4 ways to overcome your fear of public speaking
[bctt tweet=”Feel the world is crumbling around you when you speak in public? It’s time to overcome your fear” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] When it comes to public speaking, we’re all different. For some people, it can come easily, and for others, it can feel as if the world is crumbling down. Especially when you’re trying to speak without sounding like you don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s frustrating. But keeping quiet and not practising will not make it better. This can be in the workplace, in school, even in social settings. Is the right time to get exposed to it? A good starting point would be these observations I’ve made over the past few years: 1. Set a target for networking events and conferences It’s very easy to go to networking events and decide to only speak to one person before the event starts. One lesson I learnt was to go to an event with the intention of having spoken to three other people. Speaking to more than one person helps you deal with different kinds of people. It also helps you learn how people react to you speaking, and in learning how to interpret people’s body language. [bctt tweet=”Speaking to more than one person helps you deal with different kinds of people” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Learning someone’s body language will help in determining in whether or not they’re interested in what you’re saying. People become disinterested during conversations therefore the more networking events you attend or more people outside your circle you interact with, the more you learn to be able to turn the conversation around. Even though this isn’t public speaking, learning to read people’s body language in a smaller setting can feed into how you interpret people’s interests and attention span in larger crowds. 2. Join Toastmasters One of the best pieces of advice received a few months ago was to join Toastmasters to help overcome my fear of public speaking. This was, and still is a daunting idea. Firstly, it requires that you actually speak in front of people you wouldn’t initially know. But this is a great way to learn, and also a good step towards overcoming your fear. You could also bypass attending the networking events, because joining a Toastmaster’s club helps you get right into speaking in front of people. But it’s important to take baby steps and move at your own pace. It becomes second nature to you the more you are acquainted with people and the art of public speaking. 3. Volunteer to facilitate meetings and workshops If you’re in corporate and can get the chance and experience to facilitate a meeting or workshop, then volunteer to do so. One of the best, and most challenging aspect about this is that you’ll find that you’ll be speaking to different people at different meetings or workshops. This is where studying the body language and possibly joining a Toastmaster’s club will come in handy. [bctt tweet=”It’s important to keep calm and take a few pauses to get over your fear of public speaking” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 4. Prepare yourself and keep calm Prepare yourself and keep calm before any public speaking that you do. Especially when you’re still in the beginning stages of trying to overcome your fear of speaking in public. Write a few notes to keep yourself on track and keep these with you during public speaking. But it’s also important to keep calm, take a few pauses in between. Taking those few pauses will help you process whether or not you have been speaking too fast. The audience will also receive your message clearly when you speak calmly.
5 tips to make the most of a slow day at work
When the big conference is over or the quarterly sales report is in, then comes the slow day. Everyone in today’s workplace has moments of downtime every now and then —as you probably do if you’re reading this. But forget #NetflixAndChill, it’s time to #HustleAndChill. Even if you’re excelling at your job, now isn’t the time to rest on your laurels. Use these slow days as opportunities for self-improvement by checking in on your goals rather than your Facebook or Instagram. Here are a few tips for what to do when you find yourself with a few extra hours on your hands: Plan ahead You know how your boss lovingly exclaims, “What would I do without you?” Make sure he or she is prepared for the unexpected sick day or your departure for a new position by drafting a detailed list of your daily, weekly, and monthly activities to ensure that your successor will be well equipped to follow in your footsteps. It’ll also help you avoid forgetting the little things like sending a check for a vendor or drafting invitations to an annual event. It’s never too early to start on hand-over notes —it’s easier to remember what you’re doing while you’re doing it rather than racking your brain as you’re headed out the door. (You’ll also earn brownie points from your boss that will help you maintain a good relationship even after you’re gone). Learn As the saying goes, “good things come to those who hustle.” Got your eye on a raise or promotion? Take this slow period as an opportunity to learn a new skill or hone a weak one. If you increase your value to your company, your employer will be more likely to reward your efforts. Sign up for a webinar, listen to a podcast, or take an online class from sites like Coursera, Skillshare, or edX. Interested in shifting to another role? Visit other departments and learn about their work. Even if your colleagues only need help with menial tasks, they’ll appreciate the favor (and be more likely to return it when you’re in a crunch). Organize To maximize your time when things are busy, set yourself up for success by organizing your paperwork. Organize your online and offline space by saving those client emails that you took hours to draft, filing feedback on projects that you can reference during your next feedback