SMME Supplement To the Botswana Gazette
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
Entrepreneurship and what you need to know KAGO KOMANE
D
espite there being a steady growth in the number of SMMEs in Botswana over the past years, the harsh reality is most of them fail or shut down during their first few years of business due to lack of skills, market intelligence, poor management and often unforeseen market circumstances. SME’s are seen as the growth engine for most economies and it is under this backdrop, of what may seem as unsurmountable challenges that Botswana underpins her future economic development plans. For the past 20 odd years the country has aggressively sought to develop this sector through funding and skills development, often with limited success. With the saying, “entrepreneurs are born and not made” in mind, we present this week’s supplement to help guide future and existing business men and women through the myriad of challenges and opportunities that currently influence the SME sector in Botswana. Whether entrepreneurs are born or made is still a topic of much debate. While it is generally believed that there are those who are naturally born with it, there are also those who recognize that entrepreneurship is a skill that can be learned and mastered. We sat down with one of the youngest entrepreneurs in Botswana, MyGuy professional finders Director, Tlamelo El Ramodisa to share with us his experience on what makes a successful small business. Below are a few tips he said one needs to be able to survive and grow a small business.
Communication skills Yo u h a v e t o b e v e r y g o o d a t communicating with your clients. Whether it is on the phone or on social media, you have to make sure the message about what your have put on the market is clearly put across. It is important to fully utilize free communication mediums like social media. It is especially great for small businesses because most of them do not have funds reserved for marketing. Master the art of people making people want more; you have to make sure they keep coming back to retain customers. Passion You have to do something you are not only passionate about but obsessed with
because things will get hard, and when it gets rough you depend on your passion to keep you going. Make sure you love what you do. Cost control Create a situation where you will be able to get more from what you put into your business. This should be the backbone of whatever you do in your business to avoid a situation where there are no returns on your investment. Get as much as possible from as little as possible. Botho It never hurts to be nice to customers. People are very sensitive about where they put their money. If you treat people well, they will keep coming back to use
your services. As a small business, word of mouth is your biggest marketing tool and people will always recommend you to their friends if they liked your service and attitude. Hard work Work hard and be honest with yourself. You have to be realistic and willing to fail because you have to know you might fail a lot of times before you actually get it right. Be patient and work like there are three people in you. Get some help There is a wealth of information on running businesses out there and most of it is free! Whether you go online or visit an entrepreneur resource organisation like the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), it is important to learn the fundamentals of operating a sustainable venture. Whether it’s learning how to keep accurate financial records or dealing with human resources, what may seem mundane is often what makes or breaks a business! Things to avoid Do not invest before you understand your business. Use the lean start up approach, where you test things out. Taking a loan to start a business before you understand your business model is very dangerous. It never hurts to start small and do not put much money into a venture to a point that it’s too much to get back. Spend money on things that are critical and do not let things get to your head because if you start feeling like you have already made it and start living beyond your means, that can easily cripple your business. It is important remain the person you were when you started your business because every decision you make has financial implication.
Page SMME 2
SMME Supplement
Small businesses and insurance why it is worth looking into
Business insurance can play a significant role in helping small business recover from the effects of theft, from your machinery to your stock, accidental damage and even the increased costs of doing business.
BIZPROTECT, your complete business insurance solution Cover from as little as P200 per month
Loss or damages caused by burglary, armed robbery or accidental damage Loss or damage to assets e.g. money, office equipment, personal items Additional benefits (trauma, bereavement and medical expenses) Increase in cost of doing business Compensation of up to P500, 000.00
For more information, contact our Bancassurance Department, at (00267) 361 8817. Email: BizProtect@stanbic.com or visit www.stanbicbank.co.bw Underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company *Terms and conditions apply
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
I
The Botswana Gazette
nsurance can often feel like a pretty tricky topic, with the thought of premiums, annuities and even the realization of facing your own mortality sometimes overwhelming. The thing is, as odd as it may first seem, insurance is also a valuable and necessary tool for businesses, let alone for individuals. Gone are the days when insurance was considered a luxury. Increasingly, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have seen the need to safeguard their assets and protect them from any unforeseen risks. After all, protecting your small business from risk is one of the key foundations of success, isn’t it? For many, business insurance is especially crucial for a small business owner given the close relationship between business assets and personal assets. For an SME, they may often be one and the same, as one’s own equity, be it in cash or in assets, are used to help make the business a success. Picture the basic office equipment or stationary in a new start-up or even furniture used to set up your first office. The lines can sometimes be blurry and you need to protect both yourself and your business. Indeed, insurance can be incredibly important to the health of your business, and this is why, increasingly, financial institutions such as Stanbic Bank Botswana now place greater emphasis on business insurance offerings for SMEs in particular. So how exactly does business insurance help your small business? Well, though the first thought that may come to many is protection against causalities, this is certainly one aspect, perhaps the biggest factor is that of protection from legal hazard. Business insurance can play a significant role in helping small business recover from the effects of theft, from your machinery to your stock, accidental damage and even the increased costs of doing business. This includes the increased cost of working like medical expenses, bereavement expenses and trauma expenses. One could easily argue the fact that SMEs, and indeed SMMEs in Botswana are uniquely positioned to thrive as well as suffer in our growing economy. Equally important as the tools that help small businesses growth, therefore, are deep insight into and flexibility around the needs and requirements of small businesses in Botswana. Business insurance for SMEs therefore, stands to see the right combination of traditional and specialized insurance covers to help support and grow Botswana’s SMEs. As new and innovative insurance offerings are introduced, any small business owner or entrepreneur is better positioned to make use of such tools to help minimize and mitigate the risks of SME operation. The terms and offerings may sometimes vary, but it’s a much simpler world than one may have first assumed, and a means by which you may very well help your business survive even longer into the future.
