]


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<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/03/07/the-ideal-project-manager/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Ideal Project Manager'>The Ideal Project Manager</a></li>
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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">In today’s tough market conditions, ensuring that a company’s resources are utilised in a way that maximises efficiency is critical to its success and profitability. The increasing complexity of the modern manufacturing and service industries has meant that a specialised approach to project planning, resource allocation and cost management is necessary to avoid waste and to minimise risk. It is for this reason that the discipline of project management has become progressively valuable as a tool for managing the business operations of a wide cross-section of industries from construction and IT through to marketing, finance and beyond.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em></em>Marketing</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Projectmanagement.png"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-11241" title="Projectmanagement" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Projectmanagement-300x240.png" alt="" width="300" height="240" /></a>More that anywhere else, the effective management of soft skills is needed to ensure success in a marketing environment. The collaborative process of managing a team of sales people requires many inputs, and the approach to project management needs to factor in this aspect. Drafting a timeline, revising it to fit shifting staff commitments, and at the same time keeping the project on track and focused on meeting key aims is the task of the project manager. Ensuring that all liaisons between staff and branding partners, clients, and suppliers are streamlined, while ensuring effective media relations, are all equally vital to the running of a marketing department. Getting a handle on these varied processes through effective project management will allow the team to make the most of their available resources and maximise results. The proper management of follow-up sessions and the production of meaningful reports will add further value to the process.</p>
<p><strong>Construction</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>Project management originates from the construction industry’s need for a means to regulate the processes and resources of large-scale building projects, and this remains just as relevant today. Change is a normal and expected part of the construction process. Whether this is due to design modifications, differing site conditions or material availability, these all represent risks that need to be planned for and managed. The cost and scheduling constraints involved in such projects are critical factors that can result in massive overruns if managed incorrectly. By implementing careful design and planning processes, and integrating these with coordinated management of resource procurement and work schedules, construction projects can maintain a careful check on budgeting and efficiency. Effective project management will provide for an adaptable means of dealing with these variables and will keep the project on task and in line with its resource allocations.</p>
<p><strong>IT</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>Due to the highly specialised nature of the IT industry, and the demand for constant modification and revision of its products, the need for effective project management is self-evident. It is important that clear parameters and goals are defined prior to product development. The role of the project leader is vital to the successful management and rollout of deliverables. Some common problems in the IT field can be overcome by the application of a few basic principles of project management. Keeping a check on the scope “creep”, which afflicts many IT projects, will dramatically improve completion rates and will keep cost metrics within acceptable limits. Communication between these two groups is therefore vital to prevent misunderstandings and to achieve a balance, which will ensure that both quality and business value are not compromised.</p>
<p><i>Ideate is one of South Africa's biggest business blogs, with a team of authors all of whom have had entrepreneurial experience. Ideate is read by entrepreneurs thinking BIG. Follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ideateblog">Twitter here</a>. View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/staff/' title='Posts by Staff Reporter'>Staff Reporter</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11240&type=feed" alt="" />

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<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/03/07/the-ideal-project-manager/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Ideal Project Manager'>The Ideal Project Manager</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2011/09/08/how-to-be-a-great-project-manager/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: How To Be A Great Project Manager'>How To Be A Great Project Manager</a></li>
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		<title>1 Min. With A Superhero: Peter Fleck On New Super Luxury E-Commerce Shop</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/DruM/~3/ZKLJyrDTs00/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/15/1-min-with-a-superhero-peter-fleck-on-new-super-luxury-e-commerce-shop/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 07:51:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Fred Roed</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e - commerce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ecommerce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[have the last word]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hospitality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[luxury]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[niche premium goods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[peter fleck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ultra luxury]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ideate.co.za/?p=11225</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Peter Fleck, founder of  The Last Word group of  boutique hotels, once again joins us at Ideate to give us some insight into his new super luxury e-commerce shop Have The Last Word. Ultra-luxury, yet never pretentious, Peter and his team have gone out of their way to boost the level of customer experience in [...]


