Over 400 small and medium enterprise (SME) representatives attended the launch of SMB ConneXion, a new business network aimed at supporting and creating new business opportunities for SMEs, in Johannesburg last night.
The initiative is backed by several IT industry players, including HP South Africa, Telkom, Cell C and Tarsus Technologies.
Speaking at the launch, SMB ConneXion CEO Mariette du Plessiss, said: "When the market gets tight, SMEs suffer first."
The new network is aimed at bringing leading industry players closer to SMEs, allowing them to grow into big businesses in their own right, said Du Plessis.
These industry players would, through SMB ConneXion, provide SME-specific products and services, as well as contribute to the subsidisation of various business services and benefits. Included in SMB ConneXion`s value chain are business services providers, through which subsidised operations services such as human resources, payroll, accounting, legal, marketing and more will be made available to members.
"All of this is placed at the disposal of SMEs at a price they can afford. For the first time they not only have access to a host of cost-effective business services, but also a choice of solutions from key players - through a connected SME-focused channel."
The initiative will also focus on enabling SMEs to work together. "One of the keys things we realised is that SMEs want to deal with SMEs," said Du Plessis.
SMB ConneXion membership is priced at R100 a month, over and above an initial R100 sign-up fee. "About 200 SMEs signed up during the launch," said the company`s COO, Geoff Ronaldson.
Share
