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Innovation Showcase at CPUT

Today I visited the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) first Innovation Showcase. The event held at the Bellville campus in Cape Town is the result of a number of years of work by Prof Gary Atkinson-Hope and Chris Lombard.

Exhibiting at the showcase were 38 projects run by both students and staff across the two CPUT campuses. Three projects caught my eye and I got to chat with the students involved in their development.

LumonsThe Lumons is a set of three lights that are remotely charged whilst on their styled wooden stand and can then be carried around the home or office at night during load shedding. There is zero risk of fire or electrocution, and this product looks like it belongs in a style magazine for upmarket homes.Snugpack

The second product is one of those that we only realise we need when it is too late to invent it. The Snugpack is a small portable bag that fits over your backpack and gives you a safe and secure time to catch a nap during long trips, airport layovers. The team behind this product has turned experienced pain into a profitable and very clever product.

Straight-Out-Of-CameraThe third product is one that gave me that “Why didn’t I think of this” feeling. The portable photogrphy studio named the SOOC (Straight-Out-Of-Camera) offers the photographer a very high spec portable light box with LED lights and infinity screen for staging and photographing small to medium items.

Other products of interest were the Dryway, a clever folding clothes dryer. The Pivot offering a clever way to keep your keys safe and secure. And finally the TBT or The Braai Tool a clever well engineered braai tool that is sure to put a smile on every man’s face at the next national braai day.

Well done to all the students and staff of CPUT for their innovations, imaginations and development efforts. The state of our young minds in South Africa is encouraging.

By |2016-11-01T10:20:23+02:00August 6th, 2015|General, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Law seven: The law of effective teams

Law seven: The law of effective teams

Carl Bates writes in his book The Laws of Extreme Business Success about the 12 laws of business success. Law seven looks at teams and how best to create effective teams with effective members. Effective teams have effective members who know what is expected of them and get it done. Nothing saps a managers time and energy than having to micro-manage people who are energy thieves. The law states:

Extreme business success occurs in an environment where a team of loyal and supportive people with the appropriate energies and skills collaborate to achieve the business’ purpose. Knowing how to choose the right person for the job, and ensuring that your best people stay with you, is paramount for extreme business success. Along the way you will also have to make the difficult decision to let go of people who are no longer able to support the team’s effectiveness.

This book and others from Carl Bates are available here

By |2016-11-01T10:20:23+02:00August 3rd, 2015|Entrepreneurship|0 Comments

Law six: The law of rhythm

Law six: The law of rhythm

Carl Bates writes in his book The Laws of Extreme Business Success about the 12 laws of business success. The sixth law looks at the way a business should breath and ride the waves like a well tuned yacht over the ocean swells. Rhythm is all about a slow, yet well constructed melody and not a hectic heavy metal band. The law states:

Extreme business success thrives in an environment of effective timing and rhythm, which builds momentum over time and drives the team forward without the ongoing effort it initially takes to get started. Rhythm also requires you to become conscious of the stage your business is at, and to work in a way that is appropriate for that stage.

This book and others from Carl Bates are available here

By |2015-07-27T10:00:27+02:00July 27th, 2015|Business Resources, Entrepreneurship|0 Comments

Law five: The law of business as a game

Law five: The law of business as a game

Carl Bates writes in his book The Laws of Extreme Business Success about the 12 laws of business success. Law 5 is all about having fun, but in a serious way. Life and business is a game: played by rules, but fun needs to be the underlying outcome. We could not agree with this one enough. The law states:

Extreme business success requires you to realise that business is a game, and that when you treat it as such you will achieve success more easily. The law of business as a game focuses on three key elements of a game which are critical to success: having a winner’s mentality, understanding the game rules and enjoying the game. Business should be a fun experience in which you play the game of business within a structured framework. When you take yourself and your business too seriously, you lose the pleasure of the journey along the way.

This book and others from Carl Bates are available here

By |2015-07-27T10:00:22+02:00July 27th, 2015|Business Resources, Entrepreneurship|0 Comments

Law four: The law of family

Law four: The law of family

Carl Bates writes in his book The Laws of Extreme Business Success about the 12 laws of business success. The next law looks at the involvement of family member in the business as staff or as advisory consultants. Mmmm, enough said. The law states:

Extreme business success recognises that family support and encouragement, and often financial involvement, is critical to achieving success. Family members often influence your business decisions, even if they don’t always have to deal directly with the consequences of those decisions. Extreme business success therefore requires that you discipline your decision making when it comes to family, especially if you’re involved in a family owned or controlled business.

This book and others from Carl Bates are available here

By |2015-07-20T10:00:26+02:00July 20th, 2015|Business Resources, Entrepreneurship|0 Comments

The gift of creativity – The EASY project

Social Initiative: Give the gift of creativity

The Elves At School Youth (EASY) project, which is an initiative that was founded by a young woman by the name of Abigail Florence, plays a key role in skills development in young people.

