Twitter Chat with Taffi Ayodele: Pitching your business to investors
You’ve got the idea for your business down and you’ve even started making sales. You are ready to grow your business, but the funds simply aren’t there. Lack of financing and where to look for it is one of the biggest setbacks for entrepreneurs and access to it can make or break a fledgling business. One solution to the “where to look for investors” problem is pitch competitions and other established programs that – once you get into them – bring the investors to you. Now all you have to do is woo said investors. But how do you go about finding these programs? How do you apply to one? How do you make the most of the opportunity? And how do you ensure your pitch stands out once the investors come around? Join us Thursday Nov. 17th for a Twitter chat with Taffi Ayodele, the co-founder of Thando’s, a fashionable African footwear brand. Thando’s participated in SLA’s 2014 Pitch Competition and were the 3rd place winners. Utilizing skilled African artisans, Thando’s creates comfortable, foldable and beautiful flats for the busy woman. Follow She Leads Africa on twitter and use the hashtag #SLAChats to ask your questions and participate in the discussion. Topics that we’ll cover: How to find out where the investors will be Finding, applying & making the most of pitch competitions & accelerator programs Preparing to pitch to investors Thando’s journey & how they have grown since 2014 Twitter chat details Date: Thursday Nov. 17, 2016 Time: 12pm NYC // 6pm Lagos // 8pm Nairobi Location: Follow She Leads Africa on twitter and use the hashtag #SLAChats Help us spread the word: [bctt tweet=”Join @ThandosShoes for #SLAChats about pitching to investors Nov. 16 at 6pm Lagos time” via=”yes”] About Taffi Ayodele Taffi Ayodele holds an MBA specializing in Global Business and Entrepreneurship and a BA in Economics from NYU. Taffi was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of New York University and serves on the Global Initiatives and Student Life committees. Prior to Stern, she served as Director of the Office of Executive Initiatives at the New York State Dormitory Authority where she developed Authority-wide diversity programs and initiatives to broaden procurement opportunities and increase utilization of women and minority-owned businesses. Together with her partner, J.G. Ayodele, Taffi founded Thando’s. Their mutual love for Africa, art and each other, inspired them to create an innovative footwear line that facilitates a modern woman’s busy lifestyle while supporting African artists.
Emotional Intelligence: The surest way to take your business to the next level
[bctt tweet=”This is why a high Emotional Intelligence Quotient is important for #MotherlandMoguls ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Emotional Intelligence is the magic wand for your business. If you’re passionate about starting a business that will be highly successful, or trying hard to take your existing business to the next level, then you have to read this. Various works of research have shown that we need more than knowledge or high Intelligence Quotient (IQ) to really succeed in life —more-so, at running a business. As an entrepreneur, it is important to attend business school, read wide, have a firm grip of your industry, and know what works and what does not. But even more important is having a high Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ). And this is because business in its entirety is all about people; whether you deal in products or services, you’re dealing with people. Emotional Intelligence has to do with understanding our feelings and those of others. It is that “thing” which determines how we make personal decisions, respond to emotions, interact with people, and sail through social intricacies. How do you offer the best service possible to your clients when you don’t understand how they feel? Despite what many believe, this form of intelligence comprises a set of skills that can be learned and applied every day. Let’s take a look at some of these recipes for success. [bctt tweet=”You have to have control over your own emotions if you hope to keep your clients, and add new ones” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] You need to have emotional self-control To understand people, it’s important to understand yourself first. You have to have control over your own emotions —the way you react to issues or situations— if you hope to keep your clients, and add many new ones. Having emotional self-control means you can respond to negative situations rationally rather than emotionally. Don’t forget that people enjoy doing business with someone that is emotionally stable. And that means a lot for the growth of your enterprise. To have emotional self-control, you have to be aware of your emotions from time to time. For example, the presence of negative emotions like anger, anxiety, pessimism, sadness can weigh you down and take a drastic turn on your business. But once you’re aware of them, what triggers them, and how they affect you, then they can be put in check over time. I mean you can manage them as much as possible. I know this can be challenging at first, things would always get better with time. In essence, to move ahead in your business —and even your career— you must stay motivated. And to stay motivated, you have to have control over your emotions. [bctt tweet=”The window to the heart of your customers is active listening, that’s why Emotional Intelligence comes in” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Adopt listening as a skill Running a business has everything to do with managing relationships. Yet it is practically impossible to manage relationships without getting to know the concerns or perspectives of others. The window to the heart of your prospective or existing customers is active listening. Let them tell you what and how they feel about your product or service with a lot of assurance that you care. Listening goes beyond just hearing someone else. It’s a skill that could be used to set your business —and indeed your life— on