Phuzemthonjeni.com – Employment and Small Business Opportunities

Phuze’mthonjeni is an IsiZulu word meaning drinking from the well. Phuze’mthonjeni was established with the idea of sharing. Sharing is not only a one way process but a participating process. I found two interesting meanings of sharing from Wikipedia. The first one says “In a broader sense, it can also include the free granting of use rights to a good that is capable of being treated as a nonrival good, such as information” and a second one “Still more loosely, ‘sharing’ can actually mean giving something as an outright gift: for example, to ‘share’ one's food really means to give some of it as a gift”. It goes without saying; unfortunately we don’t share food on Phuze’mthonjeni but food for thought.

Phuze’mthonjeni’s core vision is to create employment with the view that this will address unemployment in our country.  Employee turn over is not a desirable phenomenon in the workplace for various reasons. Some say it is affected by Money Ethic endorsement, whether you like money or not. Is it chasing for money or chasing your worth? For me there is nothing wrong with loving money; as long as it does not define who you are or compromise your values. If we create an opportunity / platform for one or more individuals to prosper further in their career paths, this will give an opportunity to unemployed person to enter the corporate world.

The following three pillars put Phuze’mthonjeni to shine above the rest:

• Member focus
• Professionalism
• Relevancy of information

There are a number of things you can do on Phuze’mthonjeni’s profile:

• Update your profile and include profile photo – Some people has legitimate reasons not to display their photos and we respect that. There must be something you would like to display, your dog, your cat, etc, it makes your profile easy to identify
• Customize your page – you can customize your page, by going to settings, then my page. You can change the appearance of your page there.
• Invite friends – you can invite people who are already members as your friend and you can also invite friends who are not members of Phuze’mthonjeni to come and join you. To invite your friends you click invite. You can invite friends from your address book or enter emails individually.
• Photos and Videos – You can share as many photos and video clips as you like. To add photo/video, go to members on the menu bar.
• Join groups – Phuze’mthonjeni has a number of groups where people of the same interest share their views.  Read more.

Many businesses can do with some assistance from Government, be it financial grants or low cost loans or tax breaks, to overcome obstacles or to help them develop and grow.

Most of you know that the Department of Trade and Industry offers cash grants for a variety of purposes, of which they are usually awarded on a matching grant basis, in other words, it covers only portion of the expense and the applicant still has to fund the remaining portion.

We noticed that some of Business representatives, District and local municipalities are not aware of these DTI incentives, consequently this result in small companies and co-operatives under them not having knowledge to access to these grants.

Which of the following is applicable to your business?

1. Tourism or  Manufacturing and Pack Houses (EIP program)

 If your business is involved in any of the following and you are planning to expand in equipment and buildings, or if you are planning a new project like that, you might be eligible for a grant under the EIP program:

Tourist accommodation, e.g. lodge or hotel; tourist bus services; yachts or boats around the coastline; tour operator;

Manufacturing, processing, or any form of secondary value adding process. Pack House, packing of fruit and vegetables

2. Large manufacturing  industry? (IPP program)

The industrial policy projects program offers a generous  tax allowance to new manufacturing industries with  investment in fixed assets in excess of R200m or expansions in excess of R30m. The main requirement is that the project must save energy and create employment.

3. Textiles production and clothing? ( PI program)

The DTI launched a grant program last year to help the clothing and textiles manufacturing industry upgrade their technology and become more competitive. It is a lucrative grant package, calculated at 10% of gross profit.

4. Export of goods? ( EMIA program)

The EMIA program assists with the cost of marketing your product abroad. Expenditure such as exhibiting at international shows or conferences, travelling to meet potential customers, registering your product in foreign countries, all qualify under EMIA.  Depending on where you would like to exhibit, it might cost you virtually nothing to do so.

5. Supply of any goods or services by a business that is at least 51% black owned?( BBSDP program)

This program supports any commercial business with majority black ownership, be it a service supplier, a goods supplier or a manufacturer.  Grants are available for equipment as well as for professional services that will improve your effectiveness and abilities to market and manage your business.

Notes: Vehicles are not subsidized by the BBSDP. Construction companies are also supported by the BBSDP.

6. Film and TV Program

The SA Film and TV production incentive pays a  grant of up to 35% on the cost of local production by both local and overseas companies. If you are active in this industry, you should know that your production cost can be cut considerably in future. Read more...

Tips on CV Writing

I go through “A LOT” of CV’s, always with a few things in mind. Firstly if this person has the set criteria against the job spec, if they don’t how can I place them in a future position. My job is to find people jobs, people with clearly; outlined CV’s make that a lot easier.

So what makes a CV stand out? There are many things but I think for this blog post I want to focus on the basics, these are things that should be a given, they should be in your CV, they assist each client in evaluating how you can add value, if you will fit in culturally and if your salary expectations are in line with the job at hand.

Profile Overview
This is your opportunity to point out what makes you unique, what is your amazing X factor. It doesn’t have to be long, it has to be personal, this is not about blowing your own horn arrogantly, it is about being able to demonstrate your key qualities and your motivations and drivers. A CV is a piece of paper, the only that that brings it to life are the words that you chose to you. “Make sure your canvas is portraying the colours that suit you best.”

