567 Cape Talk and SAGE looking for Cape Town's best small businesses

Now in its fifth year, the Small Business Awards has become a highly acclaimed platform for local businesses to expand when given the opportunity to have the right tools.

Last year's winner, Ian McLellan of The Little Fisherman, has been thrilled by the impact it has had on his business since he won. "It's tough out there for small businesses. The thing is to stay focused and to push through. Persevere and give one hundred and ten percent, every day. It's my passion that drives me and great things have come from being given this fantastic opportunity though the Small Business Awards" claims McLellan.

567 Cape Talk program manager, Tessa van Staden adds, "As a media partner, we are committed to building the capacity of small businesses. A key indicator for business success is client focus and that's why we have chosen customer service as the main criteria for these awards."

There's still time to nominate a business for the awards, but hurry - time is running out

The 2013 nominations opened on Monday 12 August 2013 and run until Friday 13 September. During this time, 30 finalists will be selected. Each will be interviewed on air, on either the breakfast or afternoon drive shows.

The 30 finalists go through a panel of interviews with experts in various fields of business, including marketing, HR and finance, to see which businesses stand the best chance of surviving, thriving and growing.

The winner will be announced at the Gala dinner on Monday 16 September. The grand prize includes an advertising campaign on 567 CapeTalk, as well as a laptop loaded with accounting and payroll software from SAGE - all valued at over R100,000.

Tamsin Van Rooyen marketing manager for Sage Pastel, part of the Sage Group commented, "Sage believes in supporting small businesses by creating the freedom for them to succeed. As such we believe the 567 Cape Talk Small Business Awards provides the perfect platform to recognise small businesses that are making an impact in the market."

To nominate a business that offers great customer service, visit www.capetalk.co.za.