Preparing for 2014

Greig WhittonFounder, Evergrow

Brent CombrinkFounder, ProMentor

Webinar outline

• Economic expectations

• Tax changes

• Legislative amendments

• Labour developments

• Marketing opportunities

Economic expectations

• A perfect economic storm?

Economic expectations

• A perfect economic storm?

− Conditions will probably improve towards the end of the year.

− Don’t wait for macro economic growth to drive demand.

Tax changes

• Taxation laws amendments

− Assorted benefits for individuals and companies

− Retirement funding changes of particular interest

Tax changes

• Taxation laws amendments

− Assorted benefits for individuals and companies

− Retirement funding changes of particular interest

− Special Economic Zone tax breaks very appealing

Tax changes

• Extension of VAT to international electronic suppliers

− Shouldn’t be an issue unless SARS burdens local users with compliance tracking

Tax changes

• National Credit Act amendments

− Possible credit history expunction

Tax changes

• National Credit Act amendments

− Possible credit history expunction

− Prohibition of certain charges as well as proof of letters of demand

Legislative amendments

• Protection of Personal Information Act

− Prohibition of unsolicited direct marketing

Legislative amendments

• New B-BBEE Codes

− Awesome for black business owners; catastrophic for white owners

Legislative amendments

• New B-BBEE Codes

− Awesome for black business owners; catastrophic for white owners

− Emphasis on supplier development could benefit many smaller enterprises

Legislative amendments

• Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill

− Proposes controversial employment targets

Labour developments

• Amendments to the BCEA, LRA, and EEA

− More protection for non-permanent employees

Labour developments

• Amendments to the BCEA, LRA, and EEA

− More protection for non-permanent employees

− Possibility of minimum wage increases

Labour developments

• Amendments to the BCEA, LRA, and EEA

− More protection for non-permanent employees

− Possibility of minimum wage increases

− Prohibition of “wage discrimination”

Labour developments

• Amendments to the BCEA, LRA, and EEA

− More protection for non-permanent employees

− Possibility of minimum wage increases

− Prohibition of “wage discrimination”

− Quicker compliance enforcement and stricter penalties

Labour developments

• Employment Services Bill

− Employers may need to notify the Department of Labour about any job vacancies

Marketing opportunities

• The increasing appeal of online marketing

− Sustained growth of the local digital retail market

Marketing opportunities

• The evolution of search and social

− The days of dabbling are over: develop the skills, buy the skills, or don’t bother

Marketing opportunities

• The untapped potential of email

− The contribution from email has jumped dramatically

− Email is quicker, easier, and more affordable than just about any other channel

− Build awareness, nurture leads, track engagement, and convert

− POPI will reward companies that build opt-in audiences

Need more help?

• Evergrow forums

• Guides

• Greig: 021 671 8225

• Brent: 082 425 2708