ARTICLES ON Management Fundamentals
Three lessons for employers from the CEMS The Future-Forward Workforce report
The CEMS Master in International Management programme is a launchpad to an international career. But these careers are evolving as new generations of graduates with new attitudes and ideas are entering the workforce. We take a look at the findings of a recent CEMS workplace research report, and what it means to future leaders and their employers.
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Stemming the Talent Exodus and Securing SA's Future Pipeline
Excerpt from "Stemming the Talent Exodus and Securing SA's Future Pipeline" event and key take-aways from the UCT GSB Alumni Department.
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More purpose, more flexibility, more empathy – what’s really driving ‘The Great Resignation’?
The record number of people leaving their jobs in 2021, mainly in the US, has given rise to the term ‘The Great Resignation’ or ‘The Big Quit’. We asked the UCT GSB's Azvir Rampursad and Rayner Canning for their insights into this trend.
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Poor quality control leaves a bad taste in consumers’ mouths
The recent spate of food quality failures going back to the country’s deadly listeriosis outbreak in 2018 reveals the damaging health consequences and reputational damage that can flow from a single ‘bad batch’.
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How Toyota’s approach to making cars can aid vaccine production in Africa
As African countries seek to ramp up production of COVID-19 vaccines, they are running into several obstacles including supply chain and quality control issues. Could Lean Thinking, a manufacturing ethos developed in car factories, help local vaccine manufacturers up their game at this critical time?
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Five tips for business leaders in the COVID-accelerated knowledge economy
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a business environment that demands a different kind of leader to ensure organisations are able to adapt and thrive.
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Overconfidence: the mother of all biases
People say confidence is key; but overconfidence is a serious risk in decision-making. This is especially pertinent for business leaders with a lot on the line. If they fail to question their beliefs with sufficient rigour, things could end in disaster.
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How local retailers can reap the most from the e-commerce boom
When COVID-19 hit, many South African companies without an online presence were not equipped to deal with the closing of retail stores. Those now scrambling to catch up will need to put customers at the heart of their e-commerce strategy.
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Four sure ways to promote diversity at top levels
Researchers from the UCT Graduate School of Business asked black South African men and women what needs to change in the workplace to encourage them to apply for top jobs, here’s what they said.
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The lack of economic complexity is South Africa’s real economic problem
South Africa needs to build a resilient and productive economy that fosters rapid learning, adaptation to new conditions, technological innovation, and the expansion of goods and services to an ever-widening group of products. And this can only happen with the assistance of the state rather than despite it.
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How to ensure the success of the hybrid working model
After more than a year of remote working, many organisations recognise its benefits, but are also conscious of its challenges. What can organisations do to ensure the hybrid working model is a success?
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Healthy workplaces are foundational for a healthy society
Business has a critical role to play in fostering diversity and inclusion and building healthier workplaces and societies in the wake of the crisis.
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Negotiation should be seen as an opportunity for both sides to win
To avoid a shutdown over wage negotiations, we need to find what both parties value.
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Trust and support key to whether franchises thrive or perish
COVID-19 has decimated SMEs in South Africa, can the lessons of past successes of franchises help them to rebuild?
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It is time we leave the VUCA-world behind
At the risk of drying up the book royalties of hundreds of business authors who have built their careers around it, VUCA is on its way out and a new framework has emerged to replace it.
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Leading well in the time of a pandemic
Cultivating kindness and empathy could be a leader’s greatest asset in these challenging and unprecedented times.
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Are women more likely to be vulnerable consumers?
World Consumer Rights Day is commemorated on 15 March. Since it’s also International Women’s Day in March, we asked the UCT GSB’s Associate Professor Mignon Reyneke, to share some insights into some of the consumer issues associated specifically with women.
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Bold measures necessary to make up for women’s losses during COVID-19
As the world commemorates International Women’s Day on 8 March — this year hashtagged #ChooseToChallenge — countries must take stock of the setbacks working women have suffered over the COVID-19 pandemic, and imagine new ways forward.
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Psychological safety in the virtual workplace
What are the main barriers to creating psychological safety in the workplace and how can this be achieved in a virtual environment?
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Making teams stronger and more productive in difficult times
Fear is rising in workplaces around the world - both for those working from home and in offices. A recent study shows 63% of South Africans are concerned they may lose their jobs in the next 12 months.