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<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2010/06/15/what-inspired-peter-fleck-as-an-entrepreneur/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: What Inspired Peter Fleck as an Entrepreneur?'>What Inspired Peter Fleck as an Entrepreneur?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2010/11/17/win-a-luxury-weekend-away-with-cape-realty-international/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Win a Luxury Weekend Away with Cape Realty International'>Win a Luxury Weekend Away with Cape Realty International</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Peter Fleck, founder of  <a href="http://www.thelastword.co.za/home.htm">The Last Word </a>group of  boutique hotels, once again joins us at Ideate to give us some insight into his new super luxury e-commerce shop <a href="http://www.havethelastword.co.za/home/">Have The Last Word</a>. Ultra-luxury, yet never pretentious, Peter and his team have gone out of their way to boost the level of customer experience in the hotel trade. </span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong>What is The Last Word?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/PF.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-11236" title="PF" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/PF-239x300.jpg" alt="" width="239" height="300" /></a>The Last Word is a niche brand selling premium goods and services.  Intimate Hotels are what the name suggests, friendly, personalised, sanctuaries beyond boutique. Something you discover. Intimate Rarities and Living Endangered are ranges of upper end lifestyle merchandise, rare items with meaning, created, conceived and styled in Cape Town.  Another story to be discovered.</p>
<p>The Last Word is the road less travelled, the one taken by people who want a different kind of specialness;  more extraordinary than ordinary.  We choose to pioneer rather than the becalmed sea of sameness.</p>
<p><strong>Why the jump to luxury goods?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>Luxury is overcrowded.  It’s around everywhere – the definition has broadened to include just about anything.  We believe we sell treasures of esteem. Hospitality took a severe knock in the Great Recession – too many rooms, not enough tourists.  Among the five star traveller’s main interests is shopping.  It’s another experience we offer not only to those who stay but also to those who might one day stay.</p>
<p>Many top hotels have a luxury accessories shop.  We have just broadened the opportunity with authentic handcrafted treasures.  Personal luxuries are a natural extension of experiential luxuries, like space in our hotel rooms gives the sense of not being in a crowd.  In both these goods and services people buy feelings and experiences.  Luxury is treasured comfort, be it travel or personal adornment, that bestows esteem.</p>
<p><strong>What’s the brands relevance?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>Most things have some relevance to someone.  If all you want is a room for the night then there’s a very wide choice and prices to suit.  If you want to feel good about where you stay and what you wear then there has to be some greater meaning beyond mere functionality or form.  There has to be a story, an attitude that gels with the interests of consumers.  That attitude takes you upstream from the crowds where treasures are found and valued.</p>
<p><strong>And this meaning?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>Life has many moments.  Some are just more memorable than others.  It’s the ones that intrigue, reach inside you that are remembered.  If you stay at one of our Intimate Hotels and you don’t think the experience has enriched your life then it has no meaning.  If you wear Intimate Rarities or Living Endangered treasures and they enhance your pride then they have provided meaning; your own story is deepened by their story.  Our brand and the merchandise offered is more deep than broad.</p>
<p>Emotional value needs more than what meets the eye.  Not only must the promise be distinctive, it must deliver more profound feelings for the heart and mind contained in stories that people imagine themselves being part of.  We seek brand connection.  Connection gets you loyalty in the end.</p>
<p><strong>So who will identify with these needs?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>People who are singular, savvy and stylish.  People of conviction and imagination, who want things that are pleasingly different and distinctly superior.  Things that will make them stand apart, bring out the extraordinary in them, things with soul.</p>
<p>Large five star hotel brands are 	everywhere, getting bigger and more accessible by the day.</p>
<p>And so too are big name luxury 	brands reaching millions in the far corners of the world. It’s becoming crowded.  We are an 	option for distinction and differentiation, space and comfort, pride and purpose.  With The Last Word you can identify your own values to yourself and to those watching you.</p>
<p><strong>What is this purpose &#8211; the mission?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>Simple, we make people happy by making them feel good about acquiring a treasure.  We provide unique accommodation in a very special place, Cape Town but go out of our way to provide space, comfort and personalised service that stretches beyond expectation.  So we value greatly the jobs we create and value even more the people who fill them.  They make the difference in hospitality and craftsmanship.  They make others happy.</p>
<p>We have an alignment with young ambition &#8211; creators who will undoubtedly fulfil their dreams as a result of the opportunity we provide them with.  Their youthful imagination, talents and passion are what drives us to succeed for the betterment of our aligned family, our stakeholders and the critically endangered species we take inspiration from.</p>
<p>Our purpose is to take something, a necklace for example, and inject into it emotion – a feeling that makes the whole experience more special.  A frog is a frog, until you know its story.  Celebrating its existence in jewellery and placing it close to your heart evokes feelings that go beyond mere adornment.</p>
<p><strong>How do you assess your chances in the highly competitive luxury industry?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>It depends whether you see the glass half full or half empty.  If it looks half empty, there is no chance.  We see it filling up.  Anyone can have an idea.  Many create things.  But very few sell those creations successfully. So many things for sale fail to reach into the hearts and minds of consumers.   Accomplishment is the hardest part.  If you don’t embark, the journey will never happen.  We have a story.  It fills a space and we all share the esteem.  We have left the shore.</p>
<p><strong>The barriers to entry are high?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>If you consider how long the big brands in luxury goods took to become established you might see the glass half empty.  But in recent years there has been a dramatic levelling of the playing fields.  The internet now encourages people to shop online.  It’s informative; luxury buyers want a lot of information.</p>
<p>In the past, to set up a high street jewellery or accessories shop you needed huge stocks, be able to afford high rents and massive marketing budgets, and be available in fashionable places.</p>
<p>Now, through a computer, mobile or tablet, the fascination of a Table Mountain ghost frog necklace can be brought right into your home or bedroom for that matter, wherever you are in the world, any time.  And that website can provide more information in minutes than any highly paid sales person can in hours.</p>
<p>Expensive advertising has also lost its importance.  It can’t tell a full story anymore among all the clutter.  Good websites provide vital information and can convey the beginning of a special experience.  Can a small golden frog turn into prince charming with just one kiss?  Imagination will provide the answer.  Recent research also shows that high income individuals shop more online than middle income persons.  The wealthy want customisation, personalisation and interactivity.  We try to give them these experiences with our site.</p>
<p><strong>Most big brands in luxury have avoided online trading?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>There was a fear that it might cheapen image through aggressive pricing.   That’s changing fast.   The vast investments in retail, inventory and marketing makes change a difficult proposition.  Many luxury brands fear the loss of traditional shopping, the touch and feel of the merchandise.</p>
<p>Online sales are concluded instantly, night or day.  The reach is incredible.  Being in all the high streets in every major city of the world can never be as cost effective.  E-commerce is omnipresent and virtual inventory hyper efficient.   The route to market is easier and quicker.  Before the internet and social media it took years to build distribution and get product information known.  Now connectivity has shortened discovery and purchase time dramatically.  The moment you hear about our Living Endangered items a purchase can take seconds.  It can be as impulsive as a retail shop but it could also reduce a new entrants establishment time by 50 years or more.</p>
<p>Bespoke online also allows customers to become involved in design adding meaning of its own.  Personalisation leads to bonding and intimacy.    The fact that not many luxury goods makers have online shops gives us a chance.  Online offers entertainment of a different kind, comparisons, time saving convenience, and you can talk to your friends before you buy.  That’s an impressive new dynamic.</p>
<p>Of course the store image is important.  It’s part of the entire luxury experience, the contemplation, the selection and feel, the purchase and eventual use.  Online comes up short only on feel.  Trust is needed but surprise awaits when the package arrives at the door.  Big names may have a reticence for now, but ultimately consumers will decide whether they want to feel the merchandise before buying.  For a new entrant there are just too many advantages.</p>
<p><strong>Can you compete on quality?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>Gold, diamonds and other precious materials are a South African thing.  It’s all here and legitimate.  We can’t afford a thousand of the world’s best designers and artisans.  Big brands can.  One talented craftsman is enough to get us one item of excellence with meaning and we go from there. Our alliances with each creative talent we deal with is of such a nature that we can produce quality of a world class standard for each piece we sell.</p>
<p>At this point our leather goods items are produced entirely by one craftsman.  He is one of very few traditional double hand-stitch artisans in South Africa and uses only the best materials.  He is the assembly line from start to finish.  His youthful pride and passion ensures each item is of the highest quality standards and will last two generations.  That is why one might have to wait for manufacture, like a Ferrari or Purdey.</p>
<p><i>Fred Roed is the marketing guy in the Ideate crew. Fred is the CEO of <a href="http://www.worldwidecreative.co.za">web marketing company World Wide Creative</a> and the co-founder of <a href="http://www.heavychef.com">online learning portal Heavy Chef</a>. Fred loves writing about people out there doing marketing right. Follow Fred on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Fred_Roed">here</a>. View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/fred/' title='Posts by Fred Roed'>Fred Roed</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11225&type=feed" alt="" />

