Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Feb 7, 2012, 12:40 am
BUSINESS TIPS – From Employee to Entrepreneur – Part 1 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC – February 2012 I have, of late, been mentoring several young ladies who are currently employed, but who dream of owning their own businesses. The more I talk to them, the more I become aware of ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Feb 6, 2012, 4:09 am
MOTIVATION – What Determines Your Destiny By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – February 2012 “It’s choice – not chance that determines your destiny” says Jean Nidetch. It seems that I am on the warpath again! It’s the whole thing about accountability and responsibility for t...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Feb 3, 2012, 12:10 am
HR – Getting the Status Right By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC , January 2012 Many small business owners are not sure of the correct terminology to use when employing staff, that are not employed on a permanent basis and with the new labour laws, this can and will become problematical. ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jan 30, 2012, 8:25 am
WORKSHOP: JHB GAUTENG: A Basic Practical Guide to Starting a Business - 22 February 2012 Getting started in the right direction will ensure a smooth transition from 'wannabe' to business owner and will allow you to focus on what you are good at - you know, getting that product and/or service to mark...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jan 26, 2012, 12:13 am
EARLY WARNING Legal Notices - Amendments By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting January 2011. I got this information directly off an AA Newsletter. It says (sic): The National Road Traffic Regulations have been amended. The amendment is in Government Gazette 33796, Notice number 1113 published on...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jan 24, 2012, 10:31 pm
BLOGGING TIPS – Where Else to look for Ideas – Part 1 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC January 2012 So last week we had a look at just how easy it is to turn everyday experiences into ideas for articles. Today I am going to give you some more examples of where to look for inspiration....
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jan 24, 2012, 6:56 am
Templates, Policies & Procedures on Sale until 29 February 2012 Is there a problem between your sales and your delivery that is impacting on your accounts receivable? Could be a problem with your work or document flow. Are your orders not being processed timeously or correctly? Could be a problem...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jan 23, 2012, 11:52 pm
BUSINESS TIPS – Planning to Succeed – PART 2 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC December 2011 Following on from last time, let’s look at some of the other guidelines that can be used by SMME’s to plan for the success of their business. Organizational Chart Contrary to popular belief,...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jan 22, 2012, 11:28 pm
MOTIVATION – Strong Desire By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – January 2012 Napoleon Hill says “The starting point of achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires produce weak results, just as a small amount of fire produces a small amount of heat.” I guess ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Oct 28, 2011, 6:13 am
All about the Polygraph (and other such Tests) By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC , October 2011 The reality of the matter, if you own your own business, is that you have staff. The reality of the matter if you have staff and if you trade here in South Africa, is that you will experience th...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Oct 25, 2011, 12:14 am
CPA – Consumer Complaint Procedure – Part 3 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC- October 2011 Following on from last time, as promised here is some additional contact information. Please note that the telephone/fax/cell numbers were correct at the time the original information was receive...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Oct 24, 2011, 12:44 am
MOTIVATION – Just Take the First Step By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – October 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr said “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Ironically, I had to give a speech the other day around th...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Oct 14, 2011, 1:41 am
EARLY WARNING – Department of Labour Warns Employers of “S A Legal Act” Scam Good day all – I received this through the S A Labour Guide Newsletters. Please take note Regards Nikki DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR WARN EMPLOYERS OF ‘SA LEGAL ACT’ SCAM Media Release Issued By Department of Labour Th...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Oct 12, 2011, 2:07 am
BLOGGING TIPS – Stealing Content & Ideas By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC September 2011 I was asked the other day whether I had ever ‘stolen ideas and/or content”? To be quite honest I was gob smacked! Now I can see you all shaking your heads and wondering if I have lost all of my ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Sep 27, 2011, 3:22 am
A Basic Practical Guide To Starting A Business – 9 November 2011 Hosted by Sisibukula, Viljoen Consulting, German Chamber and Business Engage (formerly WIF). Getting started in ... matter, trying to find out what you have to do and where you have to go in order to do it. A Basic Practical Guide T...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Sep 13, 2011, 2:31 am
BUSINESS TIPS – Company Operations Manual By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC – September 2011 Every company should have an Operations Manual. Okay, this is so important that I am going to have to say it again – irrespective of whether you have one employee, or one hundred employees or...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Sep 12, 2011, 2:46 am
MOTIVATION – Believe Your Dream By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – September 2011 Eleanor Roosevelt said “The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams”. Having recently watched “The Mountain Within” and read the book with the same title, by Herta Von Stiegel (http:...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Sep 7, 2011, 1:06 am
I first met Herta in July 2009 when she was our guest speaker at a Women In Finance Hot Tables Dinner and I was blown away by this 50+ year old tiny, soft spoken woman, who had climbed Mount Kilamanjaro and lead a team of 28 other climbers, some of who were mentally and physically disabled. She show...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Sep 5, 2011, 1:44 am
MOTIVATION – Making the Decision By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – September 2011 Harvey Mackay says “People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.” Yes – actually it is that simple! I think that for most of us, certainly for me, this is true....