Layout
Everyone is different, but I find it easier to read your most recent job first and then working backwards in your career. It will be easier to see if you are a match for the job.

It is recommended to make the layout very easy to read. To do this you should set it out that you can see the previous employer, previous job title, amount of tenure and job description for each individual career movement.

Honesty
Honesty is the best policy. Do not lie on your CV. You will get caught out, your CV is a reflection and collection of your “stories”. You will be more respected if you bring things up before they get asked.

Salary Expectation
Some people find this offensive to answer but the reality is that this a deal maker or breaker. So if it is so important then why not be honest and upfront about it. An average of 7% increase is the norm when applying for a new position (of course this depends on each job specifically and 7% is a guideline). My advice is be realistic about your expectations.

Your CV is an extension of who you are, if you not going to take the time to put everything you have into it to find that perfect job – will that perfect job be able to find you?

Good luck with your CV, if you require any tips please do not hesitate to contact Talent Fusion.

How to stand out and make your CV count

One would think that sending your CV should be enough to get you placed. You have worked on it for hours, making sure the dates are right, the full scope of what you have achieved and capable of should be enough informtion. But this is not always the case.

To add to the impact of your CV, I would advise every candidate to attach the following.

Firstly a copy of your ID. You ID is a quick reference for the recruiter to see who you are, connect a face to the CV. It will make it more memorable in thier head. This already puts you first in the recruiter minds. It instilles openness and transparency. A recuriter should always ask if you approve for thier agency to conduct a basic ITC check, credit check or any specific requirements that the client have asked for.

Educational records: Attach a copy of your matric, degree or diploma. It adds credibility to your CV. It means you are once again being transparent. It add’s weight when your CV is sent to a client and it also speeds up the process of a client getting to see your CV. You might think, my marks were not great, this is not as sereious as you think , send it anyway, you will be judged based on your capabilities to perform the job at hand, not what you got for Geography when you are applying for a marketing position. Don’t be so critical on yourself.

References are one of your biggest ally’s in finding a job. They are the people that are going to “talk” on your behalf. A recruiter as well as a client should always ask a candidate for permission to phone a reference. It is recommended that the only question that is asked or confirmed is if the candidate work at that place of employment, however to get a better sense of a candidate other questions could be asked as well ie: would you hire the candidate again, what were thier strengths and weaknesses.

A motivational of why you are suited to a position is also going to add value to your application, firslty it forces you to think if this really is a position you would like to apply for and secondly it inspires the recruiter or client to read further.

A portfolio of your work or examples of past projects / presentations is also always a plus. It deomstrates your abilities and adds insight into your talents.

Most importantly believe in your capability, if you do not get an interview, do not take it personally, look at it in the light that something bigger and better is out their waiting for you! And do not be afraid to ask why your CV was not shortlisted. Take it as constructive and move on.

Good luck for every position you apply for, hopefully you see some results with implementing this new strategy.

Why is your CV not getting you feedback?

You have been looking for a new job, at first your thought it would be easy, “You” send your CV, “You” get the job but then you start realizing it is not that simple for everyone. You start going into analyses paralyses on what is wrong with you and why is your CV not getting the airtime it deserves.

Below are a few simple tips on getting better results when sending your CV to a recruiter or potential company.

Blanket Sending: You start your day off with going through different job boards and just apply. Apply to this, apply to that, ohhh that looks like fun, I could do that too. This is not a strategy that is not going to get you favour.

Vocational Goals: Have you really sat down and decided where you are going with your career, have you made a list of all that you want to achieve? By when? Take responsibility for your career. Nobody else is going too.

Are you being realistic: You have your goals; you know what you want to do. Ask yourself… are you qualified for this career? Do you need more training in this field? The chances of getting hired without the prerequisite training will not get you to the top of the shortlist pile. Be realistic about your goals. There is nothing wrong with a vocational change but be realistic on how you are going to get there.

Cover Letters: Cover letters do not have to become and essay. It could be a brief overview of who you are. Even better it could be a description of how you best suit the job description you are applying for. I would go as far as adding a link to your LinkedIn profile to show complete transparency at the end of your cover letter.

Transparency: You see a job and you think this is the job for you but you are missing a quality or a specific requirement that is in the job description. Be honest and upfront. Have the attitude that a recruiter is trying to assist you, the more they know the quicker you will get an answer to your CV.

Ideal Candidate vs. Ideal Job: Do not take it personally when your CV gets rejected. You are looking for the perfect job and the company is looking for the perfect candidate. So when your CV does not get shortlisted it is not a personal attack on you, the company could be trying to find the most qualified, experienced candidate within their budget constraints. This does not mean you are not an amazing candidate.

Follow up: There is nothing wrong with following up on why you never got the position or if you are going to be considered. Know what positions you are applying for. Keep a list, try and learn from the advice of people that are reading your CV, perhaps there is an insight that you overlooked.

