As entrepreneurs, we tend to measure progress through milestones. Revenue targets, profitability, growth and the occasional record month all give us something tangible to work towards. They also provide an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve come from and what we’ve learnt along the way.
September was a record month for The CFO Centre South Africa, and we’re now on track to deliver our strongest full year in 2026. This comes at a particularly meaningful time for the business as we celebrate 25 years as a global group and 16 years of operating in South Africa.
What makes this achievement particularly satisfying is knowing where we were just 12 months ago. This time last year, we were having some difficult conversations about the performance of the business and what needed to change. Anyone who has built or managed a company will understand the pressure that comes with those periods. Poor performance weighs heavily on entrepreneurs and leadership teams, particularly when you have people depending on you to make the right decisions.
Reflecting on the past year, there are several lessons that I believe are worth sharing, particularly with other business owners navigating their own challenges.
The first is that there is still considerable opportunity in the South African market. Despite the negative sentiment that often dominates conversations about our economy, the majority of our revenue and growth continues to come from South Africa. There are businesses investing, expanding and looking for ways to improve their financial performance. The opportunities are there, although finding and converting them requires consistent effort and a clear understanding of where you can add value.
Another important lesson has been the value of relationships. A significant portion of our recent growth has come from relationships we’ve proactively developed with corporates and CFOs working within established businesses. As these organisations grow or encounter periods where they need additional financial capacity, they turn to people they already know and trust. These opportunities don’t necessarily materialise overnight, which is why investing time in building relationships remains so important.
We’ve also seen the benefits of being more deliberate about how we nurture our existing network. Our regular newsletter has continued to deliver value, while we’ve also invested more time in developing a structured approach to staying in contact with clients and prospective clients. It’s easy to become so focused on securing new business that you overlook the people already within your network. In many cases, maintaining those relationships and remaining relevant to their needs can be just as valuable as pursuing entirely new opportunities.
The final lesson, and one that feels particularly relevant as we enter the last quarter of the year, is the importance of preparation. One of the mistakes I see businesses make is leaving their planning for the new year until January. December becomes a rush to close out outstanding work, and by the time everyone returns from leave, the business is only beginning to think seriously about its strategy, budgets, resources and operational priorities.
We’ve found that using the final quarter to work through these details makes an enormous difference. It provides an opportunity to assess what has worked, identify areas that need attention and ensure that the business enters January with a clear direction and an operational plan to support it. There will always be unexpected challenges, but being properly prepared puts you in a much stronger position to respond to them.
If the past year has reinforced anything for me, it’s that business performance can change remarkably quickly, in either direction. A difficult period doesn’t necessarily define the future of a business, just as a record month doesn’t guarantee continued success. What matters is how you respond, the relationships you build and the discipline you maintain when things are going well.
As we celebrate these milestones, I also want to acknowledge our clients, team and stakeholders who have supported us throughout the journey. Building a business is never a straightforward process, and the people around you inevitably experience some of those highs and lows alongside you. We’re fortunate to work with people who have continued to place their trust in us, and we never take that trust for granted.
While we’re grateful for the opportunity to reflect on what we’ve achieved this year, 2026 is far from over. There is still plenty of work to be done and opportunities to explore. If you’re a business owner looking to strengthen your financial strategy or simply want to have a conversation about where your business is heading, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect.
Written by Rowan de Klerk, CEO and Founder of The CFO Centre South Africa. Join a growing community of business leaders who receive Rowan’s monthly insights, commentary, and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing South African businesses.
