Tag: United States

Past winner catch-up – where are they now?

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2018 marks our 30th year in honouring entrepreneurs and the contributions they make toward growing the South African economy. We’re celebrating by catching up with some of the past winners of the competition.

Catching up with: Mpodumo Doubada
Winning year: Innovator of the Year® – 2017

Winning business: Pimp my Book is a successful chain of campus stores across the country, founded on the simple premise of buying and selling used textbooks. After earning his first 10% commission on the sale of his friends’ textbooks, founder, Mpodumo Doubada, quickly saw the opportunity to create a one-stop platform where students could sell their used textbooks for cash, as well as purchase the books they need.

It’s been almost a year since you won the Innovator of the Year title in 2017, how has business been since then?

Over the last few months, business has been very good. We do operate a seasonal business, but even taking this into account, we experienced a bumper season. We have since signed two big clients – bringing in an additional 800 students to our direct market.

The direct spin-off from the EOY competition has also been amazing to watch.  We’ve seen a far more positive reception from various universities and corporates – who have now heard about us through the media and are a little more open to trying our innovative approach.

Have you made any new developments in your business since winning?

At the time of our win, our tech division was relatively new. It has now been rolled out across all our stores and is bringing in more and more business. We have seen a significant increase in laptop sales in the Cape Town area alone. 

Also new, is our new Hatfield store in Pretoria – targeting students of the University of Pretoria and UNISA.

We are also working on an exciting new project for an international market – and we will share more details about this in due course.

On a personal note, I was very fortunate to be selected as a finalist in the 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship as part of the Young African Leaders Initiative. In June, I will join the other candidates from Sub Saharan Africa as we travel to the United States to learn from our American peers – with the aim to bring leadership skills back to Africa. 

What was the biggest lesson you learned from your stint in the EOY competition?

I’d never seen myself as an “innovator”. Whenever I think of the term, I always think of high tech or new inventions. The competition showed me that in fact, innovation is just about doing things differently. If you change the way something has traditionally been done to solve a problem – then you are an innovator. This was a big eye-opener for me.

One of the toughest things to face during the competition, was the questions posed by the judges. Their questions required a fair amount of self-evaluation. Up until this point, I didn’t recognise the full impact of what we do – until others told me what a great job we were doing. The process really opened my mind to see the changes we make to the communities we serve.

What would your top piece of advice be for anyone looking to enter this year’s competition?

Be authentic about yourself and your business. You need to you know your business and industry inside and out as the judges will interrogate this at a deeper level than you ever have – so you need to be prepared to do the same in preparation.

Above all – let your passion shine through anything you prepare.

SA entrepreneur swops finance for fitness

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Fitness and wellness in South Africa has traditionally been quite a financially exclusive amenity – accessible only to those who can afford the typically high gym membership fees and costs associated with a healthy lifestyle. One local entrepreneur, however, is determined to change this.

With over seven years’ experience in the financial services sector, 35-year-old Tumi Phake, founder of Zenzele Fitness Group, saw a gap in the market within the local fitness sector – noting that for many South Africans, health and fitness regimes are still very much a “nice to have”.

Zenzele Fitness Group, a gym management business which operates fully-equipped gym facilities at various corporates, universities and government institutions across the country, operates on the premise of providing convenient, all-inclusive gym and fitness facilities for employees, assisting employers to see how a healthy lifestyle can benefit and improve their own workforce. The end result is an overall gym experience similar to that of a commercial health club – with the benefit of location convenience.

In addition to providing top-end, technologically advanced equipment, the business also provides disease intervention programmes (for ailments such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypertension, etc.) for gym members. “For employers, assisting their employees with health management programmes is a vital component of the proposition, and makes the investment in our facilities very exciting,” says Phake.

It is this natural sense of leadership which led Phake to hold high profile positions within the corporate world during his financial services career, such as junior board member at FNB Wealth. Since then, Phake was featured on Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans list in 2015 and most recently in 2016, was selected as a South African ambassador for the prestigious Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in the United States of America – a leadership programme established by former US president Barack Obama.

