4 valuable business lessons from TPF 5

The E.Africa highly watched reality show, TPF came to an end last weekend.Congrats to the winner Ruth who beside emerging as a millionaire she is truly talented. For some viewers, TPF only offer entertainment, but if you dig deeper the just concluded TPF show can teach us some valuable business lessons.

 Here are some important business lessons from TPF 5

 Talented employees a must for success

Think of TPF without Judge Ian? To me that would be the most boring show.He brings humor and seriousness in the show.Many hate him but this guy is a true description of what a good judge should be. Mitch too brought humor and laughter to the show

In business ensure that your team is composed of talented individuals. Don't just recruit based on academic performances look for people with passion and talent of what they do. Remember talent tapping, retention and management is one of the the most difficult thing in any organization.

 

 Competitive advantage

What made Ruth people favorite? she knew her uniqueness(voice and dancing) she simply choose songs that enabled her bring out that uniqueness. Same case in business, you should clearly know your uniqueness and let others see them. Customers will choose you because of that advantage you have over your competitors.

Ruth Matete,the winner TPF 5

Business world is unfair

I cant still believe the purple diva Doreen came 2nd but congrats to her.she is a beautiful lady with a nice voice but clearly lacked that spirit of a star. You all agree Jackson deserved the 2nd place but thats how competitions are-full of unfair  surprises.

Business world has never been fair,you have to be ready to fight for your success no matter the situation. Keep in mind that competitors will try all means to knock you down using all uncouth methods at their disposal. To remain strong always try and be innovative

Social Media is a powerful tool

Social media especially Facebook and Twitter played a big role for Ruth and Doreen success. Fans formed pages to call for support of their favorites contestants,with Ruth and Doreen being the contestants with majority of fans and pages that were active and  highly engaging.Business should fully utilize the potential of social media . A 21st century business cannot consider itself successful if its inactive in social media. Its the high time for business to fully embrace and integrate social media to aid in their operations

Let experts assist you with you social media,engage us  Social Edge Africa.

Top 10 inspiring kenyan entrepreneurs

Are you an entrepreneur or a businessperson? Unfortunately many don't differentiate between the two. According to scholars there are different definitions of entrepreneurship,however in my case I am viewing it from the perspective of coming up with an innovation and the willingness to take risk when those around say it can't be done. The the ability to look at things and believe it can be done better,being persistent when others would likely give up.

For any country to achieve its development goals it should be backed by people who think outside the box,to come up with innovation and ideas that in turn generates job opportunities. We all acknowledge that Kenya is endowed with such individuals.
 Hereby is my list of the inspiring entrepreneurs, some of whom have established business empires worth million of dollars that have not only generated huge revenues and jobs for Kenyans but have also revolutionized  the way to do business in this country.

Mike Macharia – Founder and Group CEO, Seven Seas Technologies (SST)

At the age of 25 Michael Macharia founded SST, a provider of integrated business and technology solutions across Africa in the financial, telecoms, real estate and service industries.

The firm, which started in 1999, today has operations in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. SST has landed several significant deals across the continent. These include last year’s US$700,000 contract to design, install and commission an ultra-modern data centre for Ethiopia’s Bank of Abyssinia and a recent $5.6 million contract to upgrade business information systems hardware for the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO).

Kenya’s leading telecommunications company Safaricom has shown interest in acquiring a controlling stake in SST.


 Ken Njoroge – Co-founder and CEO, Cellulant

Ken Njoroge quit his studies in pharmacy opting for a degree in information systems management. At 23 he teamed up with two friends and started 3mice, a web development firm. Together with a Nigerian friend Bolaji Akinboro, Njoroge later co-founded Cellulant, a mobile commerce company that manages, delivers and bills for digital content and commerce services actualized over telecom networks.

“Founded in 2004 on about $3,000, and a credit card, the vision of Cellulant’s founders was to create a Fortune 500 company in Africa, out of Africa and by Africans,” reads a statement on the Cellulant’s website.

Nigeria’s federal government recently awarded Cellulant, which already has a presence in eight countries across the continent, a four-year $8.9 million contract to run an e-mobile registration and validation system for subsidized fertilizer.

 Kamal Budhabhatti – Founder and CEO, Craft Silicon

Kamal Budhabhatti grew up in India. The science graduate later moved to Kenya and in 2000 started Craft Silicon Limited, a provider of software solutions to financial and insurance institutions in more than 40 countries.

