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  • How to Create a Team Building Experience That Really Works

    How to Create a Team Building Experience That Really Works

    “Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.” (Steve Jobs)

    As a small business owner, every rand you spend needs to return value, and your team building events are no exception. When structured properly, team building days can align your staff around shared goals, strengthen communication, and clarify behavioural expectations. They will improve output, reduce internal conflict, and build a culture that supports growth. But just how do you make that happen?

    Start with clear business objectives

    Before choosing a venue or activity, be clear on what you want to change or improve. Are teams struggling to communicate across departments? Is accountability an issue? Are managers and staff misaligned on priorities? Defining these objectives upfront ensures the day is purposeful rather than generic.

    Clear objectives also help you explain to your team why the event matters. When people understand the business reason behind the activity, engagement increases and resistance decreases.

    Design activities that reflect real work challenges

    The most effective team building events mirror the reality of your workplace. Activities should encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making in ways that resemble everyday business situations. When lessons feel relevant, they are much more likely to stick.

    Avoid activities that are purely physical or novelty-driven if they don’t translate back to the office. Fun has value, especially when it supports insight and learning.

    Include time for reflection and discussion

    One of the most overlooked elements of team building is reflection. Doing the activity isn’t enough. Teams need time to discuss what happened, what worked, what didn’t, and how it relates to their daily roles. These conversations can lead to real insights. They also help teams to agree on practical changes they can make once they return to work.

    It’s vital that all members of the team feel safe to speak up, ask questions and make mistakes without fear of retribution or punishment. By making sure all voices are heard on something small like losing at tug-of-war, you can reinforce that attitude in the day-to-day office space and equip your teams to perform at their best.

    Reinforce leadership behaviour

    Team building will only succeed if leaders model the behaviours being promoted. If collaboration, accountability, and open communication are encouraged on the day but ignored afterwards, the impact quickly fades. As a business owner or manager, you should participate fully, demonstrate vulnerability where appropriate, and reinforce lessons in the weeks that follow.

    Convert insights into habits

    Effective team building does not end when everyone goes home. Follow-up meetings, check-ins, and ongoing conversations are essential to embed new behaviours. Refer back to shared experiences and agreed principles when challenges arise.

    Budget carefully and measure the return

    As with any business initiative, cost matters. Team building exercises should be planned within a clear budget, and with a realistic view of expected outcomes. Your accountant can help you structure this spend appropriately, ensure tax considerations are handled correctly, and assess whether the investment delivers measurable returns.

    Reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, and stronger retention are all indicators worth tracking. If you’re unsure how to measure impact, speak to your accountant: we can help you to access the data you need.

    The bottom line

    Team building that works is intentional, relevant, and accountable. It focuses on behaviour, not just morale, and it connects people more closely to the goals of your business. When done properly, it strengthens both culture and performance.

    For small business owners, the key is to treat team building with the same seriousness as any other investment. Plan carefully, follow up consistently, and involve your accountant where appropriate to ensure that what you spend delivers lasting value, not just a good day out.

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact us for specific and detailed advice.

    © AccountingDotNews

  • 15% Global Minimum Tax (GMT) Goes Live at SARS

    15% Global Minimum Tax (GMT) Goes Live at SARS

    “An agreement that will really change the world.” (Olaf Scholz, former German Finance Minister)

    In October 2021, a global minimum tax framework for large multinational enterprises (MNEs) was established with the introduction of the GloBE (Global Anti-Base Erosion) model rules by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development).

    These rules address profit shifting by multinational groups to low- or no-tax jurisdictions and ensure a minimum level of tax is paid on income in every jurisdiction in which MNEs operate.

    South Africa enacted the GloBE minimum tax legislation in 2024 and 2025, enabling SARS to impose a multinational top-up tax at a rate of 15% on the excess profits of affected MNE Groups. This tax effectively brings the overall taxation of foreign profits up to a minimum agreed level of 15%, where those profits have been subject to little or no tax offshore.

    As such, the GMT is expected to generate significant additional tax revenues by curbing tax avoidance, ensuring multinational corporations contribute their fair share of taxes, and extending the country’s tax base.

    The GMT is expected to raise an estimated R2 billion in South African tax revenues. The broadened tax base will open opportunities to lower the personal income tax burden on individuals, or to consider more globally competitive corporate tax rates than the current 27%, which is well above the international average.

    Which companies are directly affected?

    The GloBE Rules apply to MNE Groups whose consolidated annual revenues equal or exceed EUR 750 million in at least two of the tax years immediately preceding the reporting fiscal year.

    GMT deadlines

    The local legislation governing GMT is deemed to have come into operation on 1 January 2024 and applies to MNEs’ subsequent “fiscal years”. Here are the deadline dates as published by SARS.

    Source: SARS

    How will the tax be calculated?
    • The multinational top-up tax under the GMT legislation is imposed under:
    • An Income Inclusion Rule (IIR) which taxes the domestic constituent entity (DCE) of an MNE Group on its allocable share of top-up tax arising in respect of the low-taxed income of any foreign group company in which it has a direct or indirect ownership interest.
    • A Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT) imposes a “joint and several” tax liability on DCEs for top-up tax arising in respect of low-taxed income, calculated on an aggregate basis but only with respect to the entities located in South Africa.
    Registration and reporting obligations
    • Affected DCEs must register with SARS and file a GloBE Information Return (GIR) using the prescribed form and format by the prescribed due date.
    • SARS must be notified where a “designated local entity” is appointed by DCEs required to file a GIR. 
    • DCEs must submit the notice no later than 6 months prior to the filing due date of the GIR. This due date is 15 months after the end of the reportable fiscal year for which the GIR must be filed (extended to 18 months for the 2024 fiscal year or the first fiscal year). 
    • DCEs must file the first GIR no later than 18 months after the end of the first reportable fiscal year. For the 2024 reportable fiscal year the GIR must be filed before 30 June 2026 (assuming a calendar year).
    • The second and subsequent GIRs must be filed no later than 15 months after the end of the second and following reportable fiscal years.
    SARS is ready: Are you?

    SARS is actively preparing to administer the GloBE framework, with a dedicated project team, including IT and system engineers, and a specialised unit within its Large Business & International Unit. It aims to promote voluntary compliance and simplify adherence with the GMT legislation.

    Even so, a significant compliance burden and increased reporting scrutiny awaits affected companies. They will have to comply with new and technically demanding rules, even if no global minimum tax is ultimately payable. This will likely require specialist expertise, resulting in substantial additional compliance costs.

    We invite you to rely on our expertise to navigate this new corporate tax landscape, with its first reporting deadline just around the corner in June 2026.

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact us for specific and detailed advice.

    © AccountingDotNews