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Successful businesspeople are taking advantage of the Capacity Building Programme at PERCCI - a partnership with Rio Tinto Alcan to strengthen the capabilities of SMEs in the region to ensure that they provide credible services with the ability to deliver quality products on time.

The biggest challenge for small companies awarded large contracts, is that they often are not adequately prepared and therefore fail to deliver. This is just one of the challenges the Chamber has noted through its dealings with SMEs. "Through this programme, we hope to assist companies put growth plans in place that are both practical and implementable. We realise that this kind of growth does not happen overnight and our aim is to ensure that small businesses do not take on more work than they can deliver," said Samantha Venter, PERCCI Operations Manager.

While the course was well received and said to be empowering and well balanced, there were comments from attendees that business in such a competitive environment should try to cut costs where possible and look for personal growth. "Learning is a process and we need to keep our standards up and consider the implications of 2010 for all of us. South Africa must be able to deliver quality services in order to fill the gaps that might exist," said well-known businesswoman Bulelwa Qupe of Buntu Marketing.

Providing an overview of a wide range of subjects, this intensive, interactive course assists trainees in ways of dealing with various factors in business such as financials and human resources. "I have always found vital areas such as finance very difficult. While HR-related issues such as retrenching people fall into my area of expertise, for most business people, they are alien and frightening. This course helps to address them, together with a range of legal and financial elements," said Yolanda Vermeulen of City Placements & Contract Accountants.

Through the partnership with Rio Tinto Alcan, the Chamber has learnt from the company's best practices from all over the world. "We have also been extremely fortunate to access the services of the Department of Business & Economic Science at the NMMU."

The next phase of the programme starts on the 23 October  2009 until the 04 December 2009.

Businesses that have been existence for over two years with an annual turnover of R300 000 are eligible to participate. For more information, contact Noluvuyo Maswana on 041 373 1122.