viva start-ups - by ben botes

Coffee Groups of to a flying start

2008-02-25T19:25:00.003+02:00

SA Business Hub and Majestic launched Coffee Groups in Southern Africa in February 2008. Already more than 1335 members have subscribed and the numbers are growing daily with 244 being prepared to coordinate meetings. More than 65 Coffee Groups have started with their meetings and some had two or more to date. Meetings are taking place on a daily basis all over South Africa, even Lesotho.

Objective

"The intention of Majestic, SA Business Hub and this coffee group, is to create an environment of trusted business co-operation where each community member helps each other to achieve a financially sustainable business."

What is the response to the meetings?

Joyce Tsitsi – Moroko North

"I would like to say i am overwhelmed with joy that i found both of your organisation. Before i came across both organisation; I sort of had little confidence that I will succeed but since our Coffee Group met for the second time; my confidence is higher than the world tallest building."

Diana Swales – Claremont, Cape Town

"I left the group at 11H15 and they were still connecting, I got two phone calls afterwards thanking me"

Khosi Buthelezi – KZN

"So this networking has really started up on a very good note and I left feeling very valuable in that I could contribute my skills in that manner without seeking anything in return. What I picked up in my group is the fact that we are all pretty much start ups on the business and still have a long way to go and need a lot of assistance. The interesting thing though is we immediately picked up the areas in which we can assist each other.

Big ups to you guys for making us connect this way! "

Anthony Kirk - Cape Town

"The meeting went very well and I have no doubt it will grow into a great group going forward."

Mike Jackson- Gauteng

"The first meeting at Pineslopes was a blast. It's a great group and I'm sure it will flourish. Thanks for bringing the concept to life."

Ndebs Ndabezitha - Johannesburh South

Feedback before end of Meeting:

Highly valuable, feel I have the direction to take.

We started talking; more break troughs' when understanding deepens

Do not feel alone anymore

Mateboho Mafantiri - Lesotho

"Challenges raised were about individual businesses. They were share amongst the present and solutions were brought forth"

Join a Group!

There is NO CHARGE for these groups because they are binded together by a shared intention. Get involved and change the face of SME's in Southern Africa. Click here to become part of the movement: click here

Where did it all start?

Majestic and SA Business Hub are bringing this sense of community back to small businesses. If we do not start working together, we will not survive. We are jading ourselves if we adopt the attitude that money will buy us out of trouble. Of course we want to make money, but we need to be thinking a little longer term that that. If you're successful now, you won't necessarily be for much longer. Things are changing that fast.

If you are a small business owner, you should be spending at least five hours a week working with your community, building each person as they build you. You need to surround yourself with other business owners that you trust and who you can work with. So let's start forming real world communities again. Let's stop using the excuse "I don't have time" and start saying "I'll make time" for others. Start leveraging a community around yourself and your business

You can join and participate in a localised group in your area free of charge. Among others, the purpose of these Coffee Groups is to:

Provide technical support for the Majestic software and technique
Share your business problems in confidence and find a solution
Send each other referrals using the Majestic database marketing system
Access a host of business tools and services through the SA Business Hub knowledge base

Here's to a new generation of small business teamwork!

Marketing to the Radiohead Generation

2007-10-11T20:21:00.000+02:00

When Radiohead recently decided to make their new single available for free and asked fans to pay at their discretion, business around the world sat up and listened.
Not only was it a genius stroke of marketing but also did it transform customers expectations of what to expect from marketing and promotion in the future.

A spokesman for Radiohead says: 'As you might imagine, offers are ranging from nothing to more than you might pay for a CD in the shops.' The Observer goes on to say that “In part, Radiohead are asking: how much do you value us? But implicitly, they are also questioning how ..much people are prepared to pay to download music over the net. It's a question that music companies have been grappling with ever since the file-sharing site Napster was closed in 2001“.

This is just another way that the Internet is changing the way we do business.

The UK Observer points out that “Once again, the economics of the music industry is being turned on its head as artists take matters into their own hands. Haven't we already seen Prince sell 3m copies of his new album via a deal with the Mail on Sunday during the summer? Lily Allen, Arctic Monkeys and countless others have launched themselves via email or social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook.”

And of course many of you will know that its not only the music industry using the shock tactics to boost sales. Companies like Netscape making their internet browser available for free, or Google giving you a range of free software applications simply to attract and keep your custom has become part of what we expect as web consumers.

