BusinessFit SA, BusinessFit’s purpose is to help business leaders and entrepreneurs build better businesses by guiding them in implementing a defined quality assurance and sustainable development process to support their enterprise foundation and intentionBusinessFit’s purpose is to help business leaders and entrepreneurs build better businesses by guiding them in implementing a defined quality assurance and sustainable development process to support their enterprise foundation and intention. Traditional business development models tend to focus more on profit creation, which is, of course, an essential component in organisational success, however, profit is an outcome and not the process that drives value creation through operational excellence and client retention. BusinessFit’s scientific approach to developing productive, compliant, engaged, and sustainable businesses helps to create a common language for the enterprise and its people through defining outcomes, intentions and measurements. The BusinessFit App and Quality Assurance process has proven itself as a tool that improves an enterprise’s likelihood of financial and operational success. BusinessFit’s approach identifies where each enterprise is in its own evolution and development and guides the organisation in its progression towards reaching maturity and achieving its desired balance and outcomes. Organisations are normally founded by an entrepreneur who identifies an opportunity in the market. This forms the basis of the idea and intention carried forward. The entrepreneur applies business mindedness to the idea and intention, and develops a plan or strategy to reach intended customers, operational and financial expectations. In most instances, entrepreneurs bring purpose, passion, and core competencies in developing a product or service. At BusinessFit we want entrepreneurs to acknowledge that their core competency is critical to the success of the enterprise, but also to recognise that their creative contribution is the idea or vision, and for the idea or vision to be successful and sustainable as a product or service, it requires the support of a well-considered business framework. BusinessFit, since its inception in 2012, has been focussed on helping business leaders ensure their ideas and vision are supported through quality assurance processes and controls that provide clarity in progression intentions and ensure legitimacy in value creation and in meeting legislative and governance requirements. Five-Stage Process BusinessFit’s quality assurance and business and sustainability methodology follows a five-stage process which is co-ordinated through the BusinessFit App. The process helps business leaders and entrepreneurs along a journey to create a framework to support their organisation’s purpose and desired outcomes. STAGE ONE in the quality assurance process is where we help leaders clearly define and articulate their enterprise’s value creation for consumers, communities, society, and stakeholders. Through an online profile each enterprise defines its products and services, purpose, location, industry, B-BBEE status, trading hours, as well as shares web domain, individual and team photos and a video. STAGE TWO focuses on foundational governance, which includes all aspects an enterprise is required to have in place to be regarded as a good corporate citizen. These include such items as SARS tax clearance certificates, Letters of Good Standing from Dept of Labour (COIDA/UIF), CIPC documents detailing enterprise registration confirmation and current directors. STAGE THREE is about processes and assurance that outcomes are achievable within the enterprise’s guiding structures and foundation. STAGE FOUR is a Round Table Meeting where a professional business consultant meets with a business leader and follows a Sustainability Reporting process which includes four Pillars and thirty-two action areas. The Pillars are Leadership, Functional Area Foundations, Measurements and Engagement. STAGE FIVE is about testimony, where BusinessFit wants to hear from companies and customers that have used the enterprise’s services, and that their experience has been positive. Quality Assurance Quality assurance is the key differentiator in creating successful and sustainable businesses, but of course, a structured quality assurance plan is not enough on its own to guarantee meeting defined outcomes. A lot depends on the leader’s ability to clearly define the enterprise intentions, as well as providing confidence that the vision is achievable. We work with leaders in helping them define the enterprise value creation, its financial sustainability model, and develop the culture needed to drive the organisation forward. We encourage a business minded approach and ensure that there are defined milestones to guide the enterprise in reaching its intended outcome. Confidence is critical, and as we know, comes from having experience and know-how, having access to resources and reliable networks, and that leaders and staff are representing their authentic selves. Functional foundations are made up of the activity groups which include marketing, operations, finance, systems, legal, human resources and other, and is where administrative, reporting and quality outputs are co-ordinated. To a large degree these activity groups are common in all enterprises. However, size and industry type do create their own unique variances. Newly set up enterprises often have centralised decision making, where the leader will likely be involved personally in all activities of the enterprise. Leadership style and involvement must change considerably as the business grows and should mature into defined role profiles and standard operating procedures, and then into outcome-based teamwork. Defining measurements and outcomes is essential, as success is the outcome of meeting an intentional aim. Without clearly defining where the enterprise is heading, there is little hope that any specific goal will be achieved. Measurements need to include operational quality outcomes, as well as meeting governance best practice outcomes and stakeholders’ hopes and expectations. Engagement is perhaps the most important component of achieving success and is the result of attracting the right people to help guide the business along its intended path. People whose purpose aligns with that of the enterprise and leaders’ vision and feel a sense of purpose and commitment begin to enjoy their work and thrive in their roles. It is the leader’s responsibility to create an engaged and ethical work environment, and they do this by helping everyone to feel they belong, that their individual and team contributions are valuable, and ensuring the culture and intentions of the business support value creation. Quality assurance is an essential component in ensuring an enterprise’s growth and prosperity. Quality assurance must become the foundation in a business and provide guidance and direction to each person in the organisation, as well as ensure governance standards and stakeholder expectations are maintained. Quality assurance processes are often not considered critical in start-up and small enterprises, and hence the high failure rates of enterprises that occur at this level. BusinessFit has recognised that quality assurance standards, when implemented correctly within an enterprise, significantly increases the enterprise’s ability to achieve success. Successful enterprises create sustainable employment, and as such, quality assurance and a well-structured governance framework is essential in building thriving enterprises and support growing nations.AKHONA MAHLATI is the CEO of BusinessFit, director and principal strategist for Ewe Sana Marketing and Communications, and he chairs the management committee of a school. