The Next Big Thing

Love or hate it, social media is here to stay; it’s not a FAD. It’s no longer the teenagers on it or a pass time for the college students that many associated social sites with, its now a multimillion dollar industry. The recent Facebook IPO is just an indication of the potential in this industry. It is a 21st century innovation that has completely revolutionized the business climate. Many of the companies especially in the developing world have not fully embraced nor integrated social media in their operations though they are gradually changing their attitudes. However I don’t fully blame them for this, the other big issue is lack of social media agencies around to assist organizations in handling social media issues.

The customers are the most important aspect for success of any business, the more an organization attracts customers and is able to satisfy them the higher the profitability-the simple business rule.

Below are some of the reasons as to why organizations should embrace social media to win more customers.

Here is how social media influences customers

             1. Social proof

Consumers are more and savvier about whom and where they purchase products from Statistics show that more and more consumers are searching online before purchasing. By having a social media presence that is engaging helps boost the confidence, reputation and trust of clients about your business

   

       2. Engage with its customers.

Customer engagement is a very crucial since this will help your company retain your existing customers and of course increase your brand credibility. Strong social media presence will give an organization increased engagement and interaction with customers. When organizations are able to have conversations with their customers, it automatically results to an increased level of credibility.

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Coast Bus

September 19 via mobile

Do you have a favorite city? We want to hear from you! ::Fill in the blank:: My favorite city to travel to is ________!

Mercy Njue Ksm en nrb

Gitonga Tosh Munene mombasa

    3. Access to customer’s feedback

This is because the feedback actually helps in improving your products based on what your customer’s require. Due to the fact that social media channels aid in making customer engagement possible, then customer feedback will always be available for the company to use as basis for improvement. With this, you can always expect customer reviews and feedback that can help you in making your products or services even better

 

    4. Discover your customers’  preferences

You will be able to act based on what they want. By knowing their preferences, it will be much easier for you to enhance all of your products and plan your marketing campaigns more effectively. Smart companies monitor social media conversations to better understand consumer preferences, unmet needs, satisfaction levels and opportunities to improve service delivery. This results in retaining a higher percentage of customers and lower costs to secure new customers, who are not being well served by your competitors.

Safaricom Kenya Official Page

September 12

Thank you for your company, it was a pleasure serving you tonight. We will be back from 5:00 AM. Have a good night!^WW

   5. Aids in customer care service

 Many businesses face the same questions time and time again when it comes to customer service. Use your social media outlets to answer those questions. You are not only able to highlight to your community that you are available but also get other people within the community to provide answers and support to new members who have perhaps experienced the same issues themselves.

Nakumatt Holdings

9 hours ago

Let us know: How would you like us to improve on our customer service?

Jack Martin U never have toilets, especially dev. hse & its 24hrs, we need to use then, its a public place for heavens sake!

Ma Stingo Lower ua prices kidogo :-) 

There are many more benefits brands gain by embracing social media,finally am inviting you all at the launch of  SocialPro clubs

WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY NOW?

The tremendous growth of social media in business and communication has necessitated us to conceptualize and spearhead the formation of social media clubs dubbed (SocialPro clubs) in universities across the country. These clubs will bring together different social media enthusiasts, speakers, bloggers, industry experts, digital agencies and organizations who have immensely contributed to the growth of social Media in Kenya. SocialPro clubs will also create a platform that will enhance product and consumer engagement through creativity and innovation. The core objective of these clubs is to teach, educate students, create awareness, and impart knowledge & skills on social media. These clubs in a nutshell will unlock the limitless possibilities and potential on social media.

Below please find features online we've gotten so far on SocialPro clubs to acquaint yourself with SocialPro clubs. To support this initiative in kind or in cash or be part of the team drop me an email through Nateford@socialedge.co.ke

http://www.humanipo.com/blog/1589/SocialPRO-to-help-universities-in-Kenya-adopt-social-media-use-for-info-sharing

http://www.openbook.co.ke/2012/introducing-socialpro-social-media-clubs-for-university-students-in-kenya.html

http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/socialpro,-the-birth-of-social-media-clubs#.UFrHall41Bg.twitter

http://www.slideshare.net/muthurikinyamu/introduction-to-socialpro-clubs-by-social-edge-africa.

http://www.ghettoradio.co.ke/social-edge-africa-set-to-launch-social-media-clubs/

http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/campus/social-media-clubs-to-help-uni-students-network/

Where the kenyan future lies

Its been a hectic week for Kenyans especially those in Mombasa,riots were all over after killing of the controversial clergyman.What was more saddening was that over 90% of rioters were youths. Most of them are educated but unfortunately are unemployed.The government has invested so much in education yet little on job creating enterprises.Each year thousands of graduates are being churned out with less than half getting employed.It explains the recent scenarios of the rising cases of Kenyans being mistreated abroad and of young bright Kenyans joining terrorists groups like Al-Shabaab.This leads us to the big question,Where does the future lie?- 
Talent tapping and nurturing is my answer.

