Deep. Seated. Innovation.
Helping you design success!
ABOUT INSEDLU
WHAT DO WE DO?
Insedlu Business Companion is a highly reputable consulting firm with a proven track record of delivering a wide range of professional services to Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and corporate clients in South Africa since 2002. Our primary objective is to provide reliable and practical support that empowers our clients to achieve their business goals.
Our comprehensive offerings encompass general business support, functional business consulting, business mentorship, and coaching services tailored specifically to SMMEs. With a team of seasoned experts who possess extensive expertise in various business domains, we are equipped to deliver a diverse array of services that cater to the unique requirements of each client.
Our service portfolio encompasses aspects such as business start-up and growth solutions, including feasibility studies, due diligence, market research, business plans, marketing plans, and accounting. Additionally, we specialize in business turnaround solutions, encompassing thorough business health checks, systems audit and documentation, and developing efficient business operations systems and policies.
Moreover, our range of services extends to business mentorship, coaching, and training, which is meticulously tailored based on a comprehensive training gap analysis for each company. We also offer business research services that include customer satisfaction surveys, stakeholder satisfaction surveys, market research, Monitoring and Evaluation of programs and projects, as well as program and project impact studies.
Our expertise in Local Economic Development sets us apart, as we possess extensive experience in identifying and operationalizing catalytic projects. Our approach involves conducting thorough Local Endowment Studies to ensure successful implementation.
Over the years, we have forged strong partnerships with prominent business development organizations, including SEDA, GEP, Productivitysa, NYDA, The Department of Trade and Competition (DTIC), the Department of Small Business, Enterprise Ilembe, Local Economic Development Departments at various district and local municipalities, the IDC, and SEFA. These strategic alliances grant our clients access to additional resources and support.
Our Expertise
Our consulting approach is about providing solutions to client’s problems and building a sustainable solution that will endure even after our engagement with the client has ended. To achieve this, we embrace the principles of Systems Thinking and Design Thinking, which involves a deep understanding of the client's problem before any solution can be proffered.
We don't just rely on surface-level descriptions of the problem, but we immerse ourselves in the client's environment to gain first-hand experience of the problem. By asking relevant probing questions and conducting site visits where necessary, we ensure that we comprehensively understand the client's challenges.
Furthermore, our approach is participative, which means that we work closely with the client to co-create solutions tailored to their unique needs. This collaboration ensures that the client takes ownership of the resolution, which is crucial for sustainability. Our approach is best represented graphically in the figure below, which illustrates the key steps involved in our methodology. With our approach, clients can rest assured that they are not just getting a quick fix but a sustainable solution that will stand the test of time.
Lead Team
Dr Mthandazo Ncube-Project Manager and Lead Consultant.
Dr. Mthandazo Ncube (Mtha) is an experienced Company Secretary, Accountant, and Project Manager with expertise in various industries. He holds an MBA and a Ph.D. in the Management of Technology and Innovation. Dr. Ncube excels in conceptualizing, planning, and executing projects, particularly in SMME and co-operatives development, cluster-based Local Economic Development, business research, and finance mobilization for catalytic projects. He is the founder and owner of Insedlu Business Companion, a Business Consulting firm with 15 years of operation. Dr. Ncube is a published author and presenter specializing in entrepreneurship and small business development.
Lead Team
Ms. Nontando Ncube- Senior Research Officer
Ms. Nonthando
With over six years of experience as a Research Officer, Nontando possesses extensive project management expertise, from the initial planning stages to the development of comprehensive work plans tailored to meet project requirements. She demonstrates proficiency in identifying project goals, selecting appropriate research methods, determining relevant variables, and establishing test parameters. Nontando skilfully handles the intricate responsibilities of recruiting, training, and supervising field researchers and designing and piloting research instruments to ensure their efficacy before full-scale fieldwork commences.
Nontando's commitment to maintaining high standards extends to fieldwork quality control, where she diligently undertakes tasks such as data coding and data clean-up to guarantee accurate and reliable results. Throughout the analysis process, she effectively collaborates with the Data Analyst, fostering a seamless exchange of information to ensure the research output's superior quality.