the path of great success. From your business partners and investors to clients and staff, you should pay adequate attention to whatever ideas or suggestions they put across to you. Whether you approve of their ideas or not, make sure to listen with rapt attention and nod in acknowledgement. Why is this essential? People enjoy doing business with someone they like, one who listens to them, their complaints as well as their feedback. Many business owners are too busy chasing profit without considering the magical power of active listening. They’ve forgotten that when they listen effectively to their customers, they would get more insight into how people view their products or services. And this in some way would hint them as to what and what should be done to make their businesses perform better. Never underrate the power of listening; it could make a lot of difference in your business. Showing empathy is the way to go As an entrepreneur, it’s not enough to listen to those you’re transacting business with, showing care is essential. Think of your customers as yourself. Put yourself in their shoes. Be on the same page as your clients. Ask yourself: If I were the consumer of this product or service, how satisfied would I be? It’s good to let your business be that ‘person’ whom people are endeared to and are willing to be with no matter what because she cares. Showing empathy means looking into customers’ complaints with as much urgency as genuineness. It also means sincerely putting your customers first as far as the delivery of your service is concerned. [bctt tweet=”Beyond being intelligent and strategic, Emotional Intelligence is the great secret of success ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Emotional Intelligence is the magic wand for your business Beyond being intelligent and strategic, beyond having a vast knowledge about running a business, there remains a great secret of success that can help you lead effectively in your industry and that’s Emotional Intelligence. Although some are born with a high level of this form of intelligence, it can be learned. Once you take control of your emotions, use listening as an important skill and show great empathy for your clients, you’re already adopting Emotional Intelligence as a powerful tool to take your business to the next level. How emotionally intelligent are you? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
5 life lessons we can learn from Becca
[bctt tweet=”One failed option does not mean all is lost! Lesson learned from @beccafrica and her career” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Becca’s first appearance into the spotlight was on the second season of the TV3 annual singing competition, Mentor, where she was selected to represent the Ashanti Region, Ghana. The music mogul who barely had fame then, however had to pull out of the contest. This was after discovering that participants had been secretly tested and cleared of HIV/AIDS without their knowledge and consent. Also, because the terms of contract were not up for discussion and rather was a ‘take it or leave it’ affair. Upon quitting the show, Kiki Banson, under EKB records signed her and released her first debut studio album “Sugar” which got five nominations at the 2008 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Today Becca is a multiple award winner (Kora Award, one National Youth Achievers Award, four Ghana Music Awards, and three 4Syte TV Music Video Awards) and one of the most influential women in the country; a status she may not have acquired if she had not been bold and daring enough to stand her grounds. Here are five life lessons we can learn from Becca; 1. Know your rights and fight the system to do the right thing Many people are being taken advantage of and have had their rights infringed upon because they themselves are not aware of their civil and human rights. Becca knew her rights and knew they were being trampled upon when her consent was not sought before the HIV test was conducted. If you do not speak up against infringements and injustices, the world will assume you are okay with whatever treatment given to you. [bctt tweet=”Know what you are about and never accept just anything” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 2. Know what you are about and never accept just anything People who usually say “anything goes” are seen as indecisive, unfocused and complete pushovers. They are also often taken for granted. Knowing and expressing explicitly what you want and deserve will convey the message that you are not a pushover or easy prey to sleazy commitments. 3. Never be afraid to pull out of a negative environment When Becca found out that the contract she was given was not going to help her reach her goal, she pulled out. As humans, we sometimes adapt to a toxic place or an unhealthy environment not due to the lack of options but mostly due to fear of the unknown. Eventually, we end up paying dire consequences for our actions and choices. You need to learn how to let go of things, people and situations that can be a breeding ground for retrogression. 4. There are other ways to succeed There isn’t one formula for success so if going one way doesn’t help, try the other. Identify and if need be, create avenues to thrive; what matters is reaching your destination. Becca left a reality show and ended up with a record company which guided her to success and catapulted her to 5 nominations in the 2008 VGMAs. One failed option does not mean all is lost. In fact, it could be for a greater good or just the boost you need to get to your green land. [bctt tweet=” Resolve issues amicably and in the best and most healthy way possible” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 5. Always be the bigger person Life will always kick your butt; that is something we cannot control. What we can put a rheostat on however, is how we react to difficulties and problems we face. Don’t dwell too much on the past that you lose focus on the future. Resolve issues amicably and in the best and most healthy way possible so you can move on without any demons of the past.
