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Another showcase of entrepreneurial excellence

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2011 EOY competition entries open

South Africa’s most prestigious entrepreneurial awards are once again open for entries.

The 2011 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® awards recognise and celebrate the innovation, drive and commitment of small and medium enterprise (SME) decision makers – the men and women that feed, clothe and grow our country.

Now in its 22nd year, the awards will also introduce a number of new initiatives to further the SME cause.

This includes an SME Conference in May where industry representatives, civil society and senior government decision makers debate the future of the sector.

In addition, the hugely successful workshop series has been expanded and 11 regional centres will play host to SME experts in the coming months.

The cream of South Africa’s entrepreneurs will be celebrated in September during the Gala awards ceremony.

In addition to the current categories – overall Entrepreneur of the Year, Emerging Entrepreneur (business younger than three years old), Small Business Entrepreneur (turnover up to R20 million) and Medium Business Entrepreneur (turnover greater than R20 million) – the 2011 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® awards will also honour the essence of entrepreneurship through the Innovation Award.

“There were a number of very apt categories to add to this prestigious award but we feel that the concept and talent to innovate is a vital component for entrepreneurs to stay ahead of the pack,” says Entrepreneur of the Year® Manager, Vicky Nish.

Innovators will forever be the leaders as they will always be one step ahead. True innovators apply this characteristic in every part of their business and not just in product development.

Each winner will receive R20 000 in cash and the overall winner walks away with R100 000 and the opportunity to visit a tradeshow anywhere in the world.

Martin Beyers, the 2010 winner and co-owner of CERadvance Engineering Ceramics, says the competition’s value should not be underestimated:

“Entrepreneurs need this kind of recognition much more often than one tends to think… To have such a competent and well-versed adjudicating team look over your shoulders, probe your business plan, look at your balance sheet, question your sustainability and future strategies and to then give you the nod of approval is a source of great satisfaction.

“It was also a great inspiration to continue with renewed effort, since after nearly 20 years in any industry, one can be forgiven for becoming a bit lethargic at times.

“I am a great believer in benchmarking exercises and personal improvement exercises.”

Business Partners Limited Executive Director Christo Botes says the workshops will also add value to the greater SME sector through practical, easy to understand entrepreneurial advice.

“Through the annual international conference, we will furthermore be able to become the Voice of SMEs. This is all exciting stuff and we can indeed say that these initiatives can collectively enhance an inspirational culture of entrepreneurship.”

Jan Steenkamp, the Executive Head, Cobalt Solutions, Sanlam, believes that at least 400 entrepreneurs will step forward to be judged.

He adds that the objective for the competition remains unchanged, namely to celebrate the successful entrepreneur.

At the same time the SME sector will receive more exposure, helping new entrepreneurs to realise their business dreams.

“The SME sector has been one the most important segments for Sanlam over the years and by supporting this initiative, we believe we are giving something back to our business owner clients. In the process we are also demonstrating Sanlam’s commitment to a tailor made, segment based approach to serving our clients.”

2010 EOY winner the embodiment of real entrepreneurship

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Martin Beyers is no Richard Branson; he does not instantly draw you into his world with a wealth of charisma.

Neither is he a Steve Jobs; intent on taking over the world one iPod at a time.

He also does not remind you of Lakshmi Mittal; the creator of a global empire.

Yet, Beyers beat hundreds of South African business owners to win the 2010 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year ® competition.

The reason for his success in the competition – and in business – is that Beyers is the embodiment of real entrepreneurship.

Vision, creativity, innovation, careful planning, passion and hard work are the best adjectives to use.

The competition saw entrepreneurs from across the country vie for the title of Entrepreneur of the Year ®. They were subjected to strict judging criteria to ensure that the business was not only sustainable, but also exceptional.

Out of the 331 entries, 12 finalists emerged. Out of these, three category winners were crowned alongside the overall Entrepreneur of the Year ®:

  • Emerging Entrepreneur: Lovely Letsoalo – Wespark Itumeleng Pharmacy
  • Small Business Entrepreneur: Martin Brown – Radical Holdings
  • Medium Business Entrepreneur: Theo Bakkum – Awesome Snacks

Entrepreneur of the Year ®

This year’s competition saw a dramatic change to the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year ® awards as the competition was opened up to all entrepreneurs in South Africa.