session, and making sure your work space is tidy. A clear space leads to a clear mind. Connect Having a good reputation in your field is part performance, part visibility. According to the Harvard Business Review, “workers are happiest in their jobs when they have friendships with co-workers.” Take advantage of your free time, and follow up with other industry professionals as well as current and former colleagues. It’s an opportunity to build trust and camaraderie at work, but also learn more about what’s going on at your company and in your industry. Grab lunch or coffee or simply spend time acknowledging the contributions of those around you with a handwritten note —old-fashioned gestures are always appreciated. Daydream In today’s competitive global economy, people are being paid more to think than to manufacture. So along with your A-game, it’s time to bring your imagination to work if you’re gunning for that promotion. After all, Archimedes had his “eureka” moment in the bathtub, Newton developed the theory of gravity while lounging in his mother’s garden, and J.K. Rowling came up with Harry Potter while staring out a train window. Now, imagine if those people had been new deep in the drudgery of paperwork or catching up on email. Studies show that daydreaming indicates an active mind more open to creative breakthroughs. Creativity is about thinking outside the box, so put away the phone, turn off the monitor, and let your mind wander. You might just come up with the next game changer.
The power of connections & community
At the beginning of 2016, I found myself in an unmotivated space filled with uncertainty and a lack of fulfillment. I knew that I needed a boost of encouragement and inspiration but I wasn’t sure where it would come from. I wanted to feel empowered; like I was doing something impactful. Five months ago, I was scrolling through my Instagram timeline and came across the SheHive NYC event posted by one of my favorite African bloggers. I did a little research on the organization and quickly decided to attend. I was impressed by the lineup of speakers and felt a strong need to connect with African women. Being born and raised in Sweden to African parents, I always had a strong urge to get involved at some capacity in Africa and diaspora. As expected, so many inspiring and accomplished women spoke during the conference, but there was one talk in particular that struck me. Bisila Bokoko took the stage and immediately caught my attention. All I kept thinking was…how can I get 20 minutes with this powerful woman? After she completed her presentation, the ladies at the event swarmed around her so I decided to approach her differently. Connecting out of the box The next day, I sent her a message through LinkedIn and asked if I could take her out to lunch. She agreed, and our lunch turned into an impactful two hours of sharing ideas, stories and goals. After our meeting, Bisila invited me to collaborate on BB Knows Best ——her seminar series aiming to influence, empower and advise women to pursue their dreams and goals. Our true passion for empowering women of all ages led to this to this event which took place in New York City on October 19th, 2016. There is immense power in connecting and communicating; especially for young women in business as we are a minority that is vastly growing. The need for building genuine connections and a meaningful network is imperative. A simple elevator conversation can turn into a successful collaboration or partnership. Contrary to my state earlier this year, I am now on the path to achieving my personal and professional goals. That wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t take the opportunity to enter into an unknown space and connect with the wonderful women at SheHive NYC. Bisila and I are looking forward to encouraging more women to step out confidently and connect.
You need workplace inspections
Last week, Ada noticed the office photocopier wasn’t working rightly. She thought it was negligible but didn’t say anything to anyone. The office has never had a workplace inspection plan. Yesterday, when Kate started to use the machine, she got electrocuted. Thankfully, Biola saw her and immediately switched off the equipment. Kate did not die. However, she sustained injuries. Now, that was very close! Who wants to waste business funds on scenarios that could have been avoided? These things happen! A lot of potential hazards can be stopped from growing into accidents through workplace inspections. Most times, we take happenings in the workplace for granted. Other times, we create tasks for ourselves and employees wrongly. Regular inspections can expose existing and potential danger. Hazards like a sharp nail, a blown fuse, faulty equipment, poor workstation design, uneven floors have a high potential to cause injuries and illnesses. Someone might be thinking “This is not for me”. Hold that thought. Are some more prone to injuries than others? Anyone can get injured on any type of job. People faint, fires start, people trip and fall, machines malfunction in various businesses. To really get things right, you would need a Safety Professional to help you with safety inspections. However, on your own you can begin to assess the work process (Are there repetitive tasks? Is the task properly designed? Do staff have sufficient break time?), the environment (What is the noise level? Is the workplace too hot or too cold?), the equipment (Does it malfunction? Is it appropriate for the particular task?). Workplace inspections could be done daily, weekly or monthly depending on the scale and nature of business. Workplace inspections are important to start-ups because they help you: Identify existing and potential hazards (danger) Recommend corrective actions Interact with employees and know their concerns as they perform their daily tasks Monitor existing corrective actions So, what have you observed at work that could lead to harm? Do something about it!
