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Top Tips On How To be More Professional.
1. Company Policies & Rules
Beyond legal compliance rules, a range of documents covers professional conduct at work (e.g. A company handbook, an ethnic code ,an induction pack , and disciplinary and grievance procedures. clarify a company's expectations of its employees and even third parties (eg suppliers or customers),Detailing what behaviour is and isn't acceptable and what will happen if rules are broken .
2.Appearance, word and deeds
Pay attention to your external appearance, from office interior, exterior, company signage ,company logo, what you say and what you do .Comply with your firms's dress code, CODE OF CONDUCT AND CODE OF ETHICS
3.Become an asset to the Team
Pay Attention in your department meetings and stay on top of company information by reading company memos. Colleagues will start recognising you as an asset and respect your professional approach .Show that you engaged by responding appropriately not by hitting reply all on every message.
4.Treat others with Courtesy and respect
Be aware that your language and behaviour reflect on your company as whole , for good or bad. When interacting with colleagues and other stakeholders, listen to what they say ,be supportive of colleagues .
In starting a business one needs to take the leap and turn that fantastic idea into a flourishing business – or your startup into something bigger? Here’s what you need to know and who you need to get in touch with about small business funding in South Africa
Government Funding.
Grants : grants are awarded in percentages .A 100% grant means no repayment, whereas a lower percentage grant requires the remaining balance to be repaid by the grant.
Incentives :To encourage economics growth incentives such as tax advantages can be made use of after profit has been generated .This includes tax incentives for example.
Equity Funding :The Government acts as an investor and provides funding in return for a shareholding percentage in your business
Depending on your industry and type of business, you may qualify for funding from the following government sources:
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
The DTI is responsible for promoting trade, consumer protection, Black Economic Empowerment, and commercial and industrial policy, among other things.
The DTI currently offers funding, grants and incentives via the following avenues:
- The Small Enterprise Finance Agency
- The Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS)
- The Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP)
- SEDA Technology Programme (STP)
- Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII)
- Agro-Processing Support Scheme (APSS)
- Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme (EMIA)
- R&D Tax Incentive
The Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS)
Managed by the Industrial Development Corporation, the BIS is a grant that can be obtained by black entrepreneurs, on the basis that co-funding has already been obtained.
A fund specially developed to support green initiatives.
A National Empowerment Fund (NEF) Initiative, this fund is specifically aimed at supporting black entrepreneurs and communities in the tourism industry.
This fund is for emerging SMEs experiencing growth to the point where permanent jobs will be created. You will have to meet certain criteria to qualify for grant funding.
Technology Innovation Seed Fund
You can apply for grant funding of up to R1 million to improve research, develop prototypes and concepts that can be used for further business development.
National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)
If your business involves any form of youth development or upliftment, you can apply for NYDA funding programmes.
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
The IDC provides funding to specified sectors including basic and specialty chemicals, agro-processing and agriculture, clothing and textiles, and heavy manufacturing
National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and NEF Women Fund
NEF provides support and funding to black-owned, and female-owned businesses.
Crowdfunding
Instead of approaching one large entity such as a bank or a single investor, crowdfunding involves trying to raise small amounts of money from a large number of people.
Crowdfunding can be very successful, especially if entrepreneurs share their business plans, pitches and progress via social media to spread awareness.
A few popular crowdfunding sites suitable for the South African context include:
- Thundafund
- Backabuddy
- Uprise.Africa (Equity crowdfunding platform)
- GoGetFunding
Angel investing
Angel investing is when high-earning or affluent investors back small businesses. Often this kind of investment happens during a phase when the ventures don’t qualify for other forms of traditional funding.
Angel funding often takes place in exchange for shares or equity; or there will be a repayment agreement involved.
Pitch your idea on a hosting site such as the Angel Investment Network, or make direct contact with anyone on this list of South African angel investors.
Business incubators
Incubators are specialists in developing and accelerating small businesses with potential to scale.
They may provide startup capital and/or other resources, such as office space, management training and financial and marketing advice.
Consult this list of South African incubators if you think this could be beneficial for your business.
Bank loans
All major banks in South Africa offer business loans.
Business bank loans involve a lot of administration and paperwork, and you have to meet a long list of minimum criteria to qualify.
However, they provide a more affordable form of business funding than alternative lenders.
As a bonus, some banks will help you set up and register a company.
What we offer at The Workspace
At The Workspace, we don’t offer funding – but we can save your small or medium business time and money!
We offer affordable, fully serviced offices and coworking, and all our members have access to meeting rooms, boardrooms and a range of on-site business services.
That means you can avoid many of the setup and running costs associated with traditional office space. Simply move in and start running your business..
Business plan offers a non partisan policy roadmap to create a roodmap to create a more inclusive economy by building a prepared workforce and concentrating on entrepreneur focused economic development .The four part plan focuses on creating new , good jobs and rebuilding an economy that works for everyone ,with practical and achievable idea that can be implemented starting now.
The specific policies outlined in this plan are aimed at helping local government close gaps based on race ,gender, and geography while increasing opportunity for all and growing the economy