The award was initiated in 1989 by private small and medium enterprise (SME) financier, Business Partners to give recognition to the vision, innovation, perseverance, drive and commitment of the individuals who run successful small and medium enterprises.

In partnership with Sanlam, the competition was able to spread its net wider this year and introduced the three new award categories.

Business younger than three years old could compete for the Emerging Entrepreneur award and businesses with turnovers of up to R20 million could compete for the Small Business Entrepreneur award. The last category, the Medium Business Entrepreneur award, was reserved for businesses with turnovers greater than R20 million.

Each winner received R10 000 but the Entrepreneur of the Year ® 2010 walks away with R100 000 in cash and the opportunity to attend an international conference or trade show, as well as extensive exposure in the public domain.

Martin Beyers

CERadvance manufactures specialised ceramic solutions which are used in industrial processes. The Jet Park based business is a niche player in a market filled with large conglomerates.

It has been able to differentiate itself through pure innovation and this caught the judges’ eyes.

Judging convener, PwC Partner Stefan Beyers, explains that CERadvance’s ability to look far into the future and to develop products on a continual basis is exemplary.

This is because Martin Beyers has been able to turn his ideas into profits and build a sustainable operation.

“We looked at many different types of businesses. It is always difficult to choose a winner because each case is so unique,” Stefan Beyers says.

Jan Steenkamp, Executive Head, Cobalt Solutions, Sanlam echoes this, saying that the quality of entries in this year’s competition was extremely high.

But, Steenkamp also says that Beyers stood out because he is able to use his creativity to come up with solutions that add value to a client.

Beyers explains that he entered the competition as he has learnt to constantly revaluate himself and the business.

Through the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year ® judging process, people outside of his daily reality – the judges – could enter the operation, identify shortcomings and successes and help him to improve.

“Winning acknowledges that there is a legitimacy to the business, that it adds value and that it is worthwhile. Entrepreneurs want to know that they are on the right path.

“You constantly have to revaluate yourself to ensure that you are on the right path because the small business reality constantly changes.”

Celebrating entrepreneurs

Business Partners Managing Director, Nazeem Martin, says that the competition is first and foremost an attempt to celebrate entrepreneurship.

“If this country is going to go anywhere we need to ensure that entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial development is celebrated.

“Entrepreneurs need to take their rightful place as role models in South Africa so that when young people leave school or university, they consider it as a viable career option.

“The diversity of entries is an indication of the burning desire on the part of entrepreneurs to receive some form of recognition for the effort put into building these businesses and for creating jobs,” Martin says.

“Opportunity driven entrepreneurs, the ones that take advantage of a gap in the market, are the ones who usually create sustainable businesses. We have to celebrate entrepreneurs and honour them if we want to unleash the potential South Africa has in its youth.”

Steenkamp echoes this, saying celebrating entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial spirit will act as an inspiration to others who have not yet made the leap into the small business environment.

The voice of SMEs

“We also want to ensure that the competition remains a national platform that brings real value to small business owners in their own businesses and the larger operating environment,” he adds.

“Through the competition and its workshops and seminars, we have created a platform for entrepreneurs to interact with their counterparts and be heard nationally. The SME space is often very lonely and the lessons learnt by these business owners over the years need to be shared.”

The Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year ® awards will further build on this platform next year, starting with an SME conference in March. Here, SME decision makers will be able to voice their opinion of the operating environment presented in South Africa and the challenges faced.

The seminars, workshops and conference will focus on areas such as financial planning, financial fitness assessment, business opportunities and advice and access to finance. Information on legal developments and changes to the regulatory environment will also be shared with delegates.

Furthermore, the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year ® project will interact directly with public sector officials to ensure that the SME voice is heard in the highest offices.

“Our vision is that it becomes the prime conference on entrepreneurship in the country,” Martin explains.

“We believe that entrepreneurs are the true heroes of the South African, and indeed world’s, economic society.”

The era of entrepreneurial excellence

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New Entrepreneur of the Year competition launches

It is easy to call someone a great entrepreneur during the good times. But how do you define a great entrepreneur during the bad times?

