L2B : Celebrating 25 years – A Memoir of Growth and Resilience

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As I sit here writing this reflection of my six-year journey at Leads 2 Business, aflood of memories washes over me. It feels like just yesterday when I first stepped foot into the office on a misty/sunny Hilton morning, 1st June 2018. With only varsity and interning experience, I was eager to embark on a first real job. Admittedly, my knowledge of the marketplace was limited to what I had learned in school, and little did I know that this humble company would become the catalyst for my personal and professional growth.

The moment I walked through the doors for my first interview, a striking portrait of a tree caught my eye. Its leaves were intricately crafted from the fingerprints of current and past employees, forming a tapestry of connection and history. For some reason, I always associated that painting with the magnificent and steadfast Cedar tree, a fitting nod to our trading name, Cedrus Internet Solutions. Like the Cedar tree, I sensed there was a story behind Leads 2 Business, one of longevity and resistance to falling. And I was right!

Leads 2 Business was birthed in a garage at 32 Acutt Road, Hilton, as our CEO often fondly recalls. The company’s humble beginnings have always captivated me, for it is a testament to the power of determination and the relentless pursuit of a vision. From those modest origins, Leads 2 Business has blossomed into a thriving organisation and a recognizable brand in our industry, with two main offices and remote branches scattered throughout the country. How could I not carry a sense of pride in playing a small part in this remarkable story?

Over the years, I have grown in ways I never imagined. Through the ups and downs, I have learned invaluable lessons about human nature and the inner workings of running a business. From behind the scenes, I have witnessed the intricate processes and tireless efforts that go into building and sustaining a successful enterprise. Leads 2 Business has become my training ground, allowing me to develop skills and insights that extend beyond the confines of my job description.

But it is not just the company’s growth that has left an indelible mark on me. It is the people—the pioneers, the clients, and the vibrant network of employees—who have shaped my experience. I have had the privilege of witnessing the likes of Mark Meyer, our IT Director, teeter on the edge of sanity as he and his team work tirelessly to keep our website running smoothly. And the whispers of Brandon Le Roux’s impeccable leadership in the sales office are not unfounded. I have seen firsthand the remarkable job the sales team does in keeping the finance machine well-oiled. In the head office, I have witnessed the growth of individuals like Debora Keet, who continues to grow in her leadership role. The evolution of each employee is nothing short of incredible, this gets me thinking of a privilege to see the joyful personality of our Jackie Van Zyl come out.

As I celebrate Leads 2 Business’s 25-year milestone, I am filled with a sense of awe and wonder. This company, this living organism, that has weathered storms, continues to evolve and inspire. It has taught me the importance of striving for excellence in my work, of honouring and respecting those that put their hand to the plough, pioneered and paved the way. The clients who entrust us and the current employee network that still continues building.

As I look to the future, I wish nothing but continued success and growth for Leads 2 Business. May it continue to thrive, adapt, and innovate, just as it has for the past 25 years. I am honoured to have walked this path, and I am excited to discover the new chapters that lie ahead. Leads 2 Business, thank you for the memories and the growth. I am grateful for the part you have played in shaping me into the person I am today.

About Minnie Zondi

I am an insanely optimistic ambivert that does everything from the heart instead of the mind. Deeply interested in people and matters that pertain to mankind.

Celebrating 25 Years of Leads 2 Business …

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Celebrating 25 Years of Leads 2 Business: A Journey of Success

Leads 2 Business, a pioneering force in the construction industry, marks a significant milestone this June – 25 years of excellence in service and innovation. As we reflect on our journey, we are thrilled to share some remarkable statistics that underscore our impact and growth over the last quarter-century.

Projects Published: 31,513

Since our inception, Leads 2 Business has been committed to connecting subscribers with valuable construction projects across various sectors. With a repository of over 31,000 projects published, we have facilitated countless opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Tenders Published: 1,020,940

Tenders serve as the lifeblood of the construction industry, driving competition and fostering development. Over the last 25 years, Leads 2 Business has played a pivotal role in disseminating over 1 million tenders, empowering businesses to participate in diverse projects and ventures.

