Toyota South Africa Motors (Pty) Ltd (TSAM), in partnership with the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC, has launched a business development programme for 13 SMEs that are Toyota suppliers. This supplier development programme is mentorship-focused to take these businesses to higher levels through a targeted development approach to support the growth of these individual businesses.
This programme will be running for six months (July to December 2020), and, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions, all training and mentorship sessions will be facilitated virtually.
The business development programme will include:
· COVID-19 workplace readiness
· Business planning and compliance
· Product innovation
· Sales and marketing
· Financial management and record keeping
· Costing and pricing
· Mentorship Participating SMEs on the programme are:
· Clean Spot
· Comms Cabling
· Ethekwini Business Solutions
· Fitama Protection Services
· Madiba Fire and Security (Pty) Ltd
· Ndeya Projects & Services CC T/A
· Qubuka Cleaning Services
· Reddot Group
· Thompson Industrial Painting & Maintenance Services CC
· Vyasa Trading
· Xcelerator Plumbing Services
· Zee Bee Freight and Logistics
· Ziphilise Construction & Cleaning Enterprise
TSAM’s Enterprise and Supplier Development Manager, Nonceba Biyela, said, “TSAM has long recognised the value that suppliers add across our business operations. The importance of supplier development in the automotive sector is further emphasised by the South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) which, rightfully so, seeks to promote the development of suppliers in component manufacturing.”
“TSAM strongly believes that the development of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) is pivotal for the projected industry goals to be achieved. TSAM has therefore launched “Toyota: Driving Change” – an SMME development programme aimed at equipping candidates with business skills and other valuable competencies,” noted Biyela.
“Facilitated by the Durban Chamber of Commerce, the programme will run over six months offering virtual workshops and mentorship to members. Among others, topics include COVID-19 workplace readiness, financial management, as well as conventional and digital marketing practices. Toyota: Driving Change” is a pilot programme and its future will depend upon the review at the end of the current programme,” concluded Biyela.
Through the programme, participants will acquire some much-needed skills in the areas of business diversification, creation of sustainable business models, business competitiveness and visibility.
Palesa Phili, CEO of the Durban Chamber, said, “The overall objective of the programme is to build on critical business competencies and capabilities of the selected suppliers to a level where they can apply such skills independently, thus improving the overall standard of their operations.”
“The Durban Chamber, as the implementing partner of the programme, has developed a comprehensive action plan, partnering with New Seasons as a trusted training partner, to deliver the programme according to the needs of both Toyota Motors SA and its 13 suppliers. By the end of the programme the SMMEs would have expanded their business acumen and social skills through a comprehensive programme”, added Phili
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