<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2008/06/11/1-min-with-a-superhero-peter-fleck/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: 1 min. with a superhero: Peter Fleck'>1 min. with a superhero: Peter Fleck</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2010/06/15/what-inspired-peter-fleck-as-an-entrepreneur/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: What Inspired Peter Fleck as an Entrepreneur?'>What Inspired Peter Fleck as an Entrepreneur?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2010/11/17/win-a-luxury-weekend-away-with-cape-realty-international/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Win a Luxury Weekend Away with Cape Realty International'>Win a Luxury Weekend Away with Cape Realty International</a></li>
</ol></p><div class="feedflare">
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		<item>
		<title>ZiNG Partners With AVUSA To Launch The Sowetan Live</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/DruM/~3/ljgYuGf9d8g/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/14/zing-partners-with-avusa-to-launch-the-sowetan-live/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 06:22:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff Reporter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Admin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Avusa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[multi-messaging platform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ideate.co.za/?p=11231</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ZiNG, the new multi-messaging platform created by Blazingchilli has partnered with AVUSA to deliver ten new content Zones. The Zones deliver live news feeds from ten of the most popular AVUSA online news and information sources, including the massively popular Sowetan Live. Readers are able to share news stories with one another in real-time to [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2010/11/18/cape-town-based-start-up-set-to-launch-worlds-first-crowdsourcing-focused-social-network/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Cape Town based start-up set to launch world&#8217;s first crowdsourcing-focused social network'>Cape Town based start-up set to launch world&#8217;s first crowdsourcing-focused social network</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2006/12/22/double-tag-live-alchemy-and-the-heavy-chef/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Double Tag: Live Alchemy and The Heavy Chef'>Double Tag: Live Alchemy and The Heavy Chef</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2009/10/07/the-launch-of-za-news/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Launch of ZA News'>The Launch of ZA News</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">ZiNG, the new multi-messaging platform created by Blazingchilli has partnered with AVUSA to deliver ten new content Zones. The Zones deliver live news feeds from ten of the most popular AVUSA online news and information sources, including the massively popular Sowetan Live. Readers are able to share news stories with one another in real-time to initiate conversations, and discuss common points of interest, one of the key features of the rapidly growing Instant Messenger.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Zing.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-11232" title="Zing" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Zing.jpg" alt="" width="184" height="122" /></a>The Zones that have been integrated into the ZiNG experience are specifically suited to diverse interests of local audiences, covering a wide range of topics, from local news and entertainment to sport and lifestyle. Users are able to easily subscribe to the new Zones, and are informed of new stories arriving as they happen. Users can view news headlines and instantly fetch the story to read it. Subscriptions are free.</p>
<p>“We are extremely proud to be partnered with AVUSA. Our users are already engaging heavily in the ZiNG Zones, and adding top quality content from partners like AVUSA will ensure value is increased for our user base” said Jason Perthel, CEO of Blazingchilli. “Sowetan Live has one of the largest, most engaged audiences in South africa, and we believe this partnership will add tremendous value to our users&#8221;, he concluded.</p>
<p>The full list of AVUSA Live Zones is as follows:</p>
<div id="_mcePaste">
<ul>
<li>Times Live</li>
<li>Sowetan Live</li>
<li>Sowetan Live News</li>
<li>Sowetan Live Business</li>
<li>Sowetan Live World</li>
<li>Sowetan Live Sport</li>
<li>Sowetan Live Entertainment</li>
<li>Sowetan Live Good Life</li>
<li>Sport Live</li>
<li>Sunday World</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>ZiNG is freely available in all the major applications stores or you can download it for free directly from <a href="http://zing.im/">http://zing.im</a></p>
<p><i>Ideate is one of South Africa's biggest business blogs, with a team of authors all of whom have had entrepreneurial experience. Ideate is read by entrepreneurs thinking BIG. Follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ideateblog">Twitter here</a>. View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/staff/' title='Posts by Staff Reporter'>Staff Reporter</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11231&type=feed" alt="" />

