Old Mutual

Every generation believes it is worse off than its predecessors, but perhaps Generation Z has a stronger case than most. Amidst a cost of living crisis, with Gen Z graduate salaries down 21% in real terms, what can employers do to help younger team members start to think longer term and save? The answer lies in linking purpose and passion with an unavoidable truth: financial stability is the foundation of all ambition. We need to ask Gen Zs what they want from life and then show how financial planning makes this possible.  This MINDSPACE soundbite is inspired by the April edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. It draws on episode 5 of the Old Mutual Big Business Insights podcast, with host Blessing Utete and guests Omega Shange and KG Bako. Listen for more information on how we can help to change younger generations’ outcomes. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub. Want to stay in the loop with the latest updates, insights, and ideas around retirement, investment, risk, health, and wellbeing on LinkedIn? Follow the Old Mutual Employee Benefits page for practical insights and fresh perspectives. Resources used in this episode: The cost of living crisis is global How to talk to new generations about their savings with KG Bako and Omega Shange

Fierce competition for critical skills has become the new hallmark of our employment landscape. Instead of staying in jobs for the big bonus or paycheque, those lucky enough to be in demand are increasingly prioritising workplace culture and their wellbeing. Studies show that even in a tough economy, many skilled employees are still choosing to resign from their jobs in search of greener pastures. So how can employers attract – and keep – the best people to help meet their organisational goals? To hear more research-based insights, our host Blessing Utete, the Commercial Executive Head at Old Mutual Corporate, is joined by guests Dalene Sechele, Engagement Executive for Life and Savings at Old Mutual, and Lindiwe Sebesho, Managing Director of Remchannel. Together they discuss how one-size-fits-all solutions are a thing of the past when it comes to building an engaged and resilient workforce.  To stay in the game, employers need to understand that people define value differently. Salary, flexibility, retirement security, skills development, career growth, and wellbeing are all in the mix. Tune in to hear why these benefits are no longer optional extras but rather vital investments for sustainable business success.    Resources used in this episode:Dalene Sechele on LinkedInLindiwe Sebesho on LinkedIn  Remchannel Salary & Wage Movement SurveyNew Remchannel survey warns of unseen negative consequences of salary flexibility on pension savings – FANewsRemchannel Quarterly Report August 2025 Remchannel Salary and Benefit Trends 2024 Human Resources Quarterly – Remchannel  Old Mutual Thought Leadership Forum 2025 – Mindspace Special EditionResignation risk persists despite turnover dip – Remchannel  Three minutes on the role of human capital leaders in today’s workplace – video

The world is full of conflict and uncertainty, and executives are under a lot of pressure. How will the uneven global economy affect demand and margins? Will funding conditions tighten? How will energy reforms translate into growth, and where are the biggest long-term opportunities?  The cause for hope is that our economy is more resilient than we realise. Izak Odendaal, Old Mutual’s Investment Strategist, gives some reassurance in this regard, plus three ways to attract businesses to invest in South Africa.  This MINDSPACE soundbite is inspired by the March edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. Listen for more details on the reforms that could accelerate our growth. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub. Want to stay in the loop with the latest updates, insights, and ideas around retirement, investment, risk, health, and wellbeing on LinkedIn? Follow the Old Mutual Employee Benefits page for practical insights and fresh perspectives. Resources used in this episode: Businesses react to Supreme Court’s ruling on Trump’s tariffs Operation Vulindlela promising to add capacity to the national grid Opportunities in South Africa’s recovery – Budget Speech 2026 Pick and stick to your Smarties _ Mindspace SA has enough secured fuel supply to last until mid-April – Newzroom Afrika 

Different generations have unique experiences of the world and their workplaces. By 2030, over 75% of the workforce will be millennials and Gen Zs, so things are shifting rapidly. In a 2025 Deloitte survey, it was found that Gen Z take work-life balance very seriously, with only 6% saying that their primary career goal is to reach a leadership position. Yet these employees will still need to be able to retire someday. How do we help them to save for it? Welcome to the Big Business Insights podcast, brought to you by Old Mutual Corporate. The host, Blessing Utete, the Commercial Executive Head at Old Mutual Corporate, is joined by thought leaders and visionaries across sectors. Together, they seek to understand how we got here and where we’re going.    For this eye-opening episode, Blessing is joined by Omega Shange, a data analyst with a passion for psychology, marketing and finance, and KG Bako, Managing Executive of Talent Management and Transitions at the Absa Group. They share ideas on how to encourage younger generations to plan ahead.  Tune in to hear more about the financial realities that younger employees are facing, different mindsets in the workplace, and what role employers can play in making sure the next generation is set up for financial success.  Follow the Old Mutual Employee Benefits page on LinkedIn and visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub for more insights, research and analysis to help you make the best decisions for your business, your employees and yourself.  Resources used in this episode: KG Bako on LinkedIn Omega Shange on LinkedIn Deloitte 2025 Gen Z and Millennial SurveyMoney Mondays   Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub 

