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Why talented people battle to get jobs

This article also appeared in Finweek Magazine in their 3-Oct-2013 issue

Worldwide we’re facing exceptionally high unemployment levels. And yet in spite of this, companies complain they can’t find good people. How do you explain this disconnect? And what can we do to fix it? Continue reading


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Making the transition from founder to CEO

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


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Face head-on what you fear most

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


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Why do CEOs get fired?

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


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Business education in Africa: what we need to do differently

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


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We are all in the business of selling

The uncomfortable truth: Even if we’re not selling for a living, we are all in sales. Get over it. Continue reading


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Executive education: what the future holds

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


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Vulnerable leaders make great leaders

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


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Why do companies get blindsided and how do we stop this happening?

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.

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It’s my company and I’ll charge what I want to

This article also appeared in Finweek Magazine in their 27-June-2013 issue

nike-lebron-x-shoes-picAs consumers, we need to take responsibility for our choices. What we as consumers can learn from the Nike LeBron X pricing controversy.

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