Goodbye Employment

There comes a time when you have to make a choice between the ideal reality and the real reality.
Every day we make  choices that will make us who we will be tomorrow.In fact our today is as a result of our yesterday choices and it goes without saying that our tomorrow will be as a result of today's choices.

Some times back in my 3rd year of study in Campus my room mate asked me why I'm studying.Without much thinking I told him,'I'm studying to make myself unemployable'.I hadn't understood what's all the fuss over with employment but I can now guess a few things being faced with such a situation of whether to look for a job or not.Employment is secure because at the end of the month one is assured of a salary to foot off the bills.Job gives one a higher social status.It also offers a career growth.

Having gone through the curriculum,one is faced with several alternatives;Get into trying their hand in business by applying the skills they learnt,Get a job,Self-employment,Invest(few can take this route because of informational &financial constraints),Volunteer.The easiest paths is getting a job,one only needs to apply without ceasing till it comes by and volunteering.

I've chosen to take the path less taken,though majorly in Africa venturing in business is seen as for academic failures or dropouts it bothers me less.It's a choice career I've made,to be an entrepreneur regardless of all the papers I have and will acquire.I must confess it's one of the biggest risk I've ever taken with my life.Family and friends were surprised but have rendered their helping hand.That's all I need, someone to believe in me and leave the rest.

It's  more satisfying for me to rub shoulders with hustlers and look for connections and business networks than be in an Italian suit and bow tie in an elevator,faking a smile while dying inside.It's more satisfying for me to earn little and watch it grow to an empire than be a slave.It's more satisfying for me to fail once ,twice,thrice,struggle to foot off my bills than get reprimands that will never add value to my later life only pressure.

Some may think ooh,this dude has received  some financial back up to start off,ooh,..honestly no,in fact my net-worth as we speak now could be negative,but you know what something keeps telling me I can do excellent in entrepreneurship.And as we know that faith is the substance of things hoped for,the evidence of things not seen,this is enough for me.I have the end in mind and that is what will keep me going despite how rough the journey might be.At times life may even get to that of a Boxer a character in Mumford & Sons song ....but the fighter still remains.

Wish you well my corporate friends and former course mates,I'll be more than glad if you buy one or two of my products.
See you at the top.I'd also appreciate so much to get a entrepreneur mentor via this platform.

Campus Confession II

I love change,as a result I was eager to know what there is after campus,though it came with mixed reaction of happiness(no more books) and uncertainty(what next).There were so many unanswered questions(not yet fully answered even as I write this).All the same I had to face it.I told God to reveal to me directly(Plan A) what he wants me to do otherwise I will apply to 100 companies for job in Logistics and Supply Chain,Marketing & Graduate Management Trainee(Plan B).If a job comes,I will conclude it's God will, if it doesn't He wants me to go ahead with plan C which I love more than B.

My plan C is being in business.Unfortunately when business is mentioned there are some people who start seeing me busy selling unga,salt,sugar,or something of the sort.A kiosk or even better a tuckshop. Nooo,a business is a system that makes you money even when you are absent for an year because it has structures.

Most of what we call business is self-employment because they die when the owner leaves or dies as well.E.g, A lawyer who freelances his services,if he falls sick,there will be no money to be made,but if he has established a legal firm where he has employed other lawyers,even when absent his firm still makes money.Business should outlive us and be enjoyed by many more generation to come.

My colleagues and most of us,especially in Schools of Business want to do their 'own thing' in the near future but as it is said that there is always a starting point,which most of us think it's a job.So that one can go 'acquire capital' and 'skills and knowledge' to go start their own business.I beg to differ.If one has no interest in starting accountancy firm what skills and knowledge will they acquire working as an accountant?.If one is paid net of 50k,pays rent 10k,transport 6k,Food 6k, Entertaintment &Miscleneous 5k,Sambaza(Friends&Relatives) 5k,Tithe 5k...what remains is 10k,...Eeeeh,what can we say about acquiring capital.To make it worse when will one have time to think business when  being overworked as a donkey.When one get's to their house they just hug the bed dearly.

