HP today launched a business academy for its black economic empowerment (BEE) partners, an initiative aimed at developing the partners` business and selling skills.
On top of boosting its resellers` technical skills, HP believes the programme will contribute to creating a sustainable environment for empowerment business, especially within the small and medium enterprise market.
The company says the main objective of the business academy is to put a model in place that will fast-track BEE resellers to meet the standard business requirements of HP`s global partner programme, Partner One.
According to HP, training will include globally recognised sales and technical certification through the HP Certified Professional programme as well as an outcomes-based business skills programme delivered by a SETA accredited provider.
HP SA`s new CEO, Thoko Mokgosi, says that while technical training is widely available in SA, many BEE suppliers lack the necessary business skills that would help ensure their continued success and business growth.
"As a company we believe in the power of skills transfer to create a robust and empowered channel that will contribute to the growth of the local ICT sector."
Mokgosi adds that the HP business academy is in alignment with the enterprise development and skills development component under discussion in the formulation of the ICT BEE charter.
"This is an area where HP can make a real significant and meaningful contribution to the local economy. A well developed and profitable channel is crucial to HP as more than 90% of our business is conducted through our partners," she says.
The business academy will initially roll-out in Gauteng with the aim of creating a national footprint as it grows.
Criteria for participating are:
* Minimum total annual turnover of R1 million and maximum of R7 million, R500 000 to R3.5 million for supplies, inclusive of all products not only HP.
* Must be located in Gauteng. The academy aims to create a national footprint on the successful roll-out and execution of the first year.
* Partners must have a minimum of 50.1% black ownership.
* They must also have a minimum of 30% black management.
* Partners must have a minimum of five sales heads (minimum of two for supplies).
Although the courses, which encompass business, sales and technical skills training, will only range between one and six days long, they will be run over a three-month period and will cater for 48 individuals at a time.
The length of the courses for sales and technical training will depend on the product business unit chosen, ie PCs, printing, servers or storage.
HP will subsidise 100% of the business skills training and 50% of the chosen sales and technical training.
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