Stellenbosch business stakeholders recently collaborated to provide local entrepreneurs with Google Workspace training in order to grow their Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).
SMME entrepreneurs can take their businesses to the next level through digital skills training and upskilling, according to Nadine Faroa, stakeholder manager for Mido Foundation. PHOTOS: Kara Olivier
This is according to Susan Yallop, programme and systems consultant at Ranyaka. The series of five workshops took place between 24 May and 21 June at CoCreate Hub in Stellenbosch. The training is facilitated by the Mido Foundation, in collaboration with Stellenbosch Network, and funded by the Stellenbosch Municipality, said Yallop. CoCreate Hub forms part of Ranyaka’s Building Business programme.
Encouraging digital citizenship
We teach [the entrepreneurs] critical, 21st century skills.
The workshops provide local SMME entrepreneurs with Google Workspace training and upskilling, stated Nadine Faroa, stakeholder manager at the Mido Foundation.
“We teach [the entrepreneurs] critical, 21st-century skills,” said Faroa. She stated that the skill and knowledge to effectively use the internet and digital technologies is crucial in helping local entrepreneurs “bridge the digital divide” and become digital citizens.
The benefit of using Google Workspace as a training tool is that most people are already somewhat familiar with the apps, according to Faroa. Entrepreneurs must make use of the accessible and cost-effective tools that they already have at their disposal, said Faroa.
“Through digital training, we hope to bridge that gap between disadvantaged and advantaged [communities],” said Nadine Faroa, stakeholder manager at the Mido Foundation. PHOTO: Kara Olivier
“A lot of people run their businesses from their smartphones. You can already do a lot with just that,” said Hanli Brink, operations manager at Stellenbosch Network.
“With access to [Google Workspace] and a bit of training” entrepreneurs are able to make use of the full scope of tools available to them, according to Brink.
“We show them how they can take [their] business to the next level,” said Faroa.
Google Skills Training for SMMEs, a recent series of digital skills workshops hosted at the CoCreate Hub, opens up the doors for future collaborations between Stellenbosch-based businesses, according to Nadine Faroa, stakeholder manager for Mido Foundation. PHOTO: Kara Olivier
Creating entrepreneurs who create opportunities
It is important for SMMEs to recognise the benefit of formalising their businesses, according to Brink, as this allows them to grow and eventually take on employees. “Our whole focus is on entrepreneurship that eventually leads to job creation as well,” he said.
“The Covid-19 crisis caused profound disruptions in the global economy, with SMMEs and entrepreneurs particularly hit hard. Swift measures implemented by governments and public financial institutions provided a crucial lifeline for liquidity-strapped SMMEs,” according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. GRAPHIC: Kara Olivier SOURCE: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and StatsSA
“I’m here to improve myself, my business skills and hopefully to empower others in my community to start their own small businesses,” said Terrance Greeff, a Cloetesville resident who attended the workshops.
Greeff recently started his own social media marketing company and mentioned that skills training is essential for developing local businesses.
“My hope would be that [my business] gives hope to our youth and inspires them to chase their dreams,” said Terrance Greeff, a local small business owner who attended digital training workshops at CoCreate Hub. PHOTO: Kara Olivier
So many good things are happening within our communities that we don’t hear about.
“So many good things are happening within our communities that we don’t hear about,” said Greeff. In addition to the skills-based training and mentorship, the sessions are a good way for local businesses to connect with one another, according to Greeff. He said that he “had already made several business connections” since starting the workshops in May.
Greeff was “born and bred” in the Stellenbosch area. “The goal is to focus on farms, schools and local businesses and help them grow,” said Greeff, who aims to use his new business venture to help his community.
“[The workshops] uplift entrepreneurs and give people an opportunity to grow their businesses,” said Hanli Brink, operations manager at Stellenbosch Network. Stellenbosch Network recently collaborated with Ranyaka, the Mido Foundation and Stellenbosch Municipality to host digital training workshops for small businesses. SOURCE: Facebook/Stellenbosch Network