Why research in business should be a daily routine
One of the very first lessons I learnt about entrepreneurship, is that if I don’t do it, someone else will and that once you do it, everyone else will. Let me break it down. The first lesson is probably much easier —someone will, eventually, spot the gap in the market and attempt to fill it. The latter is the lesson a lot of start-up entrepreneurs don’t want to think about. That once you decide to fill that gap, soon everyone else (and trust me, some of them have been sitting on the idea waiting for someone to do it first) will. This is because you are their case study and now they know the idea does in fact work. A typical first response is usually, “that’s my idea!”, when in fact, we should be thinking about the opportunity that it presents. The good news is, if you’re already thinking ‘competition’ and ‘unique selling point’ then you are halfway there. The answer is research, constant research. From my early high school days, I was obsessed with research, particularly on the Internet. It started with me always wanting to have the answers, because I hate not knowing. Gradually, it became a very educational and growth-fuelling hobby. Research, although mostly associated with reading, isn’t limited to that. Depending on the industry and sector you want to operate in, it could include you physically getting out of bed and attending seminars or, chilling by the Mall of Africa, watching how people walk, talk, laugh or studying what they are wearing, which shops they visit first and how they arrived there or, stalking interesting people on Twitter. The business environment is ever-changing and to get with the times, you need to research. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or an established one already, there is always room for growth and improvement. Research in theory You may not know it, but there are many forms in which research takes shape outside of Google and Yahoo, and these are three of the absolute favourites right now: Social media Yes, it’s not just about the number of likes on your latest pic. Facebook, Twitter and even Instagram can be a huge source of information. It allows you to tap into your (potential) ultimate client/customer’s mind. You will know what they are thinking and what they want —all of this is embedded in everything they complain about, decode it. It can also be a very good way to see how your closest competitors have positioned their products and services and learn from that. Trends grow on social media, if I see someone with a 10k followers wearing yellow jeans, I want to buy them. Keep an eye on people with huge followership and influence on societal behaviour, these are people commonly known as ‘twelebs’ and ‘felebs’. Blogs The beautiful thing about blogs is, the research is actually done for you (but be sure to verify, remember, if it’s my blog, I can put up anything I want). Bloggers usually bring the newest trends onto their blogs for their readers, if you comb through their content, you will find that they are communicating to you the gaps that are opening up in the market. Video driven sites like YouTube Although most people would instantly associate YouTube with music videos, there is a lot more to it. Tutorial videos and even more serious documentaries are put up there, it is a great source of information for when you’re looking to do something like write a book or even start a blog on a related subject. Research in practice Lerato wants to start an online channel but she doesn’t understand how it could be financially sustainable for her. Also, she has no idea what kind of content she wants to put up on her website/channel. What can Lerato do to help solve her dilemma? Correct, research! 1. Use the resources you have Lerato has a Facebook account, but now that she knows she has to research, she doesn’t know how Facebook can be used to do that. Easy, the answer is trends. First, she needs to zero in on a subject. Does she want it to be a health site, lifestyle, entertainment or news site for example? For that she can visit sites that already exist to see which she feels is more for her. Let’s say she chooses a self-help/DIY type of site. 2. Ask and answer the right questions That’s where social media comes in, what do people need help with? Lerato will now study the questions people post on Facebook or tweet on Twitter. She will also check how many of them get the answer they are looking for and how long it takes them to. Not only is this research in terms of content, but it also allows her to see if there really is a market for the site and if it will be more effective and efficient for the user to go to her site instead of asking for help from his/her friends on Facebook. Once she is done with her decision, she goes to Google and types in “start an online DIY site”. Voila, a link to an article about how to make money from such sites comes up. Of course she clicks on the link, now she knows where her revenues will come from. 3. Don’t stop researching A few months later, Lerato’s site, From Your Toolbox, is ready for action. It is an instant hit with her friends and followers, with amazing readership ratings. Soon she starts receiving requests for advertising space, nothing can stop Lerato now. One day, on her timeline however, she learns that her friend has started an entertainment news site and instantly she is shaken. What do you think Lerato does to deal with this development? Lerato doesn’t like fighting, so no. Instead, she uses the resources that are available at her disposal. And that is how she gets into the culture of research, following new trends and
Exclusive Community Event: SLA Accelerator Meet & Greet
