The Making of A Young Entrepreneur: Gabrielle Jordan Williams

Credit:

tedxtalk@youtube.com

Art of Innovation

note: MSPs = Master the Art of Innovation

1. Make meaning

Kawasaki noted money is important for MSPs, but it should not be their sole motivation, and he recommended "making meaning" to prosper in today's business world.

"Successful companies want to make meaning," Kawasaki said. "I believe that if you try to make meaning, you'll also make money."

2. Make a mantra

A two- or three-word statement that describes what your company does can help an MSP connect with its customers.

Kawasaki provided several examples of effective mantras, including:

• Nike -- Authentic athletic performance
• FedEx -- Peace of mind

"Take some time out and create a mantra for your organization," Kawasaki said. "The test for a mantra is that every employee can recite it."

3. Jump to the next curve

Most companies start on a curve and die on a curve, according to Kawasaki.

An MSP that considers the benefits it provides customers, Kawasaki said, has the necessary perspective to stay ahead of the curve and understand when to jump to the next one.

"When you think about your company, don't define yourself in terms of what you already do. Think about the benefits that you provide," Kawasaki added.

4. Roll the DICEE

Kawasaki recommended MSPs use "DICEE" when they make decisions.

DICEE refers to:

• Deep
• Intelligent
• Complete
• Empowering
• Elegant

Kawasaki noted using DICEE regularly can help an MSP provide value to its customers and stay ahead of its rivals.

5. Don't worry, be crappy

Failure happens, Kawasaki said, but MSPs should embrace and own their mistakes. He also pointed out waiting for perfection to happen ultimately can do more harm than good.

"If you wait for this perfect world where all the software and tools are there, you will never ship, and the world will pass you by," Kawasaki said.

6. Let 100 flowers blossom

Kawasaki pointed out a company that releases a product or service could have a target audience, but customers may find new ways to use this business' offering.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, Kawasaki said, and he recommended MSPs should declare victory if and when this happens.

7. Polarize people

A great product or service polarizes people, Kawasaki said. MSPs should be worried, however, if customers ignore their offerings.

"Great products polarize people. Some people will love it, some people will despise it, and that's ok. What you need to worry about is if people don't care," Kawasaki said.

8. Churn baby, churn

Innovation requires customer feedback, according to Kawasaki.

An MSP that actively seeks customer feedback can thrive, Kawasaki said, because it will be able to find innovative ways to connect with its customers.

9. Niche thyself

Kawasaki said MSPs should determine if their offerings are unique and provide value to their customers.

By doing so, Kawasaki pointed out an MSP can fulfill its customers' needs.

10. Perfect your pitch

An MSP often has to promote its products and services to customers, Kawasaki said.

Developing a perfect pitch, meanwhile, ensures an MSP can explain why its offerings are unique and valuable.

"Great innovators have to be able to convince people with pitches, speeches and presentations," he said.

Kawasaki offered a bonus tip for MSPs as well -- don't let the bozos grind you down.

"Do not let the bozos ground you down," he said. "They're going to tell you it can't be done, it shouldn't be done and it isn't necessary, but don't let them grind you down."

Credit:

mspmentor.net/managed-services/102214/10-tips-master-art-innovation

tedxtalk@youtube.com/watch

"Introduce Me"

It's very dark

With storms not a bit slack

Trying to rack

All my works to the ground

Yet I here

This still voice

Saying,

Introduce me

I hold this device

In it lies power of rights

With a simple click

Choice to preserve or destroy is made

A wrong weapon for a confused man

I am the confused man

Yet I hear

A still calm voice

Saying

Introduce me

Opportunity comes but ones

I'm not a risk taker

But a need meet-er

What do I do?

Yet I hear

A still persistent voice

Saying

Introduce me

Here he comes

Alighting from a boat

And there they come too

Running to his feet

"Please do not torture us"

And he says again

Introduce me

This is the testimony

Of one filled with mammon

Saved by this voice

Introduce me

I'm weak

With no way out

With no cards to play

I finally introduce

Introduce me voice

To be my choice

Well, my only real card

Credit:

adenikematt.blogspot.com

Anzisha Prize 2016 for Africans top young entrepreneurs $75000 prize & more

Application Deadline: 15 April 2016

Are you one of Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs? Do you know someone who may be?