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Aug 31, 2011, 11:14 pm
CPA – Consumer Complaint Procedure – Part 2 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC- September 2011 Following on from last time, let’s have a look at some more of the “how to” around the raising of a complaint, process. We have covered the different types of complaints as wel...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Aug 31, 2011, 5:23 am
Workshop: (Jhb) How to Complete a Tender Document – 14th September 2011 Brought to you by Viljoen Consulting, Sisibukula, WIF, Randburg Chamber and the German Chamber Accessing and completing tenders remains a mysterious area for most small businesses. Learn how to complete and submit a...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Aug 12, 2011, 1:45 am
ARTICLE 73 Some Strange Interview Questions By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC , August 2011 It was with great amusement that I read (and I must say absolutely enjoyed) an article that I received from “Job search clinic on behalf of Gerard Le Roux”, entitled “3 dumb ques...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Aug 4, 2011, 5:12 am
CPA – Consumer Complaint Procedure – Part 1 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC- August 2011 Much has been written and said about the new CPA (Consumer Protection Act) that was recently introduced to South Africa. Many have seen it in a positive light (and I am included in these), but m...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Aug 2, 2011, 8:56 am
BUSINESS TIPS – Some More Common Mistakes – Part 2 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC – August 2011 Let’s be honest here, we all have good days and bad – we’re human after all and sometimes that’s just the way things are. Of course that does not mean that we just sit back and ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Aug 1, 2011, 2:50 am
MOTIVATION – Victory Over Oneself By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – August 2011 Lao Tzu says “He who gains a victory over other men is strong; but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.” There have been several programs on TV over the last few months that have been...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 28, 2011, 3:08 am
BUSINESS TIPS – Some More Common Mistakes - Part 1 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC – July 2011 I had the opportunity to speak with one of my client’s this week, whose eyes became like saucers when I expanded on things that she could introduce and do within her business that she hadn...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 27, 2011, 10:22 am
BLOGGING TIPS – Learn Something New By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC July 2011 I must admit that there have been occasions when I have sat here in my office, word document in front of me, ready for me to just put something on it and nothing comes to mind. I can’t begin to tell you the...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 25, 2011, 1:36 am
MOTIVATION – Lack of . . . By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – July 2011 Ken Hakuta says “Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle.” Well I am not sure if “Lack of money” is not an obstacle – ask anyone who doesn’t have any (and I’m not talking abo...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 22, 2011, 2:17 am
ARTICLE 72 Failure to Disclose – Part 2 By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC , July 2011 So now, as promised, the not so nice ending for the employer – let’s bring in the protagonists. Michelle is the owner of a busy day Spa. Men and women come to spend an entire day, or even just an h...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 21, 2011, 9:50 am
EARLY WARNING - Intimidation By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – July 2011 Once again, I have received this mail from a colleague and once again, in my opinion it is better to be forewarned than dead! “URGENT WARNING - JHB Roads - And other areas - New intimidation methods Hi Ladies / ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 20, 2011, 9:05 am
BLOGGING TIPS – Full Time Blogging By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC July 2011 Someone asked me the other day if I had ever considered writing – blogs, articles, whatever - full time. My knee jerk reaction was to burst out laughing and reply “No, not for me thank you”. That was t...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 14, 2011, 7:27 am
EARLY WARNING – South African Telecoms Ripoff By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – July 2011 Whilst trawling on the internet the other day, I came across this article written by Charles Ash and I must admit to thinking “Finally, someone other than me thinks that we are being ripped off”...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 8, 2011, 3:29 am
ARTICLE 72 Failure to Disclose – Part 1 By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC , July 2011 I certainly have had a few clients that have been on the receiving end of this particular situation and all for the wrong reasons – however this topic, like most connected to HR, is a double sided coin...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 7, 2011, 10:03 am
EARLY WARNING Infant Car Seat on Roadside By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – July 2011 I have received this mail from a colleague and as such cannot vouch for whether it is true or not, but I do feel the need to pass it on, in case it is – forewarned is always forearmed. “While driving ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 6, 2011, 1:35 am