Requests for Quotes Sent: 21,794,240

Efficiency and responsiveness are paramount in the construction ecosystem and Leads 2 Business has been at the forefront of facilitating seamless communication between buyers and suppliers. With over 21 million requests for quotes sent, we have facilitated countless transactions and partnerships, driving growth and success.

Bill of Quantities Uploaded: 26,742

Precision and clarity are essential in construction projects, and the Bill of Quantities serves as a cornerstone in this regard. Leads 2 Business has facilitated the dissemination of over 26,000 Bills of Quantities, enabling Contractors to streamline their procurement processes and ensure project success.

Directory: 384,843

Navigating the construction industry requires access to reliable information and resources. Our comprehensive directory, comprising over 380,000 entries, serves as a valuable source of contacts and companies, empowering subscribers to forge meaningful connections and collaborations.

Users: 3,944

At the heart of Leads 2 Business is our vibrant community of users, comprising industry professionals, contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers. With nearly 4,000 active users, our platform continues to serve as a trusted hub for networking, knowledge-sharing, and growth.

As we celebrate 25 years of Leads 2 Business, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our subscribers, and team members who have been instrumental in our journey. Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our commitment to innovation, excellence, and service, as we continue to empower the construction industry and drive collective progress. Here’s to the next 25 years of success and impact!

 

To view more Articles, please visit our Leads 2 Business Blog.
If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.

About Brandon Le Roux

I joined Leads 2 Business in February 2005 as an Account Executive. I was promoted to Sales Manager in February 2007, and to Sales Director in November 2012. I manage the Sales, Telesales & Retention teams nationwide. I’m passionate about our company & staff, as well as the great opportunities we bring to our subscribers.

History of Leads 2 Business

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Cedrus Internet Solutions

Cedrus Internet Solutions (CIS) was founded in 1999. The name was derived from Cedrus Deodora, an exotic tree that our CEO Victor Terblanche used to export in his forestry days.

The original concept was an online business directory, like Brabys, which was broken up into a franchisable metropolis, called www.FindABusiness.co.za. At that stage, there were 6 employees.

We populated databases starting with the larger metropoles. By the end of this project, we had in excess of 16 000 companies listed on our database.

www.123contracting.co.za

The idea was shelved in May 2000 when Mr Terblanche was approached with what was then believed to be a better prospect. The idea was to convert Bills of Quantity into electronic form by using a process called OCR (Optical Character Recognition). We would also convert our current database applications into the Building and Construction realm.

Soon subscribers (developers, consultants, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers) were prompting us for additional services like:

  • Directory of Industry contacts
  • Researching and Publishing of Tenders
  • Document Collections
  • Site Inspection Reminders
  • Tender Awards
  • Site Attendance Registers

Daily Tenders

The additional services soon became our primary focus and Daily Tenders was born in 2002. An influx of subscribers helped the company grow from strength to strength to what was then known in the Industry as the leading information service provider. Staff compliment jumped to 35.

With the additions of Private Projects and Price Assist Live (PAL), Daily Tenders became the building & construction industries’ continent-wide virtual marketplace where information was disseminated and compiled for distribution. This was to facilitate opportunities via the procurement process and ranged from the initial project concept to the adjudication of material prices.

Leads 2 Business

In 2005 PAL became a fully-fledged service called Leads 2 Quotes (L2Q) – an online platform for contractors to distribute bills of quantities to their sub-contractors & suppliers for pricing.

Our core services: Projects, Tenders & Leads 2 Quotes necessitated a name change as we weren’t just focusing on tenders anymore; our subscribers were looking for opportunities in the private sector as well. Leads 2 Business was born.

In 2012 our services were combined into a single website. Staff compliment doubled, reaching 70.

We’ve added several services since then, including an API which allows our leads to be fed into subscribers’ CRM systems for a personalised experience.

