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Performance Management: The Role of Process Audits in Sustained Performance

June 24, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort." – John Ruskin

Aiming to maintain high performance and continuous improvement? Then let me suggest that process audits are not a luxury—they’re a necessity. A process audit systematically examines workflows, identifies inefficiencies, and ensures alignment with business goals. It helps organisations spot risks early, uncover hidden waste, and maintain a culture of accountability and excellence.

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In Guest Blog Tags Dr Michélle Booysen, Management Advice, Strategy
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Performance Management: Linking data to processes for better decision-making

June 2, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.” – W. Edwards Deming

The ability to make informed decisions is a competitive advantage. Yet too often, data lives in one silo and processes in another. When businesses link data to their processes, decision-making becomes faster, smarter, and more aligned with strategic goals.

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In Guest Blog Tags Dr Michélle Booysen, Management Advice, Strategy
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Performance Management: How to Build a Culture of Continuous Process Improvement

June 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“What gets measured gets managed.” – Peter Drucker

Performance dashboards are powerful tools to drive decision-making, improve efficiency, and align daily operations with strategic goals. For dashboards to truly work, they must be simple, relevant, and actionable. A well-crafted performance dashboard is not about volume of data—it’s about clarity and purpose.

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In Guest Blog Tags Dr Michélle Booysen, Management Advice, Strategy
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Performance Management: Creating Performance Dashboards That Work

May 17, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“What gets measured gets managed.” – Peter Drucker

Performance dashboards are powerful tools to drive decision-making, improve efficiency, and align daily operations with strategic goals. For dashboards to truly work, they must be simple, relevant, and actionable. A well-crafted performance dashboard is not about volume of data—it’s about clarity and purpose.

Read more
In Guest Blog Tags Dr Michélle Booysen, Management Advice, Strategy
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Performance Management: Team Engagement: Processes That Empower Individuals and Co-workers

May 10, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” – Simon Sinek

Engaged teams are the engine behind successful customer experiences and business growth. When processes are designed to empower individuals and foster collaboration, teams become more motivated, productive, and accountable. Empowerment through process means giving teams clarity, autonomy, and the tools to succeed.

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In Guest Blog Tags Dr Michélle Booysen, Management Advice, Strategy
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Performance Management: How to Identify and Eliminate Bottlenecks in Processes

May 1, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” – Proverb

Bottlenecks are process weak points that slow down operations, cause delays, and frustrate customers. Identifying and addressing these inefficiencies is essential to improving performance and customer satisfaction. With a process-driven mindset, businesses can pinpoint bottlenecks, eliminate waste, and streamline workflows for smoother service delivery.

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In Guest Blog Tags Dr Michélle Booysen, Management Advice, Strategy
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Performance Management: The Role of Metrics in Process Improvement

April 12, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” – Peter Drucker

Processes are the foundation of operational efficiency, but without measurable data, businesses risk making decisions based on assumptions rather than insights. Metrics provide a clear, objective view of how well processes are performing and where improvements are needed. By tracking the right metrics, one can identify inefficiencies, enhance performance, and drive continuous improvement.

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In Guest Blog Tags Dr Michélle Booysen, Management Advice, Strategy
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Performance Management: Aligning Processes with Business Goals to Drive Performance

April 5, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Every process is an opportunity for performance improvement.” – Michael Hammer

Over the past ten blogs, we have explored how processes play a crucial role in delivering outstanding customer service. The next series shifts focus to how aligning processes with business goals drives performance, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

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In Guest Blog Tags Dr Michélle Booysen, Management Advice, Strategy
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The Global Context Has Changed and Context Rules!

December 14, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Louise Mowbray

The power of context, why it always rules and how developing your Contextual Intelligence empowers you to adapt and thrive.

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In Guest Blog Tags Louise Mowbray, Strategy
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How to Skyrocket Your Sales Through Robust Sales Strategy

July 20, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

Having a strategy in place is crucial for directing your sales efforts effectively. Many business owners feel like they are "talking into the abyss" because their efforts are scattered, inconsistent, and ultimately ineffective. A cohesive plan transforms random activities into a focused approach that drives results. It's akin to building a house—you need a blueprint to ensure everything comes together seamlessly.

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In Guest Blog Tags Thembe Khumalo, Sales, Strategy
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Getting the Basics Right: Website Must-Haves

January 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Cindy Maléombho-Codo

A website is essential for any business or organization in today's digital world. It's an easy way to reach a wide audience, build brand recognition, and establish credibility. But what do you need to create a successful website? This article will provide an overview of the components that should be included to ensure a successful online presence.

