Welcome to the Louis Group Business Academy (Africa). Thank you for taking the time to visit us and for considering submitting your application for the programme we offer.
Louis Group is a family-owned company, primarily operating in Africa and Europe and currently enjoying more than 96 years in business. It is active in the property, hotel, financial services and technology industries.
The Louis family has built their business by successfully nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit over the decades. It is therefore not surprising that a major focus of the current generation of the Louis family is to “pass it on” to positively impact and equip other members of the business community. The result, after two years of research and preparation, was the Business Academy. It was launched in 2003 with the aim of teaching individuals the 'secrets' of building a sustainable business while promoting the virtues of stewardship, honesty and integrity.
From a relatively humble initial class of 35 students, the Business Academy has gone from strength to strength. To date, in excess of 3 000 applications have been received and over 1 150 men and women have graduated at a special annual event which has been graced by some outstanding keynote speakers, including Mercia Isaacs, Graham Power and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.
The Business Academy is built upon the principle that people remember more if they participate in discovering the answers to the questions posed to them. We call it 'Learning through Discovery' and we ensure that the course is filled with games, activities, case studies and role plays, which often allow the students to discover the answers themselves.
The tutorial content serves only to reinforce what has already been discovered. As an adult learning facility, we encourage a participative and interactive environment where the tutors – all leaders in their specific industries – are able to learn as well as the students.
We believe that entrepreneurial excellence is crucial to the future economic success of South Africa and this continent – and that a spirit of entrepreneurship should be transferred from generation to generation.
For this reason, we count it a privilege to enjoy a partnership with the University of Stellenbosch’s Business School (USB-ed) and with the Cornerstone Institute.
This unique relationship enables us to combine the latest academic insights with the “street savvy” and business principles that we have learned over nearly a century as a family business to produce world-class, relevant and practical learning material.
Our goal is to make a difference by providing the tools needed to survive and thrive in the ever-changing business landscape and to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.
Our Certificate programme – “Foundations of Business” – is co-facilitated by Louis Group and the University of Stellenbosch Business School. It addresses the challenges of doing business in the 21st century and consists of five modules;
Principles of leadership & entrepreneurship
General management
People management
Financial management
Marketing & customer care.
Individual assignments are required from three of the above modules.
A significant change to previous years will be the introduction of a Personal Development Plan rather than a Group Business Plan presentation.
On completion of the course, each successful student receives a certificate endorsed by the University of Stellenbosch and Louis Group.
The top 10 students receive a range of wonderful prizes, with a special prize given to the top student from both the January and the July intake.
The Business Academy programme has been wholly-sponsored by Louis Group since 2003 and this will continue in 2011.
However, to discourage students from withdrawing at the last minute, applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of R500 which will be allocated towards covering administrative costs during the running of the course.
If selected, it is therefore important to weigh up the cost of sacrificing one evening per week for 20 weeks and then commit to attending for the duration of the programme. The real cost is your time and ours so we place priority on attendance. Some of the most important 'nuggets' you will receive are not in the notes but the anecdotes and experiences that are imparted by the tutors.
“You will never regret going to the Business Academy. I deeply appreciated the opportunity to attend and found the information very practical and easy to apply in my job.”
Wilhelmina Seoposenwe - Class of 2003
"The knowledge gained at the Academy is going to equip the next generation of business leaders. I am excited to see my classmates go on to become brilliant entrepreneurs, CEOs and presidents of companies.”
Marianne Kriel - Class of 2004
“The Business Academy was an awesome experience for me. I am certainly not the same person I was when I started – I’ve grown in my level of business knowledge and now understand what it takes to make it in the business world.”
Ziyanda Mbuyazi - Class of 2005
“I feel privileged to have been a part of the Business Academy. I have acquired a lot of practical knowledge that I can apply to the benefit of my business and the community.”
Martin Arendse - Class of 2006
“What an absolute privilege to be able to learn from a family business about wealth creation and success – whilst being encouraged to never move away from my values or compromise my integrity.”
Julian Raubenheimer - Class of 2007
“I’ve been challenged to be more sensitive to values and decisions I make in business on a daily basis. All I can say is ‘I am not the same person after this.”
Vuyokazi Matu - Class of 2008
“Louis Group Business Academy is an eye-opener. It was six months well-spent and an experience of a lifetime”
Denis Chopera - Class of 2009
The first intake was completed in July 2011 and the second group is currently underway and will be completed by 8 December 2011.
There are two classes offered per week: on a Tuesday evening and on a Thursday evening.
Classes are currently being held at the Cornerstone Institute Campus, Brookside Building, 11 Lansdowne Road, Claremont, from 18:00 to 20:30.
To apply for the Business Academy you must:
be 18 years or older
have completed Grade 12 or similar secondary education level
be proficient in English (written and spoken)
be able to attend the one-night a week programme in Cape Town
have basic computer literacy