The Botswana Gazette
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
Duncan Littlefield is a professional firm of chartered accountants and business advisers domiciled in Botswana and registered with the Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) as certified auditors (Member Firm No. MeFBW11001). We offer a comprehensive range of audit, accounting, taxation and business advisory services. We act for private individuals, companies, charities, clubs, partnerships, NGOs and businesses of varying sizes and sector.
SMME Supplement
Page SMME 3
Page SMME 4
SMME Supplement
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
Every day is budget day for the street vendor W
ith the business of the national Budget for the year 2015 complete and as the respective industries go forth and ponder what the carving up of the national pie means to their enterprises, for a large number of the country’s unsung heroes of entrepreneurship, this is just another ordinary day. Many are simple men and women with little or no formal education and in the normal scheme of things the lack of these opportunities will have most certainly doomed them to a life of abject poverty. But for Gaborone’s street vendors, hopelessness is not an option. They have
pulled themselves up by the boot straps and created businesses that help sustain them and their families. Gazette Business reporter Tlotlo Lemmenyane delves into the life of street vendor to truly understand what they face with every new dawn and most importantly what keeps them going. Many people within the formal sector are confronted with the challenge of making decisions on a daily basis. However, for such people, such decisions are made almost subconsciously because they really change very little in their lives; just routine corporate employment. The same cannot be said for street
Less Stress with Express Mail Services (EMS) is an international postal express service which provides counter-to-counter, door-to-door delivery – as well as pick-up services. EMS is the most cost-effective way for individuals and businesses to send documents and parcels by express anywhere in the country – and the world. Available at all Post Offices, countrywide Send packages up to 30kg Track your package online for complete peace of mind Delivery anywhere in the world within 6 working days Cost savings assured. EMS is a perfect express mail solution for • Corporations • Government departments • Individuals • Small businesses
Toll Free: 0800 33 55 77 • Tel: +267 39 11 473
Even though councils are supposed to protect street vendors' interests, their role is restricted by existing laws that blatantly do not recognize the voice of a vendor.