For the past 3 months, She Leads Africa has worked with 10 amazing female entrepreneurs in our accelerator program. We have helped them grow and expand their budding businesses & in just a few days, they will have a chance to pitch their business to local and international investors. The Accelerator Demo Day is a closed event specifically for investors, corporate senior executives & the press. But what about all the entrepreneurs and interested audience members who also want to hear directly from these amazing women about how they have started and grown their businesses? Then have we got the event for you! Join us 16 November 2016 for a meet & greet cocktail & networking session with presentations from the Motherland Moguls in our accelerator program. This amazing opportunity is exclusively for our community members. Details for the event will be released Nov. 10th but only to those who receive our newsletter. Event Details: When: Wednesday 16th Nov. 2016 Time: In the Evening Where: Lagos, Nigeria Cost: FREE! Who: You must be part of our community to get more details & an invitation Not part of our community? What are you waiting for? Join here: Already part of our community? Make sure you check your email for the event details on Nov. 10th. Help us spread the word: Help us spread the word about this event and you could win a Motherland Mogul or Boss T-Shirt, even if you don’t attend the event! Must be based in Lagos. Sorry, shipping’s expensive! Not in Lagos? Still spread the word & win SLA brownie points! [bctt tweet=”@SheLeadsAfrica is having an exclusive networking event just for their community members. Sign-up here:” via=”no”] Not sure this event is for you? Here is what you can expect: Learn directly from Motherland Moguls building their empires Hear the stories and learn how these 10 amazing women started their companies & their plan for expansion Network directly with the women in our accelerator program in small intimate sessions Meet other like-minded women in the Lagos area and start creating connections to help you grow your business Refreshing drinks & light snacks, of course FREE ENTRY. This is an exclusive event for our community members, so this one’s on us! You’re welcome.
How to beat the rewards system
As someone who has been working in this crowdfunding space for quite some time, I have had the opportunity to have incredible conversations with people who run crowdfunding platforms and people who run campaigns on crowdfunding platforms. As you can imagine, the information you gain from both sides of the coin, while different, is necessary for a complete understanding of the crowdfunding scene. Before I decided on exactly what I wanted Do it Now Now to be, and the kind of support we would need to offer our campaigns, I did a lot of research into what it takes to run a successful campaign and what support campaign founders need. Let’s talk about perks/rewards Yes! You got the money, congratulations! But now, you have to deal with sending everyone that pledged an amount of money to you, the things you promised you would give them. If you have raised $23K and you have 380 backers who have each donated between $10 and $1000, you are going to have to gift 380 people a gift corresponding to the amount they donated. That means, you are going to have to design or purchase the gift and send it to their individual addresses. To some of us, this seems pretty straightforward. However, for people like myself who need to break stuff down, consider this. What is your donation percentage? The first thing to consider when deciding which perks you are going provide to your donors, is how much of the donation is going to go to perks. Most platforms offer a 5% (or more) commission on the amount raised. After that, they add the transaction fees (usually between 3 and 4%). The problem with pledges, is that not everyone has the money in their account when it is time to collect. Factor in the cost of failed pledges. We suggest you factor in another 2% to cover this. So, before you factor in perks at all, you have just paid out 10% of the amount raised on each donation. So far, on each $100, you are making $90. Not bad. What is your attraction percentage? Now, how much money do you want to spend to attract someone to donate to your campaign? This includes any kind of advertising (Facebook, twitter, Instagram etc.) you want to use. We don’t actually suggest you pay a ridiculous amount for advertising a campaign. Say you spend 50c on each $10 donation, that isn’t too bad. So far, on each $100, you are making $85. Not bad. What is your perk percentage? How much do you value your donor, in each donation bracket? Think about this purely monetarily. Your perk percentage reflects how much of the donation you want to spend on the physical or non-physical perks, the shipping of the physical perks, the design costs, etc. We suggest as an individual campaign, you spend no more than 15% of your raised amount on perks. There are different rules, depending on the type of campaign you are running. If you already have a product you are trying to sell, and you have a RRP, then by all means use your existing merchandise! You have already paid for it, and if you are making a small mark-up on the cost-price of your merchandise you are doing well. However, if you do not have existing merchandise and you actually need to make some money to create merchandise, this 15% maximum budget is for you. The 15% includes the physical items, and the packaging and shipping of those items. Note that with the state of most platforms, people expect a lot as a reward. We suggest you get really creative so that you don’t end up spending 50% of your raised amount on perks (trust me, it happens!). You are now at $70 for every $100. Not bad. Keep on budget and you will get a good amount back! Make sure you factor in the quantity of each perk you want to offer. What will your community actually donate? Are you surrounded by $10 givers, or $100 givers? What do you think your $100 will want to receive? Try talking to your community. If you make them a part of your decision making process, they are much more likely to respond to your campaign. What is your administration cost? Think about your opportunity cost. How much time are you going to spend on the post-campaign administration? How much time are you going to spend on marketing and organising your campaign? Most campaigns take 10 hours a week to run, and most campaigns run for 8 weeks. Post-campaign administration is about 3 hours each workday for a month (approx. 