4 easy steps to maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace
Emotional intelligence just like any skill can be learned and mastered. Negative attitudes, just like talent only develops when it is in use. Ever heard the saying “practice makes perfect”? That goes without saying when it comes to maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace. You worked endlessly on a project with your supervisor and the only feedback you receive from the same supervisor during the review was that “you should have put in more effort”. Finding yourself in those shoes and sometimes losing it, feels like a right response at that moment. The last thing you need in your career path is to be associated with the “baby” who is not ready to climb a corporate ladder. The following guidelines will assist you to slay it like a pro when you are tempted to lose it. 1. Acknowledge to address The only good thing about the loss of emotional control is the fact that, it does not go unnoticed firstly by you. Secondly and negatively by everyone around you and once expressed cannot be taken back. The worse thing you can do is ignore it, just like a balloon being inflated it grows bigger and bigger until it explodes. Although study associate women having hippocampus and a deeper limbic system bigger than men, which allows them to express emotions in detail than men. That being said, when it happens do not beat yourself about it just acknowledge it. In this predicament something wonderful is that “women might be better prepared to physically react to negative stimuli than males” says Milnik. That makes women better managers. 2. Excuse yourself Walking away from the situation does not make one a coward, although society had taught us the opposite. Furthermore, postponing dealing with something does not mean avoiding it. When the edge to say or act according to the way you are actually feeling kicks in. It is best to draw away from the situation strategically by suggesting a way out. That can be achieved by saying “how about we consider this aspect at a certain time? 3. Reaction time Often the saying “I can’t deal with this right now” is associated with being rude but it is a technique used to buy time. Time is one of the most important factors and everyone needs it to maintain a positive attitude. In order to effectively analyze all options and come up with an appropriate conclusion. Reacting at the very same moment might cause you to respond without considering all the facts. 4. Manage “It is much more preferred to work with an unqualified person with a positive attitude rather than a qualified individual who lacks it, “says one manager. The are various ways which can be used to manage it which have been proven to work. Different techniques work for different people, you just need to find the one that works for you and your circumstance. Amongst the many techniques available such as counting, breathing and walking. Listening attentively to distinguish all sound and their connection without any thought is my personal favorite. Got an article you’d like to share with us? Share your story with us here.
5 Work-Life Balance Tips For New Entrepreneurs
You know that popular quote that says that the first year of business for any entrepreneur particularly a solopreneur is usually the hardest? Well, nothing can be further from the truth. What they also didn’t tell you is that in that first year, in order to get things rolling, you might lose yourself to your business. This also includes but is not limited to your family, friends, network and social life. Depending on your perspective, this might seem like an investment in the long run. After all, the first five years are the most pivotal point of any business. After that, it’s supposed to get easier. But does that mean you have to wait until your business has fully taken off to get your life and have a semblance of work-life balance?I think not. Here are five simple work-life balance tips that I have found works for new entrepreneurs. Separate your business from your personal life. This might seem like a walk in the park but believe me, it is easier said than done. In a bid to be always available, accessible and offer excellent customer service, the thin line between your business and your personal life might be blurred. So, it is key to separate them. This can be as simple as getting a different phone/WhatsApp number for your business. This way, you’re not tempted to respond to messages that are not urgent outside work hours. Determine your work hours. As much we live on the internet, it can be tough for internet-enabled businesses to switch off for the day but it’s important for work-life balance. Entrepreneurs are known to work around the clock but by determining your work hours you are giving your business structure and leaving out time for yourself and your life. Make plans ahead It’s one thing for you as an entrepreneur to not have a social life, it’s another thing entirely to not make plans outside your business. The great thing about making plans ahead and following through with your family and friends is that you’re completely distracted and not tempted to work. No matter how little it might seem initially, it means that out of your super busy schedule, you are making time for your loved ones and that is one of the keys to a balanced life. So, draw up a special calendar and slot in some dates and fun activities for the next three months. This gives your friends enough time ahead to prevent a clash of schedules. (SLA TIP: Google Calendar is your plug) Observe public holidays As an entrepreneur, it’s so easy to become a workaholic. But as much as strong work ethics are admirable, it’s important to know when to take a break to re-energize and avoid burning out. One of the most simple ways you can achieve this especially when you don’t have the luxury of taking vacations yet is by observing public holidays. Turn off your work phone and emails. If possible, stay off social media and cultivate a habit of resting. Learn how to rest Everyone has their definition of rest but one thing is certain, it does not involve work. One of the key things I learned over the Christmas holidays is the ability to sit down and do absolutely nothing. As difficult as it was initially particularly for someone that has worked all year, by the time I got into the state of inactivity and idleness, it was refreshing to truly rest. Try it and see! As a compliment, you can also find passive non-work related activities (such as listening to audiobooks) to pass the time. Got some advice for new business owners and entrepreneurs? Share your advice with us here.
