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Optimising the relationship between businesses and SMMEs

Issued by Enterprises University of Pretoria

20 Jun 2016

Within the South African context it is expected that organisations need to work together with, and play a role in the development of entrepreneurs and small businesses. This symbiotic relationship is required to generate socio-economic growth. Through socio-economic development programmes, many companies are able to make positive contributions to society, yet the challenge is in ensuring that the contributions made will yield sustainable results.

From left to right: Prof Alex Antonites (UP Chair for Entrepreneurship), Akhona Bashe (Research Institute of Innovation and Sustainability), Nokwazi Mzobe (Matoyana), Deon Herbst (Enterprises UP, CEO), Phumzile Nkosi (Enterprises UP, Executive Manager: Human Resources).

Enterprises University of Pretoria’s Research Solutions recently hosted a business breakfast, presented by Professor Alex Antonites, Associate Professor in the University of Pretoria’s Chair for Entrepreneurship. The presentation was centred on Enterprises University of Pretoria’s (Enterprises UP) total value chain service offering to support SMMEs throughout their entire lifecycle.

Drawing on his extensive experience, Prof Antonites explored the importance of the business/SMME relationship by addressing organisational best practices conducive to entrepreneurship, pitfalls and benefits of innovation and the building blocks embedded in the entrepreneur-SMME value chain.

He concluded by indicating how organisations can make use of Enterprises UP to assist the development of their own SMMEs and also assist organisations to unlock their enterprise development and corporate social investment budgets for SMME development. The event was attended by both national and international roleplayers such as Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, European Investment Bank, The Intervention Group, ATA Training and the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA).

Having played a profound part in the history of South Africa for more than 100 years, the University of Pretoria boasts a lasting legacy that endures through a cluster of innovative and multidisciplinary services rendered through Enterprises University of Pretoria (Pty) Ltd.