The hockey stick graph – the big reveal?
“There is no question that climate change is happening; the only arguable point is what part humans are playing in it.”
Sir?David Attenborough
Data analysis has come a long way, evolving from basic statistical methods to sophisticated algorithms capable of uncovering profound insights. Modern data analysis techniques like machine learning and high-performance computing enable researchers and scientists to process and interpret complex datasets with unprecedented accuracy.
The 'hockey stick' graph, a landmark example of this evolution, is a testament to the power of data analysis in revolutionising our understanding of climate change. Its significance cannot be overstated.
The research -?In the late 1990s, a team of climate scientists led by Michael Mann, along with Raymond Bradley and Malcolm Hughes, used big data analysis to reconstruct historical temperature records from various sources, such as tree rings, ice cores and sediment layers. Their goal was to understand long-term climate patterns and changes.
The insight -?The resulting analysis produced a graph that showed relatively stable temperatures over the past millennium, followed by a sharp increase in recent centuries. The dramatic rise in temperature, resembling a hockey stick blade on the graph, provided clear evidence of unprecedented global warming in the 20th century.
The impact -?This revelation was not just significant, but transformative. It provided a clear visual representation of how current warming trends, compared to historical patterns, are becoming a cornerstone of climate science. Its influence extended beyond academia, shaping policy debates and raising public awareness of the urgent need to address global warming.
The reveal - Data analysis can uncover critical insights that reshape our understanding of complex phenomena and drive meaningful discussions.
Be informed, be sharp, bbrief...
Empowering women in the workplace
In the high-stakes world of business, where boardrooms are often dominated by men, navigating a career can be daunting for women. With the right support systems, women can thrive and excel in any professional environment.
Raised by a father who never limited his daughters based on their gender, I learned from a young age to tackle obstacles head-on, believing that output and merit should dictate success, not gender. My upbringing instilled in me a sense of resilience and confidence, allowing me to overcome challenges without attributing them to my gender.
Excelling in careers while fulfilling their roles as mothers
I firmly believe that you should be treated and paid for the output you give to the world. This mindset, combined with a supportive work environment, has been instrumental in shaping my career. For this financial officer, balance between work and family life is both a professional and personal endeavour...
The synergy of e-sports and education - destigmatizing gaming and unleashing potential
E-sports, once dismissed as a frivolous pastime, has evolved into a dynamic intersection of entertainment, technology, and ?education. This transformation is not only reshaping perceptions but also providing significant benefits across ?educational levels.
From primary schools to universities, ?e-sports offer a unique blend of engagement and learning, preparing learners to be future ready in the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). I explore how ?e-sports complement education, fostering skills and social connections that are often overlooked in traditional learning environments.
A gateway to technology and coding
For many underprivileged schools, e-sports serves as an engaging introduction to internet technology and coding.
By integrating ?gaming into the curriculum, schools can captivate students’ interests and channel them into productive avenues. This approach is particularly effective in primary schools, where students are naturally curious and quick to adapt to new technologies.
Engaging with e-sports at a young age not only demystifies technology but also...
Mining cadastre - a game changer for transparency and efficiency?
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) recently announced that PMG Consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder to establish a mining cadastre in South Africa. But what is a cadastral system, and how will it benefit South Africa?
A mining cadastre is effectively an online map showing mineral wealth and active mining operations throughout the country.
Benefits
Implementing such a cadastre will enable transparency not only for prospective miners, but also for the public at large.
The...
Business Intelligence - increasingly a focus for African manufacturers
One significant challenge facing African manufacturers is inadequate reporting and analysis capabilities. This often results in inefficient ?decision-making processes due to siloed data, limiting the ability to respond to changing conditions quickly.
In a recent Manufacturing CFO survey, respondents from Africa revealed that their top priority, as well as their most significant risk, was visibility into performance and operations, making Business Intelligence (BI) and customer relationship management (CRM) their top investment priorities for the future.
Fifty-one percent of respondents indicated that a key focus is investing in BI to support better clarity and information transparency across the business for better decision-making. Respondents also show a clear leaning towards investing in ERP to deliver these operational efficiencies...
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From austerity to whimsy - transforming spaces with decor
In a post-pandemic world now facing increasing global instability and turmoil, people are yearning for more lightness and fun in their lives. The constant barrage of troubling news and the pervasive sense of uncertainty have created a collective need for moments of joy and escapism.
After a period of conformity and restraint, people are eager to express their individuality and creativity and this desire for light-heartedness is reflected in various aspects of daily life, including work and work from home décor trends.
Interior design trends
For years, minimalism and neutral colour pallets were the dominant trends but we’re now seeing a revival of retro trends like 70’s décor which evoke nostalgia for simpler times as well as new trends which are the complete antithesis of many of the trends of the past decade...
SA Market Surveillance Code of Conduct set to bolster local financial markets
In a first for the local financial services sector, a diverse collaborative industry work group established following the inaugural SA Market Surveillance Conference held last year, has developed a draft industry code of conduct to guide financial institutions and align with international standards to bolster market surveillance in the country.
The need to develop the SA Market Surveillance Code of Conduct emerged as a key objective during the conference.
The local financial services sector has faced numerous challenges in its ability to monitor, detect and prevent various forms of market abuse, such as insider trading, price or market manipulation, and the dissemination of false or misleading statements. These deficiencies erode financial market and investor confidence, hampering investment, wealth creation and economic growth...
Transforming the building sector in South Africa - the sustainable impact of ESG in construction
The growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria is having a significant impact on how building projects are planned, executed, and managed in South Africa. If anything, it is reshaping the construction landscape when it comes to promoting sustainable development and improving social outcomes.
Companies should think of ESG as the three main areas that they are expected to report in. According to Deloitte, the goal of ESG is to capture all the non-financial risks and opportunities inherent to a company’s day to day activities.
Using green ?building materials
In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards construction companies using green building materials. These sustainable materials reduce the environmental footprint of construction projects.
An example of...
Behavioural finance insights – why women are better investors
The renowned behavioural finance research duo, Barber and Odean, published a paper in 2001 entitled Boys will be boys?that ruffled a few feathers.
The duo studied and reported on the performance difference males versus females generated on their investments. Not only did they find a statistically significant difference in favour of women, but they also found that men had better investment performance in the mere presence of women. However, single men underperformed significantly more.
It doesn’t stop there. Forbes reported in 2023 that female hedge fund managers have the edge over their male counterparts. The reasons for both of the above findings were in principle attributed to overconfidence and excessive trading in portfolios, i.e. making more decisions and as a result, underperforming.
Behaviour tax
We have been studying investment behaviour in various contexts since the...
Onboarding vs Induction - key differences in employee integration
In the fast-paced realm of people management, “induction” and “onboarding” are frequently used interchangeably, yet each bears unique significance in shaping the employee experience (EX).
First impressions leave a lasting impact. Employers have an average of 44 days to “make or break” a new joiner, according to a survey released by cloud-based human resources platform BambooHR.
According to the survey, roughly 44% of new hires express regrets or second thoughts about their new position within the first week of employment, and 23% cry. These statistics show why an effective induction and onboarding process is crucial for new joiners to stay, especially when...
SARS and CIPC compliance crusade aimed at getting South Africa off the greylist
On 27 June 2024, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced its enhanced Beneficial Ownership disclosures for the 2024 Filing Season.
Not even 24 hours later, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) issued a media release enforcing beneficial ownership (BO) declaration, to be able to file annual returns. This may simply be a compliance coincidence, but more likely a strategic move to eradicate non-compliance for companies, trusts, and partnerships, on all levels.
Remember, full disclosure of...