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MEDIA RELEASES
Tripartite collaboration essential for driving SME growth forward
Jeremy Lang2022-06-23T10:28:21+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
9 June 2022: According to a report by McKinsey, South African small businesses represent over 98 percent of business and employ between 50 and 60 percent of the country’s workforce. Collectively, this business activity accounts Read more >
WE NEED A YOUTH ENTREPRENEURIAL MOVEMENT
David Morobe2022-06-23T15:17:44+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
The only good thing that can be said about South Africa’s high unemployment rate is that it is so dire that it might finally spur the society-wide entrepreneurial movement needed to fix them, says David Read more >
THREE WAYS FOR YOUNG SOUTH AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS TO THRIVE
Nkululeko Gudazi2022-06-23T10:19:49+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Despite a number of notable challenges, some macro in nature and others unique to South Africa, a variety of young entrepreneurs are making their mark on the local small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. Their Read more >
COLLABORATION ESSENTIAL FOR DRIVING SME GROWTH
Jeremy Lang2022-06-23T10:23:41+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
9 June 2022: According to a report by McKinsey, South African small businesses represent over 98 percent of business and employ between 50 and 60 percent of the country’s workforce. Collectively, this business activity accounts Read more >
TIPS FOR SMES TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES FACING THE SECTOR
René Botha2022-06-23T10:25:46+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
1 June 2022: Following two years of lockdown restrictions, South Africa’s economic recovery in is being thwarted by a number of adversities on both local and global fronts. Locally, several antagonistic forces are at play, Read more >
SOUTH AFRICAN SMEs AND THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SUSTAINABILITY
David Morobe2022-05-31T08:55:06+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
23 May 2022: The sustainability concept is top priority for businesses globally, gaining significant traction in recent years. As a result, an increasing number of emerging entrepreneurs are entering the business world with a “greener Read more >
WILL SA’s VERSION OF “GREAT RESIGNATION” STIMULATE SMALL BUSINESSES?
Jeremy Lang2022-05-19T08:23:57+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
A global upsurge in voluntary resignations amid the COVID-19 pandemic – otherwise known as the “Great Resignation” – witnessed almost 50 million Americans quit their jobs in 2021 alone. Another trend, however, has been developing Read more >
WEIGHING UP THE PROS AND CONS OF IMPLEMENTING A MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICY FOR SMEs
Kgomotso Ramoenyane2022-05-19T09:54:24+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Kgomotso Ramoenyane, Executive General Manager, Human Resources at Business Partners Limited. Just over a year ago, the South African government launched a nationwide campaign to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to its citizens through a phased Read more >
BOOST IN SMALL BUSINESS CONFIDENCE EVIDENT DESPITE ONGOING MARKET CHALLENGES
BPLAdmin2022-05-19T10:02:57+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Executive Director at Business Partners Limited, Rayna Dolphin reports on the results of the Q4 2021 SME Index 28 April 2022: There has been a significant uplift in business confidence amongst South African small business Read more >
BUSINESS PARTNERS LTD IS NOW OFFERING GREEN BUILDING FINANCING
Mark Paper2022-05-27T10:53:49+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Johannesburg, South Africa, April 26, 2022—To support the construction of green buildings in South Africa, IFC today announced a financing package for Business Partners Ltd to help fund environmentally friendly industrial and retail sites for Read more >
GREEN INVESTMENT TREND CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING SA SMEs
Mark Paper2022-05-19T10:24:29+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Business Partners Limited recommits finance for local green SMEs 13 April 2022: The Global Impact Investing Network puts the global ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) or Impact Investing market value at $715 billion. For an industry Read more >
HOW SMEs CAN PROMOTE A CULTURE THAT RESPECTS HUMAN RIGHTS ON A GRASSROOTS LEVEL
Jeremy Lang2022-05-19T10:42:38+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
According to the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), there are an estimated 755 265 formal small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. Collectively, these businesses reportedly employ over 10 million people. Given that Read more >
HARNESSING THE POWER OF SHARED VALUE AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT
David Morobe2022-05-19T10:50:04+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Where before the responsibility of driving change may have been relegated to the realms of NGOs or the state, the pandemic has emphasised the role that companies play as agents of social progress. The global Read more >
HOW SMEs CAN PROMOTE A CULTURE THAT RESPECTS HUMAN RIGHTS ON A GRASSROOTS LEVEL
Jeremy Lang2022-05-19T10:52:20+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
According to the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), there are an estimated 755 265 formal small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. Collectively, these businesses reportedly employ over 10 million people. Given that Read more >
UNRAVELLING AN INGRAINED SYSTEM OF NOT PAYING SMALL BUSINESSES ON TIME IS OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
Gugu Mjadu2022-05-19T10:57:18+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Business Partners Limited’s Gugu Mjadu expresses support of an industry-wide challenge, urging corporates and government to #PayIn30 According to the quarter 3: 2021 Business Partners Ltd SME Index, the biggest challenge that South African small Read more >
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
BPLAdmin2022-05-19T12:11:16+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Executive Director, Rayna Dolphin advocates for the upliftment and empowerment of women entrepreneurs and leaders in South Africa 7 March 2022: The South African business environment has not always been as welcoming to women as Read more >
SA ENTREPRENEURS ACQUIRE ESSENTIAL SKILLS, FUNDING
David Morobe2022-05-19T12:18:37+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Business Partners Limited announces winners of annual national Business Plan Competition According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2020/2021, having confidence in one’s own abilities, together with the courage to overcome the possibility of failure Read more >
THE TIME FOR PRAGMATISM HAS ARRIVED
David Morobe2022-05-19T12:28:22+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Business Partners Limited’s David Morobe provides commentary on what SMEs need from the upcoming Budget Speech 21 February 2022: This will be a defining year for South Africa’s economic recovery, as Finance Minister, Mr Enoch Read more >
STRATEGIC PRICING: THE FOUNDATION OF A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
René Botha2022-05-22T07:40:41+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
With one of the world’s highest failure rates for small businesses, the South African socio-economic landscape presents a formidable challenge for aspiring entrepreneurs. Amongst the main challenges that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reported in Read more >
HOW SMEs CAN BENEFIT FROM ENTERPRISE SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
David Morobe2022-05-22T07:46:01+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
South African small businesses face a myriad of unique challenges, rooted not only in the precariousness of the country’s current economic climate but also due to South Africa’s turbulent history. Since the inception of democracy, Read more >
THREE WAYS TO MAKE SURE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS REMAINS RESILIENT IN 2022
Jeremy Lang2022-05-22T07:51:24+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
24 January 2022: The past two years have been amongst the most challenging for South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. Many faced a maelstrom of obstacles in the form of the Read more >
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE DECIDEDLY LOW HEADING INTO 2022 AS SOUTH AFRICAN SMEs BRAVE THEIR WAY THROUGH MULTIPLE HEADWINDS
BPLAdmin2022-05-22T07:53:21+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Rayna Dolphin, Executive Director at Business Partners Limited reports on the results of the Q3 2021 SME Index 17 January 2022: Business confidence amongst South African small business owners was decidedly low towards the end Read more >
OUTCOMES-BASED LEADERSHIP IN THE WORKPLACE IS THE WAY FORWARD IN THE ‘NEW NORMAL’
Kgomotso Ramoenyane2022-05-22T07:54:28+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Kgomotso Ramoenyane, Executive General Manager for Human Resources at Business Partners Limited, provides leadership tips to navigate the newfound challenges of the post-pandemic workplace 13 December 2021: The world of work – how employees Read more >
SMEs SHOULD SEE THEIR SMALLER SIZE
Arnold February2022-05-24T08:38:55+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Business Partners Limited Investment Manager, Arnold February shares three strategies that can help small businesses to make the most of the end-of-year rush According to a survey conducted by Statistics SA, the average South Read more >
BUSINESS PARTNERS LTD HELPS SMEs TO CHART A GREENER COURSE
David Morobe2022-05-24T08:34:10+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
David Morobe, executive general manager for impact investing at Business Partners Ltd in Johannesburg, was on time, on top form and on point as he joined Asset to talk about Business Partners Ltd’s role Read more >
