Gugu Mjadu Successfully building a client base: Advice for start-up, young entrepreneurs Attracting and retaining clientele is an integral part of running a successful business – irrespective of its industry, structure or size. Although a challenging feat for all entrepreneurs, this can be particularly trying for young entrepreneurs, who have not had the privilege of building up a network of business contacts and potential clients over a number of years. This is according to Gugu Mjadu, spokesperson for the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS , who says that young entrepreneurs are often so focussed on the novelty of establishing their own business venture that they forget the importance of securing an initial customer base. “Regardless of how innovative or necessary a new product or service may be, clients are ultimately the deciding factor in whether or not a business venture will be a success,” she says.  Mjadu explains tha...

SA’S PREMIER ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETITION OPEN FOR ENTRIES 2015 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition launches  Nazeem Martin South African entrepreneurs rarely receive the acknowledgement they truly deserve, and should be praised for the role they play in the creation of jobs and economic development in the country. This is according to Nazeem Martin, managing director of Business Partners Limited , who was speaking in light of the 2015 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition launch which took place in Johannesburg today. Now in its 27th year, the pre-eminent entrepreneurial platform continues to pay tribute to the fearless entrepreneurs who remain dedicated to not only fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in the country, but also to their business and staff.  Martin says that considering South Africa’s unemployment rate is at 25% and that it was recently announced that South Africa will have the 8th highest ...