Our Company has always been guided by our subscribers’ needs and evolved to meet the challenges of an ever-changing industry and will continue doing so.


To view more Articles, please visit our Leads 2 Business Blog.
If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.

About Brandon Le Roux

I joined Leads 2 Business in February 2005 as an Account Executive. I was promoted to Sales Manager in February 2007, and to Sales Director in November 2012. I manage the Sales, Telesales & Retention teams nationwide. I’m passionate about our company & staff, as well as the great opportunities we bring to our subscribers.

Featured Company: Thekweni Reinforcing (Pty) Ltd

Read about who’s who in the Industry: Thekweni Reinforcing Pty Ltd is a wholly-owned Black company, providing reinforcing products and services to the construction, civil and engineering markets. This includes the supply, cut, bend, delivery, and installation of steel reinforcing. The company enjoys a recognized industry track record of delivery of the highest quality products and services. Thekweni Reinforcing Pty Ltd is a leading provider of reinforcing products and related services.

Thekweni Reinforcing (Pty) Ltd

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more Featured Companies, please visit our Leads 2 Business Blog.

About Wendy De Wet

I joined Leads 2 Business as an Account Executive in July 2011 and was part of the dynamic sales team in JHB for 2 years. I relocated to the beautiful city of Durban in 2013 and absolutely love KZN. I am very proud to be part of the L2B family and Legacy!

REGISTER: Leads 2 Business Construction Industry Golf Day 2023

Register now as a player, register as a sponsor and view all the event details.

The Golf Day registration page is exclusive to L2B subscribers. Log in to view the details and complete the relevant forms. We look forward to seeing you there!
PS. As always space is extremely limited and you’ll need to be quick on the draw to secure your 2-player slot. Only an emailed confirmation indicates a successful reservation.

 

 


If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more Featured Companies, please visit our Leads 2 Business Blog.

About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Reach out if you want to talk: L2B, social media, construction, technology, marriage, parenting, popular culture and travel. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

PRE-REGISTER: Leads 2 Business Construction Industry Golf Day 2023

We are live!

Pre-register now as a player, register as a sponsor and view all the event details.

The Golf Day registration page is exclusive to L2B subscribers. Log in to view the details and complete the relevant forms. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

PS. As always space is extremely limited and you’ll need to be quick on the draw to secure your 2-player slot. Only an emailed confirmation indicates a successful reservation.


If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more Featured Companies, please visit our Leads 2 Business Blog.

About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Reach out if you want to talk: L2B, social media, construction, technology, marriage, parenting, popular culture and travel. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

SNEAK PEEK: Leads 2 Business Construction Industry Golf Day 2023

Are you ready to go Clubbing with a new Online Registration for Players & Sponsors?

Our highly anticipated Leads 2 Business Construction Industry Golf Day is back. Check out this behind-the-scenes sneak peek of the portal where you’ll be able to pre-register, view event details and even become a sponsor.

We’ll be sharing more details with you in the run-up to our 15th Annual Golf Day Event happening in 2023. Keep an eye out on your emails and all our platforms for the official announcement and more details. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

PS. As always space is extremely limited and you’ll need to be quick on the draw to secure your 2-player slot. Only an emailed confirmation indicates a successful reservation.


If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more Featured Companies, please visit our Leads 2 Business Blog.

About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Reach out if you want to talk: L2B, social media, construction, technology, marriage, parenting, popular culture and travel. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

COMING SOON: Leads 2 Business Construction Industry Golf Day 2023

You heard it here first: Our highly anticipated Leads 2 Business Construction Industry Golf Day is back

We cannot wait to share more details with you in the run-up to our 15th Annual Golf Day Event happening in 2023. Keep an eye out on your emails and all our platforms for the official announcement and more details. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

PS. As always space is extremely limited and you’ll need to be quick on the draw to secure your 2-player slot. Only an emailed confirmation indicates a successful reservation.


