Finance news feature for FirstStep.me by Standard Bank

Be cool learn to save
 
When it comes to being financially secure and having enough cash in your pocket; one of the heaviest challenges that many people face is how to save money. While the idea of setting aside a portion of your income is great in theory, in reality most people find it hard to develop this habit.

The Dad Fund Entrepreneurship and innovation are vehicles for change and leadership. But in South Africa, entrepreneurship is far from reaching its full potential.  In 2005, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the largest and most rigorous longitudinal study of entrepreneurship in the world, released the following illuminating findings about the entrepreneurship in South Africa.
 
The DAD Fund and Evo Media together with their American partners therefore approached the US government to sponsor a dynamic new Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP).  YEP offers young entrepreneurs a chance to learn from top international entrepreneurs in the USA and launch their own businesses in South Africa.  The programme follows a holistic approach that acts as a seed for spreading this training and support to other potential entrepreneurs in the country.

Provided by The South African SME Toolkit, an information portal for South African entrepreneurs.
 
The fact that the SME sector is a tough industry to break into does not seem to deter the average young entrepreneur. But are big ideas, determination, passion and the will to succeed enough to be truly successful or could your age and a lack of higher education be your downfall?
 
This generation of school-leavers is probably facing the greatest obstacle to entering the working world. High unemployment levels, lack of work experience and the high price of tertiary education means that more and more young people are trying to start their own businesses.

FastFwd Introduction and background
 
The ongoing changes and problems in business, requires a new kind of leader: a leader that is authentic (real), has integrity (whole) and thinks innovatively (creative).  Leadership is not about a specific style, or copying another leader’s behaviour, but about responsibility and stewardship.  True leaders appeal to people’s hearts and minds by living according to their vision and values.    
 
Effective leaders have balance in their lives, know who they are and live according to their values.  Their leadership is extended to all areas of their lives, and they are healthier, less stressed, perform better at work and are more productive.   
 
Research shows that people do not have to be born with specific characteristics or traits to be a leader.  You also do not have to be at the top of your organization – leadership can be, and should  be, learned.

Mark Williams appointed as MD in Nigeria
 
Youth market specialists, HDI Youth Marketeers has been actively involved in creating valuable youth platforms and campaigns in the local market for over a decade. And now its expansion into the rest of Africa will be heralded by the company’s launch in Nigeria in May.

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