The question is what next in the race to attract the Radiohead generation and where do we go as small business owners who don't have millions in the bank to back up our free offers?

For me the answer lies in balancing the free stuff with the revenue gaining products on your website or in your business. Make sure your free stuff is as good as the products you are charging for. Care as much for the customers paying you as the ones who are not and always ensure that the customer recognises the value in your products.

When offering free stuff, why not use it to:

Give at test drive or trial
Create sense of ownership
Make emotional connection with your clients
Under promise and over deliver

I'm guessing its back to the marketing drawing board for some of us.

Innocence of the young

2007-10-11T20:15:00.000+02:00

Often our young ones come up with the most curious quotes. Here are a few.

JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: "Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?"

MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six."

STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom goodnight. "I love you so much, that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."

BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a painkiller. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a childproof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it's me?

SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again," she said, "It makes my teeth cough."

DIANE (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: "How much do I cost?"

MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: "Why is he whispering in her mouth?"

CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, "I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in?"

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?"

TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for awhile and then asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?

Customers for life

2007-10-09T22:24:00.000+02:00

In this feature on the business of small business , I will be offering views on everyday topics that can make a difference in your business. If you want me to cover anything specific, leave a comment here.

Following the statistics on customer service, here are some thoughts on the value of keeping your customers for a lifetime.

Through out my many workshops and seminars conducted world wide at universities, small business fairs and exhibitions, book launches, business breakfasts and networking events etc, one of the issues I'm always impressing on the audience is this one. Take note of this message today and your business will thrive.

There's an old truth that one customer, well satisfied, is worth a fortune. Over and over again, I work with companies who are determined to improve their advertising to attract new customers. They spend fortunes looking for better copy, the write spokesperson or the right "media mix." All the while, current customers are evaporating or (worse) doing business with their competitors.

Imagine for a moment a brand or supplier from whom you or your family buy on a regular basis. Once you are happy with a product you are likely to return to this shop or supplier for many years, in fact in some cases both you and your family will return for a lifetime. What is the revenue generated by this supplier by simply keeping you as a client for the next 20 years? Lets also not forget about the friends and family you will be referring to the supplier for the next 20 years.

It is always easier and more profitable to keep a customer than to attract a new one. Advertising is expensive! Negotiating the first sale, learning the needs of the customer and serving them well is difficult. To grow your business, focus on repeat sales.

Your customers are your best source of new ideas and innovations to put you ahead of the crowd. Listen to them, honor them, go the extra mile and work with your customers to achieve what you both want: a satisfying and profitable long-term relationship.

Statistics to take notice of!

2007-10-08T11:48:00.000+02:00

If you don't yet think that effective customer service is as serous as a heart attack then perhaps today you will change your mind.

A few statistics to take notice of:

90% of customers surveyed in 2002, listed "customer service" as one of the top three things that influence their buying habits. Of that 90%, 68% listed customer service as the most important thing; above the reliability of the product or service.
Gregory and Kuchinsky 2003.

Even in purchases of the most functional products, consumers tend to be swayed more by how a product appeals to their emotion and cultural values than its rational virtues such as durability or ease of use.

Only 11 out of 100 dissatisfied customers will place a formal complaint with business, but 42% of all dissatisfied customers will tell 20 to 25 people about their dissatisfaction.

For every complainer, there are 31 with the same complaint that never say anything.

93% of all unsatisfied customers do not repurchase from the offending business, compared to the 70% who remain loyal when their complaints are satisfactorily handled.

On-line Student Tutorials

2007-10-08T11:17:00.000+02:00

This is a much needed idea aimed at students and school goers who fall behind at school or simply want to improve their grades.

An Internet business that focuses on supplying quality tutorials on the web could be lucrative. Imagine being able to offer courses ranging from how to understand Maths, Speak and write better Zulu and how to pass the science and biology exam. The range of courses on offer could be huge and could cover every aspect of school ranging from hobbies, education, sports, business, languages and much more.

The great thing about this idea is that once it is set up, your overhead costs are really low and you really only have to focus on marketing

So if you have a bit of capital, love education and are willing to commit for the long term then setting up an Internet tutorial website could be both enjoyable and lucrative in the long term.

This business can easily be run from home initially until growth demands
office space of your own.

Upside: If you remember your school days and the frustration of not understanding Maths, science or any other subject, or if you have kids in school currently experiencing the same challenges you would know that this business idea is a winner.
Downside: Its fairly easy to start-up and once you make a success out of it you can be assured that competitors will follow.