Motivation: Do not lose faith in your job search. Remind yourself of your goals, do not be that pessimistic person that looks for external reasons. Stay motivated, stay positive. Your perfect job is out there.

Good Luck with the job search, wishing you success in finding your perfect position.Talent Fusion

7 Things Your Resume Just Doesn't Need

By Gerrit Hall

As a job seeker, you probably have heard a lot of advice when it comes to your resume. All the bells and whistles your resume should have, how to format your resume to make it more read-able, why your resume should be a certain length… it gets tiring.

One of the most frequent critiques our users receive is about brevity (or lack thereof). The average resume is too long and littered with so much stuff that the person reading it doesn’t care anymore.

Instead of adding even more to your resume, here are seven things your resume just doesn't need:

An Objective Statement

Sometimes, an objective statement can really wrap things up. However, when you're looking for space on your resume, this should be the first thing to go. An employer already has your cover letter to learn about your goals for their company. Not only will your objective statement need to be re-written for every company you apply to, it's usually just a bunch of fluff.

Pictures

Unless you're applying for a modeling, acting, or other kind of job allowed to hire based on looks, your resume just doesn't need a picture, illustration, doodle, or headshot. You might think that a picture adds a certain amount of "personality" that your resume needs, but all it really does is take up space, distract readers, and could even pose as a potential lawsuit risk.

"References upon request"

Unless otherwise specified, most employers expect references later in the hiring process. Never put reference information on your resume because you’re sharing info that isn’t yours to give out. That extra line at the bottom of your resume is like writing “I am looking for a job” on your resume.

Salary Requirements

Nine times out of ten, an employer isn't going to even think about your salary requirements until after the interview. You want to convince your resume's readers that you want the job because you’re qualified, not that you have a price. Websites like GlassDoor give you the opportunity to research typical salaries in your industry and company.

Jargon

Sure, some jargon sounds like a great idea. After all, how else are you going to convince a company that you know the ins and outs of your field? The problem lies in the fact that the person reading your resume isn't someone in your department – it's probably HR. Without falling into a spiral of jargon, explain your accomplishments in easy-to-understand language.

Nitty Gritty Facts

The information your resume absolutely needs: your name, your email address, and your phone number. Everything else is up to you. If you find yourself listing your marital status, blood type, or contacts prescription you've gone too far.

Resume Template

If you don't know where to start, formatting-wise, then a template is a great crutch. However, a template can turn against you. Adding extra information can be a pain and sometimes the template just won't translate through email. If you do use a template, pay special attention to all the sections and try converting it to a PDF.

New Company Registrations

A company is incorporated by the lodging of the following main forms:

• Notice of Incorporation (CoR 14.1)
• Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) (CoR 15.1 A-E)

For more information on customer registration and the required supporting documentation, click here.

Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI)

The most important document governing a company is the MOI, which is a consolidation of the current Memorandum and Articles of Association of a company. The Act imposes certain specific requirements on the content of a Memorandum of Incorporation, as necessary to protect the interests of shareholders in the company, and provides for a number of default company rules / alterable provisions, which companies may accept or alter as they wish as long as it is in line with the Companies Act. 

Alterable provisions within the Companies Act, 2008:

• A company has all the legal powers and capacity of an individual, except to the extent that
  • A juristic person is incapable of exercising any such powers, or having any such capacity; or
  • The company’s MOI provides otherwise (e.g. the MOI may state that no director may contract on behalf of the company in his/her own capacity).
• Private, non-profit and incorporated companies may elect to comply with the extended accountability requirements of Chapter 3 of the Act (Sect 34(2));
• Shares within the same class has the same rights, limitations and terms, unless the MOI provides otherwise (Sect 37(1));
• MOI may exclude the right of first refusal of current shareholders of a private company in respect of shares issued by the company (Sect 39(3);
• MOI may forbid the board to render financial assistance to parties wanting to acquire shares in the company (Sect 45(2);
• MOI may provided for longer minimum notice periods for meetings;
• Electronic notice and electronic participation in meetings are allowed unless MOI prohibits it (Sect 63(2);
• Companies may determine a higher number of minimum directors than what the Act prescribes (Sect 66(2).

Unalterable provisions are provisions of the Act which the company may not change, such as directors’ duties and responsibilities and enhanced accountability requirements for public and state owned companies. In instances where the MOI is in conflict with the Act, the Companies Act will prevail. In addition, the Act allows for companies to add provisions to address matters applicable to that company, not addressed in the Act itself, but all provisions of the MOI must be consistent with the Act. 
The Memorandum of Incorporation CoR 15.1A-E (whichever is applicable) contains the following information:

• Detail of Incorporators
• Number of directors and alternate directors
• Share capital (maximum issued)
• Content of MOI

The Notice of Incorporation (CoR 14.1), which must be lodged together with CoR 15.1 contains the following information:

• Type of company
• Incorporation date
• Financial year end
• Registered address (main office)
• Number of directors
• Company name
  • Whether company name will be the registration number;
  • The reserved name and reservation number;
  • List of 4 (four) names to be checked by the Commission.