We spend most of our waking lives at work, making the workplace the most powerful platform for fostering financial wellness. Without the employers’ facilitation or participation, our savings levels in South Africa would be far lower. So how can we make the most of this to improve employee outcomes on a large scale?  In this episode of Big Business Insights, brought to you by Old Mutual Corporate, host Blessing Utete, Commercial Executive Head at Old Mutual Corporate, highlights the power of collaboration. He is joined by Geraldine Fowler, president of the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa and Managing Director of GQM Fund Administrators, and Nyasha Dhlembeu, financial management lecturer and PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria, who researches the influence of financial literacy on retirement planning in South Africa.   Together, they unpack the moral and practical obligations of employers. Is it enough to simply offer a fund, or must companies actively nurture the financial wellness of employees, with education and advice? The conversation delves into the impact of financial literacy, revealing why women and young people are often the most vulnerable. The discussion also explores what South Africa can learn from emerging economies like Kenya and Chile regarding auto-enrolment and innovative solutions for the informal sector. Tune in to understand how we can collectively shift South Africa’s savings culture. Follow the Old Mutual Employee Benefits page on LinkedIn and visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub for more insights, research and analysis to help you make the best decisions for your business, your employees and yourself.  Resources used in this episode:   Geraldine Fowler on LinkedInNyasha Dhlembeu on LinkedInInstitute of Retirement Funds AfricaThe Influence of Financial Literacy on Retirement Planning in South Africa (co-authored by Nyasha Dhlembeu) Bankers and Financial Advisers in an Emerging Economy – Are They Financially Literate? (co-authored by Nyasha Dhlembeu)Retirement vs Reality  Designing Better Outcomes  Only 6% retire with enough – Here’s how you can beat the odds Old Mutual Employee Benefits page on LinkedIn   

Adaptability, fluency and flexibility. These are the essential skills of business leaders as they face the coming decade, in which 59% of workers will need to completely re-skill. This isn't just a challenge – it's a matter of survival, defined by rapid technological shifts and unique local complexities. In this episode of Big Business Insights, brought to you by Old Mutual Corporate, host Blessing Utete, the Commercial Executive Head at Old Mutual Corporate, asks how big businesses can thrive in the future, instead of scrambling to keep up.   He is joined by Valter Adão, a TEDx Speaker and expert in the fields of disruptive innovation and business re-imagination, and CEO of Cadena Growth Partners. Our second guest is scientist-practitioner, HR executive, keynote speaker, and global advisor Dr Dieter Veldsman. Dieter is Chief HR Scientist at the Academy to Innovate HR, and professor of practice at the University of Johannesburg.  The conversation covers what keeps executives up at night, why HR demands a strategic role, and some habits leaders can adopt to prepare for the unknown. Tune in to discover why company cultures that encourage experimentation and informed risk-taking are the foundation for technology adoption that truly moves innovation forward and delivers on your goals. Follow the Old Mutual Employee Benefits page on LinkedIn and visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub for more insights, research and analysis to help you make the best decisions for your business, your employees and yourself.  Resources used in this episode:  Dr Dieter Veldsman on LinkedIn   Valter Adão on LinkedIn  Why AI adoption in HR starts at the front line, not in the boardroomThe HR Dialogues podcast The Reskilling Revolution – a WEF initiativeOld Mutual Resource Hub Old Mutual Employee Benefits page on LinkedIn  

In today's compliance-driven employee benefits environment, employers are wondering how to create connection and cohesion, and manage costs while remaining competitive.  This MINDSPACE soundbite, inspired by the February edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter, shares the three major trends that emerged from the Remchannel 2025 Employee Benefits Guide.   Out of 60 organisations, collectively employing over four hundred thousand people, the hot topics include wellness, performance-based rewards, and face time. Listen to this episode to find out more about how cost cutting measures, specialised health benefits, and office mandates are impacting businesses and their people.   If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub.  Want to stay in the loop with the latest updates, insights, and ideas around retirement, investment, risk, health, and wellbeing on LinkedIn? Follow the new Old Mutual Employee Benefits page for practical insights and fresh perspectives.    Resources used in this episode:  SABC clip on Coronavirus Menopause in the workplace – The Conversation podcast, BBC World Service Remote work and the law – Newzroom Afrika Gen Z prioritises mental health over wealth in the workplace – peoplemanagement.co.uk The rising tides of cancers among young adults – National Library of Medicine Old Mutual paid out R29m every working day in underwritten policies in 2024 – Business Day 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility – World Health Organization    Understanding the impact of menopause in the workplace – SHRM    After decades of misunderstanding, menopause is finally having its moment – Yale School of Medicine Cost management remains an executive priority in 2025 – BCG  

