So you have decided to sell your Business for 1 or more reasons - it could be because you have decided to relocate or emigrate; you may want to cash in after many years of hard work and retire; or you may have decided to move into a new venture.

Once you have made your decision to sell, you need to decide on the method you will employ to ensure a successful sale. You only have 2 options to decide on - 1) Employ the services of a Business Broker or 2) Sell your Business yourself.

Having sold my own Businesses privately in the past, and having owned my own Business Brokerage and sold Businesses on behalf of clients, I am qualified to give an overview of the pros and cons of both methods.

Selling through a Business Broker: - A qualified Broker can assist you with establishing the correct price for your Business in order to ensure a successful sale. - Allows you the time to concentrate on running your business and preventing the possible decline of turnover and profits. - A qualified Broker knows the most effective process to use from marketing your business, screening and qualifying leads, and negotiating the sale with an interested buyer. - The Broker has the necessary documents to qualify potential buyers, and conclude a sale. - Brokers usually charge a commission of 10% on the sales price of the Business. This could amount to a huge amount of money coming out of your pocket! You need to decide whether you are prepared to give away 10% of the selling price of your business! - If a Broker in a Brokerage needs to meet his target, or is short of personal funds, he or she may push you to accept a lower offer for your Business to satisfy his/her needs.

Selling your Business privately: - You know your Business better than anyone. You are the best person to answer questions on your business. You also know the industry and can suggest ways of improving turnover and profits. You may also be able to point out future opportunities in the industry. - You can save on the 10% commission charged by Brokers. The extra 10% could amount to a substantial amount of money, and will come in very handy with your future plans! Conclusion: - The reason why most sellers do not sell privately is because they actually don't know how! - They don't know how best to market their Business for sale, how to qualify the potential buyers, what steps to follow, and what documents are needed. They also know that they will need to spend an unknown amount of money to have the agreement drawn up by an Attorney.

What if there was another option? - You get a step by step guide to selling your Business; - Your Business is advertised on a premium targeted site; - You receive all leads yourself; - You get all documentation to conclude the sale; - You get access to telephonic support and advice from a qualified Business Broker; - You pay 0% commission!   Biz2Sell have a choice of advertising packages for sellers of Businesses. Biz2sell have also developed a unique option for business owners who want to sell their Business privately and not pay a huge commission. ( Platinum Package.) Biz2 Sell does not charge any commission on Businesses sold through our Premium advertising platform.

To learn more about us and to see our affordable packages please visit http://www.biz2sell.co.za

Business Insurance: Grudge purchase or mandatory cost?  

In 2016, South Africa experienced deteriorating GDP growth caused by various factors including the Rand’s depreciation of R15.51 against the Dollar, severe drought, water shortages, and the rising unemployment rate. GDP growth is however expected to improve moderately in 2017. Businesses, particularly start-ups and SMEs, can expect better growth and opportunity than in 2016.  

“Now more than ever small businesses need to safeguard themselves against the perils that could be harmful to their growing business,” says Derek Wilson, Head of online insurance and financial services comparison website, Hippo.co.za.   Business Insurance is more than just protecting your business assets. Not having insurance could result in a negative impact to your bottom line, damage to your business’s reputation or even the loss of your business.

Here’s what you need to know about Business Insurance:  

Insure your nett worth   If you have business property such as commercial offices, a house or any vehicles used for business or commercial purposes, you have nett worth. Ensure that your nett worth is adequately covered and that you do not put your business under unnecessary strain by having to pay for loss or damage to business assets yourself. Insurance for business assets usually includes cover for theft, accidental damage, fire, vandalism and, most importantly, cover for business interruption or loss of earnings if you are unable to operate following a claimable event.  

Your risk profile   Understand how your business risk profile is calculated by the insurer as things such as your credit rating, type of business, area where you do business from, and where your business or commercial assets are kept, are taken into account.  

