Ominous issues loom over firms

Johannesburg - Land ownership, nationalisation of industries and lack of press freedom are issues which could negatively affect businesses in the next 10 years.

This is according to scenario strategist and facilitator Chantell Ilbury, who spoke on Wednesday at an auditors' conference in Sandton.

She said businesses would need to be flexible and adaptive in volatile times.

In her presentation, Ilbury looked at the key trends which could have an impact on organisations in the next 10 years.

"It is going to be interesting for business," she said.

Even though she admitted that an ever-changing business environment makes it hard to predict future trends, some tendencies are starting to show up which could affect organisations.

Education and government were some of the issues she touched on.

As times change, so should organisations as consumers become more demanding and have higher expectations. She pinpointed education and access to information as causes of such consumer behaviour.

"Education is changing and making young people think more. They are developed into thinkers and a thinking schooling system creates a thinking business system. Futures of countries are going to be very competitive if we look at education," Ilbury said.

Ilbury feels an inclusive government is significant, and highlighted land ownership, nationalisation of mines and the recently proposed media tribunal as issues that could have a negative impact on organisations.
 
Ilbury said the manner in which the government handles these is of high importance, as the world is watching and this could determine investor reaction.

 - Fin24.com