Engen Polish brings ideas to life

Celebrating five years of polishing entrepreneurial pitches, the ENGEN Pitch & Polish programme is designed to provide business training and give local communities a stage to shine.

Engen Petroleum Ltd, in partnership with business incubator, Raizcorp, and media partner SAfm, as well as local stakeholders, SEDA, NYDA and Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism joined forces to bring this workshop and competition to Nelspruit.

The day provided an opportunity to have ideas brainstormed, tested and challenged , and ultimately for delegates to polish their pitches.

The day began with a video clip screening, which captured the essence of events from previous years, setting the scene of what could be expected.

Facilitated by Bret Saks, an expert in business renewal and performance improvement and a Strategy and Finance Guide at Raizcorp, the workshop was highly interactive and each individual was stretched and pushed towards a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship and their business.

“Hope is not a strategy, as an entrepreneur you need courage, resilience, enthusiasm and focus too. These characteristics are not enough to impress the participants who are primed to think and act like investors.

It is evident that knowing your business inside and out is what will give you the foundation to pitch with conviction,” said Bret Saks.

The winners in all the rounds initially had to pitch for 30 seconds, which over the course of the day was fleshed out to become well-rounded three minute pitches, as part of the competition element, to judges, Janitta Pieterse, Manager, Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business, Flerrie Mashego, Coordinator Business Development Services, NYDA and Jodi Lynn Karpes, Managing Director, GreenQueen Communications.

“Characteristic to the ENGEN Pitch & Polish format is that entrepreneurs are given feedback there and then. The truth, whether harsh or positive, is shared in the moment so that the kinks can be ironed out and the brightness turned up,” he added.

All participants received world class training at the event in Nelspruit with the hope that the day will nurture their entrepreneurial hearts.

“Today has highlighted for me how important guidance is to nurture entrepreneurs. Professional and expert guiding can really develop and grow the quality of entrepreneurs and Pitch & Polish offers that.
We need more quality business people operating,” said April Motloung, Regional Manager, NYDA.

This winning formula of workshop-and-competition makes ENGEN Pitch & Polish one of the most stimulating business events of the year – where everyone leaves victorious and with tools to become a successful entrepreneur.

A few key learnings from the day included:
· Know your USP (unique selling point or proposition)
· Look for efficiency in operations
· Build a proof of concept
· Always be prepared
· Research – know your business and industry