Tushiyah Website | Projects

E4 ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (PHASE 2)

About the programme

Following the success of the 2023 ICT Start-Up Programme (Phase 1), all participants were invited to apply to phase 2 of the programme delivered in 2024. Tushiyah once again partnered with the Umfolozi TVET College’s CfERI unit in KwaZulu Natal to support the candidates on a continuation of the Emerge Programme (Phase 2).

An Industry Expert was allocated to the participants to support their individual business skills requirements which was also aligned to an online Business Management Training programme. The objectives of this programme were to provide support that will assist in:

Building an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of formalizing and enable formalization and compliance.
Developing skills to identify and access market opportunities, enable greater business positioning, and promote their offerings.
Expose individuals to models that can drive operational efficiencies and productivity.

What Tushiyah did

The Twelve (12) iLembe participants who successfully completed phase 1 of the start-up programme in 2023 showed an interest to continue into Phase 2. All participants were onboarded into phase 2 of the programme during December 2023. All twelve (12) participants completed an online assessment early in January 2024 and were given an opportunity to pitch their business models to the allocated ICT industry Expert / Business Advisor.

The information gathered during the pitching sessions and the outcomes of the assessments were used to design customized development plans for each of the candidates. The development plans included a combination of recommendations for training & mentorship / business advisory support required and key milestones to achieve. Seven (7) Training topics have been identified and were delivered online from March to September 2024.All topics have been delivered to date aligned with the training schedule. The first one-on-one engagements with the business advisor began in February 2024 and continued up until September 2024.

Access to Business Development Support

1. Training: A total of seven (7) Business Management Skills Training Topics were delivered with an average of 51% attendance. Participants that might have missed a live session, accessed recordings and had an opportunity to discuss learnings with a business advisor.

Topic 1: Strategic Planning The “Strategic Planning”, Module is designed for Entrepreneurs to build an understanding of strategic planning as a means to business growth, and enhanced performance.
Topic 2: Artificial Intelligence The “AI”, Module is designed for Entrepreneurs requiring knowledge on AI tools, where to get them, and how to use them to improve their businesses
Topic 3: Pricing Principals The Pricing Principles Module is designed for Entrepreneurs requiring skills to increase the development and implementation of a pricing strategy that is aligned to the business strategy of their company, also to improve and enhance their ability to access market opportunities
Topic 4: Selling Skills The “Improving your selling skills”, Module is designed for Entrepreneurs in their start-up, and intermediate phases of their businesses, requiring improvement of their selling skills, linking production, sales, and customer satisfaction, to the company’s long term business strategy.
Topic 5: Planning for HR The Planning for Human Resources course is designed for SME owners who face challenges to the company’s development due to HR-related difficulties.
Topic 6: Plan and Control Work The “Planning and controlling work”, Module is designed for Entrepreneurs wanting to increase their project management skills, ensuring efficient progress and growth.
Topic 7: Operations Management The “Plan & Manage Operations”, Module is designed for Entrepreneurs to build an understanding of the Tender/Procurement Processes and to improve and enhance their ability to access market opportunities.

2. Business Advisory, Mentorship and Coaching The Business Advisor had monthly and in some instances by-weekly engagements with the committed participants from March 2024 up until September 2024. All mentoring sessions concluded with the closing out of all milestones as mapped out in each entrepreneur’s development plan.

3. Access to Markets Participants were supported with identifying market opportunities during the mentoring sessions and have identified different opportunities to attend networking events and exhibitions. Three events were shared with participants during the programme period:

The Business Show: Africa 2024 (4, 5 September 2024) Programme participant Zodwa Matshika, owner of Stick In Solutions has showcased her business at the above event. She has been supported by the business advisor on a marketing strategy to get maximum exposure.
Business Partners: Business Breakfast (12 September 2024) Participants were advised and invited for the Business Partners Breakfast Event which took place in KZN. The host presented their product offerings as well as gave guests the opportunity to connect / network with businesses.
Tushiyah Certification & Networking event (9 October 2024) Tushiyah hosted an event to formally close off the programme in October 2024. Participants received training attendance & completion certificates and got an opportunity to pitch their businesses to potential partners & funders as well network with them.

4. Certification Event Tushiyah partnered with the Umfolozi TVET College to host a Networking event on the 9th of October 2024 in Mandeni, KZN. The intention of the event was to invite potential funders or partners to network and link up with the participants. The event marked the culmination of Tushiyah’s efforts to support and empower SMMEs in the ICT industry.

Participants were also given an opportunity to pitch and showcase their businesses to the audience made up of the National Business Initiative (NBI) and the Umfolozi TVET College. Other guests included the Programme sponsor e4 and Tushiyah team members. Tushiyah also used the event to award participants with Business Management Skills Training Certificates of completion and attendance. Three (3) Participants received certificates of completion and five (5) for attendance. Participants also presented their testimonials and experience throughout the programme and five (5) participants pitched their businesses.

What was the outcome?

Participants were requested to fill out and submit post programme evaluation and feedback after the certification ceremony. Each participant was asked to rate various areas of their experience on the programme. The information below represents the direct benefit gained by individuals & their businesses in respect to the categories evaluated, and the impact to them as a result of the programme. From the 10 participants, 7 responses were received, equating to an acceptable sample of 70%.

The Post Programme Evaluation data is obtained from participants who have completed the programme. Various indicators are used to measure the success of the programme and their experience during support of increase and value of increase in Sales, the value of the programme influencing the increase in turnover, employment, new contracts and their experience with the support of applying for business funding. Participating enterprises had the following to say.

From the year 2023 I joined Tushiyah our business sales have increased dramatically by 80% (Mkhwanazi, Nobuhle)
I have built a Network of clients and business individuals within my trade (Gwala, Sibusiso)
All went successful (Masuku, Wandile)

Testimonials

The programme reviews and testimonials received were heart-warming. We‘ve received a recording for a testimonial from our programme’s own Nobuhle Mkhwanazi, which speaks about the path she’s taken in her business, and how she’s benefitted from her development journey.

View the Recording