Stand Up! Business

Investment banker Mark Barnes and Business Maverick editor Tim Cohen unwrap the news. A new edition of StandUp!Business midweek, every week.

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Episodes

Should the PIC split, and the world unite?

Entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Business Maverick editor Tim Cohen discuss whether the state pensioners’ fund manager, the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) which now has R2.7-trillion under management, should be split up. Also, does the GNU mean SA will stop drifting into the ambit of authoritarian regimes? And finally, is sports betting a financial risk to sports enthusiasts or a financial boon to sporting codes. Or both!Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design by Bernard K...

Oct 08, 2024•20 min•Ep. 82

Chickens and China ...

Entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Business Maverick editor Tim Cohen discuss the importance of chickens and China this week, in light of the application for VAT-exempting chicken. This leads to a proposal by Mark that we dispense with tax entirely other than VAT, which could see feathers flying. Moving on to our authoritative knowledge on other topics, we discuss who South Africans would prefer to be the next US president and conclude anyone other than Trump would probably be fine.Production and Edit...

Sep 30, 2024•21 min•Ep. 81

Diamonds, the weather, municipalities: the challenge of adapting to change

Are diamonds really forever? This is just one of the questions we chat about this week. There are so many changes taking place, as the dramatic snowfall in KZN underlines, it raises the question of how do you roll with the changes. Adaption is harder than many imagine, and small problems can become very big, very fast, as SA's failing municipalities show. But some things don't change: we will always have the braai - happy heritage day.Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design...

Sep 23, 2024•22 min•Ep. 80

Our pet subject: the interesting things about interest rates

Pets, specifically cats and dogs, suddenly became a topic of international interest after they somehow contrived to make an appearance at the debate between former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Pity the poor town of Springfield, Massachusetts whose city officials now have to investigate whether legal Haitian immigrants are “eating the cats”. It's our pet topic, as is international interest rates which will start coming down this week. What are the consequences and w...

Sep 16, 2024•19 min•Ep. 79

Financial skullduggery and ineptitude from VBS, to the construction mafia to Transnet.

Lots of important financial news came tumbling out this week concerning Transnet, the Post Office, Eskom, the construction mafia and VBS. Entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Business Maverick editor Tim Cohen discuss the difference - and the similarities - between fraud and ineptitude, which actually quite often go together. We also talk about the extent to which wealth has grown around the world (it has, by leaps and bounds) and where it grew the most. There is also a sports riddle.Production and Edit...

Sep 10, 2024•20 min•Ep. 78

The magic of Trillion $ companies and a couple of pots

Investment banker Mark Barnes and business journalist Tim Cohen discuss the ongoing financial scandals revealed over the past week, include the potential bankruptcy of water boards and ongoing "Red Roses" PPE tender scandal. We also discuss the inauguration of the two-pot system for retirement savings, which leads to large discussion about the nature of debt. We consider the concept of trillion, companies with market capitalisation of over a trillion dollars, and particularly Nvidia and its futu...

Sep 02, 2024•17 min•Ep. 77

No consensus on the census | Reviving Joburg city centre | the ROI of university courses

Mark Barnes and Tim Cohen consider the consequences of a failed census. They are probably a lot more serious than most people think. Disputes about the validity of SA's 2022 census will complicate services provision, and highlight the degree of semi-gration out of Johannesburg. Another fire in downtown Joburg underlines once again the need for decisive, informed, and active leadership. Also, what financial benefits do you get from which university degree? Calculations on the return on investment...

Aug 26, 2024•19 min•Ep. 76

When will the political merry-go-round settle | Is working from home working

Entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Business Maverick Editor Tim Cohen discuss the end of the EFF bromance between new MK member Floyd Shivambu and EFF leader Julius Malema, and wonder about when the politics will settle. The move is emblematic of a new era in SA politics as a result of the end (for the time being anyway) of single party dominance. The result is that political affiliations are becoming more variable and loyalties will probably be less enduring. The same is true of municipal politics as...

Aug 19, 2024•19 min•Ep. 75

Are government and business NBF’s: the real numbers about the olympics

Entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Business Maverick Editor Tim Cohen discuss the reasons why government and business are becoming new best friends - and the limits of the new relationship. Why is it happening, and what are the consequences? They also discuss why it is that the phrase “per capita” explodes on Google search in New Zealand during the olympics. The olympics came to and end the past Sunday, and the medal count tells an interesting story about how the world is developing. South Africa did ...

Aug 12, 2024•20 min•Ep. 74

Hundred metre dash | Volatility | Crowd wisdom

This week we discuss the sporting spirit of the Olympics, the stock market correction and volatility likely to follow, and whether common purpose finally prevailsProduction and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design by Bernard Kotze. Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.

Aug 06, 2024•23 min•Ep. 73

Olympics, the GNU starts well and the retailers race for market share

Did you know how much actual gold there is an Olympic gold medal? (Hint: not much.) 2024 is the year of elections with huge numbers of voters expressing their choices. And how is it going so far. You have to say pretty well. And what about the important process of shopping. How is retail changing. Its all in our podcast today.Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design by Bernard Kotze. Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.

Jul 29, 2024•19 min•Ep. 72

Biden takes our advice, SA's cities, and handbags at dawn

Time in the Markets https://foord.co.za/insights/publications-1 https://foord.co.za/sites/default/files/2021-04/Foord_Time%20in%20the%20Markets_Digital.pdf Teach Your Child to Invest https://foord.co.za/insights/publications/teach-your-child-to-invest Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro. Music & Design by Bernard Kotze. Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic....

Jul 25, 2024•22 min•Ep. 71