Phake’s tenacity and passion for his business idea is what granted him the initial R5 million start-up finance from equity partner, Awethu Project / SEFA an incubator for small to medium enterprises and later on to raise additional debt funding of R8 million. By the end of this year he would have raised a total of R22 million. Today, the fitness group is turning a sizeable profit and is constantly looking to expand its national footprint.

As a young business which launched in 2014, Zenzele Fitness Group already employs over 50 staff members with 13 gyms across South Africa.

With Phake’s ambition to partner with some of the largest corporates in the country and use these relationships to penetrate even more markets, there is no doubt that Zenzele Fitness Group has the potential to scale to almost limitless bounds. Fuelled by his unwavering passion for innovation, dedication to driving change and promoting overall health and wellbeing, Phake is set to realise his goals in the coming years.

Itumeleng Phake is a finalist in the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS. For more information on his business, please visit the Zenzele Fitness Group website: www.zenzelefitness.co.za.    

Entrepreneurs to take a step back if they are to succeed

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Entrepreneurs can become so immersed in their businesses that they no longer ‘see the wood from the trees’, and that the way in which they are currently operating their business, could be the downfall of their success. 

This is according to Kobus Engelbrecht, spokesperson for the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS, who says that all entrepreneurs, regardless of their business cycle or success, can benefit from an outsider reviewing their business and its processes.

“A business mentor is one of the most valuable resources for any entrepreneur and business owner, yet is often the most underutilized,” says Engelbrecht.

A study1 conducted in the United States – which surveyed small business owners on the importance of mentoring – showed that of the business owners who use a mentor, 88% find their service invaluable. Furthermore, 70% of small businesses that make use of a business mentor, survive more than five years, which is double the rate of those that don’t use a business mentor.

In South Africa – where the rate of new businesses closing within five years of operation remains high – entrepreneurs should actively be seeking the advice of business mentors, says Engelbrecht.

“An external business professional, coach or mentor takes an outsider’s look into a business and critically reviews all elements of the business, and analyses where improvements can be made to maximise success. This process forces an entrepreneur to be honest about their business idea / concept and its current success, as too often, entrepreneurs become too involved in their business and lose perspective.”

Apart from using the services of a mentor – which can come at a fee depending on the agreement – there are other free avenues to explore that can force an entrepreneur to sit back and reflect on the current success of their business and its processes.

“A business competition is one platform to explore,” says Engelbrecht, “as often the judging panels include well-respected, established business professionals, who on a daily basis, engage with local businesses and the environment within which they operate.” He points to the Entrepreneur of the Year® competition as an example of what entrepreneurs can expect to take away when entering such a platform.

“During the judging process for the Entrepreneur of the Year® competition, the judges look at every aspect of the business – from its business strategy, manufacturing processes, marketing and sales plans, to its financial statements – to obtain a holistic view of how the business is running.

“The judges pose questions to the finalist entrepreneurs about their business. The line of questioning often prompts the entrepreneur to critically look at certain aspects of their business, and rethink certain processes within their business.”

2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® and MD of Agricon, Johan Eksteen, who also won the 2014 Small Business of the Year® category, explains that the feedback obtained during the judging process in 2014 enabled him to strengthen aspects within his business that he had overlooked, which ultimately aided him in strengthening his business, and clinching the overall title in 2016.

From his experience, Eksteen says the criteria for the judges was to decipher how entrepreneurial the business owner is in terms of how unique the product or service was, as well as the business model. “It’s important to see how my business is distinguished from the other businesses that entered. Being able to test my business against other entrepreneurs in South Africa was a great learning curve for me.”

Engelbrecht stresses that although entrepreneurial competitions are a good way for business owners to start the review process, accessing the services of a mentor is strongly advisable to conduct a regular, in-depth review of their business’ overall strategy. “Not only will a mentor guarantee that no stone is left unturned in the business, thereby eliminating oversight in potentially important areas, but a mentor will also hold the entrepreneur accountable for the business’ goals – both short and long-term – thereby ensuring the business continues to thrive and grow, ” concludes Engelbrecht.

Entrepreneurs to take a step back if they are to succeed

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Entrepreneurs can become so immersed in their businesses that they no longer ‘see the wood from the trees’, and that the way in which they are currently operating their business, could be the downfall of their success.

