Despite this, research has shown that three-quarters of business owners are not aware that there is help out there in the form of business support programmes. Surprisingly, 94% have never used such services (2010 Finscope Small Business Survey)!
"Like most things in life, success is not just a question of pure luck of the draw, but often arises from the implementation of best practices," says Catherine Wijnberg, Director of enterprise development agency Fetola. Each year, Fetola presents one of SA's fastest growing SMME and NPO support initiatives, the Legends programme.
While many programmes mostly cater to businesses in and around the country's urban centres, Legends is unique in that it is accessible to businesses even in rural and remote areas.
Wijnberg encourages businesses to sign up for the 2013 Legends programme, saying that committed business leaders are guaranteed to benefit.
"The programme provides participating businesses with real advice from 'people who have been in your shoes'. You won't receive arbitrary information that you may as well have found on Google.
"We know and understand what you and your business go through, and have developed exactly the tools and support structures that your business needs to grow," Wijnberg says.
There is no cost to join the programme, as funding is provided by the Old Mutual Foundation and other donors (although some activities are charged at a nominal fee on a cost-share basis), but businesses must demonstrate a track record and participants must be committed to completing the programme and implementing its learnings, to ensure success.
Anyone may apply, although there is a selection process. Once a business is accepted into the programme it has access to:
- Experienced mentors
- The practical tools and templates businesses need to grow
- A community of peers and their enterprises
- Focused workshops and e-learning modules to improve business knowledge
- Market access opportunities and brand development, and
- Needs-based business support and systems development.
Interested small business & NPO leaders should sign up before the end of the month, and can do so online at www.golegends.co.za, and download the online application form.
Please note that space is limited and applicants will go through a selection process before the Legends Class of 2013 is chosen.
For questions not answered on the website, call 086 111 1690. Closing date for applications is 08:00 on 28 January.
