Dress For Success Inside Out

I was invited to Australian Embassy by a friend for a business gala dinner, the embassy was to outline business opportunities in Australia and I had to look good that day. I pulled my best suit and the tie that I seldom wear. I drove to the gala dinner and on arrival I felt lost as most of the guests were wearing shirts, no ties, just semi formal. This made me realize that each country has a way in which they define dress code for occasions especially in the business circle. It dawned on me on how Arabs conduct businesses in their attire while mingling with western partners in their black suits and red ties. That event made me reflect on the following when invited or for business meeting:

Be smart inside out

People may receive you based on how you have presented yourself outside but as they get closer to you they discover that you are not as smart inside as you look outside. And that tends to make people switch off on you. Always improve your communication skills and be informed of the current affairs. Wearing like an Arab does not make you Arabian. Do not try to dominate conversation on issues relating to Arabs just because you are wearing like Arabs, that may lead to argument as they try to prove how ignorant you are about their culture.

Be like them if you can

Showing interest in a particular culture can play a role in you securing the business deal you long wanted to lay your hands on. Just shop around to look for something that will make you look good and you don’t have to go expensive. Get some background on your dress code just in case they ask you if you know what you are wearing, that will show deep interest than just trying to impress in order to get a deal. Do not try to compete, be comfortable.

Colors speak

Take time to find different interpretation of colors so that you do not get interpreted incorrectly based on what you are wearing. If you are given a theme as purple you might as well align yourself without putting much consideration on the interpretation but under normal circumstances have color meanings in mind.

Suit does carry a message

Suit does carry a message especially when meeting clients because your first appearance will tell how much you value the meeting and the respect you have for them. Listen to your inner self when pulling that outfit from the closet. Are you doing it to look smart or doing it to prove a point, or you are doing it to show off? Whatever the answer maybe, do not let your attire becloud the purpose of the meeting. And being overly dressed may make you loose focus as you will always be cautious that nothing spills on your designer suit lest you be offended.

When doing business transaction, do not let suits intimidate you, scrutinize everything as most corrupt deals were sealed under tailor made suit radar.

Derrick is a Certified Business Advisor (IBA Member)

"This Was My Great Year" Entrepreneur Should So Say

January 28 2016 l ndbs

Many Entrepreneurs start a year with great resolutions and are excited and looking forward to business growth and great year ahead. In countries like China their years are themed around the national goals but in countries like South Africa the themes are according to religious bodies individuals belong to.

One church may have prosperity as a theme and the other has Taking Over as a theme, such themes do inspire individuals to have aim and purpose during the year. It is unfortunate that not everybody will experience fulfillment of the theme come year end

It Is The End Of The Year Not the End Of Your Business...DON'T PANIC

December 11 2015 l ndbs

At the beginning of the year every business owner has resolution made and part of that is to make enough money to afford a holiday with loved ones, to some is to have a car or buy property, but come year end some realize that they faced more difficulties such that they are amazed that the business is still going on. No matter how prudent and careful you can be, business does face challenges that can be beyond your control, while operating with precision the landlord can decide to increase rent beyond your budget or give you notice to vacate the space, those are challenges and do not mean you should see that as end of your business.

Look Back with Pride

When you look into your business you will realize that in as much as you did not buy or do what you had as resolutions for new year, there are great things or huge investment you made toward the business. Remember that you have your plan but God direct your steps and knows what is best for you and your business. As long you were not wasteful but was able to reinvest and recapitalize your business, there is always another day and another year. Rejoice and celebrate over what you have achieved than worry over what was aborted during the year.

Think Like An Entrepreneur, Act Like A Trader

Octover 08 2015 l ndbs

Being an Entrepreneur is about innovation, ideation, spending time conceptualizing and seeing the end product in your mind. It is when the product is ready that it will require rigorous selling, promotion, marketing and management to get it off the shelf. As Entrepreneur you now need to augment the skill of a trader whereby you knock at closed doors and sail on air balloon to get the product across.

Being entrepreneur you can come up with the idea and plan everything to the latter but not able to operate the business but leave the responsibility to the team that you can hire to do the job. If you are the kind of Entrepreneur without budget it will then require you to also do the actual job than delegate.

Vision 3030: Think Beyond Your Lifetime

August 24 2015 l ndbs

Whether we like it or not, probably none of us in 2015 will leave to see 3030. But whether we leave to see it or not, 3030 will come. In as much as there are those waiting for the world to end, the world may not end before 3030.

But if it does end before then, how will your name be remembered by those living after you? What inheritance will you have left to the generation to come? Will the mention of your name make them frown or smile?

