The VW Business Support Centre in Uitenhage presents a good example of how a corporate-sponsored ED programme can be adapted to local conditions while allowing participants to develop their entrepreneurial characteristics.

In 2008, the founders of the iconic luxury furniture brand realised it was time to inject new energy into the business. It’s a job Ryan Bakos says he was groomed for from the time he learnt to walk and talk.

The special events industry has grown enormously in the past decade. In South Africa, two event entrepreneurs stand out from the crowd. Find out how they did it and what they learnt about starting and growing event-based ventures.

This case illustrates a successful entrepreneurial venture, which has grown at 20% for the 10 years. This growth has been based on its distinctive capabilities or competitive advantages in: product innovation, flexibility in production and distribution, and being a specialist niche player.

Netflorist MD Ryan Bacher’s wife always gets flowers on Valentine’s Day. His mother always gets some for Mother’s Day. But neither sees him for days at those times - his head is buried in flowers and gifts and his mind is racing ahead to ensure that no bouquets are dropped.