{"id":68724,"date":"2020-07-22T12:26:23","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T10:26:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/?p=68724"},"modified":"2026-01-29T15:52:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T13:52:27","slug":"be-kind-be-empathetic-add-value-wherever-you-can","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/be-kind-be-empathetic-add-value-wherever-you-can\/","title":{"rendered":"“Be kind. Be empathetic. Add value wherever you can.” Accountant shares his top COVID-19 advice."},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetting funding<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t“Be kind. Be empathetic. Add value wherever you can.” Accountant shares his top COVID-19 advice.\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\tTarryn Giebelmann<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

“I’ll never forget the day I lost my first client to COVID-19.<\/a> She couldn’t afford my services anymore and when I did her final report that month, I understood why. Her revenue had dropped 62% and her margins were so low that she could not pay salaries that month.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The effects of COVID-19 were hitting businesses hard. And now it was hitting us, too.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TJ Ledwaba, founder of accounting firm Bright Path Business Consultants, says his initial reaction to losing business was disappointment and concern for the future. But a few hours later, the phone rang. It was a new client, wanting to sign up for the same services the business just lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“That’s when I came to terms with the situation. COVID-19 is going to be around for a long time. I can either cry about my losses, or I can remind myself about why I started this business in the first place: to help SMEs to navigate their growth journey. Our clients need us now more than ever. With our new client, we had an opportunity to deliver our best service.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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COVID confusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bright Path’s customers were confused by the many COVID-19 funding schemes<\/a> and business relief options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“They didn’t know which option was right for them. Everything was happening so quickly with some funds already drying up, new ones becoming available \u2013 often with short application windows,” says Ledwaba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We did a lot of consulting work during this time, advising clients on the right option for them, helping with compliance and applications, and getting their books in order. Some of our clients didn’t think they qualified for relief or didn’t have faith in the system, so it took some convincing to get them to apply. Our mission was to future-proof our clients’ businesses, because their success is our success.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In clearly communicating changes in legislation, tax considerations, and funding options, Bright Path added massive value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our clients were receptive to our advice, on everything from HR and payroll matters, to the best business management solutions and applications. If we identified a synergy between two clients, we’d connect them, so they could explore collaboration opportunities. Nobody knew what to do and I think having us as a sounding board added immense value to our clients in a difficult time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Ironically, this has been the best season for our business, and I believe it’s because we stayed true to our values and our level of service. It was clear that the only way to stay relevant in this time was to build trust and add value.”\n

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COVID-19 Business Advice <\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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We are here to support you during this time.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve gathered information and resources to help navigate this situation.\u00a0You can also find out about support for Sage solutions, including enabling home working.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind out more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Woman\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advice on staying relevant in challenging times<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, what advice does Ledwaba gives his clients?<\/p>\n\n\n\n