Vaida Odongo: You can start a business anytime with the right mindset
Contrary to what many people and businesses might think, investing in your brand online is not just about spending money on the brand. Instead, it’s about building an entity that will resonate with your customers and keep them coming back again and again—even when there’s no deal or promotion to entice them. Who is Vaida? Vaida Odongo is a young woman living in Nairobi who’s passionate about empowering women and leveraging on technology for sustainable development. She studied Gender and development studies while in university but came to love marketing after a short stint working as a trainer in the Google Digify Bytes Program that was being implemented by Livity Africa, a youth-focused nonprofit based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Vaida loves seeing businesses grow and coming up with strategies to solve various business challenges. “You might be having a challenge with selling a product online, what I do is that I sit down and look at all the possible solutions that might help solve the problem then we choose one that works. I love the adrenaline rush that comes with brainstorming”. “I have always been interested in empowering women. When I was younger, my dream was to work in an NGO that would enable me directly work with women. I hadn’t figured out yet what exactly I wanted to do when I actually landed the job, but I knew things would become clearer with time. [bctt tweet=”When you empower a woman, you empower the society – @vaida_odongo” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Fast forward almost ten years later, I have found myself working with women though not in an NGO. I now help women brand and market their products and services online. I am very passionate about helping women grow and sustain their businesses because I believe that when you empower a woman, you empower the society.” Why Digital Marketing? “The world is increasingly going digital. With more than half the population using online platforms such as social media, companies are now forced to look at how they can leverage these platforms. The social space is set to grow and there’s a need for training so that the teams which are set on marketing online have the capacity to do so”. What does your work involve? My work involves training women-led business and enterprises on branding online. This means creating a brand story that their online audience will be attracted to. I have been working on this for the last two years and I’m loving it every day. My pieces of training are conducted over a one to two-day period and tailor-made to fit a customer’s needs. [bctt tweet=” I love the adrenaline rush that comes with brainstorming – @vaida_odongo” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Whether you are in beauty, fashion, construction or advocacy, I have the right curriculum to help you amplify your online voice. I also help companies come up with strategies that will help amplify their voices online. I also offer mentorship sessions to my clients. Maybe along the road the strategy we picked might not work, I’ll come in again and we’ll come up with another one. I also offer refresher training to me customers for free. My aim is getting their businesses to grow so we do whatever it takes to make sure this happens. To empower more businesses to grow, I also offer pro bono services to customers who are just venturing into business and need some advice. I do this because at the beginning some people just need to know different ways they can market their products and services. When building your online brand, you need to: Make sure you understand your audience, their needs, and why they interact with you. Create an online persona that is fun and captivating at the same time. Be consistent. Make sure you post when you are supposed to. Take time to appreciate your customers e.g. through give away. Remember to have fun. Captivating your audience is trial and error. Have fun while at it. How do you manage your business? Being your own boss is a challenge because most of the time, you never know when to stop and take a break. I have learned to schedule myself so that I have enough time to catch my breath and relax. Also, I enjoy reading and watching animated movies and cartoons. I also love cooking and discovering how I can use different spices and herbs from all over the world in my food. What is your advice for young women who are looking to venture into Digital Marketing? My advice to young women out there is that you can start a business anytime and with the right mindset, you can take it to the next. Becoming a digital marketing expert requires you to do a lot of research to know what’s happening in the online space. Remember that deciding to be your own boss doesn’t mean lots of free time on your hands. You have to be willing work overtime because most of the time you will have to do everything on your own without a cheering squad. If you’d like to share a story with us at She Leads Africa, share your story us here.
