Alan Winde impresses at Net Prophet 2013

[Sindy Peters] Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde impressed yesterday, 23 May 2013, at the Net Prophet conference with news of exciting tech innovations for the province. Winde's announcement of the Bandwidth Barn ICT business incubator model being spread throughout the rest of Africa was met with resounding applause from attendees at the Artscape. 24 May 2013 19:00

How much is enough?

[Marion Scher] We're reading more and more about the power of Twitter and SMSs - and there's no getting away from it, we're becoming more 'snippet' orientated every day. Which leads me to my big question - how much information is enough? 24 May 2013 14:49

'Open streets, open city' idea worth spreading

[Sue Northam] Saturday, 25 May 2013, is a special day for Africa and an important day for the citizens of Cape Town too. Two great citizen-lead initiatives will take place in Cape Town tomorrow, 100in1day and Open Streets. 24 May 2013 13:04

Let's meet Same Time Next Year

[Eugene Yiga] Two people meet by chance at a country inn, fall in love, and agree to meet there at the same time each year. But there's a problem: both of them are married with children. Um, awkward. 24 May 2013 12:12

Tech talks at Net Prophet 2013

[Eugene Yiga] Take the most innovative, successful, creative, ambitious thinkers and entrepreneurs in the internet space and ask them to share their stories, ideas, and predictions for the future in a format that is fresh, relevant, and engaging. The result: Net Prophet. 24 May 2013 11:03

Gov wants a mouthpiece? Never!

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: The "government outfit vying for the Independent Group has laughed off concerns it wants a state mouthpiece," reports Mail & Guardian. So that's all right then... Not. 24 May 2013 09:12

Triggerfish plans to take on Disney

[Sindy Peters] All part of a 20-year plan, Triggerfish Animation aims to eventually displace Disney, announced the company's CEO Stuart Forrest at yesterday's Net Prophet conference in Cape Town. Laying the animation studio's cards on the table, his talk followed on the inspirational thread that ran through all the talks at the annual event. 24 May 2013 08:15

Digital publishing paywalls to cause casualties

[Styli Charalambous] Earlier this month, one of South Africa's leading publishing houses announced its online content would be going behind a paywall. But not just any paywall: one priced so high that the walls of Jericho would struggle to compete. Time will tell whether BDFM has overestimated the South African market, and itself. 24 May 2013 07:02

No news is bad news

[Janine Lazarus] I recently received a petition calling for the review of the Secrecy Bill. I didn't need to read any further before adding my name - and a strong comment - to the spiraling number of citizens of this country who are entirely against a Bill that threatens fundamental rights like the freedom of speech. 24 May 2013 06:12

Decoding the creative brief

[Vanita 'Bezi Phiri] For as long as I have been working, I have heard moans and tantrums about briefs from creatives who just want to deliver fantastic results - without wasting time practising some wizardry in guessing what the brief may be entailing. 24 May 2013 05:23

I reckon Michael Jordaan's scared of flying

[Paddy Hartdegen] Maybe, at 46, he's just read Erica Jong's "Fear of Flying" and decided that what she says is true: So he's changing his life quitting First National Bank (FNB) and exploring new, more exciting and more rewarding challenges. 23 May 2013 09:55

Time to come clean, Dr Survé

[Anton Harber] Dr Iqbal Survé is being secretive about his consortium's purchase of Independent News and Media, and this is starting to sour his arrival in the news industry. 23 May 2013 08:29

It's Clarkson... again

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: Jeremy Clarkson done it again, this time on the subject of babies and aircraft, reports IOL, and we have a couple of YouTube videos, one courtesy The Citizen, for you on close encounters of a different kind - including a demonstration that elephants break windows, and booze and these giants are not a good mix (video). 23 May 2013 08:13

Let customers app into your CRM

[Yaron Assabi] While over the years the main objective of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) - customer retention - hasn't changed, it must be said that the strategic implementation and platforms certainly continue to evolve, as they should, and today mobility is driving this evolution. 23 May 2013 07:20

Mobile malware: What is it, why should you care? (part 2)

[Justin Lee] In this article, the second in a series of four articles where we explore how the use of mobile devices by employees in businesses represents the convergence of personal and corporate needs, we will examine the behavioural patterns of mobile users, in order to truly understand the mobile risks associated. 22 May 2013 16:04