The number of registered retirement funds in South Africa has collapsed from almost 16 000 in 2000 to fewer than 5 000 in 2023. Currently, only around 870 of the registered funds are active. For companies, this is a chance to fundamentally redesign employee benefits to help deliver substantially better financial outcomes for their people.In this episode of Big Business Insights, brought to you by Old Mutual Corporate, host Blessing Utete, Commercial Executive Head at Old Mutual Corporate, discusses the opportunities of fund consolidation for employers. Joining us is Astrid Ludin, Deputy Commissioner at the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, with 15 years of experience in consumer protection, financial regulation, inclusion and education. Our other guest is Michelle Acton, Chief Customer Officer at Old Mutual Corporate, whose work involves research and insights, customer engagement, education, data and reporting. Prior to this, she successfully led the Two-Pot programme across the Old Mutual Group.  The discussion covers the myths and truths about umbrella funds, how technology can personalise an employee benefits experience, and the consolidation lessons we can learn from other countries. All of this to achieve our collective goal: giving members the best possible chance at a secure retirement.  Follow the Old Mutual Employee Benefits page on LinkedIn and visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub for more insights, research and analysis to help you make the best decisions for your business, your employees and yourself.  Resources used in this episode:Michelle Acton on LinkedIn Astrid Ludin on LinkedInThe Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)Umbrella fund boom: advisers should assess fit, not just fees  SME South Africa: Employee benefits for small businesses The future of employee benefits in South Africa  Old Mutual Employee Benefits page on LinkedIn  

For many South Africans, life is a balancing act. The Competition Commission’s September 2025 Cost of Living report found that the average worker spends over 57% of their income on transport and electricity. It’s easy to see why financial planning and saving may feel like luxuries.  The Two-Pot system has been a step in the right direction: it gives South Africans access to a portion of their savings in case of emergency, while preserving the retirement pot and thereby help South Africans save more. So, what have we learnt a year in? How can employers help improve preservation rates? And what can neuroscience offer when it comes to understanding why people make the choices they make? This episode of Big Business Insights, brought to you by Old Mutual Corporate, has some answers. Host Blessing Utete, the Commercial Executive Head at Old Mutual Corporate, is joined by neuroscience change specialist and CEO of the Neuroscience Institute for Business, Dr Charlene Heyns-Nell. Also joining the discussion is Michelle Acton, Chief Customer Officer at Old Mutual Corporate, whose work involves research and insights, customer engagement, education, data and reporting.   Together, they help us better understand what drives employees’ decisions around retirement contributions. We delve into the complex emotional and cognitive parts of the process, and what kinds of rewards drive certain behaviours depending on the individual’s personality type.     We also hear what successful communication looks like in a local context – what kind of messaging by employers inspires positive action by employees.   Tune in to understand more about how behavioural science and retirement policy intersect, while looking at what can be done from the top down to encourage better financial preservation.  Follow the Old Mutual Employee Benefits page on LinkedIn and visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub for more insights, research and analysis to help you make the best decisions for your business, your employees and yourself.   Resources used in this episode: Michelle Acton on LinkedIn Dr Charlene Heyns-Nell on LinkedIn   The Neuroscience Institute for Business StatsSA report on monthly earnings in SA The cost of living crisis in SA – Daily Maverick Salaries in South Africa – half of all workers earn less than you think – BusinessTechLooking back on six months of Two-Pot Helping you understand the Two-Pot Retirement System 

In 1950, the average global life expectancy was about 46. Today, we’re marching closer to the 100 mark. But that means that people are set to outlive their savings – in some cases by decades. We need to reimagine retirement. This MINDSPACE soundbite, inspired by the January edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter, gives some ideas how. We reveal South Africa’s score in the 2025 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index, and consider the solutions on how to improve it. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. Want to stay in the loop with the latest updates, insights, and ideas around retirement, investment, risk, health, and wellbeing on LinkedIn? Follow the new Old Mutual Employee Benefits page for practical insights and fresh perspectives.  

When South Africa’s Two-Pot System went live, many employers and retirement funds braced for uncertainty. How many members would withdraw? How quickly? And what would they use the money for? Now, more than a year on, the data has provided clarity. Listen to this episode to find out more. This MINDSPACE soundbite is inspired by the November edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. Want to stay in the loop with the latest updates, insights, and ideas around retirement, investment, risk, health, and wellbeing on LinkedIn? Follow the new Old Mutual Employee Benefits page for practical insights and fresh perspectives. 

