Small Business Conversations

Black Friday kicks off festive season sales boom

The November month-end sales bonanza may be over, but David Adams of Payfast advises small businesses to diversify their payment methods and product offerings to increase their appeal to overstretched consumers going into the Christmas and back-to-school promotional periods.

29 Nov 11PM 17 min

Nedbank Hackathon targets financial inclusion for SMEs

Small Business Conversations with Akhona Matshoba offers a fresh take on critical conversations that impact South Africa’s small business sector. This weekly podcast offers interviews with ground-breaking entrepreneurs and industry experts, extracting the gems they have to offer to those wanting to take their businesses forward.

22 Nov 11PM 17 min

Business despondent over SA's prospects

Although there are some glimmers of hope, the upcoming elections could further hurt optimism if they exacerbate political instability. Omar Hassan of SNG Grant Thornton breaks down its latest research and explains the nuances of mid-market businesses operating in SA.

15 Nov 11PM 23 min

SMEs: Seize your slice of the R26bn Black Friday pie

Strategies for small businesses in a cash-conscious market from Gerhard le Roux, Capital Connect

8 Nov 11PM 14 min

Govt must be future-focused with Airbnb regulation – TBCSA CEO

For Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa of TBCSA the regulation of sharing platforms like Airbnb will open the floodgates for calls for an industry-wide approach to regulation – roping BnBs and hotels into the discussion. So government must also consider how it plans to enforce regulation of this magnitude fairly, he says.

2 Nov 12AM 18 min

Amazon is coming … here's how to get ahead

Ahmore Burger-Smidt from Werksmans Attorneys walks us through the important considerations for SMEs looking to trade via the Amazon marketplace.

26 Oct 12AM 15 min

Municipal dysfunction holding SMEs ransom: report

The Small Business Institute's latest research details the cost of municipal dysfunction on small businesses, and CEO John Dludlu helps contextualise the data to reflect the real-time consequences for SMEs tasked with navigating the chaos.

19 Oct 12AM 25 min

Could franchising be for you?

The 2023 Franchise Survey shows an improved picture of the industry – and as Fred Makgato, CEO of the Franchise Association of South Africa (Fasa), explains, the supportive ecosystem offered by the franchise model can foster better growth for SMEs.

12 Oct 12PM 23 min

Global markets a better prospect for small SA firm

Maboang Matlou, founder of agri-processing business Lefakong Moringa, says the company is venturing into Botswana, Dubai, and the US to sell its products as local retail shelves are dominated by big brands.

5 Oct 12AM 18 min

SA ripe for festive season pop-up market bonanza

Sihlesenkosi Majola of Popping, a South African start-up connecting small businesses to booming retail markets nearby, says the pop-up market arena is still in great demand for SMEs looking to connect with their customer base.

28 Sep 12AM 19 min

SA's growing organic industry awaiting consumer embrace

Warren Hickenbotham, co-organiser of the Organic and Natural Products Expo, says SMEs in the industry need to focus on consumer-faced marketing to boost growth.

21 Sep 12AM 17 min

ChatSME: Now you can let AI deal with the admin

Erin Louw of Retail Capital explains how its generative artificial intelligence offering ChatSME can help take care of the basics when it comes to running a business, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on the important part – innovation.

14 Sep 12AM 18 min

SA startup Green Scooter changing the local EV landscape

But Green Scooter CEO Fezile Dhlamini says there's still a long way to go before EVs are in every home because of South Africa's inadequate infrastructure.

7 Sep 12AM 14 min

PO crowdfunding helping hard-up SMEs' cashflows

Crowdfunding platform The People’s Fund looks to raise R200m to plug the capital funding gap for entrepreneurs doing business with government and corporations, one purchase order at a time.

31 Aug 12AM 20 min

Downsizing your SME: Crucial factors you can't afford to ignore

Palesa Mabasa of FNB's SME Funding division explains how downsizing your business can be a helpful tool, not only for preventing liquidations in times of trouble but for managing growth when your business is growing too quickly.

24 Aug 12AM 15 min

SME success: It's all about who you know

Heavy Chef’s Louis Janse van Rensburg shares findings from the latest Entrepreneur Networks Report, which suggests that strong entrepreneur networks can be as vital as access to funding and resources.

17 Aug 12AM 16 min

Transformation is good business – bpSA CEO

Taelo Mojapelo, the boss of bp Southern Africa, and Mxolisi Matshamba the CEO of the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) speak about their partnership to fund black-owned businesses wanting to enter the multi-billion-rand fuel retail industry.

10 Aug 12AM 23 min

Marketing 101 for small business owners

Bernard Jansen of Firejuice shares tips on developing a strong, cost-effective marketing strategy for SMEs.

3 Aug 12AM 19 min

Entrepreneurial opportunities in tourism

Fedhasa chair Rosemary Anderson highlights areas that can be explored, discusses the association’s recently launched incubator programme, and explains why the tourism economy needs the boost the digital nomad visa can provide.

27 Jul 12AM 24 min

SME savings: The power of pennies in the piggy bank

Business Partners Limited's Arnold February explains why saving not only supports liquidity within a small business but also promotes it.

20 Jul 12AM 17 min