The document outlines the plans and activities of the Small Business Forum (SBF) for 2018. It discusses the results of an SBF survey on members' needs and priorities. It also summarizes trends for small businesses in 2018, including the growth of crowdfunding, freelancing, on-demand services, and emphasis on customer information and connection. The document then details SBF's 2018 program, including monthly business mixers and workshops on topics like marketing and finance. Finally, it outlines a six-month "Funding Fit" campaign to provide support and funding opportunities for 10 small businesses through a series of workshops on areas such as business models, financials, and investment pitches.

1. SBF Looking to 2018
Open discussion

2. www.smallbusinessforum.co.za
Agenda
 Welcome
 Looking at 2018
 Survey results
 Trends
 SBF

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SBF
Survey:
Who we
are
How many years
have you been in
business

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SBF Survey: Who we are
 How many employees in your business currently?

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SBF
Survey:
What we
want most
Marketing & Market
Development
Networking and meeting
other small business owners
Funding & financial skills
Business skills

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Trends for 2018
Business trends
 Crowdfunding will flourish
 Freelancing will drive new
services
 On-demand will expand in B2B
 Customer Info will be cherished
 Customer driven diversity
Market trends
 Social media will become
publishing
 Consumers will demand
connection
 Live marketing
 Purpose drive
 Influencer
 Millennials are out – Gen Z is in

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SBF 2018 Programme overview

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SBF Events: Mid-month Thursday
 Business mixers:
 Networking and idea sharing
 Business Clinic: Facilitated
 confidential peerworking sessions
 discuss opportunities and challenges you are facing
 Collaborative and reciprocal
 Soapbox
 Have your say

9. www.smallbusinessforum.co.za
SBF Workshops: monthly 2nd Wednesday
 Interactive outcomes based workshop
 Leave with a tool / plan / process completed
 An opportunity to work on your business and not in it
 Key topics for 2018
 Marketing
 Finance

10. www.smallbusinessforum.co.za
2018 Monthly Events
Month Date Event Topic Facilitators
January 18/01/17 Business Mixer
February 15/02/17 Business Clinic: Building a marketing plan KT / JM
March 15/03/17 Soapbox
April 12/04/17 Business Mixer
May 10/05/17 Business Clinic: Growing Markets KT / JM
June 14/06/17 Soapbox
July 12/07/17 Business Mixer
August 16/08/17 Business Clinic: Products & Services KT / JM
September 13/09/17 Soapbox
October 11/10/17 Business Mixer
November 15/11/17 Business Clinic: Administration processes KT / JM
December 06/12/17 Year-end function

11. www.smallbusinessforum.co.za
Funding Fit – 6 Month Campaign
Campaign Start: 01 November 2017
Campaign End: 30 April 2018

12. www.smallbusinessforum.co.za
Campaign timeline
 November – Call for entries
 FB / Twitter / LinkedIn /
Newsletters / Website
 December
 Announcement and introduction
of 10 companies
 Outlining of funding goals for
each participant
 January
 Workshop 1: 18/01/18
 Intro to programme - Outline of
all requirements
 Workshops commence Feb – April
 Weekly working sessions
throughout the programme
 Sessions optional to attend
 Worksheets emailed to
participants – materials deleted
online
 February: 4 Workshops
 March: 5 Workshops
 April: 2 Workshops
 Mid/End April:
 Launch of companies onto
selected platform
 Promotion of companies and
platforms through all media

13. www.smallbusinessforum.co.za
Programme outline
Feb 31/01 Elevator Pitch
08/02 Momentum, Traction, Expertise: Your key numbers
15/02 Market Opportunity: Define market size & your customer base
22/02 Problem & Current Solutions: What need do you fill? Other solutions
March 01/03 Product or Service: Your solution
08/03 Business Model: Key Revenue Streams
15/03 Market Approach & Strategy: How you grow your business
22/03 Team & Key Stakeholders (Investors, Advisors)
29/03 Financials
April 05/04 Competition
12/04 Investment: Your ‘Ask’ for funding, Basic use of funds
19/04 Launch of companies onto selected platform - Promotion via media

14. www.smallbusinessforum.co.za
Workshop Programme
Month Wednesday Workshop Presenters
January Weekly Funding Fit x 4
February Weekly Funding Fit x 4 KT / JM
March Weekly Funding Fit x 4
April Weekly Funding Fit x 4
May 10/05/17 Marketing 101: Writing your strategy & your
plan
KT / JM
June 14/06/17
July 12/07/17
August 16/08/17
September 13/09/17
October 11/10/17
November 15/11/17