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The Impact of Drought on Small Businesses in 2024

farming

It’s now official, Zimbabwe under siege from an Elnino inspired drought. Droughts have impacted the country since time immemorial but the latest wave has rattled everyone. Record high temperatures across the nation but in most areas—farmers yet to plant seeds 2 weeks away from Christmas—and this could be a new record.

We still remain hopeful that the skies could open up as the implications of a drought are dire especially when we have not fully recovered from the Covid-19 shock.

So what are the negative effects coming in the next months?

  1. Food Shortages: Food shortages definitely obvious leading to food shortages inspired inflation.
  2. Loss of Income (Farmers): Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy with hundreds of thousands of farmers directly involved in various farming operations. They will take a direct knock from drought leading to loss of income and livelihoods.
  3. Loss of Income (Value Chain): All activities that support agriculture will absorb the drought impact as there will be far much less production. Few will invest in inputs and obviously output support industries in the direct line of fire.
  4. Power Generation: Unless more rains come, or a Cyclone comes in the direction of the Zambezi River Basin, Kariba expected to have low water levels thus impacting on power generation. Therefore there is need to watch closely inflow into Kariba. Your power bill expected to be affected by the drought.
  5. Budget Deficit and Trade Deficit: We will need more funds for the importation of food and judging by the 2024 National Budget—we may not have adequately budgeted for the impending drought. Food imports to worsen the trade deficit as we channel more resources to food importation.

Not looking good for the SADC region in 2024 and unless a miracle happens—we are in deep trouble.

However entrepreneurs well known for solving problems and some could even do extremely well during the anticipated drought period. Opportunities include; (1) Food Import Opportunities Value Chain (2) Alternative Energy Solutions (3) Borehole Drilling (4) Water Bowsers and delivery services (5) Drought resistant crops.

Another interesting angle is that whenever rivers dry up, enterprising locals scour the river beds and bump into minerals such as gold, diamond and other precious minerals. Mining which usually takes a dip due to high water levels, could continue full scale this time around.

Despite a predicted drought, flooding could be experienced in some areas and also factor in the predicted cyclones season from end of January to end of March.

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Digital MarketingGeneral

Lessons from a Pakistani: Why Business Networking is More Important Than Ever

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Have you ever had an experience where a business went above and beyond to meet your needs? A few years ago, I found myself in the streets of Harare, on the hunt for some electrical appliances. I stumbled upon a shop owned by a Pakistani man, and while I could find most of the items on my list, one was out of stock. I was about to leave the store disappointed, but the owner had a different idea.

Rather than turning me away, this savvy businessman offered to fetch the item from his “brother’s” shop nearby. His proposal intrigued me, and I agreed to let him make the call. A young man arrived with the appliance I was looking for in just a matter of minutes. I paid for my items and left the store with a smile on my face.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson about the power of business networking. By cultivating relationships with other businesses in their community, this shop owner was able to provide a level of service that went above and beyond what I expected. He could have easily sent me away, but he took the time to connect with his brother and ensure I left his store satisfied.

As a digital marketer, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for businesses to build relationships with other professionals in their industry. By collaborating with others, businesses can tap into new markets, share ideas and resources, and ultimately provide better customer service. In today’s competitive landscape, offering a good product or service is insufficient. You need to be able to differentiate yourself from the competition, and one of the best ways to do that is by cultivating a strong network of professionals who can help you grow your business.

So the next time you find yourself in a situation where you can’t meet a customer’s needs, don’t just send them away. Take a page from this Pakistani shop owner’s book and see if someone in your network can help. You never know where that connection might lead, which could be the key to unlocking new opportunities for your business.

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Access to MarketsGeneral

Bridging the Digital Divide in Africa: Insights from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe

Airtel-TNM-phone-mobile-Malawi

In today’s digital age, internet connectivity has become vital to life, shaping our social, economic, and political interactions. However, there is still a significant portion of the population in many African countries that do not have access to the Internet. According to recent research by datareportal.com, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe are among the countries with the lowest internet penetration rates in Africa. This article will explore the insights from the data report on these countries and share recommendations for businesses and government authorities on bridging the digital divide.

Insights from the Data:
The data report on Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe reveals a significant disparity in internet connectivity across these countries. Mozambique has the highest number of internet and active social media users, with the fastest internet connection speed among the three countries. Zimbabwe falls between the two regarding connectivity, while Malawi has the lowest internet penetration rates and the slowest connection speed.

Another key insight from the data is the high number of offline populations in each country. There is a sizeable offline population across all three countries, ranging from 10.75 million in Zimbabwe to 26.50 million in Mozambique. This suggests there is room for growth in internet and mobile access. This also presents a significant challenge to businesses and government authorities seeking to leverage the Internet for economic growth, development, and social inclusion.

Recommendations for Businesses:
For businesses seeking to leverage the Internet for growth and development in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, several recommendations exist.

Firstly, businesses should explore partnerships with internet service providers and mobile network operators to expand internet access and improve connectivity in these countries. This can include investing in deploying broadband infrastructure and providing affordable internet services to underserved communities.