BPL USHERS IN THE SEASON OF GIVING BY AWARDING 8 SMALL BUSINESS
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T08:37:32+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Business Partners Limited, a specialist risk finance company for small and medium owner-managed businesses (SMEs), has chosen to honour the true spirit of the festive season by giving eight of its SME clients a Read more >
SURVIVING IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY WILL REQUIRE GOOD STRATEGY
Arnold February2022-05-24T08:45:00+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
South Africa’s beleaguered tourism industry was dealt another devastating blow in November when new travel bans were instituted globally against the country as a result of the newly discovered COVID-19 variant, Omicron. It means that Read more >
COMPLACENCY SIMPLY NOT AN OPTION FOR SA ENTREPRENEURS
Arnold February2022-05-24T08:54:21+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Businessman, Mbulelo Nkqayi, shares his lessons with aspiring local entrepreneurs in honour of Global Entrepreneurship Week 12 November 2021: Global Entrepreneurship Week, which extends from 8 – 14 November is a celebration of entrepreneurs Read more >
BUILDING ECOSYSTEM SMALL BUSINESSES
Jeremy Lang2022-05-24T08:58:59+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Jeremy Lang, Executive Director at Business Partners Limited provides comment ahead of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement 11 November 2021: Mr Enoch Godongwana, South Africa’s Minister of Finance, will table the Medium-Term Budget Policy Read more >
BUSINESS TRAVEL SECTOR WILL PUSH TOURISM FIGURES UP POST-COVID
Anton Roelofse2022-05-24T09:13:06+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Anton Roelofse, regional general manager at Business Partners Limited weighs in on the future of South African tourism 30 September 2021: In pre-COVID South Africa, the tourism sector contributed just over R130 billion to Read more >
BUSINESS PARTNERS LIMITED MARKS 40 YEARS OF TRUSTED SME FINANCING
Jeremy Lang2022-05-24T09:25:54+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
“After 40 years in the business of financing and supporting entrepreneurs on their journey to success, we have incredibly valuable lessons to share,” says Jeremy Lang, executive director of Business Partners Limited, in conversation Read more >
OUR CLIENTS QUALIFY TO WIN ONE OF TWO R40 000 CASH PRIZES MONTHLY
Gugu Mjadu2021-09-20T20:04:43+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
We are celebrating 40 years of financing entrepreneurs and we cannot think of anyone better than our clients to celebrate this milestone with. To mark the Business Partners Limited 40th anniversary, we are giving Read more >
BUSINESS PARTNERS LIMITED APPOINTS TWO EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T09:31:58+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
16 September 2021: Business Partners Limited, a specialist finance company for formal small and medium owner-managed businesses in South Africa and selected African countries, has appointed two executive directors, Rayna Dolphin and Jeremy Lang. Read more >
GRIM PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE END OF BUSINESS TRAVEL OVERSTATED
Anton Roelofse2022-05-27T10:02:39+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Tourism businesses have had to bear the brunt of the Covid-19 lockdowns, travel restrictions, crowd-size limitations and curfews - more so than any other industry. Not only that, but over the past 18 months Read more >
Q2 2021 BUSINESS CONFIDENCE COMPARED TO Q2 2020 AS SMEs
BPLAdmin2022-05-27T10:04:53+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Despite the economic landscape - which still poses significant challenges for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic - business confidence levels are higher among SME owners during the Read more >
SMES URGED TO “CASH IN” ON CASHLESS PAYMENT METHODS WITH ACCELERATED MOVE TO DIGITAL
BPLAdmin2022-05-27T10:17:39+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Locally, the trend of digitisation has accelerated, with the use of digital payment options such as “Tap to Pay” technology, mobile apps like SnapScan and Zapper, and biometric authentication infrastructure like Apple Pay, on Read more >
WHY WOMEN-LED BUSINESSES WILL PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SOUTH AFRICA’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Gugu Mjadu2022-05-27T10:20:30+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
06 August 2021: The outbreak of COVID-19 has disproportionately affected women, leading to what is now being referred to by some as a “shecession.” This finding - supported by the recent South African Women Read more >
WHY SOUTH AFRICA FINANCIERS SHOULD ADVOCATE FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Gugu Mjadu2022-05-27T10:22:13+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Women’s Month in South Africa is celebrated in August, in commemoration of the thousands of women of all races who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest against Pass Laws for women. Read more >
HOW TO BUILD AN EMERGENCY FUND FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Jeremy Lang2022-05-27T10:27:37+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
IF there is one lesson for South African business owners to take away from the shock of the Covid-19 lockdowns and the horrors of the recent riots it is the importance of saving towards Read more >
ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITION TO SUPPORT SME DEVELOPMENT
David Morobe2022-05-27T10:28:31+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Aspirants encouraged to start their own businesses amidst record high unemployment rate 21 July 2021: The unemployment rate in South Africa has risen to an all-time high of 32.6%, according to the latest figures Read more >
SME’s SUCCESSION PLANNING
René Botha2022-05-27T10:32:06+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
South Africa, 08 July 2021: The global economy was flung into a state of uncertainty with the advent of the novel Coronavirus. For the small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) who managed to survive the initial stages Read more >
ONE YEAR ON A CLOSER LOOK AT BUSINESSES
Arnold February2022-05-27T13:52:48+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
21/22 June 2021: It has been more than a year since South Africa’s nationwide lockdown was implemented in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdown put major restrictions on the movement of all citizens, Read more >
LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS HIGHLIGHT DIRE NEED FOR YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
David Morobe2022-05-27T13:54:58+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
14 June 2021: According to the latest research by Statistics South Africa, the rate of unemployment among South Africans aged between 15 and 34 years, currently stands at 46,3 percent – and youth aged Read more >
RISE IN BUSINESS CONFIDENCE AS SMES FOCUS ON REBUILDING
Mark Paper2022-05-31T09:00:01+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
02 June 2021: After an 8-percentage point decrease in Q4 2020, the business confidence level among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) owners is on the increase again, albeit minor. This is despite various challenges Read more >
THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS TRAVEL IN A POST-COVID WORLD
René Botha2022-05-31T09:13:14+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
The outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic brought about a complete travel ban, with international travel coming to a grinding halt as borders were temporarily closed, and the local tourism industry took an immediate Read more >
SUPPORTING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES BENEFITS ALL
Janeesha Perumal2022-06-13T07:39:19+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
During the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa referred to the newly passed policy, which sets aside 40 percent of public procurement for women-owned businesses. This important development has the Read more >
ACCESS TO RELIEF FINANCING STILL VITAL AS SME CLIENTS NOT YET OUT THE WOODS
Jeremy Lang2022-06-13T07:41:23+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
South Africa cannot afford to lose its SMEs, says financing expert As local business relief initiatives such as the COVID-19 Loan Guarantee Scheme come to a close, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) continue Read more >
AFTERSHOCKS OF COVID FELT BY SMES IN QUARTER 4
Mark Paper2022-06-13T07:44:09+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
After a ray of hope last quarter, confidence has once again nose-dived as SMEs enter survival mode While confidence levels of small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) seemed to rebound during the second half of 2020 Read more >
KEY TO SUCCESSFUL ECONOMY IS BETTER BALANCE OF SMEs
Ben Bierman2022-06-13T07:55:25+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Key to successful economy is better balance of SMEs As financier Business Partners Limited marks 40th anniversary milestone, Managing Director - Ben Bierman - reflects on how the local SME sector has still not reached Read more >
SME WISHLIST TO HELP REBUILD SOUTH AFRICA’S ECONOMY
Gugu Mjadu2022-06-13T08:16:58+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
The global economy has been left winded and weak by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and governments the world over have a difficult task ahead. With the Minister of Finance delivering his much-anticipated Read more >
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR SME FOR A RESILIENT 2021
Jeremy Lang2022-06-13T08:24:58+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
As 2021 kicked off with another Lockdown extension and a new wave of COVID-19 infections, businesses have experienced a tough start to the year as they continue to navigate the “new normal”. However, on Read more >
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I CLOSE?