You are liable   Liability cover is probably the most important cover you need. The loss or damage to another’s property or worse, injury or loss of life to a person, could not only cost you money, but also have devastating effects on your business’s reputation and credibility. The reputational damage could result in further communication and marketing costs to repair the damage to your business’s image and could determine whether your business survives the impact or not.  

“Various insurers are able to provide you with Business Insurance according to your specific needs”, concludes Wilson, “Business owners can research costs and benefits from a range of different insurers at Hippo.co.za”.  

Ends.  

Established in 2007, Hippo.co.za is South Africa’s leading comparison website that helps consumers save money by comparing a range of South African providers across financial products such as Car Insurance, Household Insurance, Life Insurance, Medical Aid and more. Hippo.co.za is free to use and saves consumers the time and hassle of shopping around for the best deal since the Hippo.co.za website instantly retrieves real-time quotes from the different providers using the latest Internet technology. You could save hundreds of Rands per month* on your Car Insurance alone by using Hippo.co.za to compare before you buy or switch to a new provider.   Hippo.co.za makes money by simply charging its partners a fee when a customer chooses to find out more about their products. The results consumers see, and the order in which they are presented, are in no way influenced by the fee Hippo.co.za charges its partners or any other factors other than the price of the product being compared.   

For more information, visit us on www.hippo.co.za, connect with Hippo.co.za on LinkedIn, http://www.linkedin.com/company/hippo-comparative-services-pty-ltd/, like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/HippoSA, and follow us on Twitter, @Hippo_co_za and YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/user/hippocompare.   Hippo Comparative Services (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider (FSP number: 16357). Terms and Conditions apply. *Based on 2016 independent market research conducted by Kaufman Levin Associates.  

Sources:

SME South Africa
National Treasury (South Africa)
Black Enterprise
Forbes 

Issued by:
Sharney Nel PR Manager
Tel: +27 11 428 1004
Cell: +27 78 180 9674
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As the pace of digital transformation increases, so does the frequency of high profile security incidents and information leaks. This often prompts complex and costly responses, as those who have suffered security breaches – and those who are trying to avoid them – seek ways to manage their exposures and comply with a plethora of industry standards, best practices and government regulations.

Joint silver sponsors at the 6th IT Leaders Africa Summit, SLVA and Ubusha will explore the mechanisms you could use to ensure a secure information-processing environment during their workshop presented by Kris Budnik, Managing Director for SLVA Information Security.

Attendees will hear how they can maximise existing capabilities and leverage the emerging wave of enterprise security technologies that tip the balance away from cyber-criminals and dishonest employees.

SLVA and Ubusha’s holistic response to minimising information security risks requires the ability to:

-Understand and manage who has access to information and systems within your environment and what they are able to do with such access

-Track and have the capability to influence the way that data is accessed, processed and shared within your environment

-Maintain oversight over that environment – ensuring that it remains reliable and free from vulnerabilities which may be exploited to bypass your access control and data governance policies  

Please note that the cut off date for applications to present a workshop at the IT Leaders Africa Summit is the 27th of February 2015.  

During these 60 minute educational workshops, leading industry vendors present their solutions and services in case study format to attending CIOs and IT Heads. Each session is limited to 15 delegates in order to encourage debate and discussion. The workshops are scheduled in advance as the topics are marketed to CIOs and business leaders during the build up to the Summit.  

For IT Leaders Africa Summit brochure advertising opportunities, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   The 6th IT Leaders Africa Summit takes place on 18 & 19 March 2015 at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg.

  The Cottonwood Trading Company (Toni Robinson Collection CC) is a furniture company that specialises in importing French style home décor of all types. It is mainly known to its customers for providing unique furniture products and it has been extremely successful in its mission of offering extraordinary products at an affordable price. Generally luxury French furniture is considered very expensive. But the company has been successful in selling elegant and beautiful French furniture and yet keeps its prices low by keeping overheads limited. The owners are highly passionate about their work and are always exercising their minds in bringing the best to their customers.  