4 African beauty bloggers bringing something extra
Before I put fingers to keyboard for this article, I wasn’t sure how I was going to go about this beauty police work. I’m not a total novice to all things beauty but let’s just say I’ll rather watch Crime and Investigation than Style Network. Thanks to man’s new best friend, I was able to get the word for who is hot and who is not in the beauty blogging atmosphere. Some names rang a bell, a few I follow on social media but they were a lot of others I never heard of. After feeding off cyber world, I narrowed down four beauty bloggers I felt had something extra to bring to the table. Ezine Alfa (Nigerian) There is a reason this name came up in most articles and I totally agree with those writers. Anyone who is ready to show me how to do flawless make up, give me details on where to buy them and even the price in my local currency definitely will get me hooked! I put her on my list because she absolutely got the 411 on everything beauty in Lagos, which by the way is the name of her blog. Clare Oparo (Ugandan) What strikes me about Clare is her attention to the details other beauty bloggers don’t usually focus on. The Wolf & Moroko blogger talks about make up ingredients and how it affects different skin tones and textures. I think this is so important because my skin reacts to some make-up brands and i don’t know why this happens. I’m so excited I discovered this beauty with the brains; I can now get useful tips on brands to avoid for my type of skin. What does it profit a girl to wear all this nice makeup, only to get acne or some kind of awful skin reaction the following morning? Simone Stephens (South African) I am a sucker for inspirational women. So, it’s no surprise that this South African lady is on my list. Even as she hands out beauty tips, she motivates and inspires the average woman, lady or girl to boost her confidence and self-image. I also like that she samples very affordable products, so if you don’t want to break the bank just to look good, she’s the blogger for you. Go check her out on Canvas Fashions by Simone Jennie Jenkins (Nigerian) I’m going to be straight with you guys, Jennie is on my list because she is Jennie! Yea I said it! I really like Jennie Jenkins; what intrigues me most about her is the way she transforms into different looks with her hair and makeup. I am subscribed to her YouTube channel and have been stalking following her on IG, Snapchat and Facebook. Watch her YouTube channel beautybyJJ for dashing makeup looks. So there you have it… my own version of African beauty bloggers who are killing the game, completely based on my sentiments and bias ☺
Solving the equation: Work + Life + Family = ?
I have three children ages 4, 6 and 12. I also run three businesses, my legal practice NKS Advocates, Law Query Kenya, an online legal resource portal with an android app and an entrepreneur empowerment company plus online directory with Mpower Limited. Then, I also have a social life. As you can imagine, it is hectic. What surprised me a lot is that the hardest task is attending to my family. The needs of the family are financially, emotionally and time consuming. My family need to be listened to, acknowledged, praised, and identified as individuals. This, I assure you, is quite time consuming. Yet, it is extremely rewarding when the family member feels happy and loved. The number of hugs and kisses I need to dish out per day keep on increasing. I don’t complain because, I brought my children to this world and I must take care of them. They are a priority! Still, the greatest resource they consume is time! The effect of being a mother is that, now, my hours are spent more on the children. My businesses are really affected by this. When it comes to this balance, a woman needs to decide what is important. To me, my family and business are important. And yes, I have friends and social obligations that are important too. So, how can I possibly manage? Focus on important things first I struggle with this because I usually like to get everything done. So, nowadays, I need to balance my day according to importance and urgency. Important means tasks that leave more impact or need more personal input. Sometimes, ME time trumps everything! Make sure your to-do list not a wishlist! How you execute your operations or business may need to be revisited. Do you really need to have physical meeting with a client? This takes up a lot of time in travel and may disrupt (in a positive way) your day. Reducing physical meetings and focusing on deliverables can free up some time. Many companies now have self-help options to reduce physical contact while addressing routine issues. Technology has helped reduce disrupted time and create more time for actual quality work. This should be used optimally as it can also become a disruption in itself or distance you from your customer. Get help Without relinquishing responsibility, consider getting someone else to help you get things done. The domestic help can ensure homework is done so you only need to check it and sign the diary (clearly you cannot delegate this). I rely on school transport and lunches for my children. It saves me two to three hours a day. For my businesses too, I get good help. It costs a lot but the peace of mind is worth it. Of course, I still take meetings but after putting my schedule on my phone calendar, I’m rarely double-booked. Also, I make sure my meeting locations are as near each other as possible or in a logical sequence. One of my top peeves is rushing through traffic. What I have learnt with getting help is you can’t just instruct and wash your hands off it. There is need for supervision and direction. This requires periodic meetings and checking of all deliverables constantly. I manage this through emails and phone