Partner Article

Seven Steps to Productive Enterprise Development Solutions

As South Africans, we face a mammoth task. We need to set about countering excessively high poverty and unemployment levels.

As a business owner, you have an extra two-fold task. You need to respond to government’s efforts to counter poverty and unemployment. At the same time, you must cultivate a profitable operation. To begin to tackle these, you need effective enterprise development solutions.

Our government set up the BEE Codes to South African business develop according to policies which would ensure broad-based wealth creation. Section 400 of the Codes calls on businesses to meet Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) requirements.

The scope of the need is huge. So is the pressure placed on business owners. This means that sponsorship or charitable donations alone will not do the job. Only effective enterprise development solutions will ensure you are hitting the mark.

If your business is meeting the requirements, the benefit to you and the nation cannot be overstated. What are the benefits? Firstly, Your Company will enjoy the B-BBEE rewards that go along with proper compliance.

Another benefit is that your company will be helping out in breaking the poverty cycle in South Africa. You will empower start-up enterprises and SME’s to enter the supplier chain. You have the potential to uplift not just individuals, not just families, but entire communities.

One more benefit of successful enterprise development solutions is peace of mind. You will have the assurance that you are getting the most bangs for your buck. That is, you can be sure that your investment into compliance goes toward the greatest benefit to the community. And not only that. You will see a translation into business benefits at the same time. This means you will have peace of mind while your solutions are in process.

How can you ensure your business is meeting the requirements? Can you make sure you benefit from your input into enterprise development? This is where Umsizi can help. We have rolled out successful solutions that do more than tally points for your B-BBEE scorecard. We have seen lives changed from the grassroots level. Our success stories have community members coming into meaningful, productive, sustainable businesses.

Enterprise development solutions are not one-size-fits-all. We are able to tailor solutions to fit your situation. We have dealt with differing communities, corporates and economic climates. Our innovative methods have built up entrepreneurs across our provinces.

Here’s how we provide enterprise development solutions, in seven steps:

1. A thorough inquiry into the needs of the business and the potential enterprises with which to partner. We assess the requirements by meeting with management, potential entrepreneurs and community leaders where necessary.
2. A focus on bringing potential entrepreneurs to a firm footing in terms of food security.
3. Earmarking entrepreneurs who are passionate, productive and effective.
4. A focus on skills development.
5. A focus on proper investment of resources and capital, in partnership with contributing companies.
6. A focus on sustainable solutions, which will continue to operate if or when funding stops.
7. Continued feedback and adjustments to allow ongoing development.

In this way, we help your business and developing enterprises to maximise and fulfil their inherent potential.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Scott Jack .