Is it the business owner whose business grew during a recession or is it the small business owner that took charge of a difficult situation and applied him or herself to ensure that the business survived?

Entrepreneurship means finding new ways to overcome difficult situations; to find the answers that elude most people.

Entrepreneurship means taking the difficult and usually lonely route outside of a set business environment. You do not have a boss and there is no one who makes the rules for you.

You, as the business’ owner and as an entrepreneur have to decide what will work and what will not. When you make a mistake, there is no one else to blame.

It is these people that Business Partners and Sanlam’s Entrepreneur of the Year award will honour – the self made men and women who have sleepless nights and strive for financial freedom through blood, sweat and tears.

2010 sees a dramatic change to the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year awards as the competition is opened up to all entrepreneurs in South Africa.

Changes to EOY

The award was initiated in 1989 to give recognition to the vision, innovation, perseverance, drive and commitment of the individuals who run successful small and medium enterprises.

As a private small and medium enterprise (SME) financier, Business Partners, believes it is necessary to place the spotlight on those who are responsible for between 35% and 50% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. These business owners not only employ half of the country’s labour force, but also ensure that the economy keeps growing.

In partnership with Sanlam, the competition will now be open to SME decision makers throughout the country.

There are also three new award categories this year an Emerging Entrepreneur (business younger than three years old), a Small Business Entrepreneur (turnover up to R20 million) and a Medium Business Entrepreneur (turnover greater than R20 million) will each be crowned.

The grand title is obviously the Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 and the overall prize is not to be missed: R100 000 in cash, the opportunity to attend an international conference or trade show, as well as extensive exposure in the public domain to get the sales rolling in.

The voice of SMEs

While the prizes on offer are enough to wet any entrepreneur’s appetite, Business Partners and Sanlam’s Entrepreneur of the Year will attempt to make a difference in every SME’s life in the country.

During the course of 2010, the project will host an extensive series of SME-focussed seminars and workshops around the country.

This will culminate in a SME conference in October where SME decision makers will be able to voice their opinion of the operating environment presented in South Africa and the challenges faced.

The seminars, workshops and conference will focus on areas such as financial planning, financial fitness assessment, business opportunities and advice and access to finance. Information on legal developments and changes to the regulatory environment will also be shared with delegates.

Furthermore, Business Partners and Sanlam’s Entrepreneur of the Year project will interact directly with public sector officials to ensure that the SME voice is heard in the highest offices.

Information gathered from SME decision makers regarding the regulatory system in South Africa will be shared with these senior government officials, promoting the development of entrepreneurship and small business development in the country.

Time for change

Business Partners’ Managing Director, Nazeem Martin, explains that the competition is not just about crowning the most inspiring entrepreneur in South Africa, but to develop and foster entrepreneurial development.

“Small and medium sized enterprises are both the fulcrum and the life blood of any country’s economy, contributing between 30% and 50% of GDP, employing more than 60% of our labour force and accounting for more than 65% of new jobs created.

“Celebrating entrepreneurs means we are holding them up as role models – people who create wealth for themselves and jobs for many.

“Hopefully we can increase the incidence of entrepreneurship in South Africa to levels more in keeping with what’s happening in the rest of the world and so improve our country’s ability to compete globally.” Martin says.

Jan Steenkamp, Sanlam Cobalt’s Executive Head, echoes this, saying celebrating entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial spirit will act as an inspiration to others who have not yet made the leap into the small business environment.

“We also want to ensure that the competition will be a national platform that brings real value to small business owners in their own businesses and the larger operating environment,” he adds.

“Through the competition and its workshops and seminars, we will create a platform for entrepreneurs to interact with their counterparts and be heard nationally. The SME space is often very lonely and the lessons learnt by these business owners over the years need to be shared.”

Steenkamp says it only makes sense that Sanlam and Business Partners, as experts in the SME space, host the flagship competition.

“The media’s spotlight seldom shines on entrepreneurs, especially small business owners. But, it is these SME entrepreneurs who often have to overcome insurmountable obstacles to establish and attain success in their businesses.” Martin says.

“At Business Partners, we believe that entrepreneurs are the true heroes of the South African, and indeed world’s, economic society.”