Woman, 83, who married toyboy, 37, finally reveals how much cash she gave him #GirlTalkZA #Mjolo

A pensioner who married a man nearly 50 years her junior has sensationally dumped him for being a "selfish money grabber".

Iris Jones, 83, began dating Egyptian native Mohamed, 37, after the two started chatting on Facebook in 2019.

Single, pregnant and searching! Woman takes to online dating to search for a man before she gives birth #mjolo

A pregnant singleton has revealed what it's like dating online when you're expecting a baby - and which app she prefers.

Fellow singletons will know that online dating can be a nightmare - but what is the experience like when you're pregnant and due to give birth any time soon?

Meet Miss South Africa 2023 Natasha Joubert

Miss SA 2022 Ndavi Nokeri has officially handed over the title to the new queen, Natasha Joubert.

The Miss SA pageant took place at Sun Bet Arena at Time Squares Menlyn, Tshwane on Sunday 13 August, where Natasha was crowned Miss South Africa 2023.

Five Essential Benefits A Good HR Solution Should Offer

By Synergy Group CEO, Ashley Regenass



South African organisations face enormous challenges in improving efficiencies and cost control in their HR departments. One common problem is that HR departments spend too much time on administrative tasks and managing compliance at the expense of supporting managers in developing employee potential.



Another issue is that managers lack visibility into employee productivity and cost, which leads to poor estimates of labour costs in turn and eroding profits and competitiveness. For many mid-market enterprises, much of the difficulty in taking more control over the HR function lies in the fact that they rely on poorly integrated systems and cumbersome business processes.



These are all challenges we are grappling with inside our own business, which is why we have decided to implement Sage HR Management to modernise our HR processes and business systems. We looked at five core requirements for a new solution before we made our choice.



1.     Modern technology platform



Understanding that we wanted to take advantage of the latest trends such as mobility, we needed a business solution with a modern architecture. It would need to be flexible and modular, allowing us to introduce new features and functionality at a pace that would be comfortable for our business. It would also need to be simple and fast to implement and configure.



2.     Integration



Too many mid-sized businesses still store HR data in siloes. Outdated HR systems with loose or no integration with accounting and ERP systems create inefficiencies across the organisation and hamper visibility into business trends. The tight integration of Sage ERP X3 and Sage HR Management was, therefore, a big plus for us as a Sage ERP X3 user. A company with unified financial and HR data benefits from accurate and exhaustive data for all its employees, and this is core to improving productivity.



With Sage HR Management, we’ll have a complete HR solution that integrates with our ERP system, giving us a real-time view into HR productivity and costs.



That’s critically important to us since we are a consulting firm and our people’s time and expertise is the main product we sell. An integrated HR package will also help us reduce the need to recapture data across functions such as payroll, hiring, on-boarding and retaining talent, and statutory reporting.



3.     Tighter control



We wanted to empower our managers with unified HR and financial data that would allow them to forecast present and future costs while streamlining operations with automated workflows. Thus, we looked for a solution that automates processes from end to end. Sage HR Management also provides powerful tools for managing workflows and enforcing business rules.



4.     Better compliance and visibility



Gaining visibility of HR performance is a growing challenge, especially for mid-sized businesses. A related challenge is statutory reporting.  We wanted a solution that would provide a global, accurate real-time view of HR budget, workforce costs and performance, enabling faster, better-informed operational decisions. With its dashboards and analytic tools, Sage HR Management will give us greater visibility into the business so we can make better decisions.



It will also support us in managing internal processes as well as storing and accessing critical documentation.



5.     Employee engagement



Companies around the world agree that employee engagement is vital, and especially so in an industry such as ours where the best skills are in high demand. For us, implementing an HR solution should therefore focus as much on HR service delivery as it does on improving efficiencies.  Sage HR Management will give us powerful tools such as self-service HR services (via the web or a mobile device) for ensuring higher employee retention and engagement. It will also help us to manage employee development with faster and simpler access to skills and performance information.



We considered it especially important to give managers mobile access to key performance indicators and operational performance data. Providing web access to core HR data to managers - on any device and on any browser - giving them the freedom to take decisions from any location.

The Most Important Quality For Leaders

It is an old refrain, but the rate of change in the business environment continues at a speed that makes it difficult for most leaders to keep up.

And those who are not perceptive or agile enough to do so will suffer, says the leading academic at the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB).

Dr Tim London, whose field of specialty is leadership, says that the greatest advantage for a business leader today is the gift of “setting the curve”: “the ability to develop new insights into not only what people are doing now, but also what may be coming down the line in the future”.

“We don’t know what the markets of tomorrow will look like, but we do know they will be different in some way,” he says. “This remains the biggest challenge for successful leaders: running their businesses in the best way possible now, while being prepared to change to meet the needs of tomorrow.”

This trend has been some time coming, and is increasing exponentially now, London believes.

Martin Reeves and Mike Deimler identified the pattern a few years back in Harvard Business Review, in a feature titled Adaptability: The New Competitive Advantage, in which they noted increasing difficulties facing CEOs from the 1980s onwards.

“We live in an era of risk and instability,” they wrote. “Globalisation, new technologies, and greater transparency have combined to upend the business environment and give many CEOs a deep sense of unease.”

Market leadership is even more precarious, they reported. “The percentage of companies falling out of the top three rankings in their industry increased from 2% in 1960 to 14% in 2008. What’s more, market leadership is proving to be an increasingly dubious prize: The once-strong correlation between profitability and industry share is now almost non-existent in some sectors.

“According to our calculation, the probability that the market share leader is also the profitability leader declined from 34% in 1950 to just 7% in 2007… it has become virtually impossible for some executives even to clearly identify in what industry and with which companies they’re competing.”

The best defence against these challenges is an agile and adaptive response, London believes.

