Tag: Emerging Entrepreneur

Our 2012 winners share the benefits of entering the competition

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The 2013 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition is officially open for entries! We asked our 2012 winners about the various benefits that they have seen as a result of the competition thus far, as well as their advice for potential entrants.

William Duk of The Plantation Shutter Co: Overall Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® winner

“Although I think it is still too early to measure the precise financial impact, but the positive media exposure that we obtained following winning the award, is beyond comprehension. Over time, this in turn translates into a significant positive financial impact. No marketing budget could ever be big enough to purchase the level of exposure that has been generated. I feel that we could relate to someone coming from relative obscurity and winning an Olympic Gold.

Winning the award is the best possible public acknowledgement that an entrepreneur and his or her business can receive for all the effort and hard work that goes into building a business. For me, the award is not about “me”, but rather about every single person in the business that has contributed during our journey thus far. The resulting energy can definitely be felt in the business.”

Tabisa Nomnganga of Bravo Promotions: Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year

“To be awarded the Emerging Entrepreneur Award in 2012 has increased my confidence, as well as my client base. Since winning the award in September my bottom line profits have definitely increased by over 40% from the previous financial year, and the publicity I received provided me with a platform to let the people know I have a worthy business. I would definitely encourage entrepreneurs to enter the competition in order to see how their business ideas fare in front of the experts.”

Madelé Ferreira of Mooihoek Boerdery: Job Creator of the Year

“The prize money that I received has made it possible for me to plan a trip to California in order to visit research facilities where new plant materials and new strawberry cultivars are being developed. The award has also boosted the professional relationship between Mooihoek Boerdery and the various chain store groups that we supply to. In addition, the award has lead to recognition in the form of an award by the Kouga Municipality (Eastern Cape) Business Chamber.

This award boosted the faith that I have in myself. I could never have imagined that one day my business and I would win such an award, or grow to be such a successful enterprise.”

Stuart Forrest of Triggerfish Animation Studios: Innovator of the Year

“Triggerfish had been operating under the radar for many years, and our focus had been on our projects – not on our business. We decided that the company needed to raise its profile, so entering the competition was a great opportunity to do that. We were beginning to talk to funding partners and strategic partners, and we needed to expand our network and increase our credibility.

Winning the Innovator of the Year was perfect, because we were looking for partners who were attracted to innovation. It’s been very helpful to say at the bottom of our introductory email to potential clients that we were chosen as Innovator of the Year by prestigious brands such as Sanlam and Business Partners. It means that there has been a certain level of analysis performed and we have been recognised as a valuable company.”

Trevor Davids of Trevor Davids Plumbing: Medium Entrepreneur of the Year

“Winning the 2012 Medium Business Entrepreneur award was an awesome experience, which drew a positive response from all of our clients. I advise 2013 participants to remain positive no matter the difficulties they may face. Considering the current economic climate, they should be proud that they have been considered, as this is an achievement in itself.”

Warren Graver of Envirodeck: Small Entrepreneur of the Year

“Winning Entrepreneur of the Year® has benefitted Envirodeck tremendously due to increased mainstream publicity – which often proves unaffordable for a small business. In addition, the networking opportunities that the competition provides has also helped me make better business decisions, due to sound advice that I have received from successful entrepreneurs.

A 2013 entrant should have a strong understanding of how marketing and finance combine to make a successful business. This needs to be conveyed in an overall business plan that is simple for the judges to understand. Remember that simplicity in presentation is key and that key facts should be elaborated on in order make your business stand out.”

Entering awards best promotional tool available to SA’s entrepreneurs

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Entrepreneurs in South Africa often struggle to generate a credible reputation in a turbulent sea of competition, which often consists of large market players. Local entrepreneurs are also generally financially limited and unable to utilise traditional promotional tactics and national-scale advertising campaigns.

Through entering competitions and awards, entrepreneurs are often able to overcome these challenges as these platforms are not only cost-effective, but if successful, can have a significant effect on the brand reputation and bottom line of a new company.

This is according to Nimo Naidoo of the Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® awards, who believes that South African entrepreneurs need to utilise every available business resource and opportunity that presents itself.

“In our country’s rapidly growing and highly competitive SME market, entrepreneurs are already facing a wide variety of challenges, while having to compete with the big market players of their respective industries. Entrepreneurs also face financial restrictions in attempting to promote their business and diversify themselves in a usually over-crowded market space,” says Naidoo.

“The benefits gained, as a finalist in the Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of The Year ® competition, have been absolutely invaluable,” says Elian Wiener, the founder and MD of national strategic communications and PR agency, Epic Communications, and winner of the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 and Innovator of the Year 2011 titles last year.

“My participation in the competition has been instrumental in fuelling new business growth for Epic Communications. As a direct result of the contacts made and the exposure gained from the competition, we have secured new business worth more than R1 million per year in revenue.”

These sentiments are echoed by Marc Sternberg, MD of independent ATM deployer Spark ATM Systems, who says he has recorded improved business performance since winning the 2011 Overall Entrepreneur of the Year® award. “The acknowledgement that winning the award gave us has undoubtedly allowed us to accelerate our continued growth path through various new and exciting business opportunities. Our growth rate has actually accelerated this year to over 60% year-on-year in our core areas of ATM deployment and transaction fee income.”

Naidoo firmly believes that industry awards, such as the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® awards, are one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways for entrepreneurs to stand out from their competitors. “Entering competitions also allows entrepreneurs the opportunity to earn a credible corporate reputation or image, which can potentially be magnified by mass media exposure.

“Intangible assets, such as an excellent corporate reputation, can be used as a valuable promotional tool by entrepreneurs and, since it cannot be replicated by competitors, provides them with a sustainable competitive advantage over their competitors, which then translates into superior financial returns in the long run.”

The Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition is widely considered to be the pre-eminent competition of its kind in South Africa and has served as a springboard for past finalists and winners. Besides the chance to win prizes worth a total value of R1 345 000, which includes cash prizes of R200 000, finalists and winners are able to expand their networks and receive invaluable exposure for their businesses.

“The staggering rise in unemployment levels and a tightening squeeze in the formal employment market has resulted in job seekers and government turning their attention towards creating jobs in the SME and entrepreneurial sector of the economy.

“Government’s 2030 objectives state that 90% of all jobs created should be in the SME space and any platform established to recognise leading entrepreneurs, as well as educate prospective entrants to this sector are crucial in helping to reach this goal,” concludes Naidoo.

Interview with Elian Wiener, MD of Epic Communications

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Interview with Elian Wiener, MD of Epic Communications and winner of the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 and the Innovator of the Year 2011 titles in the annual Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year ® Competition.

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.”

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.”