This is according to Kobus Engelbrecht, spokesperson for the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS, who says that all entrepreneurs, regardless of their business cycle or success, can benefit from an outsider reviewing their business and its processes.

“A business mentor is one of the most valuable resources for any entrepreneur and business owner, yet is often the most underutilised,” says Engelbrecht.

A study conducted in the United States – which surveyed small business owners on the importance of mentoring – showed that of the business owners who use a mentor, 88% find their service invaluable. Furthermore, 70% of small businesses that make use of a business mentor, survive more than five years, which is double the rate of those that don’t use a business mentor.

In South Africa – where the rate of new businesses closing within five years of operation remains high – entrepreneurs should actively be seeking the advice of business mentors, says Engelbrecht.

“An external business professional, coach or mentor takes an outsider’s look into a business and critically reviews all elements of the business, and analyses where improvements can be made to maximise success. This process forces an entrepreneur to be honest about their business idea/concept and its current success, as too often, entrepreneurs become too involved in their business and lose perspective.”

Apart from using the services of a mentor – which can come at a fee depending on the agreement – there are other free avenues to explore that can force an entrepreneur to sit back and reflect on the current success of their business and its processes.

“A business competition is one platform to explore,” says Engelbrecht, “as often the judging panels include well-respected, established business professionals, who on a daily basis, engage with local businesses and the environment within which they operate.” He points to the Entrepreneur of the Year® competition as an example of what entrepreneurs can expect to take away when entering such a platform.

“During the judging process for the Entrepreneur of the Year® competition, the judges look at every aspect of the business – from its business strategy, manufacturing processes, marketing and sales plans, to its financial statements – to obtain a holistic view of how the business is running.

“The judges pose questions to the finalist entrepreneurs about their business. The line of questioning often prompts the entrepreneur to critically look at certain aspects of their business, and rethink certain processes within their business.”

2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® and MD of Agricon, Johan Eksteen, who also won the 2014 Small Business of the Year® category, explains that the feedback obtained during the judging process in 2014 enabled him to strengthen aspects within his business that he had overlooked, which ultimately aided him in strengthening his business, and clinching the overall title in 2016.

From his experience, Eksteen says the criteria for the judges was to decipher how entrepreneurial the business owner is in terms of how unique the product or service was, as well as the business model. “It’s important to see how my business is distinguished from the other businesses that entered. Being able to test my business against other entrepreneurs in South Africa was a great learning curve for me.”

Engelbrecht stresses that although entrepreneurial competitions are a good way for business owners to start the review process, accessing the services of a mentor is strongly advisable to conduct a regular, in-depth review of their business’ overall strategy. “Not only will a mentor guarantee that no stone is left unturned in the business, thereby eliminating oversight in potentially important areas, but a mentor will also hold the entrepreneur accountable for the business’ goals – both short and long-term – thereby ensuring the business continues to thrive and grow, ” concludes Engelbrecht.

Where is my business heading?

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As business owners we are often so busy working in the business that we fail to work on the business. We are chasing the next transaction, dealing with a dissatisfied client, negotiating terms with a provider, or having problems trying to balance the cash flow.

Over the years I have learnt that one should put aside enough time to consider the business’ current results and where it is heading.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States. Franklin, a renowned polymath and also a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman and diplomat once said that, if you “fail to plan, you plan to fail”.

In the modern idiom – we need the GPS coordinates to indicate the direction of future action.

There are three elements that need attention:

1. The Vision of my business – one productive method I use to help with this, is to ask:

“Within the next five years (the name of your business) will ………………………………… (articulate what you wish to achieve).”

Here is an example of a vision using these principles: “Within the next five years ABC Solar will be the leading provider of eco-friendly energy solutions for households in South Africa.”

Remember to measure your ‘new’ vision against the existing one.

2. The Mission of my business – a mission should answer the following questions:

  • Who are we?
  • What do we do?
  • How do we do it?
  • Whom do we do it for?
  • Does the mission fit in with the vision of my business?