“The best leaders are able to be proactive in these scenarios: setting the standards, identifying new markets and developing innovative products and services,” he says. “There is, of course, the need to be reactive at times too, particularly in light of increasing global competition.”

London is not alone in this thinking. Travis Bradberry, author of the book Emotional Intelligence 2.0, writes on Forbes.com: “Adaptive leadership skills are what set great leaders apart: these skills represent the otherwise intangible qualities that great leaders have in common.

“Adaptive leadership is a unique combination of skills, perspective, and guided effort that enable true excellence. Adaptive leadership skills can take a leader at any level, to places others cannot go.”

Interestingly, adaptive leadership skills are the single advantage that leaders overestimate in themselves the most.

“We had leaders from a large cross-section of industries rate themselves in 22 core and adaptive leadership skills,” Bradberry explains.

“We had the leaders’ peers, boss(es), and direct reports answer the same questions about them, and compared the scores.” In all adaptive leadership skills, leaders overestimated their capabilities.

This is bad news for businesses looking to increase their adaptability in an era of rapid change. So what is to be done?

Leaders can certainly attempt to educate themselves or gain more insight into their leadership style, believes London, who teaches the Executive Development Programme at the GSB, which is aimed at senior executives.

“The best courses are those that bring together brilliant lecturers and facilitators with the highest calibre of students,” he says. “The course allows successful leaders to challenge their thinking in an engaging environment, sharing ideas among their colleagues, and being exposed to cutting-edge thinking and practices.”

SOURCE: UCT Business School.

Established Brands vs New Franchise Brands

Many entrepreneurs entering the world of franchising often find it challenging to decide whether to go with an established brand or throw their hard-earned savings into a totally new venture.

“The dilemma of staying with the tried and trusted or going with something new that seems to offer great opportunities is something many potential franchisees face,” Nyembe says.

“However, if you are considering a start-up franchise operation, it is best to spend some time doing research and also asking a few probing questions.”

Below are the six points to consider before signing a franchise agreement with a newly launched franchise:

It is an opportunity to invest in a new concept and fresh products

The concept and products may excite you, but you need to look at both with a critical eye. For example, you need to know who you are targeting with your product, the size of the market (especially in the area in which you would like a franchise), whether the market is sustainable and growing, whether the product will be well-priced enough, and who your competitors would be.

If the product is unique, you would be well-advised to do some of your own market research to see how it would be accepted in your area; ask friends and family for their opinions, and search the web to find out how it fared in other cities/countries.

Start-up costs will be lower

On the positive side, lower costs mean it will be easier for you to get into business. You will also have an opportunity to build the business and, if you should decide to sell later, you would make significant profit on your investment.

Against these positives you must balance several things. These include knowing exactly what your money is going to buy. If the start-up costs are low, check what you are getting for your money in the way of marketing, signage, decoration and merchandising support, and the levels of stock you will be supplied with.

Avoid making any decisions before you have fully answered these questions, otherwise you may face unexpected expenses for things that are not included or are hidden in the franchise contract’s fine print. Remember the business saying that “if something looks too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true”.

What the total running costs will be

Having decided that the start-up costs are attractive, it is time to dig deeper. Find out all you can about the royalty structure and what freedom you have when sourcing stock. If equipment or stock is supplied by the franchisor, find out how their prices compare to the market price for similar items.

Look for the unexpected in the contract. You may find that it is a requirement that premises are refurbished every few years and the franchisee pays the bill. Find out whether you are committing yourself to paying for ‘co-operative advertising’ in your area and have to contribute to the costs of national brand advertising.

What support are you being offered?

If you have never owned a business, it is important that your franchisor provides the training and support you require to get the business on a sound footing. Find out if there are training courses offered as part of the package, and check the type and level of support services. For instance, does the franchisor help with setting up proper HR procedures and training for staff? Do they have consultants ‘on standby’ to visit and advise you when you need help?

The location of your outlet and the size of your exclusive territory

If the new franchisor is intent on opening as many outlets as they can, you could find another outlet selling the same products opening up in your backyard. You will then have to compete for market share. Get the franchisor to set out the policy on this issue in writing.

The franchisor’s business record

When a franchisor is selling franchise opportunities, they will present the brightest picture possible about their business acumen and the products they have developed. Investigate whether their claims are true.

Check whether the franchisor has joined a recognised franchise association and is therefore bound to a code of conduct.  If the franchisor has not done this, ask why.

“Perhaps the most valuable investigation you can do is to find out where franchisees are already operating stores,” Nyembe says. “Ask these people about their experiences with the franchisor, the support they receive and where problems exist. If you have the time, spend a day or two at different outlets. The strengths and weaknesses of the franchise will then become apparent.” - destinyman.com

6 Steps To Get Your Business To Work Without You

Starting and then running a successful business can be stressful and time consuming. More often than not, entrepreneurs find themselves married to their business and estranged from family and friends. Successful entrepreneur and business coach, Themi Stergianos attempts to put an end to this problem with his latest workshop; detailing 6 Steps to growing a business that can function without its head.

1. Learn how to build a powerful profitable business that can work without you
2. 5 methods to triple your Income
3. Keys to a winning team
4. Get more done in your day than you have in over a year
5. 3 Business risks you can manage
6. Create a winning entrepreneurial mindset and more

Preview: Espanyol vs Barcelona, Arsenal vs Chelsea

La Liga BBVA: Espanyol vs Barcelona

This Saturday, the all-powerful Barcelona will travel to Cornella El-Prat to measure forces with their neighbours and rivals of Espanyol for round 33 of the Spanish Liga BBVA.

Will Barcelona continue their winning streak?