Your very first steps to becoming a CEO
Life doesn’t get better by chance but by change! We all know the job business goals aren’t the easiest feat to accomplish. We may feel as though we are simply just pawns in an older generation’s game of chess, but what we must learn is that it is truly about how you play the game. Being able to control your own fate will ultimately lead you to what you want. Here are some things to realize and ways that you can market yourself to others. [bctt tweet=” Enough Excuses. Build your Image. Life is a business and you are your own CEO!” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Be your own brand Be unique, create an image that identifies you and differentiates you from others. Over time, this image becomes associated with a level of credibility, quality, and satisfaction. Know how to sell the best version of yourself and position your image that will be favorable to all. Know yourself. Get feedback from others and learn as much as you can about how you come across. Then you can accurately target how you appear in a crowd and what you need to work. Stand Out From The Crowd Our differences are what make us unique. How we discipline our self is very important, and those who understand and practice the art of discipline can channel impulses into something of substance. Embrace Knowledge. A wise man once said knowledge is power, more powerful than physical strength There is no end to knowledge. There is no limit to what a person can learn. Even big problems can be solved if we have the knowledge of solving it. By knowledge, it opens us up to possibilities and you will learn to realize that those possibilities that once seemed so far away are actually attainable and endless. Be confident. Believe in yourself it boost, only when you believe it you can do it, When you truly believe you can create what you envision, when you’re not afraid of the obstacles, that confidence will automatically make you stand out from the rest.Love yourself. It has nothing to do with ego, but a confidence within you that elevates your relationships with everything else. You’ll stand out by being modest but happy with who you are. Try not to Fake it till you make it Never disconnect with who you truly are. It is easy to do things when you are your true self. Most people know when someone is being fake, even from a first impression. It’s almost like speaking to a person and even though they’re wide-eyed and smiley, you know they’re not listening to one damn thing you say or care about what you have to offer and instead are only thinking about their own personal benefits. Love yourself. It has nothing to do with ego, but a confidence within you that elevates your relationships with everything else. You’ll stand out by being modest but happy with who you are. Cultivate emotional intelligence. A lot of smart people don’t know how to manage their emotions or relate well to others. Emotional intelligence attracts people who are looking to connect with someone who has their act together and who’s competent and capable.to work toward a deep understanding and hear what’s being said beyond the words. You will stand out in any situation if you become a person who listens from the heart. Take A Chance Often, we know what it is we want to do, but we still don’t do it. Why? We are innately risk averse and afraid of putting our vulnerability on the line. Risk-taking is the ultimate way that marketer achieves success. Products go through a life cycle and that first innovation stage is important and involves risk-taking. Be prepared. When an opportunity turns up, the person who is ready and able to be part whatever needs to happen will always stand out. Got a story or an article to share with us? Share your story with us here.
How to build a Strong Foundation for your Business
You have made up your mind that your business is kicking off or you have been in business but you know there are a few things you need to put in place so your business can be well positioned for success now and in the long term. Here are a few tips on how you can build that foundation that will produce the desired result of a flourishing business enterprise. INVEST IN YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GET MORE EDUCATION Your business is an extension of you, how far you go, and how well you do is dependent on what you’ve got inside of you. To be successful, you have to constantly commit to more learning in your area of business and in your own education. You must know that there is no end to learning and knowledge or you might wake up one day and find out that the rest of the world has left you behind. To compete effectively in the world of business, you have to keep tab with ongoing developments and strategies in the marketplace and anyone who doesn’t have the knack for learning will be unable to succeed or stand out. KNOW WHEN YOU NEED TO HIRE EXPERTS At first, when you start out, you might need to do everything by yourself. From setting up shop to marketing, keeping the books, taking inventory, hiring staff etc. But as the business begins to grow do not be tempted not to hire the experts that will make the whole process more effective thus enabling the business to succeed even more. TREAT YOUR EMPLOYEES WITH RESPECT TO REDUCE HIGH TURNOVER OF STAFF Small businesses always have a high turnover of staff because employees never enter into the company with long-term career goals in mind partly due to the fact that the remuneration might just be something to get by, or their employers just uses them to get the job done without factoring into the whole process their needs and long-term goals. Some employers even overwork their employees and sometimes do not pay them for months! If this describes how your business operates, there is every likelihood that your business will not run effectively and will not thrive in the long run because you will continually lose the best hands. ALWAYS SEPARATE PERSONAL FUNDS FROM BUSINESS FUNDS A healthy separation of personal funds from business funds will indicate that you run your business in a professional manner and thus translate into the credibility of your business in the eyes of your customers. In addition, if it becomes necessary for you to obtain a loan from the bank, it will be easy for you to succeed with separated accounts than when they are mixed up. HAVE A GOOD CREDIT POLICY It is very important that you set your credit policy upfront before selling to a buyer who wants credit. Many businesses sell on credit to generate more sales and to have more customers but there are associated risks. If for any reason the buyer is unable to pay you, you stand to lose both your capital and profit. In the case where most of your customers are credit buyers, how will you be able to restock when customers with cash are at your doorstep? So be wise by setting up a good credit policy. NETWORK Relationships are key to any human endeavor. Your business will not run in a vacuum, you need people to make it a success. Thus it makes reasonable sense for you to initiate, build, and keep relationships with people who will enable you and your business succeed. Got a business advice for us? Share your advice with us here.
