Top 6 South African small business opportunities for 2008….Part 3
by Jon Cherry on 19/12/07 at 11:00 am
8 comments
Design your own: Once again, thanks to the nimbleness of running a small, non-massproducing company – you can really take huge advantage of one of the biggest global trends of 2007, which we predict will pick up radical speed in South Africa in ‘08.
Allowing your customers to hijack your brand and take complete control by designing their very own products gives them a level of personalisation much sought-after in today’s ‘Made in China’ society.
Perfect for any industry struggling to compete for sales in an over-traded environment, the concept will work for anything from cakes and tshirts to stationary and wine production. All that’s needed from your side are well managed flexible systems and a pricing model that’s going to make the whole thing financially viable.
Companies like Threadless in the US have made millions by completely resigning control and allowing all their products to be designed by their customers. There’s no reason why something similar would not work in South Africa.
Colab: South African entrepreneurs seem to have a typical ‘laager’ mentality when it comes to business. What’s mine is mine and you must just keep your nose out of my business. This however, completely ignores the huge opportunity to fast-track your brand’s growth by collaborating with another business for your mutual benefit. Going forward, colab projects will be one-off, project-based and founded more on brand collaboration than anything else.
If the recent phenomenon of social networking has taught us anything, its that we can be far more effective and successful by using the power of a wider network than trying to do it all alone. By taking on strategic joint ventures with complementary entrepreneurs, you can still concentrate on you own expertise while developing your brand in new markets that would never have been possible without your colab partner.
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That’s how we see it. There are obviously a whole herd more global trends that we think will make a big impact in South Africa next year, but hopefully these six are a tasty teaser.
[ Read Part 1 ]
[ Read Part 2 ]
Jon Cherry is the founder of Cherryflava Media, a Trends & Innovation company. Jon is also the brains behind Cherryflava.com one of the most influential websites in Africa. Jon likes to pick out the business needles in South Africa's haystack. View more articles by Jon Cherry.
Ideate - Small Business in South Africa
Dec 19th, 2007
[...] Read Part 3 [...]
juliette veitch
Mar 29th, 2008
Hi – Just discovered Ideate and am loving it – and not a moment too soon, as I am contemplating the mass exodus to UK.
I have been running my own small business, a pre-school and creche, catering for upper middle class parents in a money-d suburb of Northern Johannesburg.
Been struggling to make it profitable due to not getting classes filled – tons of other schools in area, we are def one of more quality and more expensive, most kids leave there and pay double to get less than what we offer at the private school they will then attend for formal schooling years.
I love your idea of colab, but my uncreative mindset cannot come up with who would be a good colab partner in the industry I am in – any suggestions…..? please?………. just some ideas to get my creative juices flowing and open my mind to greater awesome possiblities?
THANKS A MIL,
I really appreciate and am totally inspired by your articles. Def gonna stay in SA and make a difference – and tons of money hopefully.
regards,
Juliette
Alex
Aug 22nd, 2008
Julliette, don’t leave! I’ve been, done and always returned with a wry smile. A wry smile comes because we live in a massively amazing new country thats evolving faster than we think. A Uni Prof once said to me: “you won’t be able to see the picture if you’re inside the frame..”‘
Now your message about your school just sparked an idea. I’ve also just discovered this site, and collaborative efforts are indeed within our thought patterns. If i produce rugs (hand woven by Township ladies), and your kids are kids (what i mean is: they’re creative and fun) then should i get your kids to sit with my Weavers and choose and create rugs that are customized and their own. Snakes & ladders, ABC, whatever really – we have a ton of colors. The weavers skills and the childs brain (and by the way the african mama’s we have would go nuts to sit with a child for a day or two and weave what they wanted) Direct outlet: the children (parents obviously pay for the rug at the end – you get a rate on each item). Now the challenge. You are in JHB, I am in Cape Town? mmmmm
jennifer
Oct 9th, 2008
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Oscar
Jan 27th, 2009
Hi, Guys,
i would like to exchange ideas with you all about new busyness ideas that will take and become the pillar of the economy of this country. please let share ideas.
thanks.
take care.
Oscar
Morne Prinsloo
Jul 23rd, 2009
I have found your Blog (article) on Google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
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Ps: Keep up the good work. !!!!
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Top 6 South African small business opportunities for 2008….Part 1 — Ideate – Small Business in South Africa
Aug 27th, 2009
[...] Read Part 3 [...]