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CGF ARTICLES, OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

WHY NON-EXECUTIVES SHOULDN’T DO IT FOR THE FEES ALONE (2017-09-15)

By Terrance M. Booysen

While the board attendance fees paid to Non-Executive Directors (‘NEDs’) may be a strong incentive for certain individuals to avail themselves for these boardroom positions, it may be well worth reconsidering the risk and rewards.  The onerous duties and responsibilities which are placed on NEDs -- including the demands made by the organisation’s key stakeholders on the board -- significantly increase the liability factor and make the ‘lure’ of the board attendance fees less appealing.

D&O LIABILITY INSURANCE: AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF AN ORGANISATION’S RISK-MITIGATION TOOLBOX (2017-08-16)

By Terrance M. Booysen and peer reviewed by David Loxton (Partner: Dentons)

Directors and officers of all organisations are facing an increased risk of personal exposure.  Their roles and responsibilities have become progressively more onerous in recent years, mainly as a result of new legislation and regulatory requirements, stakeholder pressure and increased governance and social responsibilities, as well as the complexity of trans-continental and macro-economic trading conditions.

A THRIVING ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE DRIVES EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT (2017-07-17)

By Dr Dicky Els and Jené Palmer

Culture shapes the wellness of individuals, businesses, communities and nations.  Although it is not static and can change, it generally manifests itself in the behaviour of a group of people at any given point in time.  Culture is a collective identity that is based on a set of unspoken rules that underpin personal values and interpersonal relationships.

IMPORTANT STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR RECESSIONARY TIMES (2017-07-11)

By Paul Aucamp and Jené Palmer

Is your business equipped to survive the pressures of a rapidly changing business world, which is being exacerbated by the growing uncertainty presented by South Africa’s re-entry into another recession?  To ensure the sustainability of the organisation, this critical question needs to be asked of South African boards of directors and senior executives alike.

POLYGRAPH TESTING: IS IT A LEGITIMATE MEANS TO CURTAIL CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE WORKPLACE? (2017-07-07)

By Terrance M. Booysen and reviewed by Osborne Molatudi (Partner: Hogan Lovells)

On a worldwide basis, criminal activity in the workplace -- detected or undetected -- is at an all-time high.  Fraud, corruption and other forms of economic crimes are rife, and perceptions of increasing illicit behaviour are backed by reputable subject matter experts and research agencies, with alarming statistics.  Research conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) show that workplace fraud has steadily increased between 2012 and 2016.  In 2012, case studies showed that the median loss caused by workplace related occupational fraud was US$140,000.  But by 2016, figures showed that the median loss caused by such cases had increased to US$150,000.

THE FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE CENTRE ACT IS AMENDED: IT NOW NEEDS IMPLEMENTATION (2017-06-05)

By Terrance M. Booysen and peer reviewed by David Loxton (Partner: Dentons)

With South Africa already on precarious ground as a result of its alleged ‘state capture’; not least also the effects of South Africa being downgraded to “junk-status” by Standard and Poors and Fitch rating agencies, it was in the nick of time that President Jacob Zuma signed the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Act 1 of 2017 (‘the Amendment Act’) into law on 28 April 2017.

NEW PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS LIKELY TO BE CHALLENGED (2017-05-15)

By Terrance M. Booysen and reviewed by Bulelwa Mabasa (Werksmans: Partner)

In his State of the Nation Address in 2017, President Jacob Zuma noted the intention of the South African government to influence the behaviour of the private sector and to drive economic transformation.  He stated that this objective would be achieved through the government playing a role in the economy through legislation, regulations, licensing, budget and procurement, as well as Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (‘B-BBEE’) imperatives.

HONORARY PATRONSHIP: PROFESSOR MICHAEL KATZ ADDS WORLDCLASS LEADERSHIP TO CGF (2017-05-10)

It is reported that Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) -- being one of the people who drafted the Declaration of Independence, including the Constitution of the United States of America -- once said; “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.” Indeed, this axiom is entirely fitting in respect of South Africa’s very own Professor Michael Mervyn Katz.  Professor Katz is renowned for his illustrious career which spans a period of almost 50 years, where he specialises in corporate and commercial law.

RIFLE-SHOT PERFORMANCE HOLDINGS: SIX SOLID YEARS OF PATRONSHIP WITH CGF (2017-04-18)

As its longest serving Corporate Patron, Rifle-Shot Performance Holdings (Pty) Ltd (‘Rifle-Shot’) has supported CGF Research Institute (Pty) Ltd (‘CGF’) since 2011.  The business relationship has grown steadily through the years, and both companies have enjoyed the benefits of exchanging business ideas and enhancing their respective brands and market offerings.

WORKPLACE STRESS: A REAL ORGANISATIONAL RISK (2017-04-12)

By Dr Dicky Els and Terrance M. Booysen

It is imperative that the impact of work-related stress and the negative impact of distress be incorporated into the organisation’s enterprise-wide risk management framework. A Bloomberg study conducted in 2013 revealed that South Africa is the second-most ‘stressed’ country out of a study of 74 countries.