Small businesses implored to embrace technology
Imi Mokgethi | Tuesday November 1, 2016 16:04
Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) market access manager, Phomolo Akoonyatse made the call during a recent seminar organised by the Selebi-Phikwe LEA branch for suppliers and procuring entities.
Akoonyatse explained that they have a mobile phone application called m-agric that allows their clients who are business operators to upload all the information about their services and can be accessed by anyone with a cellphone.
“This cellphone app initiative was introduced at the realisation that many people have access to cellphones, making the app to be easily accessed,” Akoonyatse said.
“It was also brought to assist those who cannot afford mainstream media advertising. I therefore urge you to utilise the initiative as it is one of the applications that can take us somewhere as entrepreneurs in today’s world,” he added.
He further advised the business operators to make use of the organisation’s national online directory by providing their contact information, highlighting that the directory serves to enable easy linkage of suppliers and buyers.
Meanwhile, the business owners expressed concern over buying agreements with the procuring entities in the region, noting that they disadvantage them.
The business owners pleaded with the procuring entities to revise some of their buying policies such as the 30-day payment period, saying it makes it difficult for small businesses to smoothly operate as they rely on the sales for the business’ daily activities.
On the other hand, the procuring entities decried overpricing as well as low quality products by some of the suppliers.
One of them, Raju Ganesan who is the manager of Choppies Selebi-Phikwe highlighted that the overpricing consequently results in high and unaffordable prices for consumers.
“I therefore urge LEA to introduce a pricing policy for its clients to ensure that the pricing is consistent in our area,” he said.
On the other hand, Cresta Bosele Hotel stock controller Keitiretse Fani also noted with concern the overpricing by some suppliers, adding that sometimes they are forced to terminate their agreement with the concerned suppliers to look for one with lesser prices, as they also need to make profit.
In his response to the concerns, Akoonyatse assured the attendants that his department would engage with other key stakeholders to address some of the issues.
He however noted that it is upon the business owners to find solutions to the problems they encounter, thus advising them to always seek for assistance from their offices.