What can we learn from other countries who have successfully moved frompoverty to prosperity? Evidence from 60 years of data across 160 countriessuggests that nations with high savings rates enjoy stronger and moresustained growth. What can business leaders and decision-makers do tomake this a reality for South Africa? Listen to this episode to find out.This MINDSPACE soundbite is inspired by the October edition of ourMINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hubat www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. Want to stay in the loop with the latest updates, insights, and ideas aroundretirement, investment, risk, health, and wellbeing on LinkedIn? Follow the newOld Mutual Employee Benefits page for practical insights and freshperspectives.Sourceshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89cJ9KTaZbE https://www.linkedin.com/posts/old-mutual-employee-benefits_economy-savingsandinvestments-jobs-activity-7381236861387575296-wxmF/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAATSm-gB_Uj2aIe6zahNwHrpFRfTgjzUmF8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX1KpVFB1so https://www.linkedin.com/company/old-mutual-employee-benefits/posts/?feedView=all 

Our retirement system has seen significant improvements over the past few decades. But the pace of change is likely to accelerate, not slow down. What three trends are going to shape the future of the retirement industry over the next 10 to 15 years? Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss what innovation is needed to address the challenge of poor retirement outcomes for members, while remaining sensitive to their realities in the South African context. This MINDSPACE Soundbite is inspired by the October edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. Credits: https://youtu.be/SvKdpxo-lVs?t=7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbedDaEWmAIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvKdpxo-lVs https://youtu.be/6XrLzlCkOpA?t=263 

What must South Africa do now to secure better retirement futures? A panel discussion sought to answer this question at the second annual Old Mutual Thought Leaders Forum in August 2025. In this special MINDSPACE Soundbite, we share the engaging dialogue and sound clips from the conversation. The panel comprised Astrid Ludin, Deputy Commissioner of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority; Chris Axelson, Deputy Director-General at the National Treasury; Shafeeq Abrahams, Chief Executive and Principal Officer of the Eskom Pension and Provident Fund; and Paul Watson, Principal at PDW Advisory in Australia. The discussion was moderated by Humphrey Mkwebu, Old Mutual Corporate’s Acting Managing Director. How can we better prepare ourselves for further reforms, what did Two-Pot teach us about tech, and is auto-enrolment on the cards for South Africa? Listen to find out.     If you’d like to subscribe to the MINDSPACE newsletter, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. Sources: Thought Leaders Forum 2025 

The industry is still buzzing with energy and ideas from the second annual Old Mutual Thought Leaders Forum, held on 12 August 2025. Listen to this special MINDSPACE Soundbite, which shares the engaging dialogue and diverse perspectives of the event. Our esteemed speakers and panellists included Professor Adrian Saville of GIBS; Paul Watson, Principal at PDW Advisory; Astrid Ludin, Deputy Commissioner of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority; Shafeeq Abrahams, Chief Executive and Principal Officer of the Eskom Pension and Provident Fund; Chris Axelson, Deputy Director-General at the National Treasury; Valter Adão, Chief Executive Officer at Cadena Growth Partners; KG Bako, Managing Executive of Talent Management and Transitions at Absa Group Limited; Colin Smith, Executive of Human Resources at Northam Platinum; Lindiwe Sebesho, Managing Director of Remchannel; Zingiswa Losi, President of Cosatu: and former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, currently a faculty member at Stellenbosch University. The Forum made it clear that the work ahead is significant – but so is our potential to make a real impact on improving economic outcomes for millions of South Africans.  If you’d like to subscribe to the MINDSPACE newsletter, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. 

We’re navigating a new world trade order. The world’s geopolitical landscape is shifting beneath our feet, with new alliances forming and old powers jostling for influence. South Africa finds itself walking a tightrope. On one side, geopolitical alliances and ideological narratives. On the other, the urgent need for economic growth, job creation, and the upliftment of ordinary South Africans. So, where does our country stand in this emerging new world trade order? Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss how we as a nation can prioritise the right things: our people, our economy, and our future. This MINDSPACE Soundbite is inspired by the June edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. 

South Africa’s unemployment rate hovers above 30% – a staggering figurethat demands urgent action. SMEs and startups are powerful engines for jobcreation, but only if they can grow and scale effectively. Our entrepreneurialecosystem is gaining momentum, but we’re at a critical juncture. What can welearn from Europe and the US to help unlock our country’s potential?Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss how we can betterbuild an environment – through policies, finance and support structures – todrive innovation and employment growth.This MINDSPACE Soundbite is inspired by the May edition of ourMINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hubat www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub.

We’ve recently seen a shift in the global aid landscape. Some of the world’s largest economies are pulling back on international aid to prioritise their domestic concerns. This raises an important question for South Africa: How do we create self-sustainability beyond foreign aid?Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss how we can better structure our economy to create sustainable progress rather than rely on short-term relief. Some of SA’s biggest challenges lie in infrastructure development, job creation, and fostering economic growth. What can the public and private sectors do together to change things for a better future?  This MINDSPACE Soundbite is inspired by the April edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. 

For decision-makers, the challenge is clear: finding the right balance between productivity, culture, employee engagement, recruitment, and retention. How does hybrid work fit into this picture? Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss the findings of a global study, the 2024 HP Work Relationship Index, on what employees and employers value most in the workplace. You might be surprised to hear the results. We also ask what skills and tools the workforce will need to work alongside AI in the future. This MINDSPACE Soundbite is inspired by the March edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. 