  Offering exceptional French style furniture at a competitive price is the USP of the company. Presently the company has decided to specialise only in bathroom vanities and some selective home décor items. The patrons can be well assured that the company will continue to produce extraordinary products at an attractive price. 

  Cottonwood Furniture has decided some changes in its business for good.The changes will be effective from the 1st May of this year. The company will move to grand new premises at the Design Quarter in Magaliessig shortly. 

  Moreover from now on, the company will specialise only in bathroom accessories, bathroom vanities and some selected home decor items. Hence it has decided for a stock clearance with huge discounts for its customers. It is big news for the French furniture lovers who can enjoy luxury French style furniture at a flat discount of 30% to 40%. The furniture include dining tables, lounge furniture, needle point carpets, soft furnishings and some other varieties including a variety of bathroom vanities. The discount varies from product to product. You can choose your desired product from the lot. 

  For more details please visit our website at http://www.cottonwoodfurniture.co.za/

About: Cottonwood Furniture: The Cottonwood Trading Company was established in 2003 and has never looked back ever since. This rapidly flourishing French décor shop is owned by the duo Philip and Toni. The family is passionate about their work and is determined to satisfy their clients with their unique sense of aesthetics. The company is known for offering the most exquisite French furniture products and bathroom decor at a competitive price.

Contact Us: 

Unit 8, K101 Business Park
Capital Hill Business Park
Cnr Le Roux Avenue and K101 (Old Pretoria Main Road)
(Access is from Le Roux Avenue)
Halfway House
Johannesburg Metro
Gauteng, 2062 

Konica Minolta South Africa assists Cape Town opera protégé, Anelisa Mahlungulu, in moving closer to achieving her dreams.  

CAPE TOWN - September 17, 2014 – Bidvest company, Konica Minolta South Africa has pledged to assist a promising young opera singer in need.

Cape Town branch manager, Alten Hulme, heard a plea for financial assistance on local radio station, Cape Talk. The presenter mentioned that a 16-year-old girl with a natural talent for opera had been ‘discovered’ in a Cape Town township.

With the assistance of the local community choirmaster and a charity organisation within the township, Anelisa Mahlungulu had been tested by the University of Cape Town (UCT) with the result that the institution recognised her rare gift. The University also advised that she needed to be enrolled in a school that would allow for university exemption. UCT further identified Wynberg Girls’ High as the ideal school, but Anelisa needed financial assistance to help her move forward.

On hearing the request, Hulme immediately sprang into action by calling the radio station and on behalf of Konica Minolta South Africa, he offered to sponsor Anelisa’s schooling and hostel costs. Konica Minolta South Africa will also sponsor Anelisa’s music lessons until the end of her matric year.  Waltons, another Bidvest Group company, has also agreed to fund Anelisa’s stationery, transportation and uniforms.

Anelisa has since begun her third term in Grade 10 at Wynberg Girls’ High, where she has her own room in the hostel and now too has her very own bed. Anelisa receives three cooked meals a day and, for the first time ever, she is now able to study at a desk. Since the initial outreach, she has performed for a number of dignitaries, including a teary-eyed Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She also sang before a large audience at an outdoor venue which earned her a standing ovation that lasted several minutes for her first full 90 minute performance.

“Although Konica Minolta South Africa’s primary focus is to see to it that Anelisa does well enough at school to be admitted to university, the company will also do what is needed to support her singing career. In fact, we have already been in touch with Cape Town Opera (CTO), Africa’s top opera company, which has undertaken to expose her to real opera and to assist in the learning process. Konica Minolta South Africa already has a very strong sense of community, with several projects in place that identify and assist not only staff members’ children, but also children with potential from poor communities. Anelisa fits perfectly into this category and we will follow our new ‘Proudly Bidvest’ and Konica Minolta South Africa protégé with great interest in the years to come,” says Hulme.

