Business advice
Local businesses: turning customers into fans
Business advice
Customers are the lifeblood of any business. In fact, without customers you have no business. But what really sets one small business apart from another is the ability to turn its customers into lifelong fans. The more of a fan base an entrepreneur can build, the better his or her chances of creating a business that lasts.
Business advice
Hidden costs of starting a new business
Starting a business is probably one of the most exciting things you’ll do in your lifetime. The freedom of doing your own thing is priceless, yet many entrepreneurs cite cash flow troubles as one of their biggest challenges. We’ve put together a list of common burdens to watch out for as you budget for your new venture.
Business advice
How to estimate your start-up costs
When starting your own business, you don’t need millions to make millions. The Big Blue retail chain started as a flea market stall, while billion rand sport supplement business USN was launched from a kitchen.What you do need is a clear picture of the costs of doing business so you don’t experience cash flow problems later on. We help you work out your start-up budget to help keep you on track.
Business advice
Advice on running a successful business
Running a small business in South Africa remains an exciting adventure. A 2016 study* found that small business is actually big business for our country: it is estimated that start-ups contribute between 52% and 61% to the GDP.
Business advice
Holiday season risks for retail businesses
Is your retail business ready for the silly season? We’ve put together a guide on some of the risks shop and restaurant owners should brace themselves for over the festive season. Work through it, make the necessary preparations and speak to your broker if you have any concerns about your insurance cover.
Business advice
Keep your retail premises safe this holiday season
The holiday season means booming business for retailers but also an increase in crime and freak accidents. Take the time to run through our checklist and inspect your building from top to bottom before the silly season begins.
Business advice
Entrepreneurs: how to balance work and play
New business owners have to make a lot of sacrifices. Find out what most entrepreneurs give up and steps you can take to find the right work-life balance.
Business advice
Get the right insurance for your small business
Insurance is essential to protect your business assets and finances, but many business owners view it as a complicated and expensive responsibility.
Business advice
Starting a business from home? Here's what you need to know about home-based business insurance
South African research shows that 43% of start-up business owners prefer to work from home. But would you be able to claim from your insurer if you are burgled or a fire destroys all your work material?
Business advice
4 Challenges start-ups face and how to deal with them
Challenges arise in any business. Read our entrepreneurial tips to learn how to use these experiences as an opportunity to grow.
Business advice
Tips for Entrepreneurs: Make the most of a mentor
We’ve outlined some tips on finding a mentor, and making the most of a mentorship opportunity.
Business advice
Small business planning: How and why
According to the Santam start-up survey conducted on over 600 South African entrepreneurs, most small businesses said pre-planning took less than 6 months and that finances were the biggest challenge in this start up period.
Business advice
Checklist for insuring your home-based business
Use our tips to see if it’s time to get business insurance for your venture to protect yourself from damages and liability.
Business advice
Cost-saving ideas for your small business
How successful small businesses save on overheads and expenses – tips and tricks to try.
Business advice
How to build a passionate team
Looking to grow your small business? Read this blog post for tips on finding people who are as passionate about your start-up as you are.
Business advice
How your business can cope with water restrictions
Keep customers happy and save water? These water saving hacks will help your small business
Business advice
5 Traits of successful entrepreneurs
In the Santam Start-up Survey, we spoke to 606 South African entrepreneurs who identified the following characteristics as being the most important to reach success:
Business advice
Grow your business with the right partner – here’s how
Need a business partner but don’t know where to start? Here are tips to find your perfect match.
Business advice
The pros and cons of getting a business partner
Want to grow your business? Here are the pros and cons of sharing your venture with a business partner.
Business advice
Collaborate and grow: how and why you should team up with other entrepreneurs
Often, the best way to get ahead of the competition is to team up with like-minded entrepreneurs. We look at the benefits of collaboration and how to find your perfect match.
Business advice
Holiday safety checklist
If you are closing your business over the festive season, there are certain security precautions you would be well advised to implement to ensure the safety of your business while you are away.
Business advice
How to avoid the common pitfalls of business interruption cover
For business clients, an underinsurance shortfall can be disastrous. We have identified three of the most common pitfalls to watch out for.
Business advice
Keeping your business safe over the holiday season
This December, make sure your business is protected and prepared for any potential criminal attacks.
Business advice
Where and how to network in South Africa
American entrepreneur Armstrong Williams once said that networking is an essential part of building wealth. For a small business owner, networking can also be a source of support, fresh ideas and new business opportunities.
Business advice
How to avoid cybercrime and fraud in your business
As a small business owner, you have your hands full. Unfortunately, criminals rely on you being too busy to notice suspicious activity. Therefore, you have to arm yourself with the facts to protect your business against physical threats – e.g. access controls to avoid unauthorised entry into your premises – as well as cyber risks – where fraudsters are trying to lure you into revealing sensitive information. Here is Santam’s advice on how to avoid fraud in your small business.