Here is an example that links up with the ‘vision’ example above: “At ABC Solar we install eco-friendly energy solutions that keep track with the individually assessed energy requirements of our residential clients and that meet the generally accepted ISO standards.”

3. The goals of my business – For me, goals are the building blocks of success.

It may sound complicated, but it is simple to formulate goals if you apply the SMART principles:

  • Specific – right to the point
  • Measurable – nothing audacious
  • Appropriate – needs to “speak” to the specific role
  • Result or process goal – a “result-related” goal points to an end goal and a “process” goal to a continuous event – see the examples below
  • Time framed – has an end date by which the achievement should be reached
  • Start with a verb – action orientated

Examples of goals:

  • Realise a profit of R2,5 million by 28/02/2016 (result goal)
  • Develop 2 new product lines by 31/12/2016 (result goal)
  • Establish a new distribution channel by 30/09/2016 (result goal)
  • Identify 1 new way of marketing and selling my value proposition every month (process goal)
  • Do a monthly client service evaluation (process goal)
  • Identify 2 new clients by 31/10/2015 (result goal)

Note: Ensure that goals are created for all business areas.

I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. (Jimmy Dean – USA businessman)

To support business owners with the important task of business planning, Sanlam gives you free access to the book Your Annual Business Game Plan for Success, which provides an easy and straightforward framework needed to draft a well-crafted game plan that will create the positive change and growth necessary for business success. Go to www.sanlam.co.za/gameplan to download your free copy.

Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market

Local entrepreneurs to grab ecommerce opportunities

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Technological advancements have changed the way in which the South African business landscape operates, and this is increasingly leading to many opportunities for local entrepreneurs and businesses.

One such advancement stemming from the evolution of the internet is the rise of eCommerce – a platform used to market, promote, sell and buy goods and services online. Christo Botes of the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition says that with this sector experiencing rapid growth both locally and globally, South African entrepreneurs have a chance to capitalise on the opportunities which will arise, as the industry is still in its infancy on the African continent.

Botes says that the eCommerce sector in South Africa accounts for a very small percentage of the retail industry, and overall GDP contribution, when compared to developed markets. He points to a report1 by McKinsey & Company which states that Africa’s iGDP, the measure of the Internet’s contribution to overall GDP, remains low at 1.1%. South Africa reported 1.4%, which is significantly below that of global players such as the United Kingdom (5.4%), the United States (3.8%) and China (2.6%).

The rise in access to internet and mobile services, coupled with a growing middle class, will however see South Africa’s eCommerce figures rise in years to come. Earlier this year Google South Africa stated that the country’s eCommerce industry is expected to continue its growth in 2015, having seen a 37% increase in query volumes during 2014. The McKinsey & Company report also recently revealed that eCommerce could account for 10% of retail sales in Africa’s largest economies by 2025.

With the future of eCommerce looking bright in South Africa, local entrepreneurs should seek to establish themselves online, says Botes. “While business-to-consumer transactions are growing rapidly, with South Africans increasingly turning to online platforms to purchase goods and services, the growth of online business-to-business (B2B) transactions offers major opportunities for entrepreneurs as customers increasingly seek business services online.

“New online ventures offer a relatively low barrier to entry, and entrepreneurs can establish themselves on a playing field with larger competitors as in many cases the customer isn’t able to tell the difference between a small and large company,” says Botes.

Highlighting the rising opportunities for smaller players, PayGate CEO, Peter Harvey, revealed that five years ago the company would upload 10 start-ups onto its payment gateway for every established business, but that the ratio is currently 100:1.

Botes says that opportunities are abound for local businesses. “The rise of eCommerce includes various opportunities for small businesses ranging customer services, technical support or security and payment offerings for businesses e-platforms. It isn’t just limited to the selling of goods or e-tailing, and entrepreneurs should think out of the box when considering potential business ideas.”

While the eCommerce phenomenon offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to establish a business in this flourishing market, Botes says that entrepreneurs with an established business should also be looking at growing their online presence if they have not already done so.

“Entrepreneurs also need to adapt the way in which they communicate with their customers. Having an online presence has the ability to positively impact marketing and sales efforts, and entrepreneurs should be embracing these channels to discover how the Internet can transform and grow their businesses. A local bakery, for example, who may be predominately servicing its surrounding community, could expand its customer base across the city by introducing an online platform for their business in the form of social media platforms or a website.

