The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Solution Space has launched its a programme to support UCT students and alumni looking to start or scale-up high-impact solutions. The new initiative, the E-Track Programme, is designed to assist individuals or teams to build scalable businesses –is a partnership between Solution Space and the MTN Group. Applications for the programme close on 23 August. Those looking...
Containing costs and carefully managing cash flow is critical for small business sustainability and success. Supplier Finance is a useful tool to help with cash flow management. Supplier Finance works like this: you buy the stock or raw materials from a supplier on a 30, 45 or 60-day account instead of paying cash. You then...
For those steeped in the world of digital marketing, direct mail seems like a dinosaur from another time. The conventional thinking is that people's mailboxes are overwhelmed, and that direct mail is super expensive to send. But in today's world, it's email inboxes that are exploding with blasts and social media alerts. And with...
It is always exciting when a customer gives you work, but it can also be stressful as you know that you can only invoice them once the work is completed and you’ll need enough money in the meantime to enable you to buy the supplies and pay the resources needed to complete the work. Fortunately...
A high BEE score is instrumental in achieving growth in a competitive and strained South African economy. FNB now offers you an online tool, in collaboration with Empowerdex, to easily determine your BEE score and acquire a BEE certificate. A BEE certificate is necessary for tender purposes, to compete in the private sector, to supply...
Complying with your tax obligations as a small business has been made a lot easier over the past few years. Turnover tax is a simplified tax system for small businesses with a qualifying turnover of not more than R1 million per annum. It is a tax based on the taxable turnover of a business and...
Due to increasing laws, entrepreneurs are faced with growing regulatory compliance in business. These legal requirements create obligations but also provide certain rights and protection. All businesses, small or large, are required to comply with legislation (passed by government), regulations (prescribed by regulatory bodies) or industry best practices. Compliance requirements range from registration of businesses and...
Thinking in a vacuum is not a good approach to thinking about your next big idea. The best way is to fully immerse yourself in the world. Here are three tips on ways to do this: 1. Keep a list of opportunities 2. Hunt for ideas in diverse places 3. Notice how others solve business problems Source: Entrepreneur Magazine Read...