Business advice
Facing challenges: Lessons from our 1001 days entrepreneurs
As many of our 1001 days survivors can attest, starting a business is both a wonderfully rewarding and challenging experience. It can be hard to keep your head above water, which is why statistically very few entrepreneurs survive past 1000 days (three years). Santam has been profiling diverse businesses over the last year to bring you practical advice on making it to 1001 days. Read each story here.
Business advice
Spring clean your business insurance: our experts give their advice
Every year, your contract with your short-term insurance company is automatically renewed. More often than not, your business insurance contract simply ‘ticks over’ without your having checked whether your business has either too much or too little cover in place.
Business advice
Running a cab service? Here’s what you need to know about passenger liability cover.
Whether you operate a taxi service for large or small groups of passengers, you may have wondered how your insurance will protect you if, for example, one of your vehicles is involved in an accident and their passengers are injured.
Business advice
The why and how of going green in your business
Can going green save your business money? We look at reasons to embrace energy saving.
Business advice
Taking the plunge: tips from 1001 days entrepreneurs on starting a business
Starting a business is an exhilarating and rewarding experience for budding entrepreneurs, however it can also be a daunting time. Statistically, very few entrepreneurs survive past 1000 days (three years). Santam has been profiling diverse businesses over the past few months to bring you practical advice on making it to 1001 days.
Business advice
Useful apps for small business owners
As a small business owner, time is everything and budgets are no doubt always tight. Your smartphone or tablet is probably at your side 24 hours a day, which is why apps are becoming one of an entrepreneur’s best time and money saving tools.
Business advice
Underinsurance is a challenge for the South African business sector
The South African commercial sector is traditionally underinsured, and it gets worse during hard economic times.
Business advice
Cash business? Make sure you have the right insurance cover
“Money is king” is a saying that still rings true especially for small businesses. But having a lot of cash on your premises increases your risk of armed robberies and burglaries. There are however, a number of ways in which you can protect yourself.
Business advice
Reduce your business' risk and save on insurance premiums
There is little doubt that you are running your business in a climate where cost management is everything, which is why reducing your business’ exposure to risk makes good sense. Not only will it help make sure your business keeps running, you could save on your monthly business insurance premiums.
Business advice
Protect your business this Winter
South Africa is preparing for a spate of cold fronts in the next few weeks and business owners would do well to ensure they are adequately protected against the consequences of adverse winter conditions.
Business advice
The importance of business interruption cover for SME’s
The journey through the first 3 years, or 1001 days of a start-up business is a mix of good and bad days. To make it through the bad ones – the days when delivery vans crash or stock gets stolen – you need an insurer that understands the importance of keeping your business in business.
Business advice
1 001 Days by Explosive Functional Fitness
The first 3 years, or 1001 days, are the hardest for any business, with the majority never reaching their third business anniversary. We talked to Garth Hendricks about his journey from being a personal trainer to owning a booming indoor boot camp business, which he dreams of franchising in the next few years.
Business advice
The business of load shedding
As the reality of load shedding hits South Africa, business owners who understand exactly what they’re covered for, could be better off.
Business advice
The small business owner’s guide to surviving load shedding
We’ve put together some practical advice which can help lighten the impact of load shedding on your business.
Business advice
1 001 Days by Benger
The first 1000 days of business is a challenging time for most start-ups, with the majority never reaching their third business anniversary. We interviewed four diverse companies who surpassed this milestone and now share their insights with fellow entrepreneurs.
Business advice
1 001 Days of business for Dineplan
The first 1000 days of business are make or break for entrepreneurs. In this infographic, we take a look at the business highs and lows of Martin Rose, owner of digital reservation service, Dineplan, and share his insights.
Business advice
1 001 Days of business by So We Too
It can be challenging to make it through the first 1000 days of business - just ask Raymond Rampolokeng, one of the co-founders of SO WE TOO - a cooperative of seven enterprising tourism operators in Soweto. We sat down with this bird watching extraordinaire to learn more about his business journey and share his ultimate survival tips.
Business advice
1 001 Days of business by Jesse James
The first 1000 days of business are make or break for entrepreneurs. Statistically, very few companies survive the first 1000 days (3 years) of business so we sat down with 3 very diverse businesses to get their advice on how to get to day 1001.
Business advice
What does it take to survive your first 1000 days as a start-up business?
From statistics, we know that the first 1000 days are the most challenging for small businesses. Over the next few months, we will be sharing the stories of those that made it past this important milestone and how they did it. We hope that by letting these entrepreneurs tell us what they went through and how they survived it, we will help more local businesses pass this important milestone.
Business advice
Guest house insurance: what you need to know
Whether you’re a guest house or small bed and breakfast owner, Santam can offer you the type of insurance that will cover most eventualities.
Business advice
Top risk tips for small businesses in south africa
We’ve looked at Santam’s list of claims from South African businesses over the past few years and give you a few practical tips to consider in the future.
Business advice
Managing your business’ risk
Running a small business in South Africa. That is why we’ve identified some of forms of risk facing South African small businesses specifically as well as some practical tips to help you manage those risks.
Business advice
The common cold of our time
Useful safety tips on how to ensure that you reduce the risk of cyber fraud and hacking. Read more about online security threats, password protection.
