SELECTING THE RIGHT FRANCHISE OPTION FOR YOU Richard Mukheibir The franchise sector in South Africa continues to grow and thrive despite testing economic conditions. This thriving and growing sector, comprising 668 franchised systems, with just over 30 000 franchised outlets and 17 franchise business sectors, is a significant employer of manpower employing more than 300 000 people nationally. For those wanting to enter the sector the big question to address is what industry would suit them best? Richard Mukheibir, CEO of Cash Converters says there are so many options to choose from and sometimes informative events such as expos tend to be more overwhelming than helpful. He says there are very distinct differentiators between a retail franchise for example like Cash Converters and a fast food franchise.  “Take for example the number of hours you are happy to dedicate to the project. Fast Food franchises often require dedicated long hours and if you are not prepared to pu...

Bronwyn Oliveira Franchising: a natural fit for any female entrepreneur  For up and coming female entrepreneurs striving to make their mark in the highly competitive business world, franchising is an enticing prospect. Due to its supportive nature, which provides the basic tools to make the business a success, the industry has notably demonstrated remarkable growth amongst female ownership in recent years, proving that franchising is a viable business option for all talented entrepreneurs. Bronwyn Oliveira, Divisional Marketing Manager for The Fish & Chip Co. shares more on the franchising model and how women are thriving in this industry. Following the 2012 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Women’s Report, it is refreshing to see that an estimated 126 million women were either establishing or already running new businesses in 67 economies around the world in 2012. In addition, it was also reported that an estimated 98 million ladies were running established busi...

Maxi’s White River Supports Women Empowerment New research recently revealed by Royal Mail looks set to dispel the myth that men don’t experience the same range of feelings as women. The company’s commissioned scientific experiment found that men are more emotional than women. However, general perceptions and stereotypical roles for males and females still see women as ‘taking care’ and men as ‘taking charge’. Women are perceived to radiate an aura that automatically makes others feel more comfortable and at ease when around them or in their presence. Women have a way of making others feel obliged to be nice and kind, which makes them ideal candidates for the consumer service industry such as food franchising.  Maxi’s White River has capitalised on this notion and boasts a staff compliment of twelve female waitresses and two male waiters. Bernice Lourens the proud owner of this franchise shares her business rationale. “When I first started this business I had no idea that ...

IKHOKHA GIVES SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THE EDGE: NEW MOBILE CARD PAYMENT SOLUTION LAUNCHES IN SOUTH AFRICA iKhokha, a young and innovative Cape Town-based financial services brand, has launched an exciting new payment service that is set to transform the way SME’s accept payment from their customers. The Edge, a secure Chip & PIN card reader that plugs into a smartphone, and coupled with the iKhokha mobile app, transforms the phone into a secure mobile Point of Sale (mPOS) terminal, it enables merchants to process card payments – anywhere in South Africa. Using the Edge, a wide range of South African businesses are also able to tender cash, card and mobile transactions, sell value-added services (such as airtime) and monitor and track sales performance and transactional history through the slick and easy to use Mobile App.  Simplicity, service and security are the three pillars on which the iKhokha ethos has been built. The proudly South African developed and manufacture...

Customers embracing digital payment solutions Vuyo Mpako Standard Bank’s new digital payment solution, has recorded over 70 000 registered users of SnapScan. The app is not only being downloaded, but users are actively embracing this technology, with Standard Bank reporting over 100 000 transactions being processed since launch in May this year.  SnapScan’s success is due to the fact that you don’t have to be a Standard Bank customer to enjoy the benefits of the app - anyone with a smartphone and a Visa or MasterCard can use it. According to Vuyo Mpako, Head of Innovation and Channel Design at Standard Bank, 29% of SnapScan users are Standard Bank customers and the rest are a split between the other banks. “We set out to create a convenient and innovative solution for South Africans, to give them greater control to transact in a way that fits in with their lifestyle,” says Mr Mpako.  The app’s winning formula lies in its simplicity. SnapScan uses Quick Read (QR) tec...