Arnold February2022-06-13T08:26:08+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
This week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in a national address that South Africa would remain under level 3 lockdown “until we have passed the peak of new infections”. While necessary to curb the second Read more >
GOOD TIME TO START A NEW BUSINESS VENTURE
René Botha2022-06-14T08:42:20+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Considering that South Africa won’t see the full roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine until later this year and is still reeling from the first and second COVID-19 wave, one might assume that now is Read more >
SME FINANCING 101: KNOWING YOUR OPTIONS IS KEY TO SURVIVAL
Jeremy Lang2022-06-13T08:27:56+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
SME financing 101: Knowing your options is key to survival 10 February 2021: When President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the country’s response to COVID-19 on Monday 1 February 2021, small and medium Read more >
TIMELY PAYMENTS KEY TO SMME SURVIVAL IN CHALLENGING ECONOMY
Gugu Mjadu2022-06-14T08:47:44+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
Despite a legal requirement that invoices and claims be paid within 30 days or within the period contractually agreed upon, a Public Service Commission (PSC) report has revealed that South African small, medium and Read more >
SA SMES SEE LIGHT AT THE END OF COVID TUNNEL
David Morobe2022-06-14T08:50:25+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
23 November 2020: Following a year of unprecedented challenges, South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) appear to have seen a glimmer of light at the end of a long, dark COVID-19 tunnel. This is Read more >
WHAT SA SMEs ARE HOPING FOR IN THE MID-TERM BUDGET
Anton Roelofse2021-02-24T11:47:30+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
21 October 2020: While President Ramaphosa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan provides an important framework for South Africa’s revitalisation and growth trajectory, it lacks necessary detail in terms of initiatives to support the small and Read more >
SOUTH AFRICA’S TOURISM SECTOR TO START LOOKING AT MEASURED RECOVERY
Anton Roelofse2021-02-24T11:47:44+02:00Tags: Media Centre|
17 December 2020: As South Africa begins the long journey towards recovery following the economic toll taken by COVID-19 and the associated lockdown, tourism remains a critical piece of the puzzle in helping stabilise and rebuild Read more >
BUSINESS TIPS
WHAT YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS CAN DO TO PLUG THE EXPERIENCE GAP
BPLAdmin2022-06-23T15:13:54+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
To start and grow a business you need huge amounts of energy. You need to be quick and flexible in your thinking, and you need to be able to learn constantly. It also helps to Read more >
FIVE KEY HIRING TIPS FOR SMES LOOKING TO RECRUIT GEN ZS
Ben Bierman2022-06-23T10:07:54+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Generation Z, individuals born between 1994 and 2010 are entering the workforce and driving some revolutionary changes as they go. Like every generation before them, Generation Z has unique characteristics, priorities and opinions. Their arrival Read more >
THREE WAYS FOR YOUNG SOUTH AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS TO THRIVE
Ben Bierman2022-06-23T10:09:48+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Despite a number of notable challenges, some macro in nature and others unique to South Africa, a variety of young entrepreneurs are making their mark on the local small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. Their Read more >
THREE YOUNG SOUTH AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS
Ben Bierman2022-06-23T10:12:37+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Record-high unemployment, particularly amongst South African youth, is one of our country’s greatest challenges. Starting a business and all that it requires such as raising funds, marketing goods or services, managing cashflow and hiring (and Read more >
THREE QUICK FIXES FOR NURTURING BETTER FINANCIAL WELLNESS FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Ben Bierman2022-06-23T10:15:38+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
According to the Business Partners Limited quarterly SME Index, two of the top three challenges that small businesses face consistently relate to the economics of doing business. Managing cashflow is one of the leading make-or-break Read more >
TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE BEST PROPERTY FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T11:12:18+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
One of the biggest decisions that business owners must make from time to time is finding new premises for their growing businesses. Whether you’re renting, let alone buying, moving into the wrong or inappropriate premises Read more >
THE EMPLOYMENT TAX INCENTIVE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN SMALL BUSINESSES
Ben Bierman2022-05-23T14:50:23+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
One of the ways in which the government is helping to alleviate the staggering youth unemployment rate in South Africa, is by means of the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI), which was introduced at the beginning Read more >
THREE PRACTICAL STRATEGIES THAT WILL HELP MANAGERS BUILD BETTER WORKFORCES IN THE “NEXT NORMAL”
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T08:31:19+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The workplace of the future looks very different to what it did a mere two years ago. The pandemic was one of a myriad of external forces that compelled business owners to change their stance Read more >
WILL SOUTH AFRICA’S VERSION OF THE “GREAT RESIGNATION” LEAD TO A BOOM IN SMALL BUSINESSES?
