Broadband Internet is a Deal Maker for Business Professionals

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Guest Author Leave a comment

Many business professionals don’t think about it, but broadband Internet is perhaps the most essential tool in their arsenal. Without it, professionals would lose out on a lot of benefits that are basically considered necessities now. If you are unaware of just how much broadband has improved the world of business and business communications, then read on and find out.

Organized Offices

Most offices and businesses have a network of computers and servers that carries the business’s work on its back. Formerly, business networks were largely connected and established through the use of routers and cables. A small network can easily get by with some routers and cables, but this becomes a real mess as the business grows.

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Business news

Tax efficient ethical investments – ISAs vs. pension schemes

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Guest Author Leave a comment

Every investor shares the twin objectives of wanting to maximise their returns while minimising, or even completely eliminating, the tax on those returns.

The socially responsible investor has a third objective: that of supporting or encouraging change for good. They seek to play a part in improving the environment and society through their financial influence.

Two of the most tax efficient investment options available are pension schemes and ISAs. Both are specifically designed to encourage you to put money away for the long-term. Both protect growth from income tax and capital gains tax. And both can allow you a high level of control over exactly where you put your money.

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Top 5 Small Business Ideas for 2012

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Guest Author Leave a comment

Small businesses are the most important part of a country’s economic growth, and 2011 was a rocky year for many small business owners. With the current economic dip it is hard for entrepreneurs to make business predictions and decisions. Economic uncertainty will remain a big issue for all small business owners, but if you have flexible long- and short-term plans then you can stay ahead of the changes and shift gears when necessary.

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Woolies Australia to sell Dick Smith

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Guest Author Leave a comment

As the supermarket war between Woolworths and Coles heats up in Australia, Woolies is being forced to sell the underperforming Dick Smith computer franchise. This is due to disappointing sales and a large number of stores underperforming.

The announcement came shortly after Coles announced that it will cut the price of fruit and vegetables by 50%.

The decision has left entrepreneur Dick Smith very worried that Woolworths might sell the franchise to a foreign-owned company. “I’ll rubbish them the whole time. They wouldn’t want to pay much.”

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Another dreary year for real estate agents

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Guest Author Leave a comment

2011 was an extremely hard year for real estate agents due to economic strains and a lack of house price growth. Fewer sales, flat prices, and a lack of buyers meant that estate agents were spending more money with less return, and there will probably be very little change in 2012.

Smaller agencies that did not have enough resources to survive the year suffered and there was a large drop in the number of estate agents. Around 60% of estate agents have had to leave their jobs in the past couple of years, most of whom were part of a small estate agency.

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Will Europe Recover?

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Guest Author Leave a comment

As some Eurozone countries fall deeper into the possibility of a sovereign default, fears are growing among citizens and investors alike. Greece is on the brink of a default, but is finding ways to deal with debt, and Ireland, Portugal and England are in similarly bad positions.

Billionaire investor George Soros has compared the climate to that of The Great Depression. He fears that if the Eurozone were to collapse, it would result in mass riots across Europe and America.

Greece:

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How the mighty have fallen …

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Guest Author Leave a comment

Sol Kerzner, South Africa’s mightiest hotel magnate, is struggling under huge amounts of debt. He will shortly be stepping down as the CEO of Kerzner International, but will stay on as chairman of the company.  The main reason for all these problems is that he funded all his equities through debt. Doing that is like jumping blindfolded off a bridge and hoping there is a big soft marshmallow at the bottom to break your fall, and there isn’t.

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A Phoenix rising from the ashes

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Guest Author Leave a comment

Downtown Johannesburg, once a place of business and industry, now a place of high rise slums, is being revived. Most of the high rise buildings were abandoned by businesses decades ago, and were subsequently turned into slums by squatters. This led to a drop in the economic prosperity of the area, but all that is changing. Many entrepreneurs are seeing an opportunity to revitalize this dilapidated part of Joburg, by opening up several market galleries, museums, shops, studios, clubs and restaurants.

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Back to the Gold Standard?

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Guest Author Leave a comment

The financial crisis in Europe and the looming threat of an inflation frenzy have caused an increasing number of economists to talk about bringing back the Gold Standard. This is not surprising considering that gold is the only material which meets all five characteristics of money: portability, durability, homogeneity, divisibility and value. Gold used to be considered as the only currency with real value and it was the basis of all wealth. “People know that something is wrong with the Dollar,” said Steve Forbes, billionaire publisher and former U.S. presidential candidate. “If the Dollar was as good as gold, other countries would want to buy it.”

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How to Insure a Vehicle in South Africa

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Guest Author Leave a comment

Insuring your vehicle is increasingly important as the price of cars and car repairs have risen through the years. Purchasing your vehicle is most likely the greatest purchase you’ll ever make, aside from property. As a result, it’s imperative that the vehicle is protected against unforeseen problems.

In South Africa, there are three different kinds of cover:

Comprehensive

This is the most expensive cover and is usually required in order to get financing. Policies provide comprehensive cover against fire, theft, collision, damage and hijacking. You will also be covered for third-party claims.

Limited

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Personal finance