The Concept
The Business Support Services Centre is a strategic intervention initiated to support the establishment of new and the growth of existing businesses.
The BSSC is conceptualised as a comprehensive, walk-in multi-purpose business support hub facilitating access to information, technology, marketing opportunities, business development advice and services, business and trading opportunities, skills development, capacity building, linkages, networking and funding opportunities. Various service providers and support institutions / agencies / individuals will be mobilised into an ecosystem of programme based support functions towards intensive entrepreneurship development and community economic empowerment. SMMEs, civil society, individuals and the entire community are target beneficiaries of services. The overall objective of the BSSC is to contribute towards the creation of an improved business environment and to stimulate complete business support measures.

Approach
Community mobilisation strategies integrated with programme delivery mechanisms Programme based partnerships Integration and coordination of services Well researched, benchmarked, high quality, high level responsive and relevant interventions Needs driven and opportunities led Continuous skills development and capacity building Counterpart institutional strengthening and human resources development Incite and germinate innovation
Modes of delivery
An annual time table will be drawn up scheduling activities, delivery agents, funding requirements and sources of funding, objectives, targets and other variables as shall be determined to ensure efficient and effective coordination. The time-table will be reviewed from time to time to afford the centre flexibility and prompt responsiveness to new opportunities. Methods of service delivery will vary depending on the intended intervention. These may include, but not limited to the following:
Contact sessions with clients/beneficiaries Technology enhanced and interactive delivery mechanisms Mentorship and Awards Learnerships and skills programmes Multi-media, for example, community radio stations, print media, video streaming, seminars, conferences, workshops, competitions, group projects Partnerships
Institutional arrangements
 The BSSC will operate a hub at Tivumbeni College, linked to satellites and community access points spread across the municipality made up of, among others, community centres, traditional / royal authorities, schools, NGOs, SMMEs, FETs, Thusong centres. The following is an illustration
Based on the evaluation of sites and discussions with the municipal officials, GTM offices in Nkowankowa should be developed into a HUB. However, Tivumbeni Education Multi-Purpose Centre in Nkowankowa Township should serve as a care-taker hub while the GTM offices are being developed. Bulamahlo, Lesedi, Relela and Runnymede will serve as satellites
The diagram illustrates the recommended institutional model
Sustainability
A multi-pronged sustenance strategy incorporating diversified income streams to be pursued. Some of the practical suggestions include:
The BSSC to enter into agency relationships for various programmes, for example, the National Youth Development Agency, Department of Trade and Industry, Financing Institutions, and any other BSSC to initiate unsolicited bids to deliver business support interventions BSSC to be positioned as a Membership Resource Centre BSSC to tender for works related to services provided BSSC to be an accredited entrepreneurship skills development training provider and participate in the delivery of accredited training and capacity building Mobilise funding for community empowerment initiatives at a fee Provide services like bookkeeping, SARS returns, Payroll administration, completion of tender documents etc. for a fee. BSSC to facilitate linkages and networking opportunities for businesses through, among others, events organisation and management Initiate and support innovative and research projects and apply for grants
Services
Services provided include:
Business planning, marketing, advertising and branding Book-keeping Skills Development and Capacity building Research, policy inputting and consulting Business advice and mentorship Events organisation, business support linkages and information Awards, campaigns and competitions Information and Communication technology access Business legal services and debt collection ob placement and personnel administration Logistics and travel arrangements Call centre services Courier services,copying services, facsimile services, word processing services, on-site PC rental services, and office products sales. Fundraising Quality development and management systems and services Productivity enhancement
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