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Business tips
New BEE Codes focus on Skills and Enterprise Supplier Development SMEs urged to diversify when investing profits Consider a Digital Payment Solution to save on costs Your Staff's Financial Wellbeing can impact their productivityThe Economy
SA GDP remains sluggish for Q3 2016Events
FNB Business INNOVATION Awards 2017Disclaimer
Business Talk disclaimerAttention fell on the delivery of the much anticipated MTBPS by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. He was again expected to deliver a speech that could restore some confidence on the back of weak domestic growth. In our assessment the additional consolidation measures announced in the Mini Budget provide further evidence of a strong commitment to reduce the deficit and stabilize debt. However, fiscal consolidation is only part of the problem.
Read moreThere are many reasons for caring about what the ratings agencies say and think because the knock-on effect of a poor rating or ratings downgrade impacts not only the country's costs of borrowing, but also businesses and consumers who are left having to help plug the gap by paying higher interest rates on their debt and facing rising inflation. When the economy fails to grow and unemployment rates go up, it creates not only a challenging climate for SMMEs, but also adds to the burden this sector already carries as the potential growth 'engine' for the country as a whole.
Read moreMany businesses are having to re-align their systems and processes with the requirements of the new Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) codes - this means navigating your way through the new codes to pay particular attention to new priority elements.
Read moreWe're frequently told that if we invest our extra cash, we need to ensure we diversify those investments and spread the risk. The same principle applies to savings and investing for your business. It is also important to understand your business cash flow so that you select the right product for your business and make the most of your excess cash.
Read moreIf you don't want to carry cash on your premises and employ staff who have no bank account, you should consider using a digital payment solution - more commonly referred to nowadays as a mobile wallet payment. These kinds of solutions are gaining in popularity and are particularly relevant in our African context, where large numbers of the workforce are not necessarily formally banked.
Read moreWhether you're experiencing higher levels of absenteeism, instances of pilfering, or more frequent requests for cash advances - your staff's levels of indebtedness can very quickly become your problem. Rather than hoping the problem will go away, there are proactive steps you can take to address the situation.
Read moreThe Mining, Construction, Finance and Government sectors all registered positive growth despite poor economic conditions. The Agriculture sector experienced negative quarterly growth for seven consecutive periods as it recovers from the effects of the prolonged drought. The Trade, Catering and Accommodation sectors contracted by -2.1% which is its largest drop since the 2009 recession, indicative of the strain on household income. The 3Q16 GDP release suggests that our 0.2% full year growth forecast is on track, if not slightly bearish
Read moreAs the bank built by entrepreneurs, FNB Business understands the critical role that INNOVATION plays for any business to achieve profitable growth in the current local and global economic climate; and it is because of this belief that they developed the FNB Business INNOVATION Awards. An awards programme that can help unlock the INNOVATIVE capability of your business to scale globally.