<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2010/11/18/cape-town-based-start-up-set-to-launch-worlds-first-crowdsourcing-focused-social-network/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Cape Town based start-up set to launch world&#8217;s first crowdsourcing-focused social network'>Cape Town based start-up set to launch world&#8217;s first crowdsourcing-focused social network</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2006/12/22/double-tag-live-alchemy-and-the-heavy-chef/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Double Tag: Live Alchemy and The Heavy Chef'>Double Tag: Live Alchemy and The Heavy Chef</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2009/10/07/the-launch-of-za-news/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Launch of ZA News'>The Launch of ZA News</a></li>
</ol></p><div class="feedflare">
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		<title>Why We Need To Care About Future Growth</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/DruM/~3/QVBxvKiUprk/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/14/why-we-need-to-care-about-future-growth/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 06:09:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason Stewart</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Admin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[measurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[performance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ideate.co.za/?p=11216</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Net Promoter Score is somewhat like Juan Smith in rugby, Banyana Banyana, or nurses in general… Highly effective, potentially very powerfully, yet highly underrated. It was developed by the renowned measurement guru, Fred Reichheld, in conjunction with Satmetrix, with the initial goal being to identify a loyalty metric with the strongest possible link to [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2007/09/28/business-with-the-future-in-mind/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Future kids, future business'>Future kids, future business</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2007/11/29/standard-bank-doesnt-want-my-future-money/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Standard Bank doesn&#8217;t want my (future) money'>Standard Bank doesn&#8217;t want my (future) money</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2010/11/01/what-role-does-word-of-mouth-marketing-play-in-your-consumer%e2%80%99s-decision-making-process/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: What role does Word-of-Mouth marketing play in your consumer’s decision-making process?'>What role does Word-of-Mouth marketing play in your consumer’s decision-making process?</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.netpromoter.com/netpromoter_community/index.jspa">The Net Promoter Score</a> is somewhat like Juan Smith in rugby, Banyana Banyana, or nurses in general… Highly effective, potentially very powerfully, yet highly underrated. It was developed by the renowned measurement guru, Fred Reichheld, in conjunction with Satmetrix, with the initial goal being to identify a loyalty metric with the strongest possible link to financial growth.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Apple-Customers-Still-Happiest-Computer-Users-thumb.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-11220" title="Apple-Customers-Still-Happiest-Computer-Users-thumb" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Apple-Customers-Still-Happiest-Computer-Users-thumb-300x216.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="216" /></a>After years of testing different customer loyalty measurement options, one golden question was identified as being the best indicator, including the customer’s probability to purchase and spread word of mouth. Here it is: “On a scale from 1 to 10, how likely are you to recommend Brand X to a friend?”</p>
<p>If a person rates their likelihood as a 9 or 10 out of 10, then they can be deemed to be a Promoter of the brand. People rating the likelihood as 6 out of 10 or less are deemed brand Detractors. A brand’s Net Promoter Score is then calculated by subtracting the percentage of brand Detractors from the total percentage of brand Promoters.</p>
<p>The score provides a clear indication of how efficient your company or brand is at customer delivery, as well as the future growth that can be expected. Simply put, the higher the recommendation rate, the more people will start purchasing.  Ideally, therefore, we want to be performing at a level where 100% of our customers would recommend us, rather than the worst-case scenario of all of them not wanting to recommend us at all.</p>
<p>A company or brand sits somewhere in between the +100 and -100 scores. An incredibly good score sits anywhere between +50 and +80, with a point of reference being Apple (sitting at +67) – reflecting exceptionally high future growth rates. Most brands, however, hover at around 10%, showing that there is very limited potential natural growth, with some brands even having a negative score. The score also needs to be evaluated in the context of competitors including the relevant industry. Some industries are fraught with customer problems and others not, therefore it all adds up to influencing the amount of people willing to recommend you.</p>
<p>More importantly than gauging potential future growth, the Net Promoter Score helps shift our mindset into focusing on how we can turn existing customers into Promoters (since we receive higher growth rates from looking after existing customers rather than trying to lure new customers).</p>
<p>A company that has benefited greatly from this mindset is online retailer Zappos. They decided that rather than spend money on trying to acquire new customers, they would rather use that budget to improve the experience of existing customers by making delivery free and fast while providing a 12-month return policy. Such an offering was unheard of at the time, and even today is little followed by other e-retailers. Incredible brand growth resulted. Such was the appreciation for the company that customers actually travel to the head office for company tours at what is essentially a call center and warehouse!</p>
<p>Merely asking the question, though, won’t make a difference. We need to be able to identify performance gaps that can be improved upon to make the brand in question stand out from a customer-centric point of view. Bringing the customer and their needs back to centre stage is the name of the game, and the entire organisation needs to be focused on this. How important is future growth to you?  Whatever your answer might be, asking the golden question above will clearly indicate how your brand is perceived in the market and indicate what action might need to be taken to win over Promoters and ratchet up valuable sales in the process.</p>
<p><i>Jason has extensive experience and knowledge in both business and marketing. In 2008, Jason decided to strike out on his own, establishing South Africa's first specialist Word-of-Mouth marketing agency called <a href="http://www.haveyouheard.co.za/">Have you Heard!</a> Jason developed a new way of engaging and managing people to become word-of-mouth brand advocates. These advocates, known as Influencers, generate peer recommendations for brands that appeal to consumers across all demographics. View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/jason-stewart/' title='Posts by Jason Stewart'>Jason Stewart</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11216&type=feed" alt="" />