Last Saturday, Barcelona had to dig very deep in order to overcome a well organized and hard working Valencia side at Camp Nou. A goal in the first minute of the match by Luis Suarez and another in the dying moments of the second-half was the best Barcelona managed to do to defeat a Valencia team which failed to convert a penalty kick during the early moments of the match.

After the break, the Catalan appeared to be fairly more confident and controlled the match the best they could until Leo Messi made his glorious walk towards the second goal just a few seconds before the final whistle.

To increase the team’s motivation levels, Barça granted another solid over Paris SG on Tuesday and booked their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Barcelona won 5-1 on aggregate.

The upcoming clash against Espanyol will certainly be far from easy and Barcelona cannot afford any more slipups as the one from Sanchez Pizjuan against Sevilla if they want to maintain their advantage at the top of the table.

As for Espanyol, it is fair to say that the Blanquiazules have been having an overall good season so far. Their manager, Sergio Gonzalez, has been doing a very good job with the players he has at his disposal and the team is currently on a six match roll without a single defeat.

After defeating Athletic Bilbao two weeks ago at Cornella El-Prat, Espanyol failed to get anything better than a draw against the relegation-threatened Levante last weekend.

The match against their neighbours and rivals will definitely not be easy for the Periquitos, but they will surely do everything within their reach to cause Luis Enrique’s men a major upset.

My Verdict: Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona. FIXED ODDS BETTING : Take Barcelona to win to nil


Barclays Premiership: Arsenal vs Chelsea

There will be no London love lost on Sunday when an extremely motivated Arsenal entertain a surging Chelsea outfit at the Emirates Stadium in round 34 of the English Premier League.

Who will win the London derby?

After an excellent league run, Arsenal sealed their berth in the FA Cup final last weekend by defeating boogey Championship side Reading in extra-time. It was an extremely nerve wrecking match for the Gunners but the usual assasin, Alexis Sanchez, managed to find a way to overcome the opponents’ defence line on two different occasions.

As for the EPL, Arsenal are currently on an excellent streak. The last time they lost a league match was back in February at White Hart Lane at the hands of an extremely inspired Tottenham. That particular downfall and the defeat against AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League were truly an eye-opener for Arsene Wenger’s men who have won their last nine official matches.

This weekend’s clash against their city neighbours and rivals Chelsea will be a good test to this refurbished Arsenal and it will be interesting to see if they can, in a way, delay the Blues hypothetical EPL title celebrations for a few more weeks.

As for Chelsea, it is fair to say that the team has been affected by the somehow premature elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Paris SG in London last month. Regardless of that knock, José Mourinho’s boys continued their winning streak in the English Premier League and they are currently on a fairly motivating row of four consecutive wins. Last weekend, the Blues showed Manchester United that having more ball possession and plenty of chances to score doesn’t mean anything these days. With some mere 30% ball possession percentage, Chelsea overcame the Red Devils 1-0 thanks to a goal from Eden Hazard and put an abrupt end to United’s recent positive streak.

The clash against Arsenal might become one of the most important matches of the season for the Blues, since, if they manage to win it, they will build up a comfortable 13 point advantage over their neighbours and rivals and they will certainly secure the 2014-15 English Premier League title.

My Verdict: Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea. FIXED ODDS BETTING : Take Arsenal to win

Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world: experts believe that someone’s identity is stolen somewhere in the world every two seconds.

Yet most people believe it cannot happen to them until it is too late and their credit worthiness has been destroyed.

Identity thieves are getting smarter and faster at stealing consumers’ personal information, consumers have to act smart and stay ahead of them. There are steps consumers can take to better protect their personal information, as well as products that keep watch over their identity, even when they can’t.

Here’s some tips to protect yourself against identity theft:

Ensure all your private correspondence stays private.
Lock your postbox;
don’t throw old accounts away without first destroying them;
don’t leave personal documents lying around where others could see them;
and protect your online identity.

Here’s some tips for creating strong passwords:

Different account? Different password. If a thief steals from one of your accounts, don’t make it easy for them to steal from others.
Don’t be obvious. The first passwords thieves will try are ones like:password, 1234567890 or similar.
Be random. Pick something obscure. Don’t use your name and stay away from real words
Misspelling is good. If your password is “I hate yellow” replace some letters with numbers and symbols like “1 h8 y3Ll0w
The longer, the better. The longer the password, the harder it could be to figure out.
Use a mnemonic. Think up a sentence, such as “My favourite colour is green,” and use the first or last letter of each word as your password (“Mfcig” or “yErsN” in the example).

Thoughts From Female Leader In The Tech Industry

- Move

The burning question that any female in tech is being asked at the moment is “How have you managed to cope as a female in tech? “After 17 challenging years in the technology industry, I am usually on the receiving end of this question about 20 times a year. However, recently the frequency of this question has shot up to about 20 times a month.



I made the choice to be in technology at a very early age, long before “geeks” were seen as cool. I was drawn to the tech space from the first moment I watched a turtle drawing squares on TV (anyone remember Logo?). This interest, combined with my natural grasp of maths and science and encouragement from my teachers and father, meant that the technology space was a natural fit for me.



I soon discovered that this field was constantly evolving and to be in it, you have to be willing to roll with the changes. Gender stereotypes were never an issue for me while pursuing my studying and my peers saw me as an equal, who spent most of her free time in the computer labs programming or playing LAN games.  My hard work and accomplishments throughout my studies was recognized when Standard Bank selected me as one of a top 20 group of students to complete a national internship programme, where I represented the IT sector.



My top three goals when I finished studying were achieving success in my career, travelling and living abroad, having children under the age of 30. All of which, I am proud to say, I achieved.  As the technology field is so diverse, I focused on the programming side, wanting to understand how code was put together and using my analytic skills to tie in the “why” by linking the business and human aspects of things. I had a gut feeling that this would benefit me later on in life and I was right.



