With ever-increasing competition in the manufacturing sector, lean operations management has become a fundamental requirement for business survival. In this TWIMS Lean Operations Management Executive Short Course, facilitated by Khavitha Singh, we explore and unpack the foundational elements of lean operations, from waste identification to Just In Time, quality assurance, total productive maintenance, and continuous improvement processes. The course runs from May 24 to May 26 and we have an online session on 1 June. Register now: Lean Operations Management Application Form W: https://twimsafrica.com

We are already in the month of May and the days are getting cooler and shorter. Very soon, we will have reached the winter solstice on 21 June and almost half a year would have passed. Now is a good time to reflect on your goals, your achievements, as well as what action you need to take in the months to come! Many of our articles in this edition reflect this call to action. Featured on the front page is Phumelela Msomi CEO of Natal Razor & Wire, who speaks of his career and the factors that have contributed to his business success on page 3. Attracting the right clients is crucial for the growth and sustainability of any company. Monique Labat provides advice on how to build business to business partnerships. Page 4. Also on page 4 , Johan van Deventer explains that businesses need to work around the impact of load shedding, to maximise productivity while preserving jobs and protecting workers’ rights. Marlene Powell says that to make 202Free count business owners are going to have to love a challenge, take charge and care for change to happen in their lives. Page 5. If assistance is required to grow your company, Aurik works with established business owners and their teams to accelerate revenue growth and build value. Page 8. The manufacturing industry is likely to experience significant disruptions in the coming years. TWIMS has invested in a Future Manufacturing Management Sandbox at its campus in Kloof Page 9. On page 10 , Kenako Marketing explores the power of storytelling to create an emotional connection between brands and consumers. In addition, says Ndumiso Sikhakhane, driving traffic and sales through digital platforms is effective for businesses. Page 10 Jacquie Bhana says that students starting their university careers provide a great opportunity for organisations to reflect on their young talent pools. Page 11. Importantly, Cathie Lewis, Wendy Mahoney and David White have realised that there is a need to help business leaders better understand sustainability as a global quandary. Page 16 In Other Articles Kim Edwards provides insights into the cost of compliance with FICA against the gains made by charging interest. Page 5. Durban Direct is pleased to welcome the resumption of air services between Lusaka, Zambia and Durban. Page 6. Nomfundo Mcoyi, founder and CEO of Icebolethu Group was recognised for her contribution to the fields of entrepreneurship and business. Page 8. The 2023 Innovate Durban Pitching Den brought together some of the most innovative startups from the KwaZulu-Natal region. Page 12. Brightening a smile can boost your confidence and make a real difference to your appearance. Page 14. Lastly but Importantly A highlight of the annual KwaZulu-Natal business calendar is the KZN Standard Bank Top Business Awards. Visit page 7 for more information on the 2023 categories and entry process.

Having recently been congratulated by President Cyril Ramaphosa for its significant national investment contribution at the 5th SA Investment Conference (SAIC), Serenity Hills is a development to watch. But beyond the national attention Serenity Hills is garnering, this progressive Margate-based development has already secured several international buyers seeking a secure coastal sanctuary. “We were honoured to be one of the organisations highlighted by President Ramaphosa for making such an important contribution towards local investment at the recent SA Investment Conference,” commented Reece Daniel, Developer of Serenity Hills. “We are proud to be showcasing the many positive attributes of the KZN South Coast while attracting both national and international attention. The interest we’ve received for Serenity Hills from across the globe is evidence of the investor confidence in this development, and the potential for the region.” This 120-hectare eco-estate offers residents secure living in 600 residential units located across three neighbourhoods. All units, ranging from 2-bedroom to 4-bedroom freestanding homes, as well as unique Forest Pods, offer superb value for money, with sustainability and community development as the driving ethos. Of the 120 hectares, 70 will be secured for private conservation to ensure it remains low-density. Having only launched in Q2 last year, Serenity Hills has already sold 50% of its units, with buyers coming from Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany. The Serenity Hills team has also received enquiries from the USA, Australia and Botswana regarding potential investment opportunities. Investors are benefitting from value for money and a low cost of living that simply can’t be matched in other coastal regions, while providing direct access to private schools, private hospitals, specialists, shops, malls and even an airport – all within a 15-minute drive. Sustainability is achieved through solar-ready home designs and rainwater harvesting, with three months’ back-up water for uninterrupted supply. The estate boasts state-of-the-art digital living such as the in-house app that lets residents pay utility bills, request domestic services, register guests and order food. Serenity Hills Development Director, Sam Wenger, brings his Swiss-born influence to the design of this pet-friendly estate, perfectly fusing the allure of Africa with the sophistication of European design. Quality homes are crafted with a connection to the natural world, and the development boasts more than 25 on-site amenities such as The Clubhouse with swimming pools, the Infinity Bar, and The Bistro. This R800-million development attracted national attention for its contribution towards government’s goals of socio-economic development to create sustainable jobs, reduce poverty, and drive back inequality. This, alongside the quality offerings, saw Serenity Hills announced as one of the investment pledges towards the ‘Infrastructure, property development and logistics’ sector at SAIC in April this year. To find out more and book a viewing at Serenity Hills, visit: www.serenityhills.co.za