Verdict: A great idea for entrepreneurs with IT savvy, a bit
of cash and the drive to make it work. Initial set-up costs may be relatively
low but a solid marketing plan and budget to support it is a must. My
research has shown nothing similar in South Africa yet, so the early
bird is likely to grab market share.

If you need support with your business or business plans please contact us click here

The Big Idea - Making a difference

2007-10-06T12:16:00.000+02:00

With another series of Big Idea workshops successfully completed, this time as part of the Small Business Week exhibitions in both JHB and Cape Town, where we also started working with and supporting SAB-Miller in their Kick Start program, I'm happy to report that we are making a significant contribution towards business starting and growing in many areas through out the country.

Last week saw us conducting workshops and an exhibition in Durban as part of the Durban Small Business Fair 2007. This image shows the head of our Big Idea business arm, Lluwellyn Diedericks with the Head of the Business Support unit of ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY Mr Philip Sithole.

The next Big Idea workshops will be taking place from 19-23 November 2007 at the
Royal Show Grounds, Pietermaritzburg, KZN where a whole series of workshops focusing on all stages of the small business process will be presented. I hope to see you there.

Small business funding more accessible

2007-10-06T10:48:00.000+02:00

Even more great news for small business owners looking for funding this week as Standard Bank and Government sponsored Kula Enterprise announce new measures with which to make finance to small business more accessible. The credit indemnity model, largely based on the loan guarantee scheme found in the UK and US whereby the government and in this case Kula Enterprise. Basically underwrites the loan taken out by the entrepreneur. With the IDC announcing last week that it will be contributing R1bil towards a fund supporting small business, this is another major step in the right direction.

This is a major boost for entrepreneurs who may have become increasingly frustrated with the availability of loans and credit form the SA banking community. With the recent credit act making loan finance even more difficult to come buy, this agreement could not have come at a better time.

Finally Kula Enterprise is doing something useful with the more than R1bil funding they receive from the government, national and international CSI investors each year.

With much talk in the past year about strategies being put in place to make South Africans more entrepreneurial and our entrepreneurial rating in world circles sliding down the chart, its hard to ignore the simple fact that funding for start-up simply have not been accessible on reasonable terms to the thousands of would be entrepreneurs out there.

More on this in Business day and the SABusinessHub web forum

What will small business clients buy from you?

2007-10-03T22:50:00.000+02:00

For many years entrepreneurs and small business owners simply did not consider the services of business coaches. For many years small businesses simply could not compete with larger organizations.

Today more and more small businesses are using business coaches to fine tune their organizations, skills and competitive elements. Is it any coincidence then that more small business are now taking on larger organizations and winning?

The top services small businesses and entrepreneurs are buying from me as a coach right now:

1. collaboration/tossing ideas around services

2. goal setting/achievement

3. training (manage better, sell and market more effectively, maximizing opportunities and budgets etc.)

4. problem solving/issue resolution

5. restructuring/redesign of how the business works

6. profitability focus

7. ramping up strategies/support/structure

8. new business start up design/support

9. support during difficult times/face the facts

10. working on vs in your business - see previous blog post

Small Business gets R1Bil cash injection

2007-09-27T14:13:00.000+02:00

Small business in South Africa stands to receive a cash injection of R1Bil through the IDC. With the SA economy relying on small business to boost employment rates, international investment, exports and of course tax contributions, this investment comes as no surprise and for those who receive it as more than welcome.

Many will agree that investment itself is certainly not enough to answer the prayers of entrepreneurs around the country. What is need is a effective control mechanism through which the money is distributed and results measured. Lets ensure that the money reaches those who it is meant for and fulfill the purpose it was intended for.

The 1Bil mentioned above is certainly not all that goes into smme's. A quick bit of research recently revealed that that:

R83m of the of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSI) budgets in the 2006/2007 period were used to support industrial innovation by enterprises and R48m was allocated to technology incubators that assist small enterprises to adopt and adapt new technologies. A further R10m was made available for a technology venture capital fund and R6m for the Technology for Women in Business programme.

If you are into these type of statistics I can further tell you that a further R1 billion of the 2006/2007 was given towards Government enterprise development agencies such as Khula, the IDC, Business Partners and the National Empowerment Fund.

The government understandably has been under some real pressure of late (finally) as few entrepreneurs, and the corporations who contribute the money have seen any notable results from these large investments.

Finally this year public outcry lead to new legislation governing the CSI industry with specific focus on effective management of funds and measurement of results created by CSI.