By this I mean co-curricular talents like sports,arts,music etc. Kenya is blessed with talent...look at sports,music,photography among other things and you will see real talent at work.My interview with Ben Kiruthi was an eye opener,in that,if one can shun engineering for photography then I can say talent is valuable than the typical jobs

The government is doing little to ensure that talent doesn't go to waste. The recent performance in Olympics was an indication that there should be more serious investment in sports.The performance of Kenyan footballers in Europe is pleasing but what happens to Harambee stars?

Check some artwork by Kimani Gichau

Don't you think this is truly amazing talent?

You can check out more at kilele music and art studio

Whats the way forward?

1.SPORTS
Sports academies are on the rise and most schools like Light academy are recognizing the importance of talent nurturing.Some universities like Strathmore have sports scholarship,a reason as to why their sports teams perform well.However there should be more investment to tap the rural talents since it doesn't hurt to have many more players in the elite European and American sport clubs

2.Music
Emerging musicians are putting Kenyans in the world map,the likes of  Camp Mulla, S.T.L to name but a few which is evidence that there is amass talent.More competitions like Tusker project fame and the Sakata dance show should be organized.There is also a need to establish cost friendly state of the art recording studios.

3. Arts
Much has to be done in this wide diverse field.They should come up with platforms to support artists like Kate,it feels sad to see such talent and so much  more going to waste.The potential that we see during drama and music festivals is amazing thus investors should be encouraged to invest in them.

I wish entrepreneurship could be taught right from primary school,to help people know how to transform talents to profitable ventures. Unless there is greater emphasis on this, then the Kenyan revolution is not far<God forbid> because in some years to come we will have millions of educated but unemployed youths-a time bomb waiting to explode.

Finally am inviting you all to the launch of Social Pro clubs in universities,starting with U.o.N,School of business-Lower Kabete on September 25th.These clubs,among other benefits,will provide local companies a talent pool for graduate trainees with a solid understanding of social, digital and new media.

Lets engage in twitter @Nairobiguruh

A Kenyan photographer with a difference

Ben Kiruthi

Founder

benkiruthi Photography

Tell us something about your business or professional background?

I run a photography business together with my fiancée Faith Gathoni. Our core business is lifestyle & wedding photography…that is where our heart & love is. My 1^st degree is in Electronics & Computer Engineering from JKUAT. I also hold an MBA in Entrepreneurship. I have no training whatsoever in Photography…all I know has been as a result of my God-given passion.

Why photography?

 

Well…about two years ago, I realized that I had a passion in taking photos especially of people. By then I had a Nokia phone with a 2MP camera…that was my 1^st camera…I loved the way I could be able to tell stories through images…I am big on sharing my story & life with the world & photography provided a medium for me…Also it was my chance of showing the beauty of God’s creation and make the world a better place in my own little way…J

What would you consider to be the most important aspects of this job?

Awesome question…Photography for me is 100%  a reflection of who you are…from me photography is all about telling a story through your own eyes. It is important for a person wishing to get into photography to ask themselves why? Money should never be a reason…passion, love should be. I have one of the best jobs in the world…since I love what I do and do what I love…

What is imani initiative? And what motivated you to start it?

Imani Initiative is an initiative that started about a month ago…let me start from where it all began. Around a month ago, Faith & I were just taking some time away on a Sunday afternoon. It was then that we thought about the wonderful platform that God had given us via photography. We then wondered what is it that we had done to give back…to make a path for others to be great. We realized that all great people share & help others to be great. We then prayed & asked God to give us an idea where we would be able to give back to the society.

This is when God gave us the idea of Imani Initiative, so the initiative is basically us going round the region (EA includedJ) and training photographers/Photography enthusiasts on how to take professional photos & also how they can be able to start their own small photography business. We train them all that God has taught us along our photography journey and the best thing is that is it absolutely free for our students. We take care of our own transport & accommodation.