The 32-year-old Abigail (Abby as she is popularly called), who hails from Athlone, Cape Town said she has always been passionate about helping school learners in choosing the right career path.

Abby said she has realised that many kids find it difficult to choose careers and some are not even aware that they can do wonderful things with their own hands and venture into entrepreneurship through the things that they have created.

She and her staff members (comprising about five people) run workshops over school holidays every year to teach high school kids on various skill development areas and also to empower them and instil an entrepreneurial spirit in them from a young age.

“With this programme, we aim to inspire the spirit of creativity, design and entrepreneurship in high school learners using timeless needlecraft skills like sewing, crocheting, knitting and embroidery as a foundation,” she said.

This year’s workshop started on Monday, 13 July 2015 and ended on Friday, 17 July 2015. She ran the workshop in partnership with Bruce Wade of Entrepreneur Incubator & Academy, who gave training on entrepreneurship.

Abby’s project solely depends on the donations from generous individuals and businesses that are willing to invest in the development of the youth.

“The EASY project is made possible entirely by the generous contributions and donations of corporate and individual sponsors,” she said.

Abby believes that entrepreneurship and self-empowerment offer pathways for young people to emerge from unemployment, hence she started this initiative.

Our country needs a lot of people like Abby who sees that there is a great need to invest in young people, in their skills and in their ability to innovate. The youth need to be equipped to make the best choices for themselves. Programmes like these are needed to nurture the development of entrepreneurial skills in youth.

For more info about the EASY Programme please visit www.elvesatwork.co.za or contact Abby Florence on 021 4470446 / info@elvesatwork.co.za

 

By |2015-07-20T09:33:12+02:00July 20th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments

The Future of Human Energy is Here

Colin  Hall iPersonal Energy Journeys a name that has echoed through the halls of corporate South Africa for many years. Colin has spent time at SAB and more recently at Wooltru as Chairman of the group. Colin grew up with power and autocratic leadership. Steve his son has had a very different life: Steve loves golf, wildlife, the big outdoors and the freedom of the human spirit.

Then one day Colin played Monopoly with Steve. This day was a defining moment in both their lives. Today they work side by side teaching corporate executives, business owners, headmasters and scholars across Africa the power of collaborative human energy. A concept we have come to learn, love and adopt in our own business.

Colin and Steve have recently completed recording their programme to video and it is now available on DVD and e-learning platforms. This course is not for everyone. It is not for those who are stuck in the rut of power and ‘do it my way’ leadership. It is not for those who look at life as a playground for their own gain. It is also not for those who want to remain a victim of their circumstances or their past.

The Personal Energy Journey is a journey that will walk you through a number of truths, defining moments and many redefining actions towards a destination of understanding self, others and life in a whole new way. It is about collaboration, cooperation and completeness.

If you are in anyway linked to leading others, running a business, teaching or wanting to get more out of life, then this programme is an essential part of your future.

Review the introduction here and the overview here, then decide how you will want to attend this programme: e-learning or DVD and seize your future. It is waiting for you.

 

By |2016-11-01T10:20:23+02:00July 8th, 2015|EI Clients|0 Comments

Law three: The law of continuous learning

 

Law three: The law of continuous learning

Carl Bates writes in his book The Laws of Extreme Business Success about the 12 laws of business success. The third law is one we take very seriously, learning and personal development. Simply put, we need to learn every day to keep ahead in our game. The law states:

Extreme business success can only occur in an environment of continuous learning and improvement, both on personal and professional levels. Challenges create growth, and missteps are often opportunities to take your business to the next level. Believing that you have all the answers is a sure-fire way to sabotage your journey to success. A key aspect of success is recognising the role and importance of experts who can guide you along the way. Ultimately, it is about creating a culture of continuous improvement within your enterprise.

This book and others from Carl Bates are available here

By |2016-11-01T10:20:24+02:00July 6th, 2015|Business Resources, Entrepreneurship|0 Comments

Law Two: The law of the shareholder wealth creation

 

Law Two: The law of the shareholder wealth creation

Carl Bates writes in his book The Laws of Extreme Business Success about the 12 laws of business success. The second law looks at the shareholder issue and how we treat our own investment differently to that of others we have put our money into. The law states:

Extreme business success requires you to treat your investment in the same manner that you would treat an investment in any other company. This means that you have to know what your business is worth, what dividends you are receiving, and whether the future dividend prospects are justifying your retention of, and potential further investment into, your own investment in your own business. Extreme business success can only occur if the board and management team of your business are focusing on activities that grow shareholder wealth.

This book and others from Carl Bates are available here

By |2015-06-30T14:11:13+02:00June 30th, 2015|Business Resources, Entrepreneurship|0 Comments
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