Develop a scalable affiliate and referral ecosystem that generates qualified leads, reduces customer acquisition costs, expands SMA's global reach, and creates a sustainable partner-driven revenue channel.
The programme will leverage existing clients, consultants, business advisors, influencers, agencies, trainers, and strategic partners to introduce prospective clients to SMA's services.
Programme architecture
Objective
We aim to:
Generate a consistent pipeline of qualified business opportunities.
Increase revenue growth without proportionally increasing sales headcount.
Strengthen advocacy among clients, partners, staff, and affiliates.
Create a predictable, performance-based acquisition channel.
Improve customer acquisition efficiency while maintaining profitability.
Eligibility
The programme is open to:
All participants must accept programme terms and conditions before becoming eligible for commissions.
Programme Structure
Designed for marketers, influencers, consultants, agencies, trainers, and business communities that can consistently refer prospects.
Benefits
Designed for existing clients, partners, vendors, and professional contacts who occasionally refer business opportunities.
Benefits
Target Partner Categories
Business consultants and coaches
Marketing professionals and freelancers
Web developers and technology consultants
Training providers and educational institutions
Startup ecosystem leaders
Industry influencers and content creators
Business associations and chambers of commerce
Existing SMA clients and alumni
SaaS providers and technology partners
Professional service firms (accounting, legal, HR, finance)
Recruitment Strategy
Launch the programme to:
Identify and recruit:
Promote the programme through:
Commission Framework
SMA operates a performance-based commission model designed to reward partners for introducing qualified clients while maintaining sustainable profitability. We reward both volume and quality. Commission percentages and thresholds will be reviewed periodically based on profitability and business objectives.
Commission is calculated based on payments successfully received by SMA.
Additional bonuses may be awarded for:
Strategic bonuses are determined at SMA's discretion.
Performance Tiers
Entry-level affiliates.
6–10 successful referrals annually.
High-value and consistent referrals.
Enablement & Partner Support
To maximise partner success, SMA will provide:
Lead Qualification Process
To maintain lead quality:
Referral submitted through a dedicated partner portal.
Lead reviewed against qualification criteria.
Discovery call conducted by SMA.
Opportunity entered into CRM.
The partner receives status updates throughout the sales process.
Commission paid upon successful conversion and payment receipt.
Referral Qualification Criteria
A referral will qualify only if:
This ensures focus on high-quality opportunities and prevents duplicate claims.
Payout & Governance
Commission payments are subject to the following conditions:
Payments are released only after the client has paid in full or completed the first three months of a retainer agreement.
Referral ownership is assigned to the first verified source.
Commission eligibility is forfeited if referral information is incomplete or submitted after initial engagement.
SMA reserves the right to apply commission caps for exceptionally large contracts to protect profitability.
Payouts are processed on a monthly or quarterly basis.
Technology & Automation
The programme will be managed through an integrated CRM and affiliate management system. Capabilities include:
Risk Management & Revenue Protection
To ensure sustainable growth, the programme incorporates several safeguards:
These measures ensure the programme remains a profitable growth channel rather than a volume-based referral scheme.
Marketing & Promotion Plan
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Partner Management
SMA will conduct regular reviews to assess:
Affiliate activity and engagement.
Lead quality and conversion rates.
Revenue generated per partner.
Programme ROI and acquisition costs.
Partner satisfaction and retention.
Insights gathered will be used to optimise commission structures, recruitment strategies, and enablement resources.
Strategic Outcome
The Affiliate and Referral Programme will become a predictable and scalable client acquisition channel that complements SMA's inbound and outbound marketing efforts. By building a network of trusted advocates, consultants, and strategic partners, SMA will increase market penetration across Africa, Europe, the UK, the US, and Canada while maintaining high lead quality, lower acquisition costs, and sustainable long-term growth.