Spotlight on small businesses

Small businesses stand to gain big rewards in this year’s 702 Small Business Awards with Softline Pastel.
The Awards launched on Talk Radio 702 this week with a call to listeners to nominate small businesses that have given them outstanding service.

“At 702, we’re in the business of telling stories and through the nominations process we receive thousands of wonderful stories from all sectors and all corners of Gauteng,” explained 702 station manager, Pheladi Gwangwa. “It shows us how vibrant these small businesses are and reminds us of the important role they play in the economy.”

The call for nominations will run throughout the campaign, and from 16 August, two of the 30 finalists will be spoken to on air on 702 each day – one on John Robbie’s show and one on David O’Sullivan’s show. These interviews have proved to offer great value to the small businesses who are interviewed.

One of last year’s finalists, Marius Botes from Betta Lights was delighted by the impact of this interview “We received 300 e-mails and 400 calls in one week, from these we produced 110 quotes and secured business with a number of high profile, large companies,” he said.

For Africa Waterproofing and Painting, their nomination led to 25 new leads, one of the biggest of these was Soccer City. “They contacted us and within a few days we were on site, joint sealing the stadium ahead of 2010,” said owner, Charlie Brown.

Softline Pastel is proud to be associated with the awards for the third year running.
“We position ourselves as the leading software and payroll provider to small and medium-sized businesses, so it’s our customers who are being nominated for these awards,” said Grant Lloyd, managing director of Pastel Payroll.

“This year, as we come out of a difficult economic period, I anticipate that we are going to hear a lot of incredible stories about how good ideas, creativity and exceptional service have kept SMEs going and I look forward to honouring these successes,” added Steve Cohen, managing director of Pastel Accounting.

Once all 30 finalists have been interviewed on air, a panel of judges will meet to decide on a winner and two runner up businesses. The judging criteria includes sustainability of the business and the potential for growth and employment.

To nominate a small business that has offered you excellent service visit www.702.co.za