Business

Business culture is obsessed with speed. In a world where motion, and constant optimisation is the dream, doing nothing can look like failure. Entrepreneurs, CEOs and other leaders are praised for quick decision making, rapid iteration, and relentless action, yet many of the highest performers quietly practise the opposite at critical moments. They pause. They wait. They refuse to react. Strategic inaction is often one of the most disciplined and profitable decisions a business leader can make.

Diversification is treated as a business virtue so unquestioned it borders on dogma. Expand the product line. Enter new markets. Hedge every risk. Spread exposure everywhere. Yet for many entrepreneurs, diversification may actually bring more risk than it solves. We examine whether more really is safer, and explore why simplicity, not spread, is often the real competitive advantage. Diversification makes perfect investment sense – but it doesn’t always make business sense.

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” (Peter F. Drucker, Business Management Guru) Entrepreneurs are hardwired to look forward, and chase the next win. This constant looking ahead can create a costly strategic blind spot. When you rush past December’s data to write January’s plan, you run the Read more

“A fresh start is not a place, it is a mindset.” (Jordan Peterson) The beginning of the new year can be more than another Monday morning: it can be a powerful psychological reset button. The ‘fresh start effect’ comes after milestones, like New Year’s or anniversaries, that help people believe Read more

“The outlook is clear: resilience and innovation will define Africa’s growth story.” (Ignatius Sehoole, CEO of KPMG South Africa) “A continent brimming with optimism.” This is how KPMG’s 11th Africa CEO Outlook describes Africa. Among the African CEOs surveyed, 63% expressed optimism about their country’s growth prospects and 78% expressed Read more

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” (Mark Black) By prioritising rest and relaxation (R&R) over the holidays, businesses can cultivate a healthier, more productive, and more resilient workforce – which ultimately leads to sustained high performance. Here’s why R&R matters for your business performance… And how Read more

“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection.” (Winston Churchill) Can you believe November is upon us already? But instead of panicking about Christmas presents, it’s time to get strategic. The end of the year presents a crucial opportunity to settle outstanding matters, measure your business’s progress, Read more

“The key is not to prioritise what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” (Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) In business it’s too easy for an entrepreneur or business leader to mistake being busy for being effective. Working long hours with back-to-back meetings can Read more