The four biggest life and business lessons I learned in 2017
A new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past and take note of our learning points. As I carried out my reflections, here are the four most important life and business lessons I noted down: 1. Whatever you need to do, especially with regards to your life goal and purpose – START NOW. I realized that there will never be a perfect time to get things done, and as they say ‘time waits for no one’. See how fast 2017 ran, I still vividly remember how I shouted ‘happy new year’ in church on the 1st of January 2017. I learned that you don’t have to wait for everything to be ready or for you to have it all figured out before taking your step (this doesn’t take away the place of proper planning though). In 2017, I started an organization called Clever generation. I have always been passionate about wealth creation, SMEs, and the empowerment of young people but I didn’t think that the time was right for me to start up something because of the high pressured nature of my current job. So I told myself that I will start up the organization once I get a less demanding job. My spirit was not going to have any of my excuses and didn’t give me peace until I started the organization in August. As at now, the organization provides educative and engaging content via its social media accounts. We currently have an estimate of about 3,000 followers on all our social media accounts (this was achieved in just 4 months). So despite the demands of my job, I have been able to make out time to manage the organization. [bctt tweet=”When you start, things will start to fall into place” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 2. The human capacity is limitless. One of the best lessons I learned in 2017 is that you can exert yourself to do what you have to do regardless of how you feel. My classic example: It’s past close of business, my boss just finished reviewing a document, and says to me ‘we need to get this to the client first thing tomorrow morning’. Leaving me with no choice but to update the document with his review notes overnight. Well, I worked till 2.30 a.m. the next day, and still had to resume at work at 8.00 a.m. Then I thought to myself – why do we make these sacrifices for our bosses and employers, and not do same for ourselves?. I have tons of articles written in my head that I haven’t been able to write them down because I keep telling myself that I don’t have the time. [bctt tweet=”Never forget, no one deserves your best other than yourself” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 3. Mindset! Mindset!! Mindset!!! Life is a game of the mind, only the mentally, psychologically, and spiritually prepared wins. Your world is a reflection of what is on the inside; its garbage in – garbage out. Whatever you accept, believe, and tell yourself is what life produces for you. So if your mindset is one of the most important determinants of your success, it means that you need to invest in educating and training your mind. 4. Idea generation and idea execution require a different set of skills. The fact that a person can generate a brilliant idea doesn’t mean s/he can execute it. Learn to identify the skill set of your team members, and align their roles to their skill set as close as possible. Don’t be quick to assign tasks to people because of what they say or based on your perception of them. Some years back, I met someone who had a business proposition and was looking for a business partner who will invest financially in the business. I thought the business was good and agreed to become his partner. For more than 2 years, I was investing financially but the business never made significant progress. He kept emphasizing the capital-intensive nature of the business. So I got someone to invest in the business with the promise that we will pay back the capital and a percentage interest after a set period of time. I wasn’t very involved in the management of the business because of the demanding nature of my job, I relied on his report. When it was time to pay back our investor, the capital wasn’t available, let alone the interest. He told me that it was because our customers were not paying on time. I knew there was a problem when he couldn’t tell exactly how much the business was expecting from the customers owing. I got angry and insisted he produced a record of the revenue, expenses, and profit for the period. That’s when I realized how disorganized my business partner was, he had no management skill and just spent the money as the demand arose. He had to borrow some of the money that was used in paying back our investor as I refused to support financially. That’s when it dawned on me that my business partner is a visionary but not a business manager. I either had to manage the business myself or we hire a business manager. Also, I learned that it is not enough to have a good business idea, you also need to ensure that your team has the required skill set to execute the idea. [bctt tweet=”‘Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.’ – Thomas Edison” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Got any life or business lessons to share with us? Share your experience with us here.