“The development of a business website is no longer an expensive cost to the business, but instead can be designed affordably with easy to use, do-it-yourself website builders such as Woza and WordPress.”

He adds that it is important for entrepreneurs to gauge where their traffic is coming from, and what is the best platform to reach their target audience is. “Entrepreneurs need to ensure their communication channels are matched to their audience’s preferences, as there isn’t a one size fits all approach to online channels,” concludes Botes.

South Africa’s computer whiz

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sam-web

Most parents believe their child is a prodigy, but in the case of Larry Berger’s son, Sam, he really is, writes Jane Steinacker-Keys.

Sam Berger is 12 years old. When you meet him, he seems an outgoing, well-balanced kid with a fantastic sense of humour. You would never think that he is one of South Africa’s most talented computer whizzes, who creates useful apps for industry – simply because he can.

In 2012, Sam was just 10 when he attended a three-day Python programming course. It was meant for high-school students, but a bit of begging by Dad got him a space. During the course he finished his two projects quickly, receiving first place for the one and second for the other. “The facilitator said I knocked her socks off. It was the first time I bunked school; I told my teacher I was invited to attend an IT course, but I don’t think she believed me.”

Quickly noting his talent, the facilitator requested the Python Software Foundation to invite Sam to their annual conference a week later. Everyone thought it was his dad Larry who was there for the course, but “Dad was just tagging along”, he said. People laughed when Larry said he was the baby-sitter.

Sam’s proficiency in, and passion for, IT was noted by the Python Conference co-ordinator, and once again Sam and dad found themselves attending an all-expenses-paid conference in Silicon Valley in March 2013. “There were 3 000 delegates, and Sam was mentioned in both the opening and closing ceremony,” says Larry. Sam was excited that he could take both himself and his dad on holiday.

“I was asked to teach high-school kids how to code, for the first two days of the conference, and then I attended the main conference for the last three days,” he says.

IT companies have shown their support for his talents, with Microsoft SA providing software, mentorships and projects, as well as an Xbox for the great work he did.

He is also currently being mentored by an IT company in Cape Town, where he can go in once a week to work on projects that meet his fancy.

Sam is also editing a book on cryptography for adults and teenagers, with an author in the United States. He has also been asked to work with a company as their chief technology officer (CTO). This, for now, has been placed on hold.

One of the most amazing of Sam’s myriad applications is his geyser app. Patented earlier this year, it is designed for home insurance companies in South Africa, using QR codes to confirm whether the geysers are in or out of guarantee.

“The client doesn’t have to climb up onto the roof to get the serial number and date code, and the insurer doesn’t have to pay a contractor to go out and investigate whether the geyser is in or out of guarantee. The app will save them lots of money and reduce carbon emissions,” he says.

The Bergers have worked out that this app could potentially save insurers between R25 million and R30 million a year.

Sam is also involved in tutoring other kids and is working with the Minister of Education to launch an IT education drive. It will involve teaching kids in underprivileged communities in South Africa how to code, and offering them a free hand-held computer, called the Raspberry Pi.

But if you think Sam is one of those kids who spend all day, every day, looking at a screen, you will be mistaken. He is a well-rounded young man with a healthy social circle; he loves music, plays the keyboard and DJs for extra pocket money.

He admits that school work gets in his way. At the moment Sam is studying for his exams and finds it “quite irritating”, when he would prefer to spend his time on his love for technology.

According to dad Larry, “it’s an uphill battle”; as Sam’s brand manager, he is dedicated to helping his son’s technology reach the marketplace. He says some of the companies he has approached “are not sure how to implement the new technology into their business model”, but believes his son’s innovative apps could be of great benefit to industry. Larry says perhaps a marketing or IT company should be introducing Sam’s apps to industry.

He also is considering home-schooling Sam. “I know there is a lot of negativity regarding the concept of schooling your child at home. I have read a lot of literature on it, but I want Sam to have more creative IT time, which the current schooling system doesn’t seem to allow for.”