The Botswana Gazette
vendors, who have to drag themselves out of bed everyday and make decisions that have a direct bearing on their very existence. With every new dawn, street vendors wake up to face the heavy and inescapable burden of having to decide if it is really worth it to set up a table somewhere around town and hope to sell some of their wares. But they soldier on because they have conviction;a survivalist conviction that is evident in their eyes and is obviously etched in their spirits. However, after a deeper conversation with a street vendor, one can’t help but notice a veneer of frustration and disappointment lurking beneath the hope of selling better than yesterday. Many are reluctant to share their names because they don’t want the world to know who they are, or rather what they go through everyday. It is not them they want us to know, but their stories that they believe are worth telling. I met with a frail old woman, probably edging towards her eighties, who shared her life story as a street vendor. She has been religiously working as a street vendor since 1981 and she was never daunted by life’s challenges and the disappointment of a slow day during which she didn’t sell anything. When her business went through trying times she sought divine guidance. Surprisingly, she was very meticulous in the way she did her work and sold her wares with dedication and passion. She has been managing her business since 1981 and by now she knows exactly what her customers want, like which goods move fast and which ones move slowly. She believes she has a duty to make sure that her supplies never run dry and that no customer is turned away because stock is in short supply. Ironically that is challenge many bigger business still struggle to reconcile on a daily. At another corner was a woman who just decided that the new year will begin with new challenges and therefore left her job to set up her own stall. When she spoke, one could sense apprehension and uncertainty because she wasn’t sure whether the choices she had made, to become a self employed woman who sold food on the street, would bear fruit. However she had hope that she would be able to sell her products. That hope was also boosted by the fact that she considered herself to be a good cook. Her voice exuded a mix of hope and fear; the hope of selling the food she had taken time and effort to prepare and the fear of frustration of having to return home with unsold food. She revealed how on some slow mornings she had to deal with the tough decision of having to warm up yesterday’s left overs or prepare a fresh serving. While it made economic sense to warm up yesterday’s food, it was not a viable choice because there was always a danger that customers would not be satisfied with the quality of her serving. And so she chose not to compromise quality, but rather lose a few Pulas in the hope that she will benefit by retaining customers with her fresh food. Asked what the presentation of monday’s budget means to them, Vendors Association Treasurer Mmolotsi Ramphuti answered that government’s lack of recognition of street vendors gives them a sense of detachment from the whole affair. “The only way government can start to acknowledge our existence is if the law is amended to offer us protection, especially that the economy is not what it used to be” lamented Ramphuti. He decried that even though councils are supposed to protect street vendors’ interests, their role is restricted by existing laws that blatantly do not recognize the voice of a vendor. He added that their protection is limited by the fact that councils are bodies that exist but do not have enforcement powers of the decisions they take as evidenced by the major’s faint voice on matters that concern them.
The Botswana Gazette
Page SMME 5
SMME Supplement
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
5 Flies Ltd (Pty) 5 Flies in Collaboration with BQA Presents Workshop
“Being Smart as a Small Entrepreneur” Contact: 74 064 121 / 390 7653 Website: www.5fliesconsultancy.com COVERING Business skills | Challenges Businesses Face Taking Risks in Bots | Operating Smartly Date: 04/03/2015 Time 08:30 - 12:00 Time 14:00 - 17:00 Time 18:00 - 20:00 SPEAKERS INCLUDE Lilebo Tibone “Managing Director 5 Flies” Nomsa Seisa “Director of Camelot Spa Botswana” VENUE : MONDIOR CONFERENCE ROOM TICKET: P375 NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE VENUE SO BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL Excellent Networking Opportunity Questions And Answer Sessions With Seasoned Entrepreneurs
Plot 14456 ,Unit -2 ,Gaborone West Industrial, Gaborone (Old Nokia Ware House Building Behind Bank Of Baroda) Tel: 3160150 Fax : 3160142 Email:info@itdistributors.co.bw IT Products /Networking Products /Fiber Products / Network Cabinets/Stationary/Office Equipments/Toners& Cartridges Service Fixing PC’s, Laptops, Printers Networking the offices and buildings
OUR PRODUCTS RAGES FORM • Health & Beauty • Houseware • Cookware • Cleaning • DIY • Automotive • Toys • Fitness JAQ TECHNOLOGIES OFFERS CUTTING EDGE MULTI MEDIA, VIDEO CONFERENCE, SECURITY AND NETWORKING SOLUTIONS FOR: • • • • • • • • • •
Boardrooms, Conference and Training Rooms Stadiums, Museums and Exhibit Halls Hotels and Hospitals Houses of Worship Educational and Training Institutions Government and Network Operations Centers Home and Office Automation Call Centre Communications Equipment Project Management Intelligent Asset Management
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES • Video Conference Supply, Installation and Support • Audio Visual Presentation Solutions • SMATV and Digital Signage • Office and Home Automation • LED Billboards • Interactive Screens • Mobile LED screen solutions • CCTV, Access Control and Fire Alarm Systems • Networking and Telephone Solutions • Court recording systems • Conference System Solutions • Project Management JAQ Technologies Showgrounds Close, Plot 64514 Unit 104, Fairgrounds P.O Box 45901 Riverwalk Gaborone Tel +267 3910167 Fax +267 3910168 sales@jaqtechnologies.com www.jaqtechnologies.com
Verimark Direct Stores located at: Gaborone - Game City Mall – 393 0504 Sebele – North Gate mall – 392 6447 Our Francistown Store has relocated to : Shop No 45, Galo Mall, Francistown – Opposite Multichoice Offices. Contact details are: Telephone: 2410133 Please visit Verimark Website at: www.verimark.co.za
Page SMME 6
SMME Supplement
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
The Botswana Gazette
BTCL SOLUTIONS FOR SMMES: ENABLING ENHANCED EFFICIENCIES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES
Without the proper tools, running a business can be a headache. That is why BTCL is the right business partner to help your business succeed. We have a number of solutions for SMME’s that will enable your business to be at it’s most efficient. Our dedicated Account Management Team is available to discuss which solution is more suitable for your specific business requirements.
