STARTING A BREAKTHROUGH BUSINESS
(From
idea to Product)
As an entrepreneur, the only different
between where you are now and where you will be is what you do with your God
inspired ideas. Here are 10 global tips on starting a breakthrough business.
1. Dream Big: According to Donald Trump “If you must
dream, dream big”. Your idea must be worth the while, worth listening to. Don’t
go about carrying stale ideas. Pray, tell God to reveal his deep secrets to
you. Your ideas must be bigger than you.
2. Look for Problems:
It is said that “problems
carry solutions on their back”. Your idea must be a solution to a problem of
humanity which will in turn gain monetary value that leads to prosperity.
3. Be Passionate:
When every other
thing you hoped for is absent, passion keeps you moving. You must be passionate
about what you do. Live your life pursuing your passion. It is simple, “If you don’t
love what you do then find what you love to do”.
4. Action: “The only difference between a dreamer
and an achiever is action”. Stop wishing and dreaming about tomorrow – today in
disguise. As an entrepreneur, you must be proactive in whatever you do. Just like
the bible says “be a doer and not a hearer” when God reveals something to you.
He really wants you to act and not sit back.
5. “From business to company”:
We must all be
thinking of starting something bigger than us. A company is bigger than you,
businesses appear to pass through predictable life cycles, from robust early
growth to maturity and then death. Regardless of the industry, it is necessary
for you to think about starting a company that involves people not a business
just for you alone.
6. Know your market:
Running a successful
business in Africa requires entrepreneurs to understand the business
environment in each country, state, local government, etc for effectiveness.
7. Be Innovative:
Successful
entrepreneurs in Nigeria must be able to develop creative solutions to the
complex environment. Innovation comes with exposure, insight, wisdom, knowledge
and understanding. Your mind can travel beyond your physical location.
8. Beyond talent be skillful: Our generation seeks entrepreneurs
that have more than a talent. Develop your talent into a skill. It was
re-emphasized by Malcolm Gladwell that it takes anyone about 10,000 hours to
become an authority in any area of life, that is about 10 years of practice,
breaking it down to about 3 hours per day. If you must breakthrough you must
practice more than often. I once read a story in the bible that referred to
some 700 Benjamites that could sling a stone with their left hand and not miss
the strand of a hair. That is beyond talent. As the old saying goes “practice
makes perfect”.
9. Customer centric:
Always remember it is
not about you! Put others first in everything you do. Listen and listen
carefully to complaints and what people have to say to you. As they say ‘the
customer is king’. Think ahead of time. Ask yourself or ask other people to
help you out “what could I improve on?”
10. Integrity in business:
Live a life full of
honesty and transparency. Above all fear God! The bible says; “Therefore,
whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them…” Matt. 7:12 NKJV. The most
important fuel you need to keep your business growing is integrity not money
not goodwill. Integrity is an automatic referral ‘oh! Mr. John of Johnson &
Johnson … he’s a very honest man. He will deliver on time’. That simply
separates and elevates you from others. Integrity will take you and keep you in
the presence of the great! Ask Sir Mordecai he will tell you more. You can! See
you at the top!
By
Olufemi Olumide
Business Strategist and Enterprise
Developer
Practivate Resources