Campus teaches us that, we get good grades so that we can get good jobs.I'm slowly stamping that LIE,I signed while still studying.Jobs are as scarce as illiterate Chinese.I'm not shocked to have applied to 20 firms so far,5 regrets and 15 don't cares(no reply)...and my hunger to continue with my all time favorite plan C intensifies.

Dr Iraki,Mr.Mulwa, Dr Bitange Ndemo,Dr Njihia were right,thank you for giving me the real knowledge...leave alone those proud minded finance and accounting lecturers who thought within the box.They made me hate those subjects by challenging our minds into things I'm finding very stupid out here.Now that jobs are scarce,how will that question of Sleep,Consumption & Income in economics help me find a job or pay bills,how about those sets, how to account for assets instead of how to acquire assets.

To those studying and out here we have to find a solution in a creative way.I'm a testimony that one doesn't need money to start a business,just throw away that old way of thinking.As you study just know you are doing your best to get a profession, in whichever the field you are in,not to get a job or get rich but for self-satisfaction and actualization,it's no wonder one is supposed to study what they love.For one to make big chunks of money think business system.

I understand perfectly that not all can be entrepreneurs and therefore wish them well,ensure you get as many papers as networks as possible(watu wamesoma huku nje,haija!).

Despite all being said and done we will emerge victorious regardless of the route.See you at the top!

If you missed,check it out:Campus Confession I.

Irreversible Mistake

Early this week I wrote an article begging for a 2nd chance but it is eminent that some blunders are costly and are meant for us to learn while the affected individual or entity languishes.
I still appreciate that we’re prone to make mistakes, to err they say is human but there are times that is just a mere consolation bearing in mind that there are irreversible mistakes.

 The Japanese, ’Just in Time’ philosophy is one of its kind that almost condemns errors & waste. Computers have revolutionalised the way things are done by enhancing precision and accuracy. 

The phrase, ’Quality, quality, quality!’ is not new in modern times all this is attainable via ensuring there is no mistake in their processes.

Think of the bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Kodak’s failure to revamp its digital camera, Nokia’s slow uptake to adapt to touch screen technology made its image tarnished and be overtaken by other mobile phone manufacturers, Think of our education system that hails only the A-students and sees the others as outcast bearing in mind the many talents that each individual is endowed with (This reminds me of a friend whose skills in soccer were amazing unfortunately he didn’t  get the much needed support from parents to nurture the same).

In 1994 Piper Bravo Oil rig during a routine check, inspectors removed and replaced all safety valves, except for one, which was never put back. Unaware that the safety valve was missing, a worker pushed the start button, and gas began to leak out.An explosion followed thereafter killing 167 of the workers.

There was a time back in the 20th Century when Pepsi was struggling with bankruptcy.Coca cola was offered a chance 3 times in fact to buy the struggling company but it shrugged off the idea.They now have to constantly be on toes to check on Pepsi.
...
We can recall what happened to Muamar Gaddafi for failing to read the signs,that it was time for peacefully quitting,too bad for him.

Work on giving the best every time leaving no room for possible errors,some are irreversible.

Risky?

Whenever the word risk is mentioned most people tremble.They think that the outcome of a risky undertaking is always negative.It's justifiable because from definitions such words as probability/threat/likelihood/possibility are used but none gives certainty that it must happen.So,does this mean that if a situation is risky they should be avoided?
Let's look at a 'risky' scenarios here:
-Not following what everyone else thinks is right.
The story of successful school drop out can be an example or those who due to circumstances,didn't get a chance to further their studies and they still turn out to be victorious.Also the fact there are people who have taken the path less taken and turned out to be heroes tells us a lot.


