How to create the best possible quotation

By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market When a prospective client invites us to do a quotation we need to realise that this is when the tackie hits the tarmac. This is when our marketing and word-of-mouth endeavours materialise in tangible outcomes … or not. If we get this action wrong we have wasted the […]

Life after being named a 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year® winner

Not only do entrepreneurial awards offer winning businesses a cash injection, but they are also a great platform to raise a business’ profile – which can often prove to be more valuable than the cash prize! An awards platform not only offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to expand their current network and receive expert analysis of […]

Balancing work-life responsibilities as an entrepreneur

By Gugu Mjadu Spokesperson for the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS Growing a business has often been equated to raising a child – a 24/7 role involving countless sleepless nights and never-ending concerns about the business’ future success. While a work-life balance is always strived for by entrepreneurs, the […]

Four steps to create an inclusive work environment for your business

Business owners are lucky that they create their own work environment, unlike managers in large corporations who step into rigid, pre-created cultures. However, many business owners allow the working culture in their businesses to flow organically from their personality, without giving much thought to how it could be perhaps better engineered. Kgomotso Ramoenyane, executive general […]

Work on and not in your business

By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market You have surely heard the statement above, but what does it really mean? To start, run and succeed in business is not for the faint-hearted. Why? International statistics state that 40% of all new business start-ups fail in the first year and 80% within the first 5 years, […]

Looking at business success amid a drought

The Western Cape has over the recent past been hard hit by the severe drought in the region which has had direct, severe consequences on local businesses. Strict level 4B water restrictions have been implemented area-wide, and residents and businesses alike have been forced to curb water usage to 87 litres per person, per day. […]

Local entrepreneurs’ ability to save is a catch-22

Navigating saving methods for your business and personal finances By Christo Botes Executive Director, Business Partners Limited South Africans have always been scrutinised for their ability to save, and with July marking National Savings Month – an initiative by the South African Savings Institute (SASI) which encourages all South Africans to embrace the idea and […]

Reap the rewards when client expectations are exceeded

By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market Come to think of it, it all seems simple enough – clients will consider our product or service if we help them solve a problem or address a need they have. But is this all there is to attracting clients to our business? The qualified answer is “no”. […]

Ten ways to hook investors onto your big idea

A great many excellent business ideas never get past the spreadsheet stage and into the real world simply because entrepreneurs fail to connect to the people with enough money and risk appetite to help them implement them. Finding the right investors and pitching your idea effectively is a business skill that can be worked on, […]

Cold-calling is a waste of time

By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market The quest for finding new clients and increasing sales is a reality for any commercial business. There are many different ways to attract new clients to our business. The practice of cold-calling has been and still is part of the sales strategy of most businesses. But is this […]