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

posted in: General 0

 

 

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.

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.

Directory Tips

posted in: General 2

Our Directory is a simple tool that has evolved into a remarkable business system with many benefits. We’ve included some tips on how to get results for your search.

Subscribers have exclusive access to our niche Directory and are able to search to retrieve specific results based on region, trade and professional type to name a few.

Register or Update/Add your details (for FREE) and reap the benefits of being on a specialised Construction Directory like Leads 2 Business:

  • You can improve your company’s exposure
  • You can list all necessary company contact details and give a detailed description of your company’s products/services rendered.
  • You can define your BBBEE status, CIDB grading and CSD Registration
  • You can specify where your product/service is labour & materials or labour only.
  • Vendors have the additional opportunity to be listed to receive RfQ’s

For more information on our services check out our Pricing Page.


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 Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

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. 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. 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. 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. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

Quick Fact – What is an API?

posted in: Did You Know 0

What exactly is an API? You make mention of this at a dinner party and you are likely to hear a pin drop! This is strongly contrasted in tech circles and management meetings where APIs are valuable and possess a positive impact for businesses. So, what is the real definition of an API?

An API stands for Application Programming Interface.

An API is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. Think of the API as a messenger that delivers your request to the provider that you’re requesting it from. Then it delivers the reply back to you. What is important about this process is that the API defines functionalities that are independent of their respective implementations. This allows those implementations and definitions to vary without compromising each other.

For more information check out our Pricing Page and check out our Infographic later this month for more on Advertising on L2B.


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 Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

How To: Contact Us

Check out all the ways you can contact Leads 2 Business – Click, Call, Chat or Email.

(Duration 1m 22s)


To view more from our How To Series, please visit Leads 2 Business Blog.
If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view our Wiki Help with screenshots and video tutorials, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.

About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

How To: Request Prices as a Buyer – Part 2

For our L2Q Buyers – Request Prices Part 2 – includes how to add use the Vendor Search, Filters, add Preferred Vendors, Select Vendors and Send RFQ’s.
Learn about some L2Q basic functionality with a quick video tutorial from “The How-To Series”.

(Duration 4m 35s)


To view more from our How To Series, please visit Leads 2 Business Blog.
If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view our Wiki Help with screenshots and video tutorials, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.

About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

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