Lets not hold our breath while waiting for this money to come to an entrepreneur near you. Be proactive and assertive in getting the investments your business needs.

My comments follow the recent story in the Business Day

Weekly Humor: Can you guess the sex?

2007-09-27T14:04:00.000+02:00

Female or Male?
Often other languages refers to objects as being either female or male. The ideas that follow here are mostly from my local newspaper who recently asked readers to suggest the sex of certain objects. See if you can guess!

SWISS ARMY KNIFE: Male, because even though it appears useful for a wide variety of work, it spends most of its time just opening bottles.

KIDNEYS: Female, because they always go to the bathroom in pairs.

HOT AIR BALLOON: Male, because to get it to go anywhere you have to light a fire under it.and, of course, there's the hot air part.

SPONGES: Female, because they are soft and squeezable and retain water.

SHOE: Male, because it is usually unpolished, with its tongue hanging out.

COPIER: Female, because once turned off, it takes a while to warm up. Because it is an effective reproductive device when the right buttons are pushed. Because it can wreak havoc when the wrong buttons are pushed.

ZIPLOC BAGS: Male, because they hold everything in, but you can always see right through them.

WEB PAGE: Female, because it is always getting hit on.

SUBWAY: Male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people up.

HAMMER: Male, because it hasn't evolved much over the last 5,000 years, but it's handy to have around.

REMOTE CONTROL: Female...Ha!...you thought I'd say male. But consider, it gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying.

Start-up idea of the week: IT support to the small business

2007-09-26T18:07:00.000+02:00

This is a much needed idea aimed at all businesses who either cant afford an IT department or are just fedup with the high cost of contractors.

This of you who have worked for large organisation's knows that when something goes wrong with you PC, laptop or network connection you simply call the IT department and they come and sort out the problems. But what about individuals, small businesses, contractors and others who are responsible for their own computer equipment? Support.com is bringing large-scale IT support to the small business.

Launched in the US, Support.com offers these services directly to consumers for just a fraction of what they might pay for computer repair services elsewhere. All services range from R 290 to R990 and include data back-up, spy ware detection and removal, system tune-up, and training and troubleshooting for printers, digital cameras and other equipment. Unlike similar ventures, customers are’t charged a monthly ‘subscription’ fee. Most repairs can be done over the phone or online via a secure web server. And if a problem isn't resolved to a customer's satisfaction, a full refund is available.

When customers contact Support.com either through the website or toll-free number, they connect with specially trained experts —not to customer service representatives. “Our Solutions Engineers don't just know computers; they are experienced in home networking, high-speed data services and popular gadgets from MP3 players to smart phones and personal digital assistants.” With more and more people telecommuting, starting small businesses, and networking home computers for personal or professional pursuits, catering to home office needs could be big business for entrepreneurs who can bring big business solutions directly to consumers. One to start up locally!

Website: http://www.support.com/ Contact: customer support@support.com
This business can easily be run from home initially until growth demands office space of your own.

Upside: You only have to remember your own IT frustrations to know how valuable this type of service is to small business owners with tight deadlines and tighter budgets.Downside: Its fairly easy to start-up and once you make a success out of it you can be assured that competitors will follow.

Verdict: A great idea for entrepreneurs with IT savvy, a bit of cash and the drive to make it work. Initial set-up costs may be relatively low but a solid marketing plan and budget to support it is a must. My research has shown nothing similar in South Africa yet, so the early bird is likely to grab market share.

If you need support with your business or business plans please contact us click here

You need a bit of purpose - ok.. allot!!

2007-09-26T17:45:00.000+02:00

This week I offer my thoughts on the purpose of your business.

I have often written about the importance of purpose in life, and in business there can be no question. There is absolutely no room for confusion on this issue. The purpose of any business is to serve your customers to the best of your ability and ensure that they remain, not only customers but satisfied and loyal supporters of your business.

Sure, you want to make a profit. Of course, you want to serve your customer in ways that are convenient, satisfying and (obviously) legal and moral. But the bottom line is always the same, to serve a customer.

So the first and primary question for any business is: What exactly do you do for your customers?

Some restaurants provide meals that are fast or inexpensive, that have particular ethnic or nutritional styles, or that are conveniently located. No restaurant can be all things to all people, but every restaurant has one main purpose. McDonald's provides predictability and speed. Protea Hotels provides elegance and memories. Pizza Hut delivers pizza in 30 minutes or less.
We see this with large companies everywhere. These companies which you go back to time after time are the ones who have provided you with good services and realised a long time ago that service is the one thing which will ensure customers return time after time.

