Entrepreneurship Archives | Jedidiah

Lockdown – From port to starboard

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:56:58 +0000

In one of his classic quotes Forrest Gump said, “Mama always said ‘Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.’”

To my mind this is what we experience at present.

You never know what to expect when it is announced that the President will speak tonight.

Someone said it almost feels like when your mother used to say “Just wait till dad gets home tonight.”

Eenie meenie miney mo

The past year was like “eenie meenie miney mo,” you may not buy liquor, now ... continue reading

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Economic shift

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 22:39:18 +0000

During the last couple of lockdown months, I’ve been on more webinars and Zoom meetings than ever before in my life. Will this be the new trend for the future?

Working from home

I recently read an article in Die Burger that asked the question if working from home is here to stay. According to the article only about 10% of people worked from home before the lockdown, but during lockdown it jumped to as high as 75% for many companies.

According to the article,

this trend is not easily ... continue reading

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Recession! – What now?

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 18:51:03 +0000

As a former Economics teacher I always love to somehow peer over the horizon because the future fascinates me. I love to make my own predictions of what I think the consequences of certain decisions and policies may be.

Economic outlook for 2020

At present the economic outlook for 2020 does not look very promising. In government there is just so many controversies, infighting and division mixed with ideology that good governance does not even come close to the parliament’s agenda. At present they are just trying to put out ... continue reading

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Manage your career the entrepreneurial way

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 18:21:16 +0000

People say that the two most important days of your life, is the day you are born and the day you figure out why.

Purpose

The “why” deals with one’s purpose in life, i.e. having a sense of direction; for you to have something you feel led to accomplish during your lifetime. Simon Sinek reckons that when we have a clear sense of where we’re going, we are flexible in how we get there.

My understanding of Sinek’s comment is that following the right direction (purpose) is more important than ... continue reading

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Black Tuesday – a new reality

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 18:05:21 +0000

In my newsletter and blog post of the first week in December 2018, I warned as follow about a difficult first quarter in 2019:

Prediction

“At present most businesses look forward to increased sales during the festive season and “Back-to-School” business in January. But February 2019 I think might become a challenge. Although I do not like to be negative, I think it is necessary to be cautious with spending during the festive season and especially on credit.
There is just so much uncertainty about government policy regarding land reform ... continue reading

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Without my job, who am I?

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Thu, 02 May 2019 19:00:21 +0000

The last official unemployment figure for South Africa I heard of was more than 27% while many people estimate it to be much higher. Comparing it to a 25% unemployment rate at the height of the Great Depression during the 1930s, we realise we need more than just political promises for South Africa.

Driving through towns and especially industrial areas and seeing how many business premises are empty, I realize that it confirms the high unemployment figures that we read about in newspapers.

Unemployed?

Usually we are not very concerned ... continue reading

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Pioneers and freelancers

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 10:40:37 +0000

I read an article by Amanda Visser on Network 24 about the changing environment of the workplace. Now, I’ve previously written about the fourth industrial revolution which forms the backdrop for the enormous and

dramatic changes that is expected to take place in the workplace.

Freelancers

It is estimated that thirty years ago only about 6% of the American labour force was made up of freelance workers, while it is estimated that by the year 2020 about 40% of their labour force will be freelancers.

Freelancers are basically entrepreneurs

who ... continue reading

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4th Industrial Revolution

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 19:50:42 +0000

News 24 recently reported about Standard Bank’s intention to lay off 528 employees. This huge lay off is the result of increased digitization and the use of artificial intelligence in the banking industry.

The trade unions are understandably highly upset, yet their spokesperson said that they realise that some jobs over time will disappear whilst new ones will be created. Unfortunately fewer jobs will be created than the ones being made redundant.

Fewer jobs

According to Standard Bank the 528 employees are welcome to apply for 349 existing and new ... continue reading

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Sharks 17 – WP 12: Still good business for WP

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 18:56:55 +0000

Last week I wrote that entrepreneurs are the forgotten heroes of the economy and the past weekend in a speech Pres Cyril Ramaphosa asked that entrepreneurs should be treated as heroes. Rugby produces sport heroes, but in the professional era it is also big business.

Currie Cup

About a month ago I wrote that no team can always win, not even the All Blacks. Unfortunately the one that the WP lost was the final, yet the good work they did beforehand, was instrumental in securing two matches with higher revenues ... continue reading

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Petrol & Cola

David Malherbe (@DGMalherbe) — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 20:20:53 +0000

Whose money?

Many years ago I employed someone in my small company who was formerly a director in a big organisation. A friend then gave a kind warning and said that one should be watchful when employing someone from such a background.

He is used to spending other people’s money, money that he did not work for himself.

People who start their own businesses know what hard work it takes to get enough clients to support your business to make it sustainable. Because you are responsible for debts incurred, you ... continue reading

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