Check out this website if you need to be hooked up with a business plan, Research proposals, and funding proposals. www.bizresource.co.ke
And a quote that i ran into today: If you do not have capital to start your business; Get a job.
A lot of people out there want to live the dream but they dont walk the talk. There are lost of opportunities that wont require lots of money but they do not follow through. Will soon be posting some ideas so follow our blog on google connect to get updates and invite your friends.
Monday, December 28, 2009
A couple of Lessons about life
Today I want to share a couple of things I have become more aware of or learned in the past couple of weeks during my blogging hiatus.
1. Taking Stock
Once in a while it is important to take stock of your life and the things that you do each day. Take a step back and ask yourself why do you get up each morning? Why do you brave the matatu ride and the traffic to go to work? Is what you are doing worth it? Are you growing and learning or are you in the same place you were even a month back. If you are, then it is time to re-strategize. I realize it is easy to get caught up in the mundane processes of the rat race and sometimes we do it just to pay the bills. However, indirectly quoting one of my favorite writers; Robert Kiyosaki; sometimes the experience of learning how a company works while being employed is worth more than what we get in salary. Look at what it is you do everyday what have you learned from your interactions with clients? With your finance director? With your MD?
2. The importance of Mentors
No need to stress the obvious. I know most people wonder where to start looking. Books are always easy. Is there an entrepreneur that has inspired you? Chances are a book has been written about them. Find it and get started. Try and avoid books about entrepreneurship by non entrepreneurs; it is always easier to learn about where you are going from someone who has already been there.
3. Start Now
I know a lot has been said but i need to stress this. Get started working on your idea it does not have to be perfect. Devote your weekends to the pursuit of your big idea. Or even get started on your business on the weekend.
4. Teams and Partnerships
It is important to identify who it is you need to get to where you want to be. Someone once said that whatever venture they take in life, they never leave their friends behind. There is someone in your circle with the same burning desire; passion and skill set you require to propel you. You can not get far in life without the right people. One of my favorite books; the one minute millionaire (www.oneminutemillionaire.com) devotes a chapter to help you identify your team and the varying skill sets required in each team.
5. Networks
The theory of 6 degrees of separation claims that for each person in the world you want to get to; there is an estimated 6 people within your network that can get you to them. For instance; if I had wanted to get in touch with the King of Pop i know a friend of mine on Face book that was once in the same jet with him and if i tried really hard he would probably get me the contact of his people. Try this and think about all the people that you know and how many people they know and you will understand the magnitude of networking. It is estimated that each person in an organization knows at least 600 people. The lesson is nothing is impossible. Once you begin to interact with people worlds of opportunity open up and anything can be done. There are plenty of angel investors out there looking for the chance to grow a good business idea into a great one.
6. Nothing is impossible
A couple of years ago, a small start up set out to build the greatest search engine in the world. This would require them to download the entire internet and then set out to organize and create a system that would rank the pages and produce the most relevant results for the user. Nobody knew how this start up would make money. None of its proprietors had the kind of money it took to finance such a project. 10 years later and we all can not imagine life before Google and the company is the number one in its league. There are endless unique opportunities in the world today and for the first time we have the biggest library to analyze ideas and markets and find the tools necessary for any undertaking. Make friends with the www. It’s amazing how much you can learn from it.
7. Take care of the Legal
For any business idea it is very important to protect yourself. Get a lawyer get advice and protect yourself from the vultures out there who steal other people’s ideas.
8. Never Stop Learning
Read, listen, and learn. Never give up. To keep up in today’s world you need to be aware and ahead. Devote time to reading, go back to school, and take a short course. Whatever it takes but never sit back and be content with the status quo.
1. Taking Stock
Once in a while it is important to take stock of your life and the things that you do each day. Take a step back and ask yourself why do you get up each morning? Why do you brave the matatu ride and the traffic to go to work? Is what you are doing worth it? Are you growing and learning or are you in the same place you were even a month back. If you are, then it is time to re-strategize. I realize it is easy to get caught up in the mundane processes of the rat race and sometimes we do it just to pay the bills. However, indirectly quoting one of my favorite writers; Robert Kiyosaki; sometimes the experience of learning how a company works while being employed is worth more than what we get in salary. Look at what it is you do everyday what have you learned from your interactions with clients? With your finance director? With your MD?
2. The importance of Mentors
No need to stress the obvious. I know most people wonder where to start looking. Books are always easy. Is there an entrepreneur that has inspired you? Chances are a book has been written about them. Find it and get started. Try and avoid books about entrepreneurship by non entrepreneurs; it is always easier to learn about where you are going from someone who has already been there.
