KZN Business Sustainability Convention held on the 14th of July 2023

Garrett Johnson (Standard Bank), David White (DRG), Adele Benvie (The Success Company), Wendy Mahoney (Newmella and Associates), and Ndivhuho Netshitenzhe (STANLIB)

Standard Bank, DRG, BusinessFit, NewMella, Stanlib, and the Success Company hosted

the KZN Business Sustainability Convention at the Standard Bank Kingsmead Auditorium on

the 14th of July 2023.

There were approximately 75 attendees, mostly SME business leaders, but also including

leaders from larger organisations.

Adele Benvie was MC, and in her usual passionate and enthusiastic way, introduced the

speakers and facilitated the morning magnificently.

The speakers, Jannie Rossouw from BusinessFit Western Cape (keynote speaker), Akhona

Mahlati from BusinessFit KwaZulu-Natal, Wendy Mahoney from Newmella and Associates,

Ndivhuho Netshitenzhe from STANLIB, and Brian Pakkiri from Standard Bank where out of

this world. Each contribution transferred significant knowledge and wisdom in how business

leaders move their organisations from success to sustainability.

The theme of the Conference was “How to position your business to excel in uncertain

times”, and specific topics covered included the BusinessFit 5 Stage Quality Assurance process and methodology, understanding the important contribution entrepreneurs make in

helping to creating jobs in South Africa and around the world, building innovative

organisational cultures, an economic update, and a focus on how businesses grow capital.

Feedback from the attendees confirmed that the Convention was outstanding in every way,

and hugely needed at this time in South Africa, where emphasis has been put on the

development and growth of the country’s SME sector.

Special thanks were given to Sidney Reddy and Garrett Johnson from Standard Bank for

making the event location possible, and Grant Adlam and the Top Business team for their

support and communication, and gathering eligible attendees.

Attendees shared that they learned that business is more of a science than they had

considered. In particular they enjoyed the simplicity of the BusinessFit 32-point focus model

within the four core pillars of Leadership, Functional Area Foundation, Measurements, and

Energy.

Echoed throughout the auditorium was that the BusinessFit approach certainly makes it

easier for entrepreneurs and business leaders to anticipate success in taking their ideas and

creations to market, and in building sustainable businesses that meet governance and

stakeholder measures.

Other learnings included the formula for profit growth:

• Increase qualified leads,

• Improve conversion rates,

• Selling more business in volumes to existing clients,

• Selling more business in Rand value to existing clients, and

• Improving margins within the business

Attendees learned that quantum growth is possible, even in dire economic circumstances.

Jannie Rossouw sharing insights from his life experience in helping to move businesses from “success to sustainability”.

Akhona Mahlati captivating the audience with his deep passion for SME development

Stephanie Munsamy, Nikita Pillay and Youshi Naidoo welcoming each delegate, and handing out the DRG HR Handbook and BusinessFit leaders Guide

Our next Business Development Convention session will be on the 25 August 2023, and will focus on “The business case for Sustainability, and why it is so important”.

Please contact Lindiwe Bhadi (lindiwe@businessfit.co.za) to reserve your seat.

Contact Details  Standard Bank - Garrett Johnson - Garrett.Johnson@standardbank.co.za BusinessFit – Lindiwe Bhadi – lindiwe@businessfit.co.za

DRG – David White – david@drg.co.za