At the age of seven, he was the only child selected from a group of 40 kids for private one-on-one tutoring. From then on, Sam has always been the youngest IT kid in the class. In Grade 4 he was placed in the Grade 8 computer class.

“I don’t have a problem with my age,” says Sam, who is usually the youngest kid in any IT environment. “I just want to do IT with others who share the same interest.”

The Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition is keeping a keen eye on this talented young man, whom they believe will be a future entrant for their competition.

2014 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition open for entries

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Fostering the culture of entrepreneurship in SA since 1988

The 2014 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition was today launched on 4 February, and organisers are calling for entrepreneurs who are striving to contribute positively towards South Africa’s economy and increase job creation – the heroes of the country’s economy – to submit their entries.

Now in its 26th year, South Africa’s pre-eminent entrepreneurial platform, which embraces local entrepreneurship by offering an opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their achievements and elevate their profile, as well as their profits.

According to Nimo Naidoo, project manager at Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year®, the competition aims to recognise, profile and reward entrepreneurs, as well as foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the country. “The competition celebrates and acknowledges entrepreneurial accomplishments and talent, and in turn inspires fellow entrepreneurs to take their business to new heights, as well encourages others to consider their entrepreneurship as a viable career path.

“It is truly inspirational to listen to entrepreneurs share their journeys, and it is important for these stories to be shared – not only to provide acknowledgment to the entrepreneur for their constant hard work and dedication, but also to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”

The overall 2013 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year®, Tommy Makhatho, owner of BiBi Cash & Carry, says that the most interesting stories in business involve entrepreneurs and that these need to be shared, especially with the youth. “In my opinion, the number of entrepreneurs in the country is slowly declining, and one of the reasons is because the youth are not exposed to inspirational success stories.

“Countries such as the United States tell their stories, and while South Africa has stories to be told, they are not told enough. These stories need to be exposed to the youth, and competitions such as the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® does exactly that.”

The competition provides entrepreneurs with the chance to win prizes worth R1 340 000, which includes cash prizes to the value of R350 000, as well receive valuable mentorship support, networking opportunities and associated marketing and national media exposure.

Makhatho (55) says being recognised for his business’ achievements has motivated and given him the confidence to review his business’ goals. “Winning this award has made me aware of where the business has come from and what we have survived thus far. It has also provided me with the strength to pursue another 25 years. This recognition makes me realise that this is only the beginning of our journey and that people should never stop dreaming, no matter their age.”

Makhatho says that he has also noticed an increase in interest towards his business since receiving the award. “I have been approached by many companies wanting to take my business to the next level. Thanks to the awareness generated from the awards, opportunities are now presenting themselves.”

The competition is open to entrepreneurs from all industries and businesses of any size. A series of national workshops will also be hosted leading up to the competition, which enables business owners to gain valuable entrepreneurial knowledge and lessons from a variety of speakers.

“Entrepreneurs truly are the heroes of our economy. The individuals that are providing positive knock-on effects for those around them, whether it is through business growth and development or job creation, should be recognised and rewarded. It is therefore vital that we equip these individuals with the tools and information that they need in order to grow their businesses further,” says Naidoo.

Coffee gurus claim Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year® award

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Andrew-and-Chris-Brown

Andrew and Chris Brown, co-founders of The Daily Buzz, an upmarket and speciality chain of coffee bars which service the corporate workplace, was awarded the 2013 Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year® title in the annual Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® Competition, which was held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 4 September 2013.

The Daily Buzz was established in 2006 by brothers, Andrew and Chris Brown, after Andrew spotted a gap in the market for a superior, and easily accessible, coffee spot while working as a risk professional in Johannesburg. The idea to provide quality coffee in such a way that allowed employees to return to their workstations quickly and efficiently was then born.

As part of the start-up plan, Chris trained at the London School of Coffee, as well as other institutes situated in Italy, the United States and Africa in order to perfect the art of delivering a premium coffee experience.

Over the years The Daily Buzz has successfully secured a niche in the market by providing a trendy and convenient spot for employees in corporate buildings to enjoy quality and competitively-priced speciality coffee and fresh food. Another aspect which sets the business apart from its competitors is its on-going skills development programmes and training which is provided to all staff on a frequent basis to ensure exceptional service and product expertise.