Business advice
Easy ways to back up your data
The risks of not backing up data are much greater than most business owners realise, Santam Information Security Officer, Andre Nel tells us more.
Business advice
You have survived 1 001 days, now share your story with us
They say that the first 3 years of business are make or break for an entrepreneur. Like a relationship, this is the time in which you really get to know what works for your business. If you have made it through the ups and downs of these crucial years, we would like to hear more about your business journey
Business advice
3 ways to introduce innovative thinking in your small business
In today’s world, where consumers have a myriad of options available, you have to position your business as a leader in innovative thinking in order to grow and most importantly, stay in business. How do you do that?
Business advice
The 5 W s and 1 H of marketing your business
These days, you don't need a whopping ad budget to have an effective marketing plan. Not sure where to even start? These 5 W's and 1 H should help you take the first steps in marketing your business
Business advice
Business advice from the small business growth conference
The Small Business Growth Conference, held in March at the CTICC, brought together small business owners for advice from some of the best small business experts in the country.
Business advice
How to do business in other countries
Sunel Beeselaar discusses what businesses need to consider when working across borders. She gives advice and tips on what to watch out for when considering doing business in another country.
Business advice
Growing a business through learning
Sibulele Siko-Shosha talks about the biggest lesson she learned through starting and growing her business and shares her insights on understanding business processes and systems in order to build a successful business.
Business advice
The biggest problems entrepreneurs face
David Seinker explains why attempting to succeed as a one-man band is one the biggest problems faced by entrepreneurs in South Africa.
Business advice
Managing excessive sick leave
Gerrie van der Watt is passionate about assisting businesses in overcoming internal workflow challenges and implementing healthy work practices.
Business advice
The key to small business marketing
Mike Joubert shares practical insights on how to focus on developing a sustainable business offering in a highly competitive market environment.
Business advice
Overcoming obstacles to move ahead
Catherine Wijnberg discusses an entrepreneur’s biggest obstacle and gives insights into how to overcome these roadblocks.
Business advice
5 ways to create an effective website for your small business.
Remember the days when you only had to worry about getting a spot in the latest Yellow Pages to promote your business? Nowadays, being without a business website is not really an option.
Business advice
Four essential business lessons from the small business growth conference
The Small Business Growth Conference, held in March at the CTICC, brought together small business owners for advice from some of the best small business experts in the country. The focus? Exploring the key areas small businesses need to invest in to grow their business
Business advice
5 steps to take when writing a business marketing plan
A product or business is only as good as its marketing plan. In order to attract and retain customers, your business needs a marketing plan. People are unlikely to stumble across your business, if they don’t know who you are, what you’re selling or offering, or who to look for online. So, how do you approach writing a business marketing plan? Take a look at the infographic.
Business advice
How to comply with the CPA to keep your business safe
8 things your small business should be doing to comply with the Consumer Protection Act.
Business advice
How sme’s can manage debt effectively
Each month we are inviting a Guest Expert to give us tips and advice that is helpful to SME owners. This month we have Kelebogile Mooketsi, a registered and accredited Debt Counsellor.
Business advice
Is your biggest challenge your biggest opportunity?
Santam has brought together an expert panel of some of South Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs to share their best business insights. Meet Jody, Luvuyo and Pumeza.
Business advice
Funding your business in tough economic times
Three South African Entrepreneurs share how they went about securing funding and entered into partnerships to save money and grow their businesses.
Business advice
Miss Milli B shares her insights
Each month we are inviting a successful business mind to share insights and advice helpful to SME owners. This month we have Miss Milli B - blogger, writer, trend consultant www.missmillib.blogspot.com.
Business advice
Q and A with guest editor: Sizwe Nzima – on the challenges facing SME’s
Each month Santam for Business invites a successful SME owner to share their advice and insights on managing risk and growing a business. This month we interviewed Sizwe Nzima and asked for his SME advice and tips on business risk management.
Business advice
How SA entrepreneurs beat their biggest challenges
Join our Santam for Business Conversations
Business advice
Budget marketing ideas for start-ups
When you start a new business, time and money are usually your scarcest commodities. You know you have to promote your business but marketing sometimes falls by the wayside as you try to keep up with demanding customers, recruiting staff and paying bills. We’ve put together some tried-and-tested marketing ideas, whether your budget is R5 000, R500 or even zero!
Business advice
10 tips for becoming a successful entrepreneur
Santam is passionate about supporting and developing entrepreneurs – the drivers of a new economy. Through our 1001 days series, we’ve brought you lots of insights and advice from business owners who have made it through their first three years of business. Here is a collection of 10 of our all-time best pieces of advice to help you make it as an entrepreneur.
Business advice
10 simple business marketing tips on a tight budget
Marketing is essential to any business but it can take a lot of time and money to get it just right. When times are tough, the marketing budget is often the first place where cuts are made.
Business advice
6 Reasons to celebrate being a local business
In South Africa, SMEs comprise 98.5% of all formal businesses. That makes you the lifeblood of our country and the hub for our communities. For generations, people have been passionate about their ‘locals’. And that passion persists.