SECOND HAND FURNITURE: GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR THE WALLET People are starting to understand that everything we do has an impact on the planet, which is why many of us are starting to truly live our lives cognisant of the “three Rs” of protecting and preserving the environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. While it’s easy to become overwhelmed, it’s also possible to make a positive impact by simply changing a few small habits one at a time. “One of the things we can look at is our purchasing decisions, especially when it comes to new furniture,” explains says Richard Mukheibir, Managing Director of Cash Converters. “The manufacturing of new furniture has a considerable carbon impact, especially when you consider that packaging, storage and shipping form part of the lifecycle of new furniture. There’s a long supply chain that we have no influence over, but we can reduce our carbon footprint by adjusting our buying habits.” Selling old furniture or buying “pre-loved” furniture...

The Fish & Chip Co. puts customer satisfaction in a higher gear It is no secret that when it comes to business, meeting the customers’ needs should be a top priority. It’s all about adding value. Aside from offering sterling service and products that exceed their expectations, the real way to make a customer happy is by going the extra mile. This is what has sparked The Fish & Chip Co. to run another competition for their loyal customers –to prove just how committed they are to meeting their needs. Following the success of their first ‘Win a Car’ competition, which was finalised in March 2014, the company decided that they needed to reward another loyal fan. “The winner of our first competition, who is a local taxi driver who does not own his own mode of transport, was elated when we delivered his new car. We knew, based on his reaction as well as the overwhelmingly positive response from the public, that giving away a car has phenomenal appeal and is a dream competiti...

What to consider when taking a business to the next level The reluctance to let go of control can be a barrier to the growth of many businesses  Ravi Govender Becoming a successful entrepreneur means investing time in a business and using your passion and talent to achieve your dreams. It is no wonder that many business owners find it difficult to consider bringing in investors and giving away part of their businesses when cash is required to expand and grow into new markets.  “Rather than losing control of his or her business, the entrepreneur will often make an emotional decision that could limit opportunities for growth. This will result in the business losing a competitive edge against its rivals,” says Ravi Govender, Head of Small Enterprises at Standard Bank, when highlighting the issue of ‘control versus scale’ featured in the second episode of the Standard Bank 'Think Big - Building Business Champions' show.  Reality and the desire to fulfil a dream wi...

Willpower, expertise and passion not enough to succeed in business Ravi Govender Developing a business plan is a strategic investment in the future and sustainability of your business Business owners often mistakenly believe that passion and a basic understanding of finance is all that is required to make a new business succeed.  The launch episode of the Standard Bank 'Think Big - Building Business Champions' show proved that placing an emphasis on business plans is an invaluable planning tool that can help businesses of all sizes to succeed.  The show encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to ‘Think Big’ about conquering challenging realities that new businesses face on a day to day basis, with an opportunity to win a R 1 million cash injection into their small businesses so that they can realise their dreams.  Commenting on the first episode of ‘Think Big’, which concentrated on the catering and service industries, Vuyo’s Kitchen and Vibe Events, Ravi Govender...

Is your focus on the right place in your business? Jan de Beer Many small business owners, including those in franchising, are faced with so many different business elements to manage that they often tend to place too much of an emphasis on one area. While it is important to spend quantity and quality time to develop a specific business element, entrepreneurs cannot put all their efforts into one focal point alone as there are many other factors to consider that will contribute to their success. Many owners seem to predominantly focus their energies on either being product centric or customer centric when it comes to managing their brand. The question remains, which option, if any, is the right one to zone in on?  Managing Executive of The Fish & Chip Co, Jan de Beer believes a franchised business needs to focus on both.  It goes without saying that the business is nothing without the product or service. With nothing to sell, what is the purpose of trading? Equa...