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 […]

3D printing set to boost SA entrepreneurs

Futuristic as it may seem, 3D printing has the potential to change the way South African businesses operate, as well as introduce a new stream of entrepreneurs into the economy. From a global perspective, this invention has already created countless opportunities for businesses to differentiate themselves from competitors, with 3D printing products and services expected […]

Entrepreneurship attractive on the continent

But SA hesitant to take the leap South Africa’s economy is projected to steadily grow with 2.7% in 2014 and 3.2% in 2015, and according to Kobus Engelbrecht, spokesperson for the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition, this growth will result in many opportunities for local entrepreneurs. He says that as South […]

Top business tips for 2014

Our 2013 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® winners share their top business tips Education is an on-going process and according to Christo Botes, spokesperson for the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition, this is especially true for entrepreneurs, who are faced with new challenges on a daily basis. He […]

Quality checks for your business plan

We all know we should check our cars before travelling. Equally important is the need to check your business plan for faults and potential failures before making it the core of your business, or using it to ask for financing. Here is a 6 point check: 1. Can YOU execute? Failure to convince financiers of […]

Give your employees some healthy options

Like retirement savings and disability cover, medical cover is a crucial part of everyone’s financial planning. “Good healthcare can be expensive and medical procedures can easily set you back by tens of thousands of rands,” says Sharon Rubens, Managing Director of Completemed Healthcare Consultants, a division of Sanlam Healthcare Management. “Add to that our alarming […]

Turning Passion into Profit

Tommy Makhatho on winning the 2013 Sanlam/ Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition winner We chat to this year’s overall Sanlam/ Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition winner, Tommy Makhatho, owner of BiBi Cash & Carry, about his entrepreneurial journey and experiences post winning the title. 1. What was your reaction to winning […]

Bosses must support retirement planning

With 51% of surveyed pensioners not making ends meet and 62% of job changers still not preserving their retirement savings, South Africa’s employers and business owners have a vital role to play in solving the country’s retirement savings shortfall. This is the conclusion drawn by Sanlam after analysing the results of its 2013 Sanlam Benchmark […]

EOY entrant moving forward in the transport industry

In light of October being Transport Month we chat to 2012 competition entrant Ashley van der Berg, Managing Director of Rail2Rail, about his journey as an entrepreneur in the transport industry. 1. Briefly describe your business and the industry you operate in? Rail2Rail is a specialised concrete railway sleeper manufacturer, based in Kimberley in the […]

Mentorship: Adding invaluable outside skills to your business

Entrepreneurs are often exposed to duties, situations, problems and opportunities that many have never had to face before. Entrepreneurs also rarely have someone to discuss common problems with, or to turn to, for objective advice and honest feedback and this can sometimes lead entrepreneurs to feel like they have the loneliest job in the world. […]