About  
Konica Minolta South Africa is a leader in advanced document management technologies. Wholly owned by the Bidvest Group, the company focuses on complete business solutions, including production print systems, digital presses, multifunctional products (MFPs), managed print services, vertical application solutions and related services and supplies. Konica Minolta is one of the only manufacturers in the digital imaging industry, over the past 20 years, to have been awarded the Buyers Laboratory LLC (BLI) “A3 MFP line of the year” award for four consecutive years.

For more information, questions or queries, contact Ritchi Smith at 0800 bizhub | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Debbie Sielemann at +27 (0) 82 414 4633 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Buyers Laboratory Inc. recognises Konica Minolta’s bizhub PRESS 1250 production printer as the best in the industry.

Johannesburg, South Africa – The Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS 1250 production printer has picked up yet another award, this time at the Buyers Laboratory LLC’s (BLI) 2014 PRO Awards. It scooped the prize for Outstanding Monochrome Light- to Mid-Volume Production Device.

In the highly competitive and complex world of production print, choosing the most suitable printing device is a tough task for buyers. BLI is the world’s leading independent provider of analytical information and services to the document imaging industry, with unmatched expertise in evaluating devices gained over the past 50 years. The PRO awards go to the best performers in BLI’s production test suite, which sheds light on how these production printing devices perform in the real world.

BLI’s field evaluations entail three full days of intensive testing during which tens of thousands of impressions are printed—from 30,000 to more than 150,000 depending on the model. Printing devices are tested for productivity with coated and uncoated media in a wide range of weights and sizes and using various finishing options to simulate a wide variety of real-world job scenarios. BLI technicians also evaluate image quality, including production of halftones, text and fine lines, plus density levels, variations in density and drift over the course of a 1,000-page print run. In addition, BLI assesses media-handling capabilities in terms of the paper sizes, weights and capacities supported; media catalogue integration and inline finishing options available. The test also includes an assessment of ease of use for setting up, submitting and managing jobs; loading paper and toner; switching out operator-replaceable components; and removing misfeeds.

Having generated tens of millions of impressions on production printing devices from the leading vendors over several years—both in the lab and in the field—BLI’s production tests reveal what separates the best from the rest. It is the best - the top performer in each category - that BLI recognises with its annual PRO Awards.

“The bizhub PRESS 1250 is a true production workhorse and its outstanding media handling, plus the wealth of feedback it provides, ensure jobs will not only get done quickly, but with minimal interruptions,” said David Sweetnam, BLI’s head of European Research and Lab Services.

Highly productive, the bizhub PRESS 1250 printer is the only model in its class to have earned BLI’s 5-star rating for productivity, with throughput speeds that were among the fastest tested to date on heavy-grade stocks and better than those of competitors with A3 and SRA3 media. “Mixed-media workflows were handled well, and virtually no drop-off in rated speed was experienced when running sub-set stapling and perfect bindery jobs. Plus, a new tandem print ability gives productivity a further boost by allowing a job to be split across two devices,” said Sweetnam.

BLI noted that the series is highly customisable from base to full configuration, meaning it can be tailored to the specific needs of an environment. The compact footprint of the base configuration makes it a good fit in in-plant and CRD environments, while extensive finishing and stacking options, including perfect binding, ring binding and 50-sheet saddle-stitch capability, serve the device well in print-for-pay or commercial print shops. Up to three high-capacity stackers can be added, for an above average stacking capacity of 15,000 sheets. Duplexing is supported for media weights up to 300 gsm, exceeding the capability of several competitors, and all drawers support paper weights up to 300 gsm, whereas some competitors limit support for 300 gsm to only certain drawers or do not support it at all. Several trays include air assist technology to prevent misfeeds and any tray not actively feeding the paper path can be opened and refilled during device operation.

