As a way to unlock the suspended trading at the NSE and enable the lifting of receivership, Uchumi is offering its current shareholders an opportunity to loan the supermarket chain loan with 10% annual interest that is also guaranteed by the government. The holder has an option to convert the loan and interest earned into shares at maturity or simply get paid. The minimum investment is Kshs. 3000.
This is definitely worth checking out to see if there is renewed investor confidence to warrant public purchase once the share is allowed to trade on the NSE.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Business Fair on 31st October 2009
Attention all SME's and people out there. This weekend will be the annual Business fair at the Mavuno Dome on Mombasa road. It will be on this saturday and sunday. Please come and get involved. Learn what opportunities to improve your business are, get new leads, and Network. Be there. Tell all your friends.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Business Woman of the MonthRedefining Marketing
This week I was very privileged to meet an inspiring woman i would like to honor as the Business Woman of the the Month. She is the owner of Upbeat Marketing an agency like no other. Nathalie Chinje is no ordinary lady she is driven,vivacious,passionate, and she knows her thing. She is driven by a passion for empowering Africa and especially women to pursue their business goals beyond borders but within Africa.
It was this passion that gave birth to the intra-africa business breakfast an event that has caught the attention of governments and businesses. This event is held in different countries and provides businesses an opportunity to gain insights on the different markets/countries. It also provides the government an opportunity to communicate directly to investors what incentives have been put in place in order to improve the businesses environment. Other than that it a wonderful networking platform for any investor. Be sure to visit the link and learn more about this amazing event.
To Nathalie; Hats off you are an African Woman in Business Icon.
It was this passion that gave birth to the intra-africa business breakfast an event that has caught the attention of governments and businesses. This event is held in different countries and provides businesses an opportunity to gain insights on the different markets/countries. It also provides the government an opportunity to communicate directly to investors what incentives have been put in place in order to improve the businesses environment. Other than that it a wonderful networking platform for any investor. Be sure to visit the link and learn more about this amazing event.
To Nathalie; Hats off you are an African Woman in Business Icon.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Investing in a Recession: Kengen PIBO
The kengen pibo finally launched yesterday and for those of you looking for a practical investment solution in a volatile economy I think this is a worthwhile one to check out.Investors will earn tax exempt interest income at the rate of 12.5 per cent in the first two years while the principal sum will be redeemed bi-annually for the subsequent eight years in equal installments.Transaction arrangers have reserved 20 per cent of the offer for retail investors, who will be allowed to put in minimum applications of Sh100,000 each. I think this is definately worth checking out go to www.kengen.co.ke.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Kenyan Lady enterprenuer Stand Up!
Today i spent time researching on top ways to cut down costs for your business. The sad reality dawned on me after a few reads that most companies at the end of the day will sacrifice their employees to survive the bad times. If you are a Kenyan Lady that has had to go through a pay cut or retrenchment in this recession my sentiments are with you. Rather than feel defeated and lost i think its time for you to rise up and wise up. Use this as an opportunity to start climbing the mountain towards financial freedom. If you have been through this and would like a chance to explore other opportunities to help you build multiple streams of income drop me an email and i will share with you some powerful resource material that will require a little bit of commitment. Remember in all things to give thanks and to pray.
8 Simple lessons
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.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Reality Check
It has just been one of those pessimistic what is happening to Kenya days. Just came from a 2 day strategy session where we came across interesting data on Kenyan youth. Apparently over 60% of our population relies on Money transfer as a source of income. The number of self employed Kenyans are less that 10% of the population. The employed kenyans have also dropped to less than 10% of the Total population. The Kenyans getting income from the agricultural sector has also dropped to below 20%.
Basicaly we have no jobs, no water, our youth have no access to jobs, then you and I are the ones supporting about 80% of the Kenyan population. You know the way your relatives are always calling you for a hand out? Take it seriously they just have no options. Kazi kwa vijana is a hoax. Old money rules Kenya an New money (read looters of Public land and coffers) is not going to do anything about it because they are as thick as thieves. It is only you and me that can change the direction Kenya is spiralling towards. Be more passionate and more driven to create employment for another Kenyan because deep down every kenyan needs hope and is willing to work. Start thinking about the marginalised in society and Join Irene Mbari-Kirika and other concietious Kenyan passionate about changing the destiny of many Kenyans. We the population living in Urban Kenya (35% of Kenya) must mobilize and go out into the rest of the Kenya to provide Education and exposure and enterprenurial skills so they can be self sustainable. Even if its setting up training facility or donating expertise, each one of us has to give back and pull up our fellow kenyan.
It shocks me that 15% of Kenyans still go without a meal every day. That is more than 10 million of us going hungry on a daily basis. By the way just right now open your MPESA menu and type in account no 10,000 and donate 300 bob to red cross.
Our leadership is busy fighting over Mau, TJRC, and God knows what else. The youth in Mau have mobilised to plant trees. It is you and I that will change Kenya. Be the change you want to see in Kenya. It starts with you. Please do something about it TODAY.
Basicaly we have no jobs, no water, our youth have no access to jobs, then you and I are the ones supporting about 80% of the Kenyan population. You know the way your relatives are always calling you for a hand out? Take it seriously they just have no options. Kazi kwa vijana is a hoax. Old money rules Kenya an New money (read looters of Public land and coffers) is not going to do anything about it because they are as thick as thieves. It is only you and me that can change the direction Kenya is spiralling towards. Be more passionate and more driven to create employment for another Kenyan because deep down every kenyan needs hope and is willing to work. Start thinking about the marginalised in society and Join Irene Mbari-Kirika and other concietious Kenyan passionate about changing the destiny of many Kenyans. We the population living in Urban Kenya (35% of Kenya) must mobilize and go out into the rest of the Kenya to provide Education and exposure and enterprenurial skills so they can be self sustainable. Even if its setting up training facility or donating expertise, each one of us has to give back and pull up our fellow kenyan.
It shocks me that 15% of Kenyans still go without a meal every day. That is more than 10 million of us going hungry on a daily basis. By the way just right now open your MPESA menu and type in account no 10,000 and donate 300 bob to red cross.
Our leadership is busy fighting over Mau, TJRC, and God knows what else. The youth in Mau have mobilised to plant trees. It is you and I that will change Kenya. Be the change you want to see in Kenya. It starts with you. Please do something about it TODAY.
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