Tips on ways to prepare small business JMPD Officers Admired For Selfless Commitment To Public Safety!

Nomasonto

If you have a flat tyre on a busy highway, you never know who will rush to your aid. For Bayi Malebane, it was two JMPD officers who pulled over to assist.

"Seeing acts of kindness and compassion from law enforcement personnel is heart-warming," says Malebane, who was stalled on the side of the N1 motorway with a young child when JMPD Officers came to aid.

Inspector Daniel Tshimbudzi and Officer Charles Letswalo of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) went above and beyond the call of duty to assist Malebane in changing a tyre after she and her 6-monthold daughter became stranded on the side of the busy N1 motorway.

Malebane was stranded on the motorway after her automobile developed a flat tyre.

"The place I was stuck in is known to be risky and unsafe, and I was worried because the car insurance company was taking their time arriving," Malebane explains.

On a busy road like the N1, roadside assistance can be difficult to come by. Malebane, on the other hand, received it when she least anticipated. She says Inspector Tshimbudzi and Officer Letswalo acted with exceptional profes- sionalism and empathy in assisting her when she was in need, particularly in a potentially dangerous circumstance.

Their acts not only assisted Malebane and her daughter in resuming their journey safely, but also restored her trust in humanity and the JMPD.

This is an excellent illustration of how a tiny act of kindness can have a significant impact on someone's life.

"We should always be grateful for our law enforcement officers who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve and protect their communities," Malebane adds.

She notes that the JMPD Officer’s selflessness and dedication to public safety are truly admirable, and that every Joburger should continue to support them in their important work.

"I am grateful to the two officers for taking their time and assisting me because I didn't have much of a plan. I was so relieved when I saw them approaching," Malebane says.

In our previous edition, we published the heroic acts of JMPD officer Sgt. Connie Nkuna who helped a woman deliver a baby on the busy streets of Northcliff. We at Inner-City Gazette thank the officers for going beyond the call of duty and having Ubuntu!

Johannesburg – Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited general manager David Morobe has provided tips on how to get ready to face 2023 with renewed determination in business.

He says in the post-pandemic world, good customer service can make or break a business, due to the hyper-competitive nature of the current small and medium enterprise (SME) landscape.

“Customer experience has therefore been identified as one of the key ways that SMEs can set themselves apart in today’s marketplace. Take this time to examine whether your customer experience is optimised in a way that nurtures a sale, from the beginning to the end of the sales journey, and that you make a lasting impression. When customers have a positive experience they will be more likely to provide your business a positive review, share their experience with others and return for a repeat sale. The cost of upselling to an existing customer is less than on-boarding a new one, so focus on building a loyal customer base in the years to come,” Morobe says.

Weaknesses will be anything that is currently standing in the way of your growth and could include factors such as an inefficient sales or invoicing process, outdated digital systems or poor team spirit.

“Opportunities are external factors and can include any gap in the market or well-timed marketing tactic that you could take proactively to grow your business. Threats are also regarded as external factors and will include any aspects that may be standing in the way of expanding your business. These could include more stringent regulations, rising material costs and changing consumer demands,” he says.

He adds that in the retail industry for example, more small businesses are finding ways to adapt to the global call for sustainable production and distribution.

“With changing consumer demands, ensuring that your operations are cleaner and greener may very well be what you need to get ahead of your competitors in the new year. Another one of the most prominent trends in retail has been the move towards more efficiency and accessibility in the mobile payments space. This year it may make sense for you to invest in a payment app, a digital wallet system, a buy-now-paylater option or a QR code payment system to add a new level of convenience to your offering, with the main aim of keeping your cash flow looking healthy,” he says.

He adds that one of the first things to master as an entrepreneur is how to write a detailed business plan.

“You may do this to keep written detail of future plans, on-board a business partner, apply for business funding or pitch your idea to a potential investor. But your business plan should not be left to stagnate once you have achieved your end goal. As you wind down operations at the end of the year, look back at your business plan and review your strategy and goals, assess whether your forecasting has been accurate, make adjustments for market fluctuations, find ways to maximise your bottom-line and keep an eye out for any over-spending,” Morobe says.