PILLAR 1: DOING BUSINESS IN AFRICA
Business in Africa
Business Development Services (BDS)
Research
Africa is home to 6 of the top 10 fastest growing countries in the world and U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa now top $21 billion a year. Africa has 12% of global oil reserves, 40% of gold and 80% of chromium and platinum. The International Monetary Fund projects sub-Saharan Africa to grow between 5 and 6 percent each year over the next two years.
The fact is that the African continent comprises 54 sovereign countries, with over 1500 official languages and more than 1000 listed businesses on multiple stock exchanges. The continent could not be more diverse.
Investors who seek geographical and currency diversification, whose strategy is focused on long-term investment horizons and are not averse to risk and extended waiting periods to enable markets to recognize true value, investing into Africa will provide a number of interesting and sustainable prospects.
Using our expansive and efficient range of Business Development Services (BDS) we endeavour to work in close collaboration with each organization, to assist and support you in achieving your business development objectives on the African continent.
We can assist and guide with the following:
PILLAR 2: MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Can you survive without market research?
Research has become an essential business tool as it acts as a map, guiding businesses in the direction of opportunities and highlighting potential obstacles. In today’s ever changing world businesses need to use every advantage available to survive. Nevertheless, many businesses still view research as a luxury and either make blanket assumption about trends and markets or apply a “get to know the landscape as we progress” method.
These routes can be very costly and in today’s economic climate, this all too often is a cost a business cannot afford.
Surely you can just do it yourself or buy a ready-made product?
Those businesses that do recognize the importance of research often find they run into difficulties obtaining the research as they either opt for in-house or off-the-shelf products.
While in-house research usually ensures very specific questions are answered, it is often simply not an option. This is because it either means stretching the existing staffs’ resources or establishing an in-house function resulting in a high cost being associated with it.
On the other hand, off-the-shelf products can be cost effective, but businesses often find that it is too broad. This means that it can lack the focus needed to address the precise needs of the business.
The ideal solution involves incorporating the cost effectiveness of off-the-shelf products with the focus of in-house research.
What we can offer you.
Our research solutions are tailor made, focused and designed around the specific business needs, with a solution to suit every pocket. This gives you the best of both worlds.
Our main researcher brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, with 20 years of experience covering fields as far and wide as mining, African markets, agribusiness, manufacturing and financial markets. Business experience covers Mining Companies, State Owned Enterprises and Financial Institutions.
This means that we are well positioned to meet your research needs and help guide you in the right direction.
PILLAR 3: MENTORING SME’s
Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD)
Business Development Services (BDS)
ENTERPRISE AND SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT
Enterprise development is defined as the act of investing time and capital in helping people establish, expand or improve businesses. Enterprise development helps people to earn a living; it helps them out of poverty; and it leads to long-term economic growth for themselves, their families and their communities.
The amendments to the BBBEE scorecard are going to force companies to invest more in their beneficiaries. It is envisaged that this will mean that companies will be more committed to the success of their ED beneficiaries so as not to jeopardize their own supply chains.
Many SME’s participate in various business incubator and accelerator programs as a start to their entrepreneurial journey and these programs have various time frames. During these programs, the SME’s are “spoon-fed” to a degree with regard to various aspects of business and management. Once the programs are over, the SME’s are on their own again to grow and sustain their businesses.
V4 Group has identified a “gap” in this process, as post-incubation, many of the SME’s do not know how to take their businesses to the next level. They don’t have any formal support structure to guide them further and help them ensure the sustainability of their businesses.
Using our expansive and efficient range of Business Development Services (BDS) we endeavour to mentor each SME, to assist and support them in achieving their business targets, with a particular focus on growth and sustainability.
Thank you for taking the time to go through this business profile. If there are any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.