This article also appeared in Finweek Magazine in their 12-Sept-2013 issue
Do good founders make good CEOs? Often not. There are vast differences between leading a company as a founder and leading as its CEO. What does it take to close the gap and are founders cut out to be CEOs? Continue reading
This article also appeared on Finweek on 28-Aug-2013
We all have fears and doubts. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. However the big difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how we deal with and conquer those fears. As Oprah Winfrey said: “The thing you fear most has no power. Your fear of it is what has the power. Facing the truth really will set you free.” Continue reading
This article also appeared on Finweek on 20-Aug-2013
Often, we assume CEOs get fired because poor financial performance. But there is more to it than that. Sometimes they are their own worst adversaries. This article unpacks some of the underlying reasons why companies send CEOs packing. Continue reading
This article also appeared in Finweek Magazine in their 08-Aug-2013 issue
The Association of MBAs (AMBA) has shortlisted Dr Shaun Vorster, the top MBA student for 2012 at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), as one of only six finalists worldwide for the global AMBA/Independent MBA Student of the Year Award 2013. This is an incredible achievement, considering that the AMBA accredits MBA programmes at more than 200 of the world’s leading business schools in over 70 countries. Every year, each accredited business school nominates one outstanding MBA graduate for the MBA Student of the Year Award. Entry criteria range from academic achievement to leadership potential and career advancement potential, plus their commitment to enhancing the MBA degree.
Finweek spoke to Shaun about his passion, business education in Africa, and unpacked his thoughts on what we need to do differently to grow our education landscape. Continue reading
The uncomfortable truth: Even if we’re not selling for a living, we are all in sales. Get over it. Continue reading
This article also appeared in Finweek Magazine in their 04-July-2013 issue
Executive Education is an industry undergoing a lot of change. What developments and trends are shaping the industry, both in South Africa and abroad? And how are South Africa’s business schools responding to these challenges? We spoke to experts on the ground at local business schools to answer these questions. Continue reading
This article also appeared in Finweek Magazine in their 25-July-2013 issue
A few years back Tim Plewman ran a fantastic theatre show called “Defending the caveman”. In his comic style, he depicted men as hunters and women as gatherers. The idea that Tim created harks back to our cavemen days when the “ugga-ugga” alpha male needed to show his supreme strength and superior genes to win mates. Luckily, leadership has progressed a long way since then, with our very own Madiba advocating the humbler principles of leaders also being followers. Nelson Mandela is the living embodiment that vulnerable leaders make great leaders.
So according to leadership guru Joe Takash and other experts, what are the key traits of vulnerable leaders? Continue reading
This article also appeared on Finweek.com on 8-July-2013
“What social skills are important for MBAs in South Africa?” I was recently asked this question in an interview about the MBA space and my business, MBAconnect.net.
MBAs are leaders, or on the path to becoming leaders. So the question could become “What social skills are important for leaders in South Africa?” This is a very important question that we as leaders need to tackle. Especially at a time when our country is crying out for strong, inspirational leaders at the helm, and when Mandela, South
Africa’s most iconic leader, isn’t well. Continue reading
This article also appeared in Finweek Magazine in their 27-June-2013 issue
As leaders, how do we improve our ability to spot what’s happening around us before others do? Vigilant, curious leaders recognise and act on the opportunities, threats, new ideas and novel business models emerging on the periphery of their business.
This article also appeared in Finweek Magazine in their 13-June 2013 issue
Unconventional shoe retailer Zappos is getting a lot of attention for its business model and culture centred on the happiness of its workers. And they are reaping the rewards. In yearly workplace surveys from Fortune Magazine and the like. Zappos has been consistently rated as one of the top companies to work for. They have also excelled in the traditional business metrics. It took Zappos under 10 years to reach $1bn in annual revenue. They were acquired by Amazon in 2009 for a sizeable $1.2bn. There is a powerful lesson here. Like Zappos, by putting the happiness and well-being of your staff on centre stage, companies can build a happy culture that is healthy for profits and growth. Continue reading
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