SASSDA MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO FREE INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS
A partnership designed to take South African stainless steel businesses to the next level
Sassda’s Executive Director Michel Basson recently hosted a webinar with experts from PUM Netherlands, an organisation that offers voluntary assistance at no cost and is committed to the sustainable development of small and medium-sized enterprises in over 35 countries. With a team of active and retired experts in an array of sectors, PUM shares knowledge, empowers business owners and impacts positively on the economy and society at large.
Speaking at the webinar, Kwa-Zulu Natal PUM representative Akash Singh gave insight into the services offered by the initiative. “PUM dispatches experienced entrepreneurs to SME’S across the globe, to provide viable solutions to help businesses to grow sustainably. Through the PUM program, Sassda members will be offered the opportunity to work with experienced coaches or mentors that can assist in a specific area of development. These services are offered remotely and physically. Experts can help to assess problems and improve and fix them. Other areas of focus are production, management and special projects, and new business development.”
27 years of free assistance
He also explained that businesses globally have benefitted from the programme for 40 years and it has been active in South Africa for 27 years. With more than 1600 experts, mostly business owners, PUM offers its expertise and knowledge at no cost to a variety of sectors including Food Security, Health and Environment, Services, and Industry and Trade.
The programme grants admission to between 80 and 100 applicants annually, with each business owner, allocated an expert based on the business need. Physical coaching is usually carried out over 10 to 12 days, and remote coaching is conducted over four to eight weeks. PUM experts help to identify business gaps, find ways to make businesses more resilient, brainstorm ideas on how to diversify their operations and offer training based on individual business needs. They also offer vital advice in developing strategies to make enterprises future-proof, especially post COVID-19.
Singh reported that he has brought over 700 experts to SA over the past 17 years. “The support offered is invaluable with immeasurable impact. Businesses that have engaged in the program have improved their turnover drastically and contributed to economic growth and job creation. All business owners need to do is to commit to being fully involved for the duration of the program.”
He added that metal such as stainless steel is a PUM priority sector in South Africa. “The technological and theoretical expertise offered by PUM is compelling and bound to make a difference to any business. SMEs in the steel sector are catalysts of innovation, job creation and growth. And with no cost to Sassda members, these invaluable coaching sessions can open doors to future growth.
Who can apply?
Business growth takes continuous effort and the PUM program is designed to help owners succeed, with an uncomplicated process and simple entry criteria:
• Must have been in business for more than three years
• Must employ between 15 and 20 staff
• The business must be South African-owned
• Have an annual turnover of less than R180 000 000
Also speaking at the webinar, PUM Sector head Theo Roling said that he normally sees three common problems in the businesses that PUM works with. “The first is their strategic direction and marketing plan. Second is their production area that often requires a more logistical approach, and lastly most businesses also see technical challenges as a major obstacle.”
He stressed that although remote assistance has proven to be extremely effective, physical coaching has an incredible impact.
“PUM has experts who can help with welding techniques and machinery operation. “They’re basically on the floor helping companies to better organise their production processes”.
Why should you consider PUM’s Services?
• Do not have the resources to hire a consultant
• There is no available commercial consultant with the required level of expertise
• The business is making progress, but there is much more to learn and gain
The application process
Once businesses have met the required criteria, all that’s left is a two-page application in which the company must outline what their key constraints are, what type of help is required and the type of expertise they expect. PUM then processes the application online and manually, matches an expert to the company and sends the relevant expert’s CV for the company’s acceptance. Soon after, the assignment is arranged based on a convenient time for all parties.