BLI also praised the bizhub PRESS 1250 production printer’s control panel, citing that it is easy to master. Unlike with some competitors, the custom media catalogue is fully integrated with the print driver, which provides a high level of functionality and job programming capabilities. The control panel also provides detailed information on device status, consumables and paper levels, RIP resources and the job queue. While the Scheduler feature uses colour coding to indicate to operators when certain paper types need to be replenished. 

“Today’s printer market is a neck-and-neck race, so winning yet another international award for this series is a major accomplishment. We are delighted that our ongoing efforts to add substantial value to our customers’ businesses continue to be recognised,” says Leon Minnie, product manager of production systems at Konica Minolta South Africa. “After having won the BLI PRO Award last year for our bizhub PRESS C7000, the award for our monochrome flagship bizhub PRESS 1250 is a great achievement for us and proves Konica Minolta’s leading position in the production printing industry as well as the outstanding quality of our systems.” 

ABOUT KONICA MINOLTA SOUTH AFRICA:

Konica Minolta South Africa (KMSA) provides a comprehensive range of business solutions to businesses of all sizes, countrywide. The organisation is wholly owned by the Bidvest Group and believes in product excellence and exceptional service. KMSA is also the principal importer and distributor of the award winning bizhub collection of multifunctional printers, copiers, fax machines and other digital devices. Headquartered in Johannesburg, KMSA has an impressive distribution network that includes 17 branches and 49 dealerships in Southern Africa.         

Konica Minolta SA: Ritchi Smith, 0800 bizhub, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
icomm: Debbie Sielemann, +27 (0) 82 414 4633, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., www.icomm-pr.co.za                          

Change Systems is a solution based company based out of South Africa specialising in people, practice, processes to bring about overall positive improvements in organisations.The world is ever-changing and it is the readiness of the people to accept and evolve along with the ever-changing world that will define their survival. It is no longer possible for a business to ignore the fact that change is a dominating factor in determining the fate of a company.Hence experts have come up with the required solution to fight changes, odds and achieve the desired goal to evolve and survive.

Change Systems provides ultimate solutions to an organisation in crafting new strategies, formulating new organisational designs, re-engineering organisation’s value etc. The company’s services are namely Implementing Strategy through People,OrganisationalDesigns Development,Change Management,Human Capital Function.The services includes designing and structure,process mapping,process reengineering,capacity modelling, capacity building &development, reinventingeffective corporate culture, job designs , psychometric assessments,case study documentation,cultural audits,cultural surveys and leadership and management coaching to name a few. Using its change strategies the company delivers authentic recommendations,strategies,roadmaps that will assist the organization to solve their core business issues.The company takes the challenges of SAP projects and works to unlock the value of the system. Moreover Change Systemshas understood the value of leveraging established practices than recreating new ones in a project.  

The company’s key roles and responsibilities include assisting executive management,building clear road maps for future sustainability by evaluating current desired business models,gap identifications,setting objectives and action plans to achieve desired goal. The method used is”Agile methodology” as its adaptability and response to change makes Agile a preferred methodology for many corporates to develop agile workforce and leaders.

The professionals at Change Systems are highly experienced who are already rendering strategic and change solutions to over 25 companies across the world. The Leadership team is highly experienced across a broad range of industries to cater the clients. They are highly expert and dedicated with specialization in the field of Leadership Coaching, Industrial Relations and Psychometric Assessments.For more information, visit http://www.changesystems.co 

About Change System:

Change System provides business management solutions including strategy implementation, organizational design and development, change management according to necessary future derived changes.  Alice van den Berg, CEO & Founder is the driving force behind Change Systems who with her expertise knowledge in management and with over 14 years of experience has taken the company to new heights.  

Contact:

44 Cavendish Square
Joseph Crescent
Douglasdale
2191

Tel: +27 11 463 2874
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.changesystems.co

Perago, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SIA, has signed an agreement with Swish Payments Ltd., a mobile commerce provider owned by leading South African payment service provider Setcom Payment Solutions, to support its new m-commerce initiative in Africa and Europe.

