MOTIVATION – A Certain Set of Attitudes
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – August 2009
Hugh Dawns says “A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.”
I attended a Women’s month function at GIBS last week and what an inspiring bunch of women I met there.
One of the issues that came out of the interactions was the fact that here in South Africa, failure is viewed in a very negative light. The reality of life however, shows failure very differently.
You see, if you look at the history books, really successful people have all at one time or another been failures. Their one redeeming quality however is the manner in which they reacted to, or how they handled their failures. They got back up and tried again, and again, and again. If the truth be told they continued to try until they got it right.
They certainly did no lie there broken in heart and spirit, moaning about how the government, the tax man, the economy, the competition (insert any thing else that you would like here) have caused their downfall. They have picked themselves up, dusted themselves down, taken what they have learnt from the experience and tried again.
Whatever the circumstances that they have found themselves in, their attitude to what they actually want to achieve has been their driving force and it is what has fueled their passion.
So use your energy differently. Instead of blaming everyone and everything for what is happening to you – turn it around and look at the lessons that you can or have learnt. Use those lessons wisely, get back up onto your feet and with your eyes fixed firmly on the future – try again.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . You Need Those Wall Charts
ARTICLE 40
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . You Need Those Wall Charts
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
About 98% of the companies that I assess actually are not compliant in terms of the wall charts that are required to be displayed.
You see both the employers and the employees are required to be aware of and even understand the minimum requirements of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Employment Equity Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It is a legal requirement to display these wall charts. Not only are they required to be displayed, but furthermore they are required to be easily accessible to all staff. Should the Department of Labour arrive at your office door and request to view these wall charts and you don’t have them, you may very well be in for a hefty fine. So it really is a good idea to be proactive about this.
Here’s the thing though, although it is incumbent upon employers to comply with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and/or the Employment Equity Act and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employees also have a part to play in ensuring that their obligations are carried out.
In terms of the latest upgrades of the Employment Equity Act, Companies and Government Departments are required to compile equity plans and these too are required to be displayed on notice boards. These plans also need to be discussed with the employees and/or their representative trade unions. Some small businesses may be exempt from this, but the minimum requirements would need to be checked.
In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the minute 5 or more people are employed, there is a requirement to implement a health and safety structure in order to sustain the well being of employees and you are further required to create a healthy and safe working environment. Common sense though, should always prevail and whether you employ one person or one hundred, people have the right to work in a safe environment.
Obtaining these wall charts need not be a problem either. My suppliers, Riana at National Office (riana@grpym.co.za) will supply and deliver in Gauteng, all your wall chart and any other stationary that you may require. Give her a call on 011 838 7907.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . You Need Those Wall Charts
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
About 98% of the companies that I assess actually are not compliant in terms of the wall charts that are required to be displayed.
You see both the employers and the employees are required to be aware of and even understand the minimum requirements of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Employment Equity Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It is a legal requirement to display these wall charts. Not only are they required to be displayed, but furthermore they are required to be easily accessible to all staff. Should the Department of Labour arrive at your office door and request to view these wall charts and you don’t have them, you may very well be in for a hefty fine. So it really is a good idea to be proactive about this.
Here’s the thing though, although it is incumbent upon employers to comply with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and/or the Employment Equity Act and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employees also have a part to play in ensuring that their obligations are carried out.
In terms of the latest upgrades of the Employment Equity Act, Companies and Government Departments are required to compile equity plans and these too are required to be displayed on notice boards. These plans also need to be discussed with the employees and/or their representative trade unions. Some small businesses may be exempt from this, but the minimum requirements would need to be checked.
In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the minute 5 or more people are employed, there is a requirement to implement a health and safety structure in order to sustain the well being of employees and you are further required to create a healthy and safe working environment. Common sense though, should always prevail and whether you employ one person or one hundred, people have the right to work in a safe environment.
Obtaining these wall charts need not be a problem either. My suppliers, Riana at National Office (riana@grpym.co.za) will supply and deliver in Gauteng, all your wall chart and any other stationary that you may require. Give her a call on 011 838 7907.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Thursday, August 27, 2009
MARKETING - The E-Mail Way - Part 3
MARKETING
The E-mail Way – Part 3
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
Following on from last week –
I often sit in the traffic, waiting for the robot to change, watching the guys on the side of the road or in between the cars trying to hand out their pamphlets to the drivers and passengers of the impatiently waiting populace. What a thankless task that is and very clearly, one that I would not enjoy doing at all.
Not only is that a really thankless task, but it is also one that is almost impossible to measure. Many of the pamphlets get dumped before they are even handed out. Most business individuals will tell you that if you can’t measure it, it is pretty much not much use.
Well, using e-mail marketing, it is really easy to track who responds and in doing so you will also be able to measure the success of your e-mail marketing.
Using e-mails and the internet effectively as well as it being so cost effective, makes e-mail marketing good business sense. It is a great way to reach a small number of people or even a large number of people quickly, and with a minimum of fuss. It saves time and yet is also a really effective way to keep in contact with your colleagues and even friends and family.
Clearly it is time for me to follow my own advice and start marketing myself using e-mail marketing.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
The E-mail Way – Part 3
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
Following on from last week –
I often sit in the traffic, waiting for the robot to change, watching the guys on the side of the road or in between the cars trying to hand out their pamphlets to the drivers and passengers of the impatiently waiting populace. What a thankless task that is and very clearly, one that I would not enjoy doing at all.
Not only is that a really thankless task, but it is also one that is almost impossible to measure. Many of the pamphlets get dumped before they are even handed out. Most business individuals will tell you that if you can’t measure it, it is pretty much not much use.
Well, using e-mail marketing, it is really easy to track who responds and in doing so you will also be able to measure the success of your e-mail marketing.
Using e-mails and the internet effectively as well as it being so cost effective, makes e-mail marketing good business sense. It is a great way to reach a small number of people or even a large number of people quickly, and with a minimum of fuss. It saves time and yet is also a really effective way to keep in contact with your colleagues and even friends and family.
Clearly it is time for me to follow my own advice and start marketing myself using e-mail marketing.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Power of Networking - Part 126
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
PART 126
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC. August 2009
I attended a workshop last week that was facilitated by Iain Johnston of Iain Johnston Consulting (http://www.ijc.co.za ) . What an interesting time I had and I also got some great tips on all sorts of things from him too.
One of these tips was something along the lines of – when engaged in dialogue with someone, wait for 5 seconds after they have finished talking before you respond with your own comments.
There are several reasons for this, but one of the most important ones is that the other person really feels that, not have you heard everything that they have said, but that you are also really thoughtfully considering what they have said before you respond. It’s like you are weighing up their words carefully.
It also makes them feel that you have taken a real interest in what they have to say rather than just waiting for them to pause for a breath before you jump right in with whatever you have to say.
In reality, what it actually does too, is give you a chance to formulate an intelligent response to what has just been said rather than you making a complete toss of yourself by firing off a response before you have even heard the end of the sentence.
I know that I am very guilty of this and always seem to be in a hurry to have my say. Truth be told though, the other person also has the right to be heard and probably also has the same desire as I do, to be heard.
Jumping right off the mark like that may well mean that I get to ‘say my say’ really quickly, but it will not guarantee that my say is actually heard or even that if it is heard that it is understood and quite frankly what is the point of me having my say if it is not heard and/or understood.
So a huge big thank you to Iain for making me aware of this and in my new found awareness, my understanding of the fact that by slowing down and pausing before I jump right in, I will be Networking far more effectively.
By Networking more effectively, I will be building better and stronger relationships and better and stronger relationships will result in more and more sustainable business coming my way.