<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2007/09/28/business-with-the-future-in-mind/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Future kids, future business'>Future kids, future business</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2007/11/29/standard-bank-doesnt-want-my-future-money/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Standard Bank doesn&#8217;t want my (future) money'>Standard Bank doesn&#8217;t want my (future) money</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2010/11/01/what-role-does-word-of-mouth-marketing-play-in-your-consumer%e2%80%99s-decision-making-process/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: What role does Word-of-Mouth marketing play in your consumer’s decision-making process?'>What role does Word-of-Mouth marketing play in your consumer’s decision-making process?</a></li>
</ol></p><div class="feedflare">
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		<title>Book Review: The VAT Handbook, Geoff Hull &amp; Clive Gibson</title>
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		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/13/book-review-the-vat-handbook-geoff-hull-clive-gibson/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 20:28:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Perk</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Admin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Book review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[calculating VAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[understanding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vat handbook]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ideate.co.za/?p=11226</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[New to VAT? This book is a perfect &#8220;Dummies guide&#8221; to the VAT system in South Africa. Whether you are a financial novice or experienced bookkeeper it is worthwhile having a copy of this on your desk.
&#8220;The VAT Handbook&#8221;, by Geoff Hull and Clive Gibson, starts by explaining the administration side of VAT; how to [...]


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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">New to VAT? This book is a perfect &#8220;Dummies guide&#8221; to the VAT system in South Africa. Whether you are a financial novice or experienced bookkeeper it is worthwhile having a copy of this on your desk.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/VAT-handbook.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-11227" style="margin: 5px;" title="VAT handbook" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/VAT-handbook.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="614" /></a><a href="http://randomstruik.co.za/title-page.php?titleID=4555&amp;imprintID=0">&#8220;The VAT Handbook&#8221;</a>, by Geoff Hull and Clive Gibson, starts by explaining the administration side of VAT; how to register, record-keeping, calculating VAT, and what is a valid tax invoice. The text book style makes this a perfect reference book when you need a quick re-cap on a particular VAT area.</p>
<p>The most useful section of the book is the Input VAT chapter i.e. the VAT you can claim back. They have included extensive lists of products and services, along with examples and further explanations on areas where people are likely to incorrectly record the VAT, such as company vehicles and Entertainment.</p>
<p>Throughout the book when the topic becomes complex the authors have used easy to follow monetary examples, which clearly highlight how the VAT calculation works. For example if you supply both Zero rate and Vatable supplies &#8211; how much VAT can you claim back?</p>
<p><strong>Essential for business folk and students</strong></p>
<p>This is an essential guide if you are VAT registered or a business student. Instead of spending hours trying to find all this information on the SARS website and then having to translate the VAT Act into layman&#8217;s terms, both Geoff Hull and Clive Gibson have done this for you.</p>
<p>I would recommend that SARS offer this book to all newly registered traders / companies, by reading this book before completing their first VAT return, SARS I believe will easily save more than the cost of the book in ensuring the correct claiming of Input VAT.</p>
<p>Features I would love to see in the next revision:<br />
 &#8211; How to fill out the VAT Return<br />
 &#8211; Advantages and disadvantages of being VAT Registered if you are under the compulsory turnover limit.<br />
 &#8211; a student volume where all sections of the VAT Act are covered in detail.</p>
<p>All in all, Ideate readers running their own businesses and wanting to learn about the complexities of South African tax should read this. Buy the book <a href="http://randomstruik.co.za/title-page.php?titleID=4555&amp;imprintID=0">here</a>, and let us know what you think.</p>
<p><i>Mike is an entrepreneur and managing director of digital marketing agency World Wide Creative. A video blogger for his three favourite subjects: Entrepreneurship (www.ideate.co.za), Web Marketing (www.heavychef.com) and Football (www.free-kick.tv).

