How to Grow out of Invisible
As a new business owner you will know the first phase of any ‘new kid on the block’ is the Invisible phase of business. During this time you are putting in serious hours at the helm and having to contend with new contracts, huge financial outlay, new staff, suppliers and hardly any customers. This is how we all start. This invisible phase is just that, a phase it will pass as you grow and it will become different. Note I said different not easier.
One of the ways to fast track your business through this invisible phase is to attract customers. The more people who know about you the less invisible you become. If you are blessed with a huge budget then you can do the big launch thing and get it going in a day or two. If however you are a small enterprise and have no marketing budget you need to forge your way through all this and gain access to market. Using give-aways has become the best way to gain customer loyalty. Free products – buy one get one free. Free cash back – spend R100 and get 20% off your next purchase. Free membership – bring a friend and get in for free. Or just small gifts for the first 1000 customers. All these will attract people to your door or site.
If you are still struggling to get known in the market, try a promotion and give a little. It goes a long way to gain the trust and loyalty of your customers.
Did you know that if you signup with us you get a FREE Business Feasibility Assessment for your next entrepreneurial idea? Just add your name and email below and we will contact you right back.
Friday Thought – What is Assurance
Our new elevator pitch is “The Entrepreneur Incubator offers assurance to business owners through personal coaching, business mentoring and education facilitation.” But what is this Assurance?
If we look up Assurance in the dictionary we get the following definitions:
- ‘a positive declaration intended to give confidence’
- ‘full confidence; freedom from doubt’
- ‘freedom from timidity; self-confidence; belief in one’s abilities’
I am convinced that finding assurance, defined as full confidence, free from personal or business doubt, is key to any business owner willing to take on the big scary world. There is not much a confidence person will not at least attempt. Having Assurance in yourself, your product or service, your team and your business could possibly be the best arrow in your quiver for business success.
Learning the Basics of Business
Today we had 15 eager people attend our first Business Basics workshop for 2010. Each person arrived with an expectation of learning something that will supplement or create an income in their future.
Jo Kearney from Bottle Craft started the day with a short demo of his Business in a Box bottle cutting kit. We were also able to offer other suggestions of business opportunities throughout the programme.
Business Basics covers the steps to discovering what type of business will be best suited to your strengths as well as the framework components of a small enterprise. A comprehensive workbook is provided with easy to follow exercises to do at home.
Bottle Craft donated a kit that was won by Mervyn Hartogh to use in his youth development programme in Cape Town.
We will be running another Business Basics workshop on the last Saturday on February covering the components of a business plan.
The #1 Employer of 2010 Will Be SELF
Department of Labor in US Predicts the #1 Employer of 2010 Will Be SELF
If you are looking for a way to stop worrying about the economy and take control of your own financial future, look no further.
Many professionals today are discontent with the endless personnel transfers, management changes, downsizing or “right-sizing” of corporations. Even more importantly, professionals are looking for more control over their time and what they do — and they want a career that is meaningful and important. Does this sound like you?
If you have ever thought of launching your own business, you’re in good company. The Department of Labor in US predicts that the #1 employer in 2010 will be “Self” — and a recent Internet poll of 25-44 year olds revealed that 90% of them hoped to own a business someday.
Taking the jump from ‘Cubicle Nation” and security of a pay cheque can be managed through a process of building a secure channel to move through without any financial risk or loss. Walking that road alone is not only scary but risky as well. Walking it with a Coach who has navigated it before reduces both fear and risk.
Building assurance in the process is done through confidence, planning, risk analysis, opportunity assessment and project management. Let us walk this road with you to the future you deserve.
Our readership has just doubled again
Congratulations to all those who read this blog. We have just doubled the amount of unique readers that we achieved last month. December was also double November so we have certainly set a trend. Many thanks to all of you who read our posts each day and provide valuable feedback and comments.
February promises some interesting additions to this site with a new page of Business Opportunities and a listing of Business Resources.We are also increasing our frequency of some of our workshops next month with additional Social Media and business related sessions.
Please add your email to our subscription and add us to your Google reader list so you don’t miss out.
The City of Cape Town today announced the launch of the Cape Town Entrepreneurship Competition 2010, which will not only reward the City’s best entrepreneur, but also help to further expand entrepreneurship in Cape Town.
Funding of R1,8 million was approved by the Council at its meeting today. Of this R600 000-00 will be used to fund the competition and the balance of R1,2 million will be utilised for the long-term development of Cape Town’s entrepreneur networks.
The competition will focus on technology and innovation in the fields of Biotechnology, Telecom and Media, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Clean Technology, Healthcare and Social Entrepreneurship. The winner of the Cape Town competition will have an opportunity to participate in the Global Entrepreneurship Competition in Barcelona in June later this year.
Mansoor Mohamed, the City’s Executive Director: Economic, Social Development and Tourism, said: “The competition forms part of the City’s strategy to position Cape Town as a leading enabler of entrepreneurship on the African continent and to build a stronger entrepreneurship ecosystem. The City already has strong partnerships with key stakeholders in the country.”
Registration for the competition will open on 17 February 2010 and the winners are expected to be announced on 30 March 2010. A total of R200 000 has been allocated for prize money in the competition. A major benefit of the competition is the professional level of entrepreneurship support which the winners will receive and the opportunity to meet real investors who are willing to invest in real businesses.