At every different job, I made sure that I was aligned with a great mentor, all of whom were males in senior management, with most being chief technology officers. I was fortunate to find mentors that genuinely supported my career path and wanted me to do well. Yes, I was always the minority gender and this become noticeably obvious especially in the UK where I lived for eight years and was often the only female software engineer in the companies/projects that I worked on. Some of the remarks made by the developers could be viewed as derogatory to females but I took it with a pinch of salt and my male colleagues respected me enough to know when to draw the line. Let’s face it; at the end of the day, boys will be boys.



When I had my first child and returned to work after maternity leave, I found that the challenge of working as a woman in the tech industry had taken on a different form. The time I used to dedicate to work just could not be the same as I had a new baby. Juggling the challenge of being in a foreign country with a newborn and no family support was considerably tricky and I often had to take time off work to tend to a sick baby.



A question I am often asked is: why did you not take up the option of having your husband become a stay-at-home dad? Truth be told, I didn’t want him to. As a first-time mother, maternity leave was a special time during which I formed a life-changing, irreplaceable bond with my child. During this time, mothers also learn about endurance and we have an opportunity to build up our strength and resilience. Our ability to manage our life, family, household also takes the role of project management to a whole new level. I also learnt that if I wanted to return to the work world, I needed to find a way to integrate both of my worlds, as a mother and career woman who loved what she did to create one ‘seamless’ world for me where I could excel in both aspects of my life.



The hard-truth is after you have nursed and looked after a new-born baby, re-entering the workplace (irrespective of the sector), will never be the same. Instead of being overwhelmed by it, I simply had to accept that things would be different and then applied my mind with a willingness to embrace solutions around making both my family and work responsibilities work. No one ever said that this would be easy, but with the right mindset and support structure, anything is possible. This can-do, positive attitude later stood me in good stead as I moved into key management roles.

How To Score Using Your Loyalty Rewards Programmes

Too much month at the end of your money? It might be time to start really paying attention to your loyalty rewards programmes so that you can get the best value for your money. Neesa Moodley and Maya Fisher-French have a look

This week, FNB announced that eBucks members had earned R5 billion in eBucks since the inception of the programme 15 years ago. Of this, R4.2 billion had been redeemed – a spend-to-earn ratio of more than 80%, which even by developed-market standards is considered exceptional.

“In developed markets, a spend-to-earn ratio of 70% is considered good,” says Jolandé Duvenage, CEO of eBucks Rewards.

She says this R5 billion milestone was achieved just 13 months after eBucks Rewards reached R4 billion. In other words, it took eBucks 13 years to reach R4 billion, but little more than a year to grow by a further 25%. This indicates not only the demand for eBucks, but also the rising popularity of loyalty programmes in general.

Loyalty programmes have developed so significantly in the past few years that consumers are starting to plan their monthly budget around their reward programmes.

City Press reader Lindiwe Mshibe maximises her eBucks by doing her grocery shopping at Shoprite and fills up with petrol at Engen – because she earns eBucks for using these partners.

“I normally use my eBucks to buy airtime and play Lotto. I also book my travel online with kulula.com, and that helps boost my eBucks,” she says.

Nodumo Mthiyane gets the whole family involved when it comes to using loyalty rewards programmes. “Items at Clicks go on special in the sense that you can earn double or triple points on your ClubCard, and we wait for those specials to earn more points.

“However, we save our points to buy school stationery and groceries in January, when cash is usually tight. This January, we had accumulated R2 050 on our Pick n Pay Smart Shopper card alone,” Mthiyane says.

Nelly Hlatshwayo uses her loyalty cards with Clicks, Pick n Pay, Pep and Edcon to get discounts on already discounted items. “I usually keep my points until they get to a certain value or for when times are really tough. I will go to Pick n Pay, redeem my points and buy whatever I need without having to pay a cent. I do the same with my Clicks points.”

As times have become tougher, many service providers have recognised the need to partner their programmes with retailers and petrol stations.

In 2013, FNB’s eBucks included Shoprite/Checkers as a reward partner, and Momentum’s Multiply rewards programme recently signed up as a partner to the Pick n Pay Smart Shopper programme.

Lianne Williams, head of marketing at Multiply, says: “Increased petrol prices, raised personal taxes, rising food prices and an economy under pressure all mean consumers’ pockets are considerably stretched.”

Rewards programmes are the new “emergency fund” and a way for people to manage their finances, especially at month end, when the real money has run out – when school uniforms need to be bought or emergencies occur.

How to choose your programme

People handle loyalty rewards programmes differently. You might be one of those diligent shoppers who has a loyalty card for every shop you go to, or you might choose to focus on a handful of loyalty rewards programmes and maximise the benefits you receive. For example, you might choose to have just one loyalty card that rewards you for grocery spend, one that rewards you for your petrol spend and another that rewards you with travel miles when you fly.

However you choose to do it, you need to do your research beforehand to ensure you are receiving the maximum benefits.

Get the best out of your programme

. Find out who the rewards partners are for each loyalty programme you use. For example, you earn more eBucks if you do your grocery shopping at Shoprite. Then make a point of using those partners as often as possible.

. Be aware of any limits on your earning period. For example, you might find that you have to earn a certain number of points each quarter to reach a certain rewards level.

Find out which level you are currently on, how many points you need to earn to reach the next level and then work out how much you need to spend to achieve that. Then set up a reminder on your phone so that you can keep track of what you spend.

FNB eBucks has introduced a calculator on its website – ebucks.com – to help you calculate your reward levels.

. If your loyalty-programme points expire, set up a second reminder for expiry dates on points that you can redeem.