FIXED VOICE Our Basic offering for the smallest of SMMEs is our Fixed Voice Landline. This is a quality and always available Telephone service. How does it Benefit Your Business? • Lowest Call Rates enabling you to keep in touch with both suppliers and customers. • Low monthly rentals, affordable for even the smallest of businesses. • Free maintenance
BROADBAND As soon as you start your business, you will need a Broadband Package from BTCL. BTCL Broadband allows you to connect multiple users to the Internet at one affordable price, and you can choose speeds from 0.5Mbps to 20Mbps. How does it Benefit Your Business? • Allows you to create email addresses for all employees. • Promptly respond to Requests for Quotations. • Send invoices to Customers immediately after completing a job. • Send large files over the internet seaminglessly. • Run online services such as Video Conferencing and Skype, which allows you to have meetings with Suppliers, business partners and Customers without leaving your office.
SMART OFFICE PABX Congratulations! Your business has grown. You are very busy with customer orders, and you have increased the number of your employees. In order to be more reachable, more responsive to your growing customer base, as well as more productive, you now need a Smart Office PABX. How does it Benefit Your Business? • No more busy tones: focus on what really matters in your business, whilst calls are promptly responded to by the right person. • Work anywhere: remain connected to the office at all times with calls that get forwarded to your mobile when you are out of the office. • Better cost control: with the Telephone Management System you can give passwords to each employee, review each employee’s call statistics, and ensure only business calls are made. • It grows with your business: buy only the functionality you need today and as your business grows you can add more features without the need to overhaul your current system.
DEDICATED INTERNET Your business has grown into a medium sized business, possibly with offices in a couple of towns across the country, your business needs are now more complex, you have suppliers in neighbouring countries and your clientele is more demanding – you now need a more reliable and dedicated internet connection. BTCL provides Leased Lines and Metro services for businesses who require dedicated bandwidth, with uncontended Bandwidth from 64Kbps to 1Gbps. How does it Benefit Your Business? • Dedicated (Not shared) and reliable internet access. • High speed internet connectivity. • Run business applications securely online. • Differentiated class of services to support delay sensitive and mission critical applications. • Static IP address allocated, enabling customers to run other value adds such as VOIP, and Managed Security.
sales@btc.bw
www.btc.bw
ww
The Botswana Gazette
SMME Supplement
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
BTCL SOLUTIONS FOR SMMES: ENABLING ENHANCED EFFICIENCIES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES
beMOBILE POSTPAID DATA PACKAGES
beMOBILE POSTPAID PACKAGES beMOBILE provides a range of Postpaid packages with call minutes, data and local sms included in one affordable monthly fee. At the start of the contract, a voucher will be given which would be redeemable for a cellphone of choice. How does it Benefit Your Business? • Constant, uninterrupted communication at a low monthly fee. • Flexible packages that you can upgrade as your business needs dictate.
ww.bemobile.co.bw
As a Business owner, the last thing you need is to be unable to send an email or miss a request for a quotation just because you are out of the office. The beMOBILE Postpaid Data Packages are an affordable way to stay connected, regardless of where your business takes you. Ranging from 110MB to 5GB, and the lowest prices in the market, there is a package to suit every business need. How does it Benefit Your Business? • Lowest priced packages means staying connected on-the-go is affordable. • A range of device packages are also available. • Mobile Router available so data can be shared by up to 10 users.
MOBILE OFFICE MANAGER (MOM) Your business is now a force to be reckoned with. You are dealing with orders every other minute, you have sales teams out visiting customers, technical teams doing site visits, and drivers out making deliveries. You want to keep your communication costs low but you need your employees to be in constant communication with each other. You need your MOM! How does it Benefit Your Business? • For a small monthly fee, you can get all your employees a beMOBILE line, with unlimited free calls to each other. • Absolute control over your business communication costs.
Customer Care Line 121
Page SMME 7
Page SMME 8
SMME Supplement
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
The Botswana Gazette
Why the SMME sector struggles to create jobs TLOTLO LEMMENYANE
B
otswana Aids Impact Survey BAIS IV 2013 reports that the country’s unemployment rate currently stands at 20 percent. Trading Economics, a research and analysis site, states that the number of people in Botswana actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labor force increased to 20 percent from 17.8 percent in 2010. It adds that in the 22 years between 1991 and 2013, the unemployment rate averaged 18.42 percent. Without question, unemployment is not unique to Botswana but one does however need to appreciate this phenomenon within the context of countries that are similar to it with regard to economic wellbeing and status. Another comparison that deserves mention is its unemployment rate against Southern African countries, a regional comparison.