MALEBOGO MARUMOAGAE: It is not about being your own boss, it is about finding a solution to a problem
This is a woman rooted in love. Love for her mother, work and for others. She is love. She is Malebogo Marumoagae. We were first introduced to Malebogo as a beauty queen when she was crowned Miss Botswana in 2006. Today, she still wears that crown, now as the belle of Belle Larissa. A consultancy company she founded in 2009 and went on to win a Woman in Business Award for, under the category of Young Female Entrepreneur of The Year in 2016. Belle Larissa slayed at the end of 2017 when it hosted what would become the inaugural International Women in Mining conference (IWiM). Malebogo not only has a good business and a few awards to her name, she holds a degree in Economics and Population Studies, and an MBA from the University of Botswana. I had a chat with her and this is her inspirational story. Tell us about yourself. I am Malebogo Marumoagae. I was born and bred in Tonota by one of the strongest women I know, Diteko Marumoagae. My mother has taught me how to be confident in my own skin, to respect others and myself and most importantly to know that I am nothing without God. I believe in the law of attraction. That whatever you think, eventually becomes your reality. Even the Bible says in the book of Proverbs ‘above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”. I love reading, in fact, I have learned so much from the books I read and I am always encouraging anyone who wants to be a leader to make reading a habit and not a hobby. Tell us more about Belle Larissa. Belle Larissa is a BQA registered and accredited institution providing training on personal branding, professional image, and etiquette. Our main aim is to assist individuals, young and old to be the best that they can possibly be especially in today’s world where there is competition in almost every opportunity that arises. For organizations, we assist their employees to align their personal brands with their corporate brand. How would you define etiquette? Are we a people that care for it, especially locally? Etiquette is simply a set of rules that govern socially accepted behavior. It is about showing respect and making others feel comfortable and at ease when they are around you. The word may be new to some, however, etiquette is not a new thing. In our Setswana culture, we call it Botho. It is behaving graciously in any given situation. It is not an issue of whether people care for it or not, Etiquette is a requirement for civilization. I wish I could confidently say our services have gained the attention they deserve. We have done our bit, but I still believe there is still much to be done. Winning the Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year, how significant was that moment for you? That was a very surreal moment. I felt really proud of my team and I. As you may know, our business is relatively new in Botswana so to have that recognition was a great confidence booster. However, we also understand that it means we need to keep working hard to ensure that we stay on top of our game. In 2017, Belle Larissa hosted the first ever International Women in Mining (IWiN) Conference in Botswana. What inspired the initiative? Yes, together with Brandneue Media, we hosted the first-ever Women in Mining Conference in Botswana in 2017. This initiative was inspired by the need to promote greater participation of women in the mining industry. The numbers show that the mining industry is one of the most male-dominated industries in the world and Botswana is no exception. We wanted to play our part by bringing together women, who are already in the mining industry, those with aspirations of getting in the industry, policymakers, and financial institutions under one roof, to discuss the challenges as well as come up with solutions to increase the participation of women in this industry. What does it mean for you as an African woman being in business? African women have from time been in business to feed, educate and take care of their children. It means so much to me that I am part of a group of phenomenal women who have either by choice or default found themselves in business. Being a woman and in business has never been an easy thing. I hope I am able to inspire other upcoming business women to follow their dreams the same way I have been inspired by hard-working, women who came before me. How do you suppose one can recognize themselves as an empowered woman? For me, an empowered woman is one who has a choice to be whatever she wants to be. She knows her worth, is confident in her own skin and is not intimidated by the success of other women. An empowered woman stands for herself, speaks for herself and is the voice to the voiceless. As she goes up, she pulls others with her. What three principles would you say drives your business? Our business is driven by the love to see other people excel and become the best versions of themselves. We believe in team-work as everyone has their own unique abilities which can contribute towards ensuring that our clients get quality service. What advice would you give to young women who want to be their own boss? For me, it is not about being your own boss, it is about finding a solution to a problem or problems facing our society and then putting together a team that shares your vision and working together towards achieving that vision. For anyone who wants to take that path, I would say, it is not an easy road to take but if you want it so bad, you need to put in the effort, develop yourself, read extensively and have a never-give-up attitude.
