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Opportunities open new world... A shop window for emerging entrepreneur... Workshop broadens expo's bas... |
A shop window for emerging entrepreneursMORE Than 20 000 visitors are expected to attend the fifth International Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo (Biz) - the longest-running and largest of its type in Africa. Biz 97, with its central focus on potential and existing small business owners, takes place at Midrand's Kyalami Exhibition Centre from August 28 to 30. It will be opened by Johan Coetzee, general manager of commercial markets for Absa Bank. Small and medium enterprises are acknowledged as one of the most effective means of economic empowerment, as well as being the foundation of real wealth and job creation in a developing society. Promoting self-employment as a viable career option and encouraging entrepreneurship in the new South Africa is the basis of the success of Biz 97, says Mike Anderson, Biz marketing managing director. Franchise and business opportunities on offer at Biz 97 include fast food, restaurants, automotive products, printing, photo development, health and beauty products, entertainment, building and home products. Other exhibitors include financing institutions, small business development organisations and companies who provide professional services and products to the small, medium and micro enterprise market. "We are regarded by many of the major financing organisations as one of the key areas for the development of entrepreneurship in South Africa," says Anderson. About 170 exhibitors will be represented at Biz 97 - a 65% increase over the number of participants last year - indicative of the dramatic growth in the number of new franchises and business opportunities now available in South Africa. One of the highlights of Biz 97 is the largest competition prize yet given away in South Africa. The Steers Group, in conjunction with SA Success magazine and Biz 97, will be giving away a fully equipped Steers diner worth R750 000. SBDC Limited is sponsoring the Biz-SBDC floating trophy for the best stand. "We like businesses to be market-orientated and we are recognising excellence in that sphere," says Terry McLaughlin, marketing manager of SBDC Limited. "If we succeed in becoming market and customer-orientated, it will provide a real stimulus to the economy. "Biz is a form of advertising that is very different and very real in that it encourages people to become more market-orientated. We support it wholeheartedly. It is a very good platform for developing future entrepreneurs." McLaughlin points out that while there have been black empowerment initiatives at the top end of the scale - it is vital to extend this to the emerging middle sector. He argues that if previously disadvantaged people can be brought into the mainstream of the economy, it will create wealth among a large cross-section of the population. "If we don't achieve that, we risk becoming a handout nation -- and there is no dignity in this for the people receiving the handouts. "We believe this should be a vital part of the overall strategy for black empowerment." McLaughlin emphasises that the rise in automation, downsizing and resultant reduction in employment creation, along with the pressing crime problems, underlines the need to create jobs."Medium business development is the ideal vehicle to do this," he adds.
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