Secondly, businesses should embrace digital transformation by leveraging e-commerce, digital marketing, and social media platforms to reach new customers and expand their market reach. This can help to overcome geographical barriers and improve access to markets, products, and services.

Recommendations for relevant Government Authorities:
For government authorities, there are several recommendations to consider in bridging the digital divide in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

Firstly, governments should prioritize the development of a national broadband strategy to guide the deployment of broadband infrastructure and the provision of affordable Internet services to underserved communities. This can include partnering with private sector players to invest in deploying broadband infrastructure and providing affordable internet services.

Secondly, governments should invest in digital literacy programs to improve digital skills among the population, including the youth, women, and marginalized communities. This can help to bridge the digital divide and improve access to education, healthcare, and government services.

In conclusion, the digital divide in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe presents a significant challenge to businesses and government authorities seeking to leverage the Internet for growth, development, and social inclusion. However, by embracing digital transformation and investing in broadband infrastructure, affordable Internet services, and digital literacy, businesses and government authorities can bridge the digital divide and unlock the Internet’s full potential for economic growth, development, and social inclusion in these countries.

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General

Good News for SA Entrepreneurs Part 1

southaz

There are a lot of organisations that support entrepreneurs in the Rainbow Nation. There are hundreds of them that support upcoming entrepreneurs with funding and support. The only challenge that exist is that most people do not know about them! There are few central online points where you can get information that is tailor made to your needs.

We often get inquiries from our members who are South Africans and interested in starting business but not knowledgeable of where to get assistance in terms of support and funding.

The  purpose of this post is therefore to help you with useful information so that you are not left behind on the entrepreneurship journey, others are getting funding and support and so should you. For Zimbabweans living in South Africa-your mind set has to change, get information about available opportunities and tap into it too.

You may be comfortable with a good job and everything but believe you me, one day it will end and it may be too late to start the entrepreneurship journey! Therefore take  an interest in what others are doing and perhaps try on a small scale and see how it goes.  Below we cover 3 organisations only, follow up posts will cover more.


Organisational  support to SMEs in South Africa

Business Place

Footprint: Gauteng, Western Cape

The Business Place Network has been designed to enable maximum impact, growth and leverage of SMMEs through its holistic eco-system approach.

TBPN provides SMEs with the products, services and skills that they require. Partnering with key players in the enterprise and supplier development space, it is able to “connect” entrepreneurs with these specialists – helping them plot a sustainable course for the start-up or growth of their businesses and realise their business dreams.

TBPN offers entrepreneurs the convenience of one-stop shop walk-in centres strategically located across the country.

Core services offered to entrepreneurs include:

  • Co-ordinated business support, such as financial management assistance, secretarial services, business consultancy and more
  • Incubation
  • Mentorship
  • Market linkages
  • Financing interventions

Building strong links

The Business Place Network’s model is brought to life through the combination of supporting partnerships with government and corporates, and co-locating partnerships with players in the enterprise and supplier development space. Co-locating partners are located at each site and are on hand to advise, support and enable entrepreneurs.

The Business Place Network currently manages 7 SMME hubs in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Cost

Small start-ups pay a monthly rental fee for office space and are then provided with training and mentorship at no cost to them. Any business services such as financial book-keeping, tax advice and secretarial services are provided at highly subsidised rates.

Contact Details

Tel: 011 833 0340

Email: info@thebusinessplace.co.za

Endeavor

Footprint: Global

Endeavor is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in growth markets to become global leaders through providing access to talent, investors, partners and markets. This support is delivered through a global network of dedicated business luminaries and leading corporate partners who volunteer their time, knowledge and expertise to high impact entrepreneurs.

Endeavor South Africa was officially incorporated in June 2004 and it has identified and supported more than 80 high-growth entrepreneurs. It has additionally developed a unique Excelerator programme, which works with black-owned businesses. The programme applies Endeavor’s global best practices to earlier-stage businesses that have the potential to become high-growth companies within a defined timeframe.

Once selected, Endeavor Entrepreneurs are provided with customised support from a volunteer network of 2 700+ global and local business leaders who serve as mentors, advisors, connectors, investors and role models. Endeavor provides access to funding, markets, talent and a support system to help them to think bigger, make better decision and multiply their influences.

Selection Criteria for the Endeavor programme

  • Business must have a minimum annual turnover of R10 million.
  • Business must be founder led.
  • Must have a proven track record.
  • It must be a unique business. The entrepreneur owns the Intellectual Property for the products, model or service of the business.
  • It has successfully raised the capital it needed to get to this point.
  • It is scalable, i.e. the business has the potential to grow and become a market leader.
  • It has a business model that is repeatable in any country/region.Selection criteria for the Excelerator programmeEndeavor seeks entrepreneurs at varying stages in their business life-cycle. The intention is that they should be at a “tipping point”, where Endeavor can help the entrepreneur reach new levels.CostOnce selected for a programme, Endeavor entrepreneurs do not pay for the assistance they receive.
  • Contact DetailsTel: 011 463 0992Email: online enquiry formWebsite: www.endeavor.co.za

Fetola

Footprint: National

Fetola, founded in 2006, supports the growth of small and medium sized enterprises and assist them to become independent, thriving businesses and qualified suppliers.

