Lockdown - how to stay sane?

[ians]

Which is why I raise Socialism as the counterpoint (rather than Communism). My basic thinking is Capitalism is the wealth and production engine, and Socialism is what moderates Capitalism's societal weaknesses. Something akin to what we see in the Scandinavian countries at the moment, perhaps.


This has certainly highlighted the supply chain risks associated with globalisation, particularly when a region or country dominates a part of the supply chain.

Classic example at the moment. We can get locally made bottles for hand sanitizer, but the spray nozzle tops and pump tops are imported... and the import supply chain is totally wrecked right now.

If you need spray nozzles made in SA ...one of my customers have turned his business from what he use to do to all things medical at the moment ...they make any tool required for production and then mass produce ...so if there is a need for a lot of them ...send me a pm and i will forward you his contact details... if they can fit them in ...they went from lockdown all at home to full production of essential items.

**edit ...apprently it is not a simple process making spray nozzles... there would need to be a huge demand (at least a million) for them to make all the tools and manufacture them.

Thanks to China's lack of supply they have opened up the market for local manufacturing.

It is a pity this didnt happen a little earlier.

Rainbow chicken farms have been stripped to the ground already ...nothing stops us from rebuilding them... we just need people to look past this "holiday" everyone seems to be on... China is on a roll already ...apparently offering relief packages to African countries in return for fishing rights and land to build fish farms.... it makes we wonder what we had to exchange for 30 000 masks donated by China to SA?

[ians]

Ok so it looks like the soft lockdown once this lockdown is over (it sounds like it could be extended another 3 weeks... some people are gona go back to work but others will be required to stay at home) there are gona be lots of rules ...one of them being that everyone is gona be required to wear a face mask and replaced only a daily basis ...which means there is gona be a flippen huge market for masks.

Anyone here supply approved masks in bulk and a reasonable price?

Why not start mass producing mask ...i have a massive workshop... i would just need them to be approved.

[adrianh]

Ok so it looks like the soft lockdown once this lockdown is over (it sounds like it could be extended another 3 weeks... some people are gona go back to work but others will be required to stay at home) there are gona be lots of rules ...one of them being that everyone is gona be required to wear a face mask and replaced only a daily basis ...which means there is gona be a flippen huge market for masks.

Anyone here supply approved masks in bulk and a reasonable price?

Why not start mass producing mask ...i have a massive workshop... i would just need them to be approved.

Every man and his dog are making masks. I have 3 friends doing it - One in Cape Town, one in Pretoria and one in Kempton Park. The 3D printing, laser cutting and epoxy casting crowd are going at it full bore too. The money seems to be cut-throat with people trying to f...k one another over for price. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. (lots of work for crap money)

[Blurock]

Every man and his dog are making masks. I have 3 friends doing it - One in Cape Town, one in Pretoria and one in Kempton Park. The 3D printing, laser cutting and epoxy casting crowd are going at it full bore too. The money seems to be cut-throat with people trying to f...k one another over for price. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. (lots of work for crap money)

I've had to advise a client on a proposal to sell 51% of his business to a person(s) with connections, who was "awarded"??! a contract by Govt to make re-usable plastic face masks. They would pay Almost R15 mil for a 51% share BUT no cash would be injected. They proposed an assets-for-share transaction i.t.o Sec 42 which would leave my client with a loan account of R15 mil but no cash injection. The "buyer" would then assist the business in obtaining finance from banks etc. to pay for tooling and raw materials.

This would enable the "buyer" to also share in the existing lucrative contracts of the business. The risk was further exacerbated in the price of the masks which was loaded by an additional 20% for the "guys at the top". What if the masks were not approved and could not be sold? Would the manufacturing of masks be sustainable after Covid 19?

You can only guess what my reply was.

[adrianh]

I've had to advise a client on a proposal to sell 51% of his business to a person(s) with connections, who was "awarded"??! a contract by Govt to make re-usable plastic face masks. They would pay Almost R15 mil for a 51% share BUT no cash would be injected. They proposed an assets-for-share transaction i.t.o Sec 42 which would leave my client with a loan account of R15 mil but no cash injection. The "buyer" would then assist the business in obtaining finance from banks etc. to pay for tooling and raw materials.

This would enable the "buyer" to also share in the existing lucrative contracts of the business. The risk was further exacerbated in the price of the masks which was loaded by an additional 20% for the "guys at the top". What if the masks were not approved and could not be sold? Would the manufacturing of masks be sustainable after Covid 19?

You can only guess what my reply was.

The band wagon has left the station long ago on the mask business. People are making a bit of money now due to the shortage but as soon as companies like 3M catch up all the little mushroom businesses the grew out of the $h1tPile are going to hit the wall.

I wouldn't touch a government contract with a barge pole either - getting money out of them is near impossible and besides, they tender every year and go for the lowest price (no matter the terrible quality of the product)

People who invest lots of resources in this sort of nonsense don't understand basic stats nor roulette - you may profit a bit in the short term but the big players that have been in the game for a long time (aka the house that has a vested interest) will crush you like a bug if you hang around too long - get in quick, make some cash and get out of Dodge before they spot you!!!!!!

