Tag: BUSINESS/PARTNERS

Forget outdated consumer demographics and marketing personas. Even knowing your customers’ names and preferences is no longer enough. According to a Marketing & Sales Practice report by McKinsey, 71% of consumers now expect personalisation. This expectation raises the bar for customer retention and engagement.

South African women are closing the gender gap in entrepreneurial activity. Driven by many factors ranging from perceived opportunity to job scarcity, they are starting businesses which in turn creates employment opportunities for others, with the country boasting one of the highest proportion of women-led companies employing 20 or more people globally.

Despite a legal requirement that invoices and claims be paid within 30 days or within the period contractually agreed upon, a Public Service Commission (PSC) report has revealed that South African small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are owed billions in unpaid invoices by government departments.

While women have made great strides in entrepreneurship over the past decade, female entrepreneurs still lag behind their male counterparts when it comes to raising capital. While the goal remains to close any funding gap that exists in this regard, a positive upshot has been that many women business owners have proved to be resource-efficient by necessity.

Entrepreneurs have often played an important role in driving social change over the years. It therefore comes as no surprise that a new wave of 'ecopreneurs' – business owners whose businesses are not only driven by profit, but also by a concern for the environment – are leading the way for sustainable business practices.

Ben Bierman | MD | Business Partners | mail me | This time last year, following the election of President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa was on the cusp of...

Mothers are often lauded as the superheroes of their homes and society at large. So, when it comes to entrepreneurial moms, there can be no doubt that these women are a boundless source of inspiration who serve as motivation for their children and other moms to pursue entrepreneurship, a decision that can only benefit South Africa into the future.