The Sapphires glitter bright

[Daniel Dercksen] True talent is priceless and with the magnificent independent Australian film The Sapphires, the voices and lives of four gutsy young Australian Aboriginal women will live in your hearts forever. 22 May 2013 10:41

How to connect FMCG brands with African consumers

[Michael Wood] When it comes to marketing FMCG brands on the African continent, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. African consumers are looking for locally relevant brands they can connect with and FMCG companies need to understand consumer sentiment and behaviour to avoid failing in their chosen regions. 22 May 2013 10:24

Know your target audience

[Ashley Truscott] In the past two weeks I have received numerous unsolicited text messages and emails. What boggles my mind is how the organisations (or individuals) who have been trying to communicate with me have got it so horribly wrong, because they clearly didn't research their target audience. 22 May 2013 10:07

Step carefully when buying a car

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] The Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which came into effect in April 2008, has far-reaching implications for vehicle buyers, particularly those interested in acquiring a used vehicle, yet there still is a lot of ignorance around with buyers being taken for a ride because they don't know their own rights. 22 May 2013 09:26

Pule wants in on SABC board appointments

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: Communications Minister Dina Pule wants to be in on SABC board appointments, reports Mail & Guardian, which also reports that both the ANC and the DA are upset over a BBC programme on the plight of SA whites. MyBroadband reports on the hack attack on the SAPS website, and the SABC says that TV and radio presenter Vuyo Mbuli will be given a provincial official funeral. 22 May 2013 07:52

Classic clashes - washing powder wars

[Michael Wood] Think of those classic sporting clashes between old rivals Springboks and All Blacks, Chiefs vs Pirates, or Nadal vs Djokovic. A battle between two old rivals almost as equal as each other, bitterly fought, won with sweat, blood and tears. 22 May 2013 06:33

Become a leader

[Candace McDonald] According to John Quincy Adams "if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader". And let's face it, good leadership is crucial to the success of any business. 22 May 2013 06:15

Choosing your retirement income

[Nico Coetzee] When deciding how to invest accumulated retirement savings, many investors have to choose between a guaranteed annuity (which provides a guaranteed, predetermined income for the rest of your life) and a living annuity (through which you invest in unit trusts to generate further returns, and draw the income you require out of your investment portfolio). 22 May 2013 06:02

Tips on preparing for a job interview

[Tasneem Mohamed] One third of employers will make a hiring decision in the first 90 seconds of a job interview. Research shows that a positive, upbeat attitude when you walk through the door accounts for 55% of the impact you make in an interview, while confident communication accounts for 38%. 21 May 2013 08:54

Good communication equals good business

[Candace McDonald] Priority has been placed on effective communication since the development of the information age. Good communication skills contribute to renowned business techniques, which is why it is important to stay ahead of vast amounts of information. 21 May 2013 08:20

The radio natives are restless

[Travis Bussiahn] Marissa Mayer is a businessperson I admire greatly. I feel she has a mixed media mindset that sees her understanding that traditional media is as important as new media and I like what she had to say about advertising in the mobile space. (Yes! This article is about radio). 21 May 2013 08:01

New regulations for electric fences

[Nico Humphries] In the recent past there have been some pertinent changes associated with the regulations regarding requirements to be obtained in the event of the transfer of a property. 21 May 2013 07:47

DIY marketing dos and don'ts

[Chemory Gunko] Lately we've all found ourselves cutting cost-corners and taking on tasks that we know should actually be handed over to the professionals. So, if you have to delve into the world of DIY marketing, here's what you really should look out for. 21 May 2013 07:18

Take time out to visit Prince Albert's little huisie

[Brian Berkman] Having a constant supply of water is what drew people to Prince Albert in the Karoo 250 years ago and it is one of the many reasons to visit now. Seeing water flow freely in channels in front of all the houses brings a cool idea to the usually hot Karoo. 21 May 2013 07:14

Safeguarding the brand you've built

[Natasha McClymont] 'A brand is built in a lifetime, and crushed in an instant.' So goes the paraphrasing of the famous quote by businessman extraordinaire, Warren Buffet. This year alone has witnessed several brands losing their credibility in the eyes of supporters and customers. 21 May 2013 06:23