Starting a business: Advice from the NYDA

A while back, there was a request for a business advice post. So I went hunting for people in the know, bumped into Linda who is a communications specialist & Unathi who is an Investment analyst at the NYDA. This is what they had to say in response to my questions, I hope it has covered most of the FAQ's in the house.

The NYDA offers different financial and non-financial services under "Economic Development division". (Please follow the links at the end of this article for more information on each division.)*

I asked Linda what the first thing they would advise young people wanting to go into business would be, her response was that one need to know what they want before even considering starting a business. It is not up to the NYDA to decide what business path would be suitable for an entrepreneur, but for said entrepreneur to approach them already with a business idea & plan at hand.

The most common mistakes that potential entrepreneur make is copying already existing ideas. It is always advised that one tries very hard to come up with new ideas, the NYDA encourages this. Linda used an example of people opening a spaza shop that is the same as an already existing one in the same street, selling the same products at the same price as the already existing to compete for the same customers. This can lead to failure of an enterprise as the new comer offers nothing new to a market that might already be saturated. She advised; instead; to rather come up with better, improved or even newer ways of conducting business instead of going with "what has always worked" approach. Another common mistake young entrepreneurs tend to make is not separating a business entity from the physical person running or even owning the enterprise. This is the main reason that most small businesses never grow beyond this point. As soon as a small business starts making money, you will find that the owner uses the money for personal use such as buying flashy cars instead of using it for business growth. This can also lead to business failure as funds then become misused and the business becomes unsustainable.

In a case where an entrepreneur does not qualify for funding, the NYDA does not turn the applicants away, but instead refers them to one the different programmes on offer to help them either come up with a better idea of their proposal or even mentor and assist with business sustainability researches.

On non-profit organisations, one blogger wanted to know if all 5 signatories should be involded in the day to day running of the business and the response was yes. These are founding members therefore have to be involved on a full-time basis.

*Business Consultancy Services (voucher) Proggramme: http://www.nyda.gov.za/Business-Consultancy-Services-Programme/Pages/default.aspx
*Business Opportunity Support Services: http://www.nyda.gov.za/Business-Opportunities/Pages/default.aspx

*Mentorship Programme: http://www.nyda.gov.za/Volunteer-Business-Mentorship-Programme/Pages/default.aspx
*Entrepreneurship Development Programme: http://www.nyda.gov.za/Entrepreneurship-Development-Programme/Pages/default.aspx

by Queen Troll

TOLAH Book Club

In prep for the holidays I went and got me a few books last month for those moments when the anti-social bug hits me. I must say it had been a while since I read something with a plot, something that I can get burried for hours on end without losing interest.

One of the books I got and have started reading is "Killing Kebble: An Underworld Exposed" by Mandy Wiener, a 702 journalist who investigated and interviewed Brett Kebble's friends, business associates, family, employees, police men that are investigating the cases that involved Brett from when he was still alive and even politicians who were said to have been close the the gunned down mining magnet. It is almost like a virtual tour of the underground life lived by people merely perceived as big shot business men while they are actually leading a the type of life that we only see in movies.

The book uncovers some of the most interesting details on how politics, drugs and power almost always go hand in hand. In the first 200 pages, you will already be introduced to characters unlikely to be seen to mingle in the same circles, ie politicians, actresses, Jewish business men and drug lords. It also uncovers how power hunger can and does lead to greed which in turn will lead you to death as a greedy man will eventually step on toes to get whatever he wants. 

What impressed me more about the book, the author gives you a background of each character before getting to how they are part of the puzzle, she goes as far as telling you their childhood and upbringing, their status in society, etc

Also, there are just too many names big being dropped in the book. I am talking Jackie Selebi, Fikile Mbalula, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and many more... It is un-put-down-able

I can't wait to finish it so I can start reading McIntosh Polela's "My father my monster". It looks very interesting too.

What are you ladies reading?

By Queen Troll

Share the festivities

There is no turning back. All things festive goes. All you see in offices are bodies whose souls are long on holiday. Plans are made and all we are doing is counting how many sleeps until that moment when we will log off, put the work laptop in the office safe and bid farewell to the boringness that is the work space.

It is that time of the year where relatives reunite, lovers get away on pre-honeymoonesque destinations, new makoti's will be getting introduced to their pre-families. Food and alcohol will be flowing; well until the 2nd January 2015 when mashonisa will be responsible to borrow us money to make January more bearable.

We are going on holiday and nothing will stop us. The famous question in the air by the water cooler that has replaced the weather talk is "so, where are you spending your Christmas hoildays" and we can't wait to retell our holiday plans over and over again to the same colleagues who also can't
wait to share their plans.

So I ask you; my dear friends; where are you off to this festive season? What are your holiday plans? Who's going away and who will be at what festival? Do share!

by Queen Troll

Holidays, mommies and their bundles of joy

Hey friend, so you and your kiddies are coming to visit for the holidays? I am so happy *rolls eyes* 

Regarding your kids, those precious little angels that you soooo adore very badly and love with all your hearts. They’re solely YOUR own and not mine. I am happy for you that God blessed you with this little munchkins, neh don’t get me wrong. But can we just address a few things here:

• The poo talk! I don’t care that your baby had liquid poo or whatever you will choose to call it today. It is gross, therefore you are a nasty person for even thinking that information is worth sharing. 
• Discipline your own, do I even need to tell you this? I don’t care what it is you have to do, but please keep your nana in check.
• I am not your baby sitter. Yes I definitely do mind so please let us not make this awkward by even asking. I did my share of baby sitting when I was in high school (and got paid for it) and that will be it for a life time. I thank you for understanding this.
• So baby Johno is pronouncing every second word wrong and you think it’s cute and find it in you to repeat the words back to me? First of all, I AM sitting right next to you, so yes I heard it. Can we move on from it now? secondly, it is not even cute by the way, it just means that baby Johno is having retarded issues. Teach him how to say things right before he grows up to be that funny kid who can’t speak right.
• The noise. If you do not make your kids keep quiet at crucial times like…. well I don’t know all the time, I will tell them about the tooth fairy, Santa etc. You don’t believe? try me.
• Yes you adore the rascals, but can we move away from talking about them 24/7? I am not about that life, therefore I do not understand why all conversations revolve around them. Let’s rather talk about the length of time it takes for grass to grow, it excites better.
• The toys all over the place. My friend, how do I even say this to you? It is not ok. Ever stepped on a Lego block? imagine, now that that block belongs to someone else’s kid. Yes, I will get violent if it happens so we can avoid this situation by keeping the toys out of sight. better yet stop being stingy and buy your kids TV games. By TV games I mean PSP, this will ensure that they stay well out of sight while playing that.
• That baby talk you do. Why? Can your baby not understand normal talk. What is this “kaakaaaa” shit you do? Now we know who’s baby won’t grow up to be a rocket scientist!
• Lastly, I do not want to see a sight of your toddler’s used nappy. It needs to remain a myth to me!

Happy holidaying from Queen Troll

Woza Dhizemba

Ayeye Ke Dizemba boss! Everything looks nice and everyone seems carefree as the festive spirit has arrived with full force and you can figuratively smell it in the air.

With all that being said, today is World Aids day. Most of us are affected by this epidemic. We either know someone infected or; Lord forbid; are infected by it. HIV/AIDS is no longer as taboo as it used to be, nor is it a death sentence. Some of the people I know are living positively with it. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have evaded the sickness so far, let's pull together to support those who are infected and affected and also stay responsible to minimise the chances of contracting it.  

Now that the responsible side is sorted, what ratchetness did y'all get up to this past weekend?

by Queen Troll