Southern African countries
Unemployment rate (%)
Rank
Namibia Angola South Africa Botswana Mozambique Average unemployment rate
27.4 26 24.3 20 17
1 2 3 4 5
24.3 20 7.6
3 4 5
Source: Trading Economics. The world bank classifies upper-middle-income countries through their measure of total output of a country divided by the number of people in the country (GDP Per capita - ($4,036 to $12,475).
16.4
Source: Trading Economics The table above shows that the unemployment rates of all five countries are above the average unemployment rate, perhaps giving credence to the widespread challenge of unemployment in the region.
Upper-middle-income Unemployment rate Rank African countries (%)
Namibia Angola
South Africa Botswana Mauritius
27.4 26
1 2
While Botswana’s comparison against other countries gives a slight sense of comfort t, it however does not ease the distress that it is becoming increasingly difficult to create jobs in the country. The premise of this conclusion is the arduous task faced by the entrepreneurial sector, often exalted to have vast potential in creating jobs, but practically failing to deliver on the high expectation. An organizations such as the Local Enterprising Authority
(LEA) interacts intimately with entrepreneurs through mentorship thus putting it in a position to articulate the real and tangible challenges that they face. In a questionnaire sent to the organisation, LEA highlighted the obstacles that inhibit the entrepreneurial sector’s ability to create jobs. For example, the agricultural sector continues to suffer despite efforts to provide subsidies, showing very little return on investment. While this sector can create jobs, farmers on the other hand have to contend with accessing the adequate hectares of land required by some financial institutions to offer financing, which often exceed those allocated by Land boards. As if the sector isn’t grappling with enough, farmers also have to deal with disease outbreaks, high electricity connection fees and inflated input (fertilizers, pesticides) costs due to the lack of producers of these products locally. The situation as it is described makes it difficult for farmers to create meaningful jobs. Market challenges are to a large extent inherent in Botswana’s business environment given its small population. But to exacerbate the situation , producers find it excruciatingly difficult to penetrate the market because buyers demand low prices and consistent supply that exceeds their production capacity. Buyers also demand high quality goods which producers are not willing to offer because of the exorbitant cost that comes with adhering to such standards. Before entrepreneurs can make use and benefit from their planned profit making activities, they sometimes have to spend excess amounts on certain undertakings such as water and land surveys, valuation and architectural plans so as to obtain permits for their activities, which prove unaffordable to them. In recognition that financing plays an important role in the growth of small and medium businesses, such a role is soberly undermined by poor cash flow streams which consequently limit funding opportunities. The limited funding landscape exacerbates the restricted funding options available to small and medium businesses, especially since financial institutions often regard them as too risky.
Submersible Pump and Motors
Non Return Valve
Sluice Valve
Pipeline Couplings Bobbin Bearings
Drive Shafts
Various Bore-hole and Water Supply Fittings
DYNAMO INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD. Suppliers of all types of cleaning chemicals, Building and Plumbing, Office and School Stationery, all types of Construction activities, supply of water, sewage & Bore-hole equipments and Fittings. P.O Box 2568 | Gaborone | Botswana | Plot 21188 Unit 2C |Industrial West Tel: 350 0482 | Fax: 350 0483 | Cellphone: 713 065 72 | Email: apelekekae@yahoo.com
The Botswana Gazette
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
Insuring SME's for economic empowerment
One thing a significant number of startups and SMME's fail to ensure is that possible risks are covered for the successful running of their businesses.
