Overcoming Poly-Crisis

Overcoming Poly-Crisis

A political commentator called Adam Tooze came up with a new phrase last year. He said that the world we are experiencing is one that is in a ‘Poly-crisis’. There are multiple international crises happening simultaneously. The intersection of each creates its own...
Know Y(our) Leaders | Hester du Bruyn

Know Y(our) Leaders | Hester du Bruyn

  Hester was born in Potchefstroom as the eldest of five children and grew up mainly in Bloemfontein. She is a widow (since 2001) and has three children and seven grandchildren. “I studied at the University of the Free State and I am a qualified librarian.  I...
Learn to think like a Futurist

Learn to think like a Futurist

Businesswomen and executives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. No matter in whatever role we find ourselves, we as women are natural futurists. But we can become better at it. Here are four things to consider to learn how to think like a futurist. Think...
Growing Leader Effectiveness

Growing Leader Effectiveness

  GROWING LEADER EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH TRAIT DEVELOPMENT As a businesswoman, you would know that there are those times calling for the establishment of direction, aligning of people and resources, and motivating and aspiring the team members to search for new...
Leaders don’t create Followers

Leaders don’t create Followers

Leaders don’t create Followers I am a 35-year old woman and Director in a law firm that is 132 years old. The field of Law is mostly a male-dominated sphere – however, in our case, we are four female Directors running the show. All four of us have our own...
A more Equal Future at the Office

A more Equal Future at the Office

    How to shape a more equal future at the office – this generation’s ordinary women can become the changemakers. Generations of women have been paving the way for their peers in the fight for women’s rights and equality. Although we have come a long...
Cultural Diversity

Cultural Diversity

  Are we afraid of cultural diversity? The phrase “cultural diversity” often brings up images of division and even of conflict. Is it not interesting that we often hear the words “opposites attract” when discussing differences between partners in a marriage? In...
Soft Skills Trending in 2021

Soft Skills Trending in 2021

Soft skills for successful business Last year made us realise adaptability is essential and change is inevitable. This is as true for business as in life! To survive and succeed in business it is important that the learning process must continue and the constant...
BRIDGING THE GENERATION GAP IN THE WORKPLACE

BRIDGING THE GENERATION GAP IN THE WORKPLACE

June is Youth Month As we are celebrating Youth Month the focus falls on the younger women in the workplace.  Whilst we need stability in our business and therefore usually depend on the more senior women, we should not forget that the younger groups bring specific...
Innovative Thinking: Life beyond the Virus

Innovative Thinking: Life beyond the Virus

Now, more than at any other time in living memory, employees need vocal, galvanizing leadership with innovative thinking. This is not a time for stealthy, bureaucratic PR or corporate-speak, but rather a time for inspiration, transparency, and courage. As an expert on...
Zoom fatigue

Zoom fatigue

ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM…..I want to go to my room! Zoom Fatigue is described as follows in the Urban Directory: Sore buttocks and slight throbbing of head from starting at everyone in their pajamas while participating in meeting after meeting in your dining room due to...
Live the life you love!

Live the life you love!

Live the life you love, love the life the live! Our new National Leader Hester du Bruyn recently took office as National Leader of the South African Council for Businesswomen (SACBW). After the resignation of Elise Coetser, who decided to focus her attention on her...
WORKING FROM HOME

WORKING FROM HOME

WHEN YOUR HOME OFFICE DÉCOR INCLUDES LEGO We all had to come to terms with a new reality in April – being restricted to our homes. To ensure that we try and keep the wheels of business turning, we all had wonderful ideas of how we will work from home, maintain certain...
Generational Diversity

Generational Diversity

Generational Diversity Ready for the generational dance? So we each have a label – whether we like it or not. Depending on the year you were born. If it was before 1960, you are an angry Baby Boomer, before 1980, you are one of the “Lost Generation X”, before 2000, a...
7 leadership lessons mothers teach

7 leadership lessons mothers teach

7 leadership lessons mothers teach Sometimes you overlook what is right in front of you. When you were young, you thought “Oh what do they know”, when in real life they had real experiences which taught them life lessons that built their skills. Although it may seem...
Brave communication

Brave communication

Brave communication I think we should listen to “Brave” by Sara Bareilles at full blast and let this become our anthem for improved communication: “Say what you wanna say And let the words fall out Honestly I wanna see you be brave With what you want to say And let...
Does purpose matter?

Does purpose matter?

Does purpose matter? Throughout humanity mankind has a quest to understand the why behind things.  Mankind is always in pursuit to understand purpose. Life Purpose Many philosophers, scholars, religious gurus and others have postulated varying theories about why man...
When women lead the way

When women lead the way

When women lead the way The worst thing a woman can do in business is try to be a masculine leader. There are many natural attributes that enhance female leadership and make women excellent executives in their own right. For example, women are empathetic and flexible...
Relationships equals currency

Relationships equals currency

Relationships equals currency It is no secret. People don’t do business with business, but with people. In spite of our quick-fix world, where instant gratification has become the norm, wise and successful business people are recognising relationships as the most...
Why Cultural Harmony?

Why Cultural Harmony?

Why Cultural Harmony? For the past 40 years, organisations like SACBW, have been evolving and continue to at a steady pace.  A defining moment happens when an organisation decides to do business beyond its boundaries and start embracing and engaging people of...
Discover your inner oil

Discover your inner oil

Discover your inner oil Do you know that there is greatness inside of you?  I call it your inner “oil”. Discovering your inner oil is one of the greatest investments you can ever make in your life.  To unleash your greatness, it is imperative that you get to...
Overcoming Failure

Overcoming Failure

Overcoming Failure When I think about failure I truly believe I am an expert on this subject. I have failed in every area of my life many times. Personally, financially and in business. If you want advice on how to handle failure, ask an expert. If you look up the...