Budhabhatti has previously told reporters that he would like to have Craft Silicon listed either on the London or New York stock exchanges. The BBC and Forbes have both compared the soft-spoken software guru with Microsoft’s billionaire founder Bill Gates.

Craft Silicon won the $100,000 grand prize at the 2010 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship. The firm was feted for being both innovative and inspirational.

TABITHA KARANJA-founder and CEO,Keroche breweries

According to Tabitha, the journey has been rough and turbulent since 1997 when she ventured into the wine industry. For over 12 years, Tabitha fought a lone battle with giant multinationals in the fortified wines industry.

Keroche Breweries, based in Naivasha, has 100 employees, and engages hundreds others in the distribution network. Thanks to the distribution and retail networks built when she specialized in fortified wines. Keroche enjoys a national network, which she hopes to strengthen with the entry of the beer.

The company has invested one billion shillings in the new plant built by Italian and German engineers. It has a capacity of 6,000 half-litre bottles per hour. 

 JAMES MWANGI-C.E.O Equity Bank

 Equity Bank is the largest bank by customer base in East and Central Africa and the largest African majority owned company in the region. The bank has more than seven million accounts representing over half of all bank accounts in Kenya. It also has operations in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Dr. James Mwangi has been pivotal in the transformation of Equity Bank from a failing micro-finance institution to a publicly listed commercial bank. He has also driven the bank's aim to transform the lives and livelihoods of people socially and economically by giving them access to modern, inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities.

The bank is rated the biggest by customer base and African majority owned company in East and Central Africa.James has been pivotal in the bank's investment in a robust IT platform that can accommodate 35 million accounts, as well as a level four data center -- the only one of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa -- giving Equity a lead in creating synergy between banking and mobile telephones. Other innovations include Mkesho, the world's first mobile centric bank account, Orange Money, a mobile money transfer platform for Orange Telecom subscribers, and agency banking.

He is the winner of Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012.

Naushad Merali-Chairman sameer Group

In 2000, the Kenyan-Asian tycoon partnered with French media giant Vivendi to found Kencell, a Kenyan mobile phone service provider, which he later sold off to Celtel and Bharti Airtel. He still owns 5% of Bharti Airtelâ's operations in Kenya, and serves as chairman of the board. But the bulk of his power and fortune comes from his ownership of one of East Africa's largest conglomerates- the $2 billion (Annual turnover) eponymous Sameer Group which owns some of the most popular companies in the Kenya's financial services, construction, agriculture, energy and ICT sectors. Merali is chairman of the group. His son, Sameer Merali is the heir apparently.

 

JOANNE MWANGI-C.E.O and founder,P.M.S

Though she stumbled into business 13 years ago, Joanne Mwangi has proved to be a successful entrepreneur. The numerous awards she has won over the years are testament to her entrepreneurial skills and spirit.
Joanne Mwangi is the founder of Professional Marketing Services (PMS) Limited, an experiential marketing agency. The PMS Group offers services in advertising, public relations, event management, trade promotions, consumer promotions, trade merchandising and Marketing strategy development.
According to Mwangi, the firm, which started as a small outfit providing merchandising activities, has evolved into Professional Marketing Services Group of companies (PMS Group) providing a wide range of services to a myriad of clients,” she says.

CHRIS KIRUBI-chairman Capital Group

Mr.  Chris Kirubi got an early start buying up small, dilapidated residential and commercial real estate in Nairobi, then renovated the properties and flipped them for a profit. He now owns Nairobi's landmark International House building, one of the city's longest standing and most prestigious commercial properties, as well as several other commercial and residential buildings in Nairobi. Other assets include a 49% stake in Haco Tiger Industries, which manufactures consumer products; a controlling stake in Centum, a Nairobi Stock Exchange-listed private equity firm; UAP Insurance, one of Kenya's largest insurance companies and Sandvik East Africa, a Kenyan construction firm. Also owns the DHL Franchise in Kenya, and Capital FM, Kenya's most popular radio station. Devout disciple of social media keeps active Twitter and Facebook accounts. 

MANU CHANDARIA-CEO Comcraft

 The Kenyan industrialist is the chairman of Comcraft group, a $2.5 billion industrial conglomerate his father founded over 80 years ago. The group produces steel, plastics, and aluminium products from its manufacturing facilities in 16 African countries and employs a workforce of over 40,000 people in 45 countries on five continents. The reputable philanthropist has given millions to education and health causes in Kenya. Recently, he funded the creation of the Chandaria Business Innovation and Incubation Centre at Kenyatta University to provide seed funding and mentor ship to student entrepreneurs at the institution. The shareholding of the Comcraft group is believed to be spread through dozens of family members, which is why Manu Chandaria did not make our list this year and is unlikely to do so in the future.

