Is your product development a cash cow or a crutch?

[Anton Ressel] As a business consultant with a special focus on the craft and small scale manufacturing sectors, I have come to recognise a number of shared traits amongst entrepreneurs and business owners engaged in the design and manufacture of products. 22 Jan 2013 05:32

Will Mangaung arrest a decline in confidence in South Africa's future?

[Dr Nikolaus Eberl] With the 53rd Elective Conference of the ANC now on in Mangaung, and 33 prominent business leaders calling for a joint effort to "arrest a decline in confidence in South Africa's future" (a clarion call joined by members of the banks and the clergy), there is the question as to what exactly will restore both investor and consumer confidence post the event that is causing so much anxiety throughout the nation. 16 Dec 2012 07:58

Slight dip in new car sales

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] The South African new vehicle market was down 2% on August but slightly stronger than September last year according to the National Automobile Association of South African (Naamsa). 2 Oct 2012 12:20

Make stuff that matters

[Anton Ressel] By 2050, it is estimated that the earth's human population will be 9.07 billion. 62% of the people will live in Africa, Southern Asia and Eastern Asia - numerically this is the same as if all the world's current population lived in just these three regions. In addition, another 3 billion will be spread across the rest of the world. 10 Sep 2012 08:14

No shortage of money

[Anton Ressel] Why is accessing finance such a challenge for most SA businesses? A recent snap survey by enterprise development specialists Fetola, showed that 93% of small businesses are uncertain about where and how to access finance. 20 Aug 2012 09:50

Reasons why you should start an export or import business

[Pierre Heistein] The basic premise behind exporting and importing is that somebody, somewhere out there, does something better (or worse), than we can do it here. If they do it better; we should import it. If we do it better; we should export ours. 27 Jul 2012 13:31

Volkswagen plant firing on all cylinders

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Volkswagen South Africa's engine plant in Uitenhage is back up to speed thanks to an export order from China for more than 12 000 engines. 26 Jul 2012 12:02

Watches and Competition Law

[Alexis Apostolidis] I am obsessed with watches - there I have said it! Aside from their aesthetic characteristics, the subject matter of many design registrations, and their mechanical complications, subject to patent registrations covering minute repeaters, mechanical alarms, tourbillions, hydraulically powered movements and the like I didn't think watches could grab my interest any more than they do. 18 Jul 2012 09:17

New vehicle sales plod along

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] The negative impact that public holidays have on the motor trade is illustrated by the 10.5% year on year growth in new vehicle sales in April. Total sales numbered 42 617 which is about 6.9% up on the growth for the first four months of the year. 3 May 2012 11:34

Polo Vivo rules the roost

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] With over 56 000 units sold since its launch in March 2010, Volkswagen's Polo Vivo continues to be the dominant brand in the passenger car market - a success story that is further enhanced by the fact that it is the only locally produced entry-level volume car on the market. 26 Apr 2012 05:27

Gigaba: Please don't tell us how to spend our money

[Paddy Hartdegen] If some person, not a 'friend' or 'someone special', started telling me how to spend my money I'd probably tell them to get stuffed and to use goose down for the stuffing. 16 Apr 2012 11:03

Modest increase in new vehicle sales

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] There was a modest 4.8% gain in the sales of cars and commercial vehicle sales in March this year when 56 110 units were sold compared to the 53 558 in March 2011. 4 Apr 2012 08:50

Elantra is SA Car of the Year

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] The classy Korean sedan, the Hyundai Elantra, has won the prestigious title of South African Car of the Year. The winner was announced last night at a gala banquet attended by the who's who of the local motoring industry. The Kia Picanto 1.2 EX scored the second most points and the VW Jetta 1.4 TSI got the third most votes. 15 Mar 2012 07:52

December new vehicle sales up

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] New vehicle sales in South Africa improved by about 15.9% to an estimated 571 425 units in 2011 - an improvement of about 78 518 over the previous year. 10 Jan 2012 19:06

New vehicle sales growth continues

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] The year is heading for a good finish with November new vehicle sales showing an improvement of 11.7% over that of the same month last year. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) 49 499 sales were recorded this November - a year to year increase of 5181 units. 2 Dec 2011 12:04