spring , in short that is it . Winter always comes , but so does the spring , surely the tide goes out , but it always comes back in . Opportunity follows difficulty as surely as difficulty follows opportunity . The way we should handle the winters is to anticipate the difficulties that accompanies the winter , to prepare for the challenge and to realise that it will come to pass . A fully , welldeveloped businessman or woman will find a way take advantage of the winter , not just handle it . The big challenge is to make something out of each opportunity .
Let us be frank : South Africa faces various challenges in the midst of this pandemic . One of these is investors ’ confidence . It is common knowledge that investment is directly related to risk . As professionals in the property development landscape , we have the keys to effectively de-risk investment opportunities to a large extent , enabling developers to package an investment deal that makes sense . At AGORA AFRICA we made the decision from the outset to reach beyond our standard scope of service and , to partner with likeminded companies and people who share our philosophy . In the words of the great Henry Ford : “ The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar , instead of how little he can give for a dollar , is bound to succeed .”
The construction industry comprises various professionals and specialists , each doing their utmost to survive . However , I firmly believe that , through cooperation and a collective effort , we can empower our clients with valuable keys that are required to unlock the property development landscape . In this way , we can become the creators of our own destiny – a far cry from being pessimistic about our current circumstances . By reaching beyond our specialities and by being willing to think out of the box , we can improve our chances of success . Perhaps we can inspire other professionals and specialists in the industry to share this approach with us and as a result , change the reality in which we find ourselves . In fact , we must change our attitudes and mindsets , think beyond the Covid-19 pandemic , and adapt . For change is inevitable and if you fail to adapt rapidly and effectively you will be left behind .
We are fortunate enough to live in a well-advanced technological era - the advantage is that we are all connected by the press of a button . Communication and connectivity are much easier than ever before , moreover , we all became accustomed to conducting our business online . We have online meetings and share information on virtual platforms . This “ winter that we find ourselves in ”, has forced us all to adapt to the closest most logical resource that allows us to continue our business – and , unknowingly and unexpectedly , give us a significant advantage in terms of our most valuable asset : Time ! This is the one commodity that we cannot recoup – yet this “ winter ” has given us much to gain ! We must change our mindset and realise that winter does indeed have many advantages . For one , it forces us out of our comfort zones and pushes us into survival mode , with the inevitable return of growth . Also , we rethink our way of doing business , with the unlikelihood of returning to previous ways . Winter forces us to think about how and on what we should spend our energy and resources ; it compels us to cast aside cumbersome procedures , streamline important processes and prepare ourselves for growth .
After all , isn ’ t that the purpose of winters ? To give us time to prepare for the work that lies ahead when the sun lifts higher above the horizon and the days get warmer . For we know that , when the work rolls in , our preparations will also bear the fruit that we planned on .
Embrace the winter and its opportunities , and always know : After the harshest winter follows the sweetest spring .
Winter is Here 9