Bootstrap Briefs
Trademarks and patents
It’s one thing to build something and another to keep it safe. We get told all...
Onboard new employees successfully
At some point before becoming an entrepreneur, we have either been employed, or ...
Power dynamics at networking events
You walk into a room and the dynamics start before a single word is spoken. Some...
You’re still using ‘bootstrapping’ as an excuse
Bootstrapping is a big part of the story for many of us entrepreneurs. You start...
Augmented reality for consumer engagement
Great technology shouldn’t be treated as a luxury in African business anymore....
Making your business irresistible to investors
We all want funding. But not everyone builds something fundable. A good idea and...
Your budget is not a to-do list
When you're building a business, a budget can feel like a list of everything you...
Outsourcing doesn’t outsource accountability
Delegating and outsourcing is both smart and strategic. It gives you back time, ...
Do your employees know how to disagree with you?
Everyone talks about wanting open communication at work. Leaders say they value ...
Networking for people who don’t like small talk
Let’s be honest. Networking feels fake. And it’s not the idea of meeting peo...
The best leaders make themselves replaceable
A leader’s success isn’t measured by how much they’re needed, but by how w...
The dangers of manipulative marketing tactics
Marketing is all about persuasion, but there’s a fine line between influencing...
Spotting opportunities before your competitors
Success in business comes down to spotting opportunities before everyone else. T...
Tax strategies every entrepreneur should know
Taxes are an endless unavoidable headache that keeps chipping away at your hard-...
Influence of personal values on professional conduct
Your personal values influence your business, but should they dictate every deci...
Training vs. development
People like to use “training” and “development” interchangeably, but the...
Leadership feels different these days
If leading a team feels more exhausting than ever, you're not imagining it. Toda...
Pitching your startup in conversations
Conversations can open doors, but if your startup pitch feels scripted, those do...
The value of email marketing
Let’s be honest. Email marketing is still one of the best tools we have for bu...
Accountability in leadership
We business owners wear multiple hats, but the most crucial one is that of an ac...
Building a green business
Building a green business in Africa means not just protecting the planet, but cr...
Balancing reinvestment and profitability
Striking the right balance between reinvesting in your business and maintaining ...
Navigating conflicts of interest
Every opportunity feels vital for entrepreneurs, especially in the early stages....
Networking for introverts
Networking feels like an extrovert’s game, but for us entrepreneurs, it’s an...
Low-budget marketing strategies for startups
For startups with limited funds, marketing can seem like a luxury. However, with...
Protecting your ideas
As an entrepreneur, your ideas are the foundation of your business and the drivi...
The power of positive thinking
It’s amazing what our mindsets can do for us. They shape how we see the world,...
Investing back into your business
Investing back into your business is one of the most important steps towards lon...
Respecting employee privacy
The lines between work and personal life can easily blur especially now - your e...
Stages of small business growth
Starting a business is only the beginning of a journey that involves several sta...
What makes employees stay
While competitive salaries and attractive benefits are important, they aren’t ...
The do's and don'ts of networking
As an entrepreneur, networking is about building meaningful connections that can...
Innovating yourself
Innovation isn’t just for our businesses - we also need it for our own persona...
Leaders need breaks too
Leadership often comes with immense pressure. The constant demands of managing t...
How to deal with difficult employees
Many entrepreneurs have made the mistake of “letting them deal with it on thei...
Managing cash flow effectively
Cash flow, the movement of money in and out of your business, determines whether...
Access to markets
Without access to the right markets, even the most innovative products and servi...
Building organisational culture
Successful business operations are deeply rooted in a strong organisational cult...
Why integrity matters
Integrity is the foundation of trust and credibility in business and for any ent...
Are you a workaholic?
The term "workaholic" was once mistaken for simply being hardworking and even vi...
How to inspire your employees
Inspiring employees is about creating an environment where team members feel mot...
Let's talk about personality
When discussing personality, it's easy to fall into oversimplifications or commo...
How to cut operational costs
Whether you're a startup or an established company, finding ways to reduce expen...
Branding with social media
Operating a successful business today requires leveraging social media platforms...
