The Business Associate is an Enterprise & Supplier Development organization established in 2006. We provide customised and affordable Enterprise and Supplier Development expertise that until now has only been available to large corporations.
We facilitate both demand-side and supply-side interventions to create a more integrated & inclusive South African economy.
We offer various business support mechanisms to Certify, Capacitate and Connect SMME’s (Small and Medium Business’s) within the various supply chains. We have built up a strong reputation for empowering black & small businesses and providing them with the necessary guidance to build sustainable business models that can effectively respond to supply demand requirements.
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
1. Spend Management
2. Supplier Development
3. Supplier Diversity
4. BBBEE & ESD Consulting
ENTREPRENEURS & SUPPLIERS
1. Compliance (Certification)
2. Business Development (Capacitate)
3. Business Linkages (Connect)
OUR TEAM
JOSEPH SOLOMON RUITERS
A highly experienced Senior Executive who combines strategic/tactical business & financial expertise with strong qualifications in business development, operations and P&L management. A record of reversing financial declines and capturing significant cost reductions through process redesign and performance enhancement. He has demonstrated the ability to lead diverse teams of professionals to new levels of success in a variety of highly competitive industries, cutting-edge markets, and fast-paced environments. Proven ability to successfully analyze an organization’s critical business requirements, identify deficiencies and potential opportunities, and develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for enhancing competitiveness, increasing revenues, and improving customer service offerings.
Master of Business Administration · Stellenbosch University
Bachelor of Commerce · Accounting, Auditing & Taxation · University of Western Cape
ALDEN KLAASEN
An admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of South Africa (Attorney) having completed his articles of clerkship with a reputable firm specialising in the areas of litigation, property and commercial law. Has previously served as the Chief Legal Officer at one of our country’s leading insurers incorporating this experience as he shapes the businesses of the future. Is an authorised representative in terms of the FAIS Act. Has an astute legal mind with a keen appetite for business development. Has developed and maintained key training programmes empowering business owners to understand issues of compliance, governance and how the law impacts their internal and external relations. Demonstrates the ability to innovate and employ lateral thinking to solve problems and improve existing systems.
Bachelor of Laws · Public, Private & Mercantile Law · Stellenbosch University
CHARMAINE ABRAHAMS
A highly efficient Office Administrator who takes care of all clients (new and existing). Been part of the team for the last 10 years and understand all the challenges black and small businesses endure. Provide linkages for our client to business services offered by our company.
RALPH DONOVAN KLAASEN
A young and highly efficient business consultant with a wide range of expertise and experience. Supported many small businesses with growing their business and aligning their business to be transact-ready for corporate opportunities. Has the ability to analyze small business ideas, road-mapping it to access market opportunities in several business environments. He has a vast knowledge base of business start-ups and understands exactly what it takes for a business to be successful. He has the ability to effectively and efficiently develop business documentation allowing businesses to be trans-act ready. The aforementioned documentation and information include business planning, financial modelling (costing & pricing), market research, feasibility assessments, business profiles, etc. He has also facilitated workshops such as financial management, financial systems (one-on-one), accessing government opportunities (one-on-one), basic business start-up skills, how to tender and many more.
Bachelor of Commerce: Accounting, Auditing & Taxation · University of Western Cape
MUCAN RUITERS
A highly efficient business development consultant with hands on experience in marketing, creating of business linkages for small businesses, completing tender documents for clients. Has developed as a sharp and shrewd entrepreneur / business linkage consultant. Through his involvement with the Dimension Data Incubator Programme and Empretec he has learned some valuable entrepreneurship skills. Supported many small businesses with growing their business and align their business to be transact-ready for corporate business. He was a member of the team during the City of Cape Town’s pilot project re the implementation of due diligence audits.
ASHLEY ABRAHAMS
An entrepreneur, business leader, marketing and customer service professional with experience in establishing and managing various businesses, leading operations and B2B marketing. Expertise in planning, developing and executing operations with a daily mission to nurture relationships through offering strategic, consultative analytical planning and business development value. Driving sales into new markets and accounts whilst developing successful key accounts and product strategies. An impressive track record of more than 13 years of hands-on experience in the following areas: Strategic and Business Planning; Feasibility studies; Growing Revenue & Profit; Managing Budgets and P & L; Market Research, Strategies and Plans; Business Development & Due Diligence Audits; Developing New Business & Mapping Key Clients; Human Capital Management (Coaching, Mentoring and Training).
Bachelor of Commerce · Accounting, Auditing & Taxation · University of Western Cape
CLIENT FOCUS
ENTREPRENEURS & BLACK SUPPLIERS
Some of our clients include start-up and medium sized businesses that is trans-act ready and high profile small businesses
CORPORATES
Some of our clients include PWC, VESTAS, ACCIONA, NORDEX and many others – support these businesses either with BBBEE/ESD strategy formulation, BBBEE Verification Support, ESD program implementation, Supplier Chain, Data Analytics and many other business strategy support
BUSINESS SUPPORT INSTITUTIONS/ASSOCIATIONS
We are working with SEDA, sefa, NYDA, Sasmef, Chambers, WECBOF, Nafcoc and other organisations that support small business initiatives and work either with their staff, clients or members formulating strategies, implementing small business programs and advancement
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS
We are working with government institutions, like State-owned entities, municipality either responding to tender opportunities or implementation of enterprise and supplier development programs. Some of our major clients include the City of Cape Town, Drakenstein Municipalities, Tourism, Bank seta, SA Parliament, SITA and others
UNIVERSITIES AND INNOVATION CENTRES
We are working with the University of the Western Cape, CPUT, University of Pretoria (GIBS) and The Innovation Hub, Shanduka Black Umbrellas
INDUSTRY BODIES
We are working with the SA WINE INDUSTRY TRANSFORMATION UNIT and the South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC) in the supporting these industries either transforming its entrepreneurial / supplier environment or by implementing ESD initiatives
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
We are extremely satisfied with the ESD services delivered
The Business Associate has become mentors & supplier to many of the
entrepreneurs post training (a value add of their services that makes them a great asset in our programme).
The Business Associate has extensive experience in growing small business
to scale through business linkages.
We are doing business with Corporates and government because of them!
We are extremely delighted with the
work of The Business Associate and the support they provided to SMME’s
We have been particularly impressed by their knowledge and skills sets. The excellent reviews we received from our clients confirms their excellence
The Business Associate is the reason
why my business moved from a survivalist to a sustainable business
CONTACT US
We love to listen and are eagerly awaiting your call. Get in touch!