The post-COVID era has brought about significant changes in the workplace, introducing new work models, systems, and non-traditional income opportunities. This raises an important question: how will retirement look in a world where its traditional framework has evolved? This thought-provoking topic is the focus of this episode of the Big Business Insights podcast, hosted by Blessing Utete, Managing Executive at Old Mutual Corporate Consultants. Guests Doris Viljoen, Director of the Institute for Futures Research at Stellenbosch Business School, and Graeme Codrington, thought leader and founder of Futures Club, provide insights into the shifting retirement landscape. They examine the reframing of traditional single-employer pension plans, the influence of trends like job-hopping and the gig economy, and the rising importance of adaptability and individual responsibility in retirement planning. The discussion also tackles issues such as short-term financial thinking, the critical role of financial literacy, and practical steps for individuals and employers to build secure financial futures. Resources used in this episode:Kiplinger.com: 6 ways retirement has changed over the past 25 years   Bowmanslaw.com: South Africa working beyond retirement   Businesstech.com: How much money you need to retire in SA    iol.co.za: Plan your retirement early  eNCA: Are South Africans ready for retirement?Financial Bunny: You don’t need a retirement fund 

The latest data from the World Economic Forum (WEF 2024) shows that women in 41 African countries earn, on average, 39% less than men and struggle to receive the same wage for the same job as their male colleagues. This season on the Big Business Insights podcast, we explore the evolving dynamics of the workplace, including the critical topic of gender equality.In this episode of Big Business Insights, host Blessing Utete, Managing Executive at Old Mutual Corporate, Phillipa Geard, founder of RecruitMyMom, and Celiwe Ross, Director of Strategy, Sustainability, People, and Public Affairs at Old Mutual, delve deeper into the historical and current challenges faced by women in the workplace. Examining systemic issues such as the wage gap and career barriers, this conversation highlights the ongoing need to balance flexible work arrangements, financial security, and holistic wellness to create inclusive work environments. Resources used in this episode:●      Diversity for Social Impact Gender Equality in the Workplace ●      TEDx Talks: “A Seat at the Table” Isn’t the Solution for Gender Equity | Lilly Singh●     Britannica.com: Industrial Revolution●     UNwomen.org: Progress On The Sustainable Development Goals●     Working women in South Africa report 2024

Silicon Valley is home to many of the world's largest tech companies, and thousands of startups. Why is it that this small area is a global epicentre for tech and innovation? The reason is that innovators and entrepreneurs there don’t seem to get discouraged when a pitch, a business plan, or an idea doesn’t work; they just go back and try again. Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we discuss how to foster an ethos of collaboration and encouragement in the workplace, so stakeholders across the spectrum can help each other to try things, even if they fail at first, and innovate for the greater good.  This episode contains five encouraging takeouts from the 2025 World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, courtesy of Old Mutual CEO Iain Williamson, that will make you feel (more) optimistic about doing business in Africa. This MINDSPACE Soundbite is inspired by the February edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub.

This episode of the Big Business Insights podcast discusses the shifting landscape of financial wellbeing in South African workplaces, particularly in the context of the country's retirement preparations and widespread financial literacy issues. Blessing Utete hosts a conversation with Fatima Vawda, a Director of the Association of Savings and Investments South Africa, and Mlamuli Mbambo, Managing Director of Money Fundi, financial educator, coach and author.Why do some employees not make use of their workplace financial wellness programmes, even if they can clearly be used to their advantage? Can employee engagement with financial wellness programmes be improved? What kinds of strategies can be used to do so? Creative approaches like storytelling, gamification, and peer-to-peer learning are impactful ways to approach these sometimes tricky dynamics. Listen to this episode to find out.Resources used in this episode: 10x.co.za: 10X Retirement Reality Report  Businesstech.co.za: How much money you need to retire in South Africa  Mlamuli Mbambo LinkedIn  Oldmutual.co.za: What is the Financial Wellbeing Programme?  NYU StudentLink YouTube: What is Financial Literacy? | IntroductionSABC News YouTube: Financial literacy challenges for SA: Mamapudi Nkgadima weighs in 

The growing presence of AI is multifaceted and impacts our lives in multiple ways. However, AI is not new and learning to grapple with this topic is important both now and for the future.  This episode of the Big Business Insights podcast unpacks the profound impact of artificial intelligence on various industries. Host Blessing Utete, Managing Executive at Old Mutual Corporate Consultants, is joined by Antonia Bothner, Capital Markets Lead at Endeavor SA, and Samad Masood, Associate Vice President at the Infosys Knowledge Institute, to dive into AI’s role and the challenges it faces in understanding human emotions and adaptability within the workspace. The trio highlights the value of maintaining the human touch even while advancing technologies and successfully using AI as a co-creator instead of using it to replace human beings.  Resources used in this episode: TechTarget: AI in banking: Benefits, risks, what’s next  Santander.com: What is artificial intelligence and how does it affect banking? New York Times: 35 Ways Real People Are Using A.I. Right Now    Forbes.com: The 10 Best Examples Of How AI Is Already Used In Our Everyday LifeGlobal Education: AI in Everyday Life: How Artificial Intelligence Impacts You TEDx Talks: The value of human creativity in the AI era | Beena Ammanath 

