According to Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group, “Tuesday's decision to keep the repo rate steady is disappointing, as there is concerted opinion that this would have been a positive move towards helping boost the South African economy and good news for cash-strapped consumers, including home buyers and existing home owners, plus a welcome year-end boost. 18 Nov 2009
To help meet the goals of improved business outcomes, reduced costs and environmental sustainability, many organisations are turning to new software-based conferencing and collaboration solutions for audio and Web conferencing, as well as continued face-to-face conferencing via video. 18 Nov 2009
The Reserve Bank's new governor, Gill Marcus, has delivered her first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision on the repo rate, putting her unique stamp on the regular briefing. 17 Nov 2009
LOGRONO, SPAIN: With the Copenhagen climate change summit looming, the world of wine convened on Spain's Rioja region for a conference in which global warming emerged as the industry's top concern. 17 Nov 2009
With only weeks before the start of the festive season, a new storm is brewing over a “blanket decision” by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) to take over control of drinking hours. 17 Nov 2009
South Africa's biggest supermarket chain faces a multimillion-rand damages claim following allegations that the company has ditched its most important client — the South African mother. 17 Nov 2009
Less than two weeks until Cyber Monday. You've got staffing queued up. Your warehouse is full. Your shipper is standing by. But have you considered what will happen on your website after a flood of qualified buyers click on the irresistible and precisely worded ad for your product or service? Now (not then) is the time to find out if your website can take the heat that Cyber Monday will dish out. 17 Nov 2009
It's understood by marketers that one of the most important ways they can differentiate their offerings in today's unique selling environment is by creating a remarkable customer experience. One step toward achieving this goal is to ensure they have a single database that is tightly integrated with their CRM system to capture inbound and outbound dialogue and create a multi-dimensional marketing view of the customer. 17 Nov 2009
“We decided to introduce the crispy chicken fillet range after considerable research into trends in the South African quick service market, where we have seen a significant growth in chicken consumption,” explains Greg Solomon, McDonald's South Africa MD, on the November launch of its new chicken menu. 17 Nov 2009
Following the voluntary recall of Maclaren strollers in the US, Redgwoods, the South African toy and baby products retailer, has assured parents that the recall applies only to the US market and not to South Africa. 17 Nov 2009
Denny Convenience Foods has modernised and revamped its Pour-Over-Sauces product packaging with a fresh new look to highlight the quality and excellent nourishment of the range. 17 Nov 2009
Following on recent reports of severe national ICT skills shortages nationally and provincially, the ICT incubator, Bandwidth Barn and the Cape IT Initiative (CITI) will launch a training programme focusing on the two core areas of technical skills and basic business administration skills in the Western Cape. 17 Nov 2009
Woolworths will launch an exclusive range of ‘Jungle Beat' children's clothing and accessories in December 2009. Based on the internationally acclaimed, South African-produced animated series of the same name, it is targeted at the 2-6 year-old range. 17 Nov 2009
There is nothing new about the phenomenon of the hotel guest from hell. Neither is the label reserved for serial nit-pickers, outright criminals and those ill mannered yobs whose deprived backgrounds do not afford them the decorum and restraint to treat the property, person and privacy of others with tolerable levels of respect and consideration. 16 Nov 2009
WASHINGTON, US: US computer giant Dell on Friday, 13 November 2009, announced it is teaming up with China Mobile and Brazil's Claro to market a new touchscreen smartphone powered by Google's Android operating system. 16 Nov 2009
Top international designer Vivienne Westwood was so moved by a KwaZulu-Natal women's upliftment project that she has put her name behind it. 16 Nov 2009
The world's biggest jewellery manufacturer Financière Richemont on Friday, 13 November 2009, said it remained cautious about the sustainability of the improving economic outlook as last month's sales decreased 10% across all regions. 16 Nov 2009
The Cape Times/KPMG Business Personality of the Year 2009 was awarded to Allen Ambor, founder and executive chair of the Spur Corporation on 10 November 2009. 16 Nov 2009
"We believe the new Asset Management Division at Grindrod Bank will enable us to bring a stronger, more integrated approach to asset management for our clients and will provide the perfect home for the discerning investor,” says Mark Logan, head of the new division. 16 Nov 2009
Sasol is to establish recycling areas at its forecourts, with the pilot starting in Gauteng at Sasol Ferndale and a national rollout over a period of 12-18 months thereafter. The project is in partnership with Petco, a company established with the specific objective of promoting and improving waste management and recycling. 16 Nov 2009
