5 strategies to scale your business
“Standard scaling advice is: build systems, hire smart, watch your cash flow. But after years of helping founders navigate exponential growth, I’ve discovered that sustainable scaling requires something deeper than just tactical execution.”
‘When women lead, everyone rises’ – Lessons on entrepreneurship
“Whether you’re just beginning your journey as a small business owner or navigating the nuances of scaling, here are a few key lessons that I believe every woman entrepreneur should hold close.”
We all procrastinate – what’s the impact?
“Understanding these patterns is the vital first step towards regaining control and living with greater purpose. As we move forward, the focus shifts to action.”
3 ways to incorporate micro-wellness into your day
“Whether you’re a manager trying to energise your team, or an individual looking for balance, remember, small steps, done often, create lasting change. So, take a stretch break right now — your spine will thank you later. “
Sanlam, Sasol and SARS among 2025 Nedbank Top Empowerment Award winners
The prestigious Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards 2025 took centre stage on the night of 31 July 2025, celebrating the exceptional individuals, companies, and organisations driving transformation and empowerment across South Africa. Held under the theme “Defying Limits, Empowering Change,” the event gathered the country’s foremost leaders, changemakers and visionaries in a powerful tribute to inclusive growth and economic justice. Hosted by the renowned broadcaster Leanne Manas, the evening commenced with a welcome address by Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media, who acknowledged the remarkable progress being made in economic empowerment. The event featured insights from the esteemed judging panel during a live Q&A session with Khensani Nobanda, Group Executive: Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank, and Gavin Fitzmaurice, Partner at Webber Wentzel, who reflected on the calibre of this year’s entries. Guests were further inspired by a powerful keynote from Mfundo Nkuhlu, Chief Operating Officer of Nedbank Group, followed by an address from the Honourable Minister Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, who spoke to the critical role of digital transformation in building an inclusive, empowered future. Congratulations to the finalists and winners of the categories: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: FAST GROWTH BLACK-OWNED SMME OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Bono Property Group Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: PUBLIC SECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: South African Revenue Service (SARS) Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: ENTERPRISE AND SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD, Sponsored by Nedbank Winner: Mondi Zimele (Pty) Ltd Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Schneider Electric Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Nestlé ESAR Highly Commended: Isanti Glass Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD, Sponsored by Nedbank Winner: Sanlam Life Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Vaxowave Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Sasol Limited Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED: LIFETIME ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR AWARD Honourable Minister Enoch Godongwana – Minister of Finance for South Africa MUNICIPAL WOMEN LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD, Sponsored by SALGA NEDBANK OLIVER TOP EMPOWERMENT LEGENDS 2025 TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: JOB CREATION OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Geeks4Learning (Pty) Ltd Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Mondi Zimele (Pty) Ltd Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED: PUBLIC SECTOR LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Edward Kieswetter – South African Revenue Service (SARS) Finalists: RICHARD FLETCHER ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Patricia Tshitema – Bono Property Group Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED: YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR AWARD (UNDER 40) Winner: Beverley Siwisa – Afrizan People Intelligence (Pty) Ltd Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED: BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Sindisiwe Dlamini – Pamodzi Unique Engineering Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD, Sponsored by Nedbank Winner: Oceana Group Limited Highly Commended: Isanti Glass Finalists: The 2025 Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards not only recognised excellence but reignited the national conversation around transformation, equity, and sustainable development. As the winners and finalists take their well-deserved place among South Africa’s top empowered leaders, this year’s event stands as a bold reminder that meaningful change is not only possible – it is already in motion. A heartfelt thank you to our valued sponsors whose support made this celebration of empowerment possible: Nedbank, our Platinum Sponsor; SALGA, also proudly supporting our Category Awards; and our esteemed Lifestyle Sponsors — L’Oréal, Jenna Clifford, and Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa — for adding their unique touch to the evening. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners who continue to inspire, innovate, and lead the way forward.
Delivery tech helps SA navigate infrastructure challenges
“Delivery management software plays a critical role in optimising logistics operations, improving route efficiency, and enhancing visibility. By streamlining these processes, businesses can achieve tangible benefits.”
Revolutionising tax season: SARS introduces express access e-filing for 2025
“Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex economy and tightening public finances, this year’s tax season is set to be one of the most efficient in recent memory.”
87% of executives say reputation is the biggest risk – Here’s how to manage it
By Prenade Makumborenga, Communications Consultant at Definition A brand’s reputation is crucial and often the deciding factor between success and failure. A positive reputation attracts new customers and fosters brand loyalty. Conversely, a negative one can drive potential clients away and alienate existing ones. Building a good reputation involves integrating the brand’s image, values, and performance to earn consumer trust, credibility, and loyalty. However, creating a reputation is only half the effort; maintaining it is even more challenging, especially with increasing visibility and scrutiny through social media. So, what is the secret to effective reputation management? This article will explore the best practices for maintaining a solid brand reputation. Understanding the importance of reputation Reputation should be a top priority for all businesses. According to a survey of over 300 executives by Deloitte, 87% of respondents cited reputation as the most significant risk area for companies, and 88% stated that their companies are explicitly focusing on managing reputation risk. The reasons for this are clear. A positive reputation increases customer loyalty, provides a competitive edge, boosts employee retention, reduces marketing expenditure, and strengthens investor and partner relations. A strong reputation can also protect a company during crises. In a world of instant communication through reviews, social media, and news outlets, every company will inevitably face negative feedback at some point. However, by crafting a reputation management strategy and developing reputational resilience, your business can significantly mitigate the impacts of challenges like these. Strategies for maintaining a positive reputation 1. Consistently deliver quality and service Always provide high-quality products and exceptional service to meet and exceed customer expectations. This strategy builds loyalty and a positive reputation, ensuring repeat business and encouraging word-of-mouth recommendations. 2. Build a strong online presence Establish and maintain a robust presence across various digital platforms to ensure your brand’s story and values are well represented and understood. 3. Engage in social responsibility Participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives to showcase your commitment to societal and environmental issues, which can greatly strengthen stakeholder trust. 4. Maintain a clear brand identity Preserve a clear and authentic brand identity, continuously innovate and ensure that all staff are aligned with the company’s values and mission. 5. Monitor and respond to feedback Actively monitor what is said about your brand and promptly address any concerns or negative feedback to prevent potential damage to your reputation. Effective communication is key, emphasising transparency and timely responses to maintain a positive image. By focusing on brand reputation and developing a thorough branding strategy, businesses can set themselves apart from competitors, enhance customer loyalty, and build a favourable image in the market.
