First, why would a person in their right mind apply for a job where 500 applications have already been submitted for the same job? If you go to drop a CV and find 500 before you have already applied, don’t leave your application there. Stop dreaming and get serious about your career. Always be the old man out. That should be your focus. Don’t follow the crowd. Don’t go for the road most travelled. Look for the road less travelled. Even for the road most travelled, make sure you take a different path. Take a case of a typical African…
How can Interns get confirmed at the workplace?
The biggest challenge is always how to put your foot on the door. Once you go past that challenge as an intern, it is your best opportunity to shine. That is why I am always very concerned whenever I see a person who worked as an Intern somewhere and was not retained. Once you get an opportunity to work in any company as an Intern, begin exploring opportunities to get retained. It is your business to know who sis who in the organisation. Know the office cleaners. The personal assistants of the bosses. Their family and friends. Know their hobbies…
Governance and profitability: is there a dilemma?
The reason for good governance is to earn as much profits as you can in a sustainable way. In non-government organizations and public sectors, the reason for good governance is to deliver stakeholder value. There is no dilemma whatsoever unless there is conflict of interest, corruption and fraud. These are tell-tale signs of bad governance. In my position as the Secretary of the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda, we are creating environment of best practices to make sure that people understand how to run their businesses profitably and sustainably. When this is achieved, economies prosper, and people succeed. You…
Why do some Ugandan businesses fail?
Many people start businesses because of the attractiveness of self-employment. However, sustaining the business is the most difficult part. One of the reasons why businesses are failing is lack of good people with passion and the zeal it requires to drive business growth. Some employees have a mindset of poverty and negative mentality. They think by working they are making the business owner to succeed. They forget that they need to put in their best foot forward so that the business succeeds which is good for their careers. Most staff have a mindset of public service, even when they have…
Who is the bean weevil in your business?
Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate The International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8th March 2018, under the theme #pushforprogress. During the national day celebrations, President Yoweri K. Museveni awarded several medals to exceptional women at the center of leadership excellence in their respective fields. Speaking at the IWD, the President described Uganda Police and Courts of law as “bean weevil infested” and then added that “the weevil that has been in the Uganda Police Force has been purged”. This comment comes within ten days of reshuffling the police force that saw Gen. Kale Kayihura, one of the…
You cannot hide an elephant
One of the popular sayings in Bunyoro goes “You cannot hide an elephant.” The elephant is a very big animal. It is very difficult to hide it. If something is outstanding or extraordinary, it is very difficult to hide it. Always do your best in any setting so that you can get noticed. If you are very good, people will always notice you. One of Uganda’s former presidents, Idi Amin Dada, put it plainly “You cannot win a Whiteman by points in a boxing game. Beat him with a knockout.” Amin, once a boxer, had learnt that the only way…