calls. I have all my office emails transferred to the email on my phone so that I don’t miss anything. One thing I don’t delegate is strategic planning, and money matters! Also, when there is a crisis you need to show up! Have good systems in place Having standard systems and templates helps to manage quality control and brand equity. The customer satisfaction should be the same whether you are serving directly or through your staff. The system should be linked to your phone or home computer so that you can check on things at any moment. I have installed an internet based management system in one business, and I’m still trying it out. Peer support Talk to people who are successful in your field and get enormous insight. In particular, I realize that they have managed the same challenges I have and succeeded. It is amazing how mentors are ready to answer questions and give practical and workable tips. I used to stumble in the dark until I got a mentor who put on the lights for me. Talk to peers (other entrepreneurs) who can share tips or information on opportunities and are more frequently available. Take thirty minutes out of your day and have coffee with your peers. You’ll always leave re-energized, not just from the coffee but from having learnt something new. Of course, I don’t mean idle chat sessions, that’s for your ME time! Capacity building Learning, networking and growing are key for any progress and success. You cannot know everything, there are new models and concepts coming out every day. Take some time to know current trends and news affecting your industry. Same applies to bringing up children, keep abreast with latest threats and trends. When you have knowledge of what you are doing, it becomes easy and you can teach someone else. An entrepreneur must have knowledge on key aspects of the business human resource, operations, procurement, customer care, marketing, finance and strategic planning. Don’t have time to attend conferences and seminars (this is highly recommended due to the diversity of participants)? No problem, the internet is your university. There are loads of excellent programs online. I personally love TED Talks, webinars, and online courses e.g. Alison, Coursera and EdEx. These are free resources that can build capacity and keep you abreast with latest trends. Me time Schedule ME time to re-energize and refresh. A tired mind is worse than a tired body. I refresh through service clubs, socializing, pampering/exercise, travelling, reading and quiet time. Schedule this and make sure it’s in your list of Things to Do! To have it all, the key thing is, “First things First, Important things First”. It doesn’t have to
3 things to consider before changing jobs
So, maybe your current employer is not bae or you have another suitor knocking at your door. Whichever the case, there are key elements you need to look at before jumping ship or looking for greener pastures. These elements might be in your best interests in the long run. 1. Is it in line with your future goals? Compensation and monetary benefits are always, most likely, our first motivating factor when looking for a job. However, once you do get a career that pays you more than peanuts, you might slowly realize you are not really cut out for it. Especially if you are not meant to be in that field. You will be comfortable for a few months but that itch to leave will come back sooner than you can say rands and nairas. When looking to changing jobs, you might want to look at what you really want to do with your career path. Think beyond your current needs. 5, 10 even 15 years from now is that better-paying job something you would still want to be doing then? Is it in line with your values and vision for your career? Have you even thought about your career beyond your current situation? Evaluate your career choice and what you want to do before putting cheddar first. 2. Is it flexible? Sure, it’s cool to occasionally spend an extra few hours at a job, finishing off a project. But you may never realize the time constraints of a new environment and new responsibilities. If you have aspirations of starting other side hustles, you have to give it a lot of thought. Will a new job allow you to be able to push the passion projects you have on the side? Beyond the obvious benefits of a new job and the fringe benefits, you need to consider your own development and growth. Will you have time to pursue a short course, start a business, read SLA articles or listen to a webinar? Your time is an asset that is more valuable than you think. Consider your current projects and if your new job would allow you to still fully commit to them and their success. You have to know what you value as important before making the big leap. 3. Will you grow? Yeah, you want a new job cause you get to work in a company your mom has actually heard about and will be able to tell her friends about without embarrassing you. However, some employers will not necessarily give you the growth opportunity you are looking for. You might not be able to flex your creative, innovative or strategic muscle if you are a small cog in a big machine, even if the machine isn’t that big. You want to be able to move to a career that will allow you experiment, learn and grow and hopefully apply your expertise. This is not always ideal or realistic. However, you do not want to end up feeling stunted and unappreciated which is bad for both you and your employer. Consider asking people who already work for that employer about their experience. Ask about the opportunities available for growth and if they consider employees an important asset. Thinking about it first and laying your options beforehand will definitely help you. You’d be able to make a more informed and prepared decision than if you had not. Happy job hunting.