We simply spend to much of our budgets on finding new customers and not enough on getting existing customers to stay. Take a minute and work out the value of one client buying your products once a month over 25 years. Now isn't that enough to convince you that customer service is your number one purpose?

Your business has only one primary purpose. When you are clear about that, and clearly communicate it in every message you send, your business is will to grow.
If you need support with your business or business plans please contact us click here

Weekly Humor: Humor from the military

2007-07-05T18:08:00.000+01:00

Having spend a number of years serving my country these bits of humor really made me laugh, I trust it will do the same for you.
How intelligent is Military Intelligence?

"A slipping gear could let your grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit." - Army's magazine of preventive maintenance.

"Aim towards the Enemy." - printed on Rocket Launcher

"When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend. - U.S. Marine Corps

"If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons." - General MacArthur

"Try to look unimportant; they may be low on ammo." - Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt.

"Five second fuses only last three seconds." - Infantry Journal

"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid." David Hackworth

"If your attack is going too well, you're walking into an ambush." - Infantry Journal

"Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once."

"You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3." - Paul F. Crickmore (test pilot)

"Blue water Navy truism: There are more planes in the ocean than submarines in the sky." - From an old carrier sailor

"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough power to get you to the scene of the crash."

"Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight."

"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we never left one up there!"

"A pilot who doesn't have any fear probably isn't flying his plane to its maximum." - Jon McBride, astronaut

"Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you."

Business Idea: Bottle crusher for bars

2007-07-05T18:03:00.000+01:00

This is a great eco friendly idea aimed at the bar and restaurant market.

BottleCycler Catering to the hospitality industry, Australian BottleCycler helps recycle disposable glass bottles. Their bottle crushing machine can be placed inside the bar area. Bottles are fed into the BottleCycler through an opening in the top of the device, which then quietly slices the glass into recyclable pieces. The glass falls into a regular 60L wheelie bin, which is picked up and emptied by BottleCycler, and brought to regional glass recycling plants for processing into material for new bottles.

BottleCycler's main selling point is that it reduces volume taken in by empty bottles by 80%. However, it also removes danger of staff injuries related with carrying, sorting and disposing of glass bottles, and reduces complaints about noise and broken bottles from residents living near clubs, bars and restaurants.

This business can easily be run from home initially until growth demands office space of your own.

Upside: In an age where everyone is becoming increasingly eco concerned and orientated This easy t use and highly useful and effective idea will be easy to sell and has high growth potential. Little training needed and relatively low start-up costs.

Downside: Its difficult to see the drawbacks of this business, providing reliable transportation from the manufacturer to the end user. The device may not be to difficult to copy by a technically knowledgeable person so if the idea does kick of you may expect competition in the long run.

Verdict: A great idea for entrepreneurs with a limited budget. Initial costs of stock, transportation and marketing may be relatively low compared to other business opportunities with lower growth potential. My research has shown nothing similar in South Africa yet, so the early bird is likely to grab market share.

If you need support with your business or business plans please contact me.

What makes a good start-up business.

2007-06-05T18:00:00.000+01:00

This week I offer my thoughts and experience on what makes a good start-up business.
One of my long term clients, and now serial success story, have created a number of successful and sustainable businesses in recent years. The key contributor to is the surprisingly simple formula of automation = duplication = success.

Although my agreement with him won't allow me to share the specifics of his businesses with you he happily agreed for me to tell you about the wonderful formula and how it works.
1. He believes in a low start-up cost and over extending himself regarding initial capital introduced into the business. Most professionals are surprised at the actual costs of equipping an office and launching a new business, and start out under-capitalised. This client developed a business model can be set up for under R200,000 so he can afford to do it right and create momentum from the very beginning. A fantastic way to start!

2. His products are low cost, quickly consumed, and standardized. In other words, he makes lots of repeat sales. Think McDonalds restaurants, gas stations, or dentists. His customers appreciate the predictability and reliability, and when they need more, they come back and make repeat purchases. The cost of sales goes down, while volume and profits go up. Good system!

3. Finally, because the business is composed of standardized units, he can easily duplicate himself. Once the problems are worked out, he can either establish more offices and hire people to run them, or franchise the idea, or follow a number of other plans. The key is duplication.
Unless you can duplicate yourself, no matter how well you are paid and how fancy your title, you are basically working for wages. A surgeon may earn thousands of dollars per hour, but she only gets paid when she operates.