. People often lose out on their rewards simply because they forget their loyalty cards at home. There is no way that all your cards will fit in your wallet, so carry a small purse in your handbag with all your loyalty cards in it. You can transfer the purse when you change handbags so that you always have your loyalty cards with you.

. Check the loyalty programme’s website regularly for special offers.

Trying to keep track of which store is partnered with which loyalty programme can make you feel like you need a personal assistant.
We compiled this handy list of grocery and fuel partners for loyalty programmes to help you maximise your rewards

uCount
1 Standard Bank’s partners are Shoprite, Checkers, Checkers Hyper, Food Lovers Market, Fruit & Veg City, Pick n Pay, Makro, Spar and Woolworths. This loyalty programme seems to have covered all the bases.

However, make sure you read the fine print. For example, you do not earn points for liquor or in-store pharmacy purchases. You can earn points and use them to buy fuel at Caltex garages.

eBucks
2 Partners are Shoprite, Checkers, Checkers Hyper and Makro. You can earn eBucks by filling up at any petrol station, but if you want to spend eBucks on fuel, you have to fill up at Engen. Check the eBucks website for a list of participating Engen garages.

https://www.ebucks.com/web/eBucks/partners/engen.jsp

Absa
3 This programme does not appear to have a grocery store partner – instead, it focuses on lifestyle.

Partners include furniture stores such as Hirsch’s, Bradlows and Morkels, as well as online shopping partners such as NetFlorist. You earn Absa rewards at a rate of 5% cash back for buying fuel at Sasol garages. Note that you also earn rewards for purchases made at Sasol garage convenience stores. Absa does not use a points system, but pays out cash, which allows you to spend the money however you choose.

Greenbacks
4 There is no specific appointed grocery store partner for this programme. But you earn Greenbacks whenever you swipe your Nedbank credit or cheque card or American Express credit or cheque card. You can redeem or spend your greenbacks at Makro.

Nedbank also does not reward you for buying fuel, but you can load your Greenbacks on to a prepaid card and use it to pay for fuel at any service station – or simply draw your Greenbacks as cash.

Discovery Vitality
5 You earn 25% cash back on purchases made at Pick n Pay and Woolworths. Note that this is limited to healthy food purchases, which are clearly marked on the products. If you have a Discovery credit card, however, you earn 25% cash back on your total spend at these partners.

Momentum Multiply
6 If you belong to Momentum’s Multiply rewards programme, you can literally multiply your smart shopper points at Pick n Pay. Your smart shopper points are multiplied depending on your Multiply status. Bronze members multiply their smart shopper points by two, Silver members by four, Gold members by six, Platinum members by eight and Private Club members by 10.

Clicks is GOING digital
One of the first loyalty programmes to hit the South African market in 1995, the Clicks ClubCard, recently went digital in a bid to keep up with changing technology. Instead of having your vouchers posted to you as coupons, you are now informed of any vouchers available to you in store before you pay for your purchases.

You have the option of using your discount vouchers or keeping them for use at a later date. Your points and rewards will be visible on your till slips, so you are constantly kept informed of the rewards available to you or the points you have earned. This removes the hassle of keeping vouchers in your wallet and also ensures that you receive your rewards.

David Hazell, Clicks’ customer marketing executive, says the move was spurred by customer insights. As part of a nationwide launch recently, Clicks loaded R150 million in cashback rewards on to existing ClubCard members’ cards.

Make the most
How different programmes reward you

Almost everyone has a bank account, so it makes sense to use the loyalty programmes offered by your bank. However, each bank has a slightly different way of structuring your rewards.

1 FNB rewards you for the product you use
FNB offers double eBucks points for using a credit card – you can work the system without taking on credit by transferring funds, for example for groceries, to your credit card and then using your credit card to pay for your monthly grocery shopping trip at Shoprite.

2 Absa rewards the number of products you have
Absa’s rewards programme is based on the number of products you have. The percentage of rewards you earn per rand spent is the same irrespective of which card you have. It does, however, increase based on the number of products you have with Absa.

Rewards start at 0.25% cash rewards per rand spent on the card up to 1% for tier-three members, who need one transaction and three products from any of the other six product categories to qualify.

To further reduce hurdles in earning rewards, all Absa rewards are paid as cash and not points. This means you can easily understand your rewards and redeem them.

3 Nedbank rewards using American Express
Nedbank incentivises the use of American Express cards by offering double Greenbacks points for every R5 spent on American Express cards – and no limit applies.

4 Standard Bank rewards banking behaviour
Standard Bank’s uCount rewards programme sees you earn tiered points for specific behaviours, such as a minimum monthly deposit amount, using the Standard Bank app or internet banking, consenting to receive marketing material as well as having additional products at the bank.
R560m - City Press

How Do You Sell Ice To An Eskimo?

1. Make sure the market wants what you’re selling

You may think your product or service is fantastic but will people buy it?  Businesses that know who their customers are and what customers are going to respond to, hit the bull’s-eye every time.

2. Target those who value what you’re selling most

People are paying for quality and service so all efforts should be made to convey your dedication to quality and service.

3. Clearly communicate the benefits of your products

Are you able to clearly and quickly articulate the benefits you’re offering? Features describe the product while benefits reinforce what the product does for the consumer. For example, a feature of a car is an airbag, the benefit is increased safety during high impact car accidents.

4. Understand how your customers buy

Do you know your customers? Do you have demographic and lifestyle information on your best customers? Do you know whom you want to target and who is most likely to purchase from you?

 5. Differentiate on value, not price

Is your product better value than your competitor’s offering? If so, are you clearly and persistently communicating that to your target buyers?  If not, how can you improve it?

 6. Listen twice as much as you talk—listen hard, sell soft

Customers will tell you what they want, need and are willing to pay for. Just ask them and listen carefully to the answers. Consider focus groups, surveys, Web feedback or polls.

