Message FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

Thank you for your interest in FABCOS. If you are considering membership to FABCOS we encourage you to join a growing number of entrepreneurs and companies who together are pursuing a new way of doing business in South Africa. It is our view, as FABCOS, that the worldwide economic recession is not merely another passing phase of the economic cycle but rather one that will completely transform the global economic order.

The turbulence caused by the present economic meltdown should be used to build on and bring closure to the past. For many poor people in South Africa, the meltdown started a century and more ago. The opportunity presented today is for business to press the reset button instead of introducing short-term measures that deal with immediate pressures at the expense of long-term benefits. The approach to BEE over the last decade is testimony to this. In South Africa a balancing act across a range of variables is required as we deal with the challenges that the recession and poverty in general brings. The legacy of our past must be balanced against the demands of our future; established traditions against new ways of doing things and the seemingly incomprehensible characteristics of the informal economy with those of the formal economy of SA.

Advocates of chambers of commerce believe that when a company is active in a chamber, it is doing the right thing not only for the community but for its own success as well. While there is plenty of evidence to show the impact of chambers of commerce on communities and customers, it is much harder to find data that quantify the impact of belonging to a chamber. A study, commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives with support from Small Business Network, Inc., was conducted to determine the real value to companies in terms of consumer outcomes. The question asked was: Do consumers really support businesses because they are chamber members? The study concluded as follows:

• Most consumers (59%) think that being active in a local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It is 29% more effective for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices and 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable.
• When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favourably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

For those who are starting their own business, it is a journey filled with uncertainty and apprehension that can leave you feeling overwhelmed if you don’t know where to turn for answers. FABCOS is committed to your success. We offer programmes, seminars and publications that will help you through various stages in your business. As a member, you have access to the people, information, and resources needed to grow your businesses. Our business development initiatives will help you to:

• Meet potential customers
• Increase your visibility and market reach in township and rural areas of South Africa
• Strengthen your skills
• Have a voice and
• Save money

FABCOS Membership is open to all South African entrepreneurs, companies and organizations interested in increasing their business in townships and rural areas. We offer a unique set of benefits that enable you to connect with other entrepreneurs and peer companies and that will ensure that your business succeeds and grows. This booklet was put together to expose you to FABCOS and its various programmes and to hopefully ignite enthusiasm and a lust for success in business.

Mxolisi Zwane
President

 

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