SMME Supplement
D
espite the high number of failed SMME’s, a few successful ones have run the gauntlet and gone on to create substantial jobs and are contributing towards the country’s GDP. One thing a significant number of startups and SMME’s fail to ensure is that possible risks are covered for the successful running of their businesses. It is imperative for every business to have insurance as part of its business continuity plan, whether it is an SMME or a large corporation. Insurance is an indispensable necessity rather than a luxury but most small firms forego insurance cover in an attempt to cut costs. To ensure that startups and SMME’s succeed, business owners should have the necessary insurance cover in place. In January 2013, floods in Northern Botswana caused significant damage to certain lodges, resorts and camps resulting in an unfortunate negative impact for some businesses. BIC handed an interim payment of P 500 000 within ten days of flooding to one of the lodges in the area for business continuity. Those who did not have insurance have been set back years by the disaster and will be forced to finance their renovations using profits and loans. BIC offers insurance solutions that best suits startups and SMME’s needs. The following insurance covers are musthaves for SME’s: Workmen’s compensation The policy covers employees as it compensates them if they are injured or suffer a scheduled disease which results in disability or death whilst engaged in the work they have been employed to do. Fire insuranceThe policy covers damages to property, buildings and structures by fire, lightning or
Page SMME 9 thunderbolt, explosion and other natural hazards. Business InterruptionThe policy protects your business by settling the operating costs including wages in the event of a loss. It covers for any financial losses incurred as a result of an interruption to the business caused by an insured peril. The business owner would need to select the indemnity period, with options from 612 months, which is the maximum time expected to get the business back up and running at the level it was before the loss occurred. Theft insuranceCovers loss of or damage to all contents of any insured building at the insured premises as a result of theft. It insures business goods against robberies and burglaries. Public liability InsuranceIt covers your business against accidental loss or damages to third party property, or accidental death or bodily injury of any person while on a business owner’s premises. Motor cover Most small business owners use their personal vehicles for operations therefore it is imperative for them to get comprehensive motor cover. Small business owners cannot afford not to insure their vehicles especially if the business relies on transportation and delivery of goods. It is important to ensure that you are properly covered for your needs. As a client the last thing you want is being partially paid for a loss or for your claim to be rejected because of a certain clause. Visit BIC or one of our authorized Agents or Brokers to find out how your SME can benefit from the insurance covers they offer.
Page SMME 10
SMME Supplement
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
The Botswana Gazette
Outsourcing of non core services Steve Williams
C
oncentrating on ones core revenue streams is paramount to the survival and growth of a business in today’s economy. By focusing on what your business was established to achieve, it stands the greatest chance of succeeding above its competitors in your given field. One of the major hurdles in any business
is keeping expenses to a minimum while ensuring value for money. There are companies out there who specialize in providing the type of services that each of us needs in our offices. These services, like cleaning, security, IT support, electrical, plumbing and general maintenance to name a few, are key to ensuring our businesses run successfully, but the expense of retaining
staff proficient in each area and the equipment for them to use would prove too much for most of us. Outsourcing offers a totally professional solution for a fraction of the cost. Companies whose core skill is providing the service you need to enhance or maintain your business can provide this service at a lower cost to you because they are geared for it, they are
CLEANALL SERVICES
For all your cleaning needs
Services we provide; • Daily contract cleaning – Commercial and Industrial properties • Pre and post occupational cleans • Once off ‘Spring’ Cleaning • High window cleaning • High access cleaning and dusting • Cleaning of signboards and fascias • Carpet and upholstery cleaning and maintenance • Treatment, cleaning and maintenance of all floor types • Hygiene – Washroom sanitation and dispenser rentals • Supply of washroom consumables • Medical Waste management
For more information or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at: P.O. Box 505054, Gaborone. BOTSWANA Tel: 3912557 Fax: 3912564 E-‐mail: info@cleanall.co.bw
experienced and have many clients to help share the expenses and they should be aiming to impress as this is their core business. By outsourcing your needs to another company you are also outsourcing your HR issues. Not only do you not have to directly employ staff to do these jobs, but you also do not have to allocate valuable management time to monitor and control them. They are recruited, trained and managed for you. Their work is monitored and their supplies are replenished with little or no input from your side, and the job gets done to a level which far surpasses anything your own staff could have achieved for a much higher cost to you in time and resources. Outsourcing can look expensive but a proposal should cover many extra costs which may be overlooked at first glance and are of huge value to your business in the long run. Costs covered should include, Salary, leave and sick allowance for replacements, severance (gratuity), uniforms, safety equipment, the correct chemicals for your offices and a diverse range of expensive equipment which have been tried and tested and are built to last. Most quotes will also include insurance, both for the workers themselves and public liability insurance to protect you, your staff and the general public. There are also jobs which fall outside the scope of normal services which are to be done periodically but the expertise and equipment expense needs would prove them unattainable. By entering into an agreement with an outsourced service provider they are promising that their levels of service will remain the same for the duration of the contract for the agreed sum. If they have to replace non performing staff, broken machinery or consumables it will be at their cost not yours. They will use their expertise to spot issues and generally fix problems before they occur which saves them time and money. It is easier and cheaper to service a PC than to trouble shoot and repair one and easier to clean an office if every corner is done thoroughly and regularly according to a schedule. A successful outsourced contractor takes pride in their work and gives value for money far exceeding what you pay for their services. Don’t waste time and funds trying to manage all your business processes internally. Outsource and start saving money today.
