Knowing your value on the job is critical personal career success secret. What special skills do you bring on the table? It is integrity? Are you a trusted person that even if you are a not so good performer, you are so handy that top executives trust you even for their personal errands? Ask yourself why would it be hard for you to be fired? That is your bargaining chip. Remember, it takes time for you to discover your value to the business. No executive wants any one put them at a ransom. But every executives wants to deal with…
Who are you?
Your biggest obstacle to growth is poor mindset. This morning, a top executive came to my office and said “Mustapha I looked at your proposal, and I thought maybe we find a better way of doing this assignment. I like your value offering and methodology, but your fee is a lot. I am suggesting, we have an internal staff to work with you so that they will do all your field work under your guidance. This will help us work with you within our budget that is 60% less what you proposed. What do you think?” This executive is brilliant.…
Your business is like a baby
Running a business is like a baby. It has got stages. At first the baby cannot crawl. They need a lot of care. Then, the baby starts by crawling. Then they walk, and finally they can look after themselves. The process takes over 10 years for the baby to be fully on their own. Why do you expect your SME to jump key stages? In the early stages of your business, it needs close supervision and monitoring. Look after it carefully. Give the business milk – invest in the business your personal time, ideas and energy. Get dirty and do…
What is your most valuable possession?
You are 30 years old. You are still at University. You have a great job and two children. You live is a great apartment. You have heard about the green gold in farming and have bought over 20 acres of land up country. You have not yet started developing the land as you are waiting for it to increase in value. You feel confident. You are happy at work. And you are becoming a motivational speaker of sorts. Are you successful? How do you measure success? What is your current market value? The accountants ask: what is your…
