Are we improving?
August operating profit is R 142 600: R 26 575 lower than July and R 67 600 higher than August last year. Operating margin is 11.1%, compared with 12.8% in July and 6.5% a year earlier.
What explains the change from July?| Driver | Effect on profit |
|---|
| Earned revenue | -R 41 000 |
| Direct delivery costs | +R 14 337 |
| Venue operating expenses | +R 88 |
| Total change | -R 26 575 |
A positive cost effect means costs fell and helped profit. These movements explain the arithmetic; they do not prove whether price, guest numbers or event mix caused the change. Review individual bookings and cost evidence before deciding what to change. Comparing the same month last year helps account for seasonality.
Which business earns the strongest contribution?
September 2025 to August 2026. Contribution is revenue less direct delivery costs, before shared venue overheads. A high percentage does not necessarily produce the most rand profit.
| Business type | Revenue | Contribution | Contribution margin |
|---|
| Weddings | R 4 220 000 | R 2 610 000 | 61.8% |
| Corporate | R 2 810 000 | R 1 660 000 | 59.1% |
| Conferences | R 1 640 000 | R 925 000 | 56.4% |
| Social / private | R 1 190 000 | R 702 000 | 59.0% |
| Accommodation | R 1 860 000 | R 1 228 000 | 66.0% |
| Restaurant / F&B | R 945 000 | R 548 000 | 58.0% |
| Other venue income | R 1 832 000 | R 1 098 187 | 59.9% |
Use contribution together with capacity used, demand and payment terms. Do not favour a high-margin event if it prevents a more valuable booking.
Are bookings keeping up?
The September to December commercial sample contains R 2 384 000 accepted booking value. A separate R 913 000 is probability-weighted enquiry value, not confirmed business.
A reliable pace comparison needs a saved booking snapshot from the same lead time last year. That matched snapshot is not supplied in this example, so no growth percentage is claimed.
Inspect bookings and follow-upsAre we using capacity well?
1,268 room nights sold out of 6570 available over the twelve-month sample: 19.3% occupancy. Room contribution is R 1 228 000, or R 968 per sold room night.
Available space hours and a comparable prior occupancy period are not supplied. A full space-utilisation comparison needs those inputs. Check when demand overlaps before discounting unused capacity.
Compare competing space useTurn the explanation into a decision
PP benefit is measured against a documented original decision. Forecast improvements remain estimates until supported by delivered outcomes and reviewed attribution.