What is the predictor of success in life? Is it nurture or nature? I learned a lot from my late grandpa, who I lived with a big part of my early life. He told me many profound insights. He used to say, “education does not help the lazy.” Now I know that this meant more work is after getting that degree! He was right. To get ahead, one must put in the extra effort. Have an ambition. Wake up early. Work hard by always going the extra mile. A genius may need just one hour to cover what an average…
Can the CEO fire board members?
Short answer In many US companies, the CEO is also the Board Chairman. The person who signs on the appointment of board members is the Board chairman. When the roles of CEO and Chairman are combined, it is correct to say the CEO appoints the Board. He who appoints can terminate the board members. However, when the CEO and Chairman roles are not combined, like in most companies in Europe, the CEO may merely influence the termination of the board members but cannot terminate them easily. He has to ‘play politics’ to get the bad apples out. Regardless of the…
Tool 73 of 104 is to be determined and reliable
“Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water”, John 1:29-34 If you want to appreciate what a determined leadership can achieve, visit Singapore, Dubai or Shenzen cities. All these are new cities that have been developed within the past 30…
The encounter —a short story
I am walking around the city, sort of undecided which street to take, and this Ghanaian man appears suddenly? “Want to buy something brother? Need clothes, shoes, phones or bags? We go to my shop. You will be happy. Come let me take you… follow me.” This guy is a pro. He has mastered the art of approaching strangers. Telling them words of wisdom as he walks calmly with them to his shop. He does it so masterfully that you cannot refuse to first check out his shop. And once you enter, it is difficult to just exit without buying…
Rain in the desert
A major experience is bringing results to the desert. Rain. Lots of rain. The gulf countries have done what is called cloud seeding —where they use airplanes to seed the clouds. Which in turn bring rain fall. Talk of making the impossible possible. Optimizing technology and creating a fantastic experience for everyone. But this has brought a small challenge to big cities like Dubai, which has been a front runner in cloud seeding—flooding of city roads, parking spaces and general in the low lands. The planners of Dubai city never envisioned rain and rhe resultant water. Which meant that the…
Life in the city. How a Nigerian driver makes more money from African tourists
I enter into a random taxi. A driver is a black man. I go into a conversation mode. Me: Where are you from? Driver: Africa? Me: Which African country are you from? Driver: Nigeria Me: Oh, Nigeria. You Oga’s are very active. Every country I go, I find Nigerians. You have looked for money. Driver: Chuckles… you man you are funny. We Nigerians, we are extroverts. We move out. We have put Africa on the world map… Me: For all the wrong reasons. You guys are too street smarts that people don’t blink in your presence. And they think all…