60 hours). Factor in a salary that makes sense for whoever is going to be dealing with this part of your campaign. You are looking at 140 hours at an average wage of $5/hour; $700. Factor in 3% of your fundraising amount as a guide, if you don’t want to have strict time/cost constraints. These estimations depend on the number of backers and the type of perks you have —the more personalised the perks, the longer it is going to take to organise properly. It is not impossible to do this well. There are actually a number of print and ship on demand platforms that you can look up. There are also a number of crowdfunding support companies that handle all of this for you. They usually charge between $3-5 per physical item for shipping and handling post-campaign. If you plan and budget carefully, and you do as much of the work yourself and try to use as much readily available merchandise as possible you could be at $67 for each $100 donation post-campaign. Not bad at all. There are benefits to donation/reward based crowdfunding, and there are obvious benefits to no-reward donation based crowdfunding. You need to think about what type of crowdfunding best suits what you are trying to do. Merchandise based campaigns with ready merchandise should go for
Irene Charnley: We women will lead fundamental change on our continent #SheHiveJoburg
[bctt tweet=”Have the conviction & fortitude to put forth your ideas – Irene Charnley #SheHiveJoburg” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Irene Charnley is an ex-MTN exec who led the company’s expansion into Nigeria and Iran. She’s also now a telecoms founder whose company, Pan-African, reigns supreme in Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and Congo. At #SheHiveJoburg Irene Charnley dazzled the crowd by sharing the key principles she has followed throughout her career to get to where she is today. With a net worth of around $150 million, it was clear to all in the room that Irene knows a thing or two about being a Motherland Mogul. Irene’s key principles to follow if you want to be successful Have some core values and let them guide you The most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself. According to Irene, when it comes to succeeding in business and in life, you have to realize that there is no magic out there, the magic is within you. You must cultivate some core values rooted in integrity, as these will help guide and sustain you on whatever path you choose to follow. Irene shared that her core value is this: everything is possible. There is always a way, it is up to you to find it. She talked about the difficulties she and her partner faced when trying to secure a building for their business. They faced challenges in getting landlords to rent to them. But having this “everything is possible” attitude, they were persistent in knocking on doors till someone finally let them in the building. “What are the core value that drove you to action everyday?”, Irene opened this question to the audience and the awesome ladies of #SheHiveJoburg shared some of the following responses: “I have the power to make everything I want come true”, “Be truthful to yourself and to others”, “Always follow through on your promises”, “Be present in everything that you do, both physically and psychologically”. Irene encouraged everyone in the audience to be true to their values every single day, to forget everyone else and please themselves first, to simply, “Be you!” [bctt tweet=”Irene Charnley’s core value is simple, everything is possible! #SheHiveJoburg” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Always aim to be a subject matter expert Irene talked about the importance of working twice as hard as everyone else in the room to become the expert, the one that people turn to when they want an explanation of how things work. This is the only way to stay ahead of the competition and to become comfortable being in a position of power and influence. When you prepare diligently, you’ll begin to see things outside the box and are able to come up with solutions that no one else has thought of yet. At the end of every day, you ought to ask yourself, “What did I learn today that was worth it for me?” My key takeaway from Irene’s wisdom was, “Know that it’s about you, know what your core values are and always be prepared”. [bctt tweet=”The only way to stand ahead of competition is to work twice as hard – Irene Charnley” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Business is logic. Business sense is common sense Sometimes what trips most people up on the way to success, especially when it comes to success in business, is that they waste too much time overthinking things. Women especially have the tendency to dwell too long on things. We are afraid to speak up and share our ideas because we feel like someone in the room must have a better one. Irene shared a very important lesson on this topic. After having spent a lot of time in several boardrooms, one thing that became clear was that no one in the room has all the answers. Have the conviction and the fortitude to put forth your ideas, even if they will be shot down or criticized. Use every opportunity as a learning point: ask questions, share your ideas, learn from others. That’s the only way to keep growing. Find voices you trust. Keep them around you Again, as women we have this tendency to want to shoulder