The year 2008 has been a challenging one for global markets. The South African Economy, although affected by the credit crisis has shown that it is well placed to weather the financial storm. But the question remains, for how long?  The dark clouds of an international financial crisis loom over the current global economy.  The world’s largest economies are in recession and the atmosphere is pregnant with insecurity, stress and foreboding.  A hint of mirthless irony reflects the grim realization of the futility of policy effort in reversing the direction of the downturn.

 

Nevertheless, despite the gloomy picture presented, organizations are doing everything in their power to balance the odds so that the blows of the  financial crisis are softened. In this regard, Mancosa , an innovative, young organization took the lead by hosting a very successful 2 day conference at the Durban ICC  on Managing in the Downturn.. The conference was attended and well received by a host of delegates from industries, the corporate sector, educational institutions as well as small businesses.



The key note speakers were: Prof Seeraj Mohamed from Wits University and Mr Iqbal Sharma , the Deputy Director of DTI.  Several other distinguished professors and academics presented insightful, innovative strategies of how to operate in the downturn using lean and mean strategies.

The photographs below capture the highlights of the conference.