Tax & Management

Clear, concise writing that avoids phrases like ‘as a consequence of’ instead of ‘because’, or inanities such as ‘going forward’, creates a good impression and strengthens your arguments, says Peter Hughes.

All employees, managers included, need feedback on how they are doing in their jobs. Yet so often this feedback is either not provided or is ad hoc and incomplete. The only sensible solution is to set up a formal evaluation system, says Peter Hughes.

The anti-meat lobby and the emerging ‘fake-meat’ industry pose a threat to livestock farmers worldwide. Timely action by meat industry organisations, and exploitation of opportunities to grow crops for the manufacture of these meat-replacement products, are needed to secure the future, says Peter Hughes.

Major global food demand-and-supply trends, identified and monitored by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, were already visible before the onset of COVID-19. The pandemic, and governments’ reactions to it via lockdown restrictions, merely accelerated these trends, says Dr Koos Coetzee.

So says management legend Peter Drucker. He is right; delegation (done properly) gets the job done, saves time and gets the best out of employees! Peter Hughes explains.

A family business can offer good employment opportunities in a pleasant working environment, but it can come with unique challenges. Understand them and you’ll never regret being a family outsider, says Peter Hughes.

Extracting bad news from referees can be good news if it saves you from employing an unsuitable candidate.

Never before has it been so tempting to wallow in negativity and pessimism. Beware! It’s an attitude that holds dangers for your business, career, marriage and friendships, says Peter Hughes.

It is easy to become dispirited, risk-averse or moribund after failure. The real winners in life, whether they are individuals, teams or businesses, are those that choose to press on regardless.

Tackle your annual budget from scratch, and you’ll discover many things about the finances of your business that you have never noticed before.

A lazy ‘last-year-plus’ budget is an exercise in futility and bad management, but worse is to enter the new financial year with no budget at all.

Learn how to use digital media to your advantage, and avoid the debilitating pitfalls of addiction.

The profits from imitation food products are higher than from the real thing, encouraging processors to increase their offerings of these items. The agriculture sector, especially the dairy industry, needs to fight back.

The varying effect of the coronavirus pandemic in each country has depended entirely on the way in which its leaders have managed the process. Take note.

To achieve high productivity and ensure all-round business excellence, you need buy-in from your employees. Here’s how to build a committed, enthusiastic workforce.

Farmers, and businesses generally, have all lived through disruptions, but never before have we experienced anything like this. Here are some ideas on how to get through this trying period.

A distressing number of family businesses collapse amid heartache and recriminations. Yet failure is not inevitable! With careful preparation, family members can lay a solid foundation for success.

Any manager worth his or her salt takes the necessary action to mitigate damage from normal business risks. But how well will your farming operation cope with a wholly unexpected emergency?

The effect of the COVID-19 lockdown has differed from one country to another. In South Africa, disposable income available for basic food has increased due to money not being spent on other items.

It’s tempting to put off the difficult job of succession planning. But if you wait too long, you could end up destroying a profitable business and harming family relationships.