Bottom line, slow down – smell the roses, drink and savour the coffee. Life was not meant to be lived at break neck speed.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
PART 126
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC. August 2009
I attended a workshop last week that was facilitated by Iain Johnston of Iain Johnston Consulting (http://www.ijc.co.za ) . What an interesting time I had and I also got some great tips on all sorts of things from him too.
One of these tips was something along the lines of – when engaged in dialogue with someone, wait for 5 seconds after they have finished talking before you respond with your own comments.
There are several reasons for this, but one of the most important ones is that the other person really feels that, not have you heard everything that they have said, but that you are also really thoughtfully considering what they have said before you respond. It’s like you are weighing up their words carefully.
It also makes them feel that you have taken a real interest in what they have to say rather than just waiting for them to pause for a breath before you jump right in with whatever you have to say.
In reality, what it actually does too, is give you a chance to formulate an intelligent response to what has just been said rather than you making a complete toss of yourself by firing off a response before you have even heard the end of the sentence.
I know that I am very guilty of this and always seem to be in a hurry to have my say. Truth be told though, the other person also has the right to be heard and probably also has the same desire as I do, to be heard.
Jumping right off the mark like that may well mean that I get to ‘say my say’ really quickly, but it will not guarantee that my say is actually heard or even that if it is heard that it is understood and quite frankly what is the point of me having my say if it is not heard and/or understood.
So a huge big thank you to Iain for making me aware of this and in my new found awareness, my understanding of the fact that by slowing down and pausing before I jump right in, I will be Networking far more effectively.
By Networking more effectively, I will be building better and stronger relationships and better and stronger relationships will result in more and more sustainable business coming my way.
Bottom line, slow down – smell the roses, drink and savour the coffee. Life was not meant to be lived at break neck speed.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
VAT - Reimbursement from Clients
VAT – Reimbursement From Clients
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
As VAT vendors we cannot claim VAT on invoices that pertain to accommodation for ourselves and/or our staff. But what happens if we book and pay for accommodation for our clients and then we need to be reimbursed by the client?
Mike owns a training and facilitation company.
Mike is holding a two day workshop at a local conference centre but in view of the fact that Mike has extended the invitation to attend his workshop to his entire database, there are clients coming from all over the country.
Mike has committed to booking his ‘out of town’ clients into several B & B establishments that are close to the conference centre.
All of these B & B’s are VAT registered and Mike is obliged to pay VAT across. Now, how does he charge his clients for this and can he claim this VAT back?
Well let me answer the second half of the question first. Yes he can claim the VAT back.
Now back to the “how” he gets reimbursed by the client.
Let’s say for example that the B & B’s in the area charges R200.00 plus VAT at 14%. The total cost for each delegate would then be R228.00.
Mike’s invoice to his client would look something like:
Cost of two day workshop per delegate R2 000.00
Cost of B & B R 200.00
-----------
R2 200.00
VAT R 308.00
-----------
Total Due R2 528.00
At the end of Mike’s VAT period, Mike would be able to claim the full R308.00 as an offset to his input/output calculation because the accommodation part was paid for on behalf of his clients. R280 of this would be the VAT portion pertaining to the cost of his workshop and the balance of R28.00, which of course was the VAT portion that he paid for the delegates accommodation on behalf of the his client.
If Mike had also paid for the client’s travel to and from the venue in terms of airfare or even bus and/or rail travel, the VAT of this too could be claimed back in the same way.
Please don’t always assume that you cannot claim things back. If you are not sure, contact your nearest SARS office and ask. Be sure to give them all the correct facts and will often be surprised at exactly what can be claimed back. Remember to get the persons name that you spoke to and if possible a reference number.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
As VAT vendors we cannot claim VAT on invoices that pertain to accommodation for ourselves and/or our staff. But what happens if we book and pay for accommodation for our clients and then we need to be reimbursed by the client?
Mike owns a training and facilitation company.
Mike is holding a two day workshop at a local conference centre but in view of the fact that Mike has extended the invitation to attend his workshop to his entire database, there are clients coming from all over the country.
Mike has committed to booking his ‘out of town’ clients into several B & B establishments that are close to the conference centre.
All of these B & B’s are VAT registered and Mike is obliged to pay VAT across. Now, how does he charge his clients for this and can he claim this VAT back?
Well let me answer the second half of the question first. Yes he can claim the VAT back.
Now back to the “how” he gets reimbursed by the client.
Let’s say for example that the B & B’s in the area charges R200.00 plus VAT at 14%. The total cost for each delegate would then be R228.00.
Mike’s invoice to his client would look something like:
Cost of two day workshop per delegate R2 000.00
Cost of B & B R 200.00
-----------
R2 200.00
VAT R 308.00
-----------
Total Due R2 528.00
At the end of Mike’s VAT period, Mike would be able to claim the full R308.00 as an offset to his input/output calculation because the accommodation part was paid for on behalf of his clients. R280 of this would be the VAT portion pertaining to the cost of his workshop and the balance of R28.00, which of course was the VAT portion that he paid for the delegates accommodation on behalf of the his client.
If Mike had also paid for the client’s travel to and from the venue in terms of airfare or even bus and/or rail travel, the VAT of this too could be claimed back in the same way.
Please don’t always assume that you cannot claim things back. If you are not sure, contact your nearest SARS office and ask. Be sure to give them all the correct facts and will often be surprised at exactly what can be claimed back. Remember to get the persons name that you spoke to and if possible a reference number.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, August 24, 2009
MOTIVATION - Put Pen to Paper
MOTIVATION – Put Pen to Paper
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
Even before I started my business in 2003 (yes I am a statistic – a good statistic), my friend and mentor Vanessa, kept telling me that I should write. “Write it down, it will become your affirmation . . .” she kept telling me and I promise you, I really resisted – hard!
I resisted like you wouldn’t believe – you see, for many years, while working in the Corporate sector, I wrote procedures – hundreds and hundreds of procedures and I felt stifled by the thought of having to write. The mere thought of writing anything made my heart sink and my mind rebelled – so I resisted. Silly me!
About 4 years ago I got really interested in blogs. It seemed like everywhere I went, I heard about blogs and so began my research. At some level, even if it was subconsciously, I understood that although the electronic age is upon us and many people don’t even know how to manually write anymore, information is critical and in order to share that information with people other than one person at a time it is necessary to write.
And so my blog was born. In view of the fact that I was so anti writing at this point, it was pretty limited to a networking tip, once a week. The rest of my posts usually comprised of some or other interesting titbit which I then reproduced on the blog and made comment on.
As my reluctance to write dissipated, I found that I had more to say on issues relating to small business and more importantly I found that I was actually pretty good at writing and then horror of horrors, I found that I was actually rather enjoyed writing allowed myself to expand my writing to several other topics. Topics like Motivation and Business Tips as well as Sales and Marketing, HR and of course my passion about Networking. Hell I even started writing new procedures again.
So what has this got to do with writing down affirmations? Well you see as I write and document my thoughts, I often find that I not only write about what I have researched or what my observations are, in terms of what the issues are that face small business owners, but I also seem to write down what I most need to hear. The words do not only pertain to the facts and the figures, but also to the emotions and feelings that I happen to be experiencing at that moment in time and of course don’t forget they also reflect my particular brand of humour.
These feelings somehow appear on the page and they are in fact, my feelings, my hopes, my fears, my joys, my expectations and therefore my aspirations – but they are also often things that I need to hear or be told – ironically I am the doing the telling! How cool (and a bit weird) is that?
Writing has now become a part of my life and I can now, no longer even imagine a day going by without me putting pen to paper.