Through SIA’s technology infrastructure, Perago will enable the Swish solution that utilises a mobile app and card reader (both chip and magnetic stripe card) to effectively convert a merchant's smartphone or tablet into a POS terminal so businesses of all sizes can accept debit and credit card payments from virtually any location.

Perago will specifically provide Swish with the SIA gateway for payment switching to all international circuits in conjunction with a PCI-compliant Acquirer Independent solution for transaction authorisation and clearing. The SIA technology platform will be combined with the Swish solution to provide seamless integration with multiple acquirers in multiple countries, giving Swish the capability to serve varied geographic locations rapidly with its state of the art mPOS solution.

Swish Payments will be launching the new mobile POS solution in Africa and in 20 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom) starting later this year. According to its forecasts, Swish expects to reach about 400,000 merchant subscribers by the end of 2016.

“In addition to our proven experience in creating advanced systems for central banks, RTGS in particular, starting today Perago opens up its infrastructures to new services such as payment card transaction management. With this in mind, our agreement with Swish Payments represents an important milestone for SIA Group as this is the first card processing agreement in Africa, and it allows us to expand our portfolio with the integrated offer of the parent company SIA,” said Claudio Ceresani, CEO of Perago.

“The deal with SIA is a critical component of our offering as it allows us to count on an established processing infrastructure. It also allows us to focus our efforts on the business and enhance the Swish value proposition for our customers,” said Stephen Grech, CEO of Swish Payments Ltd.

About Perago

Based in South Africa, Perago is a leading provider of solutions and services for the financial system and is the SIA Group Hub in Africa. After its acquisition in 2005, Perago evolved into an innovative company delivering highly specialized, mission-critical solutions which include payment systems, securities management solutions, business intelligence solutions, card management services, enterprise application integration, and monitoring systems and tools. 

About SIA

SIA is European leader in the design, creation and management of technology infrastructures and services for Financial and Central Institutions, Corporates and Public Administration bodies, in the areas of payments, e-money, network services and capital markets. SIA provides its services in around 40 countries, and also operates through its subsidiaries in Hungary and South Africa. The company has offices in Milan and Brussels. In 2013, SIA managed 2.7 billion card payments and 2.2 billion credit transfers and collections, 28.6 billion trading and post-trading transactions and carried 293.3 terabytes of data on the network. The Group is made up of seven companies: the parent SIA, the Italian companies Emmecom (innovative network applications for banks and businesses), Pi4Pay (services for Payment Institutions), RA Computer (treasury solutions for banks, businesses and P.A.), and TSP (payment collection services for companies and P.A.), Perago in South Africa and SIA Central Europe in Hungary. The Group, which has approximately 1,500 employees, closed 2013 with revenues of €380.3 million. For more information, go to: www.sia.eu 

About Swish Payments

Swish Payments launched in Hong Kong in December 2012, and has since expanded into a number of global markets. Swish Payments offers an end-to-end mobile commerce solution platform to banks, payment service providers, telecommunication companies and others looking to deploy a fully certified, branded mobile payment platform in record time. Swish’s range of secure card readers includes EMV chip-and-PIN or chip-and-signature, both with integrated magnetic stripe reader, as well as magstripe-only devices. All card readers support Android- and iOS-powered smartphones and tablets, enabling merchants to accept card transactions from any location. The Swish mobile commerce solution platform also includes mobile applications, APIs, embedded payment modules, a full-featured payment gateway complete with fraud screening, and web portals, all of which are easily brandable and customizable for rapid market deployment. For more information, go to: www.swishme.com

{pp}Rival Industrial in conjunction with leading HR and Industrial Relations consultant, Ivan Israelstam will once again be presenting the highly popular "Changes and Dangers in Labour Law" seminar in Gauteng on 26 September 2008