Participants' Feedback

 “The Shell LiveWire programme made me reconsider my approach to business. I have had an opportunity to work on my business skills and my personal development, which meant that I had to look at my past failures and use them as valuable lessons in the new start-up. The dream may be BIG, however, starting small and with what you have will help you test the market and refine the product offering. Competition is guaranteed, you need to know them and what they do, keep track of their activities at all times. I had exposure and appreciation to institutionalization coupled with governance, which usually lead to failure of small businesses if not factored in. The other factor is the opportunity to understand industry mechanics and appreciation of  relevant trade techniques. It was and still a valuable programme that I can recommend to committed small businesses.”

Tiyane Baadjie

 “In the Livewire programme, I learnt to identify and analyze my target market and product offering that meets customers need at a competitive price. This has helped me increase my revenue and understanding of my clients. I realized that being an entepreneur is more than being the owner of the business, it is being passionate about my business and having a vision to grow and taking the necessary steps and calculated risk to reach my goals, it is also about hiring the correct staff to help my business excel.

I learnt that great networking can help build strong realtionships with other businesses that can help me in my growth process. Networking gives my clients the opportunity to get to know me and the services I can offer to them. Before starting the Shell Livewire programme, I had fear of public speaking and this definitely impacted my ability to present my business to prospective clients. Through our monthly presentations, I learnt to focus on the information I want to share and to relax when presenting to clients. The programme has helped me to correctly communicate to my targeted clients through my data base, facebook and referrals.

LiveWire has also taught me to manage our finances in a better way,we do our costing and adjust our profit margins on each job and we check our income and expenditure on a monthly basis.

The programme has helped me very much in improving governance. I have put new processes in place to make sure production runs more efficiently and that all the clients requirements are met and that jobs are finished on time.

Shaaque Meyer

“The Shell LiveWire programme has been a valuable experience for me as a start-up entrepreneur. Exposure to the multi-faceted components of business has ensured an all-round development of my business, due to a new-found understanding of how to effectively manage my specific and market-tailored business model. As a result of my participation in the Shell LiveWire programme, I continue to see improving results in fundamental areas such as sales and turn-over, this is because of the efficient governance measures derived from a better understanding of what it takes to run a successful business.”  

Ipeleng Dammie