all our burdens ourselves and fight and toil to get the answers we need. But Irene, as successful as she is, shared a key insight, “You can’t go through this journey alone. You need to find your angels and let them help you out along the way”. Irene talked about the importance of having mentors to guide you by offering advice and a fresh perspective. Also of importance is being a role model yourself to someone else who is a bit behind you on the same path. And as a sign of putting your money where your mouth is, Irene offered to share her email and phone number with all the ladies in the room. She promised to be available to mentor anyone who felt they could benefit from talking to her. [bctt tweet=”At #SheHiveJoburg Irene Charnley offered to be a mentor. See what else you missed out on” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Be a value-add. To everyone. All the time For a minute, stop and think about you. What is it that you bring to the table, to your business, to your community that no one else does? What is it that you do differently that makes you so special? Irene reminded us that we all have gifts that we should be nurturing. It is up to us to bring these gifts with us to every relationship or partnership. We should start to view entrepreneurship as a way to add value to what is already out there. Build sensible relationships, sensitively Last but not least, Irene talked about the important of relationships. Of cultivating the right relationships, with the right people at the right time. On the journey to success, we must strive to do our best to listen and learn, and to truly understand where others are coming from so that we might know how to best serve them. Irene ended her talk on
How to make the switch from consumer to producer
[bctt tweet=”Most of us consumers never think about how we can join the elite community of producers” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What are some of the things you consume or do daily? If you are anything like me, there’s a newspaper column that I am obsessed with. It brings out issues that greatly resonate with me. I also feel lost when I don’t have my phone. For you, it could be going out to your favourite bar to get some drinks with friends. Or it could be listening to that great music or watching the latest season of Orange is the New black (well, that’s me again). Absolutely everything we use in life was created by someone. Well, apart from the air we breathe and other gifts of nature. Someone went out of their way to create that video game that you can’t get enough of. Unfortunately, most of us just buy things. We never think about how we can also join the elite community of producers. I mean, wouldn’t it feel good if your name was on a product/service that people value? I am going to show you how to get in touch with your fabulous producer side. First, let’s look at the attitudes that define consumers and producers. The consumer attitude Consumers are passive about their ability to grow, reactive about life and unquestioning of their environment. They take life as it is, conforming to the standards set for them by society (or producers). When it comes to their finances, consumers buy their way to financial scarcity, but that is a topic for another day. Consumers wait for other people to create opportunities for them. The producer attitude A producer is someone who makes a product or service. Producers usually live outside their comfort zones by constantly looking at how to improve the word around them. Producers create their own lives. They believe that their destiny is in their hands and that if something is to be, then it is up to them. They create value for other people. [bctt tweet=”Producers are constantly looking at how to improve the word around them ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Why the producer attitude is superior You might be wondering why I am rambling on and on… “What’s the big deal about this? Why should I even bother to be a producer? Doesn’t the world need both producers and consumers?” You are right, the world needs both producers and consumers, otherwise there would be no one to utilize the resources that we produce and vice versa. The producer is the one who makes things happen. S/he goes above and beyond to create value for others (and for themselves). And in the process she creates a legacy for herself which lives on even when they are gone. Think people like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk who are known for the personal computer revolution and for launching a landmark commercial spacecraft respectively. If you want to create a legacy that is worth writing about, you will have to step into a producer role, giving some kind of value to the world. [bctt tweet=”@Gloriakambedha’s 3 steps to switching from consumer to producer” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How to make the switch… So now that you know why it’s important to make the switch, let’s dive straight into how to go about it using these three steps: Step 1: Practice awareness and question every decision Making the switch to a producer starts with acknowledging that everything around you was created by someone who took a chance. See how you can apply your knowledge and skills to create something of value to the world. The more successful producers who get the greatest reward are those who add the greatest value. When you become more aware of your environment, start questioning every decision you make to consume —whether it is to do with your purchases or the way you spend your time or even the information you read. Step 2: Actively process information Every producer needs information. Thankfully, we live in an information age. However, Instead of processing information passively by spending hours online, producers look for way on how this information will change their life. Everyone starts