The competition will be internet-based and details can be found on the website www.capetownactiva.com, which will be activated soon. The competition is being run through Cape Town Activa – an online community created by the City of Cape Town to assist local entrepreneurs.
“Cape Town Activa is the enabling platform for entrepreneurship development in Cape Town. It started off on the Barcelona Activa model, a very successful entrepreneurship support system developed by the City of Barcelona. It is still in the early stages of development and is expected to be operational by December 2010”, says Mohamed.
The entrepreneurship competition will be managed by Bandwidth Barn, a world-wide leading ICT incubator and a strategic partner of the City based in Cape Town. According to Chris Vermeulen, the CEO of Bandwidth Barn, “The Bandwidth Barn is very excited to be associated with the Cape Town Entrepreneurship Competition 2010.”
“Entrepreneurship has proven to be a significant driver of economic growth. Actions of entrepreneurs will help generate wealth by creating a demand in the market from a newly introduced innovation. Effective entrepreneurship fosters the production of wealth for a city or nation and helps the society as a whole,” said Mohamed.
Business Opportunities – choose yours today
In connection with our drive to start 100 new businesses in 40 minutes here is the initial list. We will add to these from input we get from listeners during the show. If you are interested in starting a business and want to find out more about what it takes to start and grow a small business then please attend our Business Basics workshop this Saturday. Register here to reserve your seat.
Specific Opportunities
Turning trash into cash. Learn how to use old glass bottles to make glass products that can be sold. Easy to learn, no cost for raw materials, unlimited products. Training provided. email info@bottlecraft.co.za to purchase a starter kit.
Become a cell phone air time reseller and earn money from others you introduce to the system. No upfront costs. To signup sms “EI” + your email address to 31573.
If you are interested in getting involved in web design or know people who need or use websites Go Net Ready will assist you in making money for anyone you introduce to their systems. Very good product, excellent value. Monthly fee of R200 to register. Register here
Become an agent to events coordinators in the music market. Applicants should know the music or arts industry and be wiling to sell and travel locally. Send personal info to info@buytheticket.co.za for application forms.
Learn how to get rich slowly in line with God’s Word. Learn to principles of money management and wealth creation. Attend a free introduction talk to get more information. email clive@7yearwealthplan.com for details.
World Cup Soccer Opportunities
- Become a volunteer at one of the events
- Apply as a casual worker at one of the events
- Use your skill as an Entertainer
- Sell legal soccer related goods
- Get involved in the tourist or hospitality industry
- Let out your house to visitors
- Share accommodation with a tourist
- Clean up after events and games
- Evangelize the people who come to the games
General Opportunities
- Recycling of waste products like paper, plastic and metal
- Upcycling of products such a clothes, wool, shoes and books
- Start a Monthly sales club
- Rent out and swap Video games
- Offer assistance to video gamers
- Virtual Assistant
- Virtual Researcher
- Virtual social marketer
- House sitter
- Plaster cast painter
- Photo editor
- Skills Trainer
- Web marketer
If you are interested in starting a business and want to find out more about what it takes to start and grow a small business then please attend our Business Basics workshop this Saturday. Register here to reserve your seat.
How to Start your Business, Tomorrow Live on Radio
On Wednesday 27th at 10:00 CAT we will be on air with CCFm and in just 45 minutes we plan to help 100 people start new businesses. We will offer ideas, contacts, opportunities and sponsors ready for the taking. If you are wondering what to do this year to make money, then this is a must not miss opportunity. Listen live in Cape Town on 107.5 fm or on the web at www.ccfm.org.za.
Full contacts of all mentioned links will be posted here during the show and updated just after with any new links. We are still open to suggestions and businesses wanting to get involved. Please let me have your details soonest so I can share them during the show. 100 people will have a chance to change their lives tomorrow, it could be you!
100 jobs in 40 minutes, can it be done?
We have set ourselves a task of creating 100 new jobs in just 40 minutes. Next week on radio, during a 40 minute show, I plan to create enough opportunity through contacts, advice and information to do just that. I am accumulating information from business owners, franchise developers, existing businesses and new ventures. We will also be taking live sms info during the show to share.
If you have any programme or job offer that we can highlight them please do reply here of email us and we will add it to the list. Then listen out on Radio CCFm on Wednesday 27th at 10:00 to hear our show.
Turn Trash into Cash – Bottle Craft
Hidden away in the Helderberg is the base camp for an entrepreneurship secret that is helping clean up our streets in more ways than one. Jo Kearney runs an organisation Bottle Craft that uses old discarded glass bottles and teaches people to cut, glue, sand and shine them back into products that would suit any home, restaurant or hotel.
In doing this he is also creating job opportunities and hope for people who would otherwise be unemployed and without income.
I got hold of one of Jo’s home kits last week and was able to make some items (not worthy of selling yet) in just a few hours. The simplicity of the kit and ease of use is the secret. Business overheads are minimal, raw material is free and the products limited to only your imagination.
With the World Cup coming soon, and no shortage of empty glass bottles, I will not be surprised to see hundreds of new businesses springing up all over South Africa offering a new range of trash for cash.