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing and Business Management from the University of Natal as well as a Strategic Marketing Certificate awarded by the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. Akhona's working life started with a number of small part-time jobs, but his professional career commenced when he obtained a position at British American Tobacco as a marketing management trainee in Stellenbosch in the early 2000s. Mahlati then moved a few years later and worked for Capitec Bank as their brand manager. During his tenure, the bank moved from a micro-lending 'hangover', to being perceived as a challenging competitive retail bank. Post this position, Mahlati moved to Johannesburg where he worked at the Standard Bank Group and held a number of positions in the Diners Club International franchise. During the last year of his time at Diners Club, Mahlati started a business with a partner, which prompted him to drop everything in Johannesburg and move down to Durban to give the business muchneeded focus. "Needless to say, three years later the business was no longer in operation. It's after this failed business that I started lecturing part-time and started my marketing and communications business," said Mahlati. Akhona's strengths and key sources of success are believing in himself and his abilities, being resilient to the challenges of life and being self-disciplined. He says, "My children and my need to live and enjoy my dreams in this present life drive me to give of my best. I'm inspired by many events and episodes, which teach me life's great lessons." "I believe that it's in overcoming our challenges that we're able to know how strong we really are and this strength enables us to reach greater heights in our lives. It's by defeating the demons on a particular level that you're able to get to the next level." "I'm a driving visionary. When I lead, I offer the team long-term vision as I have a natural ability to inspire and communicate my vision to others. I'm insightful and perceptive, and I genuinely care about the development of others. I want to influence people positively not only in South Africa, but in other countries on our beautiful continent and globally. I want to see young people starting and growing sustainable businesses which dramatically reduce our unemployment and crime rates. Moreover, I want to see young African people pushing the boundaries of development and innovation." Mahlati added that his 'drive' is natural and not contrived. "Business and life in general are about adding value to other people. We must always try to keep things simple and not over complicate them. You can only do good business with good people. We need to try our best to remove ourselves from negative associations and unbecoming practices. The path to success is never straight and narrow. It's more of a journey of self-discovery, which eventually plants you in the path of your purpose. Once you've found your purpose, try your best to live it, enjoy it and monetise it." He reflected that he has worked with and has relationships with some of the best minds in the country. However, these are ordinary people who make things happen without seeking attention. "I've also been fortunate enough to share rooms and speaking stages with well esteemed leaders," said Mahlati. During his spare time Mahlati loves listening to music, chilling with good quality friends and enjoying meat around a braai. He sees himself as an amateur wine and champagne collector. "I also enjoy a few glasses of single malt whisky coupled with a cigar on lazy weekends. I'm not much of a TV person, but I from time to time, enjoy watching programmes related to properties, religion and travel." AKHONA MAHLATI is the CEO of BusinessFit, director and principal strategist for Ewe Sana Marketing and Communications, and he chairs the management committee of a school. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing and Business Management from the University of Natal as well as a Strategic Marketing Certificate awarded by the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. Akhona's working life started with a number of small part-time jobs, but his professional career commenced when he obtained a position at British American Tobacco as a marketing management trainee in Stellenbosch in the early 2000s. Mahlati then moved a few years later and worked for Capitec Bank as their brand manager. During his tenure, the bank moved from a micro-lending 'hangover', to being perceived as a challenging competitive retail bank. Post this position, Mahlati moved to Johannesburg where he worked at the Standard Bank Group and held a number of positions in the Diners Club International franchise. During the last year of his time at Diners Club, Mahlati started a business with a partner, which prompted him to drop everything in Johannesburg and move down to Durban to give the business muchneeded focus. "Needless to say, three years later the business was no longer in operation. It's after this failed business that I started lecturing part-time and started my marketing and communications business," said Mahlati. Akhona's strengths and key sources of success are believing in himself and his abilities, being resilient to the challenges of life and being self-disciplined. He says, "My children and my need to live and enjoy my dreams in this present life drive me to give of my best. I'm inspired by many events and episodes, which teach me life's great lessons." "I believe that it's in overcoming our challenges that we're able to know how strong we really are and this strength enables us to reach greater heights in our lives. It's by defeating the demons on a particular level that you're able to get to the next level." "I'm a driving visionary. When I lead, I offer the team long-term vision as I have a natural ability to inspire and communicate my vision to others. I'm insightful and perceptive, and I genuinely care about the development of others. I want to influence people positively not only in South Africa, but in other countries on our beautiful continent and globally. I want to see young people starting and growing sustainable businesses which dramatically reduce our unemployment and crime rates. Moreover, I want to see young African people pushing the boundaries of development and innovation." Mahlati added that his 'drive' is natural and not contrived. "Business and life in general are about adding value to other people. We must always try to keep things simple and not over complicate them. You can only do good business with good people. We need to try our best to remove ourselves from negative associations and unbecoming practices. The path to success is never straight and narrow. It's more of a journey of self-discovery, which eventually plants you in the path of your purpose. Once you've found your purpose, try your best to live it, enjoy it and monetise it." He reflected that he has worked with and has relationships with some of the best minds in the country. However, these are ordinary people who make things happen without seeking attention. "I've also been fortunate enough to share rooms and speaking stages with well esteemed leaders," said Mahlati. During his spare time Mahlati loves listening to music, chilling with good quality friends and enjoying meat around a braai. He sees himself as an amateur wine and champagne collector. "I also enjoy a few glasses of single malt whisky coupled with a cigar on lazy weekends. I'm not much of a TV person, but I from time to time, enjoy watching programmes related to properties, religion and travel."