Since opening their first coffee bar in the Standard Bank headquarters in Johannesburg with just two employees in 2006, The Daily Buzz has grown to seven outlets and employs approximately 60 people.

Andrew Brown says that it is a great honour for him, and the business, to be recognised by Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year®. “As entrepreneurs we so often achieve a goal only to replace it with a new goal and neglect to take stock and recognise how far we have come, and how successful our business has become.

“This award is recognition for our business’s success, and provides us with an opportunity to sit back for a brief moment and acknowledge our achievements.”

With five fellow finalists recognised in the small business category, Andrew and Chris were awarded the title as they perfected a simple product, added to it a healthy dose of service, and created a brand which is highly sought after, says Stefan Beyers, a member of the 2013 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® judging panel. “Ultimately what made The Daily Buzz stand out was the combination of a high quality product and a determined focus on customer service and experience.”

Andrew Brown believes that entrepreneurs play a valuable role in the economy by creating sustainable businesses and much needed employment. “Entrepreneurs take risks by converting ideas into a tangible business and by doing so create great value for the economy by providing employment and up-skilling opportunities for employees. At the same time they also create value for customers by providing a new or better service than what existed before an entrepreneur’s business was born,” concludes Brown.

For more information on The Daily Buzz, please visit their website www.thedailybuzz.co.za

SA’s global entrepreneurial ranking needs to improve to ignite economic growth

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Stimulating entrepreneurship is the key to igniting economic growth and job creation in South Africa. However, when compared to other global economies, the country’s entrepreneurial ranking is slipping and is significantly lower than what would be expected from an economy like South Africa’s.

This is according to Nimo Naidoo, Project Manager of the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year ® competition, who points to the 2012 Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI), which measures a country’s entrepreneurial strengths and weaknesses, which reveals that South Africa’s global ranking has fallen from 39 in 2011 to 45 in 2012.

“Historically, entrepreneurship serves as a catalyst for economic growth and national competitiveness, and for an emerging economy such as ours this ranking is simply too low,” says Naidoo.

According to the latest GEDI rankings, of the 79 countries surveyed, South Africa has in the space of a year lost ground on nations such as Colombia and Peru, which have significantly smaller GDPs. “Losing pace with smaller nations is troubling, especially when the quality of South Africa’s commercial infrastructure should set it apart from other comparable economies.”

Naidoo says that most economically competitive countries in the world have significantly higher levels of entrepreneurial activity. “The way a nation perceives and supports this group defines a country’s culture of entrepreneurship and additionally, indirectly influences its economic growth. According to the 2010 State of Entrepreneurship in South Africa conference, South Africa’s society has a culture that neglects entrepreneurial activities, especially individuals who have failed in the past.

“For example, in the United States entrepreneurs are encouraged and respected and in 1790, 90% of the American population were self-employed entrepreneurs. It is commonly believed that this culture laid the foundation for building one of the world’s largest economies.”

Citing a more recent example of a growing economy sustained by entrepreneurial activity, Naidoo points to latest data gathered by Endeavor Brazil, which reveals that SMEs are responsible for 96% of the jobs in Brazil and represent 98% of all companies in the country.

“Rapid job growth stems from rapidly growing companies. Therefore, only when fast-growing new companies offer new products and services will developing countries such as South Africa be able to provide enough jobs for its rapidly growing population.”

She explains that promoting a culture of entrepreneurship is the responsibility of both the public and private sector. “It is essential that each party works together to create an environment within society that serves as a sustainable platform for a positive entrepreneurial culture to grow. Government also plays an important role in ensuring that policies and programmes are aligned with fostering entrepreneurial growth. However, it is important that the private sector satisfies the entrepreneurial demand by providing vital elements, such as financial support, research and development.”

Naidoo says that an initiative such as the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year ® competition, which promotes entrepreneurship in South Africa by celebrating entrepreneurial excellence, is crucial in the development of this sector. “It is important to showcase successful entrepreneurial role models in order to inspire future entrepreneurs that can actively contribute to growing our economy,” concludes Naidoo.