Three days I go, while on a morning run, I came across MTN staff installing Fiber Optic Internet cable. I had a brief chat with one of the men, who connected me to their head office boss responsible for last-mile home Internet packages. Unlike other telecom companies, MTN does provide opportunities to local businesses through deliberate training under MTN Business solutions, as well as Women in Business initiatives, and several other corporate social responsibilities. So, the brand is close to my heart. And truth be told, MTN Kazi Bundle solution for SMEs is one of the most effective Internet solutions…
Some insights on risk-taking
Life is about risk-taking. For there is no such thing as risk-free. When you do not do something, you carry some risk. When you do something, you carry risk too depending on the decision at hand. The best decision is therefore to do something and increase your odds of success. There are four strategies of risk management – transfer, treat, terminate, or tolerate. All these aim at optimizing opportunities and minimizing losses. Every day, we must make choices. You want to maximize value and reduce losses. Do you stand for a political office, yes or no? First, what is the…
Practical application of the Internet of Things
A lot has been said and written about the Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data (BD), but what is the practical application of these new concepts? So many gadgets and equipment we use daily now have sensors and trackers installed. From the smart television to radios, cars, beds, houses, tables, and heck, everything in between. Millions of cameras installed in so many streets and homes generate lots of data and these are increasingly becoming interlinked. Businesses can apply IoT in many ways: Tracking behavior Decision making powered by sensors Enhanced visibility and situational analysis Optimized resources deployment And processes…
The 10 common errors in many strategic plans
Many companies have strategic plan documents merely for showoffs. Some companies write strategic plans for compliance purposes. Others use the documents to get loans or equity. For example, a business seeking loan financing may hire any advisor to write a strategy and business plan for purposes of obtaining a loan. Once the loan is got, the document is usually parked or put in the drawer. In many companies, however, the strategic document is left to rot in the drawers because few people understand it. Many “strategic documents are written like research papers.” The documents are like literature reviews of business…
Are you doing your best, always?
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 In whatever you do, keep that in mind. Do not sow sparingly. If it is work, put in 100%. The worst regret is usually “I wish I had done my best.” No leader wants to be in a company of folks who don’t put in their best. Also read: Mind your attitude, part 1 Consider partaking in a tug of war game, and some of your team members just hold the rope instead of adding effort. You could be injured…
Planning vs acting on the plans made
The year was 2007. I left my juicy job to swim in the deep waters of entrepreneurship. While at a big four audit firm, it was so easy to meet the managing directors and other C-level executives. All you needed was a display of your work identity card. “I am here to see the CEO.” To which, usually the Lady receptionist would ask, “are you on appointment?” Yes? “Where do you work?” With a big smile, you would look at the lady and say the name of the big four audit firm in which you work. Suddenly, you would receive…