3 ways to use events to boost your organisation’s reach and revenue
By Koketso Mamabolo Events such as business conferences, masterclasses, and product launches are excellent ways to position your brand at the forefront of your industry, increasing brand awareness, generating leads and shortening sales cycles. Whether in-person, virtual or hybrid, they are proven ways to build new partnerships and market your brand. Here are three ways to use events to grow your brand: 1. Partner with specialists When planning an event, why get someone to do it when you could do it yourself? When you start unpacking the details – the time it takes; the resources and expertise required; the capacity to reach a wide audience – it may be time to call in the experts. The experience and knowledge it takes to put together an event is not something most businesses have inhouse. By outsourcing an event to a group of experts, you can focus on what you do best: running your business. Everything from marketing campaigns, press releases, speakers, session content, exhibition booths – all of that will be handled for you. Events that have been around for years, which attract industry leaders from various sectors, offer you the opportunity to benefit from being associated with a respected institution. You also gain from associating with non-competitors who are leaders in their own niche markets. When you partner with a B2B event you get the results without having to put in as much financially. You save money, reach a wider audience, generate more content and can get a great return on your investment. Events can take months to organise and the costs can add up. From something as big as the venue or virtual conferencing platform, all the way to the “swag packs” attendees get. All these costs will fall on you when you organise your own event. But when you partner with experts, who understand how to navigate the costs of hosting the event, you just have to pay for the naming rights and everything else will be covered for you. The brand visibility that comes from partnering with an event can lead to an uptick in sales. Before, during and after the event your business is on display, bringing in both old and new customers. You put a little in and you get a lot out of it. 2. Be deliberate about making connections Events offer an opportunity to build relationships and engage with potential partners. In one room, or many, you will have a chance to speak to the people you want to be speaking with to help your business grow and improve. Attendees and exhibitors are at an event with your name on it, which does wonders for brand awareness and networking. Besides potential partners, events are also a great place to meet and attract top talent and share knowledge. See every conversation as an opportunity to connect. You never know who you will meet. You could find yourself having a conversation with the CEO of a multinational corporation who is hiring, or looking to form new partnerships. Have a good idea beforehand who will be attending the conference, which allows you to be more direct in who you network with and possibly set up meetings with beforehand. While it is important to know who you want to meet or what you want to discuss, you need to be open to meeting people you weren’t planning to. Following up after the event is key. Once you’ve exchanged details and discussed partnerships, make sure you reinforce. Whether that be an email or a message on LinkedIn. Being in a room with a range of industry stakeholders is rare. Don’t let the opportunity slip through. 3. Create, create, create Events can be an indirect way of advertising your brand. While advertising online, in newspapers or digital magazines, allows you to speak directly to customers and potential partners, events allow you to speak to them in indirect ways. With all the content created comes web traffic and engagement on your social media accounts. From press releases, web posts, interviews, competitions and more, the chance to drive traffic to your website and increase sales is ever present. All the exposure you get at the event will also provide an opportunity to present your products and services in different ways. You’re able to market new and existing offerings in indirect and direct ways. If you’re working with an event partner, their marketing and PR teams will create content, attendees will create content, speakers and exhibitors will create content, everyone creates content. All that content is available for you to leverage. Your brand’s message will get across to many people across the world in various formats and platforms through marketing campaigns. Topco Media has solutions that can help you get a return on your investment, build relationships, reach a wider audience and generate more content. With our solutions you get the benefit of having your brand associated with an event that attracts top decision makers from the public sector, private sector and everyone in between. You can do it yourself – but the experts can do it better. For enquiries on how you can partner with us on one of our B2B events, contact Twaambo Chileshe and let us help your business reach its goals and further its reach: twaambo.chileshe@topco.co.za
From HSBC to Binance: Hannes Wessels on leading Africa’s crypto rise under Richard Teng’s vision
They’ve declared bitcoin dead 53 times but it keeps getting stronger each time, says Hannes Wessels, General Manager of South Africa for Binance, which boasts the world’s most prominent blockchain ecosystem. In this fascinating conversation with Topco Media CEO Ralf Fletcher, on the Business Unusual Podcast, the former HSBC banker simplifies some technical aspects of the crypto world, addresses misconceptions and offers a sophisticated perspective on bitcoin investment cycles and the market dynamics in South Africa. Whether you’re a casual speculator, a crypto die-hard, financial professional, or just someone who wants to know more about how the future is happening you’ll get: Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts