Innovative Joburg Business Week launches

Joburg Business Week will include the Franchise and Business Opportunities Expo, the Eskom Small Business Development Expo, and a Business Skills Conference. This collaboration of events aims to bring big support to small business in line with SA's Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative.

The message is clear: small businesses should focus on maximising all networking, education, skills development and 'cooperative' opportunities.

Solutions

Says Dee Reuvers, president of the Midrand Chamber of Commerce & Industry: "Approximately 80% of all small companies fail in their mission of success within the first three years and some of the most common reasons include 'business without a plan', insufficient financial support, non provision and ignorance of tax legislation, lack of management and marketing expertise, inadequate administrative and/or human resource development and infrastructure. The workshops that will be held at Joburg Business Week address issues that will equip business with some of the basic solutions they need to succeed."

She notes that the Joburg Business Week workshops aim to deliver a product of 'sustainable growth' to SMMEs who diligently participate and practice their newfound business skills.

"Their progress will be monitored annually and the strategic direction of Joburg Business Week will be evaluated after the event, to ensure that the original purpose is being executed."

Industry sponsors

Various other industry players have come together to make this event possible. Sam Vilakazi, manager for business development and the entrepreneurship programme of Seda notes that it is supporting this initiative as it is mainly based on the one of the organisation's strategic pillars - to promote the culture of entrepreneurship in South Africa and encourage people to consider owning a business as an alternative to job and wealth creation.

Sizwe Tati, managing executive of Absa Small Business, notes that despite the current healthy state of our economy with the associated increase in job opportunities, the fact is, there are more job-seekers entering the market than there are jobs available or being created.

"This is where we see the opportunity for small businesses to develop and flourish, especially in a dynamic city such as Johannesburg. We are at the heart of this province and as infrastructure and access to finance are key drivers of development and the economy, as a financial institution we know we need to invest in small businesses," says Tati.

"We believe the solution is to do everything possible to support and foster the growth and development of small businesses, and supporting the Joburg Business Week is just one avenue we are pursuing to bring more start-ups into the formal sector and help them secure finance."

Engines of growth

Belinda Godfrey, small and mid-market solutions and partner group director at Microsoft South Africa, says that small and medium businesses are recognised as the engines of growth, not only for South Africa, but also the rest of the continent. They are the driving force behind the creation of new and better jobs, and are also responsible for stimulating competitiveness and innovation.

"Our participation in initiatives such as Joburg Business Week further demonstrate the potential we see in the small and medium businesses across the country and provides us with an opportunity to showcase the impact that technology has in driving these organisations forward," says Godfrey.

First National Bank (FNB), MTN and international sponsor Tabiesa are other participants in Joburg Business Week.

For more information, go to www.smallbusinessweek.co.za or call +27 (0)21 488 3406.