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Discusses the use of a corporate Internet in a geographically‐spread consulting firm, James Martin & Co., to share ideas, vision, client information and results. Illustrates with examples. Applications include a quarterly Employee Attitude Survey and regular discussion forums. Proposes that a well‐designed corporate intranet is a highly effective method of making intangible vision and mission pledges more tangible.

This is the third in a series highlighting the influence an individual can have on the South African Wine Industry. De Wet decided that the Plant Control Board's bureaucracy should be breached because he felt it was doing more harm than good to the wine industry. As a fifth generation Afrikaner he grew up steeped in wine farming and away from town life. His total dedication was strongly reinforced by his experience and graduation at Geisenheim Research Institute during the South African Sanction Years. Following this experienced Mid‐European viticulturists guided him philosophically and practically in leadership of the industry and into the noble white grape cultivars. Mistakes were made but determination and veracity brought world recognition and success to Danie de Wet and, through him, to the whole SA wine industry.

Nederburg Wine Auction, celebrating its 20th event this year (1994), has truly established itself internationally alongside auctions in France, Germany and America. It was the brainchild of a past managing director of the giant winemaker wholesalers Stellenbosch Farmers Winery. Dignitaries from all over the world attend this South African fine wine showcase. The organisation involved in getting more than a thousand people together also includes a prestigious fashion show and, at the end, a charity auction. Preparations are ongoing throughout the year, for the occasion which is becoming increasingly ambitious and innovative.

The purpose of this study is to examine the recruitment practice of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Czech Republic to learn whether it encourages or discourages former offenders from attempting to attain work after release.

A qualitative approach was taken to understand the perspective of SME company owners and decision-makers within the Czech Republic. In all, 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted which examined the current recruitment practice and individual attitudes towards employing former offenders.

Through a change of employer perception, working with support agencies and amending recruitment practice, opportunities can be created for former offenders in the workplace to assist their rehabilitation. This would assist with overcoming employer attitudes which have little sense of responsibility to helping former offenders with reintegration through employment. Recruitment practices focus heavily on past accomplishments and the existence of a criminal record which can disincentivise former offenders from applying for work because of their stigmatised identity. Prior experience with offenders can lead to a change of attitude and offers a vector for changing employer attitudes. In combination with linkage to agencies which work with former offenders, small businesses could amend their recruitment practice and provide support for former offenders on their rehabilitation journey.

This study is based on a limited sample size, only 25 responses, and the need for translation from English to Czech could have led to a loss of nuance in the responses gathered. With asynchronous interviews also being used, some brief responses limited the insight which could have been gained.

The findings of this study highlight areas of practice which can be amended to better attract former offenders, being future-focused rather than past-focused.

Enhancing employment opportunities for former offenders would be a major enhancer for their reintegration efforts and lower the associated social costs to society.

Prior research has been conducted into the offender experience, with recruiter/owner receiving far less attention. Most prior studies have been quantitative in nature, with few using a qualitative approach.