Much of my writing does not appear on my blogs, or in the newspaper or in magazines – much is for my own pleasure and most of it is written by hand with my 32 year old fountain pen. Much of what I have written has been very painful and much has brought about tears of laughter as I remember things, ideas, dreams and moments in time. That said, ALL of it has helped me to see things more clearly, to grow both in my business and also within myself.
All of it has challenged me and stretched my mind and all of it has been beneficial to me as a person.
So let me be “my” Vanessa to you – write down your aspirations, write them down daily or even twice a day or more. Write them down and see how much more clearly you look at the world around you, look at how much you grow and how much easier you find it is to achieve your goals.
Just write it down . . .
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
Even before I started my business in 2003 (yes I am a statistic – a good statistic), my friend and mentor Vanessa, kept telling me that I should write. “Write it down, it will become your affirmation . . .” she kept telling me and I promise you, I really resisted – hard!
I resisted like you wouldn’t believe – you see, for many years, while working in the Corporate sector, I wrote procedures – hundreds and hundreds of procedures and I felt stifled by the thought of having to write. The mere thought of writing anything made my heart sink and my mind rebelled – so I resisted. Silly me!
About 4 years ago I got really interested in blogs. It seemed like everywhere I went, I heard about blogs and so began my research. At some level, even if it was subconsciously, I understood that although the electronic age is upon us and many people don’t even know how to manually write anymore, information is critical and in order to share that information with people other than one person at a time it is necessary to write.
And so my blog was born. In view of the fact that I was so anti writing at this point, it was pretty limited to a networking tip, once a week. The rest of my posts usually comprised of some or other interesting titbit which I then reproduced on the blog and made comment on.
As my reluctance to write dissipated, I found that I had more to say on issues relating to small business and more importantly I found that I was actually pretty good at writing and then horror of horrors, I found that I was actually rather enjoyed writing allowed myself to expand my writing to several other topics. Topics like Motivation and Business Tips as well as Sales and Marketing, HR and of course my passion about Networking. Hell I even started writing new procedures again.
So what has this got to do with writing down affirmations? Well you see as I write and document my thoughts, I often find that I not only write about what I have researched or what my observations are, in terms of what the issues are that face small business owners, but I also seem to write down what I most need to hear. The words do not only pertain to the facts and the figures, but also to the emotions and feelings that I happen to be experiencing at that moment in time and of course don’t forget they also reflect my particular brand of humour.
These feelings somehow appear on the page and they are in fact, my feelings, my hopes, my fears, my joys, my expectations and therefore my aspirations – but they are also often things that I need to hear or be told – ironically I am the doing the telling! How cool (and a bit weird) is that?
Writing has now become a part of my life and I can now, no longer even imagine a day going by without me putting pen to paper.
Much of my writing does not appear on my blogs, or in the newspaper or in magazines – much is for my own pleasure and most of it is written by hand with my 32 year old fountain pen. Much of what I have written has been very painful and much has brought about tears of laughter as I remember things, ideas, dreams and moments in time. That said, ALL of it has helped me to see things more clearly, to grow both in my business and also within myself.
All of it has challenged me and stretched my mind and all of it has been beneficial to me as a person.
So let me be “my” Vanessa to you – write down your aspirations, write them down daily or even twice a day or more. Write them down and see how much more clearly you look at the world around you, look at how much you grow and how much easier you find it is to achieve your goals.
Just write it down . . .
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Friday, August 21, 2009
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Restraint of Trade - Part 2
ARTICLE 39
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Restraint of Trade – Part 2
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
Following on from last week, we are having a look at a case of “Restraint of Trade” that was upheld by the courts.
In this instance, Mike our favorite protagonist works in a motor vehicle service centre where he does specialized diagnostic testing (let’s call them 123 Motor City).
Again, Mike is offered a position with a competitor ( let’s call them ABC Motor City), but this time he has been enticed across, not because of his work skills but in at attempt by ABC Motor City to gain access to the internal processes of 123 Motor City as well as their client data base.
Again Mike is served with papers to appear in court as 123 Motor City attempt to invoke the “Restraint of Trade” clause.
This time Mike is not successful in defending the application due to (but not Limited to) the following.
· Mike started at 123 Motor City fresh out of school. All of his work skills and diagnostic training was gained when 123 Motor City sent Mike to college and workshops and training courses (and paid for these too). 123 Motor City was therefore able to distinguish between the proprietary to it and Mike’s general knowledge and skills.
· Mike did posses information pertaining to 123 Motor City, that was of a confidential nature, and he had furthermore attended many in house training sessions and the result of this was that many of his skills and knowledge was specifically about the processes and systems and products of 123 Motor City.
· As a direct result of this Mike was in possession of trade secrets and client information – both of which were of a confidential nature. If Mike shared any and/or all of this information with ABC Motor City it could be used against 123 Motor City and also used to their disadvantage.
The bottom line was that as far as the courts were concerned, the fact that there was any risk whatsoever, of disclosure of confidential information, be it of 123 Motor City’s processes and/or product information and/or worth ethics and/or clients, any one of these was sufficient to justify the Court’s decision to prevent Mike from taking up employment with ABC Motor City.
The Court therefore enforced the Restraint of Trade clause.
So remember, be specific with what you want to prevent. Be specific and realistic about the time that your want the restraint to be in force and always be fair.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Restraint of Trade – Part 2
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
Following on from last week, we are having a look at a case of “Restraint of Trade” that was upheld by the courts.
In this instance, Mike our favorite protagonist works in a motor vehicle service centre where he does specialized diagnostic testing (let’s call them 123 Motor City).
Again, Mike is offered a position with a competitor ( let’s call them ABC Motor City), but this time he has been enticed across, not because of his work skills but in at attempt by ABC Motor City to gain access to the internal processes of 123 Motor City as well as their client data base.
Again Mike is served with papers to appear in court as 123 Motor City attempt to invoke the “Restraint of Trade” clause.
This time Mike is not successful in defending the application due to (but not Limited to) the following.
· Mike started at 123 Motor City fresh out of school. All of his work skills and diagnostic training was gained when 123 Motor City sent Mike to college and workshops and training courses (and paid for these too). 123 Motor City was therefore able to distinguish between the proprietary to it and Mike’s general knowledge and skills.
· Mike did posses information pertaining to 123 Motor City, that was of a confidential nature, and he had furthermore attended many in house training sessions and the result of this was that many of his skills and knowledge was specifically about the processes and systems and products of 123 Motor City.
· As a direct result of this Mike was in possession of trade secrets and client information – both of which were of a confidential nature. If Mike shared any and/or all of this information with ABC Motor City it could be used against 123 Motor City and also used to their disadvantage.
The bottom line was that as far as the courts were concerned, the fact that there was any risk whatsoever, of disclosure of confidential information, be it of 123 Motor City’s processes and/or product information and/or worth ethics and/or clients, any one of these was sufficient to justify the Court’s decision to prevent Mike from taking up employment with ABC Motor City.
The Court therefore enforced the Restraint of Trade clause.
So remember, be specific with what you want to prevent. Be specific and realistic about the time that your want the restraint to be in force and always be fair.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Thursday, August 20, 2009
MARKETING - The E-Mail Way - Part 2
MARKETING
The E-mail Way – Part 2
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
Following on from last week –
One of the tings that I have learnt from managing my database and Networking is that people have to constantly be reminded about you. Who you are, and what it is that you do.
In view of this it is extremely important to have your branding on everything that you do. Every mail that you send out should be properly branded and by using e-mail marketing, something (even if it is just a short newsletter of sorts) should go out on a regular basis, in order to build up and or maintain your data base.