NJERI RIONGE-Co-founder Wanainchionline

  Rionge has co-founded multi-million dollar companies in quick succession. She co-founded Wananchi Online, a leading Internet service provider which has gone on to become East Africa’s leading cable, broadband and IP (Internet-based) phone company. Wananchi has become immensely successful, so much that it has raised close to $60 million in growth capital from a consortium private equity firms. She also founded Ignite Consulting, a thriving business consultancy; Business Lounge, Kenya’s leading start up incubator; Ignite Lifestyle, a health care consultancy; and Insite, one of Kenya’s most successful digital marketing outfits. She now divides her time between homes in Nairobi and Toronto where she runs her diverse business concerns.

OTHERS INCLUDE:

ATUL SHAH-Nakumatt Holdings Managing Director

Peter muraya- CEO and founder,Suraya properties group

Rabar Brothers of Homeboyz

David kuria founder Iko Toilets

I must acknowledge that i have not covered everyone and there are many more Kenyan entrepreneurs,your contribution is highly appreciated

Lets engage at Social Edge Africa and be part of the revolution

Business lessons from AIBUMA Conference

The much awaited AIBUMA conference finally came to pass last week .It was better than we anticipated,with the live broadcast on n.t.v and live stream on the website,there is nothing better we could have wished for, big up to The Business School,University of Nairobi. No wonder its among the best business schools in Africa and with numerous of its alumni being in the top circle of African  business.Its my hope that there will be more of such conferences.They give students a chance to interact and get ideas from the high and mighty in the business world helping them think outside the box

This years theme "Embracing the Changing Face and Pace of Business and Management" came at a perfect time with the recent discovery of oil in Kenya."oil is not a curse nor a blessing,its the leaders,regulations and governance that makes it either"said Ms. Summaiya Athman,MD National oil corporation. We must all agree that AFRICA is on the rise,21st century belongs to Africa. In 2000 The Economist Magazine stated that Africa was a Hopeless continent and 10 years later they say its a Rising continent. Its our time and I hope you will play a role in truly making Africa a shining star.

The keynote speakers did not disappoint from Patrick Quarcoo, C.E.O Radio Africa who helped us understand why Kiss and Classic F.M are ruling the radio climate in Kenya,Richard Bell C.E.O Wanainchi group who helped raise over 300 millions dollars in just a span of 5 years for his company,Mr. lesiyampe, C.E.O  K.N.H who has done a marvelous work in improving the reputation of the hospital,linus gitahi of Nation Media,Rita Kavashe of general motors,Tabitha Karanja of Keroche Breweries,truly women champions, These are some of the business gurus who addressed the conference.

Below is a summary of lessons that 21st century business should adopt to remain ahead of competition;

1. Innovation in face of challenges will help you succeed, innovation will help you stay ahead of  competition,embrace entrepreneurship and have a strong team that knows how to tap top talent.
2. Organizations should take advantage of geography,its time for them to look beyond the national and E.Africa boundaries,its time to expand to the rest of Africa and beyond.
3. Communication: organizations should take advantage of social media,it has completely changed the face of business,ensure you are part of that change,Lets engage on Social Edge Africa and learn more on social media
4. Cost management is a must,ensure that you get high quality goods for low cost.This calls for efficient supply chain-application of T.Q.M, kaizen, Hines value chain among others.
5. Change in culure: technology has completely changed the world,learn foreign languages to be competitive enough,like I recall generall motors C.E.O saying its hard to find a competent french speaking mechanic
6. Gender:women are on rise and always influence major purchasing decisions. With their multitasking power they are a + to an organization.
7. Partnership: investors are constantly looking for partners to do business together with in africa,as an entrepreneur stand out and go out for those opportunities
8. Think the oppositte; Some of the greatest people in the world are those who did things contraly to what was expected of them,kipchoge keino,
9. Do the unexpected: in business there are no set rules on how to go,only that people are used to doing things in a certain that they create rules,step out of that cocoon do what your competitors don't expect of you
10. Create a legend: Create excitement beyond measure in order to succeed and be great,it should not be about you anymore,its about what you can do to change the world.
11. Outsourcing: don't try to be a jack of all traits,concentrate on your core business and let other specialists perform the rest of the activities for you,when Bharti outsourced their network they realized more profit and they set pace in the telecommunication industry.
12. Benchmarking: It's a chance for one to learn from the best in the industry and also know what your competitors are doing to be a step ahead of them.
13. In order to have a productive workforce, leaders must try to understand each employees dreams,visions and goals in their personal lives in  to effectively integrate them into accomplishing the vision and goal of the organization
14. Ignite fire in the soul rather than the feet of your employees,share success ,show respect and appreciation to your employees,reward them as a team rather than individuals,change titles(from morgue attendance to farewell assistant,good work at K.N.H
15. E-generation; the so called generation y is here to stay,they are born in the technology era,give them freedom and time with technology and also understand their wishes,dreams and aspirations to have that productive relationship with them