The best way I've found to analyze risk is looking at the worst case scenario of an undertaking.
An example would be between channeling our energy into getting employment and trying out business which is riskier?
Employment:

^What it takes to start get one
-Good formal education in advanced levels
-Faking that you Love the work and other hullabaloo during interview(I understand there are those whose    seek employment genuinely because they love what they do,but they are very few)
-Results oriented mentality and ability to meet crazy deadlines.
-.....
^Results
-Good pay
-Security(If it's a government job because in private sector it';s very dynamic)
-....
^Worst Case Scenario
-Losing your job
-Dissatisfaction
-Mind closure
-Financial rat race.
-.....
Business:

^What it takes to get started
-Passion
-Knowledge in your line of focus
-Capital
-Emotional stability
-.....
^Results
-Your own time master
-Financial Freedom
-Creativity and Innovation
-Job creation
-....
 ^Worst Case Scenario.
-One can lose their investments.

I'm tempted to ask which is riskier?

We risk death by being alive,why play safe anyway,let's take wise risks.We learn to walk by falling down simply because we took that risk,I doubt whether we could have ever learnt to walk.

And as Theodore Roosevelt in Strenuous Life put:
 “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

It's Like a Soccer Match

I'm an avid soccer fan.
I play and watch the game of any team with no loyalty or psycho-fancy to any club,only my national team.
Nonetheless,I'm inclined to love teams which play tiki taka soccer and so your guess is as well as mine.
I'd first wish to console the fans of club that lost over the weekend.I'm still wondering what's happening to the 'big' clubs,they're thoroughly being punished by 'small' teams.

Business,Life and Soccer are synonymous:

Not that we are weak in any way.
Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal (EPL,28-08-11)
At times life can heftily punish us,not because we are in anyway weak but it just happens.Even after the defeat the esteem should always be high,knowing that it's not the end there is still another chance to try being the best.
 Let the mighty have their way.Germany 8-0 Saudi Arabia (World Cup 2002 ,June 1)
At times we have to let the mighty have their way.There is little we can do;they have the authority,they're are powerful,they have all the support from all over,poor us,but let's just give it a trial.

Everything is at stake here.
Man.city 3-2 Swansea(EPL,2011/2012)
Time is running out,it's extra time,Swansea are leading 2-1 by 91th minute,they are safe from relegation zone
We haven't won the title for 44yrs and with the massive investment made,wa,..4 minutes will determine alot.
There comes a time in our lives where situations pushes us to the edge and every minute turns out is critical.
Each opposing elements are heavily fighting for their well being.

At times it takes individual brilliance to do it
Barcelona 7-1 Bayern Leverkusen(Champions League 2012)
In this game Messi scored five goals of the seven.Likewise in business and life at times it is not all of us who will did it,someone actually turned out to be outstanding to achieve

It's never too late.
 Reading 5-7Arsenal (Carling Cup fourth round 2011) 
 How can one explain going down 4-0 by halftime then Arsenal reverses the whole situation and at the end of the game they win 7-5,It shows it's not over until it's over there is nothing unachievable as long as one believes and fights for it

At times all the forces work for us/against us.
Starting with the referee,the technical well being,the home fans and everything sails/becomes difficult

When not in the action you only theoretically analyze a situation
Soccer fans are the best advisers but it may even be most of them don't know how to kick a ball.
When  player whose team is on away ground,listens to the booing of the fans,it can demotivate them.
Just do your thing the best way you know how having applied the best of practices,the rest is noise ignore and move on.

Passion & talent can enable us achieve a lot
Soccer players are talented in that area.They play with passion to see their teams through victoriously.They can do anything possible for the sake of winning.

....
Have a 'soccerific' week.

Why?

A young girl wasn't eating the head and tail of fish. She was very disgusted when she saw others eat them. But, one day she decided to re-look into why she wasn't eating them. She noted that her mother had not been cooking the same too. On inquiring her mother responded that her mother, now the granny to the girl, was not cooking them too. The girl got shocked.
She thought now is the perfect chance to know why the granny wasn't cooking the head and the tail of fish who in turn responded that her mother, great grandma to the girl, wasn't cooking them too!
This made the girl furious and amused at the same time, luckily the great grandma was alive.
The grandma started by giving history on different issues and finally responded to that,'..my pan was too small to accommodate an entire fish so I chopped the tail and the head!'


