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Category: Eden Express

Change is coming to George, and we better get ready

Change is coming to George, and we better get ready

Everywhere one looks there is signs of change. Construction is happening near the Garden Route Mall, Chinese shops are popping up everywhere, “coming soon” bus stop signs are scattered all over the landscape, and the papers are full of stories of new investors entering the region.

I see many comments in the papers and on social media channels of people objecting to proposed developments, citing concerns that the ‘garden’ must not be lost from the garden route.

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The cowboy brigade will be the death of us

The cowboy brigade will be the death of us

In our area new small businesses are one of the biggest single threats to survival of other small businesses. We are our own worst enemy.

I have seen the same thing repeat itself over and over again. It works as follows: Someone uses his hard earned talent and experience to set up a small business offering a highly skilled service. Once the idea has proved itself as a successful venture others sit up and take note. Then the copycats pop up and the industry is ruined for those that offer real craftsmanship.

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To sponsor or not to sponsor?

To sponsor or not to sponsor?

Small & large businesses in George suffer equally when it comes to requests for sponsorship. Countless times a year someone knocks on my door looking for a sponsorship for a local football team, a school sports tour or the like.

Note that sponsorship and donations are two entirely different things. Sponsorship is marketing and a business expense. Donations is a decision often made without logic being involved, and is only a business expense as far as the SARS rebate goes, when applicable.

Now how does one know whether a proposed sponsorship will be worthwhile from a marketing perspective? Let’s take an example.

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