The objective of this service is to provide support for women within and outside of the PCB membership. It offers appropriate services to women, enabling them to network, gain self-confidence for advancement and consider entrepreneurial activity. At the same time, it seeks to educate the broader chamber membership about the importance of gender equity in business and the extent to which business may be enhanced by harnessing the special talents and personalities of businesswomen.
Administration Services
The PCB can assist small businesses with the following services at a minimal cost: posting, typing, sending and receiving of faxes, sending e-mails, photocopying, scanning and shredding.
Advertising
Publications — Target your advertising at the business community. The quarterly Biznews publication, which is circulated to 1 300 businesses, offers effective exposure at affordable rates. The electronic publication E-Biznews which is circulated to 1 200 addresses is produced eight times a year and offers various advertising opportunities. Our annual publication Pietermaritzburg - Our Living City showcases the city and its many offerings in a glossy format. It is also an indispensable resource for people doing business in the city, and makes for a powerful marketing tool for Pietermaritzburg-based companies.
Brochure Display— Members can display their brochures in the PCB foyer, which is a busy hub with many visitors passing through. The brochure display is an excellent way for companies to reach a broad marketplace at no cost.
Directory of Members— The register of members contains an alphabetical listing of member firms, providing details of their businesses and contact details. Our electronic database consists of an e-mail facility, enabling you to reach 800 companies.
Business Card Holders- New members of the PCB are given a leather business card holder as an introductory memento. This contains the business cards of those who wish to make themselves and their services known to new members. Members can take advantage of this marketing opportunity by including their business card in the holder at a nominal cost.
AIDS Helpline
In an effort to provide constructive assistance to our members whose employees may be HIV positive or have developed AIDS, the PCB invites members to approach the chamber for guidance or information. We are party to a good deal of information and can put members in touch with a variety of support services to help them deal with this business scourge. Use AIDS as the subject of your email and send the query to ceo@pcb.org.za.
Business Relationships
The PCB is in a unique position to facilitate business relationships. Its contacts are widespread and numerous, and successful facilitation has been achieved both with city businesses and between city businesses and others elsewhere.
Counselling & Business Assistance
The network of PCB members offers extensive expertise which may be accessed directly, or through the PCB office which is able to provide initial guidance and advice and subsequent linkage with an expert member. The PCB enjoys a close relationship with numerous business support organisations, including Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) and other national and international support programmes. Guidance on incentives and the submission of applications can be provided. In particular, the PCB is an accredited agent of EMIA. The PCB also has access to numerous tender opportunities.
Employee Benefits
The PCB has the necessary contacts to provide assistance to those requiring pension or provident fund or medical aid membership. Various schemes have the advantage of lower costs or special concessions for PCB members.
Exposure of Your Business
PCB membership enhances the profile of your business. It offers access to the business networks of Pietermaritzburg and beyond and gives recognition to your business practice. PCB members receive a certificate which signifies membership of a world-wide network of chambers of commerce born over 400 years ago. There is no better endorsement of a business’s standing and respectability.
Information
Business matters- Backed by an extensive library and electronic resources, the PCB is able to provide members with information on a variety of business matters.
Publications InfoFile: This is a single-page newsletter giving notice of events and information of interest to members. Biznews & E-Biznews: These publications provides information on current affairs, changes to business legislation, chamber activities, news from our members, and informative articles for building better business practices.
Pietermaritzburg - Our Living City: Our annual publication is an invaluable reference and information resource about the city, its economy, investment climate, things to do, and places to see.
Financial Indicators— Real-time financial indicators are sent to members with e-mail addresses on a daily basis.
Seminars — The PCB offers a variety of practical seminars that cover the latest developments and issues in business. The seminars will keep you up-to-date and upgrade the skills of your staff at well below market cost.
International trade
The PCB is part of a worldwide network of chambers and as such offers an unrivalled gateway to international markets. Specialised international trade publications provide access to new business opportunities and trade enquiries are received daily.
Certificates of Origin- The PCB certifies export documents as required by foreign Customs departments.
ATA Carnets— An international customs facility enabling members to temporarily take merchandise samples overseas without paying customs duties. The PCB advises members on application procedures and supplies the necessary forms.
Carnet de Commerce— A letter of introduction to foreign chambers of commerce.
Labour Line
The PCB offers answers to labour and employment questions. Send your question to ceo@pcb.org.za and receive a prompt answer to your query.
Meeting Facilities and Equipment
The PCB has various meeting rooms for hire to members at preferential rates. The use of conference equipment such as flip chart, overhead projector, video, and public address facilities is available, and is included in the hire price. This equipment is also available for hire if used elsewhere. A data projector is available for hire at a very reasonable rate.
Networking
There is no denying that we prefer to do business with people we know. Furthermore, person-to-person interaction is the most effective, and least expensive, form of marketing. The PCB offers a large and accessible network, which results in business linkage opportunities.
Business Buzz is a network and forum for small business people. It provides an opportunity to learn from each other, source new clients, and enjoy the company of others who are involved in a similar pursuit of development and prosperity.
Employer Contact Group is a network whereby employers get together to discuss human resource issues.
The Leadership Forum is amonthly network forum in which all aspects of leadership are addressed by presentation and discussion. The forum’s target group comprises people in the age group 25 to 40 who are either occupying positions of leadership, or on the brink of doing so. People outside of the target group will not be excluded, however, if they are interested in participating. The objective of the Leadership Forum is to inform and enrich and thereby develop better quality leadership.
Industry Networking meetings for the combined areas of Willowton, Mkondeni, Camps Drift, and Masons Mill, provide an opportunity to meet friends and colleagues in an informal setting and to discuss matters of common concern and interest.
Chamber Lunches are held monthly and provide the opportunity to network with other members while enjoying a three-course meal. Three members have the opportunity of promoting their business at each lunch by giving a short presentation on the services their company has to offer.
A Women in Business Luncheon is held annually. This popular function celebrates the role women play in the business environment.
Sport’s Day provides an ideal opportunity to compete in a variety of sporting activities against colleagues and fellow businesspeople.
The Annual Banquet is a formal occasion that boasts a high profile speaker each year.
Representation
The PCB is a prominent and active member of SACCI . As required, the PCB contributes to this body’s formulation of national policies, respectively. In its own right, the PCB has made representation directly to a number of national bodies and government departments. Its intervention has influenced developments and benefited individual members, whose concerns have been taken up by the PCB on their behalf. In order to co-ordinate the ‘business voice’, the PCB holds a series of forums in spheres such as Human Resources, Air Quality and Environment, Local Economic Development, Transport, BEE, International Trade, and Education & Training. These are open meetings and any employee of any member company is welcome to attend. In this way the PCB provides the opportunity for members to contribute to its advocacy role. Relationships with municipalities are very strong and the ‘business voice’ is influential.
Training& Workshop Programme
The PCB offers co-ordinated training in business skills to further the development of business insight. Training ranges from basic skills for inexperienced employees to training suitable for management. PCB members may enrol for seminars and training at a concessionary price.
Verification Service
The PCB offers a verification service by arrangement with an international verification agency at very reasonable rates. On behalf of a member company, the chamber will obtain verification of various claims/documentation such as: qualifications, criminal records, credit checks, and identity documents.
