The DCC in partnership with the Chemicals Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) rolled out a successful innovation management in the workplace program which included a 2.5-day training workshop on innovation management in the workplace from the 23rd – 25th of January 2018.  This was followed by a 4-week workplace assessment and development of an innovation business plan by the SMMEs to implement in their business.  The innovation business plans were presented in a dragon’s den style event which took place on the 27of February at the Premier Hotel in Pinetown.

The dragon style event was well attended by a variety of stakeholders in the SMMEs support sector, these included, SEDA, eThekwini Municipality, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and Technology Innovation Agency. A total of 9 SMMEs presented their business plans and one overall winner was selected. The event offered a great opportunity for the businesses to present their businesses and to be engaged by the stakeholders.

One of the key highlights of the programme was seeing the SMMEs embracing the learnings from the class and using the tools to transform their way of thinking which resulted in them adopting a new way of working for their businesses. This was displayed through the thorough workplace assessments and clear business plan.