Small businesses do not have the kind of cash flow that supports the big name brands such as Coca-Cola®, who spend millions on ad campaigns on TV, in the newspapers, in magazines and on billboards (to name but a few), to get their name embedded in the minds of Joe Public. So how do we do it?
Again one of the most cost effective ways to run an ad campaign would be through the use of e-mails. This would have a similar impact at a fraction of the cost.
E-mail also reaches the entire world which means that your product/service would also reach friends, family and customers where-ever they are in the world. E-mail marketing knows no boundaries.
We are living in a technological age and this also means that most of what we do can be automated and this includes the use of E-mails for marketing. There are systems available that add new customers or friends or e-mail addresses to your data base. You don’t actually have to physically add all the addresses in yourself, this can be automated making the task even more simple and even more cost effective – how cool is that? In fact, if the truth be told, there are even systems that will send follow up mails and prompt clients and prospective client to respond and even update their own information on your database as well as unsubscribe. Now that’s technology for you!
Next week we will continue with some more advantages of e-mail marketing.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
The E-mail Way – Part 2
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
Following on from last week –
One of the tings that I have learnt from managing my database and Networking is that people have to constantly be reminded about you. Who you are, and what it is that you do.
In view of this it is extremely important to have your branding on everything that you do. Every mail that you send out should be properly branded and by using e-mail marketing, something (even if it is just a short newsletter of sorts) should go out on a regular basis, in order to build up and or maintain your data base.
Small businesses do not have the kind of cash flow that supports the big name brands such as Coca-Cola®, who spend millions on ad campaigns on TV, in the newspapers, in magazines and on billboards (to name but a few), to get their name embedded in the minds of Joe Public. So how do we do it?
Again one of the most cost effective ways to run an ad campaign would be through the use of e-mails. This would have a similar impact at a fraction of the cost.
E-mail also reaches the entire world which means that your product/service would also reach friends, family and customers where-ever they are in the world. E-mail marketing knows no boundaries.
We are living in a technological age and this also means that most of what we do can be automated and this includes the use of E-mails for marketing. There are systems available that add new customers or friends or e-mail addresses to your data base. You don’t actually have to physically add all the addresses in yourself, this can be automated making the task even more simple and even more cost effective – how cool is that? In fact, if the truth be told, there are even systems that will send follow up mails and prompt clients and prospective client to respond and even update their own information on your database as well as unsubscribe. Now that’s technology for you!
Next week we will continue with some more advantages of e-mail marketing.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Power of Networking - Part 125
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
PART 125
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – August 2009
Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:
“Prepare you elevator speech. Who are you? Where do you work? What benefit is what you do to the person you are speaking with?”
There seems to a great deal of confusion as to what information should be included in an elevator pitch. Before I go into more detail about what it is, let me just be clear about exactly what it isn’t.
It is NOT an opportunity for you to tell your life story, explain in minute detail how you got to the point in your life where you currently are. It is not about your hopes, your dreams and your aspirations.
Now that I have gotten that off my chest – what it is, is a short one to two liner exactly as Renate lists it.
What is your name?
Who do you work for?
What do you do?
What is the benefit of your product and/or service?
It really is that simple – any more and your elevator speech becomes a lecture – any less and in all probability, no one will understand what it is that you are trying to get across.
Here’s the thing though – you really have to have something that sets you apart from the rest and you really have to practice it so that when you deliver it in front of a huge crowd of people, you sound like you know what you are talking about.
Imagine if you will, a room full of people and there are 5 bookkeepers. What makes each one unique and believe me they are? It might be that one specializes in tax or one deals mainly with payroll issues or one helps people to manage their own books. Whatever sets you apart from the rest is “what is key” to your elevator pitch. Whether it is something that is unique to your product and/or service or you or whether you make a statement that gets people thinking or makes them want to know more about you and what it is that you do – it’s about what makes you different.
Remember to keep it short – no more than 30 seconds or so. Also, remember to keep it real – your integrity and credibility should never be in question or be brought into disrepute.
Now – where is that mirror to practice in front of?
For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.hirs.co.za
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
PART 125
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – August 2009
Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:
“Prepare you elevator speech. Who are you? Where do you work? What benefit is what you do to the person you are speaking with?”
There seems to a great deal of confusion as to what information should be included in an elevator pitch. Before I go into more detail about what it is, let me just be clear about exactly what it isn’t.
It is NOT an opportunity for you to tell your life story, explain in minute detail how you got to the point in your life where you currently are. It is not about your hopes, your dreams and your aspirations.
Now that I have gotten that off my chest – what it is, is a short one to two liner exactly as Renate lists it.
What is your name?
Who do you work for?
What do you do?
What is the benefit of your product and/or service?
It really is that simple – any more and your elevator speech becomes a lecture – any less and in all probability, no one will understand what it is that you are trying to get across.
Here’s the thing though – you really have to have something that sets you apart from the rest and you really have to practice it so that when you deliver it in front of a huge crowd of people, you sound like you know what you are talking about.
Imagine if you will, a room full of people and there are 5 bookkeepers. What makes each one unique and believe me they are? It might be that one specializes in tax or one deals mainly with payroll issues or one helps people to manage their own books. Whatever sets you apart from the rest is “what is key” to your elevator pitch. Whether it is something that is unique to your product and/or service or you or whether you make a statement that gets people thinking or makes them want to know more about you and what it is that you do – it’s about what makes you different.
Remember to keep it short – no more than 30 seconds or so. Also, remember to keep it real – your integrity and credibility should never be in question or be brought into disrepute.
Now – where is that mirror to practice in front of?
For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.hirs.co.za
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
VAT - Staff Uniforms
VAT – Staff Uniforms
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
So what is the story with staff uniforms? Staff take their uniforms home, particularly items such as safety boots and wear them outside of work too. In view of this can we claim VAT?
The answer is ‘yes of course’ you can. According to legislation, not only goods that are purchased for resale or supplies purchased for making product and/or manufacturing goods can be claimed for, but also goods purchased for consumption in the company and/or goods used in the course of making taxable products.
So staff uniforms, such as (but not limited to) overalls or boots or hardhats and goggles and the like can all have input tax claimed on them, provided of course that you obtain the relevant tax invoice.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
So what is the story with staff uniforms? Staff take their uniforms home, particularly items such as safety boots and wear them outside of work too. In view of this can we claim VAT?
The answer is ‘yes of course’ you can. According to legislation, not only goods that are purchased for resale or supplies purchased for making product and/or manufacturing goods can be claimed for, but also goods purchased for consumption in the company and/or goods used in the course of making taxable products.
So staff uniforms, such as (but not limited to) overalls or boots or hardhats and goggles and the like can all have input tax claimed on them, provided of course that you obtain the relevant tax invoice.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, August 17, 2009
MOTIVATION - Achievements
MOTIVATION – Achievements
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
David T Schwartz says “All great achievements require time”.
Well this is one area that I am seriously found wanting – not the achievements part, but certainly the time part.
Like most people, I want instant gratification. I want results and I want them right now!
Sounds familiar – doesn’t it?
We flick a switch and we want the light to come on. We put our card into the ATM and we want the money to come out. We turn a key and we want the car to start.
Yet, think about it for a moment – can you imagine an instant sunrise or sunset? Isn’t part of the wonder , the magnificence and the beauty to watch the sunrise from the first hint of light to the brilliance of the colours, the freshness of the new day and the understanding of new beginnings?
