What is driving SA’s drastic decrease in entrepreneurial activity?

Entrepreneurial intentions among South Africans has dropped by almost 30% in 2015 when compared to 2013, and almost halved when compared to 2010, yet the perceived entrepreneurial opportunities has increased over the same period, according to the recently release Global Entrepreneurship Monitor South African Report 2015/16. According to Kobus Engelbrecht, spokesperson for the Entrepreneur of […]

Unemployment remains the country’s greatest economic and social challenge

“South Africa should be tackling the rising unemployment rate by facilitating and driving entrepreneurship.” This is according to Christo Botes, spokesperson for the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS, who was speaking in light of the recently released unemployment figures. Statistics SA yesterday revealed that unemployment increased to 26.7 percent […]

Five common mistakes to avoid when buying a property

When things go wrong in commercial property investment they can really go badly wrong, because the consequences are often counted in millions or rands. Owen Holland, Business Partners Limited (BUSINESS/PARTNERS) national asset manager: properties, lists five common mistakes made in commercial property investments. Before you venture into your next commercial property deal, says Holland, it […]

It’s never too late to start your own business

50 is the new 21 age for entrepreneurs There is a common misconception among many budding entrepreneurs that starting a business is a journey that is best initiated at a young age. Entrepreneurship is however not just for the youth, and can be embarked upon at any stage of life. This is according to Kobus […]

Scaling up your business: When is it the right time to expand?

The urge to convert and scale up a small business to a medium to large enterprise is one of the most common goals among business owners. However, contrary to popular belief, scaling up a business is not just a goal for most entrepreneurs, but also a necessary step to running a business successfully. This is […]

SA’s leading entrepreneurial competition now open for entries

The contribution of local entrepreneurs to the South African economy is generally underestimated. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute close to 50% of South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) and generate more than 60% of new jobs created in the economy. This is according to Ben Bierman, chief financial officer at Business Partners Limited (BUSINESS/PARTNERS), […]

Simple budgeting is better for a tough trading environment

Just as the South African finance minister needs to ensure that the national budget is realistic and attainable, local entrepreneurs need to ensure they have their annual budgets in optimal order. The effective planning and prioritising of a budget is one of the most important elements of a business, and key to the future of […]

SA entrepreneurs need your love this Valentine’s Day – they are creating jobs

Are we, as a society, showing enough appreciation to our local entrepreneurs, and expressing just how important they are to kick-starting South Africa’s sluggish economy? This is the questioned raised by Gugu Mjadu, spokesperson for the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and Business Partners Limited. In light of Valentine’s Day later […]

Finding the silver lining in the dark economic cloud

While the country and the world may be facing economic woes, it doesn’t mean it is all doom and gloom for South Africa’s local entrepreneurs. This is the sentiment of Christo Botes, spokesperson for the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS. “South Africa faced a number of challenges over the […]

Entrepreneurs to set resolutions that will drive and grow business in 2016

Setting the right New Year’s resolutions will not only give a business the competitive edge necessary in today’s global environment, but will also ensure that entrepreneurs know where their business is heading, and can plan ahead accordingly. Gugu Mjadu, spokesperson of the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS, says that […]