IBM unveils SME competition

By Kimberly Guest for IBM

Johannesburg, 17 Sep 2007

IBM SA has launched its Innovation Makeover Challenge aimed at motivating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take the next step in their business.

The winner of the competition will receive R350 000 worth of IBM's business and IT expertise to put towards implementing its idea.

IBM's SME director Gary Carroll says the challenge is part of a sustained campaign to gear-up local companies.

"One of our key focuses locally is on small businesses. As an example, we've worked with the Department of Trade and Industry and the World Bank to launch the SME Toolkit. This portal offers, among others, software, business forms and training to help small South African businesses grow and succeed. In other countries, where the portal has been implemented, we've seen huge productivity growth," he explains.

As for what the judges will be looking for from the competition, Carroll says they are willing to consider any solution that has a technology component to it. However, the solution must be innovative, says Carroll.

"Our thoughts on innovation are simple. Essentially the idea must be open, collaborative, multidisciplinary and far-reaching, if possible. It is not necessary to develop that solution yourself, we are looking for companies that understand their needs and then find an innovative way to address those needs," he explains.

The competition entry form asks contestants to describe in 100 words or less an innovation they have found which could help them grow their business. This innovation could be applied to products, services, business models, business processes, management or policy and culture.

Entrants are also asked describe how they would use R350 000 in business and IT solutions from IBM to transform their business model and set themselves apart in their particular industry.

The challenge is open to all companies that employ "around" 1 000 people and less. The competition will close at the end of November and the winner will be announced during the first week of December.

Interested companies can enter at www.ibm.com/special/za.