VISIT TO THE JSE

Before this day, I was completely frustrated by all those acronyms and jargon used in the JSE reports that I could not understand!! Every time I looked at the finance section of the newspaper, I felt alienated and completely unintelligent. I really appreciated this visit because it simplified the world of business and resolved some emotional inadequacies I felt about the entire subject. I now understand that the successful companies listed on the JSE choose to use this kind of investment for their companies because they want their business to be driven by public sentiment and opinion. As a musician, there is plenty to be learned from this because the entertainment business is driven by public sentiment and opinion. I cannot stress enough the importance of image and getting the public to want to be associated with your brand.


Those that invest in the JSE have to accept the consequences of this. The market price for whatever company they want to invest in will rise and fall precariously. It is, however, advisable that an investor should have a thorough understanding of the company’s financial history that he or she is planning to invest in. Similarly, companies that are listed therein have the responsibility to make sure that their company brands have exceptionally positive perceptions in the public eye. Whether we like it or not, no man is an island and all individuals are brands. Terrence Chauke emphasized on this point by urging us to be as informed as possible when it comes to financial affairs. Another reality shown by the JSE is the extent that the South African economy is dependent on first world investors. It then became my concern that most people I know believe that in order to make a better financial life for yourself, you need to invest in foreign currencies and companies whose exchange currency is more valuable than South Africa’s. The ironic thing is that we turn around and complain about how poor our country is becoming whereas we are not prepared to invest in it. I then look at our music record industry. There are constant complaints from the music industry’s participants about being mistreated and not receiving enough marketing for their albums by the very record companies who expect the album to sell like cool drink. Fiona McDonald said in her Leadership presentation that good leaders create positive energy, set people up for success and are able to manage conflict. She then says that a great leader has a strong sense of identity, empathy and love for people. A good leader also has a balanced dose of emotional and cognitive intelligence. Being overly emotional and pessimistic about our quality of life as musicians leads us to a destructive kind of lifestyle. When will we take care of our own brands within, by developing ourselves qualitatively, then without, by leading others to do the same?