[Blurock]

I wouldn't touch a government contract with a barge pole either - getting money out of them is near impossible and besides, they tender every year and go for the lowest price (no matter the terrible quality of the product)

Agreed, Adrian. I don't do business with Govt. and I sell to tenderpreneurs only if they pay cash up front.
They don't actually go for the lowest price. Yes, they will squeeze you, but expect you to load the price to include a payment to the top dogs.
There are many examples where products were not procured directly from the manufacturers, but via middlemen at hugely inflated prices.

[ians]

Agreed, Adrian. I don't do business with Govt. and I sell to tenderpreneurs only if they pay cash up front.
They don't actually go for the lowest price. Yes, they will squeeze you, but expect you to load the price to include a payment to the top dogs.
There are many examples where products were not procured directly from the manufacturers, but via middlemen at hugely inflated prices.

The first time i got a call for one of these deals ...where the person indicated to me that they had been awarded a large contract but needed a person with my kind of qualifications and experience to take on the contract... as they had no experience in the electrical field ...just the right contacts... all i had to do was pay a small fee... i have a goal to reach (30 years in business) but there is and has always been a catch to the goal... like everything ...it has T&C's attached... one of the conditions and the most difficult ...I have to be a moral person and not a business person... what this means is that i cannot cannot pay bribes for work ...or any under hand dealings... anyone who runs a business will know what i am talking about.

[ians]

They say success comes from hard work ...what they forget to tell you is at what cost.

I look back at how hard i have worked to keep this business going ...I should be one of the richest men in the world... some will say i didnt follow the guide lines... i would agree... if there is one thing my father and one of my mentors taught me... it is not written in any business guidelines ...be a humble... honest person .. i may not have millions stashed away in the bank ...but what i do know is that people i deal with be it business or in my personal capacity ...trust me... and that is more important to me than anything money could buy.

[Justloadit]

The first time i got a call for one of these deals ...where the person indicated to me that they had been awarded a large contract but needed a person with my kind of qualifications and experience to take on the contract... as they had no experience in the electrical field ...just the right contacts... all i had to do was pay a small fee... i have a goal to reach (30 years in business) but there is and has always been a catch to the goal... like everything ...it has T&C's attached... one of the conditions and the most difficult ...I have to be a moral person and not a business person... what this means is that i cannot cannot pay bribes for work ...or any under hand dealings... anyone who runs a business will know what i am talking about.

And who was going to carry the cost of material and labour during the project?
Surely they would not expect you to do it, now would they

With these kind of deals, I simply state, money up front with the value of my portion of the order and the rest you can keep.
Haven't had one biting yet.
Have heard a number of times where the project was completed and the middle man took the money and disappeared.

[ians]

And who was going to carry the cost of material and labour during the project?
Surely they would not expect you to do it, now would they

With these kind of deals, I simply state, money up front with the value of my portion of the order and the rest you can keep.
Haven't had one biting yet.
Have heard a number of times where the project was completed and the middle man took the money and disappeared.

Business rule no.1 ...never trust ANYONE.

I could write a book on thieves in business... they come in every size...shape and colour.

[Blurock]

Business rule no.1 ...never trust ANYONE.

I could write a book on thieves in business... they come in every size...shape and colour.

Agreed, you can even get screwed by your own shareholders!

[Blurock]

After a month without income, I was able to register for essential services/supplies and was fortunate enough to do two deals for April. Almost made my March T/o. By 10 am on the 30/04/2020 I had all my (little) paperwork done and submitted to my accountant. By Lunchtime she replied that my vat returns had been submitted and that there is a small refund due to me. Now how is that for service!
By the way, This lady is extremely busy with payrolls and assisting SME's with applying for UIF and loans. Just very efficient and trustworthy!

[ians]

After a month without income, I was able to register for essential services/supplies and was fortunate enough to do two deals for April. Almost made my March T/o. By 10 am on the 30/04/2020 I had all my (little) paperwork done and submitted to my accountant. By Lunchtime she replied that my vat returns had been submitted and that there is a small refund due to me. Now how is that for service!
By the way, This lady is extremely busy with payrolls and assisting SME's with applying for UIF and loans. Just very efficient and trustworthy!

Good news

People who were prepared to get out and look for work or try make something happen ... have come out this lockdown with a smile ...the ones who have had nothing better to do than moan about everything from the booze to cigarettes... walking the dog and shyte are gonna be the ones who are crying long tears right now... thay have been left behind... with bad comes opportunity... some people have grabbed it with both hands.

[Blurock]

Good news

People who were prepared to get out and look for work or try make something happen ... have come out this lockdown with a smile ...the ones who have had nothing better to do than moan about everything from the booze to cigarettes... walking the dog and shyte are gonna be the ones who are crying long tears right now... thay have been left behind... with bad comes opportunity... some people have grabbed it with both hands.

Ian, I agree. You have to decide whether you want to be disadvantaged and disenfranchised or whether you want to lead from the front. It is not always easy, but better than sitting on your arse and asking for handouts.

[Blurock]

We are so fortunate that we live in a quiet suburb where one can still see lots of birds and a little bit of wildlife.
These are beggars that come for their jam or peanut butter snacks on a daily basis.