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T09:52:33+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The “Great Resignation,” which refers to the global upsurge in voluntary resignations amid the COVID-19 pandemic was coined in May 2021 by Professor Anthony Klotz from Mays Business School. This trend has risen to prominence Read more >
SCALABILITY, SIMPLICITY, SPEED: THREE TOP-RATED HR TOOLS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T09:56:41+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Small businesses have unique human resource (HR) challenges, including employee retention, cultivating a positive company culture and employing sound methods for conflict resolution. Navigating these challenges requires a people-first mindset, excellent communication skills and most Read more >
THE VALUE OF HUMAN CAPITAL: THREE COMMON HR CHALLENGES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T09:59:56+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
To say that small businesses rely on the people that work for and manage them, would be a vast understatement. Human capital is arguably the most valuable asset to a small business, especially during its Read more >
NOW MORE THAN EVER, CASH-FLOW PLANNING IS KING
Jeremy Lang2022-05-19T10:13:18+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The reason why cash-flow planning is so vital for owner-managers is because cash is such a limited resource inside a growing business. This year, says Jeremy Lang, chief investment officer at Business Partners Limited, cash-flow Read more >
MAJOR BOOST FOR BUSINESSES WITH ZERO-INTEREST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE LOANS
BPLAdmin2022-05-19T10:21:59+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
In the only programme of its kind in South Africa, Business Partners Limited supports business owners with zero-interest loans to help them improve their operations and profitability. “When you work with business owners as closely Read more >
THREE WAYS SOUTH AFRICAN SMEs CAN LEVERAGE THE BUSY EASTER HOLIDAY PERIOD
René Botha2022-05-19T10:27:02+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Over time, the Easter period has proven to be one of the most lucrative times of the year for retailers. According to Stats SA, retail trade sales surged by just under 8% in January 2022 Read more >
THE RISE OF THE MICRO-INFLUENCER AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T10:30:53+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
With the exponential rate at which the digital economy in South Africa is growing, more brands are looking for ways to attract their share of the market by leveraging the power of digital marketing. One Read more >
THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, AN ANNUAL PLAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS IS A MATTER OF SURVIVAL
BPLAdmin2022-05-19T10:35:59+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Normally, the financial year-end and the start of the new period offers a handy opportunity for business owners to reflect on and evaluate their operations and market position. But in turbulent times such as these, Read more >
MARKETING YOUR BRAND ON A BUDGET? HERE ARE THE THREE MOST AFFORDABLE DIGITAL MARKETING TOOLS
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T10:44:47+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The amount of money South African brands are prepared to spend on digital marketing is on the increase, hitting over R2 billion in 2020 – an increase from R1.4 billion in 2019. COVID-19 saw brands Read more >
FOUR SIMPLE STEPS TO BECOMING A MORE CUSTOMER-CENTRIC SME
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T10:47:45+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
In a business environment in which competition has never been fiercer and every brand, whether big or small, is a contender for market share, focusing on customer-centricity is essential. According to Forbes, customer-centric companies are Read more >
THE REMOTE LEARNING BOOM: THREE SOUTH AFRICAN EDTECH STARTUPS TO WATCH AND DRAW INSPIRATION FROM
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T10:55:03+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The national lockdown that followed the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on education. Schools were forced to shut their doors, postpone exams, and adjust the normal school terms. Those who had Read more >
ADAPT, INNOVATE AND COLLABORATE: HOW SMES CAN THRIVE IN TODAY’S DIGITAL ECONOMY
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T11:59:56+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The terms “digital transformation” and “digitalisation” have been bandied about boardrooms since the 1990s. Big corporates have invested millions in finding ways to carve their niche into the digital marketplace, leading to a misconception that Read more >
ESSENTIAL INSURANCE FOR SAFEGUARDING SMEs
Ben Bierman2022-05-19T12:21:59+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The civil unrest and looting which broke out in parts of the country in July 2021 affected 45 000 businesses and caused an estimated damage of R16 billion. Many of the affected businesses were small Read more >
TECH STARTUPS ARE REVOLUTIONISING THE SME LANDSCAPE
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T09:20:42+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The notion of tech start-ups became synonymous with California’s Silicon Valley – out of which came some of the most ubiquitous tech companies in the world. Tech giants including Apple, HP and eBay have their Read more >
FOUR TOP READS AND RESOURCES FOR SOUTH AFRICAN SMEs
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T07:42:33+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Being a small business owner in South Africa means facing a unique set of challenges, but also provides for a unique set of opportunities. And while archetypal business and leadership books like Covey's The 7 Read more >
STRATEGIC PRICING ESSENTIAL FOR BUILDING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T07:48:32+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
There are so many factors to consider before launching a business – a sound business model, the market, location or workspace, and other overheads, bank accounts, and licensing, to name a few. However, strategic pricing Read more >
THREE TOWNSHIP SME BUSINESS IDEAS TO TRY IN 2022
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T07:50:03+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The South African township economy is vital to the country’s post-COVID economic revival – and for good reason. While many township businesses may be in the informal economy, almost 20% of South Africa’s total employment Read more >
THREE IMPORTANT TIPS FOR SME OWNERS WHO ARE HIRING THEIR FIRST RECRUITS
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T08:04:53+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
One of the biggest responsibilities small and medium enterprise (SME) owners are faced with, is hiring their first employee and building their first team. It can be a daunting task. But if tackled with Read more >
3 MINUTE STRATEGIES TO MAXIMISE SME
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T08:42:18+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
According to Statistics SA, we’re in for a better festive season than last year in terms of consumer spending; and in a climate overshadowed by ongoing surges of the pandemic, this is encouraging news. Read more >
SMEs NEED TO KNOW SOUTH AFRICAN EMPLOYMENT LAW
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T08:47:13+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
By Ben Bierman, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited Regardless of what industry you’re in, there’s no denying that the work environment is very different now to what it was two years ago. New Read more >
WHY LSM IS BEING REPLACED WITH SEM
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T08:49:18+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Profiling or segmenting a target audience is one of the mainstays of marketing for small businesses, particularly for small and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that fall into a niche category. Since the late 1980s, South African Read more >
STRATEGIES FOR SMES TO CAPITALISE ON BLACK FRIDAY
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T08:51:16+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Black Friday, taking place on 26 November, was traditionally an American shopping phenomenon brought on by a stock market crash in 1869 which grows in popularity every year throughout the world. South African consumers Read more >
FRAUD INCREASINGLY POSING SERIOUS THREAT TO SA SMES
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T08:53:17+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
International Fraud Awareness Week – recognised from 15 to 21 November 2021 - is of particular relevance to South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) considering the extent of economic crime in the country Read more >
GROWING YOUR SME: HOW TO MITIGATE THE RISKS
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T08:31:06+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
It’s not uncommon for small and medium enterprises (SME) owners to be forewarned about expanding their businesses too fast, as it can lead to pitfalls in the future. In fact, as a wise person Read more >
THREE SIGNS THAT INDICATE IT’S THE RIGHT TIME TO EXPAND YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T08:55:41+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The contribution that South African small businesses make to GDP has continued to increase by at least 12% year on year, since 2013. This consistent upward trajectory not only means that the number of Read more >
WHY CONSUMER CONFIDENCE MATTERS TO SMEs
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T09:01:00+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index for South Africa made some gains to -10 in the third quarter of 2021, from -13 in the second quarter. This could be attributed to the faster rollout of Read more >
WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES MATTER TO SMEs
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T09:03:50+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
