Course Learning Objectives

Specific learning objectives are:

• Understand the basic steps to start and grow a business
• Prepare business action plans to manage risk
• Identify community and business resources to support the youth

Course Overview

South Africa’s Total Entrepreneurship Activity (TEA)  index in 2008 stood at 7,8%, which is greater than it was in 2006 (5%) but still lower than India-Brazil (11,5% – 12%), Colombia (24,5%), Mexico (13,1%) and even the United States¹ (10,8%). However in 2009, following the economic crisis, the level of early-stage entrepreneurial activity in South Africa dropped again to just over 5%. Within South Africa, sharp differences remain within demographic groups with Indians and Whites having the most entrepreneurs (1,6:1 and 1,7:1 respectively compared to the general population), while Blacks and Coloureds have fewer entrepreneurs (0,9:1 and 1,2:1 respectively compared to the general population). The expansion of support by Government and Councils is testament of the priority to develop and sustain SMME’s in Gauteng and South Africa.

This unique Entrepreneurship SMME Business Training program is for young people in South Africa building businesses. The focus of the training materials and sessions is on the skills to build a healthy business. Business owners will face dilemmas, multi-dimensional dilemmas, which will impact their businesses. Some of these are particular to young entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs need to plan for impacts on their business. They need to be aware of the impact of their decisions on their well being, medical health and the health of their family. Their business, their family, and their personal well being form a triangle. All corners of the triangle must be in healthy balance. Business owners, especially young people, need to learn how to keep their business consistently open and reliably operating, for their well being and their business viability.

The training materials and sessions will present basic business skills to start and maintain a business, helping you manage business risk and approach your venture with confidence and enthusiasm. Topics include starting a business, record keeping, marketing products and services, calculating profit, planning, financing and managing a business.

A business plan template will also be provided. A well-written business plan provides a firm foundation to the business you hope to build. The business plan forces you to consider in advance all the elements in running a profitable business. It will help you monitor your progress over the initial years. The business plan is essential if you will seek funding for your business. It will show your potential opportunity and your financial needs.

A core component of the training will be assignments to be done outside of the training sessions. These will be a bridge, transitioning from business skill building to the business plan preparation. At the end of each day, you will be given assignments. The assignments are to assist you in applying the training material to your own business and they will guide you in developing your own business plan. Plan to answer the questions in the Business Plan Work Sheets as thoroughly as you can. Answers to the questions in italics can be used to write sections of your own business plan. The non-italicized questions are to help you think about the section. When you are confident in your answers, you should proceed to write sections of your business plan.

There will also be time within the training for you to address concerns and seek healthy solutions as you and others open and build successful businesses. An important component of the training will be to provide access to local resources. While the core of the training sessions will be business tools, these basic skills will be increased as you deal with the challenges facing you and identify local resources. There shall be some presentations from entrepreneurship experts as well.

This handbook includes:

• Session Materials
• Assignments
• Business Plan Work Sheets
• Business Plan Template
• Financial Tools

The Business Plan Work Sheets, the Business Plan Template, and the Financial Tools are set up as forms so that you can use them as templates for later use. When the Business Plan is completed, you may type it up and use it to present to funders, bankers and other resources as you initiate and build your business.