The 2016 Anzisha Prize application window is officially open!  The prize is open to any African national under the age of 22 with an active project, social venture or for-profit business based on the continent. The judging criteria for the prize has been refined for 2016 to better represent the entrepreneurial talent that the Anzisha Prize wants to uncover and support.

Hosted by the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation, the Anzisha Prize celebrates initiative and innovation. Now in its fifth year, the Prize has grown into one of the most sought after awards for young entrepreneurs on the continent.

‘Anzisha’ means ‘initiate’ in Swahili, and that is what the Prize is about. Africa’s solutions lies within its youth, and the Anzisha Prize is looking for young leaders between the ages of 15 and 22 who are using entrepreneurship to solve problems in their communities and inspire change.

Eligibility Requirements

You must be between 15 and 22 years old with an ID document or Passport to present as evidence. Anyone born before April 16, 1994 or after April 16, 2001 will not be considered.
You must be a national of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/ beneficiaries.
Your business must be up and running. The Anzisha Prize is not for great ideas or business plans – you must have already started, and be able to prove it! You have time to get started now and have tangible results to share before applications open.
Your business, invention or social project can be in any field or industry (science and technology, civil society, arts and culture, sports, etc.). Any kind of venture is welcome to apply.
Individuals who apply must be one of the founding members of a business (for example, 2 or 3 co-founders who started a business together). One person can apply for the Prize, on behalf of the team.
Fellowship Worth:

Value of the Fellowship- Additional investment of $8 000/ $10 000 in each fellow

Monetary Reward of a shared amount of $75 000
$2000 access to a world- renowned Entrepreneurial Leadership curriculum and training with the potential for further investment based on engagement and performance
$2 500 worth of rewards from consulting and mentorship services
$2000 worth of rewards from Global speaking events or Experts in Residence support
$1000 worth of rewards from Regional Indabas across the continent
$500 worth of equipment
Each fellow also gains access to the African Leadership Academy network.

Selection Criteria:

Relevance: Has the young entrepreneur identified a clear business opportunity or social need in Africa?
Effectiveness: Does the venture created by the young entrepreneur effectively respond to this relevant need or opportunity?
Jobs Impact: Has the venture created any jobs to date and does it have the potential to create more jobs with support from Anzisha?
Scalability: If the venture is a for-profit business, does it already earn revenues and does it have potential increase revenues with the support of Anzisha? If the venture is a not-for-profit enterprise, does it already reach beneficiaries and does it have the potential to reach many more beneficiaries with support from Anzisha?
Leadership Potential: Does the young entrepreneur have clearly demonstrated leadership potential and an ability to inspire others? Can this potential be accelerated by being part of the African Leadership Academy community?
Timeline:

Semi-finalists will be chosen on a rolling admissions basis, so get your application in early! If you have a very strong application, we could be visiting you very soon!

15 March 2016: Early Bird applications reviewed.
15 April 2016: Application Deadline.
July/ August 2016: Semi-finalist due diligence visits and and final selection.
September 2016: Anzisha Prize Finalists  for 2016 announced.
November 2016: Anzisha Prize Week & Awards Ceremony.

Apply Now for the Anzisha Prize 2016

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the 2016 Anzisha Prize

www.oppurtunitiesforafricans.com

BMCE Bank of Africa - African Entrepreneurship Award 2016 (USD$1 Million for African Entrepreneurs)

Application Deadline: May 6th, 2016.

African Entrepreneurship Award (AEA) 2016 powered by BMCE Bank of Africa.

Do you have a business idea that will create jobs and improve lives in your region?

Applications are now been accepted for the 2nd edition of the African Entrepreneurship Award. What does that mean for you?

The African Entrepreneurship Award, powered by BMCE Bank of Africa, offers a mentoring journey for business ideas that can impact and improve lives in Africa. The goal of the African Entrepreneurship Award is to inspire African entrepreneurs – living in Africa and abroad – to develop businesses across the African continent, creating jobs that improve lives.

The Award partners with entrepreneurs, business leaders and leading academics from Africa, Asia, Americas, UK and Europe. These partners are mentors who provide coaching to African entrepreneurs at every step of this journey.