What is your next employer looking for?
Employers have a certain type of candidate they need to join their organization. Opportunities will open up, and you will be among those seeking (and eventually chosen) for that role. This article shares what the employer is looking for as well extra tips on what you also need to avoid or stop doing if you want to enjoy a fulfilling career. Reliability, dependability, and trustworthiness To succeed in your career, you need to be trustworthy. Your boss, team members, and other colleagues can depend on you to carry out agreed tasks and keep your word. You need to be a reliable member of the team. Those are the ones that get recognized and get to higher heights in their careers. Listening Communication as an essential skill cannot be overemphasized. Unfortunately, listening is a challenge for most people. Learn to listen attentively and go a step further to ask questions and clarify statements or comments so that you avoid making mistakes in the long run. Do not assume that you heard one thing and then do the other. That is a career stumbling block right there. Try and re-iterate what needs to be said enough to make sure you are sure about what you have interpreted. Know your onions Make sure you have the ability to actually carry out the job you’ve been employed to do. No distractions or time wasting on tasks. Let your wardrobe SLAY Depending on the type of job it is, wardrobe co-ordination is very essential. Your day at work should be a day you can easily create a professional impression. Get your outfits suitable enough to show that you are ready, qualified and happy to be given an opportunity at the company. I suggest you do smart and professional dressing in your first few weeks until you settle into your role and the organization’s culture. Always be punctual [bctt tweet=”Being punctual is essential. From your work start time, to your work prioritization, you need to eliminate all forms of “African time”.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Know your key strengths You have a gift. Call it talent, skill or passion. Just know you have a gift. Figure out what it is. It is also identified as your key strength. You already have it. It may take time to discover but you will and can discover them. Develop and learn from others The interesting thing is that you can always find a person who also identifies with your strength and has done more in developing this key attribute. That is why we have mentors or coaches and role models. You should have an attitude that is willing to learn. Your attitude to learning from others will determine your acceleration. Take personal responsibility [bctt tweet=”You are what you create. Make decisions and stand by the consequences of them.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Kill that entitlement mindset that blames everyone but yourself. Determine to not only grow but to also be the one going to make sure you definitely grow. Below are some habits that employees need to really avoid. [bctt tweet=”All employers aren’t the same but you can be an exceptional employee and that attitude will take you higher.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] I recommend this to everyone looking to attain a higher impact in their chosen field. 1. Taking all the credit Working as part of a team means everyone contributes their own quota to the success of a task, goal or project. Do not take credit for anything you do. Even when you work alone on a project, it will be obvious what your contributions are but even in that, you still would have needed some input or help from someone other than yourself. Avoid taking credit that you don’t deserve and over-estimate your participation to the achievement of a goal. 2. Talking down on others It is totally wrong to speak to a colleague in a derogatory manner. It makes you project yourself negatively and gives off the impression that you lack confidence and possess low self-esteem. Avoid the urge to speak of or join in, to destroy a colleague’s work reputation. It’s an epic no for your career success. 3. Expressing anger at work To be in a position of leadership is not a walk in the park. Expression of emotions especially anger is a skill that needs mastery. No one is entitled to use anger to intimidate or communicate at work. It is not a management or leadership tool. To ensure you enjoy a successful career, do not wear your emotions on your sleeves and express emotions when you need to and appropriately. 4. Negative Personality Another career stall is one who has a negative personality. Everything about you is negative and distasteful. Nothing good comes from your conversations, you always have negativity and spread it to anyone around you. Your contributions are always negative, your output negative, your impression or comments about colleagues are also negative. The outcome is disastrous to your career success. 5. Inability to take responsibility for actions Avoid the need to point fingers and blame everything and everyone for the mistake or gap. It is going to stall your career if you are unable to own up to it. When you lead a team, you, as the lead, are responsible for the success or failure. Do not pass on the buck but stand tall, admit the wrong, learn, adjust and move on. 6. Hoarding Information Withholding information from your colleagues so that you can be in competition or at an advantage over them is not a criteria for a successful career. It shows you are not a team player neither are you a candidate for getting into higher leadership positions. Information is to be shared, not kept as a secret weapon. What key lessons have you learned as an employee or an employer? Share your experience with us here.