The changing landscape of employment demands creative financial solutions. Traditional nine-to-five desk jobs with financial benefits tied to a single employer are less common than they once were. Today, the rise of the gig economy and new work models, accelerated by the global pandemic, have reshaped how we work. We may even need to change the language we’ve used for years. In this episode of the Big Business Insights podcast, host Blessing Utete unpacks this evolving landscape of retirement and financial planning together with Dr Bomikazi Zeka, Associate Professor in Finance and Financial Planning at the University of Canberra, and futurist and CEO of Flux Trends, Dion Chang. They discuss the new Two-Pot Retirement System and the diverse economic and social factors affecting retirement planning globally, and have predictions about Gen Z’s ways of working. Resources used in this episode: ●      Weforum.org: Global Risks Report●      Treasury.gov.za: Retirement Fund Reform  ●      Oxfordre.com: Social Policy: History (1900–1950)●      PopTech YouTube: The changing world of work●      SABC YouTube Clip: Two-Pot System  ●      LinkedIn: How big is the creator economy? Three times larger than we thought!●      Oldmutual.co.za: Revolution in retirement: How the "Two-Pot" system brightens the future for South Africa's workers

Leadership and psychological safety in the workplace have garnered much attention in recent years. Workplaces are shifting and the way that people engage at work and the expectations they have are changing, too. There is a call for healthier leadership and for leaders who foster psychological safety.  In this episode of the Old Mutual Corporate Big Business Insights podcast, host Blessing Utete, Managing Executive at Old Mutual Corporate Consultants, leads a discussion focussed on leadership’s role in fostering a psychologically safe workplace and addressing workplace bullying. Dr Ngao Motsei, an independent leadership consultant, outlines the legal framework and importance of psychological safety, while Thelma Janse van Rensburg, an empathic leader in high-growth tech, shares insights into authentic leadership and its impact on employee engagement. The conversation highlights the need for respectful treatment of employees, the complexities of workplace bullying, and the benefits of a psychologically safe environment for productivity and talent retention. Old Mutual’s employee benefits offerings are designed to optimise financial outcomes by ensuring employees are not just financially stable, but also physically thriving and emotionally balanced.  Help yours manage their financial and physical health with an innovative suite of employee benefits solutions from Old Mutual.  Visit: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/employers/ Resources used in this episode:  BBC Are You Being Bullied At Work? YouTube Clip Tyler Waye Motivational Teamwork YouTube Clip  EAPASA-SA The State of Mental Health in South Africa   https://mentalstateoftheworld.report/  Building Psychologically Safe Spaces by Ngao Motsei Dr Ngao Motsei How to protect and support staff wellbeing 

In today’s labour market, what would you define as a ‘good’ job? To qualify, it needs to be meaningful to the company, and the person doing it. It seems some organisations – and their employees! – are still learning that a job should be more than X number of hours a day and Y deliverables at Z remuneration. Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we cover what holistic employee wellness looks like, how leaders can create environments conducive to wellness, and how this can benefit everyone concerned – not to mention the bottom line. For more on the future of employee benefits in South Africa, register and read the 2024 special edition of the MiNDSPACE publication: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/old-mutual-thought-leaders-forum/. This MINDSPACE Soundbite is inspired by the December edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. 

When you talk to others about retirement, what do they think their sunset years will look like? Do they imagine travel, new hobbies, peace and relaxation? In these scenarios, they likely have the financial freedom to do all of the above. Unfortunately, the reality is usually quite different. So what can we do to bring South Africans closer to their goals after employment? Join us for this MINDSPACE Soundbite as we look at Two Pot claims numbers and the findings of our Retirement Reality survey. For more insights from the speakers who presented at the Thought Leaders forum, register and read the 2024 special edition of the MiNDSPACE publication: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/old-mutual-thought-leaders-forum/This MINDSPACE Soundbite is inspired by the October edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. 

Part 2In this episode Senzo Lubisi, Head of Collections and ECM Strategy at Old Mutual, explains how credit providers use credit bureau information to assess payment profile history, recent credit inquiries, fraud information, and affordability. This information is used in conjunction with internal data and bank statements to determine a customer's creditworthiness and ability to repay before approving credit applications. Senior Decision Analyst Consultant at Experian, Vusi January, addresses concerns about data privacy and security, stating that Experian prioritises data protection through employee training, secure data transfers, encryption, and regular testing for potential vulnerabilities.

In this episode Senzo Lubisi, Head of Collections and ECM Strategy at Old Mutual, explains how credit providers use credit bureau information to assess payment profile history, recent credit inquiries, fraud information, and affordability. This information is used in conjunction with internal data and bank statements to determine a customer's creditworthiness and ability to repay before approving credit applications. Senior Decision Analyst Consultant at Experian SA, Vusi January, addresses concerns about data privacy and security, stating that Experian prioritises data protection through employee training, secure data transfers, encryption, and regular testing for potential vulnerabilities.