Think back on all the most special moments of your life – none of them were a single moment, but rather a culmination of moments leading up to something incredibly special. They usually involve some, if not all of your senses and always take time to build up before the results are in.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the magical moments take time to arrive – it’s a process, so take the time to savor them and enjoy them.
So to is it with achievements. We work hard, we practice hard and through all of this, in time – we achieve. Remember that there are small achievements and there are large achievements.
The size and the caliber of the achievement is attributable to the goals, aspirations and dreams of the individual.
So don’t try and rush it, enjoy the journey, live the dream and savor the rewards.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
David T Schwartz says “All great achievements require time”.
Well this is one area that I am seriously found wanting – not the achievements part, but certainly the time part.
Like most people, I want instant gratification. I want results and I want them right now!
Sounds familiar – doesn’t it?
We flick a switch and we want the light to come on. We put our card into the ATM and we want the money to come out. We turn a key and we want the car to start.
Yet, think about it for a moment – can you imagine an instant sunrise or sunset? Isn’t part of the wonder , the magnificence and the beauty to watch the sunrise from the first hint of light to the brilliance of the colours, the freshness of the new day and the understanding of new beginnings?
Think back on all the most special moments of your life – none of them were a single moment, but rather a culmination of moments leading up to something incredibly special. They usually involve some, if not all of your senses and always take time to build up before the results are in.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the magical moments take time to arrive – it’s a process, so take the time to savor them and enjoy them.
So to is it with achievements. We work hard, we practice hard and through all of this, in time – we achieve. Remember that there are small achievements and there are large achievements.
The size and the caliber of the achievement is attributable to the goals, aspirations and dreams of the individual.
So don’t try and rush it, enjoy the journey, live the dream and savor the rewards.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Friday, August 14, 2009
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Restraint of Trade - Part 1
ARTICLE 39 – PART 1
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Restraint of Trade – Part 1
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
There has been a great deal of speculation about “Restraint’s of Trade” in an Employee’s Letter/Contract of Employment.
Here are some of the facts:-
· Our constitution states that we have a right to work.
· The courts will only enforce a “Restraint of Trade” agreement on a case-by-case basis. Each case is looked at specifically and individually.
So the bottom line is that there is no hard and fast rule.
Here’s the story.
Our favorite protagonist, Mike works as a program developer in ABC IT Solutions. Mike has a contract of employment that has a restraint of trade clause that specifies that Mike cannot work for a competitor for a period of 24 months.
Mike, after working for the company for a period of 5 years, is offered a senior position, with a whole lot of additional items in his package, with a competitor (let’s call them XYZ IT Solutions). ABC IT Solutions refused to even discuss matching what was offered to Mike and Mike decided to leave and join the XYZ IT Solutions. ABC IT Solutions decided to invoke the Restraint of Trade clause and Mike is presented with documents to appear in court.
Here’s the thing – Mike is changing employment to better himself, he is not changing employment to transfer company skills and to transfer information to his new employer.
In this instance, Mike already had his skills when he joined ABC IT Solutions, therefore his skills and ‘Know How’ are vested in himself rather than in ABC IT Solutions.
Furthermore his contract of employment is not specific at all – Mike has not been stopped for working in a specific demographic area or geographic area but rather has been stropped from working anywhere for a period of two years.
XYZ IT Solutions have their own client base and if view of the kind of product and/or service that they sell, their target market is similar but not exactly the same as that of ABC IT Solutions.
Mike’s ability to program software in direct response to the client’s needs and specifications, means that he is not taking any trade secrets or confidential information with him – he is using his own knowledge and Intellectual Property. The knowledge that Mike has is quite generic to the trade, his ability to interpret the client’s request however and his ability to provide software that solves client’s problems at an affordable price, is unique to himself.
In this case, Mike won his case as the court decided that:
· The restraint of trade was too broad and not specific. To uphold it would mean that Mike would not be able to work in his profession, anywhere in the world, for a period of two years.
· The knowledge and skills that Mike has, are his own and do not, in any way constitute any kind of trade secrets or confidential information that may belong to the Company.
· ABC IT Solutions could not isolate what its Intellectual Property was or even differentiate between what was theirs or what belonged to Mike.
Next week we will look at when a Restraint of Trade was upheld.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Restraint of Trade – Part 1
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
There has been a great deal of speculation about “Restraint’s of Trade” in an Employee’s Letter/Contract of Employment.
Here are some of the facts:-
· Our constitution states that we have a right to work.
· The courts will only enforce a “Restraint of Trade” agreement on a case-by-case basis. Each case is looked at specifically and individually.
So the bottom line is that there is no hard and fast rule.
Here’s the story.
Our favorite protagonist, Mike works as a program developer in ABC IT Solutions. Mike has a contract of employment that has a restraint of trade clause that specifies that Mike cannot work for a competitor for a period of 24 months.
Mike, after working for the company for a period of 5 years, is offered a senior position, with a whole lot of additional items in his package, with a competitor (let’s call them XYZ IT Solutions). ABC IT Solutions refused to even discuss matching what was offered to Mike and Mike decided to leave and join the XYZ IT Solutions. ABC IT Solutions decided to invoke the Restraint of Trade clause and Mike is presented with documents to appear in court.
Here’s the thing – Mike is changing employment to better himself, he is not changing employment to transfer company skills and to transfer information to his new employer.
In this instance, Mike already had his skills when he joined ABC IT Solutions, therefore his skills and ‘Know How’ are vested in himself rather than in ABC IT Solutions.
Furthermore his contract of employment is not specific at all – Mike has not been stopped for working in a specific demographic area or geographic area but rather has been stropped from working anywhere for a period of two years.
XYZ IT Solutions have their own client base and if view of the kind of product and/or service that they sell, their target market is similar but not exactly the same as that of ABC IT Solutions.
Mike’s ability to program software in direct response to the client’s needs and specifications, means that he is not taking any trade secrets or confidential information with him – he is using his own knowledge and Intellectual Property. The knowledge that Mike has is quite generic to the trade, his ability to interpret the client’s request however and his ability to provide software that solves client’s problems at an affordable price, is unique to himself.
In this case, Mike won his case as the court decided that:
· The restraint of trade was too broad and not specific. To uphold it would mean that Mike would not be able to work in his profession, anywhere in the world, for a period of two years.
· The knowledge and skills that Mike has, are his own and do not, in any way constitute any kind of trade secrets or confidential information that may belong to the Company.
· ABC IT Solutions could not isolate what its Intellectual Property was or even differentiate between what was theirs or what belonged to Mike.
Next week we will look at when a Restraint of Trade was upheld.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Thursday, August 13, 2009
MARKETING - The E-Mail Way - Part 1
MARKETING
The E-mail Way – Part 1
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
On a personal level, I am often quite resentful of e-mail marketing – probably as much as I used to resent what we used to call ‘junk mail’, remember how it used to fill our letter boxes to overflowing.
It must work though, as it didn’t seem to stop the hundred and thousands of companies that had their leaflets shoved into literally millions of letter boxes throughout the country. Nor does it seem to stop the thousands of people throughout the world who market their wares both legal or not, by means of internet and e-mail marketing.
Let’s have a look at some of the advantages that are directly attributed to e-mail marketing.
The reality of the situation is that e-mail is one of the most useful and widely used tools known to the world today. Most people have access to email either at home or at work (if not both). It is easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Many of us get some sort of e-mail marketing on a daily basis.
Most of us, in a business sense and particularly small businesses do not use e-mail effectively as a marketing tool, which is quite silly really because e-mail marketing is probably the easiest and most cost effective way in which to reach a large number of people/customers, in a short space of time and with very little effort.
