Announcing the programme in Johannesburg, Reinher Behrens, Group Chief Executive McCann Worldgroup SA, said that five micro enterprises would be selected to run their businesses from The Kiln. “Three of the five businesses have been selected and taken up residence in The Kiln,” Behrens confirmed. “We have started the search for the last two micro enterprises by launching a competition, in which we ask entrepreneurs to motivate why they should be considered for this project.”
The selected enterprises will get rent-free office space, IT infrastructure and support, basic financial services and assistance as well as mentoring valued at R300 000 for each enterprise, for a maximum of 18 months: “It’s then time to let them soar.” Behrens says that besides the direct overhead savings for the businesses, McCann gets a packet of hours per month from each business, in their areas of expertise; giving the micro enterprises exposure to mainstream business and further possible opportunities.
“We have created an environment which allows the entrepreneurs to be integrated into the communications industry. They get invaluable exposure and experience through McCann and our strategic partners. At the same time they can develop their own networks and skills, which should go a long way to contributing to their sustainable success,” Behrens says. “It has to be said that we do not take ownership of the enterprises, it is merely a vehicle to assist them in building their businesses.”
Competition For that entrepreneur looking to break into the world of communications, the core of the project is a website that contains all the relevant information and is the main channel to enter the competition. The competition is fairly straight forward. “We call on entrepreneurs to motivate why they should be considered, either by posting a cellphone-created video clip, or completing an entry form.”
Entrants will be encouraged to get their existing networks to vote for their motivation via the website. Weekly finalists will be profiled on the website and evaluated by an expert panel, made up of McCann and its strategic partners, to select the final winners which will be announced in November. The website will also feature blogs and updates from the other entrepreneurs involved in the Kiln, profiling work completed and sharing their experiences and thoughts on the project.
Distributed by:
AdiliaTeixeira
Channel Managed PR
+27 11 327 5802
+27 72 398 2525
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On behalf of:
McCann Worldgroup South Africa
ReinherBehrens: +27 11 235 4600
