Standard Bank, DRG, BusinessFit, NewMella, Stanlib, and the Success Company hosted
the KZN Business Sustainability Convention at the Standard Bank Kingsmead Auditorium on
the 14th of July 2023.
There were approximately 75 attendees, mostly SME business leaders, but also including
leaders from larger organisations.
Adele Benvie was MC, and in her usual passionate and enthusiastic way, introduced the
speakers and facilitated the morning magnificently.
The speakers, Jannie Rossouw from BusinessFit Western Cape (keynote speaker), Akhona
Mahlati from BusinessFit KwaZulu-Natal, Wendy Mahoney from Newmella and Associates,
Ndivhuho Netshitenzhe from STANLIB, and Brian Pakkiri from Standard Bank where out of
this world. Each contribution transferred significant knowledge and wisdom in how business
leaders move their organisations from success to sustainability.
The theme of the Conference was “How to position your business to excel in uncertain
times”, and specific topics covered included the BusinessFit 5 Stage Quality Assurance process and methodology, understanding the important contribution entrepreneurs make in
helping to creating jobs in South Africa and around the world, building innovative
organisational cultures, an economic update, and a focus on how businesses grow capital.
Feedback from the attendees confirmed that the Convention was outstanding in every way,
and hugely needed at this time in South Africa, where emphasis has been put on the
development and growth of the country’s SME sector.
Special thanks were given to Sidney Reddy and Garrett Johnson from Standard Bank for
making the event location possible, and Grant Adlam and the Top Business team for their
support and communication, and gathering eligible attendees.
Attendees shared that they learned that business is more of a science than they had
considered. In particular they enjoyed the simplicity of the BusinessFit 32-point focus model
within the four core pillars of Leadership, Functional Area Foundation, Measurements, and
Energy.
Echoed throughout the auditorium was that the BusinessFit approach certainly makes it
easier for entrepreneurs and business leaders to anticipate success in taking their ideas and
creations to market, and in building sustainable businesses that meet governance and
stakeholder measures.
Other learnings included the formula for profit growth:
- Increase qualified leads,
- Improve conversion rates,
- Selling more business in volumes to existing clients,
- Selling more business in Rand value to existing clients, and
- Improving margins within the business
Attendees learned that quantum growth is possible, even in dire economic circumstances.
Our next Business Development Convention session will be on the 25 August 2023, and will focus on “The business case for Sustainability, and why it is so important”.
Please contact Lindiwe Bhadi (lindiwe@businessfit.co.za) to reserve your seat.
Contact Details Standard Bank – Garrett Johnson – Garrett.Johnson@standardbank.co.za BusinessFit – Lindiwe Bhadi – lindiwe@businessfit.co.za
DRG – David White – david@drg.co.za
