Building Globally Competitive Businesses
Introduction
Most entrepreneurs would agree that building a business is hard and building a globally competitive business is even harder. This is true, for a number of reasons, but amongst the top reasons are the following:
- Starting and growing a business requires more than just a passion or desire to be an entrepreneur. It requires patience, determination, grit and never giving up.
- The global economy is rapidly changing, due in part to technological changes, but also economic and political changes. The world has become such an integrated whole that what happens in one country affects another.
South Africa does not exist in isolation, and businesses in South Africa, no matter the size, are not immune to these challenges. Much is needed in order to make sure that businesses, particularly small businesses in South Africa, are supported and capacitated for global competitiveness. Fortunately, thanks to the increasing ease and affordability of selling online, small-business owners can compete with larger businesses for customers around the globe. The increased increase to the internet, myriad online payment systems, and low-cost shipping services have levelled the selling playing field for small businesses worldwide. A well-designed website coupled with search engine optimization strategies means customers from around the world can see what your company is capable of doing.
South Africa has set itself a massive development goal in the 2030 National Development Plan. In the plan, the support for small and medium enterprises remains the focal point for employment creation and growing the economy as can be evidence by the statement below;
“Support for small businesses through better coordination of relevant agencies, development finance institutions, and public and private incubators.”
In response to this, and with its intention to play an active role in the development of small and medium businesses in host communities, Seriti is once again open for applications for its highly anticipated and eagerly awaited Seriti SiReady Supplier Development Programme.
The Seriti SiReady Supplier Development programme has been built with you, the SMME in mind. Growing your business in 2023 will require continued effort, the appetite to pivot where warranted and a gear change from “surviving COVID” to “thriving post COVID”. Secondly, we know that being an entrepreneur can be quite lonely at times, and the vision of the business can sometimes be carried and understood only by you. The benefits of the programme includes leveraging mentors and coaches to work with you, hand in glove, to assist you to build a competitive business.
Participants of the programme can expect to be assisted with the likes of personalised mentorship and coaching, POPI compliance, branding and corporate identity, digital marketing, operational tools, and resources, OHSA etc.
The benefits for your company include, but not limited to the following:
Tailored diagnostic assessment and business growth plan
Personalised mentorship and coaching, with a dedicated business advisor.
Provision of tools and resources to help you systematise, and better manage your business.
Expert support on building or revamping your business’ corporate identity in order to build better relations with your customers.
- Must have been in operation for atleast one year
- Be a registered Seriti supplier
- Have a valid contract/ SLA with Seriti
- Operate in and around Seriti’s operations
- Revenue between R0- R50 million per annum
In order to qualify to apply for the programme, the SMMEs must meet the following criteria:
- Must have been in operation for atleast one year
- Be a registered Seriti supplier
- Have a valid contract/ SLA with Seriti
- Operate in and around Seriti’s operations
- Revenue between R0- R50 million per annum
Issued by: Zevoli Growth Partners
Frequently Asked Questions
Enterprise Development (ED) and Supplier Development (SD) are two of three sub-elements of the ESD scorecard element, one of the three priority elements of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) scorecard. The aim of SD is to strengthen local procurement, enhance local supplier development programmes and increase financial support towards qualifying black small businesses.
Exempted Micro-Enterprises (R10million and less annual revenue) and Qualifying Small Enterprises (annual revenue of between R10 million and R50 million) which are at least 51% black owned or at least 51% black women owned utilising the flow through principle.
Generic entities (generates annual revenue of R50 million and above) also qualify as beneficiaries of enterprise and supplier development, provided that they qualified as an EME or QSE when they were initially identified for the enterprise and supplier development support at the first instance. Further, a measured entity is only allowed to recognise a generic entity as a beneficiary for only 5 years, and not beyond
The Seriti SiReady Supplier Development Programme is aimed at strengthening the performance of qualifying suppliers by enabling them to acquire the skills and capabilities required to improve their competitiveness and sustainability for the mutual benefit of both Seriti and the supplier.
Generic entities (generates annual revenue of R50 million and above) also qualify as beneficiaries of enterprise and supplier development, provided that they qualified as an EME or QSE when they were initially identified for the enterprise and supplier development support at the first instance. Further, a measured entity is only allowed to recognise a generic entity as a beneficiary for only 5 years, and not beyond
The following support will be provided during the SiReady programme, based on each supplier’s need as informed by their individual diagnostic assessment:
- Business mentorship
- Technical mentorship
- Learning and development
- POPI compliance
- Corporate identity update
- Introduction to digital marketing
- Industry specific compliance, namely:
- COIDA
- OHSA / SHEQ
- Operational tools and resources, namely:
- Financial management and payroll
- Project management
Generic entities (generates annual revenue of R50 million and above) also qualify as beneficiaries of enterprise and supplier development, provided that they qualified as an EME or QSE when they were initially identified for the enterprise and supplier development support at the first instance. Further, a measured entity is only allowed to recognise a generic entity as a beneficiary for only 5 years, and not beyond
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The aim of the SiReady programme is to drive and/or improve:
- Supplier performance
- Supplier relationships
- Job creation
- Quality of service
- Business alignment
In addition to the above, the programme top performers are rewarded with brand promotion activities in the form of case studies that are published across various platforms, including Seriti’s and Zevoli’s websites and social media as well as other digital and print publications.
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The supplier must meet the following criteria:
- Registered at CIPC as a legal entity
- Tax registered and compliant
- Have at least 51% black ownership
- Have been in operation for atleast one year
- Be a registered Seriti supplier
- Have an active, valid contract/SLA with Seriti
- Operate in and around Seriti’s operations
Revenue of less than R50 million per annum
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The duration and the programme is unique to the development needs of each programme participants. However, development support is provided for a period of up to 18 months.
The development period will be determined by each participant’s unique development gaps, duration and level of effort required to close them.
Each programme participants exit criteria is therefore informed by their ability to meet the agreed milestones and Key Performance Indicators within a period of no longer than 18 months.
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The programme adopts a hybrid approach, with some elements requiring in person interactions and others being fulfilled virtually. Once the programme participants are onboarded a programme induction session will be scheduled to provide more detail on the where and how the programme will be implemented.
The application process will be communicated after the programme briefing session, which is scheduled to take place 24 January 2023. Dates will be confirmed.
- Bank confirmation letter
- B-BBEE affidavit/ certificate
- Business profile
- CIPC registration
- Proof of contract with Seriti
Directors CV(s)
Directors ID(s) - 2 Trade references
- Valid TCC or Pin
- Applications will open on the 23 January 2023 and close on the 16 February 2023
Yes, specifically EMEs and QSEs which are at least 51% black owned or at least 51% black women owned utilising the flow through principle.
The Process is as follows:
- Step 1: Attend programme briefing session
- Step 2: Complete online application form and provide all required supporting documents
- Step 3: Attend interview with adjudication panel
The application, screening and selection process adopts a multi-tier shortlisted and adjudication process that all applications go through. The adjudication team is made up external business advisors and internal business representatives
All applicants will be notified of the outcomes of the within five working days of completing the final screening and selection tier
The programme will start within one month of being notified of a successful outcome of your application.
The programme schedule will be communicated at the programme participant induction and onboarding session. It will also be enclosed in the Enterprise and Supplier Development agreement, signed by all successful participants, which guides on start dates and other relevant information.
All enquiries can be sent to:
The title of your email should state “Seriti SD Programme: 2023 application?