The Sunday Mail
Life Issues with FGK
Business is a form of employment.
The difference between working for someone and running a business is that the latter has no standard payment — you earn from the revenues generated by the business.
Entrepreneurship is now the in-thing in our country as most people are running their own small businesses for survival.
Most projects are self-sustaining, while others are supported by Government, corporates or other donors. So many success stories have come out of small business ventures. Some started small but are now running multimillion-dollar businesses. Poverty at times is a blessing in disguise as it engenders self-reliance and pushes people to stop depending on Government.
People also learn to turn every difficult situation into a new business opportunity.
In every crisis, someone out there is getting a breakthrough.
For instance, some people are making face masks to sell during this Covid-19 pandemic.
Gone are the days when good school grades or a university degree was the only guarantee for a rewarding life.
The modern-day world, particularly in Zimbabwe, is now more about job creation.
A stubborn reality though is that some of the world’s richest individuals are school drop-outs.
Not that we support dropping out of school, but this tells us something about business.
Education is actually a key element in running your business. However, it is certainly not a requirement for you to start one. In entrepreneurship, you might be formally educated and possess many degrees but you will also need to attend another kind of schooling for you to be street smart. Navigating entrepreneurship boobs is not easy.
It is a skill that is practically learned over time and not at school. Your motive for doing business should be right.
You must not get into business to outwit your friend or neighbour. If you do business for the wrong reasons, you are likely to be disappointed along the way.
Many people are now regretting starting their business from the wrong foundation.
Your business is as strong as the motivation that drives you into it.
During hard times, a voice will whisper in your ear to quit and if you are not resolute, you will dump everything.
It is in such moments that your primary motivation for starting the business must drive you on.
Hardship and everything else might conquer you, but they can never conquer your vision.
When you cultivate a passion for business, then you will be able to withstand trying times.
Those who do have a passion for it and generate income at the same time are in a better position to wade through the headwinds.
Others feel comfortable serving a purpose in a particular area while creating income for themselves at the same time.
These are better foundations to establish a business.
When one gets into business to compete with a neighbour or friend, they are bound to face serious challenges.
This foundation is not solid enough to drive them forward against the winds of uncertainty that entrepreneurship presents.
These are the kind of people that will turn to sangomas for solutions and shortcuts after facing stumbling blocks.
Such people will not hesitate to sacrifice human life to sustain their businesses.
If you think that sacrificing family members and kidnapping schoolchildren for rituals might help your business, then you should know that you are not a true businessperson, but rather a cultist.
Over the years, many people have been making shortcuts to become rich, but they eventually discover that this does not help in the long term.
The best way to become rich is through building a business on principles and being street smart.
In business, you should learn from your mistakes rather than covering them up or blaming others.
Always remember this: It does not take money to make money; it takes passion, the right motive and the right attitude. Money is an idea; therefore, you need to conceive a business idea within you and bring it out as a business.
When you have an idea, break it down into a plan.
You should be realistic, steadfast and be true to your plan.
Likewise, take into account both negative and positive feedback.
To progress in life, just dare and be courageous.
Plan and think and plan again.
Quote of the week: It does not take money to make money; it takes passion, the right motive and the right attitude.
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