A business is not just a logo, a brand or a balance sheet; nor is it just a payoff line, or a piece of paper. It’s not just the building it’s housed in. It’s not just the staff and leadership. The business itself is just like a person, it has an identity, name, culture, history, a future and a value system that responds to praise, pain, effort and recognition. It can shrivel up under long-term strain and thrive if nurtured. It’s alive with impetus, and has a can be hurt or helped. It has friends and allies, those who will defend it to the end and help it along at every point. Your business has feelings. If this proposition is to be believed, it makes sense to view your business in the same way you view a person. Leaders would do well to recognise this and consider how to manage the business with this mind set firmly driving leadership styles as they prepare for the year ahead - reviving excitement by reframing the way the business is perceived. After all – perception is reality! By treating the organisation as a person - it builds ownership among staff and integrates the human being with the organisation and connects the employee to the philosophies of the business. It makes the organisation’s agenda more accessible and more relatable and it serves the organisation’s interest to have people feel about the organisation in a positive way. It’s essentially a culture building process. Imagine having your whole staff immersed in the full understanding of their role of looking out, growing and caring for this “person”, the business, rather than as a payroll sponging off a balance sheet. Leaders looking at the year ahead should find ways of feeding the soul of their business - and what better way than humanising the business. This will include establishing what the touch points are that will build the business into a stronger, more resilient, attractive body, with employees who are engaged in 2016. At the outset this requires an appreciation of what a person …
Blasting between Port Alfred and Fish River
The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify road users of travel delays on the R72, due to blasting at the Shaw Park quarry. Work will start at 15h00 onwards on Wednesday, 10 February 2016. The road will be closed while blasting goes ahead, and motorists can expect a delay of approximately 30 minutes. The Shaw Park quarry is situated next to the R72, near the intersection of the R72 with the gravel road leading to Shaw Park. The quarry extends from the SANRAL kilometre markers 20,800 to 21,200. Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly and be cautious when making use of the road. We ask that motorists comply with the directions of safety personnel. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused, says SANRAL Southern Region Regional Manager, Mr Simon Peterson. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
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River Mile runs in Richards family’s blood
Kevin Richards, pictured here with his sons Sean (left) and Marc, will be swimming in his 30th SPAR River Mile later this month. Photo: Full Stop Communications Three generations of the well-known Richards swimming clan will line up at the 92nd SPAR River Mile Festival at Cannonville outside Port Elizabeth later this month. As has become customary, the 82-year-old Mally Richards will be surrounded by family when he takes to the water for the 63rd time on February 21. Joining him this year will be his son Kevin, a former six-time winner attempting his 30th mile, and the latter’s sons Sean (17) and Marc (14). A Springbok swimmer, lifesaver and triathlete in days gone by, Kevin, now 52, swam his first mile at the age of nine and collected his debut title at 14. “I have had my fair share of competitive swimming,” said Kevin, who won national titles in the pool from 1984 to 1986. He also held South African records in the 100m and 200m backstroke events before switching codes and becoming national triathlon champion in 1993. “But now I only swim for enjoyment and to stay in shape,” said the man known as ‘The Fish’ during his triathlon days. “It is a lifestyle for me.” Race director Michael Zoetmulder of Zsports said the only other six-time male winner was Geoff Grylls, who managed to do so consecutively. “Both Geoff and Kevin’s achievements are remarkable, but the Richards family’s participation and passion over many decades represents the very nature of this event.” Zoetmulder said the seventy-three-year-old Ant Skinner, another veteran of the race, will also line up on the grassy shores of the Sundays River. “He grew up in Redhouse where the first one took place almost a century ago, so he literally grew up with it.” SPAR Eastern Cape marketing director Abri Swart said it was their 17th year of involvement in what has become one of the region’s best supported family festivals. “Not only does it epitomise SPAR’s family and …
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Stop-and-go between Grahamstown and Fish River
The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify road users of travel delays on the N2 between Grahamstown and Fish River. A stop-and-go section will be implemented between Km 75 and Km 80 as off 9 February 2016 in the interest of road user safety and the safety of workers. The planned removal date is 18 March 2016, before the Easter weekend. Motorists can expect a delay of approximately 30 minutes. Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly and be cautious when making use of the road. We ask that motorists comply with the directions of safety personnel. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused, says SANRAL Southern Region Regional Manager, Mr Simon Peterson. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
