If you are running a business, the chances are youve got staff. But lets get real. Youre running a small business, not a charity. Your obligation to your staff starts the moment they walk in the front door and ends the moment they walk out. If they get sick, thats what sick leave is for. Why should a business owner like yourself be worried about HIV infection in your staff?

If your business is located anywhere in southern Africa, even if you dont know it you are dealing with problems related to HIV and AIDS.  As you know small business face many challenges - some are anticipated and some blindside you. HIV fits into the latter category.  In a best case scenario HIV can lead to a slight slowdown of business in your company, in a worst-case scenario, it can close you down.

But how much is HIV actually costing your business, through your staff. Every cent that HIV costs, it is taking from your business bottom line.

HIV is stealing from your business in the following ways:

• more sick days
• more family responsibility days
• less productivity
• staff turnover

More staff turnover also means:

• more down time in "getting up to speed"
• less efficiency
• more staff training

The costs that can be measured can be 5% of your total payroll. The indirect costs could increase this to up to 25%.  And this is a continual drain on your cash flow.

Beyond the Balance Sheet helps you do something about planning for the HIV eventuality.  In a nutshell, Beyond the Balance Sheet is a training course and toolkit allowing you to anticipate, cost and plan for the impact of HIV on your business.