Page 2 - GrowSA News September

E D I T O R I A L
FACETHEMUSIC

Celebra�ng our past, looking into the future You can no longer pretend that the crisis is just a bad dream, a nightmare you will
wake up from. You know that you and your business are in trouble – what now?
September, being the month in which we celebrate In the words (from Alice in Wonderland), ‘You can only over-come the
our heritage, I looked at quotes on the topic. It was Jabberwocky by looking it in the eye.”
interes�ng to see how many of the quotes related
to respect, trees, and soil – exactly the themes we You will only overcome the crisis by facing it and star�ng to take ac�on. One of
cover in this edi�on of the GrowSA News.
the primary reasons why people get depressed and burned-out is because they
do not acknowledge the situa�on they find themselves in, nor do they start
The Irish have a proverb that says, “People without
knowledge of their past is like a tree without roots,” addressing it.
and an anonymous thinker said, “To forget the
genera�ons that came before you, is like a river You will only overcome the crisis by facing it and start taking ac�on. Here are a
forge�ng its source and a tree forge�ng its roots.” few steps you can take to overcome the crisis:
Our own Madiba said, “I dream of the vast deserts, 1. The first thing to do is to accept the reality. Acknowledge the fact that your
the forests, and all of the wilderness of our
con�nent, wild places that we should protect as a business is in trouble and the consequences might be dire. Stop wallowing
precious heritage for our children and our children’s in your misery - you did not make a mistake and that the customer is not
children.” going to pay. In fact, non of this ma�ers now - stop was�ng �me and energy
on that, it might sound harsh, but that is the best thing you can do. Know
In this edi�on, we cover the principles of sustaining you are not the only one that is going through this at the moment.
a family business for the future, and we also tell
the story of Boplaas – the oldest family business in 2. Strange as it might sound, you should immediately start planning your
South Africa. The core of both these ar�cles is that financial recovery. However, if you plan a journey in unchartered territory
strong posi�ve values will build and sustain your
family business. you need to plan properly. For many entrepreneurs the situa�on caused by
COVID is unchartered territory. You need to plan, and plan well, because you
The ar�cle on argi-tourism, on agri-expos, and do not have the luxury of �me.
being a female farmer also brought me under the
impression of the importance that we must protect 3. Be open, share the reality with your staff and your family. It will not be nice,
our farms and create opportuni�es for people who but the sooner you do that, the sooner your stress will be under control and
do not have the privilege of staying in a rural area you can get to work. If you have to close your business and retrench your
to experience farms and nature, and in the words staff, work with a labour consultant to ensure that you follow the right
of Jacqui – to dirty our feet.
processes. Be honest with your family, make them part of the solu�on.
I want to leave you with a beau�ful quote, in line
with the quote from Madiba, I got from a book on 4. Make a list of all your remaining assets, your debt, what you can definitely
the philosophy of the Na�ve Americans. “…we expect to come in, how much money you and your family need just to
always have to keep in mind the Seventh survive and what is your credit ra�ng. You will need this informa�on for
Genera�on to come. It’s our job to see that the future conversa�ons.
people coming ahead, the genera�ons s�ll unborn,
have a world no worse than ours. When we walk 5. Talk, but talk to the right people. Banks have financial and business advisors
upon Mother Earth, we must always plant our feet
carefully because we know the future of our future available to assist you to develop your recovery plan. Your insurance agent
genera�ons is looking up at us. We must never will also be a helpful resource. You may be amazed at where help will be
forget them.” available from.
6. Be disciplined and stay posi�ve. You will want to fall back into your state of
misery, but don’t – keep to the plan you and your advisors developed.
Closing your business is a journey you are on at the moment, keep your eyes
on this road.
7. Start a new plan. This might just be the opportunity you wished for to do
something totally different. And again, it will start with a plan…What is the
end-goal of your new journey…what do you need to get there and by when
do you plan to be there?

Bon voyage!

EDITORIAL CONTACT DETAILS

BusinessDNA

+ (27) 76 966 9032
Dr. Amanda Hamilton-A�well,
Execu�ve Editor kamilla@businessdna.co.za
www.businessdna.co.za

September | GROWSA MONTHLY NEWS 2