To increase your earnings, duplicate yourself. Find a way to compose standardized units for your business model and let other people make money helping you make money. You really can't do it all yourself!

The uprise of franchises in South Africa

2007-03-16T19:44:00.000+02:00

It seems that more people are choosing the franchise option when starting out in business than ever before. With statistics showing a 49% rise in the number of franchises available over the last two years, it is evident that the promise of a proven low cost model for creating the business of your dreams is an attractive one.

Do remember that many franchises may not be the promised land it pretends to be and strong due diligence supported by good market research and a few conversations with other franchise holders and customers is a must before you sign on the dotted line.

A few basic questions to ask here are as follows:
1) Who are the shareholders of the franchiser?

2) Who are the officers and directors of the franchiser?

3) What is the business experience of the franchiser's directors and officers?

4) Have any of the franchiser's directors, officers or shareholders gone bankrupt or convicted of any criminal offense in the last 7 years?

5) How many years has the franchiser been operating?

6) How many years has it been offering franchises?

7) How many franchises does the franchiser have?

8) How many units are corporately owned?

9) What is the franchiser's financial condition? Have you received its most recent audited financial statements? Is the franchiser a member of FASA?

For further help on what to look for in a franchise look at the SABusinessHub guide to franchising in South Africa here and for details on the relevant research click here

Radio interviews - how to get them

2007-03-15T15:51:00.000+02:00

This week I offer my thoughts on radio interviews as a marketing strategy for small business and more specifically, how to get an interview with your business. Radio interviews is a great way to get free exposure for your business and many of you may have heard members of the SABusinessHub team on various radio stations in recent times. This weeks business tip forms part of our Make March Marketing Month campaign aimed at creating a relentless demand for your product or service in 2007.

Getting on the radio can be a great tactical move as part of your overall publicity effort, but you do need to have a story idea or an angle to present on a particular topic. Selling yourself as a guest on a talk show is a great way to raise your profile and if your subject relates to a topic that is currently in the news your chances of getting on is clearly improved.
The media is hungry for business stories. But sometimes it seems that the business community doesn't’t blow its trumpet often enough.

If you get the opportunity to talk about your business in the press or media, it’s important to get it right. Getting on the radio can be a great tactical move as part of your overall publicity effort. We offer some easy steps to get you on air.

Do your homework
You need to know exactly which radio shows you want to target and why. Before rushing into getting an interview, answer the following questions:

Which radio show will be interested in me/my product/service?Who are the audience that I want to speak to? Why will the radio show host want me as a guest?Are there any current news issues that I can align my interview with?Do I have a special offer or piece of new news that I can offer?Do I have any contacts that can assist me with gaining an interview?Which interviews have I heard that was similar to mine?Which other questions should I be asking myself here?
Nothing kills your chances better that approaching a talk show with an idea that doesn't’t resemble the style and content of the show. If you know what type of topics the program focuses on you can tailor your pitch, and raise the chances of an appearance.

Be news worthy
Getting yourself onto a radio program is like any other sales call; you don’t want to ring a potential prospect at their busiest time. It’s much better to find out when they normally take calls. If your subject relates to a topic that is currently in the news your chances of getting on are clearly improved – so ride a news wave. If you can demonstrate past experience in speaking engagements, lecturing, etc., the producer is more likely to take a shot at your appearance. If there’s anyone who can provide a testimonial, your credibility will be enhanced.

Be prepared
Prepare yourself for the conversation with the producer of the show you want to target. Try your approach on someone you know. If you can’t get their interest, there is a good chance your idea will fall flat with a producer. Some experts recommend sending a pitch letter first and then following up a day or two later. This can work, but if you speak to the show’s producer directly, you will be able to sell the idea at that point, as well as demonstrate your ability to engage an audience. Remember that you’re selling, so the more excited you are about your project the more likely someone else will be sold on it.

Follow-up
Always follow up on interviews. Add a unique code or e-mail address if you are able to. This will help you in tracking the response from the specific interview.

Always keep in contact with the host or organiser of the show to ensure that he/she thinks of you in the future when opportunities present itself. You may be more likely to get an interview or article publishes in the future if the first one went well or if you have build a good relationship with this person.

Idea of the week: Key storage and delivery service

2007-03-14T15:38:00.000+02:00

You know you see a great idea when want to kick yourself for not having thought of it yourself. I doubt of there is anyone amongst us who have not endured the frustration of locking your keys in your car or losing keys at an most inopportune time.