Furthermore, Nontando actively contributes to the conclusion of Research Reports and associated documents, meticulously overseeing their completion. She assumes responsibility for verifying project proposals' completeness and timely submission, ensuring they adhere to all requirements.
In summary, Nontando's professional skill set encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from strategic project planning and resource management to data quality control and collaboration with analytical experts. Her dedication to maintaining meticulous standards and timely deliverables showcases her effectiveness as a research professional.
Lead Team
Ms. Jessica Makhetho- Accounting Assistant
Ms. Jessica is a dedicated young professional with a collaborative, growth-oriented mindset. Committed to personal and collective development, she leverages her experiences to enhance organizational achievements. Her unwavering ambition drives her toward company objectives. She's offered a unique opportunity at Insedlu, joining an esteemed SMME development team. Proficient in Bookkeeping, Jessica fosters positive client relationships and excels in assisting clients with compliance matters. Before joining Insedlu, she worked at Powerhouse Commercial Framework-SA, where she demonstrated outstanding administrative prowess across various departments. Jessica's diverse skills and unwavering dedication position her as a valuable asset for impactful contributions in SMME development. Jessica is studying towards a Diploma in Accounting.
Lead Team
Ms. Sihle Masuku- Company Secretarial Specialist
Sihle Masuku is an experienced SMME consultant with 21 years of project administration experience. She holds diplomas in Project Management, Office Administration, and Bookkeeping. At Insedlu since 2002, Sihle assesses SMME needs and creates intervention maps. She has strong relationships with SMME development agencies like GEP, NYDA, and Productivitysa, providing advice and linking SMMEs to relevant financial and non-financial assistance. Sihle excels in resolving tax and compliance matters, including BBEEE certification, income tax, and VAT. Her broad experience, skills, and relationships make her an invaluable asset to organizations supporting SMME growth and success.
Lead Team
Ms. Nozipho S. Sibanda- Project Manager
Nozipho has been working for Insedlu Business Companion in the capacity of the Companion Navigator since 2014. She is responsible for writing up Business Proposals, assisting in developing research instruments, supervising research field workers, and navigating the Project management application (Companion Pulse) in which she was instrumental in its development and evolution.
The program is an e-project management system that enables the company to better manage all projects while considering the storage filling and security of information of all project information. Moreover, the system can be utilized remotely, hence the efficiency of internal project management systems, thereby enhancing the interaction between clients and the project manager.
Lead Team
Mr Mbongeni A. Ncube- Content Specialist
At Insedlu, Mbongeni serves as the adept Content Specialist. In this role, he is entrusted with several key responsibilities that contribute to the company's success. Mbongeni takes charge of market intelligence, harnessing his keen insight to gather crucial information that informs strategic decisions. His creative prowess shines as he curates compelling content for Insedlu's various social media platforms, engaging audiences and fostering a strong online presence. Mbongeni also exhibits his passion for expression through blogging, sharing insightful perspectives on relevant topics. Notably, he diligently ensures that the Insedlu brand maintains a sharp and relevant identity, amplifying its visibility within the market. Mbongeni holds a Higher Certificate in Business Management in Technology and Innovation.
Lead Team
Ms. Nosisa Sibanda- Consultant and HR Specialist
Dedicated and mature SMME Consulting Professional with a passion for delivering creative solutions. Skilled in communication and collaboration, excelling in diverse team environments. Project Manager at Insedlu since January 2014, specializing in core creation, business health checks, work plan development, and implementation management. Brings international experience from studying and working in Germany and Dubai.
Education:
- Postgraduate Degree (honors) in Human Resources and Business Management, Pearson Institute (MGI), South Africa (2014)
- Key coursework: Strategic management, Research methods, Financial Management, Project management, Organisational Behavior, Dissertation.
- Bachelor of Business Management (Exempted to final year), Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom-Dubai Campus (2013)
- Key coursework: Strategic Management, Project Management, Research Methods, Operations Management, Marketing Management, International Strategic Management, International marketing management, Auditing
- Higher National Diploma in Human Resources & Business Management, ABMA, United Kingdom-Distance learning in Germany (2012)
- Key coursework: Accounting, HRM, Economics, Marketing, Organizational Behaviour, Information Technology, Dissertation, Behavioural Science, Financial Management, Strategic management