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikperk View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/mikeperk/' title='Posts by Mike Perk'>Mike Perk</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11226&type=feed" alt="" />

<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2011/03/24/book-review-here-comes-everybody-by-clay-shirky/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Book Review: Here Comes Everybody by Clay Shirky'>Book Review: Here Comes Everybody by Clay Shirky</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2011/10/19/book-review-gareth-cliff-on-everything/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Book Review: Gareth Cliff &#8216;On Everything&#8217;'>Book Review: Gareth Cliff &#8216;On Everything&#8217;</a></li>
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		<item>
		<title>Strategy That Works: A Practical Guide For Entrepreneurs, Executives And Managers</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/DruM/~3/3xYRj2ZPTis/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/11/strategy-that-works-a-practical-guide-for-entrepreneurs-executives-and-managers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 12:02:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff Reporter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Admin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[executives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ian mann]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[managers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strategy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ideate.co.za/?p=11213</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Say goodbye to boring annual strategy retreats and pointless strategy documents that fail to grasp the uniqueness of your organisation. With the help of Strategy that Works, your strategy will become your organisation’s culture – applicable, accessible and implementable by all. 
In an ideal world, an organisation would be able to predict the future so [...]


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<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2011/11/30/how-to-get-unstuck-a-guide-for-entrepreneurs/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: How To Get Unstuck: A Guide For Entrepreneurs'>How To Get Unstuck: A Guide For Entrepreneurs</a></li>
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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Say goodbye to boring annual strategy retreats and pointless strategy documents that fail to grasp the uniqueness of your organisation. With the help of Strategy that Works, your strategy will become your organisation’s culture – applicable, accessible and implementable by all. </span></em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Ian-Mann-Strat-book.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-11214" title="Ian Mann Strat book" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Ian-Mann-Strat-book.jpg" alt="" width="305" height="364" /></a>In an ideal world, an organisation would be able to predict the future so accurately that it would be easy to devise a strategy that guaranteed success. In the real world, this is simply impossible. But that doesn’t mean a valuable, workable strategy is out of your grasp.</p>
<p>In Strategy that Works, Ian Mann provides a practical guide to formulating and implementing a reliable and meaningful strategy. With his unique approach, you will identify the KEY FACTORS that determine your success, create SCENARIOS for uncertain futures, develop a FUNCTIONAL STRATEGY and ALIGN your organisation to it, build an EARLY WARNING SYSTEM and take the necessary ACTION to ensure your work was not in vain.</p>
<p>This book is vital reading for executives and managers of all levels.</p>
<p>Ian Mann is the founder of Gateways Business Consultants and he has consulted to companies in fourteen countries. For the past sixteen years he has hosted business-book breakfasts for senior business leaders. He had a weekly spot on CNBC Africa and now appears monthly on SABC2’s Morning Live. He also has a monthly slot on the Radio 702 and Cape Talk evening business show. In addition, he reviews a business book every week for the online financial site Fin24, and before that, the Sunday Times. His previous book, Managing with Intent, published by Zebra Press in 2002, remains popular and continues to sell a decade later.</p>
<p><a href="http://goo.gl/LQGC7">Buy &#8220;Strategy That Works&#8221; here</a>.</p>
<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>
<p><i>Ideate is one of South Africa's biggest business blogs, with a team of authors all of whom have had entrepreneurial experience. Ideate is read by entrepreneurs thinking BIG. Follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ideateblog">Twitter here</a>. View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/staff/' title='Posts by Staff Reporter'>Staff Reporter</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11213&type=feed" alt="" />

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		<item>
		<title>Three Specific Ways To Keep Employees Happy And Loyal</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/DruM/~3/ZHEFOzcM85I/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/11/three-specific-ways-to-keep-employees-happy-and-loyal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 07:21:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff Reporter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[staff morale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[work environment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ideate.co.za/?p=11206</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In her recently published article entitled Three Innovative Ways to Reduce Staff Turnover, Amy-Jane Louw offered some great general ideas for reducing employee turnover rates for small businesses in South Africa these days.  Especially poignant were her assessments of the manger’s role within a business, as well as the importance of opening lines of communication [...]