Make mistakes once only
Mistakes are an inevitable part of the entrepreneurial journey. They offer valua...
Amplify your influence
If we have learnt anything in the last few years, it’s that influence is a ver...
A culture of innovation
Any entrepreneur aiming for success and sustainable growth recognises that innov...
How to not take offence
In the professional world, particularly in entrepreneurship, maintaining a compo...
Bringing out the best in others
For any entrepreneur, one of the most impactful skills is the ability to bring o...
Your habits define you and your future
At the outset, it's often underestimated just how much our habits, even the seem...
Focus on your vision money will come
We often come across this advice, but what does it really mean for us as busines...
Never compromise your principles
Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. It is a tough journey filled with numerous...
Why people hate change
Change is inevitable, yet it's often met with resistance. Whether it's a shift i...
How to gain respect
In order to achieve success in any endeavour, it's important to earn the respect...
Building a marketing funnel
Building an effective marketing funnel is crucial for entrepreneurs seeking to a...
What got in the way of your goals?
Achieving our goals is rarely a straight path. Along the way, we encounter obsta...
Common traits of successful startups
When looking into successful startups, it's tempting to attribute their achievem...
Learn to change direction
Startups need to be adaptable and quick to respond to changes in order to surviv...
Business & personal accounts
Understanding the necessity of maintaining a clear distinction between business ...
Why authenticity matters
Authenticity is what genuine connection and trust in both personal and professio...
Know how to read people
Communication extends far beyond the words we speak. Every interaction is full o...
Marketing strategies
Unlocking effective marketing strategies is about leveraging proven techniques a...
Why you need grit when you want to quit
Grit is the passion and perseverance exhibited in a bid to achieve a goal or a v...
How to Communicate the Vision
To realize long term growth and positive change, it’s critical that leaders co...
Share your progress not your goals
When you set your mind on a goal it might feel like all you think about and talk...
Discover your potential
It’s much more challenging to figure out what you’re capable of in a world w...
Lessons about persistence
Starting a new business is fraught with challenges. Often, people quit when thin...
You think like the people you spend time with
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five ...
How to stay motivated
Businesspeople bear a significant amount of responsibility, both for themselves,...
Going against the flow
Going with the flow is almost always more comfortable, but it’s rarely the bes...
What is operational efficiency?
Operational efficiency measures an organization’s ability to extract maximum v...
Improve your business with market research
Business owners face difficult decisions on a daily basis. Market research may n...
To generate new ideas - innovate!
Innovation is a critical component of modern business success, and yet many busi...
The business operations of a company
Business functions can be divided into several overarching categories. These are...
Why social responsibility matters in Africa
Economic challenges and ineffective governance have left a hole in the fabric of...
Involving family in a business
Family members can be a real help to small businesses, but you have to be aware ...
Building your brand name with social media
Social media platforms are powerful tools for building your brand name. But to u...
Cooking the books: The ethics of accounting
Many African companies find themselves “cooking the books” in order to survi...
The latest productivity hack? Slowing down.
Consider the last time you felt truly inspired and productive. What was it about...
Personal purpose
Your personal purpose and motivation is the spark within you that drives your achievements.
How do you react to feedback
The most compelling leaders all share a level of authenticity better revealed th...
Turning rejection into opportunity
Rejection is one of life’s most painful experiences. Yet, it is one of life’...
Train yourself to lead
Some people are born to lead. We all know someone like this. It’s in their blo...
Cultivating your network to grow your business
If your business was a garden, then people would be the seeds. People can provid...
Characteristics of a target market
Defining a target market lets you precisely tailor your messages. Instead of try...
When testing your business idea
Starting a new business is fraught with risks and challenges no matter where you...
Prioritise fiscal management
A successful business runs with the aim of making a profit. There are many types...
Are you an honest person
Would you say that you are an honest person? On a personal level, do you have m...
Build the right team for a startup
We are a continent with rich cultural diversity and a vibrant, energetic populat...
Jobs will combat African poverty
The growth of Africa’s working-age population is staggering by global standard...
Smart strategies for a startup
The launch of a new business should be an exciting time as you look to bring you...