With the 2021 Municipal Elections on 01 November fast approaching, there has been much public debate around the role of local government in supporting and providing services to communities. The pivotal role that local Read more >
HOW BUSINESS OWNERS CAN AVOID BURNOUT
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T09:10:10+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
It is well known that the life of an entrepreneur is most often more difficult than working for a salary. The risk of failure is huge in the beginning, income is never guaranteed and Read more >
DEALING WITH THE MOUNTAIN OF MENTAL ANGUISH BROUGHT ON BY THE PANDEMIC
René Botha2022-05-22T08:09:44+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
For all the tides of statistics that we have gotten used to during the Covid-19 pandemic - infection rates, positivity rates, hospitalisations, vaccinations, recoveries and deaths - there is a number that we will Read more >
MORE SUSTAINABLE HORIZON FOR SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSES
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T09:15:46+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
4 affordable ways to make your SME greener “Sustainable business,” and “responsible profit-making” were once industry buzzwords, but today, they represent a new frontier for businesses across all sectors. In South Africa, we’re seeing Read more >
PART THREE OF THREE: AN EXPERT OPINION ON WHY BUSINESSES FAIL
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T09:21:35+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Access to financing and maintaining healthy cash flow – central to long-term survival for start-ups Part two of this series spoke to the importance of establishing and implementing a business model that is both Read more >
PART TWO OF THREE: AN EXPERT OPINION ON WHY BUSINESSES FAIL
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T09:16:21+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The right business model and business development – key components to SME success The first five years in the life cycle of a startup are its most crucial. It is during this time that Read more >
AN EXPERT OPINION ON WHY BUSINESSES FAIL
Ben Bierman2022-05-24T09:35:03+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
3 ways to avoid neglecting family life and personal relationships as an SME owner Five out of seven South African businesses fail within the first year – that’s just over 70%. In fact, South Read more >
HOW TO DEAL WITH BAD ONLINE REVIEWS ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T09:58:39+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Death and taxes are often said to be the only certainties in life. If you are an owner of a tourism business, you can add a third certainty - bad online reviews. No matter Read more >
4 TIPS FOR WORKING WITH FREELANCERS AS AN SME
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T10:06:49+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The ‘gig economy’ – a labour market made up of contracted or freelance work as well as short-term or temporary jobs – is taking off worldwide and South Africa is no exception. According to Read more >
HOW FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONTRIBUTES TO SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T10:14:31+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
South African women entrepreneurs do more than just create jobs - they contribute significantly to human-capital development. This was highlighted in the inaugural South African Women Entrepreneurs Job Creators Survey, which featured responses from Read more >
THE BASICS OF BUSINESS RESCUE
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T10:15:36+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Even before the outbreak of the coronavirus, some of South Africa’s biggest corporates and parastatals were struggling to break even. In a case that continues to make headlines, South African Airways (SAA) went into Read more >
FAKE NEWS DAMAGE CONTROL FOR SMES
BPLAdmin2022-05-27T10:18:50+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent spate of riots have demonstrated how fake news can have far-reaching effects, not only on individuals but on businesses. “Fake news,” a neologism of the Read more >
ADVICE ON PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS FROM RIOTS OR A DISASTER
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T10:25:40+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The recent unrest that began in KwaZulu-Natal and spread to other parts of the country has come at a great cost to local businesses and the economy. According to eThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, it Read more >
BEFORE YOU SET YOUR MID-YEAR GOALS
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T10:29:44+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Effective goal-setting for SMEs rely on a few simple principles July is the mid-year mark at which many business owners spend time reflecting on the first six months of the year and plan for Read more >
TIME TO TAKE STOCK – BUT NOT IN THE WAY YOU MAY THINK
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T10:30:42+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Mid-year vitality check crucial for SME success It seems like it was just yesterday that we were preparing to celebrate the beginning of a new year and the possibilities it held amidst adjusted Level Read more >
SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS FOR SMEs WHO WANT TO THRIVE IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T10:38:38+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
In the world as we knew it before the COVID-19 pandemic, the proliferation of digital marketing was changing the way we do business. Fast forward to 2021 and this growth has been exponential. Small Read more >
A GOOD START TO MAKING YOUR BUSINESS POPI ACT COMPLIANT
Marjan Gerbrands2022-05-27T13:44:14+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Occasionally a new law comes along that changes the landscape to such an extent that business owners cannot just leave it to their accountants to sort out. The Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), Read more >
LOAD SHEDDING SURVIVAL TIPS FOR SMEs
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T13:45:34+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The Q1 2021 Business Partners Limited SME Index found that the reintroduction of load shedding has had a negative impact on 49% of small and medium enterprises (SME) surveyed, however they were able to Read more >
THE SOUTH AFRICAN POPI ACT AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR SMEs
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T13:46:39+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Just under one year ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that by 01 July 2021, all South African businesses will be required to have put the necessary measures in place to become fully compliant with Read more >
YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS OF SOUTH AFRICA
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T13:47:39+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
16 June 2021 marks the 45th anniversary of one of the most pivotal events in South African history. It was the day of the Soweto Uprising, when thousands of students took to the streets in Read more >
FIVE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GOING INTO BUSINESS
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T13:50:24+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Almost every aspiring entrepreneur gets their chance to weigh up whether it is a good idea to have a close friend or family member as a business partner. The answer is not always simple Read more >
NEGOTIATING A FAIR TRADE EXCHANGE
Ben Bierman2022-05-27T13:57:15+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Maintaining a constant stream of cashflow is a common challenge that many businesses experience. Strategic business partnerships involving a barter exchange (the direct exchange of goods and services for other goods or services) can, Read more >
CONNECTING WITH NEW CUSTOMERS
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T08:58:49+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The most critical requirement for a business to grow and evolve, is a constant increase in its customer base using its products or services. However, reaching new audiences while retaining repeat customers can be Read more >
CHANGING YOUR BUSINESS STRATEGY MID-STREAM
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T08:35:09+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
As we enter the second quarter of 2021, businesses should be well into implementing their growth strategy for the year. However, operational costs can fluctuate, especially in the current tough economic climate, these fluctuations Read more >
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH AUTOMATION FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:02:49+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Automation within a business is still a contentious topic and is often perceived negatively as it is associated with replacing people with machines and rendering certain skills obsolete. This unease with automation is heightened Read more >
FINDING THE RIGHT MENTOR TO HELP GROW YOUR BUSINESS
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:06:35+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Any business owner worth his salt can acknowledge the fact that there is always something new to learn about their business or market. Especially when starting a new company and guiding it through its Read more >
MANAGING YOUR OWN BURNOUT RISK IN 2021
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:07:36+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Being a business owner can be immensely rewarding, but as any entrepreneur can confirm, it requires a lot of mental resilience. This is in part due to every successful business owner feeling a heightened Read more >
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH NEW DIGITAL PAYMENT METHODS
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:08:31+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
One of the major business trends emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic has been the accelerated adoption of contact-less payments, as many shifted away from traditional methods, such as cash, to digital platforms in an Read more >
MANAGING CUSTOMER RISKS VITAL TO SURVIVING 2021
