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Closing the leadership gender gap by mentoring and networking
There are many reasons given for why women continue to struggle to advance, despite seeming to make all the right career moves. Susan Colantuono, CEO and founder of a consulting firm Leading Women, and author
How to recruit great talent for your startup
One of the greatest challenges for a startup and small business is attracting the talent to help make your vision a reality. Startup businesses are unable to offer the salary
Be obsessed with what you do
Company Profile Name of company: Brains Empowerment Years in existence: 3 years Position: Founder and editor Can you tell us a little bit about your background – personal, educational and professional? I am 26 years old, and
How strategic partnerships with SMEs can benefit your business
One of the effective, but overlooked ways SMEs can grow their business networks and clientele is by forming strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships with other businesses in their industries. This form of partnership
Does Your Business Have What It Takes To Become a Franchise?
Franchising your small business is one of the simplest ways to expand your business, requiring less capital, and risk than other growth methods. It is also one of the fastest
How SA compares globally with attitude to risk
More businesses across the globe are open to risk, with nearly half of business decision makers describing themselves as risk-seekers. This is according to the Sage Business Index, an annual global
Enterprise development – Money versus impa
Enterprise development (ED) is fast gaining momentum both from government’s support through the introduction and enforcement of BB-BEE codes, and the new codes which have a more stringent focus small and medium enterprise (SME)
Entrepreneur puts his best foot forward with designer socks
A simple item like socks is an essential part of any man’s wardrobe. 30 year-old Cape Town-based tech entrepreneur, Nic Haralambous, found a way to turn this common piece of clothing into a
Be a Great One-Man Show
Many years ago, it was frowned on to be a one man show, a consultant or a freelancer of sorts. However, because of changing world and economic dynamics, acceptance of ‘one
5 SME technology findings that may surprise you
In keeping with what seems to be a continuing trend, the 2014 Sage Business Index has revealed that while South African businesses are generally less optimistic about the state of
The how-to’s of hiring your first employee
Starting a new business can be daunting especially for a small business owner, which is why hiring staff members are crucial to get the ball rolling. Most entrepreneurs start our
The how-to’s of hiring your first employee
Starting a new business can be daunting especially for a small business owner, which is why hiring staff members are crucial to get the ball rolling. Most entrepreneurs start our
How this entrepreneur is bringing supply chain management to township spazas
Zimbabwean-born Jairos Jaja knows exactly the taste of business failure. But, today, thanks to his tenacity, he also knows the taste of success. Jaja is the owner of Havatigone Corporate Trading, a company that specialises in the marketing
Why being the best doesn’t matter anymore
It’s not about doing something new, it’s about how to stop doing something old. This powerful statement is from Richard Mulholland’s new book titled Legacide. In it, Mulholland redefines the old-fashioned definition of the
Follow in the footsteps of big corporates and build a solid property portfolio
How you, like blue chip companies, can take advantage of South Africa’s resilient property market, writes Lesiba Mooka Ever wondered where major corporate companies invest most of their (our) money when
Workshopping for startup success
The Lean Startup Machine (LSM) has since its start in 2010 become the world’s biggest startup workshop. And now the city of Johannesburg is hosting its first LSM event. Johannesburg
New website puts Cape Town startups on the map
It’s no secret that the startup culture in Cape Town is developing rapidly. In recent years, the city has been positioning itself as the country’s ICT and innovation hub, and
Get To Know Your Tourism Incentives
Tourism is regarded as a modern-day engine of economic growth and is one of the largest industries globally, with many countries around the world focusing on tourism as a driver
Offering entrepreneurs support beyond money
“60% of entrepreneurs who walk through our doors are not asking for money,” said Oscar Siziba, head of Absa Business Banking in Gauteng. Siziba was addressing a room of entrepreneurs and members of Corporate SA
‘Be your business’ brand ambassador’ – Dudu Mofokeng
Name of company: Legaci Laundry and Dry Cleaners Services Years in existence: Since 2008 Position: Founder, CEO and joint owner with husband, Leema Mofokeng (pictured together) Can you tell us a little bit about your background – personal,
Youth Chamber of Commerce To Give Voice to Young Entrepreneurs
Until earlier this year, there was no dedicated organisation addressing the specific concerns of youth owned enterprises, that was before the launch of the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry of South Africa
Confessions of an ADHD entrepreneur
Do any of these characteristics pertain to you? You can get distracted or daydream, but sometimes you concentrate on a job for hours on end, You manage to do several
The business of tenders
Most SMEs looking to land a lucrative government or private sector contract will at one time or another have to undergo the tendering process. According to Madoda Khuzwayo, founder of OPENTENDERS, a web portal
PropCare finds success in property maintenance
As a real estate agent for over 10 years, De Lange saw how his clients would struggle to find reliable service providers. Using his experience and contacts from the realty industry, De
Finding a business opportunity where others see traffic
Good entrepreneurs are able to identify and exploit the opportunities that exist and find ways to make profit from them. By this definition David Shmukler is a very good entrepreneur. Three months
Why your Business Should Hire Young People
The youth of today are the workforce of tomorrow. It is important that all businesses, not just the big corporates, invest and hire young people to ensure their own future success.
Gold financing scheme aiding jewellery manufacturers
South Africa is home to some of the deepest mines in the world and accounts for almost 50% of the world’s found gold reserves. According to the Chamber of Mines of
Which city is SA’s entrepreneurial capital?
The smart city movement, with its focus on infrastructure and connectivity aims to make cities more competitive. Competitive cities not only attract talent and visitors, but business and the all
3 Things your business needs in order to adopt cashless payments
How to encourage customers to jump on the mobile payment bandwagon, writes guest contributor Robyn Hazekamp If your business aims to sell goods online, know that an increasing number of people are
3 Technology Trends Pushing Retailers to Revolutionise
A recent survey, which was conducted to examine the effect of the Internet of Things (IoT), has revealed that 83% of respondents surveyed agree that billions of connected and wearable
Budget review sector by sector
In his address to Cabinet during the 2014/15 medium term budget policy statement on last week, finance minister Nhlanhla Nene said South African firms are expanding investment and business partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa, giving
Mid-term budget review – what it means for SMEs
Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene presented to Cabinet his much anticipated inaugural 2014/15 medium term budget policy statement on Wednesday. The statement has been received with confidence by the markets and business, but has received
4 Key Steps to Building a World-class Sales Team
Running a good sales team is about finding the right talent and nurturing it. The hard part of running a good sales team however is retaining that talent. HR &
No apologies for radical transformation of the economy
The National SMME Policy Colloquium came to an end on a high note yesterday with speakers taking an unapologetic stance about radical transformation of the economy and calling for a repealing of legislation
Can African brands excite a global audience?
I majored in classical archaeology, and during my archaeology studies I studied a Roman philosopher named Pliny the Elder. Pliny the Elder was a powerful member of Roman society, who
Startup ParcelNinja tackles online retailers’ logistics issues
R500 billion, online transactions, however account for less than 2% of that; in the US, online retail makes up 15-20% of overall sales. South Africa’s poor logistics are often blamed for making it
Moving enterprise and supplier development beyond box-ticking
The second day of the National SMME Policy Colloquium hosted by the Industrial Development Corporation, deliberated on the role of enterprise and supplier development (E&SD) and how it could benefit both small business
‘Luck is the reward you get for taking action’ – Slindokuhle Ngcobo
Name of company: Mema Referral Recruitment Years in existence: 3 years Position: MD Can you tell us a little bit about your background – personal, educational and professional? I was born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, at
Five questions to ask before choosing a bank for your business
Today, it’s standard for banks (specialist niche banks and major banks) to offer it’s business banking clients services like internet banking, rewards programmes and even the use of apps, in an attempt
A Simple Guide to Angel Investors
All startups need an initial injection to get the business off the ground. Unfortunately, raising capital continues to be a struggle for many entrepreneurs. One of the options entrepreneurs have is
SMME policy colloquium not another talk shop – Minister Zulu
The contribution of small and medium enterprises towards economic development was the focal point at the beginning of a three-day gathering between business leaders, government and other stakeholders in Johannesburg
Attention all aspiring ‘techpreneurs’
SME South Africa, an online business and entrepreneurship website, today launched it’s #MyBizIdea competition. Together with Microsoft BizSpark, a free software and support platform, the competition hopes to give budding ‘techpreneurs’ a much needed
Corporate support for youth entrepreneurs
According to National Treasury, there are 2,8 million SMMEs in South Africa that make up 57% of GDP, and provide 60% of jobs, and the government’s National Development Plan (NDP) envisages that SMMEs will
Corporate support for youth entrepreneurs
According to National Treasury, there are 2,8 million SMMEs in South Africa that make up 57% of GDP, and provide 60% of jobs, and the government’s National Development Plan (NDP) envisages that SMMEs will
Your essential investor checklist
For most startups, finding investors to help secure funding is often one of the last options they consider after crowd-funding, bank loans and even bootstrapping. This need not be the case. Investors
5 Reasons Why foreigner-run Spaza Shops do Better than Local Counterparts
The township spaza shop competition is tough, and the subject of foreign-owned spazas is a thorny one for many local spaza shop owners. A Cape Town based non-profit organisation, the Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation (SLF), conducted a two-year in-depth study to understand
Entrepreneurship is the new currency
Entrepreneurship development is fast becoming a new way of social corporate investment for private companies, and a job creation mechanism for government. With the establishment of the Department of Small
Online competition platform boosts brands’ customer engagement
Competitions are a popular way of elevating a brand’s marketing efforts, allowing brands to engage with their consumers. Such interactions also allow brands to build a fan base and convert customers
5 Small Budget Marketing Ideas With BIG Impact
As a startup company, there is often limitations to the budget we have to sell the company’s products, vision and ideas. We are often under so much pressure that we
Tax Guide for Your SME
Many SMEs face tax-related regulatory burden, and there is little doubt that navigating through all the tax requirements can be a daunting. Tax in South Africa is levied on income
Shell refuels its SME development programme
There is a difference between the failure of a business and the failure of an entrepreneur. The wisdom to differentiate between the two ensures the success of an enterprise. These
Unlocking Africa’s franchising potential
South African companies would do well to look for growth opportunities north of the border, in light of South Africa’s less than inspiring economic prospects. FNB’s Franchise Leadership Summit held
‘Passion, self-belief and hope will sustain you’ – Asanda Madyibi
Company Profile Name of company: Asanda Madyibi Clothing Years in existence: 7 years Position: Fashion designer Can you tell us a little bit about your background – personal, educational and professional? Born and bred in Eastern
New development centre to offer business skills to entrepreneurs
Free support will soon be available to Johannesburg entrepreneurs with the launch of the Entrepreneurs Growth Centre in Johannesburg. The facility will provide free support and service assistance to local