BLOGGING TIPS – Responding to Comments By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC July 2011 Most of you who know me, know that I have an opinion about most things and I am not afraid to voice that opinion. It wasn’t always like that – there was a time when I just kept quiet, sucked it up and ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 5, 2011, 1:09 am
BUSINESS TIPS – Common Mistakes Start-up Businesses Make - Part 2 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC – July 2011 Following on from last time, here are some more of the common mistakes that are made by SME’s (small, medium enterprises) and start-ups. Under charging for products and ser...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 4, 2011, 8:46 am
Cape Town Workshop - 19 July 2011 A Basic Practical Guide To Starting A Business – 19 July 2011 Hosted by Sisibukula, Viljoen Consulting, German Chamber, Randburg Chamber and WIF. Getting started in the right direction will ensure a smooth transition from 'wannabe' to business owner and will allow...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 4, 2011, 1:10 am
MOTIVATION – Don’t Compromise your Life By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – July 2011 I was extremely lucky to have ‘discovered’ my passion, quite by accident although I like to believe that it was by some sort of design. I couldn’t bear to think of working at a job that I wa...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jul 1, 2011, 1:10 am
ARTICLE 70 Religious Discrimination – Part 2 By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC - July 2011 As promised here is the story version of what happened at the CCMA. Let’s bring out the protagonists. Mike owns a very busy little gym in a quiet suburb and he has several body builder type staff...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 29, 2011, 1:16 am
BLOGGING TIPS – Great Articles equal Great Experiences By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC June 2011 One of the quickest ways to get me to unsubscribe, fire you as a service provider or indeed walk into your competitors lair, is to irritate me. You see, for it is not just about what the off...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 28, 2011, 1:37 am
BUSINESS TIPS – Common Mistakes Start-up Businesses Make – Part 1 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2011 More and more I am coming across individuals, who want to start up a business, who have no clue about what they are doing and who don’t have any kind of plan in place. No...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 28, 2011, 1:33 am
BUSINESS TIPS – Common Mistakes Start-up Businesses Make – Part 1 By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2011 More and more I am coming across individuals, who want to start up a business, who have no clue about what they are doing and who don’t have any kind of plan in place. No...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 27, 2011, 1:19 am
MOTIVATION – Liberate Your Future By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2011 The quote today comes from Marilyn Ferguson, who says “Your past is not your potential. In any hour you can choose to liberate the future.” Well there it is – my old friend “choice” has come to ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 24, 2011, 2:50 am
ARTICLE 70 Religious Discrimination – Part 1 By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC - June 2011 The law states, in Section 6 of the Employment Equity Act (EEA) that there can be no unfair discrimination against an employee on arbitrary grounds. One of these grounds of course, is religion and...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 23, 2011, 2:41 am
EARLY WARNING – Credit Card Fraud By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – June 2011 We seem to still be on the whole Credit Card experience – this was also received from a colleague. Again, how true it is, I couldn’t vouch for – but it does seem plausible and for me forewarned is always...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 20, 2011, 2:58 am
MOTIVATION – Greatness is Consistence By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2011 I recently attended the International Women’s Day Centenary Conference here in Johannesburg. Wow! What an intense but motivational experience that was. We were lucky enough to have some really inte...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 13, 2011, 2:37 am
MOTIVATION – Are you Part of the Problem By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2011 Well are you? Coretta Scott King writes “It doesn’t matter how strong your opinions are, if you don’t use your power for positive change, you are indeed, part of the problem.” Man, oh man, ...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 6, 2011, 3:20 am
MOTIVATION – Procrastination By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2011 The quote today is by an anonymous person who once said “Procrastination is the natural assassin of opportunity.” Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy – the universe certainly delivered a swift sharp well aimed boot to...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 3, 2011, 1:19 am
ARTICLE 69 Showing Remorse By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC - June 2011 To be quite honest, this particular case “bent” my mind in several different directions simultaneously, and not in a good way either. What it also did however, was clearly highlight the need to use someone with the...
Comment - Like

Ivan A. posted an article on Business Reality Bites - Jun 2, 2011, 1:50 am
EARLY WARNING Credit Card Theft By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – June 2011 I received this mail from a colleague and now pass it on in an attempt to halt this particular type of theft. The article appears to have been taken from the website http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/spears_m. “A ...
Comment - Like