http://thoughtprint.usb.ac.za/Pages/What-can-Somalis-teach-South-Africans-about-business.aspxLindiwe Zulu, the minister of small business development in South Africa, caused no small stir at the beginning of this year when she cautioned foreign business owners in South Africa's townships to share their trade secrets with their native counterparts.
Prof Marius Ungerer, who lectures in Management Consulting and Strategic Management at USB, says the following about these foreign entrepreneurs: "We as South Africans can learn from successful entrepreneurs from other countries. Research on Somali traders indicated that they follow very specific retail practices to enhance their competitiveness. One set of routines focus on supply chain optimisation by working in self-organised local business networks in the form of a trade association. This business network realises benefits for members, such as bulk buying schemes to increase price
Prof Marius Ungerer, who lectures in Management Consulting and Strategic Management at USB, says the following about these foreign entrepreneurs: "We as South Africans can learn from successful entrepreneurs from other countries. Research on Somali traders indicated that they follow very specific retail practices to enhance their competitiveness. One set of routines focus on supply chain optimisation by working in self-organised local business networks in the form of a trade association. This business network realises benefits for members, such as bulk buying schemes to increase price