In partnership with a global consultancy, Enterprise Room was awarded the tender to design an Enterprise and Supplier Development strategy aligned to the client’s core business strategy and mission of seamlessly connecting people to a better life.
We were appointed as programme manager to implement the strategy which was built on four core pillars:
Pillar 1: Investment vehicle (ESD fund) to provide finance to ICT SMEs
Pillar 2: Value chain interventions – direct business development support to client suppliers and potential suppliers
Pillar 3: ESD strategic partnerships and ESD collaboration frameworks between the client and various corporate partnerships, including OEMs
Pillar 4: ICT Incubation Support for SMEs working with ICT providers. (Incubators and training institutions for incubation of ICT enterprises, including hubs in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town.) The objective was to provide incubation, office space and access to connectivity for technology enterprises
The approach was driven through identifying the right money, to support the right business, to deliver the right outcomes.
This was supported by a framework focused closely on lessons learned and game changers, with a clear vision and understanding of the pipeline into the programme. As part of our programme management, we:
- Developed an application and assessment process
- Developed a financial model clarifying potential ROI and estimated investment in a business
- Took a phased approach that included SME management and data governance processes
- Sourced and selected SMEs
- Worked with a panel of business development services to provide direct support to SMEs
- Supported and provided various services to SMEs including:
- Tailored business development support, including incubation
- In-kind support such as subsidised connectivity, office space, access to facilities and office amenities through incubation partners
- Were responsible for the ESD communication management to provide the client with support for a broad external and internal programme media strategy, as well as an external launch
- Recruited talent to the project team
- Maintained internal participation at business unit level within the company
- Facilitated integration with commercial teams
- Created solid partnerships supported by a sound marketing and media plan
- Established Hub integration with the fund and the client’s foundation
In addition, Enterprise Room developed a comprehensive BBBEE strategy to comply with the then draft Amended ICT Code that included Management Control, Skills Development, Enterprise and Supplier Development and the tracking of the Ownership and Socio-Economic Development points. Included within the strategy was a plan to develop develops skills that met the client’s short and long-term resourcing requirements, contributed to closing skills gaps in the ICT sector that limited participation in their value chain and enabled broader economic inclusion and subsequent participation in South Africa’s digital economy.
This culminated in a comprehensive report and recommendations for the BBBEE and transformation agenda and plan for the company including a strategy on how the points for each element could be scored to ensure compliance