Durban-born author, Bianca Beck, has published and released her first book – Crossroads. “I remember how surreal it felt receiving my books and seeing my words on paper in a book. I can’t even begin to describe how exhilarating it was to hold my book in my hands. It was the most exciting and scary experience I have ever had,” she says of the moment that her first tranche of books arrived on her doorstep. Crossroads took Bianca over eight years to write. It is a romance novel that draws on her experiences whilst growing up in Durban where she has lived her whole life. This love story follows the challenges faced by the main characters, Kyle and Lia, as their relationship is tested by the lies and actions of the people closest to them. “I started it eight years ago and wrote 30 x A4 pages. It was too long to be a short story and too short to be a novel. Life happened and I stopped writing for a while. But I had time during Covid, so I started again. A friend pushed me saying ‘it is now or never’ to have it published. So, I pulled out my story again in January 2022 and finished most of it by June 2022. Then it was down to fine-tuning and editing which took me another few months,” she explains. Bianca admits that Crossroads was inspired by the friends and people that she met during her early working years in restaurants and bars dotted around her home city. She says that, even though it is still early days, she has had a lot of positive feedback from readers describing her book as a great way to relive their memories of yesteryear in Durban. Many confessed that they had quickly become immersed in the story and its highly believable characters and didn’t want to stop reading. But what is the message that Bianca wants to get across through Crossroads? “Friendship is important. Your group of friends becomes who you are. They shape you. It is always good to be around people who positively reinforce you and to quickly identify people who are negative and bad influences. Rather stick with those who are good for you. Also, love comes when you least expect it, so always be open to possibilities,” she says. Bianca has already almost completed the sequel to Crossroads. But, for now, her focus remains on her first novel which, she says, she would love to see made into a movie. “It would be nice to see all the characters that I have come to know and love come alive on the big screen. This is my ultimate goal.” Crossroads is available in print through Takealot and Bianca’s website: www.crossroadsoftheheart.online It is also for sale at Home Baked in Durban North. E-books can be ordered via Amazon.

One of the most requested cosmetic dental procedures at Crown Dental Studio is a tooth whitening treatment. Brightening a smile can boost your confidence and make a real difference to your appearance. Why are your teeth discoloured? Tooth discolouration falls into three different categories: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related. 1. Extrinsic With extrinsic tooth discoloration, it’s likely that the only the tooth enamel, or the surface of the tooth is discoloured. The most common causes of extrinsic stains include: Food: chocolate, tomato sauces, curry, some fruits Beverages: coffee, tea and red wine Tobacco: smoking and chewing 2. Intrinsic This type of stain is located within the tooth, which makes it more resistant to over-the-counter whitening products. The teeth often appear a greyish colour. Examples of intrinsic stains causes include: Certain medications Trauma or injury to a tooth Tooth decay Too much fluoride Genetics 3. Age-related Some people are born with yellowish teeth while other people’s teeth yellow as they get older. When you age, the enamel on your teeth begins to wear away, which often results in a yellow appearance. Age-related discolouration may also be caused by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Available Treatments Crown Dental Studio offers a complimentary tooth whitening consultation to evaluate your teeth and assess your expectations. A thorough dental examination is the best way to determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for a tooth whitening procedure, or if there’s a reason for your teeth’s discolouration that needs to be addressed. Based on these findings customised recommendations are made based on affordability and the time that you have available or in which you require results. Crown Dental Studio has multiple tooth whitening offerings, which range from a basic entry level to various interim levels and to a top of range package. The top of range treatment includes an in-dentist chair session, which may combine a range of products as well as an ongoing maintenance programme. “We have much confidence in our tooth whitening system and offer a lifetime guarantee provided that you maintain ongoing oral health and return for six monthly teeth cleaning sessions, which includes complimentary touch ups,” explains Dr Amod. Usually, the active agent in whitening products is either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The active ingredients are broken down and as oxygen gets onto the enamel on your teeth, stains are removed, leaving