The 2024 Old Mutual Thought Leaders Forum took a deep look into retirement outcomes and their current state locally and internationally.In this MINDSPACE Soundbite, we recap some of the highlights of the event and the top insights from local and international guests on the world of retirement, but also beyond:How are South Africa’s retirement funds doing, and how can we improve the industry? What’s going on in the world of work, what do modern employees really want, and how can today’s leaders captain their organisations into the future?Listen and learn in this episode of MINDSPACE Soundbite.If you’d like more insights from the speakers who presented at the forum, register and read the 2024 special edition of the MiNDSPACE publication: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/old-mutual-thought-leaders-forum/This MINDSPACE Soundbite is inspired by the September edition of our MINDSPACE newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, contact us at [email protected] or visit the Old Mutual Corporate Resource Hub at www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate/resource-hub. 

In this episode of the Old Mutual Finance Podcast Series, Senzo Lubisi is joined by Robin Raichman, and they both unpack debt review process and consideration, debt consolidation and relief options, prescribed debt as well as listing and paid-up letters.  

Head of Collections and ECM Strategy at Old Mutual Finance, Senzo Lubisi speaks to Motheo Khoaripe about the Credit. What is credit? What is the cost of credit?

Understand the benefits of the Old Mutual Max Investment Optimal Retirement Plan which include adjust your premiums when you need to, boost your fund value after five years and opt for premium protection benefit.

A look at different retirement savings products - what are the differences between pension, provident funds and retirement annuities.

Saving for retirement is is about designing the life you're going to live in the future, today. Discover why it's important to start saving early.

SMEs are engines of innovation, job creation & economic growth, yet they have challenges accessing funding. Join Audery Masango & Nobesuthu Ndlovu, Director of SME at Old Mutual address the challenges SMEs face with access to funding and more. 

A number of unexpected factors are shaping group risk insurance in our post-pandemic world – heightened awareness of what they’re getting amongst employees, flexible benefits structures and an entirely new definition of what it means to be ‘at work.’Join Big Business Insights podcast host Blessing Utete and Old Mutual’s Group Assurance Business Executive, Mariaan de Jongh, as they discuss these trends, how they are changing group benefits products and choices, and importantly, how it could influence your company’s employee value proposition in the future.  You’ll gather insights on:Trends in group risk benefits and what’s driving themDeath and disability benefits in a post-Covid South AfricaThe rise of flexible structures and how employees are exercising more choiceWhat employers should consider before allowing flexibilityThe value of funeral benefits many employees seem to miss, and why.Listen now. 

Many South African employees, across industries and income bands, are struggling financially. But just how much, and from an employer’s perspective, how much does it affect their work?In this episode of Big Business Insights, host Blessing Utete is joined by Dr. Frank Magwegwe to discuss the important subject of employee financial wellness. Dr Magwegwe, popularly knowns as Dr Mags, is a personal finance and employee financial wellness expert, a financial planning researcher, life planner, educator, and an academic, and passionate about this South African dilemma.  Join Dr. Mags and Blessing as they discuss:The state of the SA workforce’s financesHow HR managers and business leaders can spot the signs of financial distressWhat you as a decision-maker can do to help your employees learn the right financial behaviours to become financially healthy. Listen now. 

The four-day workweek has been a topic of discussion across the globe since the Covid-19 pandemic changed the way many businesses approached their way of working. This year, a number of companies in South Africa adopted the shorter week as a pilot project and reward-management experts at Remchannel did a countrywide survey among corporate employers to get insights into their thinking around a 32-hour workweek.Listen to this Big Business Insights podcast hosted by Blessing Utete, host and Managing Executive at Old Mutual Corporate Consultants in conversation with Remchannel’s Managing Director Designate, Lindiwe Sebesho, as they discuss what the survey reveals and whether the four-day workweek is gaining traction, plus how decision-makers should view it within their overall EVP. Topics covered include: What the four-day workweek is and how it’s playing out in businessInteresting findings that have come out of Remchannel’s survey What SA corporates think about the ideaWhy the four-day workweek is actually part of a bigger employee conversationHow businesses and decision-makers can gauge if it’s the right choice for their business, and what to do if it isn’t.Listen now.

The proposed Two-Pot Retirement System could be implemented as soon as March 2024. Yet a lot of questions remain about how exactly the new system will work, how to prepare for it, and what it will mean for funds and their members.In this episode of our Big Business Insights podcast series, host and Managing Executive at Old Mutual Corporate Consultants Blessing Utete asks our Retirement Reform Executive Michelle Acton – who’s been closely involved with Treasury in the consultation process around the new system – all the important questions you need to know:What’s changing, what isn’t and what’s still unclear?How will it change the retirement and employee benefits landscape? What do employers and brokers need to explain to their employees or clients?How exactly will the Savings Pot work?And more.Listen as Blessing and Michelle unpack the who, what, when and how of, arguably, the most impactful change to the South African retirement industry in recent history.