“Do, Be, Give”: How three simple words sparked a quiet revolution in my life
Like most, I had heard of the book “Eat, Pray, Love” and found the concept intriguing. However, I had never had the inclination to read it up until a few months ago. I was catching up with a friend one afternoon when she told me about someone she knew who recently quit a corporate office job in New York and embarked on a 3-month journey to Europe and Africa to relax and regroup. What made her story even more interesting was that she had decided on a theme for her trip : “Do, Be, Give”, drawing inspiration from the life-story in the book. I was going through a turbulent time in my life. Unsatisfied with the way things were, hearing this story gave me the impetus to make a change. I decided to also read the book and later went on a 3-month journey of my own. I would like to share my experience with you. DO When I started my second Master’s degree in 2013, my goal was to land a job as a consultant at the end of the program. I applied to pretty much every consulting firm in the greater Amsterdam area and was met with either a rejection email, or —worse still, silence. Self-doubt began to creep in: maybe I was too old, maybe I lacked a business background, maybe I was handicapped because I didn’t speak the local language, maybe I had picked the wrong major. With every rejection came new forms of doubt. I landed a job as an analyst for a healthcare non-profit and for a while I got sidetracked from pursuing my original goal. My job was good enough, but I always had this nagging feeling that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be and I wasn’t doing what I ought to be doing. After I decided to act on the “Do, Be, Give” concept, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and resume applying for consulting jobs. One day, out of the blue, I got a text from a friend about a job with the United Nations. Though I felt like it was a long shot, I applied. A little over 3 months later, I am packing my bags for a two-year adventure as a consultant for the UN in Zambia. Challenge: What’s the one thing you’ve always dreamt of doing but haven’t gotten round to yet? Do you dream of starting a business, traveling the world or going back to school? What is stopping you? If money and time weren’t obstacles, what is the one thing you’d do with your life right now? Focus intently on your goal, let the attainment of it motivate you daily and have the courage to go for it. BE In a previous article, I talked briefly about my struggle with depression. For me, this disorder is like knowing the sun is shining but not feeling its warmth. It has not only affected my mental and emotional state but also my physical and social well-being. Alongside therapy and support from friends and family, I chose to start medication during an especially tough period last year. This helped for a while; I was able to get through the day but on the flip side, I felt like my life was on mute. I could finally see all the colours but I couldn’t hear the music. Even though I no longer felt sad, I didn’t feel happy either. For the “Do, Be, Give” challenge, I have made the decision to wean myself off of medication* because I feel I am at a place in life where I am stronger, both mentally and physically. I want to know how it feels to be free from medication: to eat and sleep “normally”. It was a huge, scary step. I kept asking myself; what if I failed? What if things became worse again? So many what-ifs. I prepared myself for the unknown and took a leap of faith. So far, so good. I feel free and some days, I am happy. Other days are still a struggle, but I’m getting to where I want to be. This experience has strengthened my self-confidence, and ability to think and act in my best interests. Challenge: Who are you are now, and who do you want to be in future? What do you need to do to become that person? Any limiting self-beliefs you need to let go of? What truths do you need to embrace to finally inhabit the state of being you have been dreaming of? GIVE For a long time, I toyed with the idea of starting a non-profit organisation. I wanted to help improve the lives of others in a meaningful and engaging way. I knew what I wanted to do, but couldn’t do it alone. A close friend got married this year and I had the privilege of being one of her bridesmaids. As fate would have it, one of us turned out to be a young doctor with a passion for non-profit and youth development. I went out on a limb and shared my vision with her of wanting to create an NGO based in Nigeria. She embraced the idea wholeheartedly and this is how, Give Girls A Chance was born. Our goal is to provide educational and mentorship opportunities to girls from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they too may enjoy access to and benefits of quality education. My working on this project has given me a new friend and a co-visionary: we are one inch closer to seeing the manifestation of our dream. Challenge: What change do you wish to see in your community and in the world? Are you willing to give up something to see this dream become a reality? Your turn If there is something you’ve been meaning to do, find the courage to do it. If there’s a state of being that you’ve been meaning to inhabit, find the fortitude to embrace it. If there’s a cause dear to
