...of BEE and Comrades
with apologies to John Steinbeck

BEE (Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment) is becoming one of the "hot topics" in today's South Africa. It is not a matter of politics but economics. You must start setting up your BEE profile in order to continue doing business. This applies to all businesses, not only the large corporates. The small business owner also needs to be concerned. We feel it is our duty as a supplier of small business software to keep you informed.

I think the most important point to realise is that the BEE laws are intended to be broad based - i.e. it is not about you finding someone to purchase your business. There are many aspects of BEE - procurement, corporate social responsibility, human resources etc. In the end you need to draw up your own BEE status - the "scorecard". The scorecard itemises each aspect of BEE that needs to be addressed, and gives it a weighting. The ideal, or target is to have a score of 100. As a matter of interest, the ownership aspect (known as direct empowerment) only has a value of 20 points. Management empowerment accounts for another 10 points.  However, eligible procurement (your purchases from suppliers who are excellent BEE  contributors) also make up 20 points. As soon as businesses realise that their BEE scorecard can be improved by whom they purchase from, they will be asking you for your own BEE scorecard, just as you will start asking your suppliers for their scorecard.

How EconoAccounting is Going to Make you Even More Money

We are happy to anounce that work has begun on modifications to EconoAccounting to allow you to include the BEE scores of your suppliers (using our contacts screen). Every time you spend money you are already able to identify the supplier. Then, with our simple to use modifications, you will be able to print out a list of your purchases from your various supplers, and easily calculate the points you have earned by using Preferential Procurement! 

We will inform you when this modification is ready. It will be a free upgrade for all users.

Some people complain about the onerous admin around BEE issues. We hope that EconoAccounting will go some way to reduce this.

BEE Seminar for Small Businesses

You are probably aware of the first BEE seminar that we organised in conjunction with Paul Janisch of Caird Consulting. It was so successful that we have decided to ask him to present regular seminars. The next one will be held on 7th July 2005, also in Johannesburg - the Old Eds Club in Houghton. For more details please see www.econoaccounting.com/beeseminar

Don't delay getting your BEE credentials in order. Any day now your customers are going to be asking you for your scorecard, and it will not only be Government, but all sorts of businesses, large and small.

Announcing EconoScorecard

Announcing yet another helpful tool for small businesses: EconoScorecard. 
In conjuncton with the experts, Caird Consulting, we have produced our newest product - EconoScorecard - a very simple to use program that helps you develop your own BEE profile. It will save you thousands in consultants fees. This program guides you through the various elements that make up your BEE Scorecard. 

At each point you can get a detailed explanation of what each element means.
e.g. what does "Unrestricted Voting Rights in the Enterprise in the hands of Black People" really mean? For each element you would capture how close your business is to the target. Even if you have to guess the answer, it will help you make a start to producing your scorecard. There is also place in the program to type your own comments about how your business is progressing on each aspect. 

Then, it's a simple matter to print out a one page scorecard, and even a detailed 50 page document showing your current BEE Profile - the exact documents that tenders and your customers require before you can even participate in business.

EconoScorecard will be released before the end of June 2005, and you will get free updates for one year. The price will be R899 including VAT. 
Our special pre-release price (if ordered and paid for before 30 June 2005), is R699.00 incl VAT). Contact us at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it to place your order.

Comrades, run on Youth Day, is purely a personal choice. I will be trying for my 9th medal on Thursday. It only affects you, our EconoAccounting users in that my best thinking is done on the road - some people get inspiration from watching rugby (not last Saturday's cricket score), others from shopping (my wife and daughter). I, on the other hand think best while I am alone and jogging slowly. Don't expect to see me on the telly until after the 11 hour mark, but you may recognise me wearing my club's blue and yellow togs (Varsity Kudus), and a very colourful pink and blue hat. My Comrades number is 15577 if you want to track my progress on www.comrades.com

Support Issues

Some of the queries we've had to solve this month include:

How do I import from NedExec?
How do I import from Standard Bank's CATS system?
My customer pays me a deposit- I only invoice him next month. How do I allocate the payment?

For answers to these and other questions please visit www.econoaccounting.com

Contact Us

EconoServ SA cc
P O Box 41439
Craighall 
2024
4th Floor Willow Grove - Grove City
196 Louis Botha Avenue
Houghton Estate 
Tel 0861 11 3094/011 483 1190
Fax 011 483 1195

Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
www.econoaccounting.co.za

Support:

Support is available in various ways.
- Via the web site or email to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .  This is our preferred method as it helps us formulate our answer for you.
- Via phone-in to the office 011 483 1190/0861 11 3094. Our office hours are 8-5pm, Monday to Friday, though we are often in the office until late.

You can even Skype us at EconoAccounting

Support covers us giving answers to your EconoAccounting query. Please note support does not include MS Windows support. We regret we are unable to help you with making backups, copying files, setting up printers, Excel, Word or any of the usual Windows features. If you do want a good reliable PC/Windows support person in Johannesburg, please contact Brian Unterslak on 082 850 3228.

Updates:

The latest version of EconoAccounting  (ver 2.0.9) is available at www.econoaccounting.co.za

Internet Resources

There are many web sites devoted to business and which provide useful information for you.

Some of the sites we'd recommend this month include:

www.dti.gov.za 
Useful BEE and other trade information. the site is slow but worthwhile spending time on.

www.powweb.com
Offers the most incredible deals on web hosting. Huge space on your site,  fantastic volumes allowed, even forums and shops for about R50 per month.

www.petesweekly.co.za
Excellent newsletters and information delivered to your emailbox every week

www.seoza.com 
A site that really knows how to do Internet marketing, and is prepared to show you how to do it.

www.sars.co.za
The tax man's own site.

www.proudlysa.co.za
Support South Africa

www.sasymbols.com
A useful directory of South Africa.

www.line-a-pool.com  
If you want to refurbish your swimming pool in time for summer, speak to John.

That's it for the time being,
Regards

Keith and the EconoAccounting Team