Small Business, Big Reward

The 702 Small Business Awards with Softline Pastel had Gauteng’s small business owners scrambling for a piece of the action. Presented by Talk Radio 702 late last year, the month-long campaign to find the province’s best small companies resulted in hundreds of nominations and millions of new business contacts. The eventual winner was chosen from a shortlist of 30.

Unlike big business awards where analysts pour over financial results, liquidity and PE ratios, the 702 Small Business Awards with Softline Pastel had customers call into the radio station nominating those companies that gave them outstanding service.

It resulted in daily on-air interviews with the proprietors and a scramble as listeners grabbed pen and paper, frantically jotting down numbers for companies that could help them with their pool problems, leaky geysers or provide unusual city recreation. All the nominated companies reported that their phones never stopped ringing after such an interview.

In total, the competition saw 1 100 nominations from the public. From those, 30 finalists were chosen, two of which were interviewed on air each day – on John Robbie and David O’Sullivan’s shows. The winner was Daisy Nteta, of Nteta Cleaning Services. She won a substantial advertising package on Talk Radio 702, including production and airtime. She and the runners up, Knob Co and Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers, also received business software from Softline Pastel.

Word of mouth

Partners in the awards, Talk Radio 702 and Softline Pastel were both passionate about the concept from the beginning. The station saw the need to celebrate the small businesses that drive the economy, and knew the difference coverage would make to growing businesses. “A business that offers great service will grow through word of mouth, and 702 passes that word of mouth on to a wider audience,” said John Robbie, MC at the awards event.

For Softline Pastel, the awards were a natural fit. “I have had the good fortune to start a small business and watch it grow into a big business, and I know all the challenges and rewards of small business,” said Softline Pastel managing director, Steven Cohen. He added that as a business grows, it’s important to keep a scorecard of where you’re at, and Pastel has accounting software specifically designed for small businesses.

“Unemployment is a big challenge to our country and a thriving small business sector is the best way to alleviate this problem,” said Cohen. Pheladi Gwangwa, 702 station manager, concurred. “Nteta Cleaning is a brilliant example of self-employment and also of creating employment for others,” she said of the winning company, which currently employs 18 people and has scope for growth.

Rare business camaraderie

Both 702 and Pastel said they had not anticipated the huge impact the nomination-based competition would have. “It’s refreshing to hear so many positive stories,” said Gwangwa. The presenters who interviewed each finalist echoed this sentiment, “This is the most meaningful promotion we’ve had on 702,”commented Robbie, while O’Sullivan said he was overwhelmed by the audience response to each story. Cohen was delighted to see how supportive all the finalists were of each other at the ceremony. “Everyone congratulated the winners, and complimented each other on their success, which is very rare for a business competition,” he said.

Top 30 finalist directory

We thought it would be useful to compile a directory of the top 30 finalists from the competition. The list is arranged alphabetically by business description so it’s easy to find the company that provides the product or service you need. Click here for the listing – print it out and keep it handy!