Kobus Engelbrecht In the third quarter of 2017 the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) showed signs of recovery, but South Africa’s sovereign rating was still relegated to junk status in November. While it’s clear that  we are by no means out of the woods,  Kobus Engelbrecht, Marketing Head: Sanlam Business Market says the New Year brings new opportunities and possibilities for business owners. The beginning of the year, he says, is the time to devise plans to ensure that your business will be resilient during tough economic times. “Think of it this way: no sports team enters a big match without a plan. In the same way, no business can thrive without a strategy. Moving proactively towards defined objectives is far more productive than simply reacting to business events. A plan brings priorities into focus, while allowing for the reshuffling of resources to areas where they’ll yield optimal results.” To succeed in business, a comprehensive plan needs to be revised co...