{"id":161730,"date":"2017-09-09T06:20:42","date_gmt":"2017-09-09T04:20:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/161730\/engen-pitch-polish-failure-bed-rap\/"},"modified":"2019-08-14T13:38:46","modified_gmt":"2019-08-14T11:38:46","slug":"engen-pitch-polish-failure-bed-rap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2017\/09\/09\/engen-pitch-polish-failure-bed-rap\/","title":{"rendered":"Engen Pitch & Polish: Failure has a bad rap"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each version, albeit imperfect, was an improvement on the previous one, as the writer kept going until the article met the client\u2019s requirements. This process, known as iteration<\/em>, is one in which repetition, failure, feedback and improvement brings one successively closer to the desired result. For entrepreneurs, iteration means taking your product or service to market, even if it is not perfect, learning from the feedback and failures, and going back for more.<\/p>\n

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The quote \u201cfailure is not an option\u201d was popularised by the movie \u201cApollo 13\u201d. It suggests that, in order to succeed, one must avoid failure. This is not a good lesson for life; it is an even worse lesson if you choose to start and build a business! It is crucial for entrepreneurs to see failure, not as the opposite of success, but as an inevitable part of the journey towards success. It is only failure <\/em>if you don\u2019t pick yourself up again, and learn and grow from your mistakes<\/em>. As in the writing analogy above, the key lies in learning to accept feedback and implement changes based on the feedback. While failure may be scary, it provides the impetus that spurs entrepreneurs towards improvement and growth.<\/p>\n

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Failing often, and an acceptance of failure as an inevitable part of the process, and then rising stronger, is the premise on which the ENGEN Pitch & Polish workshop and competition programme is built. Now in its eighth year, the programme gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to fail – but not give up – as they get constructive feedback, and the opportunity to give their pitch another go. Sponsored by Engen Petroleum, in association with Nedbank, Raizcorp and media partner, Caxton Local Media, ENGEN Pitch & Polish is in pursuit of South African entrepreneurs, brave enough to pitch, fail, take feedback, and stand up again \u2013 all in an endeavour to perfect their business pitch, attract funding and grow their venture.<\/p>\n

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Conceived by Allon Raiz, the CEO of Raizcorp, described by The Economist as \u201cAfrica\u2019s only genuine incubator\u201d, ENGEN Pitch & Polish combines the unique elements of workshop and competition \u2013 not only do all audience participants learn, they also get to give feedback to the contestants. \u201cAccepting the inevitable failures, that accompany the journey towards success, is a prerequisite for growing a business. Being an entrepreneur takes courage; you can\u2019t be afraid to fail!\u201d explains Raiz. \u201cEmbrace it, as it could be the springboard to your success,\u201d he continues.<\/p>\n

An entrepreneur, with a polished pitch, has a greater chance of success, and attracting investment, than one who has not taken risks, made mistakes – and come back better than before. This year\u2019s programme kicks off in Rustenburg on 2 September and will be hosted around the country, culminating in the exclusive finale, which will be held in Johannesburg on Thursday 30 November 2017.<\/p>\n

For a list of this year\u2019s workshops, and to experience the magic of ENGEN Pitch & Polish for yourself, visit www.pitchandpolish.com<\/a> or SMS 43719.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/strong>SCHEDULE<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Saturday 2 September \u2013 Rustenburg<\/li>\n
  2. Saturday 9 September \u2013 Johannesburg<\/li>\n
  3. Saturday 16 September \u2013 Polokwane<\/li>\n
  4. Saturday 7 October \u2013 Welkom<\/li>\n
  5. Saturday 14 October \u2013 Durban<\/li>\n
  6. Saturday 21 October \u2013 Mthatha<\/li>\n
  7. Saturday 4 November \u2013 Port Elizabeth<\/li>\n
  8. Saturday 11 November \u2013 Cape Town<\/li>\n
  9. Thursday 23 November \u2013 Semi-Final in Johannesburg<\/li>\n
  10. Thursday 30 November \u2013 Final in Johannesburg<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    ABOUT<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    • The annual programme is called: ENGEN Pitch & Polish<\/li>\n
    • Engen Petroleum Ltd is the headline sponsor<\/li>\n
    • Nedbank is a sponsor<\/li>\n
    • The programme is a Raizcorp initiative<\/li>\n
    • The national media partner is Caxton Local Media<\/li>\n
    • For editorial purposes, the spokesperson and project manager is Bronwyn Echardt from Raizcorp<\/li>\n
    • The PR Contact is Jodi Lynn Karpes from GreenQueen Communications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p>
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