In view of the fact that e-mail marketing can be used to promote the sale of products or services or in actual fact pretty much anything, e-mail marketing is the obvious way to go.
If we actually used e-mail marketing properly it would drive more customers into out stores or to the services that we deliver and seeing that most people log on to check their e-mails at least once a day, we can be sure that our messages reach their targets pretty quickly and efficiently.
Next week we will continue with some more advantages of e-mail marketing.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
The E-mail Way – Part 1
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
On a personal level, I am often quite resentful of e-mail marketing – probably as much as I used to resent what we used to call ‘junk mail’, remember how it used to fill our letter boxes to overflowing.
It must work though, as it didn’t seem to stop the hundred and thousands of companies that had their leaflets shoved into literally millions of letter boxes throughout the country. Nor does it seem to stop the thousands of people throughout the world who market their wares both legal or not, by means of internet and e-mail marketing.
Let’s have a look at some of the advantages that are directly attributed to e-mail marketing.
The reality of the situation is that e-mail is one of the most useful and widely used tools known to the world today. Most people have access to email either at home or at work (if not both). It is easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Many of us get some sort of e-mail marketing on a daily basis.
Most of us, in a business sense and particularly small businesses do not use e-mail effectively as a marketing tool, which is quite silly really because e-mail marketing is probably the easiest and most cost effective way in which to reach a large number of people/customers, in a short space of time and with very little effort.
In view of the fact that e-mail marketing can be used to promote the sale of products or services or in actual fact pretty much anything, e-mail marketing is the obvious way to go.
If we actually used e-mail marketing properly it would drive more customers into out stores or to the services that we deliver and seeing that most people log on to check their e-mails at least once a day, we can be sure that our messages reach their targets pretty quickly and efficiently.
Next week we will continue with some more advantages of e-mail marketing.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
THE POWER OF NETWORKING - PART 124
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
PART 124
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – August 2009
Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:
“First impressions are important. Make them work for you”.
I am often reminded by the various image consultants in my data base, of the fact that we have about 8 seconds or thereabouts to make an impression.
For me though, there are several ‘first’ impressions – visual, auditory and for me the most important of all – the impression you give overall, which is the one that I choose to use.
Think about it for a moment – the first time you actually meet someone you form some sort of impression. Then if you chat with someone (without ever having met them), you form a completely different idea of the person – usually a visual image that ends up being completely different from the actual visual.
Finally there is an ‘overall’ impression and that can only be brought about over time and as the relationship builds and grows so the impression also changes and evolves (and often not for the better either).
In terms of the ‘visual’ impression – those who belong to the ‘body beautiful’ fraternity are often considered to have an unfair advantage – that said, if you have nothing of consequence to offer other than ‘the body beautiful’, the first impression that you created will not last very long.
By the same token if your ‘auditory’ first impression is also not supported by anything substantial – your relationship will not last. Any and every impression that you make has to be supported by integrity, credibility and delivery.
Don’t think for a moment though that first impressions don’t mean anything – a good first impression will assist in getting the building of a relationship off to a great start. Making a bad first impression does not necessarily mean that a relationship cannot be built – what it does mean however, is that the building of a relationship may get off to a very slow start.
Whatever woks for you would be the most effective for you – remember though, your credibility, integrity and the fact that you deliver is what will support your ‘impression’ the most effectively.
For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.hirs.co.za
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
PART 124
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – August 2009
Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:
“First impressions are important. Make them work for you”.
I am often reminded by the various image consultants in my data base, of the fact that we have about 8 seconds or thereabouts to make an impression.
For me though, there are several ‘first’ impressions – visual, auditory and for me the most important of all – the impression you give overall, which is the one that I choose to use.
Think about it for a moment – the first time you actually meet someone you form some sort of impression. Then if you chat with someone (without ever having met them), you form a completely different idea of the person – usually a visual image that ends up being completely different from the actual visual.
Finally there is an ‘overall’ impression and that can only be brought about over time and as the relationship builds and grows so the impression also changes and evolves (and often not for the better either).
In terms of the ‘visual’ impression – those who belong to the ‘body beautiful’ fraternity are often considered to have an unfair advantage – that said, if you have nothing of consequence to offer other than ‘the body beautiful’, the first impression that you created will not last very long.
By the same token if your ‘auditory’ first impression is also not supported by anything substantial – your relationship will not last. Any and every impression that you make has to be supported by integrity, credibility and delivery.
Don’t think for a moment though that first impressions don’t mean anything – a good first impression will assist in getting the building of a relationship off to a great start. Making a bad first impression does not necessarily mean that a relationship cannot be built – what it does mean however, is that the building of a relationship may get off to a very slow start.
Whatever woks for you would be the most effective for you – remember though, your credibility, integrity and the fact that you deliver is what will support your ‘impression’ the most effectively.
For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.hirs.co.za
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
VAT - VAT on Fuel
VAT
VAT on Fuel
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
We all know (well I hope we do) that we cannot claim VAT on the fuel that we use.
So how do we handle VAT and fuel levies? How do we claim back all that we can without falling foul of the law?
Let’s call in the protagonists.
Mike owns a transport company that collects fresh produce from all over the country and delivers it to the various branches of his clients, again all over the country.
With the various increases in fuel that we as South Africans have experienced over the last two years and Mike has been forced to introduce a fuel levy to his delivery charges on all of his deliveries. Mike being an honorable man ensures that if the fuel price decreases, so do his levies, so the levy fluctuates from month to month.
According to the law, Mike meets the minimum requirements and he is a registered VAT vendor. Mike has to charge VAT.
The ‘fuel levy’ is not zero-rated. It is a charge that Mike levies in respect of the service that he supplies and it is therefore not exempt.
You see Mike is not supplying fuel to his clients, he is supplying a service – the fuel levy now becomes a part of the services that Mike provides, much the same as the cost of maintenance of the vehicles is factored into Mike’s costs and therefore Mike is quite entitled to charge VAT on the fuel levy.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
VAT on Fuel
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting August 2009.
We all know (well I hope we do) that we cannot claim VAT on the fuel that we use.
So how do we handle VAT and fuel levies? How do we claim back all that we can without falling foul of the law?
Let’s call in the protagonists.
Mike owns a transport company that collects fresh produce from all over the country and delivers it to the various branches of his clients, again all over the country.
With the various increases in fuel that we as South Africans have experienced over the last two years and Mike has been forced to introduce a fuel levy to his delivery charges on all of his deliveries. Mike being an honorable man ensures that if the fuel price decreases, so do his levies, so the levy fluctuates from month to month.
According to the law, Mike meets the minimum requirements and he is a registered VAT vendor. Mike has to charge VAT.
The ‘fuel levy’ is not zero-rated. It is a charge that Mike levies in respect of the service that he supplies and it is therefore not exempt.
You see Mike is not supplying fuel to his clients, he is supplying a service – the fuel levy now becomes a part of the services that Mike provides, much the same as the cost of maintenance of the vehicles is factored into Mike’s costs and therefore Mike is quite entitled to charge VAT on the fuel levy.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Friday, August 07, 2009
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . A South African Working Outside of South Africa
ARTICLE 39
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . South African Working Outside of South Africa
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
To follow on from last week – in this instance, Mike, our favorite protagonist works in a branch of a South African company, we will call ABC Consulting, in Kenya.
Like many companies throughout the world, ABC Consulting in Kenya found itself in trouble because of the recession and it was forced to retrench its staff.
Fortunately for Mike, the proper procedures pertaining to retrenchment were not followed and no negotiations were entered into.
Mike referred the case to the Labour Court here in South Africa.