I found this great service advertised in an in-flight magazine recently. A US Based firm that takes the headache out of losing or forgetting your keys.

For a modest annual fee, NewYourKey keeps copies of keys in a secure storage facility and can deliver them right away if customers find themselves locked out. Keys lost in a nightclub at four in the morning? No problem! NewYourKey will deliver spare keys within an hour any time of day or night, wherever a customer happens to be.

Setting up an account is easy. NewYourKey comes to the customer with its mobile key lab, so copies of keys can be made on the spot if spare sets aren't unavailable. Customers must present positive photo identification. For added security, profiles include just name, password and photo, so no address is linked to any set of keys in the facility.

Three levels of service are available, with prices beginning at just R350 per year for key storage and R200.00 for each delivery. Additional charges apply for customers who wish to store more than two sets of keys or who’d like to authorize a third party to receive copies when necessary. Commercial accounts also are available.

NewYourKey, which was launched just a few months ago, is a great example of a business idea built around the type of favor you might ask a close friend, neighbor or doorman. It’s a life hack that should appeal to both busy professionals and notorious scatterbrains, who will be more than happy to pay for the convenience and peace of mind.

Upside: Apart from not ever having to worry about losing your own keys again this service is unique, will have a fairly low start-up cost and is very easily franchiseable. Plus the age old business model of collecting a monthly subscription fee remains a winner.

Downside: Security will be a key issue in South Africa and customers will want to be assured that their keys are safe and not reachable by unsavory characters. This should not be to much of a problem given the right system.

Verdict: As a I said before - I can't believe I didn't think of it. A business idea ripe for the taking.

Weekly humor: Intaxication?

2007-03-10T13:47:00.000+02:00

A local student magazine recently asked students to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

2. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

3. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

4. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of impressing a member of the opposite sex.

5. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

6. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

7. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

8. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

9. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.

10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido: All talk and no action.

14. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

Idea Borrowing - Should we be concerned?

2007-02-19T16:22:00.000+02:00

Idea Borrowing - Should we be concerned?

To my surprise, while browsing the business section of an airport news agent last week I cast my eyes on the latest UK version of the Marketing Week magazine. On the cover is a picture of Stelios, the entrepreneur behind Easy Jet, the UK version of the no thrills airline idea and various other Easy branded businesses.

As you can see from the images below, the design is very similar to that of my book cover for Release Your Inner Entrepreneur. Is this simply a case of different designers coming up with a similar idea, near duplication of a great design or a plain case of copyright bridging?

This type of thing is seen all too often. Off course the two images are not exactly the same and yes both really originate from the original Super Man idea so you can’t call it duplication. So personally I prefer to take this as more of a compliment as this not only significantly reduce potential stress and time wasted on unsuccessful inquiries.

As entrepreneurs we are often so scared that someone will steal our ideas that we forget that the real key to a successful product is only about 10% dependent on the product itself and 90% dependent on how well we bring that product to the market and manage our growth from there.

Reduction in BEE regulations for small and micro enteprises

2007-02-19T15:58:00.000+02:00

Reduction in BEE regulations for small and micro enteprises

It looks like all the research, articles, failing businesses, lack and of start-up capital and lack of confidence in small business circles have finally convinced the SA government that perhaps it’s not realistic to burden start-ups with miles of empowerment red tape. Entrepreneurs and most countries still find the start-up phase of a new venture extremely challenging, so much so that in a country like the UK where so much is being done to support small business in terms of resources, support, reduction in regulations and many other areas, there is still a staggering 60% of new firms which don’t make it past year 2 and 80% don’t make it past year 8.

The SA government recently announced their decision to substantially increase the thresholds for exempted microenterprises from R300000 to R5m, and for qualifying small enterprises to between R5m and R35m.

It must be a huge weight of the shoulders of small firms who take on huge risks to build new firms which in turn create jobs and contribute to the countries GDP, to now be free from the burden of empowerment compliance.

Lets see if our banks will now open their eyes and more importantly their pockets to support the South Africa’s entrepreneurs.

SA woman entrepreneurs take the lead

2007-02-12T16:01:00.000+02:00

With recent research by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor indicating as can be seen here that woman in South Africa are more entrepreneurial than men, the first question we are likely to ask is why this is?

If we look at the various factors that contribute to business start-ups, there may be a whole number of factors that may play a role hear.

