AfriSam, a construction materials company recently hosted an “access to markets” training session, in an effort to make a meaningful contribution to the upliftment of communities within which the company operates.The training took place at AfriSam’s Business Development Centre that runs an Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme aimed at identifying black-owned Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises that are close to the company’s operations.

The centre provides the entrepreneurs with the necessary support and development to grow their business with the aim of being included on AfriSam’s database of registered vendors.The access to markets training was aimed at equipping SMMEs with essential marketing skills of their products and services.

Thirteen entrepreneurs from Soweto and Kagiso, west of Johannesburg attended the training session. Among the salient features that the entrepreneurs learnt included;

• Develop an understanding of Business 2 Business selling and the keys to success
• Understand one’s value proposition and how to be differentiated in the market
• Learn more about one’s customers and what drives and motivates them to buy
• Develop a lead generation strategy that works for one’s business
• Understand the principles of a great sales pitch

Comments from those that attended;“Prior to the session, I did not know about influencers” said Zanele Zondo.

“It was very helpful! The session gives you a clear directive of your business functionalities and identity,” said Funda John Thinda

While Sizwe Dlamini after the sessions said; “If you cannot sell your business, you do not have a business.”

Jabu Motlhako, AfriSam's Enterprise and Supplier Development Professional says; “Through our Enterprise Development Programme, AfriSam provides training and development to qualifying enterprises to grow and strengthen their businesses to a level where they can trade with AfriSam and other companies.”

The centre offers free office space to five SMMEs over a period of three years and continuous business-related training and support. It also serves as a walk-in centre to local SMMEs and community members with business related enquiries.

Motlhako said; “by providing enterprise development support, the SMMEs are afforded the expertise and office infrastructure to create the important foundations to achieve sustainable businesses".

The centre has assisted more than 60 SMMEs since its launch in 2014 and prioritises SMMEs in construction related sectors, which is AfriSam’s core business. However, the company also assists SMMEs in other sectors. AfriSam’s procurement department also addressed the SMMEs by explaining the procurement processes and how SMMEs are eventually registered as AfriSam’s vendors.

AfriSam’s National Procurement Manager Zunaid Rasdien said, “If an SMME is not on AfriSam’s database, they first need to be in the process of securing a contract from AfriSam based on a business need. The SMME then complete forms to be registered as a vendor.”“We are committed to responsible procurement that positively contributes to a resilient supply chain and the economic and social development of communities in the areas in which we operate.”

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ABOUT AFRISAM (PTY) LTD
Founded as Anglovaal Portland Cement Company Limited in 1934, AfriSam is today the leading black-controlled building construction materials group in southern Africa. With operations in South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and Tanzania the company has nearly 2 000 employees and an annual production capacity of over five million tons of cement. It has six cement production facilities, eight cement depots, 17 quarries and aggregate operations, 4 readymix concrete plants and a Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) milling plant.

CONTACT
MAXINE NEL
AFRISAM
TEL : +27 011 670 5893
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www.afrisam.com