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News Story Archives

A Small Business’ Bread and Butter

By: Sarah Billimore
Date: 2008/10/29

Created specifically for small business owners, the electronic lead exchange program, ‘breadandbutter’ is, quite simply, networking made easy for the busy entrepreneur.

“Often business owners or providers (are) so busy working that they don’t have the time or the inclination to get new business,” explains founding member, Diane de Villiers.

Launched earlier this month, the ‘breadandbutter’ networking platform not only provides a means for members to generate concrete leads for their own business or service, but to promote other small businesses operating in South Africa.

“It’s based on the philosophy that small and micro business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs need a constant source of new business and clients to keep their businesses growing and generating profit – literally their 'bread and butter',” explains Diane.

“We all probably know of someone right now who needs the services of a reputable professional, (be it) a garden landscaper, a builder, a guitar teacher, an event planner, a photographer or accountant, a website designer, a lawyer,” she adds.

The breadandbutter network enables small businesses to help each other and thereby help themselves by exchanging these leads and referrals within the network. The greater the membership, the more opportunities for members, the more leads they will receive for themselves.

A Worthwhile Solution for Small Businesses

With business owners across South Africa looking at ways to tighten their belts, marketing budgets are often the first to be reviewed – despite being vital to new lead generation. “As small business owners, we know that there is never enough budget or time for marketing and it’s really expensive to use the services of marketing agencies and other professionals,” adds Diane.

“There really isn’t a cost effective and worthwhile solution for small businesses and self-promotion and marketing takes up a lot of time and needs dedicated attention and focus - something small business owners may be reluctant or unable to do. There are well over a million small businesses in South Africa with this problem,” she says. Self-described Internet junkies, Diane de Villiers and breadandbutter co-founder, Jo Pierre Lerm have an innate grasp of the power and potential of the internet and looked for an online application that could bridge the gap. Breadandbutter is the result.

For a fixed monthly fee of R125 per month, the easy to use system is “powered by the natural motivation and hunger of providers” [small business owners] to generate the leads. “Instead of using traditional marketing methods, the breadandbutter network benefits from being connected to a very large group of like-minded people who are all committed to growing their own businesses and share the ethos of helping others. And best of all, there is no need to spend time and money on networking breakfasts or even leave your office - the leads pop into your inbox.”

Positive Early Feedback

“Despite having launched only days ago, we’ve had very positive and enthusiastic feedback from members who are bravely committing to signing up in the very early stages of the network. We were counting on the natural pioneering spirit of fellow South African to make this work and we have not been disappointed,” say Diane and Jo-Pierre.

How it Works

Members post leads as follows:
· They describe the opportunity – e.g. “I want to re-landscape my garden. I particularly want an indigenous garden that is low maintenance. The garden is 1/4 acre and there may be some paving involved.”
· They choose the type of provider from the category and sub-category lists available on the site. E.g. Garden and Home; Garden and Outdoor
· They choose their location e.g. Gauteng, Pretoria
· They indicate a deadline [by when they need the service]
· They indicate a budget

This lead is then matched up with any provider on the site who has indicated that they provide the services requested in the category listings and who offers these services in the location required. Matching providers receive this lead. Providers review the lead/opportunity and choose to accept/decline it.

The “client” [person who posted the lead] then reviews the providers who have agreed to accept the lead. They can review ratings and feedback from previous clients who used their services and are able to interact with providers online or offline. The client then chooses which provider to finally accept and is requested to rate the experience.

Keeping Everyone Honest

“We want to generate genuine leads and we ask that members post leads for a product or service they need right now or refer someone who they know has a real need right now,” adds Diane.

Members evaluate posted leads and are able to use the system’s overt reporting mechanism to report junk leads. “Any member found to be posting bad or junk leads is immediately blocked from the system. A review of all ‘bad’ leads is conducted to ensure that all bad leads are stamped out and that any incorrect reporting of leads is prevented,” she explains.

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