Webcasts take practical business hints and tips online and directly to small enterprises

Entrepreneurs who have longed for on-tap expert advice on how to run a small business will soon have access to a series of online webcasts by leading specialists on all facets of setting up, managing and growing their business.

Standard Bank is behind the move to equip small enterprises with valuable insights, knowledge and guidance, all accessible from an entrepreneur’s own office or home. The Business Coach webcast series will provide practical advice on topics ranging from starting a business to more complex matters such as company law, planning for profitability and handling tax matters correctly.
Contributions will come from specialist experts including the Business Coach, Greg Mason.

“Small businesses have a major role to play in the South African economy. We want to help them through the challenging and sometimes intimidating process of starting and managing their business,” says Clive Pintusewitz, Head of Small Enterprises at Standard Bank.

“The Business Coach TV series, sponsored by Standard Bank, broke new ground last year by guiding and assisting 13 small business owners, with thousands of viewers able to benefit from the lessons of the show. This year, we have taken the process a step further, providing online access to expert information to small business owners wherever they may be.”

The expert advice will extend beyond the actual webcast, as viewers will also be able to engage with the specialists in real-time as they view the webcast.  Viewers can pose questions to the relevant business expert through an online forum and Twitter, and questions will be answered during the course of the webcast.

The webcasts will be streamed every two weeks from 19 March until 2 October 2013. They will run at 17:30, recognising that small business owners need to focus on running their business during the day. Access to the series will be free of charge. Viewers will need to register on Standard Bank’s BizConnect portal, and registration will be tracked to accurately identify which topics were the most viewed.

A webcast tackling cash flow management is already scheduled for three streamings in May, July and August.

“Standard Bank recognises that this topic in particular is one that many small businesses grapple with, and we want to make sure as many people as possible can take advantage of this webcast,” Mr Pintusewitz says.

“Our approach is to offer practical assistance where and when entrepreneurs need it most. Having the webcasts online provides accessibility across the country and even further afield, to anyone with a computer or mobile phone and a desire to learn more about becoming a successful businessperson.”

Webcast details:

19 March 2013 - Practical guide to starting a business: Getting started, registration & compliance
3 April 2013 - Practical guide to starting a business: Running the business (part 1) – administration and operations
17 April 2013 - Practical guide to starting a business: Running the business (part 2) – HR , safety and security, general tips
2 May 2013 - Know your numbers
15 May 2013 - Plan for profit
29 May 2013 - Managing cash flow
12 June 2013 - Help me market my business
26 June 2013 - Labour and HR challenges for SMEs
10 July 2013 - Managing cash flow (repeat)
24 July 2013 - Business interruption
7 August 2013 - Tax and the small business
21 August 2013 - Managing cash flow (repeat)
4 September 2013 - Practical guide to starting a business: Getting started, registration & compliance (repeat)
18 September 2013 - Practical guide to starting a business: Running the business (part 1) – administration and operations (repeat)
2 October 2013 - Practical guide to starting a business: Running the business (part 2) – HR , safety and security, general tips (repeat)

To find out more about the series, or to register, log on to www.standardbank.co.za/bizconnect and follow the prompts.

Magna Carta Public Relations

Ruth Momberg