 7. Make it easy for your customer to buy from you

Have you ever felt that a business is not really interested in your business?  It can be difficult to speak to someone, no one to provide you with critical product information or no quote/pricing information being provided.  Identifying obstacles in competitor’s sales processes can provide a huge opportunity.

8. Sell to the person, not the company

People buy from people. Showing an genuine interest in your customer, understanding their requirements and providing a solution will make your sell so much easier.

9. Awesome service equals repeat sales!



About Exceed UK

Exceed UK is an accounting and consulting  firm based in the UK.  They have business growth protocols and resources especially tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. Contact Exceed UK (www.exceeduk.co.uk) today to learn how they can help you grow a more profitable business on +44 (0) 1784 439 955.

Revamp Your CV And Land Your Dream Job

By Francine Mashabela

The source of frustration and desperation for many people, especially the youth, is the difficulty to find work. Unemployment remains a huge problem in South Africa and this requires government and business to continue to work together to find solutions. There are a few things you can do for yourself though to improve your chances of landing that dream job.



This week we look at how you can position yourself and stand out amidst hundreds of job applicants applying for the same position as you are by revamping your CV and making it work for you.



Your CV is your marketing tool. A couple of years back, Professor Jonathan Jansen, Rector of the University of the Free State pointed out in his letter addressed to the jobless graduate, a few mistakes which may be costing you the opportunity to get hired. If your CV is too long, not presentable, has grammatical errors, has inconsistencies and recounts your life history, you are committing mistakes that will land your CV in an unattended pile like so many others.



Your personality and strengths should shine through in your professional profile. A short paragraph describing your strengths and work ethic as well as your career goal will help you to stand out. Also take note that employers want to see that:



 You have the required skills to handle the job. So customise your CV to reflect the relevant skills. If you don’t have the necessary experience, Careerealism.com advises that you stress your education and other skills that will show the prospective employer that you can do the work and will hit the ground running. Use the time while looking for work to improve on your technical as well as soft skills (people and life skills).

 Will go the extra mile in your job. You can reflect this through volunteering your services while waiting to get that job. Volunteering will give you valuable experience, which will come in handy when you finally get that job.

 You are proactive. Project initiatives of your own will show the prospective employer your strengths and value-add.

 You take pride in your work. Your CV should be presentable and concise.



Keep the length to two pages. Don’t forget the cover letter, which should be to the point, reflect your relevant skills and show you off as enthusiastic and passionate about your work.



If you haven’t mastered the skill to achieve the above with your CV, it is advisable that you invest in having your CV professionally written. P.S What is most important in this whole process is that your stay positive and determined throughout. Make it happen for yourself.



Twitter: @ FranMashabela, Email: francine.mashabela@gmail.com

Facebook Page: Uniquely U Personal Development and Career Management Services,

Blog: careeronpoint.wordpress.com



Francine Mashabela is a Career Guidance Practitioner and founder of Uniquely U Personal Development and Career Management Services, a company dedicated to assisting individuals and groups with tools for personal development and career growth. She uses her experience in HR and education and training to help clients reach their dream career goals. Francine is also a radio presenter at Impact radio 103 fm.

Four Things You Need To Know To Grow Your Business

The four ways to grow your business are:

1. Increase the number of customers of the type you want to have

2. Increase the number of times customers come back

3. Increase the average value of each sale

4. Increase the effectiveness of each process in the business (or, increase your productivity)

That’s it. There are no more.

These four factors will give you critical focal points for growing your business. When combined together, they also give you enormous leverage. For instance, given that you could increase each one of the factors above by just 10% (not too difficult a task), the total combined effect of that is an impressive 46.4% increase in your business.

Is it possible to do that? Yes, it is.

By applying the four ways to grow judiciously, you can make that percentage increase not just possible, but highly probable. Exceed UK can help you discover dozens of strategies to help grow your business. And it all relates back to these four ways to grow.

About Exceed UK

Exceed UK is an accounting and business advisory firm based in the UK.  They  have business growth protocols and resources especially tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. Contact Exceed UK (www.exceeduk.co.uk) today to learn how they can help you grow a more profitable business on +44 (0) 1784 439 955.

World Business Leader: Taking Business To The Next Level

With a Masters degree in Corporate Law, extensive legal training and Global Remuneration Professional certification, Advocate Nasreen Dawood brings a richly unique skill-set to one of Southern Africa’s most respected and largest remuneration consultancies, 21stCentury. Advocate Dawood already consults to over 500 organisations but for the assertive and ambitious KwaZulu-Natal born Executive Director, this is but one piece of a remarkable journey for the company.



“I wear many different hats and I have diverse commitments on my plate,” Advocate Dawood is clear. “I spearhead the establishment of government business within the company; I also consult as an Executive Director and I assist with vetting legal contracts as well as being a board member. My portfolio also means that I ensure corporate governance management at board level and I am responsible to advise on relevant legislation.”



With a comprehensive legal background, Advocate Dawood has a one-of-a-kind take on remuneration. She has the ability to research and interpret laws and regulations, offer guidance and communicate the findings. Her analytical skills are also a force to be reckoned with.



Based in Rosebank, Johannesburg, her areas of work include consulting in all aspects of human resources including but not limited to remuneration strategy and policy, performance management, remuneration and reward systems and human resources policies. Advocate Dawood is also responsible for job evaluation and advising on the application of equal pay legislation and its implications to companies.



Advocate Dawood’s   experience in Government work and Government business and more especially combining legal and remuneration as she explains “Makes me a hybrid creature,”



This “hybrid creature” is driving growth when it comes to the 21stCentury brand. Her vision is to see the company become a leading consultancy for Governments across Africa. “Being involved with Government business means that one really can make a positive difference for the good of the nation. This puts 21stCentury in a unique position to contribute to a difference in the country because we see the implementation of the recommendations we make.”



