I grew up in a community that gave premium to size, small size that is. We used to say “Kanini Kaseo” small is good. Nowadays that is a classic oxymoron. People shifted focus to the big, the mighty. We have grown to detest and despise the small ones. We have forgotten that even the big … Continue reading Making the Case for the Small Business
One day I asked one of the most inspiring Kenyan entrepreneurs I know what she thought makes it hard to succeed in businesses in Kenya. We do business at all accosts and that is not good, she told me. Now that is deep and confounding. Some branch of entrepreneurship advocates for you to do all … Continue reading Doing Business at All Cost Will Cost You Your Business
Well, its globally recognized that customer is king. Never mind, some customers may not have any sense of royalty in their attitude or behaviours. Some of them are quite rude and uncouth. Others are outright criminals; who do you think is committing all the murders, theft, corruption etc? They are guys who in the next … Continue reading Customer Service 102: How to Care for the King
Success in business as in all other areas of life is usually a journey and not a static point. However, there will be good indications that your business is succeeding. You will experience positive customer numbers, sales volumes and revenues and even profits. As an entrepreneur, apart from experiencing heightened levels of independence you will … Continue reading When Success is a Danger to the Business
How is important customer service to you? Funny how everyone of us demands the best possible service yet we hardly offer the same to those whom we serve. There are many dimensions in which your biz can meet and even exceed customer expectations. Every business should aspire to get there. I often like to challenge … Continue reading Customer Service 101: How To Improve Yours
The challenge with innovation is that the “techies” have taken and almost owned it entirely. You mention innovation and the average person immediately envisions digital apps and online capabilities. This piece will seek to expand our appreciation of innovation by exploring a few options on how an ordinary non-tech biz can innovate. While innovation can … Continue reading Innovation 102: How SMEs can innovate
It was always going to be difficult to write on this especially with the recent news and happening around the country. In a country where there are newspaper adverts to join the cartels why would one really work in building a business around tendering? But it can be done. It has to be done. World … Continue reading Tenderpreneurship: How to Play it Clean
The relationship between an entrepreneur and a provider of professional services is supposed to be symbiotic. However, that is hardly the case. Even when they have to work together, it’s always a difficult situation for both the provider and the entrepreneurs (buyer). To be competitive, SMEs need to professionalize and very seriously so. While the … Continue reading Why Entrepreneurs Are Not Interested in Your Consultancy.
For starters, the informal sector is potentially the largest ‘employer’ in Kenya today. Its contribution to national income is very large despite there being very little accounting for it. However, by being informal, then there is very little support that goes to the sector from government. Not even the basic amenities. Ever wanted to use … Continue reading Why Your Good Business is Informal
It is severally and strongly so, recommended to have biz plan as you venture into business. Many entrepreneurship promotion organizations offer training on how to go about developing one. So much material and templates online for self-help. However, you will also get professional assistance from consultants if you need. A good plan will need you … Continue reading How to Make a Business Plan
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