Have you ever sat down and asked yourself why this or that.Many are the times when we join the boats of others without asking deep queries as to why and we start sailing, on to realize the direction they were heading were completely opposite from where we wanted to go. The how can be very easy once your why are very strong, and as -Bernard Baruch said,' Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why'.

There is power in asking questions it will get us what we want, I recall a time one Dr. Wale was giving a talk and he asked a question that was to win one a collection of his books, unfortunately no one got, after he was done with the talk I stood and asked, 'Dr, you had the heart of giving a collection of your books, does it mean you will go back with them?",He responded by saying, "Come have them".

Even the Bible says,
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek; and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Question everything, it's key to knowing and redefining the way we live.

Passive Income I {Royalties}

 Passive income is my all time favorite source of money.I invest my resources in my quest to enter this bracket.If you are a believer that you don't have to work your entire life time for money,that you can let money work for you while you do what you love most,then this is yours.It is an income received on regular basis with little effort required to maintain.One invests one off energy and the rest is simply maintenance.

My business mentor earns from this bracket.I asked him what he does with his time since at the end of the day money will still enter his account,'I utilize my time thinking hard on how someone will labor hard for me'. He responded,'You know people are all over looking for jobs to do, not entities to start,it's their choice,who am I not to offer them that'. If someone pays you 50k,how much do you think he is making  through you...',he continues.I chuckle but feel bitter.'Sam,think!',he pauses.I'll look foolish as long as I continue walking with him and fail to start up something tailored towards passive income.

Immediately I embark on a long journey of searching the sources of passive income.I will be writing them in series.Today we look at Royalties.

Royalties is the income received for the right to use:
>Literary dramatic,musical or artistic work
>Approved intellectual property/Innovation
They are typically agreed upon as a% of the gross or net revenues derived from the use of an asset or a fixed price per unit sold of an item

Most royalty income earners are usually protected by the intellectual property laws through copyrights(for Music,Books, Softwares),patents,trademarks(like in franchising),industrial design rights and in some cases trade secrets.
Royalty income earners include:
-Books;publishing,reselling
-Music;Production,performance synchronization,reselling,web-streaming
-Softwares
-Franchise,Joint venture,alliances and partnerships
-Artwork
-Extraction of oil,gas,minerals and other non-renewable resources
-Technical services and assistance in technology transfer.
-Movies.

A Lunch With A Millionaire

I've had the privilege like most of us have had,of talking with millionaires.But there is a  'unique' category of people.When they get a chance they start asking questions like,'How to make a good CV','What are some of the questions asked during interviews','Can you get me a job or a connection of a job'...I must confess I find this ridiculous.What business does a millionaire have to do with the gimmicks that happen during interviews or to get jobs instead of making another million? I think it's only that they shy away from calling us stupid.It's like going to a spiritual leader to inquire about a medical condition or mortgage,they will only pray  and 'libainasaikayokutaichi' for us,but that's faith without action which is dead.

We throw parties to friends spend a few thousands for this,but has it ever crossed my mind to invite for lunch one of the many millionaires we have in town?Not that I will be trying to impress(any way what is there to impress them) but I'm just creating a network and life time changing lessons.They will feel honored if not humbled by your request and they will squeeze out the juices from them.

One day I spent an afternoon with a business mentor who has created a system that makes him money even when absent.when I asked him what he does with his time,he responded,'Thinking'. Who am I not to learn from those who have already made it and thought about what we are about to think.They are willing to show you how they've made it and how we too can make it.

But when we get that chance,let them not feel like we have wasted their precious time by asking questions one could have visited uncle Google or some HR experts.The questions below can help us reap more...

(1)How did you make your first million?
(2)How long did it take you?
(3)How long would it take today?
(4)What is the system used to grow wealth?
(5)Is the system transferable and how long would it take?
(6)The most important lesson you've learnt so far and mistakes made?
(7)What are spiritual values in your life?
(8)What legacy you want to leave?
(9)What are the most important habits to get there/
(10)What opportunities do you see?
...the list can be longer

Let's have a more open mind.
Have an awesome lunch with a millionaire,it will be a delicious I can assure you.