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<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/08/happier-employees-benefit-all-of-us/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Happier Employees Benefit All Of Us'>Happier Employees Benefit All Of Us</a></li>
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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">In her recently published article entitled <a href="http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/04/18/three-innovative-ways-to-reduce-staff-turnover/">Three Innovative Ways to Reduce Staff Turnover</a>, Amy-Jane Louw offered some great general ideas for reducing employee turnover rates for small businesses in South Africa these days.  Especially poignant were her assessments of the manger’s role within a business, as well as the importance of opening lines of communication as they each pertain to employee contentment and retention.   As she also notes, the attractiveness of certain companies and their specific offerings are certainly subjective, and depend on a number of individual factors specific to each employee.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/happy_turn_employee.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-11211" title="happy_turn_employee" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/happy_turn_employee-300x195.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="195" /></a>However, while she offers some good general advice for keeping employees happy, it’s important to note that there are certain specific tools that have proven effective in this business endeavor as well.  The following are three specific avenues to greater employee loyalty and happiness that are offered as a supplement to Louw’s already insightful tips and ideas.</p>
<p><strong>Learning Promotion</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>It’s been cited in employee research done by business giants like Google that the biggest motivational factor for workers is the ability to learn on the job.  Employees don’t just want to be paid well for their tasks; they also want to be mentally stimulated and enriched educationally as well.  By using a comprehensive, knowledge-heavy <a href="https://www.opensesame.com/">employee training</a> program, companies can greatly increase a sense of higher learning within their employee’s jobs.  Ensuring that roles within your company will offer continued learning opportunities as well as advancement opportunities is also key to keeping employees happy.</p>
<p><strong>1 on 1 Weekly Meetings</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>By instituting 1:1 manager-employee meetings, and being totally consistent in these meetings despite their potentially uncomfortable nature in the beginning, companies are forced to open up the important lines of communication, which Louw spoke of in her article.  These weekly meetings will serve to flesh out potential problems and concerns for both employees and managers alike before they can become or lead to more serious issues in the future.</p>
<p>In essence, weekly meetings ensure that employees are given the chance to voice concerns and ideas, while also giving managers a better understanding of their employees’ desires, strengths, weaknesses, and personal values in general.  They facilitate real human interaction between manager and employee, which can do wonders for levels of mutual respect that are paramount to a highly functional business.</p>
<p><strong>Publicly Acknowledge a Job Well Done</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>While monetary rewards and employee benefits are certainly good perks for many employees, publicly acknowledging a job well done with a simple congratulatory pat on the back or similarly public display of gratitude, is perhaps the best way to facilitate a sense of team and community within the work place.  Employees, as Louw also notes her piece, want to know that they are beneficially contributing to their company, and that their work is valued by management.</p>
<p>Although it seems like a very general and small measure, taking the time and effort for public expressions of gratitude and congratulations are hugely underestimated within most business environments.  Often, a sincere human interaction and thanks will do more for an employee’s morale than an added pay bonus without further thanks.</p>
<p>Just as Louw aptly noted, the style with which a manager guides and communicates with their employees is a hugely important tool in employee retention.  As the contents of both this article and Louw’s indicate, at the heart of employee happiness and loyalty lies a decidedly human approach to running a business.  Simply taking the time to get to know your employees and adding a personal, humanistic dimension to your management techniques can have tremendous, positive affects on an employee’s loyalty, and subsequent desire to stay on with your team.</p>
<p><i>Ideate is one of South Africa's biggest business blogs, with a team of authors all of whom have had entrepreneurial experience. Ideate is read by entrepreneurs thinking BIG. Follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ideateblog">Twitter here</a>. View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/staff/' title='Posts by Staff Reporter'>Staff Reporter</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11206&type=feed" alt="" />

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<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/08/happier-employees-benefit-all-of-us/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Happier Employees Benefit All Of Us'>Happier Employees Benefit All Of Us</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/04/18/three-innovative-ways-to-reduce-staff-turnover/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Three Innovative Ways To Reduce Staff Turnover'>Three Innovative Ways To Reduce Staff Turnover</a></li>
</ol></p><div class="feedflare">
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		<title>Raizcorp Set To Fast Forward The Growth Of Entrepreneurs</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/DruM/~3/UptYL7WtVKc/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/10/raizcorp-set-to-fast-forward-the-growth-of-entrepreneurs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 13:06:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff Reporter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Admin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurial growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fast Forward Programme]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[South African Entrepreneurs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ideate.co.za/?p=11208</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Only 10 entrepreneurs have been selected out of an incredibly strong field of 276 applicants for the chance to have their businesses’ growth increased dramatically by Raizcorp’s unique Fast Forward programme. The field was sifted through Raizcorp’s rigorous and gruelling eight-step selection process, but the final candidates hung in there for good reason: the two-year [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Only 10 entrepreneurs have been selected out of an incredibly strong field of 276 applicants for the chance to have their businesses’ growth increased dramatically by Raizcorp’s unique Fast Forward programme. The field was sifted through Raizcorp’s rigorous and gruelling eight-step selection process, but the final candidates hung in there for good reason: the two-year Raizcorp Fast Forward programme is valued at R844 800 per business.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/8-Allon-Raiz-BW.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-11209" title="8-Allon Raiz BW" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/8-Allon-Raiz-BW-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>Despite much talk about the importance of entrepreneurship to the growth of the economy, entrepreneurs in South Africa still often feel that they are operating without any real support. This situation is central to the reasoning behind the new Fast Forward programme offered by Raizcorp, one of the biggest entrepreneurial support organisations in Africa. In partnership with a major international financial organisation, Raizcorp has designed this tailor-made entrepreneurial development and support programme to fast-track the growth of the selected candidates.</p>
<p><em>“It is exciting to be able to give 10 outstanding South African entrepreneurs a chance to grow from good to great. When we designed this programme, I asked the question, ‘What would have been the ideal environment for me when I started growing my business?’ Fast Forward is that programme!”</em> says Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp.</p>
<p><strong>The economic necessity of small business growth</strong></p>
<p>Economists globally acknowledge that small business growth is key to developing a thriving economy. As early as 1995, in the White Paper on National Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Small Business in South Africa (1995), it was noted that small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) assist greatly in addressing the challenges of job creation and economic growth in South Africa. SMMEs play a vital role in absorbing labour, penetrating new markets and generally expanding economies. Apart from the estimated six million small business owners in South Africa themselves, small businesses provide an additional estimated six million job opportunities with a clear demand for further growth. Raizcorp intends to use the Fast Forward programme as a catalyst to help create effective and sustainable growth in the small business sector.</p>
<p>Additional research  has shown that, while access to finance is a challenge for small businesses in South Africa, there are several pools of capital currently targeting the sector. A more pressing challenge is the lack of management capacity and skills in the start-up and early growth phases of small businesses. For this reason, entrepreneurs selected to partake in the Fast Forward programme will receive a dedicated Raizcorp team to strategise and facilitate company growth over a two-year period; Raizcorp manages to increase the turnover and profitability of over 95% of the companies it partners with over such a timeframe.</p>
<p><strong>The Fast Forward programme</strong></p>
<p>The programme provides a support team and structures, along with accredited learning and personal development modules. Each entrepreneur will also be allocated a team of five guides who will focus on strategy, finance, marketing, sales and personal development. It is the strategy guide’s role to manage the whole team and ensure the agreed-upon strategy is followed. The Fast Forward programme is unique in that it is an ‘eat as much as you want’ programme. There is no limit to how much access the selected entrepreneurs have to their guides.</p>
<p>The Raizcorp guides have been trained by the Raizcorp Guiding Academy (RGA). The RGA has been awarded international accreditation for its Certified Entrepreneurial Guide Programme and has been named as the exclusive Centre of Excellence in South Africa by SFEDI (the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative), the government-approved, non-profit standards setting body for small business support and development in the UK.</p>
<p><strong>The six tiers of Raizcorp’s offering</strong></p>
<p>The Raizcorp model has been built to address the specific needs of entrepreneurs in South Africa. It is represented by six tiers of support; Business Infrastructure such as offices and equipment, Professional Personnel including receptionists and bookkeepers, Learning with Raizcorp being a Faculty of Entrepreneurship that presents CHE-approved material in association with the Da Vinci Institute, Guiding by a team of full-time guides, Sales/Networking through various methods, including linkages into corporates, cross-selling to the other 240 Raizcorp companies, direct introductions and various other methods, and the Raizcorp Magic – a feeling of community where entrepreneurs can draw inspiration from one another, harness synergies and allow serendipity to flourish!</p>
<p><i>Ideate is one of South Africa's biggest business blogs, with a team of authors all of whom have had entrepreneurial experience. Ideate is read by entrepreneurs thinking BIG. Follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ideateblog">Twitter here</a>. View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/staff/' title='Posts by Staff Reporter'>Staff Reporter</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11208&type=feed" alt="" />

