Insights

Thought Leadership
for Southern Africa

Original analysis and advisory perspectives on business conditions, corporate governance, and economic trends across the region.

TopicsBusiness RescueCorporate GovernanceWorkplace StrategyEconomic AnalysisSME AdvisoryPublic SectorAcademic Research

Ten Tips for Leading Companies Out of Crisis

Featured

Business Rescue12 min read

Ten Tips for Leading Companies Out of Crisis

Lessons from nine years of managing distressed businesses

Reflecting on nine years in managing distressed businesses, sharing 10 maxims on how to approach times of crisis — from throwing away perceptions to finding hidden talent.

SAAC Advisory

2024

Read Article

All Articles

Latest Thinking

Succession Planning in South African Family Businesses

Corporate Governance

8 min read|Jul–Sep 2024

Succession Planning in South African Family Businesses

The great unwritten rule of family businesses is that the wheels come off with the third generation. But is it the reality? Published in the JSE Magazine.

Tiaan Herbst

What Fuels Managers' Scepticism About Remote Work?

Workplace Strategy

4 min read|January 2025

What Fuels Managers' Scepticism About Remote Work?

Michael Phelps can swim 200m in 1:42.96 — but a toddler on a tricycle could beat that speed. So why do we assume that if work isn't hard, it can't be worthwhile?

SAAC Advisory

Economic Analysis

6 min read|January 2023

The South African Economy in Decline

The South African economy has experienced a significant slowdown since 1995, with GDP growth averaging around 2.5% per year. What are the structural causes — and what can be done?

SAAC Advisory

SME Advisory

5 min read|March 2023

The Anatomy of Business Failure

Small businesses are vital to the South African economy, but many fail within the first few years. A study by SEFA reveals the most common reasons — and how to measure and mitigate them.

SAAC Advisory

Strategic Transformation in South African State-Owned Enterprises

Public Sector

10 min read|February 2024

Strategic Transformation in South African State-Owned Enterprises

The launch of State Asset Management SOC Ltd marks a significant moment in economic governance. Does SAM signify a true transformation in SOE governance — or is it just a superficial change?

Christiaan Herbst

Complex Transformations: Insights from Exotic Phenomena in Four-Dimensional Manifolds Applied to Turnaround Management

Academic Research

15 min read|November 2024

Complex Transformations: Insights from Exotic Phenomena in Four-Dimensional Manifolds Applied to Turnaround Management

This academic paper explores the parallels between exotic phenomena in four-dimensional manifolds and the complexities encountered in turnaround management, proposing innovative interdisciplinary approaches that embrace complexity and non-linearity.

Christiaan C Herbst

Tax Talk: The Fiscal Burden of State-Owned Enterprises

Economic Analysis

10 min read|February 2024

Tax Talk: The Fiscal Burden of State-Owned Enterprises

South Africa's state-owned enterprises have become a fiscal black hole. This analysis examines the tax implications of SOE bailouts and proposes a path to sustainable governance.

Tiaan Herbst

Bridging the Gap or Widening the Divide?

Economic Analysis

11 min read|May 2023

Bridging the Gap or Widening the Divide?

South Africa's COVID-19 loan guarantee scheme was meant to save small businesses. Did it bridge the gap — or widen the divide between those with access to capital and those without?

Tiaan Herbst

Two Cities, One Tale: Tackling South Africa's Changing Landscape

Economic Analysis

7 min read|August 2023

Two Cities, One Tale: Tackling South Africa's Changing Landscape

Johannesburg's decline and Cape Town's rise reflect a deeper shift in South Africa's economic geography. What does semigration mean for business and investment?

Tiaan Herbst

Business Rescue

15 min read|August 2023

Business Rescue: A Combined Legal Analysis

An analysis of four landmark South African court cases that have defined the boundaries and application of business rescue proceedings under the Companies Act.

Tiaan Herbst

Advisory Expertise

Need Strategic Advisory?

Our team brings 20+ years of experience across business rescue, strategy, and corporate governance.

Connect With Us

Thought Leadershipfor Southern Africa

Ten Tips for Leading Companies Out of Crisis

Latest Thinking

Succession Planning in South African Family Businesses

What Fuels Managers' Scepticism About Remote Work?

The South African Economy in Decline

The Anatomy of Business Failure

Strategic Transformation in South African State-Owned Enterprises

Complex Transformations: Insights from Exotic Phenomena in Four-Dimensional Manifolds Applied to Turnaround Management

Tax Talk: The Fiscal Burden of State-Owned Enterprises

Bridging the Gap or Widening the Divide?

Two Cities, One Tale: Tackling South Africa's Changing Landscape

Business Rescue: A Combined Legal Analysis

Need Strategic Advisory?

Thought Leadership
for Southern Africa