Setting your business up for success – 5 things you must do
It’s a New Year and everyone seems busy penning down their New Year Resolutions. Business owners are also devising strategic means to boost sales and make more profit. It’s a time to sit and reflect on the past year and see what can be done to make the present year a success. As a business owner, you want to set your business up for success. What do you intend to do differently this year? To achieve a different result, you need to be willing to do things differently. It could be the way you assign tasks or the goals you set in place or even the marketing strategy you adopt. In this article, I will share with you 5 ways to set your business up for success. This isn’t something you implement once and get a lasting success. No! It’s something you must be willing to implement occasionally to get your desired success. Set SMART goals What sets a business apart from another are the goals set in place. You can always distinguish between a successful business and a less successful one by the kind of goals they set. One way to set your business up for success is to implement SMART goals. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based. Can you spot the difference between the two goals? “Increase sales” and “Increase sales by 30% by the end of the year.” To get to where you want to be, you first need to know where you’re going. Any business owner can set goals but many fail to set SMART goals. Specific – Are your goals clearly defined? Do you know the why, what and how of your goals? Measurable – Can you monitor and measure the progress of your goals? Attainable – Can these goals be attained? Relevant – How relevant are these goals to the growth of your business? Time-based – Do these goals have deadlines? How soon can they be met? Engage in social media It’s no doubt that a lot of users are active on social media. Want to set your business up for success this year? Get active on social media! A large number of the public are constantly on social media. As a business owner, it’s important you attract, reach out and engage your target audience on social media. It could be Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn. What better way to get your business out there than through social media? Everyone seems to be engaged in the social media world. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, consumers are constantly searching their newsfeed for products and services so, use this opportunity to grow your business, promote brand awareness, make more money, reach a wider audience and in the long run achieve success. However, you need to monitor which social media channel your target audience is active on. Facebook has a number of 1,870 million active users. Instagram has 600 and Twitter has 317. Just because Facebook has the highest doesn’t mean it’s your target audience preferred channel. Delegate If there’s one thing you must do to achieve success this year is to delegate more often. Your business is your baby, I get it. But if you don’t take care of yourself and learn to delegate, you’ll get burdened and overwhelmed and eventually both you and your business will fall apart. According to Gallup “founders who have and use high delegator talent can generate better business growth and venture success than leaders who get lost in the day-to-day minutiae of managing a business.” Choose what tasks to delegate Delegate to the right people Communication is key Invest in teaching and training Learn to trust your team Email Marketing While most business owners avoid email marketing because they think it’s obsolete, 59 percent of B2B marketers reveals email as the most effective channel for revenue generation. According to McKinsey, email marketing is 3 times more effective than social media and the average customer order is high. Set your online business up for success this year through email marketing. Why? I’m glad you asked. Email is an easy way to reach mobile customers. Look around you, how many people do you see with smartphones? I’ll tell you. Everyone! We’re all glued to our devices. A report indicates an increase in the number of purchase made on mobile devices from 3.4% to 36.7%. Email marketing helps you create lasting relationships Everyone still checks their email Keeps your brand top of mind Email marketing is inexpensive Email marketing is action-oriented You can tailor your message to your customers Email marketing is measurable and testable Respond to change We all know change is inevitable; it’s a constant factor. As a business owner – whether B2B, B2C, small/large scale or online, you need to embrace change as a contributing factor to business success. You should be willing to adapt to the dynamic nature of the environment and be flexible. The market and economy keep changing; customer demands seem to change as well. You have to keep up with these changes if you must succeed this year. When you’re unable to adapt, it’s likely you’ll lose customers and profits which will eventually result in a total failure of your business. You wouldn’t want that, would you? I don’t think so. Always bear in mind that the world keeps evolving; you need to keep up with the change.
