Showing posts with label information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label information. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
SMEs - are government hindering or helping?
SMEs in South Africa will find that they are in a bitter sweet situation here in South Africa.
Against government:
1. Rabid unions
2. SME insensitive bargaining councils
3. Poor government marketing of what they really do offer SMEs
4. Poor payment
5. Regulatory overload and red tape
6. Rigid labour markets
7. Slow decision making and implementation
8. An inactive Presidential SME Council that fails because of political appointees
9. BEE legislation that helps no one.
10. Too much stick and not enough carrot. Make the Nats look open minded.
For government
1. Massive amounts of capital
2. Numerous interventions to assist SMEs
3. A desire to help
The problem is that on balance I believe the overall impact is negative, but could easily be swung around if there was a political will to do so. If SMEs are so important, who is more valuable to the government? SMEs or the unions? I believe the SMEs are.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
SMEs in South Africa - a big opportunity
Last week we looked at one of the biggest obstacles to SME development in South Africa. This week we look at some of the big opportunities available to SMEs in South Africa.
One of these opportunities are the government funded activities such as marketing assistance. The government funds many interventions which have been shown to be of enormous financial benefit to the SME. To get a handle on these, go to the DTI website at http://www.thedti.gov.za and spend some time reviewing all the opportunities available to you for accessing government funding to help your business. You have to work at this as government itself markets these amazing opportunities very poorly.
Another opportunity is the broad base of useful information and research available from South African universities, South African Department of Statistics, SARS and the DTI. Look at their websites and the university libraries to identify information useful to you and your business. Remember that knowledge is power, and therefore you need to gain as much useful and current information as is possible. Look particularly through dissertations prepared at the local university as it is normally research based upon local businesses.
One of these opportunities are the government funded activities such as marketing assistance. The government funds many interventions which have been shown to be of enormous financial benefit to the SME. To get a handle on these, go to the DTI website at http://www.thedti.gov.za and spend some time reviewing all the opportunities available to you for accessing government funding to help your business. You have to work at this as government itself markets these amazing opportunities very poorly.
Another opportunity is the broad base of useful information and research available from South African universities, South African Department of Statistics, SARS and the DTI. Look at their websites and the university libraries to identify information useful to you and your business. Remember that knowledge is power, and therefore you need to gain as much useful and current information as is possible. Look particularly through dissertations prepared at the local university as it is normally research based upon local businesses.
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