We are currently delivering a Business in a Box Programme for a client. To date we have trained about 100 staff that have embarked on an entrepreneurship journey after being impacted by Section 189 processes. The experience has been extremely rewarding as we have watched staff members shift from a place of despair and anger to one of gratitude and excitement. It reinforces our commitment to up-skilling and re-skilling and creating awareness around the need for embedding skills like innovation and entrepreneurship into training curriculum’s.

Our past experience with new entrants into entrepreneurship highlights a few areas that require focus They include but are not limited to the following:

• Idea Validation – using tools to test and validate your idea
• Gap Analysis – What are your Soft Skills and Hard Skills Gaps that you need to address before embarking on your new business
• Strategy and Business Modelling Tools – How to use them to understand and run your business
• Company compliance and registration, – Do you know what your obligations and responsibilities are and are you selecting the correct business model
• Human Capital – As a startup, its important to understand the requirements and legislation
• Financial Management – Understand the psychology of money and how you can effectively manage your finances
• Social Media and Networking Platforms – Learn the basics of using social media to grow your business effectively
• Marketing and Branding – How to create meaningful brands for your business
• Pitching, and effective communication. Can you effectively pitch your business and articulate its key offering

The Business in a Box high touch programme is suited to new entrants into the world of entrepreneurship and provides all of the necessary tools, resources and skills to validate your business idea and kick start your business. In addition to addressing some of the gaps, the delegates get a registered company with CIPIC, marketing and Branding Support, a professional Logo, electronic Business Cards and Banners and access to an E-Commerce platform were they can sell their products and services.

To help entrepreneurs on their journey we exposed them to some amazing guest speakers and facilitators who helped inspire them with real life experiences.

Some of the feedback we have received from delegates on the programme:

“This course has given me a lot of confidence and I’m not looking back”

“Top quality excellent, authentic and real. All the speakers, presenters and material was greatly appreciated”

“A very informative session; learned a lot and I am taking what I’ve learned home to inform other people”

To date 15 new businesses have been registered since January and 6 have already started trading and landing contracts. We are looking forward to many more success stories and we are sure that these new entrepreneurs will be helping change the narrative as we move forward.

Article by:
Jayshree Naidoo – CEO of YIEDI
jayshreen@yiedi.co.za