you with a brighter smile. Some treatments may involve using a light or laser to activate the whitening product. In addition, there are many over-the-counter home whitening kits available. These can include strips, gels, toothpastes and whitening trays. While in-office teeth whitening procedures are much quicker and more effective, many clients appreciate at-home whitening treatments for their ease of use and the lower costs involved. However, in-practice procedures can remove deeper stains, whereas over-the-counter options are only able to remove surface stains. As a rule, no matter which method of whitening you decide to use, it’s always a good idea to get your dentist’s advice on your specific requirements and circumstances before going ahead. This will ensure that you choose the safest, most effective option that will work effectively on your teeth. Some teeth sensitivity during the whitening procedure is a common problem, however this sensitivity is usually mild and does not last long. “We don’t let our patients leave the rooms until the sensitivity has subsided,” says Dr Amod. You can also reduce any remining teeth sensitivity following a whitening treatment by using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. It is also recommended to avoid very hot or cold foods for the first few days after you have received treatment. If managed properly, whitening your teeth is a very successful and easy way of eliminating most of the stains from your teeth and does not, as often feared, cause any damage to the tooth enamel. In addition, if a whitening procedure is not able to obtain the desired effect, there are several options available for brightening your teeth. Some methods include porcelain veneers, composite bonding and dental implants. Crown Dental Studio is one of the few truly 24-hour dental practices in Durban as this is not limited to emergency dentistry treatment. T: +27 (0)81 207 8621 E: info@dramod.co.za W: www.dramod.co.za

A game of amagende, or jacks, plenty of colour, loads of lucky draw prizes, and a sumptuous two-course meal to match the occasion were among the highlights of a Chamber Lunch at the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business. With former president Leo Quayle deputising for CEO Melanie Veness, The Chamber Lunch theme was “Diversity is our strength. Unity is our power” and guests were encouraged to dress to express their difference or be proudly South African. Guests tried their hand at amagende, one of 10 recognised indigenous games of South Africa. Stones are placed in a circle or a square. Each player then tries to grab the most stones, throw them in the air and catch them in one hand until all the stones are back in place. Guests also listened to brief company presentations from accounting spreadsheet guru Brian Bedingfield (Bedingfield and Associates), event’s organiser Gail Cornhill and Annette Pheiffer (Siyabonga), as they tucked into another delicious meal prepared by CHC. Judging by the laughter and earnest conversation more or less in equal measure, the lunch was another supremely successful networking event. Don’t miss the next Chamber lunch on the 7 June 2023 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse for the Annual PMCB Race Day. W: www.pmcb.org.za

Revitalising tradition The Minara Chamber of Commerce, a leading business organisation dedicated to promoting economic growth and development globally, has unveiled its new branding and look. The new branding is part of the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to chart a new course in its journey to grow the organisation across the African continent and globally. After its founding in 2000, the board is thrilled to proceed with a new vision for 2023 and beyond. The Minara Chamber of Commerce has been promoting business development and economic growth in the region for over two decades. The organisation has helped many businesses succeed through its various programmes, including training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. As part of its growth strategy, the Chamber has embarked on a rebranding initiative to refresh its image and identity, with a new logo, upcoming website, and other communication materials. The new branding reflects the Chamber’s values of innovation, collaboration, and diversity, and its commitment to fostering economic growth and development in South African and beyond. The new logo incorporates the Chamber’s name in bold, modern font, with a strong and iconic design that represents the diversity of the Chamber’s membership and the strength of its values. The new website will feature a modern, responsive design that is easy to navigate and showcases the Chamber’s various programmes and services, including providing a comprehensive range of value-added services for members. “The Minara Chamber of Commerce is excited to unveil our new branding and look,” said Solly Suleman, President of the Minara Chamber of Commerce. “Our new branding is part of our ongoing efforts to modernise and refresh our image, and to position ourselves as a leading business organisation in South Africa and beyond. We believe that our new look and feel reflects our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and diversity, and we look forward to continuing to serve our members and promote economic growth and development in the region.” The Chamber’s rebranding initiative comes as it prepares for its annual Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony, which will take place on Friday, 27 October 2023 in Durban. The Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony is an important event in the Chamber’s calendar, celebrating the achievements of its members and recognising the contributions of businesses and individuals to economic growth and development in the region. This year’s Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony promises to be even more exciting with the new branding and look of the Chamber. The event will feature a keynote speaker, Awards ceremony, and a three-course meal. The Minara Business Awards 2023 is now open for nominations in the following categories: · Business Entity of the Year · Businessperson of the Year · Businesswoman of the Year · Young Entrepreneur of the Year · Professional Achiever of the Year · Community Builder of the Year “We invite all our members, partners, and stakeholders to join us at the Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony,” said Suleman. “This year’s event promises to be an exciting and memorable occasion, and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our members and the contributions of businesses and individuals to economic growth and development in the region.” For more information about the Minara Chamber of Commerce and its various programmes and services, please visit the Chamber’s website at www.minara.org.za . The new website is coming soon. Amina Haniff, Lead Administrator: Minara Chamber of Commerce T: +27 (0)31 208 1898 E: kzn@minara.org.za

The 2023 Innovate Durban Pitching Den took place on March 28th at the Innovation CoLab in Durban and brought together some of the most innovative startups from the KwaZulu-Natal region. As one of the premier events for innovators and entrepreneurs, it was an opportunity for funders and venture capitalists to discover new talent and invest in the future of South African innovation. Over 80 applicants were narrowed down to just 15 participants, who underwent rigorous pitch training and coaching sessions ahead of the event. The winners were announced at the end of an intense morning of pitching, with Senele Goba of 4IR Innovations emerging as the first-place winner. Goba’s innovation targets learners in grades 4 to 12 and encourages their involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related fields and activities. She presented a versatile problem-solving electrical kit that enables learners to solve complex problems. Second place, with a prize of R35 000, went to Farai Dziike and Nelisa Mabaso from Bio Mhlaba Brick Company. Their innovation addresses the growing problem of waste recycling, by creating bricks from different types of waste materials, particularly plastics, in a sustainable and useful way. In third place, Francis Djumo from Royaume: Smart Inflow Meter secured a prize of R25 000 with their innovation involving a smart meter. The system can save households up to R600 worth of water by monitoring and controlling the water supply, with a feature that can detect leaks. These cash prizes are awarded as part of the Pitching Den initiative, which is one of various programmes aimed at supporting and showcasing innovation in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Innovate Durban is an organisation dedicated to highlighting and supporting innovators and innovative startups in the KwaZulu-Natal region. The Pitching Den is just one of many initiatives aimed at creating a platform and networking opportunities for innovators, while linking them with venture capitalists and angel investors. The Pitching Den initiative provides a unique opportunity for venture capitalists and other funders to discover innovative start-ups in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Through extensive pitch training and coaching sessions, innovators are equipped with the critical skills needed to effectively pitch their business ideas to potential investors. “Our ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between promising start-ups and investors, while also showcasing the exceptional talent and innovation present in the region,” said Sithabile Cele, marketing and events manager for Innovate Durban. The panel of judges for the Innovate Durban Pitching Den included Ramsay Daly, Co-CEO of Ikhokha, Justice Matarutse, programme manager of Innovation at eThekwini Municipality, Christopher du Plessis, digital lead Southern Africa at Royal HaskoningDHV, Udi Pillay, partner at Adams & Adams Attorneys, and Aurelia Albert, chief executive officer at Innovate Durban. The Innovate Durban Pitching Den is just one of the various programmes hosted by Innovate Durban aimed at supporting and showcasing innovation in the region. With more events and programmes like this, the KwaZulu-Natal region is sure to produce more innovative ideas and businesses that will transform the local economy. For more information contact: Sithabile Cele, Marketing & Events Manager – Innovate Durban T: +27 (0)87 365 3131 E: sithabile@innovate.durban W: www.innovate.durban

The aQuellé Tour Durban always welcomes the help of the incredible The Cows – KZN Herd from CHOC, who do such great work, both at the event and throughout the rest of the year raising money so as to make a difference to children with cancer and their families. The KZN Herd has quite a few events lined up over the next couple of weeks, where they will be ready and waiting to sell you some super– duper merchandise or go and find out how to join the herd and support our incredible little fighters at CHOC! The Herd will be at the following fundraisers: · 6th May – 7am – Cyclothon · Shell Blair Atholl Motors – Westville · 7th May – 6am – Stella Royal 2023 · Stella Athletic Club – Berea · 12th May – 3.30 pm – Cycling Fun Day · Organised by: Siegetown Wheelers · Ladysmith Country Club – Ladysmith · 14th May – Tour Durban Cycle Race At Tour Durban the Cow Sweeps will once again be there in full force to ensure you have a helping hand along the route! Dust off your bikes and join us! Enter here: www.roag.org/events/entries-and-info And all of the above wouldn’t be possible without the super-duper Daisy Car! Loaded with all our merchandise yet with plenty of space left, we get to every event safe and sound! CMH Nissan Ballito thank you for making a difference!