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NMMU KZN Business School welcomes young professionals to the MBA and PDBA programmes
PROFESSIONALS: The new MBA and PDBA students who will study at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s (NMMU) Business School in Durban visited the Port Elizabeth campus this week. Port Elizabeth, 5 February 2016 – THE Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Business School this week welcomed its first class from KwaZulu-Natal to its PE campus in Summerstrand. The students are all signed up for the MBA and PDBA study orientation week, following the school’s launch and opening of the new Durban satellite office last year. With the new intake from Durban, the NMMU Business School’s formal graduate degree programmes are now available in six major cities including Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, George, East London, and Johannesburg. This makes the school one of the most national South African business schools in terms of its national footprint and diverse student body. “We are excited about the calibre of young professionals who were accepted into our first PDBA and MBA group from Durban. Our selection is tough and involves psychometric testing as well as interviews to make sure that there is no compromise on the quality and standard of our programmes. In spite of the strict selection process, we were still able to secure a viable group for our first and historic intake in Durban, and see a bright future for our programmes in the region,” said Professor Kobus Jonker, NMMU Director of the Graduate School. Even though most of the students say time management will be their biggest challenge, they remain optimistic that there will be better opportunities for career enhancement and personal development once they have completed their course. “We need strong and competent business leaders to take our country forward and to make sure that we continue to play an important economic and development role in Africa, and in the world. Research has showed that only 33 % of all managers in South Africa have some form of management training while less than 10% have …
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SANRAL sets the record straight on Wild Coast Road plans
Port Elizabeth, 05 February 2016: THE South African National Road Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) today dismissed misinformation concerning the Wild Coast Road including incorrect reporting of a court case, wrong claims that the planned route could be changed and allegations that there is no environmental management plan and strategy in place. “SANRAL disagrees with Cape Town-based law firm Cullinan and Associates’ assertions that the legal case was becoming complex, because we [SANRAL] followed an interlocutory application,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL spokesperson. SANRAL was forced into legal action because, while Cullinan and Associates claim they are representing the legal interests of the local people, they have not shown that they have a mandate from the full Baleni, Sigidi and Mdatya communities. “We are aware that Cullinan and Associates represent the Amadiba Crisis Committee in legal matters. But the committee is not an applicant in the current court case, nor does it represent these communities.” Mona said the Amadiba Tribal Authority - on behalf of themselves and the communities of Baleni, Sigidi and Mdatya, whom they legally represent - withdrew as applicants in the current court proceedings against the Minister of Environmental Affairs in December last year. “At this point the sole remaining applicant in the current court case is Mr. Reinfored Sinegugu Zukulu, who, while a member and former spokesperson of the ACC, is named in his personal capacity,” said Mona. He added that the Wild Coast Road would follow the original route presented to the public and various decision-making authorities during the various environmental impact assessment processes. The plans had been set in 2001 and although possible alternative routes were examined from engineering, environmental and socio-economic perspectives, no better possibilities were identified. “The findings of independent EIA studies concluded that the original proposed route offered the best …
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#RaceFreeMonth inspires #praysa
Pray for South Africa on 6 February 2016 Photo: Destined Life Church The month of February has been declared Race Free Month - a month in which citizens are encouraged to not divide the people of South Africa by mentioning, writing or thinking in terms of race during the Month of February and asked to consider one question only in your daily life; "Is what I am about to do now going to benefit my country first?" Out of that initiative comes an initiative of the Destined Life Church - #praysa - which invites all to come stand in prayer for our beautiful country and the issues we are currently facing. Founder of the Destined Life Church, Roy Booyens, was an early signatory to the Race Free Month pledge saying; "We are all out there trying to carve our way, be kind and uplift, not tramp down. We are all the same flesh and blood..!!" The #praysa event will be taking place on Saturday 6 February from 6:00 pm in the grounds of the Settlers Park Primary School, Corner of Fordyce and 4th Avenue, Walmer, Port Elizabeth. South Africans are being invited to join in prayer for our country with special emphasis on racism, rain, farmers, violence and restoration. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
