These are but a few lessons I learnt in business in 2012.
1. No more verbal agreements.
Agreements "in principle" ie verbal agreements have no standing. Everything
must be in writing. Make sure you and the parties mentioned in the agreement
have SIGNED copies.
2. Return on relationships is more important than return on investment - ROI
Even though I am aware of this, I realised that not all business partners have the same mindset.
3. Too many fingers in too many pies cause diluted effort.
Oh and how we love pie! As serial entrepreneurs we sometimes get
caught up in too many ventures. Nothing wrong with exploring additional ventures,
however we have to do some calculations. Have we considered our time, capacity and HEALTH?
It's better to concentrate on less initiatives in order to give more attention to the selected few.
4. "Going the extra mile" for clients doesn't always work.
Because I am passionate about what I do and because I'd like to see all brands
succeeding, I tend to spread myself thinly by doing more than the stipulated scope of
work for a client. This additional service is not always recognised and appreciated.
5. Work hard, play hard!
Nothing great has ever been achieved by little or no effort. As entrepreneurs we HAVE
to work hard, very hard. I know as a start-up, I started with nothing but my flare
for social media and wanting to assist other start-ups. I received no hand-outs, no capital,
no financial favours, BUT I had guts. Raymond Ackerman says: "You need 10% capital
and 90% guts to start a business." Even though working hard is important, playing hard
is important too. I don't play much but when I do I make it count. There has to be a balance
in your lifestyle!
6. Juggling Family, Friends, Business, Health and Spirit
I think I've listed my hardest lesson last... I love my family, I love my friends, I love God,
I know my health is important and my business needs a healthy competent ME to survive,
having said all of the above, I struggle to juggle!
Former CEO of Coca Cola, Brian Dyson, said in a 30 second speech:
"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. They are Work, Family, Friends, Health and Spirit and you’re keeping all of these in the air.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four Balls – Family, Health, Friends and Spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for it.
Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time. Give the required time to your family, friends & have proper rest.
"Value has a value only if it’s value is valued."
My wish for all of you in 2013:
Whether you an entrepreneur, an aspiring entrepreneur, an employee, a partner, a stay at home mom/dad, I hope that your wish for 2013 becomes a reality. This wish may require much effort on your part and there are times you will want to throw in the towel.
Remember, perseverance and passion is key to your success!
As a parent who uses technology fiercely I have become more and more prone to convert everything from hardcopy to electronic. In fact let me be frank: "I hate paper!" Phew! Now that that's out of the way.... So! all my accounts I've chosen email notifications and sms's. Any hardcopy notes, documents, invoicing lands up on a pile somewhere and becomes a hunt of note when I need to find it. The biggest challenge I face is keeping up with my kids school projects that gets sent home on A4 paper. I wish the communication from educators, and this is class-specific, can be online. I've recently found this article where a preschool is using iPads to educate the preschoolers and communicate with the parents and vica versa... a bunch of forward thinkers.
Johannesburg - You’ve just picked up you toddler from playschool. He or she is grumpy and didn’t finish the lunch you packed.
Instead of making a mental note to have a quick word with their teacher the following morning, you simply pull out the iPad your child uses at creche from their backpack and look at the notes the teacher has written to you, informing you how your little one fared at school that day.
The report, which the teacher writes daily, tells you about your child’s behaviour at creche that day, the mood they were in, how they scored in their class activities, and generally how their day was.
You’ll enjoy this privilege, though, only if your child goes to The Little Ashford Preschool, Africa’s first creche to use iPads in the classroom.
The creche first opened its doors in Saxonwold, Joburg, at the end of 2009 and has recently opened its second campus in Bryanston, Sandton.
Little Ashford’s founder, Jena Mukina, set up the pre-school after she couldn’t find one suitable for her own child.
Six months later, she was joined by her business partner, Marli Hoffman, who is now principal of the creche.
Hoffman was at the Sandton iStore, giving other preschool teachers pointers on how to integrate iPads in preschool education.
Hoffman said only children from two years old use the iPads.
The youngest use them for a maximum of five minutes a day and the older children for no more than 20 minutes.