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:12:05+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Offering credit to clients is standard practice for most businesses in South Africa and has become essential to remaining competitive in the challenging economic environment. With most consumers and businesses currently experiencing financial hardship, Read more >
THE PROS AND CONS OF ALLOWING YOUR STAFF TO WORK FROM HOME
Kgomotso Ramoenyane2022-05-31T09:17:35+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The COVID-19 pandemic suddenly forced a massive working-from-home (WFH) experiment onto the business world, prompting thousands of business owners to grapple with the question of how permanent to make the emergency arrangements. Should you Read more >
TIME TO STEP OUT OF SURVIVAL MODE AND PLAN FOR RECOVERY AND GROWTH
Anton Roelofse2022-05-31T09:18:47+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
With much of the fog of the COVID-19 pandemic lifted for now, South African business owners have been able to catch a glimpse of how the business landscape has changed. Every entrepreneur who is Read more >
BUILDING AN ENGAGED WORKFORCE TO COUNTERACT HR PROBLEMS
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:19:44+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The global COVID-19 pandemic and related events of the past year have hit businesses harder than ever before. Not only have profit margins taken severe strain, but companies are facing unprecedented Human Resources (HR) challenges, Read more >
GROWTH IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE IN A PANDEMIC
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:22:06+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
As we mark the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic bringing the world to a virtual standstill, many forward-looking businesses are realising that the trials and tribulations of the pandemic are far from over. Read more >
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS YEAR’S BUDGET SPEECH FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:26:00+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
This week, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivered his Budget Speech for the 2021/22 financial year. There was some good news for consumers, as the Minister’s speech contained very few tax hikes. Though no SME-specific Read more >
WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:24:48+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The number of women-owned businesses is on the rise, according to a survey by SME South Africa, which showed that 47% of South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are women-led. This is encouraging Read more >
SMALL WAYS THAT SMES CAN HELP TACKLE SA’S UNEMPLOYMENT
Ben Bierman2022-05-31T09:23:27+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The domino effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on South Africa’s already struggling economy has caused unemployment levels to rise to historical heights. Stats SA reported that 32.5 percent of the South African workforce were unemployed as Read more >
SMALL CHANGES TO TAKE YOUR BUSINESS FROM SURVIVE TO THRIVE
Ben Bierman2022-06-13T08:18:37+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
In the future, we’ll all look back at 2020 as the year when a single virus – COVID-19 - had a massively adverse impact on the global economy and the survival of businesses. Although Read more >
TIPS TO UP THE ANTE FOR YOUR E-COMMERCE OFFERING TO COMPETE IN THE NEW NORMAL
Arnold February2022-05-22T08:03:00+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Due to COVID-19, consumer behaviour has changed drastically and instead of doing their shopping in-store, many customers are buying their groceries, clothes and almost everything else online. In response to this, businesses have had Read more >
ARE YOUR WORKPLACE COVID PROTOCOLS UP TO SCRATCH
Ben Bierman2022-06-13T08:20:06+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
With the start of the 2021 commercial year coinciding with the peak of South Africa’s second wave of COVID-19 infections, the Department of Employment and Labour has called on local businesses to ensure that their workplaces Read more >
HOW TO RETAIN TALENT DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES
Ben Bierman2022-06-13T08:21:19+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Despite unemployment levels being at an all-time high, top talent will rarely be without options and - given the challenging economic environment - businesses need buy-in from their key employees more than ever before. Read more >
BUSINESS SURVIVAL TIPS FOR 2021
Jeremy Lang2022-06-13T08:22:58+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
If your business made it through 2020, you have survived one of the biggest collective economic crises of our generation, which is cause for celebration. However, on the back of a year that can Read more >
TIPS TO OPTIMISE CUSTOMER SERVICE THROUGH TECH
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T08:19:43+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The latest announcement by President Ramaphosa that most grades in public schools were closing again for a full month to curb the spread of COVID-19 comes additional responsibilities for families. While school closures should Read more >
TIPS FOR SUPPORTING SA’s SUPERWOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
Ben Bierman2021-02-22T12:40:35+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The latest announcement by President Ramaphosa that most grades in public schools were closing again for a full month to curb the spread of COVID-19 comes additional responsibilities for families. While school closures should Read more >
PRIORITISING WORKPLACE WELLBEING AMID COVID-19 UNCERTAINTY
Ben Bierman2021-02-24T11:48:53+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Five ways that business owners can help their employees to cope during this challenging time 17 May 2020: The continued global spread of COVID-19 is affecting people in a variety of different ways, with many feeling Read more >
HOW TO FIND YOUR POST-COVID PRICING SWEET SPOT
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T08:14:19+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly changed our world and the way we do business. But it’s also impacted consumer purchasing habits and, in some instances, reshaped the demand landscape – times are tough; consumers’ Read more >
THREE WAYS TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE COMPANY CULTURE IN THE NEW NORMAL
Kgomotso Ramoenyane2022-05-22T08:38:42+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
In keeping with social distancing guidelines, working from home (WFH) has become the new reality for many South African office workers. While this is a necessary measure for businesses to take in combatting the Read more >
INNOVATE WITH YOUR MARKETING IN TIME OF SOCIAL DISTANCING
Gugu Mjadu2021-02-24T11:50:12+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown have impacted South African business landscape in a massive way, with many companies not surviving the last nine months, and many more businesses now operating at reduced capacity. Read more >
HOW TO TRANSITION YOUR BUSINESS INTO LEVEL 1
Ben Bierman2022-05-22T08:25:23+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the South African business landscape in a number of ways, with the pressures of lockdown having turned daily operations for many companies on their head. When it came to Read more >
HOW TO SPOT A BUSINESS SCAM
Ben Bierman2021-02-24T11:49:55+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
Business owners are forever seeking new opportunities to expand their operations – a characteristic key to entrepreneurial success. However, where there are people seeking opportunities, you can bet there will be fraudsters looking to Read more >
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF FREELANCERS
Kgomotso Ramoenyane2021-02-26T10:46:30+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
The SME guide to capitalising on the gig economy Research by global advisory firm, Willis Towers Watson, has revealed that 72% of South African businesses are considering cost saving measures around pay and recruitment Read more >
BUSINESS SURVIVAL TIPS FOR 2021
Jeremy Lang2021-02-24T11:52:12+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
If your business made it through 2020, you have survived one of the biggest collective economic crises of our generation, which is cause for celebration. However, on the back of a year that can Read more >
BUSINESS NETWORKING IN THE TIME OF COVID
Gugu Mjadu2021-02-24T11:50:45+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
While COVID-19 has forever changed the business landscape, building and sustaining strong relationships remains a key component of success, especially for startups and businesses that are new to a specific market or industry. With Read more >
5 WAYS TO ADD SUPPLEMENTARY REVENUE STREAMS TO YOUR BUSINESS
Jeremy Lang2021-02-24T11:51:55+02:00Tags: Business Tips|
One thing that the COVID-19 crisis has definitely taught business owners, is that the diversification of revenue streams is crucial to long-term commercial sustainability. This is because, by never relying solely on one product, Read more >
CLIENT STORIES
WHEN JOINING THE FAMILY BUSINESS IS THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CHOICE
BPLAdmin2022-06-23T09:48:26+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
When “youth entrepreneurship” is mentioned, the image formed in the minds of many South Africans is that of one or two intrepid twenty-somethings starting a business from their parent’s garage. Much less thought is given Read more >
FEARLESS YOUNG COUPLE PIONEER PET-FOOD NICHE
BPLAdmin2022-06-23T09:50:25+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Youth entrepreneurship is alive and kicking in South Africa if the adventure of a young dog-loving couple is anything to go by. Raeesa and Shaad Jardine were both heading straight for the corporate world with Read more >
KEVIN NAIDOO
BPLAdmin2022-06-23T10:29:29+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Kevin Naidoo Training centre stronger as it rises from the ashes Sometimes it takes a catastrophe to reveal the inner strength of a society. For many, the looting that accompanied the civil riots in KwaZulu Read more >
GERHARD WALDHAUER