I will leave you with some of the inspiring quotes that motivated me from the conference
      

    Be so good,they can't ignore you

When you are running for your life,you can run faster than anything

The secret of success is not what you are taught in school,college,university or years of experience but how you deal with emotions in the work place

 Die young,as late as possible

You don't have to do things according to traditions all the time.

Lets engage on twitter @Nairobiguruh

Careers in procurement and supply chain management

I was not amazed when last month,Nation newspaper published an article about careers-that majority of High school students are in dilemma of their career course. Leave alone high school students,ask some university students why they choose that particular course and you will be surprised, "my mum said..my dad said...its well paying...etc are some of the reasons they give. As students choose their specialization courses majority opt for easy, "marketable' courses though they clearly lack passion and love.

S.C.M is the management of a network of all business processes and activities involving procurement of raw materials, manufacturing and distribution management of finished Goods. It is one of the fields experiencing tremendous growth in the 21st century because among other things,organizations are recognizing efficient inventory as a competitive tool. Being a passionate procurement and supply chain student,i want to share an insight on some of the careers in this field 

Supply chain analyst

They gather and interpret data, find solutions to problems develop performance reports and provides analytical support for new business opportunities and proposals.

They focus in enhancing logistics and ensuring distributors and customers to receive accurate timely orders 

Ideal skills: strong quantitative and analytical skills, broad range of computer skills and efficient communication skills

Purchasing 

They are responsible for identifying sources of materials, selecting suppliers, arranging contracts and managing relationships.

They direct the buying activities of every organization and act as a link between business and suppliers 

Ideal skills and attributes: love traveling, good negotiation and communication skills to apply in sealing deals with suppliers. 

Transportation 

 

They ensure timely and cost efficient transportation of all incoming and outgoing goods. They are responsible for scheduling, routing, budget administration, contract negotiations.

Some of their duties include management of fleet, drivers and decisions on routes to play. 

Ideal attributes: good knowledge of transport regulation, computer skills, able to work under pressure, ability to manage people and systems 

Logistics 

They work closely with other departments to create timely and cost effective supply chains. Their duties include evaluating tradeoffs between transportation, inventory and service levels, developing strategies for entering new markets. 

 Ideal skills and attributes: good knowledge of international commerce, foreign language proficiency, strong communication and negotiation skills 

Procurement and supply chain consultant 

One should have extensive experience in procurement or purchasing

They work with organizations to enhance supply chain and logistics performance through strategic planning, process re-engineering and technology implementation

They help clients develop the tools, process of knowledge base needed to create customer value to build competitive advantage and boost profitability.
Skills and attributes: critical reasoning skills, strong interpersonal skill and able to think outside the box 

Warehouse manager 

They direct the efficient and cost effective operation in commercial or industrial distribution center. They also administer overall inventory management, productivity and loss prevention programs to ensure customer request are done.

Skills: highly organized teamwork, leadership skills and proficiency in computer skills

One should be prepared for a life of paperwork, strict procedures and always receiving many invoices.

Supply Chain software manager. 

Manages components of distribution technology, integrates logistics and supply chain software information into corporate database, provides computer systems to support users and incorporates software solution into logistics.

Procurement Manager.

These professionals are tasked with ensuring that a company’s sourcing activities are procuring inventory that is not only high quality, but (relatively) low in cost. These individuals often require both an analytical rigor as well as the ability to communicate and influence individuals both inside and outside of the organization.

Other career fields includes:

•  3PL Managers
•  Demand Planners

Finally am looking forward to seeing you in the upcoming  AIBUMA Conference.