BUSINESS TALK

Is your business healthy... and fit?

If you feel like a "business athlete" then read through this article and then visit www.marathongroup.co.za and complete a questionnaire to determine your fitness.

Think about your business as an athlete preparing to participate in a grueling marathon. To even start, let alone actually finish the race, the runner needs to be in a healthy condition. Then, to finish strong (and feel good about it), or even be competing for a medal, you need to be in peak condition. In a nutshell, to be a competitive participant and a force to be reckoned with, you need to enjoy both good health as well as a high level of fitness.

The same principles apply in business.

When times are tough, as we've seen over these last years, you need to be superbly fit to make it up those steep hills. Similarly, when the market is good there are so many others in the field and you need to be out there and in front.

In order to absorb the pressures and challenges that are thrown your way, the business needs to have the 'basics' in place, those critical success factors such as good products and services plus a strong management team. Getting these factors in place are qualifiers to success in the "business race".

However, in order to win the 'medal', you need to have at least one or two competitive edges - that X factor that makes athletes great. These are those factors that allow you to grow market share and importantly, provide a decent return on investment for owners and shareholders.

Enjoy the race - we're looking forward to later running with you!

Reinier Matthee
Marathon Group

Licensed as a financial services provider in terms of section 8 of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 (Act No. 37 of 2002). FSP No. 6003