with consuming information but the intention should be to start producing as soon as possible. However, even students don’t have to just be consumers of knowledge. Students can add value through blogging, entrepreneurial efforts, teaching, etc. Step 3: Action Everyone has something to offer the world. Identify what it is you are good at and offer it to the world. It is a good idea to get inspiration through reading blogs, personal development books, listening to podcasts, attending conferences, but the work will still not be done. You have to be willing to sit down and start creating. It does not have to be perfect. All you need is a vision of what you want to create. The Internet has given us the tools for just anyone to be a producer. Use them. If you want to write, you don’t need any approval from an editor, to start your own show, Youtube is available. Do not be passive about making your own unique contribution to the world. Concluding When you first decide to become a producer, you will not see results right away and you might feel like your time is being put to waste. But do not give up. Overtime, your actions will build momentum and this will define the legacy you will leave.
Procrastination: The bad, the ugly, and how to deal with It
[bctt tweet=”You can’t be a #MotherlandMogul if you’re a serial procrastinator, time to break free” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Do you always apologize for delayed work? Do you feel guilty that you missed the deadline again, for the umpteenth time? And if you did finish the work, it was at the last minute after scrambling with time? Well, let’s cut to the chase. You are a serial procrastinator who pushes the production of any work forward to the next day, next week, next month, next year and eventually to never, instead of pulling it forward. For that reason, procrastination is the opposite of productivity. Many people are procrastinators, and they do not even know it. Sometimes procrastination can be good. For example, I sometimes have to push forward writing an article because I just don’t have the right word or phrase to start the piece. But once I get the inspiration, I embark on writing and occasionally, I have to type it while on my toes. Do you really need to procrastinate? If you can’t push forward looking good before going out for a date, you shouldn’t hold back writing that proposal that you have been sitting on for the past three months. Today is the time! To make sense of procrastination, its effects and how to deal with it, I caught up with Ken Munyua, a business support and training manager at Talent Recruit Limited in Nairobi, Kenya. According to Mr. Munyua, who is also a psychologist, “Procrastination is the inability to undertake urgent duties with the haste they deserve.” He adds that it could be as a result of a habit — “choosing not to take things seriously and execute them promptly, which later turns into bad behaviour.” “Procrastination is both a behavioural and a psychological issue. It starts as a habit and turns to uncontrollable aspects.” [bctt tweet=”Extensive inactive procrastination can also contribute to lowering one’s self-esteem” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Self-loathing? Apart from degenerating into bad behaviour, extensive inactive procrastination can also contribute to lowering one’s self-esteem. How, you ask? Munyua notes that the inability to perform necessary tasks always leads one to be in problem be it in school, at home or in business. “The constant reminder and backlash from the seniors make one feel as if they are victimized or segregated from the others.” What’s more, this can cause you to loathe yourself for not being able to meet individual or collective goals on time. No one wants to feel less of a person for always being late in doing something, and when one does, they may feel unwanted or unloved, leading to a downward trend of one’s self-esteem. Many women in business are caught up in the procrastination web due to a few reasons. Munyua outlined three major reasons why procrastination is common: The wish to be perfect: Some people wait to do work to its best. At the end, they do it in a hurry to the point of not delivering it well. Poor planning: Some business women like to plan work in terms of urgency and importance. Thus, there are delays on the important aspects of work. Others are easily swayed away by distractors. [bctt tweet=”@MaureenMurori sought expert help in this article on overcoming procrastination ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How to overcome procrastination “A habit which grows over time becomes a bad addiction. Do not form it; learn to concentrate on what is your task before any other duty,” advises Munyua. He adds that people should learn to avoid distractions, be they human or technological. Avoid delays: Always live to do what is expected now and not tomorrow! Draw a plan: It is advisable to set priorities and consider the urgency of the work. Write it down on paper: When it is written on paper, work becomes real and demands commitment. Set personal deadlines before the stipulated ones. This ensures that you are always ahead. Reward yourself: Rewarding yourself for achieved goals, motivates you to work harder to achieve more in future. Rewards can be as trivial as ticking an achieved activity, to a chocolate bar or a holiday in Hawaii. The choice is yours. Avoid distractions like social media, and friends who do not share in your vision. Endeavour to learn from those who had the same issues and were able to resolve them. When all is said and done, procrastination can be a symptom of an underlying technical or moral failure. It is important to check and recheck why you need to push work forward. Could it be due to the fact that the work isn’t working for you? If so, you should plan to change the work or your approach to it.