The Labour Court decided the following:
· Both Mike and the Head Office of the Company, were based in South Africa, therefore South African Labour Laws applied.
· Both Mike and ABC Consulting had agreed that the employer’s (South African) policies would apply
· ABC Consulting had not approved and/or adopted Kenyan Law or their Labour Relations Act in any other part of the business.
· Both Mike and the CEO of ABC Consulting had been under the impression that the contract was enforceable under South African Law, when they signed the contract
Therefore South African Labour Law had jurisdiction and Mike won his case.
In this particular instance, Mike was awarded damages for ABC Consulting’s breach of contract as well as relocation costs, his share options, accrued profit shares, salary, notice pay, leave pay and his severance pay. In addition to all of this, Mike was also awarded compensation to the value of 12 months pay.
A very expensive lesson for ABC Consulting, I am sure you will agree.
So be sure that you know exactly what the legal requirements are if you are a ‘foreign’ company or if you are a South African Company with branches in other countries, it could be your saving grace.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . South African Working Outside of South Africa
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009
To follow on from last week – in this instance, Mike, our favorite protagonist works in a branch of a South African company, we will call ABC Consulting, in Kenya.
Like many companies throughout the world, ABC Consulting in Kenya found itself in trouble because of the recession and it was forced to retrench its staff.
Fortunately for Mike, the proper procedures pertaining to retrenchment were not followed and no negotiations were entered into.
Mike referred the case to the Labour Court here in South Africa.
The Labour Court decided the following:
· Both Mike and the Head Office of the Company, were based in South Africa, therefore South African Labour Laws applied.
· Both Mike and ABC Consulting had agreed that the employer’s (South African) policies would apply
· ABC Consulting had not approved and/or adopted Kenyan Law or their Labour Relations Act in any other part of the business.
· Both Mike and the CEO of ABC Consulting had been under the impression that the contract was enforceable under South African Law, when they signed the contract
Therefore South African Labour Law had jurisdiction and Mike won his case.
In this particular instance, Mike was awarded damages for ABC Consulting’s breach of contract as well as relocation costs, his share options, accrued profit shares, salary, notice pay, leave pay and his severance pay. In addition to all of this, Mike was also awarded compensation to the value of 12 months pay.
A very expensive lesson for ABC Consulting, I am sure you will agree.
So be sure that you know exactly what the legal requirements are if you are a ‘foreign’ company or if you are a South African Company with branches in other countries, it could be your saving grace.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Thursday, August 06, 2009
SALES - Listen To The Customer
SALES – Listen To The Customer
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009.
So many times I take a call only to find that it is someone trying to sell me something. I hate these calls – not necessarily because I don’t want to buy whatever it is that they are selling (although that usually is the case), but also because the calls usually come when I am busy with something else, or I have a deadline or (and here is the most annoying thing) the caller is not interested in listening to anything that I have to say, but is only interested in making the sale – at whatever the cost!
Sadly with me, it usually is at the cost of the sale and in some cases (depending on how annoyed they make me) at the cost of the customer (and they are two different things). Yet they never seem to learn.
I have had callers demanding to know why I will not invest in a funeral policy to people challenging me when I tell them that I don’t have time to listen right now, to promises of “I’ll phone you back tomorrow because I can make a difference in your life!” How presumptuous.
Yet still they don’t listen and the more they don’t listen or learn the lesson, the less opportunity they will have to get their itchy little fingers on the contents of my wallet.
You see, it really doesn’t matter to me if I buy from them or not, because . . . . well because there are hundreds and hundreds of little (or big) businesses, selling the same product and/or service, who would also like to get their itchy little fingers on the contents of my wallet.
So learn the lesson – if you want my business, you have to be the person who irritates me the least, who intrudes upon my time the least and who listens the most.
Listen to your customers – listen to what it is that they need the most from you and then give them exactly what it is that they want – the sale will always then be yours.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC August 2009.
So many times I take a call only to find that it is someone trying to sell me something. I hate these calls – not necessarily because I don’t want to buy whatever it is that they are selling (although that usually is the case), but also because the calls usually come when I am busy with something else, or I have a deadline or (and here is the most annoying thing) the caller is not interested in listening to anything that I have to say, but is only interested in making the sale – at whatever the cost!
Sadly with me, it usually is at the cost of the sale and in some cases (depending on how annoyed they make me) at the cost of the customer (and they are two different things). Yet they never seem to learn.
I have had callers demanding to know why I will not invest in a funeral policy to people challenging me when I tell them that I don’t have time to listen right now, to promises of “I’ll phone you back tomorrow because I can make a difference in your life!” How presumptuous.
Yet still they don’t listen and the more they don’t listen or learn the lesson, the less opportunity they will have to get their itchy little fingers on the contents of my wallet.
You see, it really doesn’t matter to me if I buy from them or not, because . . . . well because there are hundreds and hundreds of little (or big) businesses, selling the same product and/or service, who would also like to get their itchy little fingers on the contents of my wallet.
So learn the lesson – if you want my business, you have to be the person who irritates me the least, who intrudes upon my time the least and who listens the most.
Listen to your customers – listen to what it is that they need the most from you and then give them exactly what it is that they want – the sale will always then be yours.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
THE POWER OF NETWORKING - PART 123
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
PART 123
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC. August 2009
“In 1936, Dale Carnegie published – ‘How to win friends & influence people’. Since then, his book has sold more that 15 million copies and is widely credited as being the first book in the modern self-help genre.”
So says C J Hayden in his article entitled “To make more sales, try making more friends.”
But what does this actually mean?
Why is it that I, being as grumpy and as disagreeable as I am known to be, who ‘growls’ at people at every opportunity, am in the enviable position of having a great number of ‘friends’ and acquaintances, who not only like and even love me as an individual, but who also often heed my advice?
Well, I think it is because I take an interest in them and whatever it is that they do.
You see when I first meet people at a Networking event, I make sure that I contact them and set up a ‘one-on-one’ meeting with them. I do this in order to get a better understanding of what they do and what their dreams are. I take down notes and ask questions – in short, I take a genuine interest in what they do. I listen to what their needs are, what their desires are and then I connect them with the people who can meet those needs and/or desires.
This makes them feel good about themselves, it makes them feel that they are important to me.
Now of course, as you help someone to meet their needs and/or desires, what they start to feel for you is gratitude, and as you continue to build the relationship with them, that gratitude turns to respect and if you are really lucky into a genuine friendship.
Who would have thought – that it would take the simple act of ‘listening’ to the needs of a stranger - to add a new friend, to make a new contact, to sign a new deal, to find a great opportunity?
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
PART 123
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC. August 2009
“In 1936, Dale Carnegie published – ‘How to win friends & influence people’. Since then, his book has sold more that 15 million copies and is widely credited as being the first book in the modern self-help genre.”
So says C J Hayden in his article entitled “To make more sales, try making more friends.”
But what does this actually mean?
Why is it that I, being as grumpy and as disagreeable as I am known to be, who ‘growls’ at people at every opportunity, am in the enviable position of having a great number of ‘friends’ and acquaintances, who not only like and even love me as an individual, but who also often heed my advice?
Well, I think it is because I take an interest in them and whatever it is that they do.
You see when I first meet people at a Networking event, I make sure that I contact them and set up a ‘one-on-one’ meeting with them. I do this in order to get a better understanding of what they do and what their dreams are. I take down notes and ask questions – in short, I take a genuine interest in what they do. I listen to what their needs are, what their desires are and then I connect them with the people who can meet those needs and/or desires.
This makes them feel good about themselves, it makes them feel that they are important to me.
