Programme gives behind-the-scenes look at real life challenges of small business A unique partnership between SABC3 and Standard Bank will see South Africa’s small business owners getting practical, specialist advice and assistance on the business challenges they face when the new series ‘The Business Coach’ takes to TV screens this Sunday (1 July 2012). Small business owners across the nation will be able to tune in every Sunday at 16:00 to see how the Business Coach helps real business people overcome business problems and grow their businesses. Clive Pintusewitz, Director of Small Enterprise and Enterprise Development at Standard Bank, says: "We understand that starting and growing a small business can be difficult for people who have loads of enthusiasm, but limited business experience. People have to get advice and support when facing the hurdles and bureaucracy which go with making a small business succeed," he says. “The Business Coach provides an innovative chan...

By Eugene Honey To protect the franchise system and the franchisor’s rights during, upon and after termination of an agreement, intellectual property rights can be utilized both independently and in the provisions of the franchise agreement. These intellectual property rights include trade marks, trade dress, copyright, know-how, trade secrets and goodwill as the primary rights licensed to the franchisee during the term of the franchise agreement.   In our most recent article we briefly dealt with the franchisor’s contractual arsenal as set out in the franchise agreement. For the purposes of this article we will focus primarily on intellectual property under the headings of trade marks, copyright and know-how. In certain instances the different types of intellectual property do overlap, providing additional protection. Trade Marks In terms of the Trade Marks Act, a trade mark includes any sign capable of distinguishing the products or services of a business, in relation to wh...

Reaffirming its status as the leading distributor of digital office automation equipment and document output solutions in Southern Africa, the Top 500 survey of South Africa’s Best Managed Companies has named Nashua Limited as the number one company in the local office automation sector. The Top 500 survey recognises the top businesses in South Africa through employing a team of research analysts. This team gathers information from over 4,000 companies annually, and analyse the data to find the top five companies from 100 business sectors. Nashua Limited Managing Director, Dave Coutinho notes that the Top 500 recognition is further evidence of the company’s continued success and longevity in the office automation market. “Nashua is extremely proud to have received this honour from the Top 500 survey, and believe that it proves that we are market leaders, rather than followers.  “We firmly maintain that we have been able to achieve this position through offering our customers ...

Advice on franchising by Pieter Scholtz, Master Licensee for ActionCOACH SA. ActionCOACH is one of the fastest growing and most successful business coaching franchises in the world today. Before you jump in and buy a franchise, there’s one very important question you must ask: “Am I an entrepreneur”? Success in business comes down to one fundamental characteristic that you absolutely must have, and that is an entrepreneurial mindset. What exactly is an entrepreneur? An entrepreneur can be defined as a person who organizes a business venture and assumes the risk for it. If you do not possess a natural, built in instinct for business, running a company will be a challenge. Achieving profitability means keeping a keen eye on the five main business areas that impact turnover, what we call the Business Chassis. Below we explain the parts of the Chassis. Think of it as your formula for success. 1. NUMBER OF LEADS This is the total number of potential buyers that you had contact ...

Johannesburg, 25 June 2012 - Consumers in Montague Gardens have been revelling in the healthy, freshly prepared sandwiches that their local Sandwich Baron has been delivering straight to their doorstep. Sandwich Baron Montague Gardens owner, Lizetta Lopez is overwhelmed with the positive response received by the local community and elaborates on the store’s success.   “Montague Gardens is mostly known as an industrial area, and there isn’t a wide variety of convenient, healthy food options available. We therefore seized the opportunity and have gained an extensive client base since opening. Our customers rave about the wide variety of options available, the freshness of our products and the convenience of being able to order their meals and have it delivered free of charge,” Lopez, who has 12 years’ experience as a pastry chef overseas, notes that she plans to maintain the store’s high level of service by keeping her staff motivated through cultivating a good working ...