The Botswana Gazette
Mini Company Academy; a ray of hope for youth startups LAME MALEFHO
I
t is no secret that many start-up companies struggle the most with funding for start up or cash flow continuity. Local business man Barolong Mouwane may just have the solution with his innovative venture, the Mini Company Academy. The academy caters for the young entrepreneur by giving opportunities to students who wish to get their businesses off the ground. The Mini Company dates back to April 2013 and is a business incubator designed for students and is hosted by a school. Barolong explains that the Mini Company, “is a ‘ learning by doing ’ entrepreneurship program, whereby the students following a curriculum get divided into groups, get seed money and form companies that they will run for more than three years. Each company will be under the supervision of a Mentor. And in regard to the mentor, the mentor would be a volunteering seasoned entrepreneur. To reinforce the program late last year the Mini-Company partnered with Barclays bank. The bank provides the program with mentors, in the fields of marketing, accounting, etc.” He adds that the best way to diversify the economy faster is by training entrepreneurs, something which the Mini Company Academy is doing. Barolong equips budding entrepreneurs with business skills that they will someday be able to use to run successful businesses. There are many differentiating aspects of the program, besides allowing students to gain practical and analytically intelligence at a tender age, what differentiates the Mini-Company r is that it provides an environment where students get to experiment and be engaged with their own developed ideas, and this alone enhances the learning experience as it adds to gaining creative intelligence, an intelligence which is important for entrepreneurs. The Mini Company has been hosted in Secondary schools since April 2013 and last year Barolong reveals they developed an entrepreneurship program for primary schools. The program has already started at Broadhurst primary school and they hope for it to be in three others schools before the end of this year. “I felt that it was important to expose them at an early age. There is a saying that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, and really waiting until they are out of school is too late. The purpose of the program at primary level is to give students a foundation that we can build upon when they come to secondary school. As of yet and with regards to entrepreneurship, government has not engaged at that tender age, yet it is the age where they are more impressionable and we have a greater control and a greater influence of who they ultimately become,” he says. As to how many start-up businesses have started under the company he says that, “There are quite a number of companies
Page SMME 11
SMME Supplement
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
Barolong equips budding entrepreneurs with business skills that they will someday be able to use to run successful businesses.
EST. 2003
that have been formed in the MiniCompany but the one that stands out is Sechaba prime, a company owned by seven students. It owns two of the school vending machines, hosts Fifa gaming expos, it has also just entered into a partnership with Cart City, and runs educational programs which they get paid for. On average they make a revenue of P1000 a day.” A company called Kency Construction Company, which is owned by Mr Mouwane is the sole sponsor of the programme, and has provided the programme with equipment worth more than P100 000 grants of up to P5000. It also sponsors Round Table dinners where the students g et t o i n t e r a c t w i t h e x p e r i e n c e d entrepreneurs.
Mont Catering & Refrigeration G-West Industrial Plot 14459 Kamushongo Road Tel: 391-8644 / 3900-121 Fax: 3900-126 Email: mcr@mont.co.bw mcrsales@mont.co.bw Website: www.mont.co.bw
C AT E R I N G A N D R E F R I G E R AT I O N
Always Ahead for You Trading Hrs: Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm Saturday: 8am to 1pm
SPECIAL VALID FROM 24TH OF FEBRUARY TO 20TH MARCH WHILE STOCK LAST AIR CONDITIONING * REFRIGERATION SOFT DRAWN COPPER PIPE R22½ = P399.00 R22 ¼’’ = P162.00 R22 ¾’’ = P684.00 R22 3/8’’ = P251.00 R410 ½’’ = P495.00 R410 ¼’’ = P226.00 R410 ¾’’ = P776.00 R410 3/8’’ = P364.00 MIDEA NEOLA SPLIT AIR CON 12000BTU R410 refrigerant better environmental credentials. Heating + cooling Energy saving efficiency. P3800.00 Deluxe edition
HOLDING FREEZER ROOM 2.4MX2.4MX2.4MX100MM
WATER DISPENSER + BOTTLE Compressor Cooled 2lt cold water per hour Drip Tray *With mini fridge P1600.00
COPELAND COMPRESSOR 3.7HP LPB 380VOLTS LT P4500.00
BAKERY * BUTCHERY
EXCLUDING INSTALLATION, PIPING & ELECTRICAL HD
P46 500.00
WATER FOUNTAIN Stainless steel P7999.99