3. Start Now
I know a lot has been said but i need to stress this. Get started working on your idea it does not have to be perfect. Devote your weekends to the pursuit of your big idea. Or even get started on your business on the weekend.
4. Teams and Partnerships
It is important to identify who it is you need to get to where you want to be. Someone once said that whatever venture they take in life, they never leave their friends behind. There is someone in your circle with the same burning desire; passion and skill set you require to propel you. You can not get far in life without the right people. One of my favorite books; the one minute millionaire (www.oneminutemillionaire.com) devotes a chapter to help you identify your team and the varying skill sets required in each team.
5. Networks
The theory of 6 degrees of separation claims that for each person in the world you want to get to; there is an estimated 6 people within your network that can get you to them. For instance; if I had wanted to get in touch with the King of Pop i know a friend of mine on Face book that was once in the same jet with him and if i tried really hard he would probably get me the contact of his people. Try this and think about all the people that you know and how many people they know and you will understand the magnitude of networking. It is estimated that each person in an organization knows at least 600 people. The lesson is nothing is impossible. Once you begin to interact with people worlds of opportunity open up and anything can be done. There are plenty of angel investors out there looking for the chance to grow a good business idea into a great one.
6. Nothing is impossible
A couple of years ago, a small start up set out to build the greatest search engine in the world. This would require them to download the entire internet and then set out to organize and create a system that would rank the pages and produce the most relevant results for the user. Nobody knew how this start up would make money. None of its proprietors had the kind of money it took to finance such a project. 10 years later and we all can not imagine life before Google and the company is the number one in its league. There are endless unique opportunities in the world today and for the first time we have the biggest library to analyze ideas and markets and find the tools necessary for any undertaking. Make friends with the www. It’s amazing how much you can learn from it.
7. Take care of the Legal
For any business idea it is very important to protect yourself. Get a lawyer get advice and protect yourself from the vultures out there who steal other people’s ideas.
8. Never Stop Learning
Read, listen, and learn. Never give up. To keep up in today’s world you need to be aware and ahead. Devote time to reading, go back to school, and take a short course. Whatever it takes but never sit back and be content with the status quo.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas and Leadership
This week I have been thinking about the not so sunny side of being a leader. I have been reading John C. Maxwells thoughts in leadership to mentally prepare for what lies ahead as far as my personal goals are concerned. I want to share some of the nuggets of wisdom from the 360 degree leader.
If you think about the story of Jesus, it took him 30 years to prepare for 3 years of his mission.
Lesson 1: Many want the prize, but not the pain
Look critically at the way you spend your time today. Every task you undertake should be in preparation for your greater vision. So don't take it lightly when your boss calls you into the office to discuss a project that did not go too well. Each interaction should be related to your greater vision, otherwise you are have your ladder against the wrong wall. It takes years of mental, personal, and spiritual preparation to venture into business or even top level management. Take your time and don't lose focus.
Back to the story of Jesus, he never once asked his disciples to do anything he was not willing to do himself. He modelled for them how he expected them to live.
Lesson 2: Self Discipline.
To be fair all of us want to get ahead in life. However, only a few of us have the self discipline it requires for us to be there. If you want to achieve a high level of excellence in top management or in business it is imperative that you model your behavior today against how you will be required to behave once you attain your goals.
For instance, do you have a life plan that goes 10 years into the future? Are you aware of what you want to achieve at 40?50?60? Are you concious of the things you need to do today in order to get there tomorrow? Are you committed to a day by day action plan until you get there?
Many people have goals, but very few people develop the self discipline they need to achieve their goals.
During Jesus's lifetime, he consistently questioned the status quo and did things that were out of the ordinary. For example, he healed people on the sabbath day and mixed with the undesirable people from his generation.
Lesson 3: Live like no one else today, so you can be Like no one else tomorrow
I must attribute this quote to one of my Leadership mentors, Pastor Muriithi of Mavuno church.
When you wake up to go to work in the morning you have two choices before your feet hit the ground. You can choose to make every menial task count because you know it is boot camp and it will bring you closer to your greater goal or you can choose to complain about being stuck in the rat race and carry that bad attitude to work.
Exceptional people do not fall into the status quo. They have their sites set on a greater vision. They look beyond everyday trappings into their future to avoid pitfalls. Think about it? When you are 50 and you look back at being 25 will spending half your salary on booze be that cool?