4 life lessons you can learn from Kanye West
This is a women-focused platform, right? Now I’m pro-women, so I won’t pretend that the unfortunate misogynistic way Kanye West sometimes refers to women in his music doesn’t make me squirm. Still, I can say that Kanye is one of my favourite public personalities. Now, usually, when I tell people this, I immediately drop a bit on their respectability scale. I’m surprisingly okay with this. His creativity is the stuff of legends, and having watched him over the years, this visionary artist has given me a few good ideas about life. “Don’t tell me about being likeable” When this modern day philosopher appeared on The Ellen Show , he came ready to inspire. Kanye started off by lamenting the fact that so many great innovators are dead. Then he challenged the fascination people have with being ‘likeable’, as opposed to being great. Firstly let me say; I do believe that you should be able to read your audience. Not everyday do ‘The Most’. The message is just as important as the delivery. One of my favourites, Melody Hobson calls the art of doing this ‘making yourself small to win’. However, the way that my personality is set up…in my experience, assertive and aggressive are sometimes used interchangeably when describing women leaders. It’s an unfortunate way that my cultural context, personality, and #MotherlandMogul goals intersect. While some celebrate assertiveness in women, others are quick to throw out labels like ‘bossy’, ‘pushy’ and others that we probably can’t put up here. Sheryl Sandberg dedicated a whole chapter in her book Lean In to the negative association between success and likeability. Don’t let likeability be a millstone around your neck. Work on what needs to be worked on, but don’t fixate on what is outside of your control. Continuously seek growth like Kanye When the iconic Rockerfeller Records split, this maverick musician had to make a tough choice. Kanye had to decide whether he should continue working with either Jay-Z or Damon Dash, and he opted for the former. Why? Simple, he chose growth. Admitting that he related more to Damon Dash than he did to Jay-Z, he decided that he would stick with Mr. Beyonce because they were so different. I’ve learnt that comfort is the enemy of growth. Karin Sebelin says; “People who agree boost our confidence, but they don’t give us stuff to think about and to grow…We need healthy conflicts and differing perspectives to really become thoughtful and get seduced to think in a deeper way.” Be deliberate about finding people and spaces that help you grow. Conviction is King This is embodied by the hook from his song ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’. The rebel rapper sings; “Excuse me, is you saying something? Uh-uh you can’t tell me nothing!” This line highlights what we already know; Kanye West is not someone who is easily swayed. My journey so far has not been linear, and in order to survive periods of uncertainty I have had to learn how toxic doubt can be. I believe we all innately know the way to our own greatness. The key is trusting yourself enough to navigate toward it. Criticism and doubt from ourselves and others stifles this. Tech Entrepreneur Rapelang Rabana shares how her journey required her to have the utmost faith in her conviction. She says; “I had made the decision to start my business despite the confusion, turbulent thoughts and emotions, not knowing what life would hold. Now, the trust I placed in myself to chart my own path has reaped rewards I never could have conceived, all because I dared to listen to myself. Knowing the value of that choice 10 years on gave me great peace.” Learn to reflect and celebrate When I first heard the song ‘Last Call’ I really didn’t get why Kanye would spend over six minutes on an outro that just recounted his rise to success. SIX minutes fam? I now realise how crucial taking a second to remember and honour your journey is. It is about maintaining perspective: the more you are deliberate about keeping it, the more of it you will have. Let me let Oprah say it: “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” What would we do without Kanye West?!
