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To the Ones Who Lost a Big Sale

Are you clueless about why you lost a big sale? Or maybe you just feel like you need some help to get your sales up. Today we’re talking about what you can do differently to get different results. Firstly, remember that when you know better, you do better. Secondly, learn from some of the mistakes you could be making in your sales process. It could include a Mistake: You only close once and leave your close to the end of the presentation. Instead, do mini-closes throughout your pitch. This can be done by asking questions like: “Does this make sense? What do you think so far? Is that important to you?” Read more here

Mistake: You don’t build relationships. (Because people buy from people they know, trust, and like.) Instead, focus on the goal of building relationships with your customers. Start by inviting your customer to do an activity with you (such as a coffee date or lunch). Read more here*** For dos and don’ts on how to prepare for a profitable sales meeting, read this blog post. ***Lastly, remember that the world is consistently changing especially during the pandemic we are living in, so we often need to change the way we do our business. Check out how several entrepreneurs pivoted their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, in this story.

Also in this week’s newsletter:- Boost your business with an R5000 Ad spend Voucher- New review on Business Credit Cards- More Advice on Finding and Winning Customers- Ebook shares Where to Get Funding for Your Business

- Serv: A new way to find professional services- Reasons to download the Tech GuideHave a great, productive week ahead!

Boost your business with an R5000 Ad spend Voucher

Do you employ any casual or temporary workers in your industry? We are calling upon all business owners in manufacturing, construction, hospitality, or logistics to have your say in developing a platform to make your recruitment processes quick, reduce HR costs and gain access to a network of pre-vetted casual labourers. Take our quick survey and stand a chance to win an R5000 voucher for your own SME’s digital advertising spend.

New on the Website This Week!

**New Business Solution Review** Top Business Credit Cards for Small Businesses in South Africa- Find out how to get a business credit card in South Africa, how the repayment works, the application process, and how to choose the best option for your small business.- Get more info on the 4 Top Brands including the features, pros and cons, and the cost. READ THE REVIEW

More Advice on Finding and Winning Customers

Since more customers are doing online shopping, it is important to create a good online shopping experience for them. If you are thinking about having an e-commerce store, consider website builders. We have four brand reviews for e-commerce website builders in SME South Africa. Here are blog posts on winning customers over with your e-commerce store:

Have you downloaded the Small Business Bounce Back Guide in collaboration with Sage yet?

The Guide teaches you how to build a ‘crisis-proof’ business PLUS provides actionable advice to help you thrive beyond COVID-19. One of the chapters in the Guide is on Funding. Below is an extract from the Guide - Where to Get Funding for Your Business:

  • Banks or financial services companies - Business loans from fintech companies, Lulalend, Old Mutual’s Masisizane Fund

  • Crowdfunding platforms - Uprise.Africa, The People’s Fund, Thundafund

  • Online funding platforms - FinFind, The South African Investment Network, Jozi Angels

  • Enterprise and Supplier Development programmes – SAB, Sasol, Sanlam

  • Business competitions - Shoprite Hustle Competition, African Development Bank’s AgriPitch Competition, The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation

  • Venture capital funding - Knife Capital, Khula Lula, Enygma Ventures

For the FULL LIST on where to get funding, as well as ADVICE on HOW TO STAND OUT TO INVESTORS, download the Small Business Bounce Back Guide. It’s free to download.

Need a new way to find professional services for your business?

You need an IT professional, or maybe an accountant, website developer, business consultant, or marketing expert, for your business as quickly as possible, but you don’t know where to find them. Maybe you have tried Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn, or perhaps you have asked around for a referral with no luck. Finding a suitable professional for your small business can be difficult. That is why Serv, the country’s first B2B service marketplace, helps businesses seeking professional services such as accounting, marketing, IT, web development, and business consulting services, to connect with B2B service providers businesses seeking. Visit www.serv.co.za browse through our list of trusted service providers and simply request a quote. Currently, looking for service providers? Click here to find your trusted service provider!

The market is saturated with so many tech products, and with all the noise, it can get daunting to choose the right product for your business. SME South Africa’s Tech Guide provides the support and guidance that YOU need throughout the buying journey.

What's inside?

  • Strategies on how to buy the right business solution or tech

  • Main features and benefits to consider

  • Recommendations for top brands

Download your FREE copy now and start your journey to business growth!

We partnered with South Africa's top business solutions and tech providers to bring you the top products for your business at all price ranges.  - Accounting software

- Sage (READ SAGE REVIEW) 

- POS - Yoco (READ YOCO REVIEW)

- E-commerce website builders