IOL Logo
Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Five key business lessons to survive and thrive in 2025

From economic instability and rising inflation to the wide adoption of AI in an increasingly competitive digital playing field – 2024 was full of lessons for the astute entrepreneur.

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

Five business-defining money lessons you weren't taught in school

Good financial management comes down to a set of principles that transcend the personal or business tabs on your spreadsheets.

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

What is Small Business Saturday and how can you use it to your benefit?

Small Business Saturday is a day where shoppers are encouraged to go local, choosing quality and community support over mass-produced goods.

Business Report Entrepreneurs
Ben Bierman |Published

Four ways to build financial resilience into your operations

Business owners must remain proactive and take steps to build resilience, regardless of economic conditions, says the author.

Business Report Companies
Ben Bierman |Published

Three South African entrepreneurs shaping the future

uke Mostert, Nompumelelo Madubedube, and Esethu Cenga are three such entrepreneurs, leading transformation in manufacturing, tech, job placements, retail and sustainability.

Business Report Entrepreneurs
Ben Bierman |Published

Why listening to customers is key to business growth

Discover how to effectively collect, analyse and implement customer feedback while maintaining your business vision. Learn practical strategies for gathering insights, identifying trends and making informed decisions that drive sustainable growth.

Business Report Entrepreneurs
Ben Bierman |Published

Starting a family while building your business? Here's how to plan for the future

Many entrepreneurs joke that their business is their baby. But what happens when a real baby is on the way? Here are five key strategies to help you navigate this exciting new chapter.

Business Report Entrepreneurs
Ben Bierman |Published

Business 101: Five ways to become a better boss

Whether you’re running a small start-up or managing a growing small and medium enterprise (SME), improving your leadership skills can directly impact productivity, employee retention, and ultimately your bottom line.

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

5 strategies to boost mental resilience for small business success

Discover practical strategies to enhance mental resilience in your small business.

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

Should your small business join the TikTok revolution?

TikTok is particularly valuable for businesses that can be creative with their product or service offerings.

Business Report Entrepreneurs
Ben Bierman |Published

Creating a workspace that drives employee performance through good design

For small businesses especially, creating a functional and inspiring environment can have a significant impact on staff productivity, morale and even business success.

Business Report Entrepreneurs
Ben Bierman |Published

How to leverage LinkedIn for your small business’ success

With more than 830 million members worldwide, LinkedIn offers more than just networking opportunities, it’s a powerful tool.

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

The art of accountability and the role it plays in building a small business

When accountability is embedded in the fabric of a business, it creates a culture where people are motivated to perform at their best.

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

How to spring clean your small business

This annual ritual isn’t just about physically decluttering; it's also about refreshing your strategy, processes and mindset to ensure your business is in tip-top shape for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Business Report Companies
Ben Bierman |Published

How to stand out as the best in your field

One entrepreneur who has managed to do this successfully is Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa, founder and owner of Lindiwe Sanitary Pads.

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

Proudly South African success stories – celebrating the rise of two woman-led home-grown brands

Despite the unique challenges that women face as business owners, many continue to drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute to the economic empowerment of their communities.

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

Why defining what success means to you could be a game-changer for your business

Determining what success means to you could give you the impetus you need to start taking constructive action as a business owner.

Business Report Companies
Ben Bierman |Published

Five signs you’re good at saving money in your small business

Saving is as much about not spending money as it about spending money optimally.

Business Report Entrepreneurs
Ben Bierman |Published

Five traits of highly successful teams

Research by McKinsey & Company shows diverse teams are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians.

Business Report Companies
Ben Bierman |Published

Five types of entrepreneurs – what drives them, what keeps them energised and how they succeed

Whether anyone can become an entrepreneur has been a subject of debate for decades, but what we can all agree on is that entrepreneurs are not all the same.

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

Business 101: four attributes of super successful entrepreneurs

Many entrepreneurs can build business success and penetrate a market due to personal insights, situations, upbringing, experiences as well as strategic and creative thinking.

Business Report Entrepreneurs
Ben Bierman |Published

Why optimism and entrepreneurship go hand in hand (and why it’s crucial to a growing business)

‘Just start’ is the one piece of advice many of those notoriously optimistic entrepreneurs share with people who ask them how they’ve managed to achieve what they have

Business Report Economy
Ben Bierman |Published

The three most common reasons why entrepreneurs delay pursuing their dreams – and how to avoid them

Many of the world’s most successful ‘overnight successes’ were, in fact, years in the making.

Business Report Companies
Ben Bierman |Published

Business 101: What SMEs need to participate in the green economy

Earth Day marks a time for reflection and decisive action concerning conserving the environment, with 2024 initiatives aimed at reducing the usage of plastics.

Business Report Entrepreneurs
Ben Bierman |Published

A quick guide on making the switch to solar energy in your small business

Among the greatest of these advantages is the prospect of becoming more energy independent.

Business Report Companies
Ben Bierman |Published