Any business owner can master successful networking
Here is some good news for business owners who are more comfortable with machines and production processes than with people: successful networking with people is every bit as systematic as networking with computers. “You don’t have to be Miss Congeniality to network successfully with potential clients, suppliers and business associates,” says Corene Marx, marketing manager […]
Ask yourself what your service or product is worth
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market In a competitive market environment business owners are prone to sell themselves short, because they do not take the time to determine a fair and justifiable price for their services and products. There are so-called “value drivers” that support the charging of a premium for your […]
Build your own support network
The business support landscape in South Africa for young entrepreneurs is like the business world itself: it is teeming with opportunities, but you will have to seek them out yourself and build your own support network. Nobody is going to hand it to you on a silver platter. For decades, various spheres of government, corporates […]
A slogan defines the core of your Unique Selling Proposition
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market A unique selling proposition is defined as the factor or consideration presented by a seller as the reason that one product or service is different from and better than that of the competition. It positions your value proposition. It also helps your clients remember what you […]
Entrepreneurial freedom comes with responsibility
One of the major reasons why entrepreneurs decide to start their own business is the freedom that this lifestyle offers. They want to take their own decisions and are prepared to take the consequences. Entrepreneurs are by nature risk takers and they realise that it may culminate in serious or negative results, but they always […]
Calculate the value of existing and new clients
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market There are basically three ways in which to grow a business, namely: by getting new clients; increasing the share of wallet, and increasing the frequency of transactions with existing clients. Determining the value of a client can therefore be very useful. There is definitely a difference […]
Writing a Business Plan is not as hard as you may think!
When you build your home you employ various specialists to assist you to ensure that the plans are drawn up accurately and you know exactly what materials you need to purchase and how much it will cost you. You will also know how long it would probably take to build your house. These plans include […]
Marketing tips for 2014
Marketing tips that may be implemented immediately: Evaluate the success of your current marketing actions Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market In order to properly address this question, we should take a moment to consider the definition of marketing. Simply put, this is everything we do to communicate our business (in respect […]
Seven mistakes entrepreneurs make that kill their business
As your fledgling business starts to grow, it’s critical that you don’t inadvertently strangle it in its infancy. Here are some early pitfalls to avoid… Doing too much yourself Many business owners fall into this trap as they attempt to keep their costs to a minimum. But ultimately it can mean you get bogged down […]
2012 winner, William Duk, takes his business to new heights
In light of the recent launch of the 2014 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year competition, which aims to honour, benefit and uplift local entrepreneurs, William Duk of Plantation Shutters and overall 2012 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year, shares his experiences and discusses how his participation in the competition is […]