Gazette: Drakenstein

By David Malherbe   –   Published in Drakenstein Gazette – Friday 26 July 2013

Many of us know about the market for green grocers in Epping where farm produce is traded.  But estate agents work in the property market and book sellers form part of the book market.  So what is a market then?

Any business do business in some market and a market can be described as a place where buyers and sellers of goods or services meet and prices are determined by supply and demand.  An auction is thus ... continue reading

Deur David Malherbe   –   Gepubliseer in Drakenstein Gazette – Vrydag 19 Julie 2013

Om ‘n goeie besigheid te bou, is dit nodig dat ‘n besigheid ‘n eerlike en positiewe beeld na die gemeenskap waarin dit sake doen, sal reflekteer.  D.w.s. die openbare mening kan ‘n groot invloed op die sukses van jou besigheid hê.

Die openbare mening word o.a. bepaal deur die wyse waarop ‘n onderneming sy werknemers benut en vergoed, die onderneming se verantwoordelike benutting van hulpbronne en die bewaring en vervanging daarvan, asook die kwaliteit en prys van ... continue reading

By David Malherbe   –   Published in Drakenstein Gazette – Friday 12 July 2013

Anyone of us knows the importance of making good decisions.  For a business owner it is even more important because bad decisions can cost him his business; his source of income.

But there is a way to minimize this risk; it is called “good administration.”  Yes, many people do not like administrative work, but this is a business’ source of information.  Every transaction is a piece of data that builds the picture of what is happening in ... continue reading

Deur David Malherbe   –   Gepubliseer in Drakenstein Gazette – Vrydag 5 Julie 2013

Pres. Harry Truman, president van die VSA van 1945 tot 1953, het ‘n bordjie op sy lessenaar gehad waarop daar gestaan het: “The buck stops here.”  Dit het aangedui dat hy persoonlik verantwoordelikheid aanvaar vir die manier waarop die land regeer word.

Vir ‘n entrepreneur / besigheidseienaar geld presies dieselfde.  Een van die grootste  euwels is om ander mense verantwoordelik te hou vir die toestand waarin my besigheid is of waarin ek myself bevind.  Dit is nodig ... continue reading

By David Malherbe   –   Published in Drakenstein Gazette – Friday 28 June 2013

Yóú know what you offer in your business, but to tell potential customers in the community about it does not come cheap.  Advertising is expensive.

Peter Cheales writes in his book I was your Customer, “I am your business’s most important asset.  Or so you tell me in your advertising.  You promise to treat me like royalty.  But your promises amount to nothing.”

When people respond to your advertisement, they are often treated like unwelcome guests ... continue reading