COPELAND COMPRESSOR 1.6HP LPB 230VOLTS LT P4000.00
BUTCHER KNIFE BCE (RED) P190.00
MEAT DISPLAY FRIDGE 2.4M P20 500.00
SAUSAGE FILLER 10LTR MANUAL P4900.00
ROTARY 120 LOAF OVEN Price instore (Special Order) DOWN LIGHT CFL 2X7WATTS SIDE ENTRY P190.00
ELECTRICAL * CATERING CHIP BAGGING SCOOP P75.00
CHIP FRYER T/TOP 2X5LITRE VISION Double pan P1600.00
SCOTSMAN ICE CUBE MACHINE 71KG P24 250.00
CASEROLE ALUMINIUM POT 60LTR P1799.99 FLOOD LIGHT OUTDOOR 2/2 DOWN CAST P360.00 FOOD WARMER 6 DIV STRAIGHT GLASS P11 400.00
INDUSTRIAL POTATO PEELER 12KG P10 800.00 E & O.E, T & Cs Apply Pictures are for illustration only * Prices inclusive of 12% VAT
LED LIGHT FITTING WITH HOLDER + 6WATT BULB LED FITTING WHITE– P14.00 BULB (SCREW /PIN) – P88.00
JUICE DISPENSER 3 BOWL SUMMIT BCE P13 999.99
Page SMME 12
SMME Supplement
Wednesday 25 February - 03 March 2015
The Botswana Gazette
Securing your business GOSEGO MOTSUMI
D
oing business is not without risk, as companies have to ensure that they have adequate security measures in place and kept updated on new security threats that are constantly emerging. Small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) just like all the other businesses need to secure and protect their company assets, property and all who work for the business. According to Kamohelo Lijani of Waygard Security, securing your business
brings a sense of safety within the business premises and it inspires confidence and a sense of security in employees and customers alike. “Secure business premises give the business owner peace of mind outside of business hours. As well as for insurance purposes, having a secure business lowers insurance premiums and is a pre-requisite for most business insurance applications,” he said. He went on to say, “SMME businesses have to deal with the reality that thefts
Businesses that are unsecured are at a greater risk of break-ins and robberies. These businesses are also at risk of vandalism and malicious damage to property.
Tel: 3912003 Fax: 3913034 Physical Adress: Plot 5630, Nakedi Road, Broadhurst Industrial Postal Adress: P.O Box 1320, Gaborone Botswana
SERVICES:
Alarms (installation and Monitoring), Security Guards, VIP Protection/ Escorts, Dog Services, Risk Assessments, Training, Consultancy Services, Cash In Transit ( To Be Launched Soon)
and other crimes can occur on business premises. Some businesses, such as convenience stores, banks and retail stores, may be more of a target for criminals and petty thieves than other types, but a wide variety of businesses choose to hire security guards. Guards can be used to prevent crime, maintain security, and assist customers and employees.” Lijani said businesses that are unsecured are at a greater risk of break-ins and robberies. “These businesses are also at risk of vandalism and malicious damage to property. Clients and employees are also placed at risk of muggings and having their vehicles broken into. It results in lack of control of unauthorised movement of people on business premises. In short, an unsecured business becomes an unsafe and at times dangerous place for people, property and belongings. In this day and age, it is highly unreasonable to operate a business without security,” he added.
About Waygard Security and clients? Waygard Security is a private security business in Botswana. It was established and incorporated in 1975 by Mr. Peterson Bothongo as the first private security company in the country. It has grown significantly over the years and has 6 branches nationwide including the head office in Gaborone, and branches in Lobatse, Palapye, Francistown, SelebiPhikwe, and Kasane. They have satellite stations in Jwaneng, Maun, Serowe and Shoshong. Waygard provides various services/ products; physical security, dog services, training and consultancy, Cash-In-Transit operations, Dog Handling and Guard Task Force (Private Investigations) as well as customer service. During the last few years the company has shown its competitiveness in the industry by becoming one of the largest Security organizations in Botswana. As such they take pride in their growing and recognised client list that includes BAMB, Gabcon, Air Liquide, Botswana Vaccine Institute and BIDPA to name a few. Waygard Security services Currently Waygard provides SMMEs with physical security, guard monitoring (day and night), dog services and training and consultancy services. Due to growth of competition in the industry, Waygard is looking into providing SMMEs with other services/products such as alarm monitoring and response and Cash-InTransit, which they will launch in the near future. Other products which are in the pipeline are motion detecting CCTV cameras with Wi-Fi connectivity for off-site monitoring, security smoke screen to limit intruder vision in case of break-ins.