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Small businesses in Pietermaritzburg have benefited from a programme co-ordinated by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Leadership Centre and funded by the British Council. Launched a year ago using the city as a pilot site in South Africa, 45 participants from the first group celebrated the success of the initial programme at a function this week. The learning networks programme has assisted already established businesses to increase profitability and productivity, identify opportunities and current trends and gain practical competitive advantage. It was designed to assist in the development of new products and services, improve skills and motivation, as well as develop management skills, business planning, innovation and teamwork.
ProfitNet works through structured learning, informal networking, communication and knowledge sharing with peers and experts and aims to help you understand your business in real depth and apply your learning through this practical approach.The idea of getting businesses that operate in similar environments to work together to identify and develop practical solutions to individual problems is novel and clearly works with members experiencing significant and positive changes in themselves and in their businesses.
Evaluations of the programme conducting in the UK have shown the following results for participants:
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88% got new business ideas
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70% say their management skills have been enhanced
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94% say the programme encourages strategic thinking
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96% are very satisfied and want to continue with the programme
Although it is still early days, participant in the Profitnet(SA) project have reported favourably of their experiences and benefits derived from their involvement in the programme.ProfitNet has been running successfully in the UK for four years. The scheme launched in 2004 with 100 member companies. This number has grown to 500, testifying to the value of Profitnet. UKZN and Brighton University were awarded a development grant by the British Council’s England-Africa Partnership. This grant was used to introduce the ProfitNet programme to small businesses in Pietermaritzburg, which started at the end of last year. The scheme involved 12 months’ practical learning that was tailored to meet the needs of member companies. Members joined a sector-specific group and met regularly for a facilitated session. Members contributed to the group with the opportunity to select topics for discussion, articulate relevant business issues and receive feedback from other members.
The groups were facilitated by University-trained staff who ensured delivery on agreed needs, while maintaining the programme structure. "An excellent first meeting, which I left with my mind buzzing. The whole spirit of the meeting was one of positive support for each other, and a desire to learn from eachothers' experiences. I am looking forward to reporting back at the next meeting on the actions I have taken in respect of the ideas/suggestions given to me. It was a genuine learning experience." (ProfitNet member)Profitnet(SA) is to be extended to other centres in South Africa while the operation in Pietermaritzburg is to be expanded next year, when additional funding comes through. Ends
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