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Managing cricket and people a passion for Osman
NMMU sports administrator Riaan Osman was appointed team manager of the SA U19 cricket team that competed in the ICC U19 World Cup in Bangladesh last week. Photo: Supplied Port Elizabeth sports administrator Riaan Osman has ticked off a long-held life goal from his bucket list after being appointed manager of the SA U19 cricket team that competed in Bangladesh last week. The biennial ICC U19 Cricket World Cup began on January 27 and runs until February 14, with matches being played at venues such as Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Cox's Bazar. "I always strived towards being granted an opportunity to serve my country as team manager, so I was humbled by Cricket South Africa's faith in me," said Osman, deputy director of Madibaz Sport. "This was the first time that I'd worked with a team at this level and I wanted to ensure that their only focus was on the field of play. My job was to ensure that the rest was in place." Defending champions South Africa were knocked out early after a shock two-wicket loss to Namibia. Osman said the team were very disappointed and, although all the players were attending their first World Cup, had no choice but to put the loss behind them. "It is always tough picking guys up from an unexpected loss but we had a good chat acknowledging our mistakes and where we went wrong and are focusing on the next matches with renewed vigor. Due to the perceived security threat in Bangladesh that led to Australia withdrawing, the only time they were allowed to leave the hotel was for practices and matches, said Osman. "We were escorted by police wherever we went and were not allowed to leave the hotel without police presence - even for a haircut. "This was the most frustrating part, but the squad accepted that the security measures were put in place for their safety." Osman said the management team - which included head coach Lawrence Mahatlane, coaching assistant Victor Mpitsang, analyst Kyle Southgate and …
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Traffic Advisory: Road closure – Lower Valley Road
Lower Valley Road is to be closed off this evening from 17:45 until 19:15. The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) said the road closure will be between Lower Valley Road and South Union Street, Port Elizabeth, when time trials are scheduled to take place. The MBDA will be hosting the King of the Valley Individual Time Trial competition today (3 February 2016) between 18:00 and 19:00. Motorists need to plan their trips accordingly and be cautious when making use of the road. We ask that motorists comply with the instructions of safety personnel. MBDA apologises for any inconvenience caused said spokesperson Luvuyo Bangazi. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
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Dangerous Trojan viruses released daily to rob victims of their money
DATA SECURITY: Virtucomp CEO Enrico Vermaak and Seda Nelson Mandela Bay ICT Incubator CEO Sipelo Lupondwana talks about the importance of data privacy and information security. Virtucomp is a client of the Seda NMB ICT Incubator. Photo: Port Elizabeth, 28 January 2016 – SOUTH AFRICANS are increasingly being targeted by ransomware – a dangerous virus that infects computers and blocks the user’s access to their own information until a ransom is paid. Virtucomp CEO Enrico Vermaak today warned computer users of the potential risks of being hacked on digital devices for ransom. The first quarter of 2015 saw a 165% increase in new ransomware attacks globally. A report by the Australian government claimed that 72% of Australian based companies surveyed were victims of ransomware attacks in 2015 – this figure stood at 17% in 2013. Ransomware can infect your PC through phishing emails, fake software updates and spam. Once infected, users have to fork out as much as R8 216 (500 US dollars) if they want access to the data on their computer restored. “Ransomware typically infects an unprotected device and encrypts all the information on the hard drive. The only way to gain access to the encrypted information is by paying the ransom,” said Vermaak. In most instances a good updated antivirus product will prevent the ransomware from being installed on your machine. However, Vermaak warned that South Africans are hot targets for ransomware attacks due a lack of enforced legislation and lacks information security data protection for machines. In 2010 Vermaak attended an international security conference where the presenter showed a website on the dark web where bids could be made on bank account details with live updated statistics of bank balances among other information. “What was even scarier was that hackers would pay significantly more money for an established Trojan horse than for a bank account with pin and balance.” “During some of our security …