GEP – another avenue of help for small businesses

Considering the potential of entrepreneurship in the elevation of previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs), poverty alleviation and job creation, both the public and private sectors, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are joining forces to help small businesses.

You don’t have to do everything on your own. There are many government institutions which are always ready to help you. Take the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) for example

GEP is a provincial government agency which was established with the support of the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs to provide non-financial support, financial support and coordinate stakeholders for the benefit of SMMEs in Gauteng. It seeks to enable entrepreneurs to achieve their goals.

The Gauteng Enterprise Propeller provides business support, technical assistance, fact sheets and business tools to entrepreneurs. Its Enterprise Support Programme provides help to businesses in the manufacturing, service and commercial sectors of the economy.

GEP provides entrepreneurs with all sectoral information they need. The programme is tailored to suit the businesses’ needs using either GEP’s full-time specialists or carefully selected and accredited service providers. This assistance is offered on a sliding subsidy scale.

How does the GEP’S Enterprise Support Programme work?
You are allocated a relationship or sector specialist to help you. After the first meeting with you, the relationship manager or sector specialist conducts a feasibility and problem diagnosis and comes up with the solution, which she or he recommends to you. He/she then monitors the improvement programme to make sure implementation runs smoothly.

You are always monitored and guided by a relationship manager until you reach a satisfactory level. Regular contact is maintained with you.

What do you stand to gain?
Valuable experience and knowledge Subsidised and affordable rates
Information, advice and guidance on business issues
Access to skills and capabilities that are normally available to big business
Personal service through GEP’S relationship managers
Better performance with limited own resources
Improved business efficiency
Free business tools and fact sheets on the GEP website
Aftercare service through relationship managers and mentors who will visit the business on regular basic to offer advice or act as a board

How do you qualify for GEP’S services and assistance?
The business must be black owned and black managed. You must have some contribution towards the project costs. Your business must be registered with relevant statutory bodies. Your business must be in Gauteng and you must also there too.

GEP offices are in Johannesburg, Germiston, Vanderbijlpark, Krugersdorp and Centurion. For more information about GEP, you can visit www.gep.co.za.

Information for this article came from GEP.