Big Business InsightsEveryone at the helm of a business, whether a large corporate or a small or medium-sized enterprise, wants to take the right decisions for their businesses to grow and their people to thrive. Join Old Mutual Corporate’s Malusi Ndlovu as he talks to different experts to answer some of the questions you may have and help you to take informed decisions.S1 EP5: What to consider when moving staff from one group pension fund to anotherWhen an employer decides to move their entire workforce to another group retirement fund, HR and fund trustees have to consider all the stakeholders. Leanne van Wyk, an expert on pension-fund regulations and Director of ICTS Legal Services, explains what the law says, which steps to follow and what rights employees – the fund members – have.

Big Business InsightsEveryone at the helm of a business, whether a large corporate or a small or medium-sized enterprise, wants to take the right decisions for their businesses to grow and their people to thrive. Join Old Mutual Corporate’s Malusi Ndlovu as he talks to different experts to answer some of the questions you may have and help you to take informed decisions.S1 EP4: The Great Resignation’s impact on South African employers and HR managersThe Great Resignation has been worrying HR professionals since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Employers in South Africa have also seen some of their best workers and even senior managers leave in pursuit of greater fulfilment and work-life balance. Dr Roze Phillips, a foremost workplace expert, leadership coach and futurist, talks to us about what employers can expect in the next few years.

Big Business InsightsEveryone at the helm of a business, whether a large corporate or a small or medium-sized enterprise, wants to take the right decisions for their businesses to grow and their people to thrive. Join Old Mutual Corporate’s Malusi Ndlovu as he talks to different experts to answer some of the questions you may have and help you to take informed decisions.S1 EP3:  The key to managing risks to your retirement savingsRetirement funds use risk-sharing to spread out risk to ensure members of outcomes that are as consistent as possible. It is a particular feature of smoothed bonus funds that are designed to protect members and their pensions against market slumps. Fred van der Vyver, Old Mutual’s Head: Group Retirement and Guaranteed Solutions, explains how this works.

Big Business Insights Everyone at the helm of a business, whether a large corporate or a small or medium-sized enterprise, wants to take the right decisions for their businesses to grow and their people to thrive. Join Old Mutual Corporate’s Malusi Ndlovu as he talks to different experts to answer some of the questions you may have and help you to take informed decisions.S1 EP2: How HR managers can best manage a staff retirement fund Why should employers and HR directors become more involved in their group retirement fund and what it offers? Fred van der Vyver, Old Mutual’s Head: Group Retirement and Guaranteed Solutions,says it’s one thing making sure that your employees get a salary each month and can pay their bills, but it’s another to have a benefit package that will take care of their financial needs in retirement too.  For more information, visit oldmutual.co.za/corporate

Big Business InsightsEveryone at the helm of a business, whether a large corporate or a small or medium-sized enterprise, wants to take the right decisions for their businesses to grow and their people to thrive. Join Old Mutual Corporate’s Malusi Ndlovu as he talks to different experts to answer some of the questions you may have and help you to take informed decisions.S1 EP1: Can employers still pay for the best talent?Around the world salaries are not keeping up with inflation, leaving HR with a problem: How to attract top talent when you can’t compete on salary. René Richter, Managing Director of Remchannel, believes that many jobseekers and staff members now seek life-work balance and not work-life balance. So, is employee loyalty dead? For more information, visit oldmutual.co.za/corporate

Listen to the Old Mutual On the Money Podcast, hosted by Head of Financial Education, John Manyike, as Michelle Acton takes us through facts around effective retirement preparation, the pros and cons of retirement, and the new Pension Act around the two pot system.

International award-winning musician and songwriter Gigi LaMayne sat down with John Manyike, Head of Financial Education at Old Mutual, to chat about all things money related in the third episode of our "On The Money" podcast series. From regrets to financial highs and future plans, Gigi shares:Her experiences and struggles during CovidThe importance of diversifying income streams for young peopleThe role budgeting plays in her lifeHer financial visionAnd more! 

South Africa recognises three different marriage regimes: civil marriages, civil unions, and customary marriages. In this episode of the “On The Money” podcast series, John Manyike, Head of Financial Education at Old Mutual, sits down with attorney Bianza Liesering and “Anonymous” who shares her personal experience of being in a customary marriage and the impact it had on her financially. We hear from Bianza on how a customary marriage is recognised legally in South Africa and she explains: how antenuptial agreements impact a marriage,when antenuptial agreements should be drawn up and signed,and what people should take into account before getting married in South Africa. 

Entrepreneur and Iconic Entertainer DJ Sbu sat down with ,John Manyike, Head of Financial Education at Old Mutual, to chat about his relationship with money in this season opening of our “On the Money” podcast series. Get valuable tips from DJ Sbu & John Manyike on how to get ahead of your finances, and hear DJ Sbu talk about overcoming his worst financial decisions,  his thoughts on the major stumbling blocks impacting black children and their ability to create wealth, how people can play a role in your success, dealing with adversity and negative energy, and so much more!