Around the beginning of each year, students start their university careers, which provides a great opportunity for organisations to reflect on their young talent pools. Many organisations focus mainly on the recruitment of graduates OVER bursary students. However, there is enormous benefit in recruiting students who are entering university, straight from school, and sponsoring their bursaries. This approach must be viewed as a business imperative, as a way of re-imagining their future teams, and not as a corporate social investment intervention. There are two ways of looking at the benefits of such a programme: Firstly, funding bursaries goes a long way to assist in addressing the countrywide problems of student funding; and Secondly, companies can recruit the best students, each of whom can be seen as a ‘fresh canvas’, ready to be taught workplace processes and ways of working, early in their careers. Companies can grow their human resources with excellent, first-class talent by building current teams with new thinking, and cleverly combining the new with the experienced as well as with institutional knowledge. Currently I work with a number of bursary students as mentees and have had some great insights into this process. I have worked to enable my mentees to have clear direction, focus and achieve quantifiable success in the businesses they are working. I have assisted them to take ownership of their roles, and encouraged them to learn and develop into the people they would like to be. Within the organisations they are employed, I have focused on nurturing them to become effective, efficient, happy and productive contributors to business success. Underprivileged schools are a great place to recruit potential bursars. Businesses that include these schools in their strategy will find that there are a number of excellent students with much potential. I currently work with a number of such students and they have proven to be hard working, striving to make it against all the odds. These students are hungry for knowledge. They possess certain life skills that students from more privileged backgrounds do not always possess, such as problem solving and critical thinking. In addition, these students and their communities have a strong loyalty to the brand of the organisation that sponsors them. This loyalty helps with the future recruitment of bursary students, and as such, organisations will naturally attract great students. Other advantages of this strategy are as follows: If the bursary student pool overall is oversubscribed with a diverse group of candidates, employers have the luxury of selecting those who best fit the organisation’s goals and values. Those who do not join the organisation have had the benefit of work experience and are more employable. Certain life skills and business skills can be developed during the students’ university studies, so that transition into the business world is much easier, and candidates will be more productive and effective on appointment. Skills such as business skills, presentation skills, building confidence, work ethic, business writing and communication are all examples of skills that are essential in the world of business. I have had interesting conversations with mentees on topics ranging from relationships to mental health and dressing appropriately. Students have a fresh perspective and are more confident about sharing ideas around innovation, as they have not yet been socialised and have not developed early fears of strictly conforming and fitting into the business. They are still in a competitive environment at tertiary institutions and it is a great time to build on ideas at this early stage in their careers. They want their ideas to be taken seriously, and there is a willingness to learn. It helps to build a diversified and inclusive workforce. Students are far more inclined to engage with business colleagues and socialise with them. They are far less encumbered by the past and are more robust at interpersonal communication than the older workforce. They usually have great technology skills, which will go a long way towards building overall technology use and innovation in organisations. One part of this strategy that worked extremely well in one of the businesses that I partner with, was the complete involvement by the leadership team in the recruitment, induction, availability and visibility of the leadership team, including the CEO. The process affirmed the seriousness of the programme to participants, and helped the leadership remain in touch with the students. After all, the investment is huge, and this strategy helps to build a solid business model of introducing new employees to a long term, successful and structured capability building process that adds value to the business. The end result of this innovative approach to bursary students is a vibrant, robust and exciting programme with a great talent pool from which to select the best candidates. For more information C: +27 83 386 8343 E: info@JacquieBhana.co.za W: www.jacquiebhana.co.za