If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more Featured Companies, please visit our Leads 2 Business Blog.

About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Reach out if you want to talk: L2B, social media, construction, technology, marriage, parenting, popular culture and travel. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

Pertinent Project Stages

  • Conceptual Stage

The project will still be an idea/concept. Pre-feasibility studies are undertaken to determine whether the project is viable during this stage. No construction consultants are appointed as yet, as it is the earliest stage of the project.

  • Procedural Stage

Environmental studies are undertaken in this phase, and various studies, possibly including heritage, geotechnical etc are undertaken on the project’s site location to determine if it would be safe to develop or if there are any issues. Once Environmental Authorisation is granted, Town Planning (TP) applications would be submitted to the Local Municipality by the Town Planning consultants on behalf of the client. A TP application is to rezone the property if required.

During this phase, we could have only the Environmentalist, Town Planner and clients’ details listed on the project however their contact details will be hidden. The Environmentalist & Town Planners listed on the project will solely be involved in the environmental and TP process that is being conducted on the land and will not be of assistance nor will they be the correct person to forward your profile, as they have no input in the procurement or construction of the development. The client and developers’ details will only be made available once all necessary legal approvals have been granted.

  • Design Stage

A project on our database will only be changed to Design once an Architect has been appointed for a building component. An infrastructure component such as a road will be changed to design when a civil engineer is appointed. The Design Phase is where the Designs are developed. There are different stages within the design stage that Architects often follow before designs are approved and finalized by the clients. The rest of the professional team is also appointed during the design phase as they all collaborate to develop detailed designs. Details of the entire team are sourced during this stage as well. Architect drawings are not sourced or added as Project documents. Subscribers are advised to request drawings directly from the Architects.

  • Tender Stage

Tenders are advertised publicly (if the government department is the client) or are sent to preferred bidders (if private client) we update the projects accordingly depending on which sector it is in.

You will find that some Public Projects (CIDB 7, 8 or 9) are added from the Tender stage to our database. These projects are sourced from Government portals, gazettes or local newspapers.

During the Tender stage, the Bill of Quantities could be made available. A copy will be added to the PPA as a document and an email will be sent out notifying the monitors. If the project is a Private development a request will be made to the consultants for a copy of the BOQ. Should a copy be made available, it can be requested by the subscriber from the listed researcher from L2B. A private BOQ can only to be used for information purposes as it is a confidential document and may not be redistributed.

  • Awarded Stage

The project status is changed once the main contractor has been awarded the construction contract. The project in this stage will be updated with Contract Timing, Contract Value, Site Agent and Contracts Managers details from the awarded company. During this stage, the contractor awaits to receive site handover from the client and work permits from the Department of Labour should it be a public project. Private projects exceeding R65 million are also required to apply for work permits at the Department of Labour through their appointed Health & Safety officer.

  • Underway Stage

Once work permits are received and site handover takes place the contractor would then establish the site (moving equipment on-site and setting up office). Once construction has commenced, the status of the project changes to underway. The project is actively monitored with project updates being generated frequently to notify our subscribers of the entire progress of the works. Subcontractor’s details are requested and added to the awards.

  • Completion Stage

When works reach practical completion or project handover takes place or if the works will be completed within 6 – 8 weeks, we will then update the status to Complete and the Project will no longer be actively researched.

  • Postponed Stage

Projects are listed as postponed if we have been advised or sourced that construction will not be taking place for a period of time. If a project was in the tender phase and the tender was cancelled, the status is changed to postponed pending the publication of a new tender

  • Cancelled Stage

A Project is cancelled if we have sourced or been notified that the development is no longer going ahead

  • L2BShelved

In the event of the researcher not being able to source or confirm any viable construction information or contactable professionals details on a project over a period of time, the status could be updated to L2BShelved. This indicates that all avenues of research have been exhausted and the Project will no longer be actively researched by L2B.


If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more Featured Companies, please visit our Leads 2 Business Blog.

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