BPLAdmin2022-06-13T07:33:20+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Gerhard Waldhauer Staying agile while growing big There is something of a paradox in the amazing growth of Jack’s Paints and Hardware over the past 79 years from one owner-managed store in Johannesburg to Read more >
SHAUN NCALA
BPLAdmin2022-06-13T07:32:25+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Shaun Ncala Entrepreneur brings father’s dream to life The world is full of examples of children inheriting a business from their parents, and often failing with it. But Shaun Ncala is one of very Read more >
GWEN GOWER
BPLAdmin2022-06-13T07:35:18+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Gwen Gower Nursery flourishes with the fertilizer of good relationships The secret fertilizer that keeps the plants lush and the business flourishing at Earthworx Garden World in Hout Bay, Cape Town, is the careful Read more >
CATHY NEWTON
BPLAdmin2022-05-31T08:57:12+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Cathy Newton Lighting the way for local manufacturing As a teenager, Cathy Newton used to buy wire frames from a small lamp-shade factory called Wire World, to make and sell her own lamp shades Read more >
MICHAEL JELE AND HILKIA JACOBS
Mandla Mhlongo2022-05-24T09:05:49+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Michael Jele and Hilkia Jacobs Finance came at just the right time for telecoms livewires “Business Partners Limited will be our first stop when we need expansion finance,” says Michael Jele, co-owner of BlueTel Read more >
THOMAS REIB
Mandla Mhlongo2022-05-24T09:07:40+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Thomas Reib Cash retained tides ‘happy businesses’ over the worst of Covid-19 crisis Thomas Reib reckons if he stayed in the corporate lane in which he started his career in the early nineties he Read more >
ANNELENE VAN WYK
BPLAdmin2022-05-27T09:45:35+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Annelene van Wyk Guest house owner defies Covid-19 with patience and adaptability Adaptability, initiative and patience are key ingredients for entrepreneurial success, especially if you have to build a business with as few resources Read more >
ELS BOTHA
BPLAdmin2022-05-27T09:51:17+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Els Botha Entrepreneurial thinking key to return to business growth As the hospitality industry emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, entrepreneurial creativity will play a crucial role in the return to growth. Els Botha, owner Read more >
FEDA RAHMAN
BPLAdmin2022-05-27T10:23:46+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Feda Rahman Drive for upliftment pays off in property successes Feda Rahman’s business, Petite Home Decor, turns drab spaces into beautiful and stylish ones. Amazingly, the same thing seems to happen to the wider Read more >
NEIL CRACKNELL
BPLAdmin2022-06-13T07:37:24+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Neil Cracknell Three generations, one landloard When you think about a family business in which three generations have traded continuously from the same premises, you’d imagine that they would own the building. Not so Read more >
SHAINIL DOORJAN
BPLAdmin2022-05-27T13:38:51+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Family business finds finance - and a whole lot more
In 2005 Shainil Doorjan was ready to take the family business, which he ran together with his father and brother, to a whole new level by building their own hot-dip galvanizing plant in Pinetown, Durban. Read more >CHARLES RAMUHASHE
BPLAdmin2022-05-27T13:41:05+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Long walk to business success
In his late twenties, Charles Ramuhashe literally walked out of his job to start his own business. “I didn’t have a vehicle. In fact, I had no taxi money, so I was walking home,” remembers Charles, who today is the owner of the Germiston-based Magnavolt, a multi-million-rand supplier and repairer of electrical motors and pumps. Read more >THEMBEKILE SIKENQE
Mandla Mhlongo2022-05-31T09:15:40+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
No limits on finding new opportunities
Looking back on the strange turns that his life has taken, Thembekile Sikenqe can see that he could easily have found himself slowly going grey at a desk in a moderately successful corporate career. But one lucky move blew open his mind and sent him on a wild adventure of entrepreneurship which he is still living every day.Read more >WYNAND HART
Mandla Mhlongo2022-05-31T09:16:36+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Spotting opportunities where others see gloom
If the mark of a true entrepreneur is the ability to spot an opportunity where others only see gloom, then Wynand Hart is a champion. Picture him at the end of 1995, standing outside the weathered buildings of the Sutherlands Tannery from which he had just been retrenched as part of the liquidation of the 117-year-old company. Read more >NELEESH HARDUTH
Mandla Mhlongo2022-06-13T08:28:46+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Restaurant entrepreneur ready for post-pandemic bounce-back
Amid all the usual uncertainties of running one’s own business, Neelesh Harduth has found an unexpected certainty: no matter what happens in future, chances are very good that things cannot possibly be as difficult as his first two years. If his business could survive that, it will survive anything. Read more >TSHEPO MEKOA
Mandla Mhlongo2022-06-14T08:32:29+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Formal systems, staff relations help resilient company bounce back
A few months ago, Tshepo Mekoa was worried at the speed with which his company Brima Logistics was growing - would the intricate systems and procedures that he had set up over the last decade and a half hold under the weight of his rapid expansion? Read more >IRIS MAKANYA
Mandla Mhlongo2022-06-14T08:34:06+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
No rest for this 60-year-old livewire
“My entrepreneurship is beyond my control,” says Iris Makanya, a 60-year-old business owner from Umtata whose various businesses employ more than 800 people throughout South Africa. Read more >ELIZABETH BAILLIE
Mandla Mhlongo2022-06-14T08:37:35+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Answering adversity with entrepreneurship
Like thousands of South African business owners Elizabeth Baillie stared into the abyss as one of the strictest lockdowns in the world shut down the South African economy and her business. Read more >NATALIE GABRIELS
Mandla Mhlongo2022-06-14T08:40:00+02:00Tags: Client Stories|
Finding the silver lining of the lockdown
When President Ramaphosa announced the nationwide lockdown back in March, Natalie Gabriels knew that her corporate and events photography business would be hit hard. Read more >ABOUT A CAREER AT
BUSINESS/PARTNERS
At BUSINESS/PARTNERS, we recognise that our employees' knowledge, skills and competencies are essential in the achievement of our goal to be a world class, added-value investor in small and medium enterprises.
Our main objective is to recruit the best people who experience job satisfaction, are able to grow and develop in their working environment and above all the pride of working at a world-respected organisation.
OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Our recruitment process starts off with a short list being compiled for the job opportunity based on candidates meeting the minimum requirements for the role. The shortlisted candidates will be invited for a maximum of three interviews. Candidates that are seriously being considered will further be invited to complete a psychometric assessment (to see what this is about, please visit our service provider's website: www.shl.com. Reference and qualification checks are also conducted. Once there is a match between the prospective employee and BUSINESS/PARTNERS, a job offer will be extended to the successful candidate (if any).
Please understand that correspondence will only be with short-listed candidates, and if you do not receive a reply from us within four weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable positions.
To view the current positions available at BUSINESS/PARTNERS, please feel free to browse our search facility on the Apply for a position page.
BUSINESS/PARTNERS offers market related remuneration plus compelling benefits.
APPLY FOR A POSITION
To apply for a position at BUSINESS/PARTNERS, please click the button below and register on the search facility.
Once you have registered or logged in, click of the “Find a Job" tab at the top to browse the available positions. If there is a position you would like to apply for, simply click on the position title. A pop up will appear with more information. At the bottom of this page click the “Complete Questionnaire" button. Fill in the required information and click “Apply".
If you are looking to apply for the Graduate Internship Programme, you will need to register, search for the phrase “graduate intern", and follow the steps above to complete the application.
GROWTH CENTRE
Goldmine of business insight available to all SA entrepreneurs
While South Africans are encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship as a career choice, many aren’t always equipped with the information and resources to start a business or are very wary of starting their entrepreneurial journey unprepared for the future challenges they may face. To bridge this gap and to supply both budding and experienced entrepreneurs with advice and assistance, Business Partners Limited (BUSINESS/PARTNERS) has the Entrepreneurs Growth Centre.
Through financing small and medium enterprises over 40 years, BUSINESS/PARTNERS has built up an immense store of knowledge and skills invaluable to any business. It has now found a way of giving South African entrepreneurs quick and free access to this gold mine of information and insight.
Any person, anywhere in South Africa, is able to contact BUSINESS/PARTNERS' Entrepreneurs Growth Centre to discuss any queries they have about business – “How do I register for VAT? How do I fire a disruptive employee without running into trouble at the CCMA? Is my pricing right? How do I get into exporting? Am I paying too much for my credit card merchant service? Should I buy this building, or go on renting it? Is my business plan any good?”
Assistance from the BUSINESS/PARTNERS' Entrepreneurs Growth Centre is free of charge and entrepreneurs are able to get in touch via telephone or email.
