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We are now into the second month of 2011 and it seems the pace is being set at quite a rate this year.
- 22/07/2011 09:24 - Editors note - July 2011
- 29/06/2011 09:24 - Editors note
- 02/06/2011 09:15 - Editors note
- 11/05/2011 09:47 - Editors note
- 08/04/2011 09:54 - Vote ANC – a better AFTERlife for all!
- 03/02/2011 09:54 - Top Lips and top awards!
- 19/01/2011 10:27 - Editor's Note
- 10/11/2010 10:16 - Bravo, Your Excellency, and bon voyage!
- 15/10/2010 08:27 - You toucha my pen, I breaka your sword!
- 03/09/2010 10:10 - Let’s hear it for the ladies
Last year was annus horribilis for many of us, and it took its toll on many people’s pockets. However, it seems many of us are approaching the new year with fresh vigour and a healthy dose of optimism. I know I certainly am!
It seems I am not alone, though. South African business owners are more optimistic about 2011 than they were about last year, according to a survey conducted in December by Grant Thornton South Africa.
Grant Thornton’s 2011 International Business Report’s (IBR) optimism/pessimism index shows an optimism balance by South African business owners of +64%, up 4% on last year’s index. This compared to a global optimism balance of +23% for 2011, and +24% for 2010.
“While the strong rand will no doubt make business conditions tough for some this year – particularly those with an export focus – it seems South African business owners continue to be optimistic about the nation’s economic landscape for the year ahead,” said Leonard Brehm, national chairperson of Grant Thornton South Africa.
Optimism could have slumped following last year’s Soccer World Cup, but it had done the opposite.
The Grant Thornton IBR survey, undertaken quarterly, looks at 11 000 businesses a year across 39 economies.
So let us not dwell on the past, as it gets in the way of the present and future. I do not believe that you only need to have worked and subsequently been fired by the SABC, Eskom or South African Airways to walk away with millions in your back pocket. Grab this year by the scruff of its neck and shake it up a bit.
I remember another survey that was done many moons ago, which asked thousands of pensioners what they would do differently if they had a chance to do it all over again. The biggest response was: “Take more risks!”
The only things you live to regret are the risks you did not take.
Go get ‘em, Tiger!
Footnote:
Please see our apology to Judge Mervyn King for the December edition’s photo blunder, on page 68 in this issue. We also need to credit the photographer who took the cover image of Cynthia Carroll for the last edition: Thank you, David Woolfall. It seems we at “Leadership” are human after all.
Robbie Stammers