Eligibility

You, the entrepreneur, must meet the following criteria as you submit your business proposal:

You must be a citizen of an African country
You must be a minimum of 18 years old as of October 1, 2016
Your business must be applicable in an African country
Your business proposal must include a technological component (digital, machinery, computers, ICT, automated processes, field related technologies, etc.)
Your business must be for profit.
Your business must be relevant to one of these categories:
Education – positively impact education in Africa
Environment – positively impact the environment in Africa
Uncharted – a high-impact business venturing into unexplored territory or untested markets
Additional Information

You can submit a proposal as a resident of any country worldwide – keeping in mind that you must be a citizen of an African country
For example, a resident of the United Arab Emirates with Egyptian citizenship is eligible for this Award
Your business can operate in any African country even if you are not a citizen of that country
For example, you can submit a proposal for a different country in Africa than your personal, African citizenship (e.g. a Ghanaian citizen can submit a proposal for a business in Liberia)
You can submit a proposal for a business already in operation
Your business can operate across borders in multiple African countries
Your business should demonstrate the potential to scale beyond one region in Africa to pan-African impact
You can operate in multiple countries, but you will be asked to designate a primary community in Africa that will benefit or be impacted by your business.
Categories:

Your business proposals will be reviewed in one of our three categories:
Education, Environment, and Uncharted

Education is essential to equip Africans in the 21st century. As 11 million young Africans enter the job market every year, we are looking for business ideas that will impact education with the potential to scale across Africa.
It means you could…

The Environment is critical to ensure Africa works together in all sectors to promote innovations that will protect the livelihood of current and future generations. As 11.3 million hectares of land are ravaged every year by poor agricultural systems, over-grazing, and deforestation, we are looking for business ideas that will impact the environment with the potential to scale across Africa.

Uncharted means unexplored, not yet attempted. What is so difficult to do in your community that no one has tried before? Like explorers and inventors throughout history, what will propel Africa into a stronger position in the 21st century? We are looking for business ideas that boldly go where no one has gone before in Africa.

Benefit from personalized, online mentoring over the next few months by people in your region, across Africa and around the globe
Learn by reading relevant advice proven to help African entrepreneurs,
Join a new network that can lead to new customers and investors, and
Have an opportunity to share in the $1M Award.

Apply Now for the BMCE Bank of Africa -African Entrepreneurship Award 2016 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the BMCE Bank of Africa -African Entrepreneurship Award 2016

Credit :
www.opportunitiesforafricans.com

4 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me in My Twenties

It's never too late to learn what you wish you'd known.
by JEFF GOINS

“Just one big idea. One big idea, and we can change the
world.”

I made the mistake of uttering those words in the back
seat of a car many years ago in the companyi of some
older, wiser colleagues. We were racing from one
meeting to the next, and I, the token twentysomething,
was trying to divert attention away from work to a more
exciting subject. Dreams.
Rattling off recent causes and businesses that had
suddenly exploded, I marveled at the power of big ideas.
It was, apparently, all you needed to change the world—
and make a million dollars.
One of my colleagues smiled as I went on and on about
the power of creativity. He eventually burst into laughter
saying, “Really?! You think that’s all it takes? A big
idea? You’ve got a lot to learn.”
At first, the words stung. But years later, after actually
pursuing a dream, I realized how true they were. Finding
your purpose is rarely as easy as we think it is. We tell
millennials to go set fire to the world, that all they need
is a big idea and enough passion to sustain them. But I
have to wonder: are we doing them, and the world, a
disservice?
Looking back, I wish someone would have told me these
things earlier—or if they did, that I would have listened:
Don’t Just Chase Passion, Look for Opportunity
Telling someone to chase their passion is just plain bad
advice. Or at very least, it’s incomplete.

FINDING PURPOSE IS REALLY ABOUT OPPORTUNITY—
THAT PLACE WHERE YOUR PASSION, SKILLS AND THE
NEEDS OF THE WORLD CONNECT.