As business owners we all know that generating leads and making sales is essential in keeping our businesses open. Driving traffic and sales through digital platforms has become one of the most effective and sustainable methods for businesses. Developing and publishing good content gives you the ability to teach and entertain your audience, while elevating you or your business as subject matter experts. When you create content that’s targeted at the right people and solves their problems, they’re more likely to take notice. And if they find your content valuable, they’re more likely to share it with their networks, further extending your reach. Being consistent with quality content may take time to get right; always keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another. Don’t be afraid to try different types of content to see what works best for your digital platforms and your audience. 1. Create Informative & Educational “How to” Posts Most people come to the Internet to learn something, and for this reason it makes sense that “how-to” posts tend to do well. These types of posts are also great for organic traffic, as search queries on Google and YouTube often start with “how to….” The easiest way to create this content is to figure out what problem you want to solve. What common problem does your audience seem to have? From here be able to demonstrate the process of how to resolve your audience’s problem. 2. Opinion Posts & Content Social media allows people to express their views and opinions, so why not share yours? Although coming up with ideas can be intimidating, this kind of content has the ability to stir up emotions in others. People will either agree or disagree with you – which results in a lot of likes, shares and comments if done well. I always advise that opinion posts should tackle a hot topic issue and be written in the first-person. The more opinionated your opinion is, the more it will spread. 3. Make Use of Images, Video & Infographics While some people like to read, others are more visual. An infographic takes information and presents it in a totally different way. Not only does this make the information easier to digest for your audience but makes it more interesting. As most people have a limited attention span, images also make content simpler for your audience. So, unsurprisingly quality images tend to get shared more often than standard text. Videos are just as tempting. Why? Videos keep audiences engaged while requiring them to do just about nothing. They have the ability to convey a message in a memorable way. You can share existing videos of products, behinds the scenes clips, video testimonials and webinars, to your landing pages. Video content has become a tool that no business should be without. 4. Create Compelling Case Studies Case studies are proven to tell compelling stories. When creating a case study, the story must explain your product, service or concept, and its results. Before you tell your story, pick something your ideal reader can easily relate to. It’s very important to explain who the case study involves, their goals and needs, any challenges they face, include statistics and real numbers. When drafting a case study, think of it as explaining a success story rather than an actual ‘study’. Allow your audience to then share their views through comments. Creating content that drives traffic to your digital platforms can feel like launching a whole startup. The biggest challenge for business owners is knowing where to start, or even which strategies or tactics will make the biggest impact. But the easiest way is to start by understanding your target audience’s biggest problems and pain points. When you have a feel for their struggles and desires, then map out your customer value journey in solving their problems. Once this is achieved, ensure you draft a content plan in the form of a document that you’ll use to implement your content strategy. All the best with this process. See you online. T: +27 0)31 307 1988 / +27 (0)81 246 5781 E: info@infinitygrowthdigital.co.za W: www.infinitygrowthdigital.co.za

Local KZN business leaders create a sustainability scorecard to help transfer knowledge and guide sustainability initiatives The Green Lights Sustainability Initiative (GLSI) was initiated in 2020 by three passionate sustainability pioneers, Cathie Lewis, Wendy Mahoney and David White. During, and shortly after Covid, they realised that there is a desperate need in the market to help business leaders better understand sustainability as a global quandary. In addition, there is a need to effect positive change in stakeholder measures and relationships, and to ensure that organisations, their staff and their teams contribute positively towards sustainability, rehabilitation and advancement initiatives. A Good Example We are fortunate in South Africa that as a country we have been proactive in matters of sustainability and that we support the overarching International Financial Reporting Standards (IRFS) initiative and guidelines, which are in the process of being adopted across the whole world. South Africa wants to achieve zero carbon emission status and aims to be a leading global authority on sustainability. Further, the country wants to be a good example of a nation able to meet the goals and intentions as discussed and agreed upon by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. These goals were entered into force on 4 November 2016. The gap between the intended outcome of a net zero carbon world where countries do not contribute towards pollution and greenhouse emissions, and our current state of daily decline is huge. The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping global temperature rise, this century, to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1,5 degrees Celsius. The consequences of not maintaining these temperature levels include devastating heatwaves and floods. Growing Confidence GLSI sees its role as transferring knowledge and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals to business leaders in such a way that they can grow confidence in how their organisations can measure and transform their processes and decision-making to include sustainability as an enterprise imperative, a value, and even a virtue. GLSI’s aim is to help reframe sustainability in the mind of business from a broad environmental view, and to transfer understanding that sustainability covers all aspects of a business… including essential financial and consumer value metrics. Of course, all business leaders’ role and responsibility are to create sustainable and ethical organisations, that meet both governance and stakeholder expectations. To ensure this