1) Men in South Africa are traditionally bread winners looking of more secure employment.

2) Statistics show that men are still better educated than woman and this may mean that woman see entrepreneurship as a viable alternative considering their educational backgrounds.

3) The research shows that entrepreneurship is especially strong amongst African woman. Apart from the possible assumption that black African woman are simply more entrepreneurial than the rest of the population (which may be true or not true) it may also mean that this segment of the population may be forced to find ways of creating additional income streams for their families.

4) Leading from the point that woman are still lagging behind in the education stakes, but yet are more entrepreneurial, does this mean that there may be something lacking in the way that South Africans are educated? With so much emphasis being placed on getting the right education to find the right job, there may be no space for entrepreneurial thinking to make an impact.

Whatever the reason, it is something to be celebrated that our woman are taking the lead and making things happen.

The management writer Tom Peters have for years been saying that woman are better employees and managers within organisation. Now it seems that woman are also successfully making the transition from management to entrepreneurship.

Shuttleworth Investment a shot in the arm for SA tech ventures

2007-02-10T15:14:00.000+02:00

Multi million $ and £ investments in performing technology ventures around the world has become almost common practice again over the last two years. Few investors or small firms may have envisioned this following the bursting of the Internet bubble and crashing of technology stocks over the last decade, but it now seems that confidence, albeit a bit more cautious than the nineties version, has now been restored.

To many South African entrepreneurs the large amounts invested in start-ups abroad may have seemed like more of a mirage, we know its there but still out of reach. This dream came a little closer to reality last week when HBD venture capital fund founded by South African billionaire Mark Shuttleworth invested R15m in IncuBeta, an Internet marketing company found by Vinny Lingham, well known amongst bloggers and technology lovers in South Africa.

It is very reassuring to know that there are still plenty of funding sources available for the right idea. Technology start-ups in particular now has more support than ever before with the likes of HBD, The Innovation Hub, Enablis and many other venture firms ready to invest in solid ideas with international growth potential. One can not help but think that internet giants EBay, Google and yahoo! are indirectly to thank for this following their ongoing string of high profile and higher priced buy outs of successful Internet companies such as, YouTube, Flicker, SKype, PayPal and Picasa bit to name a few.

Congratulations Vinny for pulling this one off and I trust that as far as SA start-ups go this will be the first one of many success stories.

Business idea of the week: Climbing walls for swimming pools

2007-02-09T19:50:00.000+02:00

Business idea of the week: Climbing walls for swimming pools

This week we look at this great little idea, which seems tailor made for the South African summer.

By this time of year apart from the vocational refreshing dip in the
pool most of us have run out of excuses to stay in the water for longer
than five minutes. What else is there to do once you have played all
the ball games you can think of and have perfected your handstands or
and bull fights. Enter the poolside climbing wall.

A modular system of 3' x 3' (1 x 1 m) fiberglass panels allows walls to be configured to fit any pool width and height. The panels include rock features, inset and protruding handholds, which can be moved around to vary climbing difficulty. Although the default color scheme is aqua (blues and greens), custom colors are available to match a pool's surroundings.

Any poolside product obviously needs to be very safe. AquaClimb states that its walls are safer than slides or diving boards, since children start off in the water, instead of running around the pool's edge. Also, AquaClimb frames tilt over the water, keeping falling climbers away from the side of the pool. The company recommends roping off a 10 foot area from the AquaClimb to establish a 'drop zone'. The walls don't come with weight or age restrictions, and are sturdy enough to hold adults.

Prices start at R 75 000 and average delivery time is four to six weeks, with demand obviously peaking during the summer months. Customers include public swimming pools, summer camps, residential pools, schools, recreation centers and water parks. AquaClimb is manufactured by Pyramide USA Inc., a leading sport climbing wall provider based in the USA. The company currently only has international dealers in Australia and Western Canada, and welcomes dealer applications (dealers@aquaclimb.com).
Website: www.aquaclimb.com

Upside: No licence dealer in South Africa yet, so opportunity
to become the sole agent. With a massive market of not only homes but
also schools, clubs, pre-school facilities, health clubs and just about
anywhere else where you'll find water and kids (both young and not so
young), its difficult to see this not working.

Downside: Its difficult to see the downside on this one but marketing
and advertising cost could be fairly high in the start-up stages with
a strong sales team being a must on this one. Health n safety issues
will need consideration.

Verdict: Fantastic opportunity, easy to start, not yet available in South Africa, get there first and you have a winner.