Celebrating small time business women: 5 lessons for the #MotherlandMogul
“Buy tomatoes!” “Buy your frozen fish!” Where I come from, the voices of women calling out to customers can be heard as early as 7 am. I believe that the local, small scale business woman has a lot to teach young women in cities looking to startup their businesses. Growing up, I took note of how these local business women conduct their businesses, and noticed some habits. Forget stereotypes, they are not weak, they do not whimper and they do not wait for men to feed or clothe them. These women have pull and sway and most of all, they do it to provide education for their children. Here are some of them that have sustained local business women over the years and that you can learn from. 1. Consistency and persistence At many warehouses, vegetable markets or cold rooms, it is not unusual to see women exhibiting highly skilled bargaining powers over produce to purchase at 5 am. Growing up, I had a neighbor who cooked food daily to sell to the early morning crowd. She was always up before 3:30 am. I am amazed at the tenacity, determination and savvy displayed by these small time business women, many of whom are uneducated. The “local” business woman, over the years, builds her customer base by being consistent and persistent even in the face of bad sales and weather. She is there, in the rain and in the sun. Small time business women never take holidays or breaks, even at Christmas! For those who trade in seasonal goods like green vegetables, they go far and wide to source for their goods off season, albeit at a higher cost. I’m not saying you don’t deserve a vacation, but you can learn to be as focused on your trade as the fruit seller at your local market. 2. Trustworthiness My grandmother never heard of a business plan or proposal. Yet, till her death at the ripe age of 103, people gave her money for safekeeping. What’s more, she sent my mother and her sisters to school up to university from the money she made selling farm produce. People came from far to trade with my grandmother asserting her honest dealings as reason. My mom followed in her foot steps, selling garri at the next village and buying dried fish from that village to sell in hers. During her diploma days in school, my mom would fly to Lagos and buy clothes and sell them at the secondary school where she worked. She is still running her business. Now she distributes well refined palm oil. My mom practices the honest business ethic of her mother. Even after changing businesses, she still retained the patronage of her clients. The most popular words about her are “Miss no dey cheat person and she no dey sell fake things”. That’s Nigerian pidgin for, “Miss is honest and sells high quality products.” 3. Customer care With sweet words, smiles and cajoling, local business women can change the minds of their customers. Talk about the art of seduction! (In a non-sexual context of course). Ladies, I am describing a specific woman here, delete the idea of the “market woman” you have in your mind and instead picture this woman. These women start out with greetings, calling the customers either “auntie”, “uncle” or by their names or children’s names and asking them personal questions based on details garnered over time from previous discussions. They listen and file away information for future use. This gives the customer a sense of importance. Some go as far as having the customer’s personal number and calling to just say “hi”. Imagine the lady that sells roasted plantains calling to check in on her customer. It happens! Some women even go out of their way to serve as personal shoppers for the customer if the need arises. Talk about diversification. The local business woma may have never read a book on the art of marketing, but she could probably sell ice to an Eskimo. They probably never heard of customer care, but the have loyal customers spanning years. 4. Sound investments These small time business women may not know of investments but they have savings and assets. They invest their money wisely, from saving in various forms of local thrift savings scheme to buying real gold with resale values. They are also usually involved in property, building and leasing out houses. Better still, majority of them own several houses which they rent out. And all this to ensure that they are investing in something more precious, their children’s education. It is not strange to see a woman whose children are engineers now based abroad, thanks to the money she made from selling akara (Bean cakes) every morning. 5. Information Any local business woman has her ears always open for news concerning her business. Whether it is increase in wholesale prices, new products in the market, fall in prices, customer’s most popular demand, etc. They make sure they’re always in the know. They form tight bonds with their wholesale traders who in turn keep them in the loop. In summary, the small scale business women are the women we should not forget to celebrate today. They are the women on whose backbones some of us have grown and excelled, whose examples we have unconsciously followed. These Motherland Moguls didn’t care to sit down and twiddle their thumbs. They did not let their degrees —or lack thereof, or their social standings or background hinder them. These women who have defined “The African Woman”. I personally celebrate my mother, wife, friend, sister and multi-entrepreneur Patience Irene Omoruyi. Who do you celebrate?