Describing 21stCentury as a “trail-blazer” and a leader in “specialised solutions”, Advocate Dawood sees the company as one that bridges gaps when it comes to legal and remuneration matters.



Whilst Advocate Dawood acknowledges that she works in a man’s world, Nasreen says that women in the world also need to make a choice whether they want a career, a family or both and stick to that decision. For her, the choice has been to follow her gut. It’s because of this that it’s not simply 21stCentury that’s the trail-blazer, but this company Executive Director too.



For more information on 21st Century visit www.21century.co.za



To talk to 21stCentury and to discuss thought provoking content contributions, please contact Sarah Martin on (011) 467 9233.

Being Savvy With Your Dishwasher: Samsung

In a busy modern world, consumers require home appliances that offer seamless solutions. The modern dishwasher is just one example of a product that has evolved to meet this changing need.

“Investing in the right appliance ensures that you are able to save both time on the task at hand, as well as conserve water usage,” says Michael McKechnie, Divisional Head for Digital Appliances at Samsung SA. “There are a myriad of options available to consumers, so it is important to consider the latest technology and features that will assist in making the cleaning process as enjoyable and convenient as possible.”

For example, the Samsung 14 Place Dishwasher is energy efficient and comes with a Power Wash Zone which leaves casserole dishes and pans sparkling clean, without the need to pre-clean them by hand. Increased capacity with the Smart Cutlery Tray makes unloading easier by eliminating the necessity of packing items one at a time. Further to this, the height of the upper rack can be adjusted to create more space for large utensils.

McKechnie offers the following need-to-know tips that will ensure the effective use of the product:



Be organised

Do not overload the machine as this may result in dishes still being dirty. Use the spacing that was created to divide the dishes effectively and ensure that the plates are placed on the bottom rack. Avoid double stacking between rows as this will block proper water streaming.



The top section is designed for cups, glasses and bowls, which should all be placed face down so that water can spray upwards. It is advisable to have plastic items on the top rack, as water emitted from the appliance is usually very hot and could cause some items to warp if they are placed at the bottom. Also remember to pack your wine glasses carefully; if they bump together they may break.



Use the correct cycle

A standard dishwasher will offer at least three wash cycles: light, normal and heavy (pots and pans). Each cycle is different in speed, water temperature and pressure, as well as the number of washes and rinses it emits.



Many dishwashers also boast a soil, dirt or clean sensor, which monitors the wash and rinse cycles and the level of dirt in the water, adjusting the cycle until the dishes are clean. Often these sensors are automatic, but some dishwashers require them to be selected before starting a cycle.



Be wise with the detergent

Powder detergents should be stored in a cool, dry place to avoid clumping from moisture. It’s also important not to buy too much detergent at one time, or it won’t be as effective. A good rule of thumb is to only buy enough detergent for two months to ensure it remains fresh.



Powders may be preferable to gels as they rinse well and do not cause build up. If build-up does occur, white vinegar is a good rinse agent, allowing your appliance to work optimally. Simply add a cup of vinegar to the bottom of an empty dishwasher and run a normal cycle to keep the dishwasher smelling fresh.



“Innovation in the kitchen is not just about creating a product; it is about giving people the power to discover new experiences. We continuously anticipate trends and changes in lifestyles and behaviours to develop a deep understanding of our customers in different markets. With these insights, Samsung is inspired to continue to create new products or categories that are tailored across all of our markets.”

Fuel Relief Possible In May

Slight fuel price reductions are on the cards for May. This is according to the Automobile Association which was commenting on unaudited mid-month data released by the Central Energy Fund.

"The average Rand / US dollar exchange rate has stabilised over the past month, reducing volatility in the fuel price," the AA said. "At the same time, international petroleum prices have retreated to a more moderate level, with reasonable stability evident over the past month."

The Association said that the current data suggested a reduction in petrol prices of around 17 cents per litre, with diesel and illuminating paraffin both down by about 22 cents per litre. "It remains to be seen whether the recent fuel price volatility has truly subsided," the AA commented, "but the prevailing picture is that motorists will enjoy some relief at the pumps in May after the steep fuel price hikes of March and April," it concluded.

Important Things A Man Should Do Before 30

Are you getting close to the golden number 30 on the face of the earth? There are certain things mother nature expects that you should have done before you reach that milestone. It is our belief that a lot of the male folk always seem to limit themselves to certain activities but I bring an array of things we expect all males to have participated in or gone out of their way to do. This is made more true because once you’re 30, there are added responsibilities heaped on your shoulders and as such you might not have as much time to indulge in activities considered frivolous.
For this reason I present a checklist of things I think you should have done before you’re 30.


Give up your seat
Well, this is very important especially in the formative years of a man. You have to have given up your seat on a crowded bus to an elderly person, lady or pregnant woman. Nothing defines or makes a man more than good manners. Giving up your seat even when not comfortable for you helps build your compassion and resilience for the battles you’d face in the years to come.

Go on a road trip
It is important to take at least one road trip before you’re 30. Get out of your immediate environment and comfort zone and see other parts of the country. The destination could be anywhere you’re not familiar with and just follow where mother nature leads you to. Where you will stay might not be pre-booked, just go with your intuition.

Learn how to drive
Most males are able to conquer this challenge but nonetheless it is important to be able to master the art of driving before you’re 30.

Score the winner in a sport game
It is expected that before you’re 30, you would have participated in one sporting event or the other. What is more important for you to have achieved is to be the decider in one of these events. This could be taking the winning shot in a basketball game or scoring the deciding goal in a penalty shootout out. It will be an event you can always refer to when discussing with your friends in years to come and one you can look back on and be proud of yourself for.

