The SLA Gratitude List
Are you excited to see how far you have come and what you have accomplished this year? All too soon, 2016 is coming to an end. This year has been a very interesting yet amazing year. But if we’re keeping it real, there are some Motherland Moguls who feel like they haven’t achieved anything these past 365 days. To that, we say; count your blessings! No matter how big or small your accomplishments are, you need to celebrate even the small steps forward you’ve taken. This guide will help you identify the amazing things about you that you’re most likely overlooking. In this guide, you’ll find; General themes that you may include in your gratitude list, Why you should keep a gratitude list, and how, Suggestions on how to celebrate your achievements. You should feel like this while counting your blessings: Complete with worksheets to help you make your list, this guide will help you see how far you have come and give you reasons to celebrate. The best thing is, you don’t have to wait for the year to end to count y our blessings! Getting access to this guide is easy: just fill out the form below to join our community and get access to this guide, as well as AWESOME weekly content. [ninja_forms id=54]
10 things to accomplish in your career in your twenties
[bctt tweet=”The top 10 career lessons you should master in your twenties to be the #boss ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] It’s never too late (or too early) to accomplish anything in your career. I do not believe that there’s a calendar that everyone should follow as they go about in life. Advancing in your career in your twenties is not easy at all. Life gets more complex as we get older and having some guidelines is what every girl needs. To keep the momentum going in your career, there are things you can do to propel you even further. Read on for the top 10 career lessons you should master in this decade of your life. 1. Establish career goals In order to get to where you want to go, you have to first figure out where you want to go. Do not be one of those people who think that the career they want will be handed to them without clear planning and execution. In your twenties, think long and hard about what you want to achieve. Once you’ve thought things through, put in deliberate effort to achieve them. It is rare that things will go exactly as planned, so you have to adjust your plans accordingly. Imagine your job as an engineer turned out to be such a headache that you cannot bear to do it an extra day. You will then have to regularly revisit and adjust your career plan accordingly. 2. Build meaningful relationships Any smart woman knows it’s very important to develop good professional relationships. This should not just be internally in your organisation but also with external stakeholders (think customers, suppliers). You have probably heard the phrase that your network is your net worth. All opportunities are attached to people. They won’t come to you in a vacuum. Investing in meaningful relationships during your twenties is key. [bctt tweet=”Don’t allow your professional growth to stall in your 20s! Use these tips and learn” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 3. Experiment with a side hustle Everyone should experiment with a side hustle outside their careers, yes even you. Taking up a side hustle has many pros. It has the potential to not only enrich your life, but also expand your horizons. A side hustle can be a good way to try out a new career with minimal risks. Also, with a side hustle you can develop skills you wouldn’t have developed at your day job. This can ultimately get you to where you want to be, with a more meaningful job. Don’t allow your professional growth to stall in your twenties! Take up a side hustle can accelerate your learning. 4. Give back to your community You can always do more than that by giving back to your local community. There are many opportunities to add value, no matter your financial situation. Don’t think that it is only those who are balling that who can give back. Find out what is it that you care about and look for ways to get involved. Volunteer for your local church, participate in your company’s corporate social responsibility projects, start your own non-profit or give to a charitable foundation. Whatever cause is close to your heart, get involved in making this world a better place. It needs you. 5. Invest in yourself Don’t wait for an employer to invest in you. What will happen if they don’t believe in you and your colleagues keep getting the opportunities? Take charge of your personal development by setting aside money in your budget just for this purpose. Buy books, take courses and utilize free resources. Find career sites to follow in your industry. Do not be too broke to invest in yourself. [bctt tweet=”You’re in charge of your own success but let’s be real, you’ll need some help to get that career you want ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 6. Get a mentor/sponsor/coach You are in charge of your own success. But let’s be real, the most successful professionals are those who realise that they need help and ask for it. Identify some people you admire and reach out to them. A sponsor in your industry of choice can determine whether you grow in your company or don’t. If you can’t get a mentor or sponsor, buy the services of a coach and make good use of them. You will most likey get some tough love, and it might be just you need to succeed. Getting come accountability in your life is one of the first steps to success. 7. Build your personal brand Whether you want to believe it or not, you are building a personal brand with every interaction you have. So, why not take charge of developing it into something you admire? Make a conscious decision on how you want to be perceived by others and make an effort to get there. It will take time to grow your personal brand but once you get started, you will not want to stop. 8. Build an enviable work ethic When we are young, we dream about all the things we’ll be. As we grow older though, we realize that nothing comes to the dreamer. Instead, the people who achieve great things are those who work on their dreams every time they get. Your twenties are the time to bust your ass working to prove yourself in your industry. If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you have never had. [bctt tweet=”Your twenties are the time to bust your ass working, these 10 tips ensure it’s not all in vain” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 9. Be comfortable in your own skin I remember when I was just starting my career, I was shy and very introverted, always scared to raise my voice. As I got older, I got comfortable with my personality and what I had to offer to the world. Too many times, we are afraid to speak out because of inner criticism. Do not be so hard on yourself. Put on some bravery, learn your weaknesses but accentuate your strengths.