When it came to time for Christ to fulfill his mission, his human side took over. He requested his father to take away the suffering but however he remained committed to fulfilling his purpose.
Lesson 4: Be willing to go the extra Mile
Have you ever had to give more than was comfortable for you? Leadership at a high level requires sacrifice. You just need to come to terms with what you are willing to sacrifice. Imagine how much christ had to give up to come down to us. A nice home, his family, servants, and more wealth than your mind can imagine. Yet he did it because his purpose was greater than his own personal comfort. Contemplate where you want to be and the sacrifice it will require for you to get there. I am not talking about extremist sacrifice such as time with your family, but at times you will spend lesser time with them. Think about what you would be willing to give up and what you are not willing to give up.
As we celebrate christmas this year take time to appreciate the people in your life that have contributed, both good and bad, to helping you be a better person. Thank those people without them you would not be who you are today. Merry Christmas and Happy new year.
If you think about the story of Jesus, it took him 30 years to prepare for 3 years of his mission.
Lesson 1: Many want the prize, but not the pain
Look critically at the way you spend your time today. Every task you undertake should be in preparation for your greater vision. So don't take it lightly when your boss calls you into the office to discuss a project that did not go too well. Each interaction should be related to your greater vision, otherwise you are have your ladder against the wrong wall. It takes years of mental, personal, and spiritual preparation to venture into business or even top level management. Take your time and don't lose focus.
Back to the story of Jesus, he never once asked his disciples to do anything he was not willing to do himself. He modelled for them how he expected them to live.
Lesson 2: Self Discipline.
To be fair all of us want to get ahead in life. However, only a few of us have the self discipline it requires for us to be there. If you want to achieve a high level of excellence in top management or in business it is imperative that you model your behavior today against how you will be required to behave once you attain your goals.
For instance, do you have a life plan that goes 10 years into the future? Are you aware of what you want to achieve at 40?50?60? Are you concious of the things you need to do today in order to get there tomorrow? Are you committed to a day by day action plan until you get there?
Many people have goals, but very few people develop the self discipline they need to achieve their goals.
During Jesus's lifetime, he consistently questioned the status quo and did things that were out of the ordinary. For example, he healed people on the sabbath day and mixed with the undesirable people from his generation.
Lesson 3: Live like no one else today, so you can be Like no one else tomorrow
I must attribute this quote to one of my Leadership mentors, Pastor Muriithi of Mavuno church.
When you wake up to go to work in the morning you have two choices before your feet hit the ground. You can choose to make every menial task count because you know it is boot camp and it will bring you closer to your greater goal or you can choose to complain about being stuck in the rat race and carry that bad attitude to work.
Exceptional people do not fall into the status quo. They have their sites set on a greater vision. They look beyond everyday trappings into their future to avoid pitfalls. Think about it? When you are 50 and you look back at being 25 will spending half your salary on booze be that cool?
When it came to time for Christ to fulfill his mission, his human side took over. He requested his father to take away the suffering but however he remained committed to fulfilling his purpose.
Lesson 4: Be willing to go the extra Mile
Have you ever had to give more than was comfortable for you? Leadership at a high level requires sacrifice. You just need to come to terms with what you are willing to sacrifice. Imagine how much christ had to give up to come down to us. A nice home, his family, servants, and more wealth than your mind can imagine. Yet he did it because his purpose was greater than his own personal comfort. Contemplate where you want to be and the sacrifice it will require for you to get there. I am not talking about extremist sacrifice such as time with your family, but at times you will spend lesser time with them. Think about what you would be willing to give up and what you are not willing to give up.
As we celebrate christmas this year take time to appreciate the people in your life that have contributed, both good and bad, to helping you be a better person. Thank those people without them you would not be who you are today. Merry Christmas and Happy new year.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Reflections on Life and Money
The more life changes the more things remain the same. so what is the point of change.
i read an article yesterday about the recent infrustructure bond by the governement that had been oversubscribed by a huge percentage regardless of the low publicity and also it came after two major bonds? Arent we supposed to be in a recession? Isn't money tight and the cost of living too high? Or is it that way just for some people and not others?
I know many talented people who work hard and love their jobs. At least they did for a while. Until they lost their freedom to do anything else, make time for their families, and soon enough they were caught up in doing the same things every day and getting nowhere. The trend continues until they lose all sense of reality and self improvement ceases to exist. This is the modern day rat race.
