Limpopo Business 2016-17 edition

INTERVIEW
internationally but they will also be able to interact
and link with the best Business Advisors in the
world, who are certified users of the tool. One of the
most important aspects of the Growth Wheel is the
360-degree screening, as this helps our Advisors to
quickly create an overview of all the challenges that
might be relevant to the entrepreneur in question.
The Advisor and the entrepreneur will be able to
draw up a visual profile of how the business is doing,
and this will assist them in identifying future growth
opportunities and obstacles.
The framework will be able to assist the parties to
ascertain where they are in terms of their business
development and provide a roadmap for where they
could be going. The Advisor and the entrepreneur
will be able to create a common language and offer
ideas for new directions. This process will inspire
entrepreneurs to set their agenda in terms of which
decisions to make.
The worksheets will help them to make decisions
faster because they contain graphic checklists
to quickly understand alternative options so they
can get ideas for new ones. The 30 – 60 – 90 day
plan is the tool that is ideal for entrepreneurs to
keep track of their decisions and actions. It will
also help the BA to keep track of actions that the
entrepreneur had to undertake. The entrepreneur
will then be able to focus on getting things done
and who should do it.
Can you share some examples of successful
SMMEs that Seda Limpopo has
helped over the past few years?
The greatest impact we have had has been in terms
of increased turnover and net profit. We don’t aim
to make an impression in terms of employment opportunities,
as most businesses always target minimum
labour in order to reduce production costs and
increase efficiency.
Companies we have had particular success
with include PCS (Polokwane Chemical Supplies),
Goodlife, Rosika Trading, Tshedza Concrete Art,
Sasekisani Co-operative, Mofamadi Bed and
Breakfast, TKY Trading, Mogalaletsi Trading, Twins
Trailers, Limpopo Ceramics, Pavecon, Bellstein
Trading and Are Hudisaneng Agricultural Primary
Co-operative.
What message would you like to send to
more established businesses and investors
in terms of how they can help to support
SMMEs and what the long-term benefits
of offering such support are for the
regional and national economy?
It is very important to assist SMMEs where possible
by providing access to markets. I would also
recommend that it can be wise to invest in SMMEs
as innovation usually forms the basis of their business.
It is also a good idea to partner with Seda for
development of our current BEE suppliers.
Seda, in collaboration with the Department of
Small Business Development (DSBD), has embarked
on the Gazelles Programme, which seeks to change
the landscape in the SMME sector of South Africa.
Gazelles are found in all sectors of the economy
and a common characteristic is that they are usually
fast-growing entities. This growth occurs at a
specific phase in a businesses development, after
which they revert to the industry norm in terms
of their continued growth, although this does
not preclude the possibility of future fast growth.
While these fast-growing companies are known as
Gazelles, researchers also identified the “elephants”
which are the big and ponderous companies that
do not necessarily employ much (if any) staff. Lastly,
researchers also speak of “mice”, which are the small
and micro companies that will either not grow or
whose owner-managers are not necessarily growth
driven. For the purpose of this programme, South
African “Gazelles” will be formal entities that grow
exponentially and have an annual turnover of at least
R1-million and are subject to definitions in terms
of the Small Business Act of 1995 as amended.
CONTACT INFO
Physical address: Suite Number 6,
2nd Floor, Maneo Building, 73 Biccard Street,
Polokwane 0699
Tel: +27 15 287 2940
Fax: +27 15 297 4022
Website: www.seda.org.za
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