Built To Last

The aim of most family-run businesses is to stand the test of time, a goal that influences strategy and tends to take the long-term view over short-term gains. Entrepreneur spoke to Kim Pratley and his sons, Andrew and Charles, about growing a business without compromising on quality or price.

Business Turnarounds With The Team You Have

With a management approach that unlocks the full energy of the organisation, CEOs can turn around a failing business with the people they already have.

Outsmart Cash Flow Problems With The Right Financing

We’ve all heard the saying turnover is vanity, profit is sanity but cash is reality. If you want to improve cash flow, unlock growth within your business and build an asset of value, you need cash — whether that’s through organically grown cash reserves or financing solutions that suit your specific needs and growth goals.

Rock On

In recent years there has been a slew of US musicians and actors who have built business empires, from will-i-am to Sarah Michelle Gellar. South Africa is no different. Danny K may be working on his next album, but he's also planning to dominate the business landscape. AS TOLD TO NADINE TODD

The Path To Success

Woman of Stature is an organisation that plans to give South Africa its next generation of high-impact entrepreneurs, ministers and even a president. Here’s how the ideals of success mindset and living your purpose are shaping a new breed of empowered women.

Who Dares Wins

What can we do now that we couldn’t do before, thanks to changes in technology? That’s the approach that great organisations are taking to transform the consumer experience. And it’s not just the ruthless young upstarts that are doing so — we spoke to three companies founded by industry stalwarts to get their take on how to seize market leadership in a time of significant disruption.

Who Are Your Real Competitors?

Do you know who your real competitors are, and why they’re winning business you could get?

Trust, But Don't Be Stupid. Get Agreements!

Everyone has been disappointed at some time in their lives, and often by the people you least expected it from. Trust is not given, it is earned. But even after being earned, don’t be naïve about it. Temper that trust with a splash of cynicism regarding the human race.

How Your Habits Determine Your Chances Of Success

The stats are scary. We all have goals, and yet 78% of the time those goals don’t lead to a change in behaviour, which means they can’t be realised. The science is clear. If you want to achieve your dreams, you need to start by changing your habits.

4 Key Social Media Mistakes You Might Be Making - And How To Avoid Them

Social media can revolutionise your brand presence, or do more harm than good, depending on your strategy and execution.

Don't Be A Procrastinator

Take control of your time and super-charge your day, making the most of your most valuable resource: Time.

Debt-Free Business Growth

It’s tempting to go the debt route when building your business or asset base, but be careful — debt can kill your business just as quickly.

Multi-Layered Success

Every start-up needs a support network.

6 Habits Long-Time Millionaires Rely On To Stay Rich

It’s a simple fact: The habits of most millionaires differ from those of the average person. However, their habits are far from inaccessible; they improve one’s odds of finding success but can be adopted by just about anyone with a bit of concerted effort.

What's The Worst That Can Happen With A Disgruntled Silent Shareholder?

Whether a shareholder brings capital to the business, experience or connections, you need to ensure everyone has the same vision and values.

Why Fight Or Flight Mode Can Break Your Business

Whether you’re launching, running or scaling a business, you’ll have great days and terrible days. The life of a business owner is tough. Truly successful business owners are masters of their own emotions though. Because when you aren’t, things will quickly start to derail.

Stand Out From The Crowd

Are your marketing communications just like everyone else’s, or are you saying something people genuinely care about?

Keeping It Lean

Amazon spends a lot of money, but it’s also surprisingly lean. Here’s why even successful companies that are scaling quickly should be doing their best to save money where they can

The Trick To Creating Superstar Employees? Think Of Them As Superstar Employees

Research shows that your attitude towards your employees may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you start treating everyone like they’re a superstar — and you really believe it — their behaviour will follow.

Ghost In The Machine

Q&AArtificial Intelligence is set to change the way all companies do business, says Daniel Schwartzkopff of DataProphet. Those who don’t prepare for this inevitability right now run the risk of getting left behind.

Why Protecting Your IP Might Be The Most Important Thing You Can Do

What’s the worst that can happen if you do not protect your company’s intellectual property? Worst case scenario — you can lose everything you’ve worked so hard to build.

What Sheryl Sandberg Taught Me About Giving Criticism

How many times have you tried to give feedback that totally falls flat?

Staying Ahead In The Knowledge Era

How do you succeed when your customers, competitors and even employees know as much as you do or more?

The Builder

Starting a business is easy. You need a white board, a cool idea, and a small amount of cash to get you started. That’s Karl Westvig’s view of entrepreneurship. The real challenge comes down the line, when you’re trying to scale your business, stay true to your vision, and answer to investors who aren’t in your business and don’t share the same appetite for risk.Here’s how Karl has negotiated the many challenges of building a highimpact growth organisation that currently has a turnover of R150 million, which expects to double within the next three years.

'I Wish I'd Fired More People'

It took the founder of Panera Bread three decades to perfect his recipe for a well-run business. Now, after stepping down as CEO in January, he looks back on what he wishes he’d done differently. 

Launch Co-ordinates - Start-up Therapy

Tips to help you make money without sacrificing your happiness.

Dealing With The Giant In The Room

A giant customer can be highly profitable or cost you your business. Have you considered all the angles?

Keep Up The Momentum

The year has kicked off with a whirlwind ride and already the first quarter is done and dusted. It’s important not to lose the momentum.

Don't Let Strikes Strike Out Your Business

Industrial action in South Africa poses a guaranteed business risk. The negative impact is often immense for both employers and employees. Extended negotiations, drawn out demonstrations, and safety risks often result in a loselose situation for both parties, even when demands are met.

Bootstrapped & Booming

You don’t need millions in investment (or even thousands) to get a successful business off the ground. With passion, perseverance and a product or service that customers will pay for, you can start a successful business on a shoestring budget.From USN starting in a small flat in Pretoria with a hand-cranked washing machine to mix product, to UCOOK launching in a garage and sharing floor space with a Chrysler, there are many ways — and many businesses — that you can launch from your home. You just need to get a little creative.