How to deal with career FOMO
[bctt tweet=”The best way to deal with career FOMO is to create your own opportunities” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] “Cissy just got that job offer with the international company and will soon be moving to start!” “Kathy just got this prestigious scholarship!” “Lena moved to a new company and is now making five times your current salary!” Everyone’s life has turned out perfectly. Well, everyone except you. You feel that you have stayed too long in an underpaid position. If you could turn back the hands of time, you would have taken that internship. You keep thinking that things would have turned out differently if you had pursued other career options. Your days are filled with concern. My dear friend, you are dealing with career FOMO, the fear that you are missing out on great career opportunities. Career FOMO materializes when we feel that our careers are not good enough because of the decisions we have made. Here are some of the ways you can deal with career FOMO that do not involve job hopping. [bctt tweet=”Career FOMO materializes when we feel that our careers are not good enough ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Pursue a passion project A passion project is something you do on your own terms and for nobody else’s satisfaction but your own. It stems from your desire to create. Most of us are in jobs where our creative juices are stifled. If you feel you could use a more creative job, why not put in some time to pursue creative efforts? Whether you choose to paint, sculpt, or write a novel is up to you. Your passion project could be what you need to figure out what you want to do in life. Start a side hustle Your career FOMO could be stemming from not pursuing your entrepreneurial ambitions. Deal with this by starting a side hustle. The advantage of a side hustle is that there is little risk involved. You don’t have to quit your job to start. Extra money anyone? Your side hustle could develop into a full time job with time. [bctt tweet=”Your career FOMO could be stemming from not pursuing your entrepreneurial ambitions” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Volunteer If you have passion for giving back to the community but you are not able to do that at your day job, volunteering is a way to fill this void. Consider participating in your employer’s programs if any. If this is not an option, look into creating your own valuable volunteering experiences. Free courses There are lots of free courses you can take up to learn about a field you are interested in. Valuable resources include MOOCS, conferences, podcasts, and webinars. You might find that a field you were so attracted to in the beginning does not seem appealing as you dig deeper. Network Build professional relationships with people who are working in the field you are interested in. Conduct informational interviews and ask as many questions as you can. You will find that people are willing to open up about their fields. The information gained will help you make a decision on whether to pursue your career aspirations in that field. Create your own opportunities The best way to deal with career FOMO is to create your own opportunities. You need to understand that if you want to achieve something in life you will have to work hard to achieve it. Stalking more seemingly successful people on social media will not get you what you want. Regrets about career decisions made in the past will sap your energy. Ask for that job rotation, request to be transferred to another department, volunteer for a work project you might be interested in, have a candid talk with your boss about your career development plans. Do not be passive about your career aspirations. All careers come with their own challenges. Like they say, the grass is not always greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water it. Shut the world out, choose one thing and relentlessly go after it. So long as you have set reasonable career goals for yourself and you are taking action everyday to improve your personal profile, what everyone else is doing with their lives will not matter any more. Are you experiencing any career FOMO? How are you dealing with it?