Beware oncce you forget what your mission is it sucks you in like a vortex and it spits you up on the other end old and broke with nowhere to turn. You better live in fear of this everyday. you might be rocking the latest handbag, shoes, cars but forty years from now you will end up jaded in shags.
There is a board game i played once that completely changed the way i think. That was Robert Kiyosaki's cash flow quadrant. It teaches you how to spot opportunities and how to get that freedom by getting out of the rat race. The beauty of this game is that it does not matter what your occupation is, its the financial principles that are timeless.I suggest you try it. If you don't know where to get it let me know. gather about 10 of your friends and for Kshs. 1,000, you can rent this game and learn how to win this battle and get out of the vicious cycle.
It is not impossible to thrive in a recession. The first thing you need to do is to stop buying unneccesary things and set up a savings account. The next thing you need to do is make an investment into your retirement. In kenya for as low as Kshs. 500 you can start saving for retirement and if like me you have 38 years to retire imagine how much money that is if i increased it by Kshs 500 every year and it was invested at 10% PA?
The next thing you need to do is create multiple sources of income. Even if it is just a yoghurt shop get it started and get that extra money coming in. But more importantly persevere and keep at it. It will take a while but you will be free forever.
i read an article yesterday about the recent infrustructure bond by the governement that had been oversubscribed by a huge percentage regardless of the low publicity and also it came after two major bonds? Arent we supposed to be in a recession? Isn't money tight and the cost of living too high? Or is it that way just for some people and not others?
I know many talented people who work hard and love their jobs. At least they did for a while. Until they lost their freedom to do anything else, make time for their families, and soon enough they were caught up in doing the same things every day and getting nowhere. The trend continues until they lose all sense of reality and self improvement ceases to exist. This is the modern day rat race.
Beware oncce you forget what your mission is it sucks you in like a vortex and it spits you up on the other end old and broke with nowhere to turn. You better live in fear of this everyday. you might be rocking the latest handbag, shoes, cars but forty years from now you will end up jaded in shags.
There is a board game i played once that completely changed the way i think. That was Robert Kiyosaki's cash flow quadrant. It teaches you how to spot opportunities and how to get that freedom by getting out of the rat race. The beauty of this game is that it does not matter what your occupation is, its the financial principles that are timeless.I suggest you try it. If you don't know where to get it let me know. gather about 10 of your friends and for Kshs. 1,000, you can rent this game and learn how to win this battle and get out of the vicious cycle.
It is not impossible to thrive in a recession. The first thing you need to do is to stop buying unneccesary things and set up a savings account. The next thing you need to do is make an investment into your retirement. In kenya for as low as Kshs. 500 you can start saving for retirement and if like me you have 38 years to retire imagine how much money that is if i increased it by Kshs 500 every year and it was invested at 10% PA?
The next thing you need to do is create multiple sources of income. Even if it is just a yoghurt shop get it started and get that extra money coming in. But more importantly persevere and keep at it. It will take a while but you will be free forever.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Slick Marketing: Making strides in the Communications industry
Today I would like to share an inspirational story and I hope that it will inspire you to step out. The story is about Samali Namuddu who also happens to be proprietor and create Director of Slick Marketing Limited.
Samali started her company in her mothers house while we were still in University. I remember one of her very first projects was our year book. she tells me her first VAT payment was Kshs 3,500! Fueled by her passion for design and an entrepreneurial spirit she set up Slick Marketing which has now grown to a full fledged advertising and marketing communications agency and will be celebrating its 5th anniversary very soon. Slick marketing offers practical and relevant solutions to meet the needs of SME's. That is it's niche. Samali's dream is to create a world renown brand from the SME's that come to her everyday. She moved on from creating our year book as well as designing a lot of wedding materials for her classmates to building a business that services growing businesses in the Small and Medium enterprise industry. She creates business cards, brochures, web designs, marketing strategies, brand strategies, all with a personalized touch to bring out the personality of every business.
According to Samali, integrity is one of the key things necessary to build a successful business. This ensures you get repeat and referral customers. Courage is another key ingredient. It does not matter how long you wait to start a business. You will still have to build it from the ground up. Would you rather do that while you are still young or when you have kids to send to college and mortgages to pay? it is up to you to decide.
I must say that watching slick marketing grow has been truly inspiring. Please visit their website to see what customized solutions that Slick has to offer your business.
