Luck is useless if it lands on the unprepared. As they say, if you want to win a lottery ticket, first go and buy the ticket! However, lucky you might be, without having bought the lottery ticket. There is no way you are going to win. Many successful people agree with the saying that “good luck is when preparedness meets opportunity.” If you want to get lucky, first prepare. If you want to get that dream job, express interest for it by submitting your application or going to meet the recruiter. The opportunity might be there, but if you do…
How big is the luck factor in startup success?
Luck is useless if it lands on the unprepared. As they say, if you want to win a lottery ticket, first go and buy the ticket! However, lucky you might be, without having bought the lottery ticket. There is no way you are going to win. Many successful people agree with the saying that “good luck is when preparedness meets opportunity.” If you want to get lucky, first prepare. If you want to get that dream job, express interest for it by submitting your application or going to meet the recruiter. The opportunity might be there, but if you do…
What is your focus? How to avoid a ‘stone in the shoe’ scenario.
You are a Director. You have a scorecard with over 50 performance areas identified for your Pillar. As the days become months which turn into quarters, you start getting anxious. The year is moving fast, yet all the scorecard performance areas are still outstanding. And your Chief Executive Officer and fellow directors are starting to ask questions. As the work-related pressure starts forming, you start to show some seriousness by becoming tough to your direct reports. Who, for lack of anyone to blame, tell whoever can listen “it is the Director.’ Instead of getting serious to work, it becomes a…
Who is an entrepreneur?
You are 25 years. You have just graduated from University with flying colors. During your time at University you become a student leader. This helped you make good contacts. Some of your contacts were so good that you have already received some offers from the big four audit firms and some telecom companies even before you set foot on the street to look for a job. You are happy, and it shows in your steps. To celebrate your achievements especially having got a job offer directly from University without having spent any time on the streets, you invite three of…
What is the bullseye for your business?
The bullseye is the Centre of a shooting target. The role of the leader or the chief executive officer is to identify the target. The role of the managers is to gather the bows and arrows. And thereafter shooting. What is your business scorecard? What are the top three things you must accomplish monthly to achieve your five-year business objectives? Get your key team members in the room. Give each one of them a piece of paper. Ask them to write down the top three things that they think the company or organization must accomplish before the year end. Review…
Only six banks have submitted applications for the ICGU CG awards, is this good for the economy?
When the Institute is celebrating corporate governance, it is something everyone should be involved in. It is their opportunity to shine. We know that Financial Institutions mainly banks, and insurance companies are one of the most highly regulated entities. If they are regulated entities, when it comes to any award that is awarding compliance, these institutions should be at the fore front. There is a Financial Institutions Act which provides minimum benchmarks for anyone to run a bank. It also provides for the appointment of the board, and how it should run the business. The Central Bank vets board members…
