Trade-Intel

In my last blog, I shared a topic near and dear to my heart: the need to bridge the gap between SMEs (Small- to Medium-sized Enterprises) and the global capital markets. The three key reasons big money doesn’t follow the value of investing in SMEs are due to issues involving …

How far have you got on your digital booking journey? For those planning to hot-foot it down the ecommerce path, read on for the do’s and don’ts. CREATE AN ACCURATE ONLINE PROFILE Unsurprisingly, there are various kinds of e-commerce business models from which you can choose: business-to-business, business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer, …

Disruptors are innovative, game-changing brands that challenge conventional wisdom by utilising cutting-edge technology to create memorable, relevant and practical brand experiences that go above and beyond customer expectations. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A DISRUPTOR BRAND? Netflix is a great example of how a newcomer has shaken up the …

A manager’s responsibility is to empower, guide and inspire others. So, what characteristics distinguish a great manager? Moreover, what are the benefits of effective management? WHAT SKILLS DO MANAGERS NEED TO MASTER? 1. The ability to listenEffective managers listen well. It’s no longer just you doing everything. Take note of …

Every concept, idea and decision can’t be made solely from scratch. You can get inspiration from other successful entrepreneurs, founders, leaders and industry veterans. Taking their insights about business can help you create your own unique brand. The tips you can get can help you visualise what you want to …

It’s taken as a given that leaders are born with innate leadership qualities. However, great leaders are not necessarily born with these qualities.  Many great leaders became excellent leaders because they had the courage and perseverance to learn how to be good leaders.  As Harold S. Geneen said, “Leadership cannot …

You may have heard about a recent popular new programme, app or electronics’ product being described as “disruptive”. It’s easy to dismiss this as a marketing gimmick. But understanding business disruption can help your small business create truly unique services and solutions. WHAT IS BUSINESS DISRUPTION? In business strategy, “disruption” …

Yesterday morning I discovered that I had been locked out of Linkedin. No reason or warning given.  Almost 12 years to the month that I had first opened an account on Linkedin, 6,000 connections and countless articles, updates messages etc. were all suddenly gone. Then I realised I could no longer …

It was 2009, my businesses were collapsing around me and quite frankly I didn’t want to present a cheery face to the world.  Facebook, delete.  Twitter, delete.  The 1,000+ followers and all my riveting thoughts consigned to the social media rubbish bin. Within a year I had accounts back up …

So you’ve acquired a new business…now what? It is really tempting to keep the company you’ve bought. Business is such an emotional thing, and as an entrepreneur, you have to develop a keen emotional maturity about it. It is easy to keep everything and to love them like your children. …