You come across wisdom in business and nuggets of advice, especially in the books from former CEOs and consultants. Those are important. Let’s not dismiss them. But where the advice really matters is what someone said to you in a company that applied to your circumstances. What was the most memorable advice you ever got from an executive, a co-worker, or a manager?
I recall three pieces of advice that I got from executives in different industries. One had to do with creativity, another with resourcefulness, and another on personal conduct. These applied to me, and they resonated. The one piece of advice goes back 40 years ago when I started out in business, but it still holds true.
Everyone has their own memorable business advice that they can still hear the person articulating to them. In many instances, it wasn’t really sitting down and giving you advice—it was also just an offhand remark or comment that stands out and makes a lot of sense. To a certain extent, I think I followed that advice, although, as we human beings are, sometimes you fall short.
The other forms of advice are really not spoken, but seen in the behaviour of others. The behaviour of managers, colleagues, and executives in the rough and tumble of business—you come across people who are fighting their way to the top and don’t pause to think how they want to nurture people, or when they do, they do it for personal gain. That type of advice brings a lot of distrust.
I was surprised, and sometimes shocked, how senior people can behave. But that’s another matter, another story. There were many who were good people who walked their talk and didn’t get caught up in expediency.
So, I went looking for what others had to say. Digging through comments from everyday South African business owners on Reddit, Facebook, and local forums, four specific nuggets of personal advice kept surfacing. Here’s what resonated with them:
- Embrace Collaboration
One of the most powerful lessons shared was that collaboration is often more valuable than going it alone. A small business owner commented that they were told early on: “Stop seeing everyone as competition. Partner with the people around you.” That offhand remark changed their entire approach. It turned out that opening doors for others usually meant they opened doors for you too. - Know Your ‘One Thing’
The strongest businesses have clarity. Several people mentioned being advised to “know exactly what drives your income.” Keep it simple. If you can’t explain your value in one clear sentence, you’re making life too hard for yourself. One commenter recalled a manager who used to say, “Figure out your one job and do it so well that no one else can replace you.” - Do Your Research First
A recurring piece of advice was: don’t rush in. The best time to start is after you’ve done your homework. One Facebook user shared that an old mentor told them, “Most people fail because they fall in love with the idea before they check if anyone actually wants to buy it.” Research your market, understand your customer, and get mentally prepared for the long haul. - Follow the Data, Not Stories
In a country like South Africa, chance plays a huge role. Don’t be fooled by the lucky success stories you hear over a braai. One Reddit user said the best advice they ever got was to “offer flexible services and let the data tell you where to pivot.” It sounds clinical, but in a volatile local economy, trusting the numbers over gut feel has saved more than one business from going under.
Business advice is sprayed all over the place, but the real advice is the personal advice that you receive directly from whoever in business, whether a shop-floor worker or an executive. There’s a lot of wisdom on the shop floor that often people ignore.
Whatever advice you receive, whether it comes as a formal sit-down or just a passing comment, is worth treasuring. Hold onto it, try to live by it, and when you get the chance, pass it on to someone else who’s just starting out.
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