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In Guest Blog Tags Cindy Maléombho-Codo, Strategy, Brand
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2023 - Simplify and move mountains!

January 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

A new year, a new look, new thoughts, drive and direction…all these plans you had as you sat deep into the evenings during the quiet festive season. You get back into the office with (if you have been lucky enough to see the Ocean) the grains of sand still scratching between your toes and… nothing has changed.

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In Team Lioness Tags Strategy, Entrepreneurial Mindset
Comment

Not sure if your business needs a rebrand?

January 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Cindy Maléombho-Codo

A rebrand can be a powerful tool for your business. It can help you change your image, connect with new customers, and tap into new markets. But why exactly should a company consider a rebrand? This article will explore why a rebrand can be a valuable asset for your business. You may be thinking your business is doing just fine, but if you're not seeing the growth you want, it might be time for a rebrand.

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In Guest Blog Tags Cindy Maléombho-Codo, Strategy, Brand
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The importance of positioning your business

November 27, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Cindy Maléombho-Codo

In business, it is essential to have a clear brand strategy and positioning. Your position in the market will determine the success of your business. Therefore, the importance of positioning your business cannot be understated. By having a clear brand and positioning strategy, you will be able to reach your target market better and achieve your desired results. In the business world, first impressions are everything.

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In Guest Blog Tags Cindy Maléombho-Codo, Strategy
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3 Incredibly Useful Scarcity Strategies for Creatives

March 4, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Robyn Keet

Let me save you some time by sharing what I’ve learned about keeping your customers dialled in. It’s called Scarcity aka FOMO (fear of missing out) You might have seen this strategy been used before by service-based businesses. It’s a great strategy that Creatives can use to boost sales during the year or reduce stock before including a new range in your offering.

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In Guest Blog Tags Robyn Keet, Strategy
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A consistent voice, a clear purpose, a coherent strategy and a long term view 

January 23, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

We woke to find it was Davos week! The gathering of the ‘Great and the Good’ of the finance world under the World Economic Forum banner who meet once a year in Switzerland to discuss, deliberate and invest, is as regular as a one of their famous Cuckoo Clocks. Sadly, at the last moment, and especially for those already in their Ski Jackets, Covid hit again and Davos was postponed until the summer and replaced by a few on-line speeches. All was not lost however, because one who is always at this event, a certain Mr. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, the world's largest investment firm with many US$ billions under management, recently published his annual letter to shareholders. In this there is a call to arms for all CEOs:

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In Team Lioness Tags Purpose, Strategy
Comment

Who Are Your Competitors?

May 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-52.png

by Catia Mondlane

As I was writing my business plan, I would easily answer most questions. But when I got to the market section, this was where I would find it very interesting because it was my chance to show how deep were my studies and research. I had to talk about the market in general where I identified the firm’s target market, a detailed segment and its tendencies for growth. But when I got to the competitors subsection I would always pause, think about it and question myself numerous times on how I should answer. Especially the questions that suggest a sneaky behavior where one actually has to find ways to gather other similar companies’ internal information, the type of information they wouldn’t just give to anyone.

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In Guest Blog Tags Catia Mondlane, Strategy, Competitor Analysis
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Why Your Business Needs To Consider These 2020 Strategic Planning Insights 

January 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken
pablo-951.png

by Mandisa Makubalo

I’m sure we are all familiar with the culture of “strategic planning” which sees most businesses taking time out to plan for the year ahead. This practice has become a culture in such a way that massive budgets are allocated to these gatherings. These sessions should be about looking at ways to solve business challenges through design whether this is what happens nobody knows except when customers and employees start feeling the pain. 

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Strategy
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Identifying Roles to set effective Goals

February 22, 2019 Melanie Hawken
setting-goals-2019.jpg

by Claire Holden, Empowerment Coach

How many hats do you wear? How many roles do you fill? As an entrepreneur you’re a business owner and likely a finance manager, marketing director, accounts receivable clerk and operations manager too. Many of you will also be a wife, mother, daughter, sibling, team or group member, friend, volunteer…. The list goes on! The risk is that we spread ourselves so thin trying to be all things to all people, that we fail to prioritise the things that are most important to us personally and to our businesses. So, how do we change this? How do we cultivate a life where we clearly articulate our goals and set clear action plans in place for success?

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In Guest Blog Tags Claire Holden, Management Advice, Strategy
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

MEET THE 10 FINALISTS — We look forward to announcing the winning women founders on 19 November 2025.


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie
Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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