To reach the Entrepreneurs Growth Centre, please call 0861 763 346 (0861 SME FIN), or email enquiries@businesspartners.co.za
PROPERTY VACANCIES
Rio Park 10, Cape Town
Rio Park, Cape Town
Property type
Industrial Unit
Location
Cnr of Viro Crescent and Square Street, Stikland, Cape Town
Size
409m²
Rental
R30 675 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
Reception Area, Kitchen, Geyser, Paraplegic Toilet, Mezzanine Floor, Secure Parking
Contact
Damian Southgate
021 464 3659
dsouthgate@businesspartners.co.za
Rio Park 9, Cape Town
Rio Park, Cape Town
Property type
Industrial Unit
Location
Cnr of Viro Crescent and Square Street, Stikland, Cape Town
Size
287m²
Rental
R21 525 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
Reception Area, Kitchen, Geyser, Paraplegic Toilet, Mezzanine Floor, Secure Parking
Contact
Damian Southgate
021 464 3659
dsouthgate@businesspartners.co.za
Rio Park 8, Cape Town
Rio Park, Cape Town
Property type
Industrial Unit
Location
Cnr of Viro Crescent and Square Street, Stikland, Cape Town
Size
399m²
Rental
R29 925 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
Reception Area, Kitchen, Geyser, Paraplegic Toilet, Mezzanine Floor, Secure Parking
Contact
Damian Southgate
021 464 3659
dsouthgate@businesspartners.co.za
Rio Park 7, Cape Town
Rio Park, Cape Town
Property type
Industrial Unit
Location
Cnr of Viro Crescent and Square Street, Stikland, Cape Town
Size
402m²
Rental
R30 150 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
Reception Area, Kitchen, Geyser, Paraplegic Toilet, Mezzanine Floor, Secure Parking
Contact
Damian Southgate
021 464 3659
dsouthgate@businesspartners.co.za
Rio Park 5, Cape Town
Rio Park, Cape Town
Property type
Industrial Unit
Location
Cnr of Viro Crescent and Square Street, Stikland, Cape Town
Size
521m²
Rental
R41 680 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
Reception Area, Kitchen, Geyser, Paraplegic Toilet, Mezzanine Floor, Secure Parking
Contact
Damian Southgate
021 464 3659
dsouthgate@businesspartners.co.za
Rio Park 6, Cape Town
Rio Park, Cape Town
Property type
Industrial Unit
Location
Cnr of Viro Crescent and Square Street, Stikland, Cape Town
Size
287m²
Rental
R21 525 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
Reception Area, Kitchen, Geyser, Paraplegic Toilet, Mezzanine Floor, Secure Parking
Contact
Damian Southgate
021 464 3659
dsouthgate@businesspartners.co.za
Unit 6, Route 301 Paarl
Plantation Centre, Cape Town
Property type
Warehouse
Location
Paarl
Size
170m²
Rental
R12 750 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
n/a
Contact
Audrey Solomons
021-4643658
asolomons@businesspartners.co.za
Unit 4, Route 301 Paarl
Plantation Centre, Cape Town
Property type
Warehouse
Location
Paarl
Size
235m²
Rental
R16 030 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
n/a
Contact
Audrey Solomons
021-4643658
asolomons@businesspartners.co.za
Unit 26, Plantation Centre, Cape Town
Plantation Centre, Cape Town
Property type
Offices / Warehouse
Location
Ottery
Size
138m²
Rental
R11 219 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
24 Hour security, unit has a garage
Contact
Audrey Solomons
021-4643658
asolomons@businesspartners.co.za
Unit 10, Plantation Centre, Cape Town
Plantation Centre, Cape Town
Property type
Offices / Warehouse
Location
Ottery
Size
198m²
Rental
R16 782 per month
Availability
Immediately
Features
24 Hour security, unit has a garage
Contact
Audrey Solomons
021-4643658
asolomons@businesspartners.co.za
FAQs
- New Finance Enquiries
- Billing & Accounts
- Media & Public Relations
- Property Tenants
- HR Enquiries
- General Enquiries
New Finance Enquiries
- Our business finance can be used for Covid-19 relief.
- We offer specific Covid-19 relief finance to our existing clients.
New Finance Enquiries
Still have a question?
Media & Public Relations
You can contact:
Nkululeko Gudazi
Senior Marketing Officer
w: +27 11 713 6673 | m: +27 27 76 130 3232
ngudazi@businesspartners.co.za
Ahlumile Mahlinza
Senior Account Executive
w: +27 87 255 0853 | m: +27 62 182 3463
Still have a question?
Property Tenants
Still have a question?
HR Enquiries
No. We would advise you to register your CV on the Career Junction website – and continuously check the website for available positions.
- Our recruitment process starts off with a short list being compiled for the job opportunity based on candidates meeting the minimum requirements for the role.
- The shortlisted candidates are invited for a maximum of three interviews.
- After the interviews, candidates that are being considered are then invited to complete a psychometric assessment (to see what this is about, please visit our service provider's website: (www.shl.com). Reference and qualification checks are also conducted.
- Once there is a match between the prospective employee and Business Partners Ltd, a job offer is extended to the successful candidate (if any).
- Please understand that we communicate only be with short-listed candidates, and if you do not receive a reply from us within four weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Still have a question?
General Enquiries
- Entrepreneurs are our exclusive focus and, as such, we offer products and services specifically tailored to meet their unique needs.
- We have been investing in entrepreneurs since 1981 and offer both business finance and added-value solutions, catering for every step of the business journey.
- Our staff have in-depth knowledge of the SME sector, as well as insight into the opportunities available to and challenges facing businesses.
- We are a viability-based financier and do not have the same security and other requirements that the commercial banks do.
That is why we have been the business financier of choice for many business owners for four decades.
We provide business finance in most sectors including manufacturing, commercial property, retail, motor trade, travel and tourism, leisure, and services industries.
We do not provide finance for on-lending activities, farming (primary agriculture) operations, underground mining. We also do not finance non-profit organisations, informal and micro enterprises.
We do not provide finance for on-lending activities, farming (primary agriculture) operations, underground mining. We also do not fund non-profit organisations, informal and micro enterprises.
We provide business finance at different stages of growth and for different purposes including working capital, expansions, buying of businesses, management buy-outs and franchises.
Generally, we consider finance where the business’s gross assets are under R100 million, where turnover does not exceed R200 million per annum and/or where employees are less than 500 in number.
- The underlying business must be proven to be viable and been in existence for no less than two years.
- The business should have a sound financial track record.
- The business must occupy at least 50% of the property to be purchased.
- The property to be purchased should be in a good condition, well located and be available at a reasonable market value.
- The operating business should meet affordability expectations.
- residential and agriculture properties are excluded.
We consider financing applications from businesses whose gross assets are under R100 million, where annual turnover does not exceed R200 million and/or employees are less than 500 in number.
Each application is considered on its merits and on the potential profitability of the business.
You can apply online on our website.
- Entrepreneurs are our exclusive focus and, as such, we offer products and services specifically tailored to meet their unique needs.
- We have been investing in entrepreneurs since 1981 and offer both business finance and added-value solutions, catering for every step of the business journey.
- Our staff have in-depth knowledge of the SME sector, as well as insight into the opportunities available to and challenges facing businesses.
- We are a viability-based financier and do not have the same security and other requirements that the commercial banks do.
That is why we have been the business financier of choice for many business owners for four decades.
We provide business finance in most sectors including manufacturing, commercial property, retail, motor trade, travel and tourism, leisure, and services industries.
We do not provide finance for on-lending activities, farming (primary agriculture) operations, underground mining. We also do not finance non-profit organisations, informal and micro enterprises.
We do not provide finance for on-lending activities, farming (primary agriculture) operations, underground mining. We also do not fund non-profit organisations, informal and micro enterprises.
We provide business finance at different stages of growth and for different purposes including working capital, expansions, buying of businesses, management buy-outs and franchises.
Generally, we consider finance where the business’s gross assets are under R100 million, where turnover does not exceed R200 million per annum and/or where employees are less than 500 in number.
- The underlying business must be proven to be viable and been in existence for no less than two years.
- The business should have a sound financial track record.
- The business must occupy at least 50% of the property to be purchased.
- The property to be purchased should be in a good condition, well located and be available at a reasonable market value.
- The operating business should meet affordability expectations.
- residential and agriculture properties are excluded.
We consider financing applications from businesses whose gross assets are under R100 million, where annual turnover does not exceed R200 million and/or employees are less than 500 in number.
Each application is considered on its merits and on the potential profitability of the business.
You can apply online on our website.