Retailers need to get real

[Doug Mayne] We've noticed in the retail environment that shoppers are really yearning for authentic experiences and there have been a few retailers already having success with it.

Renault Sandero vs The Rest

[Henrie Geyser] The newly-launched, entirely new Clio-based Renault Sandero is lining up to take on the toughest fighters in the budget B-segment.

When viral becomes virus

[Dylan Balkind] It takes generational armies of talented writers, designers, skilled strategists and hungry researchers to build a brand - and one hasty idiot and their internet connection with the capacity to destroy it.

Case history of a centuries-old global brand

[Chris Moerdyk] It was a particularly beautiful and warm sunny day about a month ago as I sat on my deck overlooking False Bay, having breakfast round about noonish and reading the label on an almost empty champagne bottle.

Risks to consider before launching online

[Brendon Williamson] Launching a new business or taking an existing business online requires a new set of skills for companies used to a more traditional bricks-and-mortar retail environment.

Embracing social media monitoring

[Jaco Pienaar] Global research has found that 71% of online adults use Facebook and 40% of cellphone owners access a social networking site from their device. But what does a growing reliance on social mean for news monitoring and analysis?

Oink oink - I'd love some pork!

[Nina Timm] I know I might shock the socks off some of you, but I love pork in any form, shape or size! I often say that my last meal before I depart to "higher grounds" will be a crisp pork belly with all the trimmings.

Ten questions to ensure you get a high-quality translation

[Linda Botha] You need a translation that is clear, accurate and stylistically proper, and you want to make sure you avoid any possible pitfalls in the appointment process. So, you kickstart Google and...

Where angels love to tread

[Eugene Yiga] Following the successful staging of The Quartet exactly two years ago, Cape Town's Theatre on the Bay once again presents a production straight from the West End.

[BizCareers] Career U-turn

[Juliette Attwell] This week we look at how to make a complete change in your career direction for the better, and notice period obligations without the signing of an employment contract.

Easy tips and tricks to supercharge your CRM efforts

[Jack Peterson] As South African businesses create more personalised services, many do not realise that frontline staff, especially those addressing customer enquiries directly are some of the best ways to maintain great CRM.

Telling the truth

[Louise Burgers] 'Truth.' This was the immediate prediction from South African communications specialist, Ruth Golembo, when I asked her for one key trend prediction for 2014.

Married in Mauritius

[Rod Baker] No, not Seattle... Mauritius, though cynics might suggest that wherever it's intoned, the longest sentence in the English language is "I do"*.

Ambre - 4-star with 5-star service

[Rod Baker] Feel like a getaway without the kids? Feel like getting married and need a romantic venue? Try Ambre... now Adults Only

Managing online retail risks

[Brendon Williamson] Retailers moving into the online space for the first time face risks that do not exist in the bricks-and-mortar world and they need to ensure they are well protected.

Digital TV chaos shows government lack of interest

[Anton Harber] A journalist has to take obscure matters and turn them into engaging and understandable stories, showing people why they should care about them. Sometimes it seems impossible.

Collaborative brand building: Striving towards higher goals

[Dr Carla Enslin] It may not be a stunning revelation that for humanity, the need to compete is regarded as natural - but only as natural as the need to cooperate. These two driving forces and the interaction between them are central to human nature and as certainly of brand nature.

Janet Heard resigns from Cape Times

[Rod Baker] Janet Heard, assistant editor (head of news) at the Cape Times, has resigned.