Know how to dance and dance with a stranger
For the geeky and the shy ones, it is pertinent for them to learn how to dance even if it is to make few signature moves that can get them applauded. The few dancing moves you’ve learnt doesn’t matter in as much as you’ve taken it a notch higher by dancing with a stranger. This can be at a club or while you take a road trip to an unfamiliar place, the most important thing is dance with someone you’re not acquainted with. This will come in handy as you get older and you find yourself in unavoidable “dance situations”.

Try out singing and Rapping
Well, if you passed through the teenage and youthful years and you’re yet to try out singing and rapping, then you sure must add it to your to do list. Years from now when your kids are all grown, you can tell them how you were a member of a rap group or band that didn’t really do well.

Make your own cocktail
You should most definitely have done the youthful cocktail mix irrespective of how the mix tastes. It will be something to brag about in the years to come.

Catch, kill and cook a meal
If you ever went through university or college in this clime and you never participated in catching; killing and cooking a domestic animal and you’re not yet thirty, you’ve got limited time to try out this adventure. There is definitely something enthralling about this adventure especially when you add taking crops directly from the earth. Try it out before you’re thirty.

Start your own business
Be it a little selling business on the side or a business of yours where you work full time, it is important that you start your own business before you are 30. All the men on Forbes such as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Aliko Dangote all started from humble beginnings. And who knows, you just might be the next.

Learn how to swim
This might not be so important to some but if you don’t know how to swim yet, it is better you learn how to do so before you’re 30. And when you’ve mastered it you can take a high dive into a pool just to show off.

Source: 360nobs.com

How About Setting A Business In UK?

The UK offers many advantages: companies can be registered in short time frames, clear rules for companies to comply with exist, corporation tax rates are low and businesses can grow

The team at Exceed UK has helped South Africans since 2002 to establish and run their business in the UK. Exceed, with origins in Stellenbosch, had to establish themselves in the UK, learn the local laws and customs and therefore has the empathy with its foreign clients who are going through a similar process.

Exceed UK has seen many South African entrepreneurs through their door over the years – and is really proud of those clients that have made a success of their business ventures here in the UK. Today they are thriving businesses employing a large number of people across many industries.

Exceed UK helps its clients with all the compliance related matters so that its clients can focus on growing their businesses.

Before starting your own business in South Africa or the UK you must thoroughly and honestly evaluate your own personal ability and motivation to undertake the role of owner or manager of a small business.  There are no magic tricks, easy shortcuts or quick fixes to bring about success in business. There are no guaranteed recipes to follow or formulas to apply, although there are certainly basics that you must know and use. Success generally comes to those who are willing to “do the hard yards” – that is, to apply what they know with understanding, persistence, common sense and guts – and when they realise there is something they cannot figure out how to do, seek advice and help from a trusted advisor.

Consulting with an advisor such as Exceed UK can speed up the growth of your business. They are specialists in working with business start-ups and have a toolbox of resources designed specifically to help you. They will assist you to formulate and implement a strategy for success and will dramatically enhance your chances of business success.

For an informal chat about setting up or expanding in the UK, contact Anthony Phillips or Gerhard Visagie at Exceed UK +44 (0) 1784 439 955

Exceed UK specialises in services to individuals and the small medium enterprise (SME’s) businesses, offering start-up facilities, accounting, consulting services, contractor solutions, CFO services, company secretarial, taxation and human resource systems, management accounting and other fiduciary services.

Housewife Worth More Than R50 000 A Month

Cape Town – If one had to pay a South African housewife for all the work she does, it would easily cost R500 000 per year, Netwer24 reported on Sunday.

This is based on research done by American Steve Nelms, who calculated what it would cost if he had to pay professional service providers to do the work done by his wife, a stay-at-home-mom. He found it would cost more than $73 960 (R890 980) per year.

Rapport newspaper made a similar calculation using what local service providers demand. The overall costs – excluding weekends – came to about R54 770 per month or R657 240 per year.

This is what it would cost to “hire” the services of a housewife:

Catering services

Servdfresh is a catering service in Johannesburg, which does not only delivers three meals a day to your home, but also ensures that you eat healthy. The company charges R3 800 to R4 200 per month to deliver meals from Monday to Friday.

Concierge services

It you had to hire someone to do your grocery shopping, make family arrangements and even take the dog for a walk now and then, it could cost you at least R25 000 per month according to Cape Concierge or R250 per hour according to Black Tie Affair.

Transport services

For two trips a day (to school and back) you would pay for the duration, distance and service fee from a service like Soccermom Family about R3 700 per month if you live 5km from the school and R4 200 per month if you live 8km from the school.

Cleaning services

A professional cleaning service, like KE Maids in Randburg, which sends cleaners to your home, asks R230 per day, but if the team had to come on a Saturday it would cost R250 and on Sundays R330. If you had to use the service six days a week, it would cost you R6 050 per month.

Laundry and ironing services

The national laundry group Fresh Laundry charges R65 for a 5kg load of washing and R125 per load if ironing is included. A small household (for instance a couple with one child) would, therefore, pay about R2 000 per month for laundry services.

Child care services

According to ChildcareSA its daily fee is about R65 per hour for Johannesburg, R60 for Cape Town and R55 for the rest of the country. A nine hour day would, therefore, cost R11 000 per month. For a babysitter on weekends and after hours Sitters4U asks R950 (which includes a service fee) if you want to go out three evenings per month, while ten evenings per month would cost R1 500.

Homework Helper in Cape Town charges R170 per hour to help children with their homework. If a parent is unable to assist as well, a child normally needs about four hours per week of such tuition and then it would cost about R2 720 per month.

* For more news in Afrikaans see Netwerk24

Source: Netwerk24: http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Housewife-worth-more-than-R50-000-per-month-20150419