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Take Off Saul's Armour And Face Goliath

June 17 2015 l ndbs

The story of David and Goliath may sound a myth to some but records show that the battle in the valley of Elah with archeological backing did take place. It is a story so close to may people of different religions as it shows the level of faith and trust that one can have in God to win the battle. When David got into the camp of Israelites he was greeted by a giant challenging the army of Israel.

David immediately got charged for war but before he could approach the giant, Saul offered him his armour to wear, Saul was the tallest in Israel, meaning that the armour was no match to David’s body and after an attempt to walk, he decided to take the armour off and face Goliath with his Sling and stones.

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You Are The First PR Executive For Your Business, Behave As Such When Networking

May 08 2015 l ndbs

Network sessions are seen by many as platform where they will go and sell their business and distribute business cards to those deemed potential clients, very few see it as a platform to buy what they are looking for, the reality is that what you have been looking for can be purchased at a handshake price for the mere fact that you shook hands with the seller and had an opportunity to interact at personal level than client and service provider. You therefore need to go the sessions prepared

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Get All Your Race Horses At The Starting Gates

March 23 2015 l ndbs

At the racecourse all horses have same starting time and are at closed starting gate to make sure they are all at the same line before take off but someone is optimistic that their favorite horse will emerge a winner.

At the end of the race there will indeed be one winning horse that will be all over the news and those who placed a bet on it will head to the bank smiling. But the overall winner is the race organiser because every horse paid to enter the race, every gambler paid to bet for the horses, those attending the race paid entrance fee, the broadcasters paid for broadcasting rights, and the organisers decide the winner’s price.

Enhancing Value Chain Among Entrepreneurs

Value Chain is the concept that has been promoted by governments around the world with focus on how they can integrate systems to function efficiently, and they have taken it further by looking at how they can relate amongst each other through bilateral trade agreements that carry tax exemptions and tariff deals that will see seamless transactions to boost their economies.

Fishermen Have No Competitors

I was asked a question by a mentoree during mentorship session: “How do I deal with competitors in the area?” And immediately the thought of fisherman dropped in my mind. I pictured a fisherman on the bank of the dam with other fishermen nearby.

What came strongly is that every fisherman is focused on their fishing line to see if it moves and their attention is on the fishing rod that is held tight by the hands which makes it difficult to lose :

Knock Yourself Off Debts Wagon

Getting in debts then pay someone to administer your way out is like kidnapping yourself and pay someone ransom to be freed. Most people realize they are in debt the moment they need something and can’t afford due to other financial commitment, and instead of paying off what they have committed in they start to see crisis in the situation. One has to ask a question “Did I make mistake by committing my money to that?” and if answer is no keep paying without pressure.

Your Business Needs Medical Attention Too

As humans we are quick to seek medical help should we not feel well in our bodies and at times it does not matter how much we pay for the services as long we get help, yet we fail to do the same when our businesses are unwell, instead of seeking help from experts and consultants, we try to fix things by ourselves until the business collapse and we are unable to resuscitate it back to life. The following are steps that will help getting your business healthy:

Get Your Business Off The Ledge

Every business does experience dry season and rainy season, there are times where it soars like an eagle, and comes a time where it hides like a bat waiting for night time. It becomes dangerous when it get on the ledge and leave the owner with two options: To jump and crush or hold back for rescue. When faced with that situation the following can help get on your feet again:

Is Cash Still King In Business?

The old adage that Cash Is King still has meaning in today’s business world. Employees are paid through cash, Service providers need to be paid cash, creditors are paid cash. Any company that has its cash withheld by its debtors such company may struggle to meet its financial obligations.

Dining With Captains

Getting clients to buy your product or service takes talking and selling but to keep them takes character and respect. The clients that you have they are also clients to others so they know all the tricks and the kind of game you play, and they can easily tell if you are trust worthy or not.

Curious Case Of Middle Class

The economy is structured in such a way that there must be employers and the employees. And it is the responsibility of employer to pay the employee for the services rendered or work done. It is within this circle where the bourgeoisie have found a dwelling place.

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Act Like Antrepreneur, live like Entrepreneur

Ants are interesting insects and unlike lions that you have to find in the zoo, they are found in rural and urban areas. They travel without boundaries and work hard for their food no wonder they got special mention in the bible, Proverbs 6:5-6 ““Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise” . In studying their lifestyle one discovered that there is much to learn from such a tiny creature than could learn from a lion.

Advertising On Social Media For Results

Social media is a great platform for networking, business connection, family contact, friendship, dating that may lead to marriage or heartbreak, whatever the reason may be, the bottom line is any person who is on social media already know the purpose and intentions of being there. How you behave to those you are connected with may make or break your business as you