Now of course, as you help someone to meet their needs and/or desires, what they start to feel for you is gratitude, and as you continue to build the relationship with them, that gratitude turns to respect and if you are really lucky into a genuine friendship.
Who would have thought – that it would take the simple act of ‘listening’ to the needs of a stranger - to add a new friend, to make a new contact, to sign a new deal, to find a great opportunity?
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
VAT - The CC, the Trading Name and the VAT
VAT – The CC, the Trading Name and the VAT
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC - August 2009.
Sounds like the title of a bad movie, doesn’t it?
The reality is that it can be very confusing so let’s try and explain it in the most simplistic manner.
Let’s bring in the protagonists. Mike, who is a plumber, has been trading as a ‘Sole Prop’ now for a number of years. You see when he first started out he was concerned about whether he would be successful or not and he has now decided, due to the tax benefits and other Government concessions for small businesses, that he needs to be properly registered. Mike has been trading under the name “Mike’s Plumbing & Supplies” and would obviously not like to start from the very beginning again, in terms of marketing and branding.
Unfortunately the name “Mike’s Plumbing & Supplies” has already been reserved and Mike has had to register his CC in his full name, being Mike Jennings T/A Mike’s Plumbing & Supplies.
Mike has had to register the VAT under his new CC. The VAT that he collects is now under the name of Mike Jennings CC T/A Mike’s Plumbing & Supplies.
Mike is having difficulty in finding properly qualified plumbers and clearly needs to employ same if he wants to grow his business.
Mike recognizes the opportunity and decides to open up a training school to train aspiring plumbers. Mike decides to use his existing company CC to start the training school.
In view of the fact that Mike is using his existing company ad it is already VAT registered, Mike has to charge VAT for his school right from the very beginning, although the training of plumbing students is very different to being a plumber, and in fact is a completely different entity to his plumbing business.
In time, Mike decides that he wants to operate his training division as a completely separate entity as it is doing really well. Mike doesn’t want to start or register a new business, but he does want to separate the bookkeeping functions of the two businesses.
Mike’s bookkeeper, who knows what he is doing, registers a ‘branch’ to Mike’s original CC and so Mike Jennings CC T/A Mike’s Plumbing School is born. This entity is now also registered for VAT and has it’s own VAT number. He does this by means of a VAT 102 form. The second VAT number for the same “holding” company does not have a minimum threshold and Mike is able to continue charging VAT to the students.
As Mike’s business grows and he expands into more and different avenues, he is able to separate each entity, register them as ‘branches’ and register a VAT number for each one as he separates the bookkeeping functions so that each ‘branch’ is responsible for it’s own income and expenses and VAT requirements.
Well done to Mike for growing such a profitable business and running it in the correct manner.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC - August 2009.
Sounds like the title of a bad movie, doesn’t it?
The reality is that it can be very confusing so let’s try and explain it in the most simplistic manner.
Let’s bring in the protagonists. Mike, who is a plumber, has been trading as a ‘Sole Prop’ now for a number of years. You see when he first started out he was concerned about whether he would be successful or not and he has now decided, due to the tax benefits and other Government concessions for small businesses, that he needs to be properly registered. Mike has been trading under the name “Mike’s Plumbing & Supplies” and would obviously not like to start from the very beginning again, in terms of marketing and branding.
Unfortunately the name “Mike’s Plumbing & Supplies” has already been reserved and Mike has had to register his CC in his full name, being Mike Jennings T/A Mike’s Plumbing & Supplies.
Mike has had to register the VAT under his new CC. The VAT that he collects is now under the name of Mike Jennings CC T/A Mike’s Plumbing & Supplies.
Mike is having difficulty in finding properly qualified plumbers and clearly needs to employ same if he wants to grow his business.
Mike recognizes the opportunity and decides to open up a training school to train aspiring plumbers. Mike decides to use his existing company CC to start the training school.
In view of the fact that Mike is using his existing company ad it is already VAT registered, Mike has to charge VAT for his school right from the very beginning, although the training of plumbing students is very different to being a plumber, and in fact is a completely different entity to his plumbing business.
In time, Mike decides that he wants to operate his training division as a completely separate entity as it is doing really well. Mike doesn’t want to start or register a new business, but he does want to separate the bookkeeping functions of the two businesses.
Mike’s bookkeeper, who knows what he is doing, registers a ‘branch’ to Mike’s original CC and so Mike Jennings CC T/A Mike’s Plumbing School is born. This entity is now also registered for VAT and has it’s own VAT number. He does this by means of a VAT 102 form. The second VAT number for the same “holding” company does not have a minimum threshold and Mike is able to continue charging VAT to the students.
As Mike’s business grows and he expands into more and different avenues, he is able to separate each entity, register them as ‘branches’ and register a VAT number for each one as he separates the bookkeeping functions so that each ‘branch’ is responsible for it’s own income and expenses and VAT requirements.
Well done to Mike for growing such a profitable business and running it in the correct manner.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, August 03, 2009
MOTIVATION - Accepting Responsibility
MOTIVATION – Accepting Responsibility
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – August 2009
Les Brown says “Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go – no one else.”
Man, oh man – I love this. You can’t even begin to understand how I so relate to this?
I am so sick and tired of hearing stuff like “He made me do it” or “I didn’t have a choice” or even “It was the voices in my head – they made me do it.”
What a load of BS!
What is it about the world today that no-one wants to take responsibility for their own actions?
We have become a generation of individuals who hide our inadequacies behind the backs of any scapegoat that we find along the way.
I am often left completely speechless by the lengths that people go to in an attempt to escape their accountability.
Why is this? Is it because we are afraid of what the consequences are? Is it because we are afraid of what the consequences will do to our precious credibility or is it perhaps that we are cowards and that it is easier to follow the path of many of our leaders and politicians? It is easier to place all the blame on others or to make excuses than it is to stand up and admit our faults, like the person caught speeding who blames the traffic police for catching him, rather than himself for breaking the speed limit.
Perhaps it is really time to go back to the basics. Go back to the time that when a person gave their word, it was their bond and when deals were struck on the strength of a hand shake.
Perhaps it is really time to go back to when people had morals and values and when the “What’s in it for me” took into account everybody who had contributed.
Perhaps it is really time to go back to when people took responsibility for their actions and/or inactions and accepted the consequences by being accountable.
Perhaps . . . yes, perhaps!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – August 2009
Les Brown says “Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go – no one else.”
Man, oh man – I love this. You can’t even begin to understand how I so relate to this?
I am so sick and tired of hearing stuff like “He made me do it” or “I didn’t have a choice” or even “It was the voices in my head – they made me do it.”
What a load of BS!
What is it about the world today that no-one wants to take responsibility for their own actions?
We have become a generation of individuals who hide our inadequacies behind the backs of any scapegoat that we find along the way.
I am often left completely speechless by the lengths that people go to in an attempt to escape their accountability.
Why is this? Is it because we are afraid of what the consequences are? Is it because we are afraid of what the consequences will do to our precious credibility or is it perhaps that we are cowards and that it is easier to follow the path of many of our leaders and politicians? It is easier to place all the blame on others or to make excuses than it is to stand up and admit our faults, like the person caught speeding who blames the traffic police for catching him, rather than himself for breaking the speed limit.
Perhaps it is really time to go back to the basics. Go back to the time that when a person gave their word, it was their bond and when deals were struck on the strength of a hand shake.
Perhaps it is really time to go back to when people had morals and values and when the “What’s in it for me” took into account everybody who had contributed.
Perhaps it is really time to go back to when people took responsibility for their actions and/or inactions and accepted the consequences by being accountable.
Perhaps . . . yes, perhaps!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
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