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		<title>Heineken® Challenges SA Football Fans With Innovative New App</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/DruM/~3/eOhNcF9lDDU/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ideate.co.za/2012/05/10/heineken%c2%ae-challenges-sa-football-fans-with-innovative-new-app/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 07:26:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff Reporter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heineken Facebook App]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heineken Star Final]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UEFA Champions League]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Heineken®, worldwide sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, has challenged South African football fans to a virtual shootout, using a bespoke Facebook app. The app will test the true extent of their dedication to the ‘beautiful game’ and the ultimate victor each week will be treated to a VIP experience at the Heineken Star Final. [...]


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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Heineken®, worldwide sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, has challenged South African football fans to a virtual shootout, using a bespoke Facebook app. The app will test the true extent of their dedication to the ‘beautiful game’ and the ultimate victor each week will be treated to a VIP experience at the Heineken Star Final. Here they can watch a live screening of the UEFA Champions League Final Munich 2012 in comfort and style.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/general_0.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-11203" title="general_0" src="http://static.ideate.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/general_0-300x204.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="204" /></a>For the past five years Heineken International has hosted the Heineken Star Final, where selected global ticket winners can view the UEFA Champions League final in exotic cities around the world. This year they chose a secret location in Cape Town, where guests will be treated to a football feast with VIP treatment on 18 and 19 May.</p>
<p>Created by M&amp;C Saatchi Abel, the app consists of a tricky quiz that puts users’ footballing knowledge to the test. But it is the experience of the app itself that makes it so special, which takes its cue from the new Heineken® “Pantheon” advert. The advert highlights Heineken®’s sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League by depicting mythological figures serving Heineken® to tense soccer fans watching a penalty kick involving UCL legends, Patrick Vieira and Ruud van Nistelrooy.</p>
<p>Each app question is accompanied by a short film of a soccer player kicking a penalty, set in Rome’s Pantheon – and the goal-keeper is a firey-eyed Minotaur. Right answers see the player score a goal, and wrong answers see it saved by the Minotaur.</p>
<p>Shot against a green screen, the Pantheon environment is built up in 3D, coloured, textured and lit by Motif Studios, who also composed the music. The questions are randomly selected for each challenge, designed to give football fan hours of entertainment in the race to conquer the challenge.</p>
<p>The overall winner will receive two VIP tickets to the Heineken Star Final – an event that promises once again to be the envy of football fans around the world. Challengers can find the app at <a href="http://on.fb.me/IrMev7">http://on.fb.me/IrMev7</a></p>
<p><i>Ideate is one of South Africa's biggest business blogs, with a team of authors all of whom have had entrepreneurial experience. Ideate is read by entrepreneurs thinking BIG. Follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ideateblog">Twitter here</a>. View more articles by <a href='http://www.ideate.co.za/author/staff/' title='Posts by Staff Reporter'>Staff Reporter</a>.</i></p><img src="http://www.ideate.co.za/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=11202&type=feed" alt="" />

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