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National footprint for “start-up” consultancy
Posted on: Wednesday, 29 June 2005. Article source: Weekend Post
The business of helping businesses start up and grow is the life mission of Selwyn Schrieff of SMME Specialists.
Established in 2000, this small company has steadily been building its profile and proficiency at accessing funding for small businesses.
And such is its reputation that Schrieff has embarked on an expansion drive to establish a national footprint by identifying and empowering licensees around the country.
He has also recently appointed Abraham Ndlovu as general manager to oversee the office and network of licensees.
“My ultimate aim is to take it to Africa,” said Schrieff this week. “Nothing is happening there to help small businesses.”
He has already awarded 13 out of an identified 18 licences, with only KwaZulu Natal and Free State still outstanding.
He explains that the need to extend his network was identified after receiving a number of calls for help from companies as far afield as Johannesburg.
“We could have expanded on a branch basis, but the cost would have been horrendous,” he says.
Instead he has decided on the licensee approach, packaging the company’s intellectual property into an information and processes pack.
He said the process has gone extremely well, with a large number of responses received from interested parties.
The group of licensees gathered in George recently for a four-day training seminar.
“The crux is to replicate exactly what we do here,” says Schrieff.
He will initially keep a tight rein on the quality of the work done, with all proposals to be cleared through the Port Elizabeth office.
He is also embarking on an ongoing site-visit programme to ensure that all his licences are operating efficiently.
He says the success of the business lies in producing quality work that aims to maximise results. And this he appears to have achieved, averaging an 80 per cent success rate with applications for funding.
He says the national average is closer to 30 per cent.
Banks are not the easiest organisations to work with, he says, because of the way they are structured, which minimises a personal touch and experience of industry. “So you have to write the proposal properly to motivate it.”
He explains that he asks one simple question in evaluating a business proposal: “If I had money, would I put it into that business?” If the answer is “no” he declines assistance.
“You have to look at the viability and sustainability of the business. We can’t have a negative track record.
The wide array of companies he has assisted, bears testimony to this. The list includes a cocktail bar, abattoir and butchery, an artificial marble producer, paint and hardware store, engineering business, repair shop, clothing factory and a ceramics business.
Established in 2000, this small company has steadily been building its profile and proficiency at accessing funding for small businesses.
And such is its reputation that Schrieff has embarked on an expansion drive to establish a national footprint by identifying and empowering licensees around the country.
He has also recently appointed Abraham Ndlovu as general manager to oversee the office and network of licensees.
“My ultimate aim is to take it to Africa,” said Schrieff this week. “Nothing is happening there to help small businesses.”
He has already awarded 13 out of an identified 18 licences, with only KwaZulu Natal and Free State still outstanding.
He explains that the need to extend his network was identified after receiving a number of calls for help from companies as far afield as Johannesburg.
“We could have expanded on a branch basis, but the cost would have been horrendous,” he says.
Instead he has decided on the licensee approach, packaging the company’s intellectual property into an information and processes pack.
He said the process has gone extremely well, with a large number of responses received from interested parties.
The group of licensees gathered in George recently for a four-day training seminar.
“The crux is to replicate exactly what we do here,” says Schrieff.
He will initially keep a tight rein on the quality of the work done, with all proposals to be cleared through the Port Elizabeth office.
He is also embarking on an ongoing site-visit programme to ensure that all his licences are operating efficiently.
He says the success of the business lies in producing quality work that aims to maximise results. And this he appears to have achieved, averaging an 80 per cent success rate with applications for funding.
He says the national average is closer to 30 per cent.
Banks are not the easiest organisations to work with, he says, because of the way they are structured, which minimises a personal touch and experience of industry. “So you have to write the proposal properly to motivate it.”
He explains that he asks one simple question in evaluating a business proposal: “If I had money, would I put it into that business?” If the answer is “no” he declines assistance.
“You have to look at the viability and sustainability of the business. We can’t have a negative track record.
The wide array of companies he has assisted, bears testimony to this. The list includes a cocktail bar, abattoir and butchery, an artificial marble producer, paint and hardware store, engineering business, repair shop, clothing factory and a ceramics business.
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