SLA’s Career Strategy Guide
Heard about a career strategy but not sure how to go about it? We’ve talked about this before. How can you not have a career strategy? SLA contributor Tamaan Wilkinson, schooled us on the importance of having a career strategy. You need to know off heart the steps that you’ll be taking to become the boss of your career. This new guide will help you strategically plan and achieve your career goals. Topics this guide will cover: Setting your career vision Determining the skills you need for your career What to do if you don’t know what your career goals are It’s all because, we want this to be you: Complete with worksheets, space for reviews and lots of ideas for helping you get that career that you’ll love, this guide is must have for all women who want to be #MotherlandMogul bosses. Getting access to this guide is easy: just fill out the form below to join our community and get access to this guide, as well as AWESOME weekly content. SLA’s Career Strategy Guide Sign up for free access! First Name Email City Country –AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaireBosnia & HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCanary IslandsCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChannel IslandsChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandColombiaComorosCongoCook IslandsCosta RicaCote DIvoireCroatiaCubaCuracaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreat BritainGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuyanaHaitiHawaiiHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndonesiaIndiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea NorthKorea SouthKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalaysiaMalawiMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMidway IslandsMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNambiaNauruNepalNetherland AntillesNetherlands (Holland, Europe)NevisNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorwayOmanPakistanPalau IslandPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRepublic of MontenegroRepublic of SerbiaReunionRomaniaRussiaRwandaSt BarthelemySt EustatiusSt HelenaSt Kitts-NevisSt LuciaSt MaartenSt Pierre & MiquelonSt Vincent & GrenadinesSaipanSamoaSamoa AmericanSan MarinoSao Tome & PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTahitiTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks & Caicos IsTuvaluUgandaUnited KingdomUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican City StateVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands (Brit)Virgin Islands (USA)Wake IslandWallis & Futana IsYemenZaireZambiaZimbabwe Opt in to join the SLA Community Submit Congratulations! Now go be the CEO of your career! Get your guide HERE .
What to do if you are aiming for a board seat
[bctt tweet=”A board position is not out of your reach if you play your cards right.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Landing a seat on a corporate board is a well grounded career path for any successful woman executive. Not only will it expose you to a quality network of high profile individuals but it can also be a viable way to use your experience and skills to serve at a very high level. Serving as a director can also be a good post retirement gig. According to a report by Africa Development bank (AfDB), women make up only 14.4% of boards of blue chip companies in Africa. If you want to get on a board of directors at some point in your career you have to be intentional about your career experiences. Here are six tips that can help you tick this well-regarded role off your career bucket list. 1. Consider your motivation Being a board of directors is prestigious and can open lots of other opportunities for you. However, you should want it for the right reasons. It is more than the prestige and the status. A more noble reason would be wanting to make a valuable contribution using the skills and experience you have amassed during your career. Being clear about why you want a seat is very important because you will be able to answer questions such as which positions that you are interested in, what your value proposition will be and how your interests, experience, strengths align to a director position. You will then be able to establish your goals and the strategy that will get you there. [bctt tweet=”Being on a board of directors is more than the prestige and the status” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 2. Work on your personal brand and gain work experience Landing a seat at the table is is usually reserved for older executives who have several years of experience in their field. You have to earn extensive experience in your field. Embrace every opportunity to work with a board of directors, even if it means just presenting or serving in an advisory role. To improve your chances of landing this role, establish yourself as an expert in your field. Be visible by taking up speaking engagements, building a blog and a community around your brand. Review how the careers of successful board members progressed. How did their careers progress and what can you emulate? A simple search online will get you good answers on these questions. 3. Start networking These positions are not advertised so it is important for you to know people in similar roles. It is board members who already serve on company boards who are approached for similar roles. Connect and develop relationships with board members. Get help from them on how to how to craft your CV for a board seat. Let them know that you are interested in a position if it comes up. That way, when the next position opens, you might just get recommended for it. 4. Don’t be afraid to start small You probably won’t start off on a board of a public company. You will have to start off by serving on a smaller company board or a start-up. Even the small roles might still be hard to find and you will have get your name out there and let people know that you are interested in such roles. Volunteering for a board position at a local non-profit might be your gateway to your career aspirations. 5. Start your own business Entrepreneurs are attractive people for roles on a board of directors because they have worn too many hats in their career. Starting and running a successful business equips you with a lot of skills ranging from goal setting, strategic planning, financial acumen, industry knowledge, problem solving, that are invaluable to a a board. [bctt tweet=”Did you know that entrepreneurs are attractive people for roles on a board of directors?” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Most people who were able to get board positions at an early age did so because of a successful business that they helped set up and grow. So why not do the same? 6. Training There are several courses you can consider to improve your skills. It is important to note that you will not be hired for a board position solely on the basis of training. Find out where your weaknesses are and compensate these with formal training. For example, if you’re short on financial skills and corporate governance, you could consider getting training in those areas. There are also specific courses for aspiring directors that you could pursue. Women stand a bigger chance and there’s a higher demand by stakeholders to have more diverse boards. A board position is not out of your reach if you play your cards right.
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