Toyin Umesiri: Many people do not think much of Africa, but we can prove them wrong
Toyin Umesiri is an entrepreneur and the convener for the Trade with Africa Business Summit. In 2017, she made the big leap from corporate America into full-time entrepreneurship to focus on increasing trade between U.S. and Africa. After over a decade of working in corporate America, at Fortune 1 & Fortune 150 companies. She is now taking all the lessons learned, skills acquired and global networks built as leverage in empowering businesses on the continent of Africa. Tell us about your background I was born in the northern state of Kaduna, Nigeria. For my first degree, I attended Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and graduated with a BSc. in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. In the fall of 2004, I arrived in the U.S. to pursue a Master’s program in Information Systems at Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Upon the completion of my graduate degree in 2006, I joined Whirlpool Corporation in Michigan as an Analyst. I grew my career there designing and developing global technology solutions that addressed complex business problems in manufacturing, finance and supply chain. In 2013 I was hired as a manager to help roll out the global sourcing solution for Walmart in the UK and North America. I am passionate about empowering women and I have had the opportunity to serve on various leadership committees that advanced women’s agenda. In 2016 I was published in a book called ‘Leading Women’ and was also featured as a leading and inspirational woman in technology on the platform. What made you walk away from Walmart to start Nazaru, and what skills would you say you acquired that prepared you to start your own company? I have been on a journey of reconnecting with Africa for the past 2 years. It all started when I made an emergency trip to Nigeria in 2015 following the passing of my father. And that one trip changed my life. While there I had the honour of writing a mini-biography of my father which gave me a front row seat to understanding how he lived. The experience rocked my world and I came to realize that my late father was a man that served his community in meaningful ways. Following that trip, I decided I needed to be of greater service to my generation. I didn’t know exactly how to help then but after 2 years of research in this area, I do now. When I returned to my base in Arkansas I made a strong commitment to Africa. Being naturally situated in the global headquarters of Walmart it was there that I first ignited my dialogue on Africa. It began with asking questions like – What does Africa need? – What are the current levels of Africa’s Non-oil exports to the U.S.? -What will it take to increase these numbers? e.t.c. As I engaged stakeholders and business executives around the world it became clear that there was a huge gap in information available about the region. This knowledge is now informing the type of work that I do through my company Nazaru LLC and the Event ‘Trade with Africa Business Summit”. Nazaru is a platform that allows Africa’s exporters to showcase what they want to sell on the global market. Following various conversations with decision makers around the world, it appears that there is little to no visibility on what Africa has available. We are starting with visibility to the commodity as phase 1 but there is a long-term strategy that we are working hard towards. For over a decade I have led multiple multi-year, multi-million dollar projects across the supply chain, manufacturing, procurement, global sourcing and merchandising and this has allowed me to know what it takes to run a large business end to end. In my past roles, I also designed multi-year technology roadmaps and strategies working with executives that ran the multi-billion dollar company, Walmart. I am grateful for the experience and opportunities that I had there to grow my career but when my passion for Africa grew too big to joggle with my daily responsibilities, I knew it was time to follow my heart. How did you come up with the name ‘Nazaru’ for your Startup? Due to the uniqueness of my work and how closely tied it is to my faith and work journey when it was time to name my company I wanted something with deep symbolism. Nazaru has its roots in the scriptures (John 1:46) and is short for Nazareth. There was a question raised in that verse that said “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” and Philip answered, “Come and see”. In Africa’s case, there are many who still who do not think much of Africa, but we can prove them wrong. Africa is filled with hard-working men and women, young and old focused on positioning themselves for a better future. What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far and how do you deal with it? When you are inside of the corporate world all the resources you need are right there and provided for you. Outside not so much. The other challenge is getting people to hear about what I am doing and getting them to support. It has been very rewarding and the cool thing is that many people actually have a passion for Africa so my role, I am coming to realize, is to serve as a catalyst and a connector. To make the event successful,l I have the partnership of large recognizable brands and trade organizations like the World Trade Center and USAID East Africa Trade and Economic Hub. Their engagement and support allow me to have a greater impact and reach more people so that African based businesses can benefit from engaging in increased trade with U.S. companies. How is the event ‘Trade with Africa Business Summit 2018’ different from other held events focused on Africa? The Trade with Africa Business Summit is different in that you will find business executives leading this