A.M.C. MEMBER NEWS

IMM Institute launches its Innovation and Creativity Hub for SMMEs

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

In conjunction with new SMME Associateship membership offering, the hub will empower small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups.

The IMM Institute of South Africa, one of the founder members of the African Marketing Confederation, has officially launched its Innovation and Creativity Hub aimed at empowering small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups.

 

In combination with the hub, the institute has unveiled its SMME Associateship, which enables individuals running SMMEs to become associate members and gain access to a range of benefits.

Guest speaker Bernard Jansen (right) participates in a panel discussion during the launch event

Thus, the IMM Institute no longer only caters to marketers and marketing businesses, but also those in supply chain, business management and SMMEs, as these sectors converge in the digital age. 

 

The Innovation and Creativity Hub launch took place at the IMM Graduate School in Johannesburg last week as part of the regular IMM Friday breakfast gatherings. The guest speaker was Bernard Jansen, Founder of Firejuice, a strategic marketing consultancy that specialises in assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses in Africa. 

 

Following his presentation, which emphasised that achieving long-term entrepreneurial success requires a solid marketing foundation, Jansen joined a panel discussion with three other entrepreneurial marketers who are all members of the institute.  

 

Thereafter, a small group of local entrepreneurs told their stories of business success to the IMM Friday gathering. 

 

Innovation & Creativity Hub provides special benefits 

 

In the Innovation & Creativity Hub of the IMM Institute, SMME Associates have access to an office environment without having the expense of setting up their own physical space. It also brings like-minded people together so they can share ideas and solutions to challenges, while allowing them to forge relationships. 

 

“By providing a collaborative space, comprehensive resources, and a robust network of mentors and investors, the hub will act as a catalyst for business success and sustainability. We are committed to nurturing talent, driving creativity, and creating a thriving ecosystem where ideas can flourish and enterprises can scale,” explained Irene Gregory, CEO of the IMM Institute. 

 

She added that small businesses will benefit from being able to tap into online learning courses from the institute that cover aspects spanning personal development, wellness, financial literacy, and complete business development.  

 

In addition to this, the institute’s more established members – those with 10 years of operation or more – will act as mentors to the SMMEs. 

 

A further incentive for SMME Associates is the opportunity to participate in the Annual IMM Institute Excellence Awards through the new Entrepreneur of the Year category. This will celebrate exceptional innovation, leadership and vision in the entrepreneurial space. 

 

Three finalists will be selected, with the winner announced at the awards evening on 7 March 2025. Nominations for the Entrepreneur of the Year award close on 31 December 2024. 

 

You can find out more about the IMM Institute here.

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