A new generation of aspirational givers, empowered by entrepreneurship, are spearheading the use of business models to solve global problems. This article explores the growth of impact investing by these philanthrocapitalists, also in South Africa – the world’s second most generous nation.

Research from CSO Insights, a United States-based firm that surveys thousands of sales executives around the globe each year, shows that 80% of the total revenue of businesses is driven by only 13% of its sales department. Other findings show that 27% of salespeople do not succeed in generating enough revenue to cover the cost of their employment and 41% fail to achieve their set quotas.

Industrial conflict and protests that are currently taking place in South Africa may cause unwanted disruption, but it is a positive sign that those who are doing so have the freedom to express their sentiments in a peaceful way. Industrial action such as the Pikitup strike, service delivery protests and political clashes are a positive development – signifying the ability of the public to put their own views forward.

Sometimes I simply cannot get the hang of this word thing. You know, discovering from where a word or an expression originates. But I am not alone because often, even different dictionaries and everyone in between have different explanations – or mostly guesses. Now I am going to hang one of my own guesses out there, and hope it helps us all to get the hang of "getting the hang of it".

The circumstances surrounding – and the justification for – the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by a crack American commando, as well as the manner in which it was executed, leave room for many arguments about the legality thereof, the orders of which appear to have been purely for an assassination mission. It is sure to give rise to an entire mini industry of conspiracy theory publications. The most important question, however: Is the world now a safer place?

The latest Global Integrity Report by Global Integrity, which rather than measuring perceptions of corruption assesses the accountability mechanisms and transparency measures in place (or not) to prevent corruption, has found that corruption risks have precisely increased in the run-up to the revolutions that are now buffeting a number of countries in the Middle East and Africa.

The ghost of match-fixing has returned to haunt Sri Lankan and international cricket, as Hashan Tillakaratne, a former captain of this cricketing island, claimed that match-fixing by Sri Lankan players was rife after 1992. It prompted a former South African cricket great to call for traps to be set for possible offenders, much in the same way in which News of the World did it during the Pakistan tour of England earlier this year.

The mass closure of Facebook sites on the eve of the recent royal wedding in the United Kingdom begs the question whether the time has come for the establishment of independent, powerfully popular social networks in the face of apparent political interference and a misuse of corporate power.

The race for the 2010/2011 Premiership title will go down to the wire. Kaizer Chiefs crushed log leader Ajax Cape Town 4-0 on Saturday, while Orlando Pirates claimed a vital point with an 89th minute equaliser by Bongani Ndulula in its match against Santos.

Judged by what has happened thus far around plans to explore for gas in the Karoo, should production go forward we can only imagine the conflicts ahead. In the hope that these may be mitigated, in this case and others, some lessons from the study of business–community–government conflict and collaboration are offered by Brain Ganson.

Formed in 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was originally set up largely to discourage an attack by the Soviet Union on the non-Communist nations of Western Europe. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 on the United States, its role was expanded to include the war on terrorism, but now it would seem the glory and influence of this 26-nation strong alliance is heading for a sandy grave in the Sahara Desert of Libya.

Entering the last lap for the municipal elections on 18 May, race and religion have become the main battle cries – at least for the African National Congress (ANC). Most leaders of other parties have focused on issues such as service delivery, while around the country ANC bigwigs are making last-minute promises of millions of rands to be spent on housing and services where the vote goes their way.

Resolute defence, unwavering commitment and superb handling skills contributed to a depleted Crusaders team victory over the DHL Stormers on Saturday in its Super Rugby clash at Newlands. Even the most hardened Stormers supporters had to lift their hat to the New Zealand team after a match of Test-like intensity.

Sixteen years of supposedly non-racial democracy has failed to eliminate racial politics in South Africa – a fact highlighted starkly in the current political campaigning for next week’s municipal elections. And so bad has the racial politicking become that this may well become a major legacy of these elections, the consequences of which are likely to reverberate for a long time to come, writes Stef Terblanche.

With the co-operation of the The LR Management Group, we can now bring you the leadership training tool 50 Lessons, which is a powerful force in the world of corporate learning. 50 Lessons is the worlds premier multimedia business resource, offering more than 1 000 personal and authentic video lessons from internationally respected business leaders. It can assist you to increase the utilisation and return on investment of your learning programmes immediately!