South Africans have developed some unfortunate character traits that hamper efforts to compete on the world business stage. Unfortunately, writes Jim Freeman, those shortcomings are becoming glaring in the skills development arena.

Government plans to support local business and raise the profile of township tourism which has been identified as one of the niche markets that require development. This forms part of the bid to create jobs and opportunities for South Africans.

Top officials from South Africa and France have met in Pretoria to map a way forward on how to deepen political and economic relations between the two countries. The forum aims to strengthen bilateral trade and ensure that it is more balanced.

If you think being a personal assistant means taking calls and messages think again. The 21st century secretary is expected to manage budgets, provide superb frontline customer service while organising schedules and networking with clientele. But are they trained to deliver?

Does the thought of doing a presentation or speaking in front of your colleagues or customers make you want to run, hide or call in sick? Then you may be suffering from a very real phobia. Read more about how to overcome your speaking fears.

The plans to build a university in the Mpumalanga province has been a long time coming, but the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande has finally taken some decisive steps towards making tertiary education accessible to local learners.

MerSeta will run workshops dealing with the submission of mandatory and pivotal grants and the proposed changes within the regulations. Skills development faciliators have been urged to attend the workshops.

Employment trends show that EE placements at the executive level have remained fairly steady for the past four years, this despite increased pressures from government structures to transform the make up of executive teams. Debbie Goodman-Bhyat, Managing Director of Jack Hammer Executive Headhunters comments on the current situation.

Matrics who don't have the opportunity to study further should thoughtfully review the many alternatives, when planning for the future. Anna Malczyk highlights four options available to schools leavers that could be the entryway to a prosperous career.

The call for virtual universities has been answered by the latest technological tool called the Telefunken Tablet PC. The device is able to store pre-loaded learning material, a function that will forever change the landscape of tertiary education in South Africa.

Assessment Centre technology satisfies the increasing need for business leaders inside and outside the HR profession to make more strategic decisions. The talent management conference hosted by Assessment Centre Study Group is ideal for seasoned professionals in people-centred organisational roles.

Trade Union Solidarity recently pointed out the need for our youth to consider attending FET colleges. Further Education and Training Colleges or FET colleges are different to universities in that they offer many of the essential courses to ensure the achievement of the skills and training needed that are essential to the South African Economy.

Occupation(ally) directed education and training will be familiar to many training practitioners, and organisational development will be familiar to many human resource practitioners. The SAODN network sessions provide a usefull way of keeping up to date with developments in the organisational development field.

Ethics, honesty, morals and values are sadly lacking in society. There are many reasons for this not least of which is the fact that we do not educate our children and in many instances our employees on issues related to ethics and honesty.

I had a rather sad lunch with a good friend who has struggled to find work for over two years. She is highly intelligent, educated, talented and on the right side of the affirmative action spectrum. However, she does not even get to first interview stage. You see, she carries a terrible burden - she has passed her sell-by date, having just turned 50.

The new speakers series which includes some of the world’s top thinkers is being launched at the UCT Graduate School of Business.The aim is to stimulate new thought on how to use business and the power of business for social good.

Watch the full keynote speech of the honourable Thabo Mbeki, former president of the Republic of South Africa, delivered at the opening of the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) International Knowledge Management Conference on 16 January 2012.

Despite the challenges facing education in the country, the Department of Basic Education has managed to scoop Public Sector Excellence Awards across the three spheres of government, government agencies, parastatals and NGOs.

South Africans have developed some unfortunate character traits that hamper efforts to compete on the world business stage. Unfortunately, writes Jim Freeman, those shortcomings are becoming glaring in the skills development arena.

A lot of emphasis has been placed on the education system and skills development, which has incidentally become one of the country's top priorities, but is education really the answer? Liza van Wyk talks about the role of education in society.

Investing in a foreign country is an ideal way to diversify and tap new markets but only if it is done the right way. Dr. Khater Massaad talks about the opportunities and pitfalls of business expansions.