So many people are wandering from one job to the next,
wasting the best years of their life chasing a dream
instead of mastering a skill. This problem doesn’t apply
to just twentysomethings; it also affects people in their
thirties, forties and even fifties.
Frederick Buechner wrote that vocation is the place
where our deep joy meets the world’s need. I think
that’s true. Finding your purpose isn’t about doing just
what you’re passionate about. Of course, that’s part of
the formula, but it’s only one part.
Finding purpose is really about opportunity—that place
where your passion, skills and the needs of the world
connect. When you find what you’re good at, what you
love and what people want, you’ve found something
special.
I used to think life was all about pursuing your passion.
Now, I understand it’s about identifying opportunities
and going after the ones that align with what makes
you come alive.

Your Best Mentor Is Right in Front of You
In my twenties, I worked for a nonprofit—first as a
copywriter, then as the marketing director. For the most
part, I liked my job, but that didn’t stop me from
wondering what I was missing out on. I spent seven
years dreaming, seven years of longing, frustration and
wondering what was next. Then one day, I met someone
who opened my eyes to everything I was doing wrong.
Who was this mysterious guide? My boss.
The executive director of our organization, Seth, had a
wealth of knowledge I was oblivious to, because I was
blinded by my own ambition and arrogance. Having
earned his MBA years ago, Seth was a smart
entrepreneur, had a sharp marketing mind and was a
great writer. I kept looking outside my circles for the
perfect mentor, while missing out on the one that was
right in front of me.
When I finally began taking Seth’s advice, I realized how
much I had been missing. Years later, when I told him it
was time for me to move on and start my own business,
he said he was proud of me and admitted that I had
outgrown my role. But it was his guidance that had
prepared me for such a transition in the first place.
We all want someone to show us the way, but the truth
is the best mentors are usually right in front of us.

Ideas Are Cheap, Action Is Costly
I used to be a big idea guy. Every few months, I’d tell
my wife about some new project I was going to launch.
This was it, I would tell her. This was the big idea that
was going to make me famous and change the world.
Usually, she would just smile and sometimes sigh
faintly.
And of course, it never happened. I would get bored or
distracted and move on, abandoning the big idea,
moving on to the next thing. For me, it was all about
novelty. The next, new thing was always better than the
old. But after years of doing this, never seeing any of my
ideas take off, I wondered if my approach was all
wrong.
It wasn’t until I read a book by Scott Belsky when I
began to reframe my understanding of creativity,
dreams and what it took to do meaningful work. In
Making Ideas Happen , Belsky writes, “It’s not about
ideas. It’s about making ideas happen.”
After that, I stopped worrying about better ideas and
started focusing on better execution. Sure, it’s great to
have a good idea. And it’s certainly easier to make a
good idea succeed than a bad one. But a decent idea
with good execution is better than a great idea with
zero execution.

It’s Not About You
Recently, I was in the back seat of a truck, driving
through rural Kenya. My business had generated enough
revenue the previous year that we were able to make a
donation to a small nonprofit, and now we were on our
way to see where it had gone. We were driving to the
site of the building we had helped construct in the
middle of a leper colony.

PASSION CAN ONLY GET YOU SO FAR. WHAT IT
REALLY TAKES TO FIND MEANINGFUL WORK IN THIS
WORK IN THIS WORLD IS COMMITMENT.

When we arrived, I was amazed at what I saw: The
building was a one-room workshop, full of mothers with
babies on their backs, furiously sewing handbags and
school uniforms. They would later sell these at the
market, giving a percentage of overhead to keep the
building operational and keeping the net profit for
themselves.
How did we get here? I don’t recall ever having a big
idea. All I did was start a blog, sharing what I knew.
Over time, this slowly grew into a business, which had
brought me halfway around the world to something so
much bigger than I ever could have imagined.
Honestly, I thought it was about me in the beginning,
and standing in that camp just outside of Mombasa,
surrounded by mud huts and red dirt, I realized how so
very little of it had to do with me.
It reminded me of just a few years before when I was
sitting in the back of another car and had made the
mistake of thinking big ideas are what change the
world. Now, I know better. Ideas are just the beginning.
Passion can only get you so far. What it really takes to
find meaningful work in this world is commitment. It
means using the opportunities you have right now,
sometimes sticking with a job longer than you’d like,
understanding how God uses everything but loves to
use our faithfulness.
Chances are, at some point in your life you’ll find
yourself in the backseat of one car or another. The
question is, will it be the one full of dreams, or the one
taking you somewhere you never could have imagined?

Credit : http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/maker/4-things-i-wish-someone-had-told-me-my-twenties