Where did you learn the art of photography?

Well…as I mentioned I have no formal or informal photography training. I learned most of what I know through asking a lot of questions, doing tonnes&tonnes of research online. Also I used to get video tuitorials via youtube and then teach myself and practice what I learnt from them. I learnt as a rookie in the industry that most established photographers were unwilling to provide me with information or mentor me…but God in His awesome grace made a way for me to be able to learn. Research & practice was really key to me & last but not least God made a way for me & provided me with that extra X-factor that I needed to help me come up with amazing amazing images.

What part has being a saved Christian played in your success?

Well, a big big part…I attribute all that we have been able to achieve in the past 3 years to God. God has been our biggest secret & our secret motivator. About a year ago, I was frustrated…business was so slow, photography had too many challenges & I was ready to quit all together & try something less involving. That is when God told us what we were doing wrong. He told us to make Him #1, numerouno in our business. At 1^st I was very skeptic…how could I make God #1 in my fashion photography business? But then I just did it. I made sure every aspect of our business glorified God. Made sure that through all my business dealings He was #1. In a matter of month we had a complete turnaround. God rescued our business and now we never ever going back…Ben Kiruthi Photography is and will always be a tool to glorify & honor God here on earth for as long as we both have breath.

Who is your inspiration?

GOD---The End!

What your advice to those wishing to pursue photography as a career?

Well…Photography is one of the best & most fulfilling career this world has to offer. I would encourage anyone wanting & willing to start a business in photography to stop thinking & JUST DO IT! Starting my business is one of the best decision I have ever made. The only things you need to start a business…(Training or prior knowledge is definitely one of them) is Passion, passion, passion. That will keep you going when it gets crazy and you want to quit…you have to love photography so much that all the challenges that lie ahead will just cow in face of your passion…

And lastly if you want to succeed in photography I have 3 of my best kept secrets that have got me so far:

1.      Humility – Always have a humble attitude & be a student of life always…always be hungry to learn & study.

2.      Tithe – This is the secret of all wealth…give a 1/10^th of all your money (All your income in gross), Possessions (all you own) & your time to the work & service of God.

3.      GOD – Put God 1^st in all that you do & plan to…and He will direct your path & crown your every effort & dream with success.

What is your vision?

‘To become one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world & influence thousands of photography enthusiasts via the Imani Initiative all for the glory of God”

In what ways do you use social media personally and for business?

Awesome question…I began my business 2.5 years ago on social media. Social media is responsible for helping me start & grow my brand and make me who I am today. The following are the ways I use social media in my business:

1.      Personally I use it to share my life through images & updates to my friends/followers/subscribers.

2.      Personally I love using foursquare to share my travels &instagram to share my life story through images.

3.      For the business I use my facebook pages (Ben Kiruthi Photography & Ben Kiruthi) to share images/ updates & blog posts with my fans.

4.      I use my personal twitter account (@benkiruthi) for both my personal tweets & also my business updates to keep my followers up to date on what is happening in my life & career.

5.      I also share my blog post updates via my Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest&StumbleUpon profiles.

 What are some of techniques that you apply online and offline to drive traffic to your page, profile or twitter handle?

1.      I have the account details on my business cards that I dish out often.

2.      Have a facebook& twitter widget on my blog (www.benkiruthi.com) whereby those who visit it can be able to like or follow me.

3.      Include the details on my email signature.

What has been your biggest achievement in Social Media Marketing?

To be able to translate my time & effort online into business deals & that pays my bills & puts food on my table. I thank God.

What are your strengths and weaknesses/challenges in social media?

Strength:

~I have a large following especially on facebook and this provides a large market for me to be able to market my services.

~It is easy for me to communicate with my clients and I am able to respond to client requests in real time.

~ I am able to share information with a wide spectrum of people all over the world at the click of a button.

Challenges:

~ Getting more followers on twitter.

~ Not very many Kenyans are embracing other social media esp for business purposes i.e. Google+ & LinkedIn.

~Rights issues, with some clients having issues with their photos being shared via social media.

 And would you involve a social media consultant in managing your presence online?  

-Yes, yes…It would be a great idea

What are some of the lessons you’ve learnt about social media that you’d like to share with us? Your advice to Kenyans?

-Social media is a great, great marketing tool for any business whether small, medium or big. Having a good online presence is very important especially since more & more Kenyans are spending increased times on line. It is important to consider it as a key marketing avenue and do all you can to put your brand out there via social media.

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