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What's your people strategy for 2021?
Remember the days when you shook hands enthusiastically with clients and colleagues just before sitting down together at the meeting table? Sharing pens to scribble down ideas during a brainstorming or team building session?
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Remote work has built — rather than broken — trust among colleagues. Here’s how
The COVID-19 crisis has forced a massive shift towards remote work. What are the implications of this shift for trust in the workplace? Such trust plays a crucial role in how we coordinate, cooperate, reciprocate, and respond to risk and uncertainty.
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It’s only small talk - but losing it may cost businesses big time
As lockdowns prevent teams from having their organic face-to-face interactions and ‘water-cooler’ conversations, critical skills are being lost with knock-on effects for productivity and employee wellbeing. Here are four ways managers and leaders can counteract the trend.
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If times are hard, try getting to know yourself a bit better
Finding a good coach during difficult times can give you new tools to understand yourself and develop healthier ways to navigate your life and work.
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Transparency and integrity go a long way, especially in a crisis
It is Kirby Gordon’s job to convince people it is OK to fly again, one many challenges he’s had to tackle in the past few months, which have seen him draw on the skills he gained during his MBA a decade ago.
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How to network and create impact in a virtual world
How can graduates entering the workforce in the midst of a global pandemic, position themselves to make connections and create impact in order to ensure career mobility or enhance their employability?
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Will remote working become the norm after COVID-19?
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost all industries. The future worker and workspace has evolved considerable and there may be no going back. What should companies be doing to prepare for the new normal? What are the key trends and skills that are going to be in high demand? Accelerate CEO Ryan Ravens spoke to Kieno Kammies.
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Building an agile hospitality industry
As local tourism begins to pick up, the hospitality industry is feeling some relief from the massive blow it sustained during lockdown. Some might even be feeling that things are returning to how we knew them to be. And while we should savour this little bit of hope, the truth is things have changed forever and we must change along with them.
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What should companies be doing to ensure that they can manage employee well-being?
Research shows that promoting employee well-being and health can help prevent stress and create positive working environments where individuals and organisations can thrive.
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Five top tips for first time managers
Moving into a managerial role can be stressful and many new managers feel overwhelmed and unsure of themselves. But there five simple things they can do to boost their confidence and thrive.
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Addressing culture and context to successfully do business in Africa
Standard Bank teamed up with the UCT GSB to co-create a powerful learning partnership that helps its managers across Africa build stronger client relationships and foster long-term profitability.
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Disruption in the diamond industry
Technological innovation and dramatic changes in consumer preferences are disrupting the diamond industry, and this has serious implications for job security in Africa.
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How to get women into the boardroom faster
While breaking into the male-dominated world of senior management is tough, there are a few things women can do to make it easier for themselves while climbing the corporate ladder — all the way to the top.
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Three social megatrends that are shaping the future of tourism
SA tourism must work to capitalise on the social megatrends that are influencing how and why people travel, and what they look for when they do.
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Can Integrated Reporting bridge the widening trust gap between business and society?
Integrated reporting is taking off globally and is giving corporations a framework within which to rethink their models for value creation and rebuild dwindling trust with stakeholders.
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Professional women inch forward in the fight for gender equality
More women are reaching senior levels of management in business than ever before, with the pay gap between men and women also shrinking, but this does not mean that the struggle women face in getting to the top is over.
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In a post-truth world experiential innovation by hospitality leaders is crucial
In a post-truth world experiential innovation by hospitality leaders is crucial
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Soft skills rule in the 'hard' world of finance - Kelly de Kock (MBA)
Kelly de Kock (MBA 2011) has forged a high-flying career in the financial services industry and her current role as Chief Operating Officer for Private Client Securities, Treasury, and Fiduciary Services at Old Mutual Wealth combines her love of solving technical challenges with a finely-tuned ability to manage people skilfully.
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To realise value, SA Wine needs to speak with one voice
TO REALISE VALUE, SA WINE NEEDS TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE
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Where will you be when an AI machine is sitting on the Board?
Industry 4.0 is redefining business and restructuring organisations; so what skills do you need to have as a manager to stay relevant?
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Branding is simply another word for reputation
Woolworths’ 2019 Valentine’s Day gaffe was a textbook case in how not to manage a brand. A brand is essentially an extension of an organisation’s reputation, and this needs to be managed carefully and with consistency from day one.
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