Samali started her company in her mothers house while we were still in University. I remember one of her very first projects was our year book. she tells me her first VAT payment was Kshs 3,500! Fueled by her passion for design and an entrepreneurial spirit she set up Slick Marketing which has now grown to a full fledged advertising and marketing communications agency and will be celebrating its 5th anniversary very soon. Slick marketing offers practical and relevant solutions to meet the needs of SME's. That is it's niche. Samali's dream is to create a world renown brand from the SME's that come to her everyday. She moved on from creating our year book as well as designing a lot of wedding materials for her classmates to building a business that services growing businesses in the Small and Medium enterprise industry. She creates business cards, brochures, web designs, marketing strategies, brand strategies, all with a personalized touch to bring out the personality of every business.
According to Samali, integrity is one of the key things necessary to build a successful business. This ensures you get repeat and referral customers. Courage is another key ingredient. It does not matter how long you wait to start a business. You will still have to build it from the ground up. Would you rather do that while you are still young or when you have kids to send to college and mortgages to pay? it is up to you to decide.
I must say that watching slick marketing grow has been truly inspiring. Please visit their website to see what customized solutions that Slick has to offer your business.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Developing the Leader within you
In the recent weeks I have been thinking a lot about leadership. What does it mean to be a leader? Is it a skill set, position, something you are born with? How do I know if I am a good leader?
In my quest for knowledge in this area I have come across interesting bits of information that i would like to share. Being a leader is not a position. It is a quality that some people have a natural tendency towards but at the same time anyone who takes interest can develop their leadership abilities. There is a difference between a manager and a leader as we will read shortly.
People also naturally assume that leadership and position go hand in hand. This is also a myth.A person can be put in charge of a project and lack the leadership ability to propel it forward. So what is leadership?
Leaders are people who possess a passion to serve and improve lives. They are not driven by selfish ambition. A leader's mark is the ability to influence people to follow him/her. A leaders adds value to his/her team members and does not take away or influence them negatively. A leader is able to empower others without feeling that s/he is depleting their own resources/capabilities. A leader is a visionary. S/he is able to asses any business situation and provide a road map years into the future. A leader is genuinely interested in people. A leader understands that without people s/he can not exist. One of my favorite leadership mentors John C. Maxwell states that if you want to find out whether you truly posses leadership capabilities; start or work in a volunteer organization. If you can inspire people to follow you and connect to your vision then you are able to practice leadership in any situation or organization.
Do not confuse management and leadership. A manager is someone who can allocate resources and people towards accomplishing tasks effectively. A leader moves beyond that to build a strong organization or business with a vision beyond today and themselves. S/he is able to see opportunities that go along with that and how they will impact the world. S/he is able to attract the right people and retain them. S/he is able to rise above pettiness into greatness.They posses character, influence, vision,intuition, servitude,strength, courage and most importantly they are secure in themselves.
Please visit our facebook page or post comments and share your thoughts on leadership. We will continue to explore this topic. Please seek out mentors and world renown leaders and learn from them. read their books and life stories.
In my quest for knowledge in this area I have come across interesting bits of information that i would like to share. Being a leader is not a position. It is a quality that some people have a natural tendency towards but at the same time anyone who takes interest can develop their leadership abilities. There is a difference between a manager and a leader as we will read shortly.
People also naturally assume that leadership and position go hand in hand. This is also a myth.A person can be put in charge of a project and lack the leadership ability to propel it forward. So what is leadership?
Leaders are people who possess a passion to serve and improve lives. They are not driven by selfish ambition. A leader's mark is the ability to influence people to follow him/her. A leaders adds value to his/her team members and does not take away or influence them negatively. A leader is able to empower others without feeling that s/he is depleting their own resources/capabilities. A leader is a visionary. S/he is able to asses any business situation and provide a road map years into the future. A leader is genuinely interested in people. A leader understands that without people s/he can not exist. One of my favorite leadership mentors John C. Maxwell states that if you want to find out whether you truly posses leadership capabilities; start or work in a volunteer organization. If you can inspire people to follow you and connect to your vision then you are able to practice leadership in any situation or organization.
Do not confuse management and leadership. A manager is someone who can allocate resources and people towards accomplishing tasks effectively. A leader moves beyond that to build a strong organization or business with a vision beyond today and themselves. S/he is able to see opportunities that go along with that and how they will impact the world. S/he is able to attract the right people and retain them. S/he is able to rise above pettiness into greatness.They posses character, influence, vision,intuition, servitude,strength, courage and most importantly they are secure in themselves.
Please visit our facebook page or post comments and share your thoughts on leadership. We will continue to explore this topic. Please seek out mentors and world renown leaders and learn from them. read their books and life stories.
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