As you may or may not know, I'm absolutely mad about business shows. Not shows like market reports but shows that have an entrepreneurial spirit. I've watched loads of them over time and can't get enough of shows like Dragons' Den, Apprentice and Shark Tank.
And now, there's a dedicated channel for entrepreneurs which I'm very quizzy about. It started on DStv this past weekend, on channel 412, and it's called SME Zone. It's available on all of the bouquets - at weekends only - and it's described as a self-help manual for small businesses and for those looking to start their own business.
It's been created by Times Media as a spin-off of the finance and news channel Business Day TV and sounds as if it's got some good stuff to offer by way of advice, tips, tricks and general inspiration. This is the official description:
The SME Zone features step-by-step guides on how to identify, start and grow a successful business, educational modules such as The Small Business MBA, real-life mentoring sessions with experts; and tips and inspiration from some of SA’s top entrepreneurs.
Some of the shows in the SME Zone line-up include: Jumpstart (self-help jobs you can start with R500 or less); Biz Guide 101 (a blueprint for running 25 popular businesses); Pimp my Bizz (revamping a faltering enterprise); Pitch & Polish (a nationwide search for the best ideas); and SME Funding.
Very cool I thought. The sort of thing anyone with a business or budding business desires can relate to. Of course something can sound great on paper but not be well executed so I'm interested to see what the shows are like.
I wasn't able to watch this weekend but I'm definitely going to tune in next weekend, hot off my visit to the Shark Tank. I'm hitting Durbs this week to meet the investors on M-Net's upcoming new South African version of Shark Tank which I'm looking very forward too.
The bizarre thing is that I've always loved these shows without realising that the reason I do is because I'm mad about business in my own way. The trouble is, business is so often presented as if it's only for certain "business type individuals" and yet it isn't. It's as if it's a hidden secret that anyone, anywhere can start a business and that's what I love about business shows because they debunk the myth.
Hopefully this channel does a good job because I'm hungry, hungry to know more.