Debate alone does serious harm

The fact that the African National Congress (ANC) agreed after persistent demands from the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) to place a discussion around the issue of the nationalisation of South Africa’s mines on the agenda of the forthcoming National General Council (NGC) may be little more than a ploy to make the debate go away, if some sources in the ANC are to be believed – but it is nevertheless causing some real harm to the industry’s investment prospects at a time when the country can ill afford it.

Read more: Mine nationalisation

Spotlight on scarce financial sector skills

Recognising that skills shortages across all sectors of the economy is a constraint to South Africa’s economic growth and development, based on information supplied by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas), the Department of Higher Education and Training, publishes a National Masters Skills list for South Africa, on an annual basis.

Read more: Skills development

The recession has changed consumer psyche forever

Hylton Kallner

Globally, many inches of newsprint have been devoted to the impact that the recession has had on the psyche of the average consumer. While experts continue to debate whether or not the world economy is in recovery, they appear to agree on at least one front: that the way consumers relate to institutions, and particularly financial institutions, has changed forever. By extension then, the way institutions relate to and service their clients must adapt as well.

Read more: It’s a question of trust

Client centricity remains an elusive target

Nicola Kleyn

Although the management of service quality is nothing new (it hit the academic headlines in the 1980s), getting it right continues to elude many a South African service provider. Every year, I work with companies and individuals who grapple with the task of becoming client centric.

Read more: Seven steps to winning at service