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SME's - why compliance models work in Africa
| Guest post by: Dr. Rob Smorfitt |
Article Overview: Compliance models offer Africa the best hope for creating SME's
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Free Download - SMEs – SMEs struggling in South Africa. Why? By Dr. Rob Smorfitt |
SME's - why compliance models work in Africa
No matter your political perspective on the matter, Africa is undoubtedly behind the rest of the world when it comes to entrepreneurship and business skills.
So the question is how do we get those skills. Studying is obviously one solution, but on the job training is even better if accompanied by studying. It also happens quicker and contributes to the economy now rather than later when the studying is complete. So in effect running a franchise is almost the same as being an apprentice. Some will graduate and a few will become entrepreneurs. But, either way they are still being economically productive, and gaining a lot of knowledge at the same time, simply through following the franchise processes.
So let us absorb the best practice knowledge and skills through doing it in a franchise from say the USA, and then let our true entrepreneurs come and develop African franchises based upon existing SME best practice.
Rob Smorfitt
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Article Tags: entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, franchisee, SME, SME development, SMME, Smorfitt
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About the Author: Dr. Rob Smorfitt RSS for Dr. Rob's articles - Visit Dr. Rob's website Have an MBA and a PhD in entrepreneurship. Three key areas of ongoing research are entrepreneurship and innovation in large business strategy, the impact of legislation on SME development and SME finance. Run my own SME blog at http://sme-smb-smme.blogspot.com as well as an entrepreneurship and innovation for large businesses blog at http://innoveur.blogspot.com I have been self-employed since 1982. I have started or purchased in excess of 50 businesses since then. Most were sold again and a few were shut down because of a lack of profitability. Many were run by staff or family while I worked full time in my bigger businesses. Author of 6 books. Written articles for various magazines, newspapers and websites. Experienced in research within developing countries.
Click here to visit Dr. Rob's website  
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Related Forum Posts
Re: In-House or Outsource?
- Unfortunately, in the South African context, very few SMEs see outsourcing as an option. They believe it is too expensive, and they are paranoid that someone will "steal their ideas".
I believe that the three main functions that cannot be outsourced are marketing, sales and strategy. These must be done in house I believe. If you do not have the marketing skills then get them. Hire a consultant or attend a course, but get the skills. Even if you use a consultant, you need to understand what marketing is about, as no one knows your market like you do. Marketing is made to seem difficult and complex, but everyone who really understands their markets, can easily learn to do their own marketing.
In South Africa, labour legislation is extremely inflexibile, and consequently labour broking is a large industry. This is an ideal starting point for SMEs in South Africa, as it is a legally complex area, whih comes with severe penalties.
I say do it!
Rob Smorfitt
Re: need advice
- Africa is a pretty big place I think it is a question of where in Africa you would like to open a call centre. South Africa for example actually has plenty of call centres already operating, so it would very much depend on what part of Africa you are considering.
MichelleJ
Re: Newbie from Africa
- Hello Biiyke
Welcome to the forum. Which part of Africa are you from it is quite a big continent? I live in South Africa.
MichelleJ
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Re: Newbie from Africa
- [quote="Evan":22gvtxlq]Welcome to the forums Biiyke!
You asked if we know any sellers who were trying to reach the African market... I think you'd honestly have more luck going the other way - try to find sellers in Africa and sell to the rest of the world.[/quote:22gvtxlq]
Hello Evan,
You are absolutely correct.Thank you for your advice.That's actually the whole idea,Africa to the world and the world to Africa. So I will throw more weight on that area.
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