Staff Reporter
No image available
/ 27 May 2008

UK Muslim TV channel to stage interfaith game show

Britain’s first interfaith game show is to be launched, pitting Jews against Muslims, Sikhs against Christians and Hindus against Buddhists, with contestants competing for cash prizes. Faith Off, the working title of a series on the Islam Channel, will attempt to promote good relations and mutual respect between Britain’s religious communities.

No image available
/ 27 May 2008

The market usually comes out tops

How often does the market beat the asset manager? The consensus is that more often than not the market comes out tops. Sanlam Investment Management managing director Armien Tyer says in the United States few managers beat the index over the long term. According to one study, in the period between 1994 to 2004 about 80% of equity managers could not beat the S&P 500.

No image available
/ 27 May 2008

Beyond the usual suspects

Empowerment works when it fosters new connections between established and emerging companies; develops skills at the lower and middle levels of the hierarchy; and creates space for new entrepreneurs to get a seat at the table. At its best, says a study by Matthew Andrews of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, BEE can yield spectacular dividends.

No image available
/ 27 May 2008

The skills paradox

Black economic empowerment is supposed to ensure that the hoary cliché — "our greatest resource is our people" — comes to life. The intention is to open opportunities across the economy for black South Africans whose potential as economic actors has been constrained for years.

No image available
/ 27 May 2008

To hedge or not to hedge?

Cannon Asset Managers’ chief investment officer Adrian Saville says during volatile times investors often rush into hedge funds seeking protection. "But these have proved to be almost as volatile as equity markets with much lower rates of return. The experience of January 2008 comes to mind, when stock markets around the globe traded lower and hedge funds saw losses in that month too," he says.

No image available
/ 27 May 2008

Getting back to basics

The tendency to deal with empowerment as a system of scorecard compliance impedes transformation because there is no values-based leadership in such an exercise. Scores do not achieve wholesome change or a new way of doing business — sustainability cannot be achieved that way.