Legends Programme

Fetola’s flagship incubator-type intervention for SMEs is the Legends Programme. Started in June 2007, the Programme is a national business development initiative that supports accelerated growth in small businesses & NGOs nationwide. Open to entrepreneurs, SMEs, non-profits and community-based organisations across a range of sectors, the programme was conceived and developed by Fetola. Legends is active in all 9 Provinces across South Africa.

Interventions include a range of practical, needs-based business skills workshops, regular e-learning, business systems development, one-on-one and remote mentoring, market access, media support and peer-to-peer contact platforms.

Selection Criteria

The criteria for accepting participants into the programme include the following:

  • They must be Black-owned businesses or community benefit projects
  •  Must be an enterprise with proven business viability and potential for growth
  •  Leaders must show willingness to learn and to engage in change
  •  Regular access to communications (email and cellphone)
  • Preference to enterprises benefiting women, rural communities, poor and needy communities, high poverty nodes, high impact in terms of job creationTime out of the business is kept to a minimum as training and support is available to the entrepreneur in his place of work, whilst the shared peer resource allows for networking with dozens of organisations and ensures that beneficiaries feel like part of a group of likeminded individuals.Legends is designed as a two-year intervention, however participant businesses are assessed annually in terms of performance and commitment and a decision is made as to their continued participation by the management team of the programme.CostThere is no charge for joining Legends, but some of the national workshops and certain activities over and above programme parameters are carried out on a cost share basis.
  • Contact Details Tel: 0861 111 690 Email: enquiries@fetola.co.za Website: www.golegends.co.za

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General

6 Free CV Templates for Download

vanhu

Did you know that ZBIN has a vibrant group for South African Nationals that tackles Human Resources Issues? Our ZBIN SA HR Group equips members with top notch skills for job hunting-resume or cv writing tips and interview coaching. We also include a lot of soft skills mentorship such as leadership and networking. We are expanding the group to include other nationals such as Malawians, Batswana, Zambians, Swazi, Namibians, Indians and Ugandans. A lot of jobs are also shared on the platform and currently cover South Africa and Zimbabwe.

If you are interested in joining our vibrant group then send an app message to our Admin on the number +263774081808. Below we provide our members with free cv templates for download. You can compare and contrast with what you have and improve if need be.

Research and our observation shows that most people have badly written cvs and this often results in recruiting managers throwing such cvs into the dustbin. Your chances of being shortlisted for an interview are greatly reduced if you compile a bad cv or use outdated cv templates. The templates below are not the best in the field but can help you in drafting better cvs-feel free to download.

1.Marketing Manager Cv Template

2.CPA-Accountant Cv Template

3.Journalist Cv Template

4.Nurse Cv Template

5.Receptionist Cv Template

6.EletricalEngineer Cv Template

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General

Stationery and Printing Business Models

stationery

So members keep asking me this question ‘ Why do you give investment information for free, why not sell this information? My response is usually that the big picture in giving people investment advice for free is to help our members to make informed investment decisions. To help inspire our members so that they can have many options when it comes to investment. Within the ZBIN Community we often find a lot of members with capital but cluessless on areas to invest in. The Zimbabwe Business Ideas and Network fills the gap in terms of information and provide you with business or investment trends to help you when looking at investment options. We only provide general advice and for more information, you may need to engage us for detailed surveys or look for others to help you.

Stationery and Printing Business Models

1.The old school in terms of selling stationery is that you open a shop and sell books and stationery-The ‘Kingstons shop model’

2. The improvised model is that of selling books and stationey from the streets. Most of the books or stationery being pirated stuff. Lets call this the ‘illegal model’ which is not recommended.

3. The third model involves visiting schools and entering into smart partnership deals. Lets call this one the ‘smart partnership model’

A sekuru of mine has been in the ‘Smart -Partnership Model’ for a while and this has brought him good profits for the past 2 years. He agreed with me to share his model so that it can benefit other enterpreneurs in the different parts of the country.

How does it work?

They visit schools which are located in the urban and rural areas. They first study printers that are used by schools and then brin better models for free!

How do they get profits?

They enter into agreement with schools that they will service and provide cartridges to the schools. The schools after entering into a business partnership–will have to buy cartridges from them only! Any breach of contract will result in litigation and removal of the printer from the school.

Cost of Printers

The smallest printer costs $50 and a cartridge goes for $30. So if they sell 4 cartridges per term this results in $120 monies from cartridges versus $50 for a cartridge. So they usually get their money back plus profits in only one term! Repeat this process for the entire year for one school and the answer should make you smile. Multiply the result by the number of schools and you should have an idea of where some people get money right?Almost similar to silent income as this is a business that is not labour intensive.

Threats

The model has come under threats from youngsters importing stationery, cartridges and printers from Mozambique. They are selling brand new cartridges from as low as $15 and are slowly taking over the market and this has forced my sekuru to consider relocation.

Follow Up Articles

We hope to explore the 3 models analysed above and find out the opportunities that can be tapped by our members.

 

 

 

 

 

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