MikesDesk

Brochure websites are static web pages that describe the business. Businesses that use brochure websites are wasting the clients time. Paper brochures in a store are used to start a conversation and to assist the sales person. Brochure websites don’t create any relationship with your clients. If you consult, start a blog that emails your clients. This consistent reminder of your expertise will build trust in your clients. If you sell or perform a service, try do so over the internet. As the very least open conversation with your clients. Brochure websites do have a consistent message unlike blogs, that older businesses feel less at risk with. This thinking fails to build a relationship with potential clients and stops the purpose of a website. The website is created to open a conversation with your clients.

The MyGenius website is not a community representing MENSA but rather a community of the people that work in business around South Africa. Using web terminology, MyGenius is a social networking website. MyGenius encourages you to profile yourself on the web and to network with other people. By registering your profile on the website, you may upload your resume, may describe your business and it encourages you to post a photo of yourself. A blog section is used to post opinions and opportunities on the frontpage of the site. I believe this entry exposure draws users back on a daily basis to view comments and opinions.

MyGenius is a growing and is a success due to the active and fantastic people who network. But features like suscribing  to RSS/Email of blog entries will streamline the reading.

On a lighter note and for those that own their own business John Raath a creator of MyGenius wrote these awseome words in today’s newsletter:

I have always thought that the term SME was dodgy. I don’t know any business owner who wants to be small (most people I know are dreaming big) or even medium/average (most people I know want to do something special).

So I thought we could strike out the most offensive letter with a single vertical line and begin to redefine what it all means: $ME

If you are looking to socialise with other entrepreneurs and businessmen and women, try MyGenius, it beats LinkedIn any day.

The new Companies Bill will replace the companies and close corporations acts by next year (Itweb). Thereafter companies will have three years and close corporations with 10 years to comply with the new law. The bill hopes to reduce the cost of registering and maintaining a company, with lower audit requirements. Additionally the naming structure of companies will change. Private companies and close corporations will become closely-held companies(CHC) and public companies will be widely held companies(WHC).

Also reported, the bill allows virtual companies to be created where the directors and shareholders will meet in cyberspace (MyAdsl). Annual general meetings and documents will be avaliable online and shareholders may vote through an electronic proxy. However virtual meetings will benefit only the investor who is connected to the internet with a broadband connection.

This news on changing the company structure excites me. I understand it may be a headache for current businesses to change their structure but the reduced costs will benefit every business owner. I hope it will reduce the cost of starting a business. Has anyone got further information or opinions on this major change?

References and information:

Buys Inc (Full Company Bill 2007, click the right hand-side)
MyADSL
Business Day
Mail and Guardian Online
ITWeb