outcome, business leaders focus on: Creating effective and ethical organisational cultures Ensuring the organisation is productive and is meeting operational measures and hurdle rates Adequate controls and risk management indicators to ensure quality assurance standards and controls are maintained Being a good corporate citizen – meeting legitimacy requirements. Sustainability Scorecard Creating a sustainable and ethical organisation can never be a tick box exercise, and as such the GLSI three stage Sustainability Scorecard evolution approach helps business leaders, and their staff and teams, evolve in sustainability maturity and be measured against a defined set of principles. GLSI provides organisations with competency and contribution certificates at each stage of their sustainability journey. The three-stage process is to discover, develop, and deliver a sustainable organisation, where staff and teams understand their sustainability purpose, define intended outcomes, and evolve into an organisation with sustainability and net carbon emission considerations contributing towards decision making, strategy, while meeting operational and stakeholder outcome intentions. STAGE 1: Indigo Blue Stage 1 consists of an organisation sustainability induction, where leadership and staff are taken through a deep dive into sustainability transformation, which focuses on the history and development of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their linkages to governance, risk, culture, legitimacy, and current perspectives and future intentions. At this stage the organisation creates a Green Level Sustainability Report that focuses on the organisation’s understanding, commitment, and intention to meet sustainability outcomes. The organisation at Stage 1 Indigo Blue Level is able to show that all staff have a clear understanding of how the organisation is able to advance its sustainability objectives, and to contribute favourably towards environmental and social rehabilitation and preservation. An organisation’s sustainability journey begins with understanding current circumstances and scientific considerations to improve its daily impact on climate change, global warming and social impacts, and encourages each person in the organisation to believe they are able to make a significant contribution to minimising the world’s carbon footprint. STAGE 2: Royal Blue Stage 2 consists of further knowledge transfer in matters of sustainability, and the creation of a Royal Blue Level Sustainability Report. Here the organisation demonstrates that it is meeting and exceeding its intentions defined in their Stage 1 Indigo Blue Report. New intentions are created at Stage 2, where the organisation and staff commit to organisational and personal advancements in sustainability and show evidence of actions and achievements. The adage “what we measure we manage” is apt at Stage 2 Royal Blue Report. The organisation is required to demonstrate that they have dug deep into the organisation’s vision and strategy, and considered all aspects that have positive and negative effects on the organisation’s sustainability measures. We do not require the organisation to use any particular sustainability model to define its activities. We do require that some use of international best practice, such as the IFRS Sustainability standards, the Task Force on Climate[1]related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) Recommendations, Global Reporting Index (GRI) and the like, are included in the Stage 2 Royal Blue Report. The GLSI model focuses on governance, measurements, leadership, functional area foundation and engagement as essential sustainability pillars, as its framework is shared with the organisation’s leadership and staff at the beginning of Stage 2 Royal Blue Report level. STAGE 3: Teal Stage 3 Teal Level is achieved where an organisation is able to demonstrate that it is continually expanding on thoughts and ideas to advance sustainability endeavours as detailed in Stages 1 and 2. Stage 3 consists of a Teal Level Sustainability Report, where leadership and staff show they are exceeding targets defined at Stages 1 and 2. They must be discovering new ways to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint, contributing to community and environmental sustainability enriching initiatives, and sharing their knowledge and sustainability successes with other organisations and their staff – encouraging them to also begin their sustainability development journey. Reconnect with Nature GLSI teams are available and excited to share their knowledge and understanding of sustainability best practice. They aim to encourage the development and advancement of sustainability initiatives within the workplace, and to encourage that people implement these ideals in their work environment and day to day living. Together we are able to overcome this global crisis, we just need to take collective and individual action, and to focus our efforts on reducing waste, pollution, inefficiency, destruction, greed and plunder. There is enough for everyone in the world to live sustainably, provided we have the mindset to share knowledge and resources, and to care enough about our planet and all the people, animals, birds, fish, insects, grasslands, and forests that live in it. We are the generation that will be remembered for the action we take in reconnecting with nature, or the further demise we leave for the children of today to endure in their lifetimes. Contact us for an exploratory discussion, for us to present a tailor-made process to help you meet your organisation’s unique business needs, to help accelerate your organisation’s sustainability efforts, and for us to collectively create an outcome of a financially sound and successful business, that also serves both the environment and society. For more information contact: David White E: david@drg.co.za