LETS TALK ABOUT POTENTIAL
Dolica Banda,was the guest of honour at Chibamba Kanyama's book launch recently. In her speech, she questioned, how long potential would remain dormant in Zambia.
I recalled, when I was Central Africa , for DHL Int, covering 6 countries, I banned the word, 'potential,' in our strategy meetings. Each non performing unit would claim that there was potential but never drilled down to understand why they were not able to reach this so called potential.
I liked what Dolica said about how everyone is stretched financially and the more that one loans money to relatives and friends the less there is to go into building one's own life. She further stated that when one is asked for money, is the question asked, 'what are you doing with this money? Is it a once off loan and is it to build your life. Are you going to come back again?!
We can cite the environment as not being enabling to reach potential in business and personal lives. Whilst all of this is a contributing factor there is nothing stronger than individual resolve to succeed in every day interactions. Take a stock of how you manage your day. Do you make choices and decisions that benefit the long term picture of your business or your life. Short cuts are prevelant in Zambia. People think its easier to take short cuts and often its because of a lack of resources. In the long run we need to be creating a professional culture in busines and our actions count.
Potential is nothing without action. Sometimes the financial or emotional situation can be so disturbing that all one can do is live from moment to moment and day to day. Havent you found that when there have been life threatening circumstances you are forced to make decisions. Why the procrastination and back and forth on things that can be resolved? This is affecting the potential of the situation. We waste our own time and potential.
There is potential in the copper industry if a value add was included in the process. How many more years will go by until this is structured. You dont have to wait for legislation.
There is potential in the soccer team and all the sporting teams. Is their a vision, a plan and milestones to achieve the potential. There are four years to the next World Cup Soccer Games and is the plan still formulating or fermenting.
There is potential in the youth and are we waiting for someone to build more facilities for them and to ensure that they have the right education. Or do we make plans to send our children to an exclusive school - that we really cant afford. My friend Wally is really vocal about this and believes that a bright student will do well in any school and in fact their best attributes will be seen.
The personal ambition and drive within an individial is needed to catapault potential to the next level.
My lap top was stolen from my car at last Wednesday and I was just stranded without it. I asked a friend for a contact who sell laptops and configures email on a Sunday. Well to my utter shock and surprise Felix Mtonga from Digital Fingers met me at his office, sold me a delightful HP lap top that I am in love with and configured my email. This is extra ordinary and in fact exemplary service. Unheard of. The lap top's name of course is FELIX!
There are people working in Zambia from other countries and they are astounded that lunch hour means downing of tools and that from Saturday 13hrs business closes, That banks will review and decide on accepting an account to be opened even if all the criteria is met. The pace is tooooooo slow.
Many Zambians need to work in Nigeria, in Ghana, Johannesburg and Harare and learn what its really like to be working hard and making money. The potential lies dormant in Zambia because not enough people are ready to give up their extra curricular activities and work beyond all limits. Stop and really look at what you are contributing and what you could be to making a difference. Stop complaining that foreigners come in and work hard and make their mark. It isnt that they had money or chances, the playing field was uneven because they had to work out the market here. This is your home ground.
I think that the market is tough here because of the underlying currents. The pricing is way out of kilter because people just accept it and add on their margins. Margin control has to prevail, trying to make a fortune in a single transaction is not sustainable. If more people just did the right thing then there would be momentum. People will smile and do the opposite and there is so much - wait until Monday - Wednesday - Friday in the system - whether its collecting debts or waiting on a business decision. This delay drags down the potential in business to leap frog and to have an upward spiral of energy, activity and money. We need more money, more manufacturing to be taking place. We cannot continue to be consumers and not producers. For as long as we are then the producers will have the lions share of the money and market.
A quantum leap is needed and we all know too wel that l it starts with us as individuals. The poverty spoken about and seen is partly a mindset and held together by beliefs that one must be saved by someone giving money or goods. The extended family doesnt always help this mentality. There are so many siblings not working and over stretching the ones that are. They continue to drink, have unwanted pregnancies and are unproductive. Who is going to stop this merry go round. See the part you play in killing potential. Tough love is needed.
There are no silver platters in life where everything lands easily. I wish there was. Or do I? I love the tustle and getting my knees scraped and my hands dirty because that means I am learning and I can understand what other people go through. I want to realise my potential and who ever crosses my path must also play their part.
We have to be honest in our dealings, get up when things dont work out and make another plan. Our God given potential is being locked by ourselves. Find your key - pray and get moving - Zambia wont wait for you to wake up. The potential is right here today.
email: ideas@carolwhiteconsultancy.com
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Dont miss out on the Africast Marketing and Advertsing Info fair on Tuesday 7th September, 2010 at the Intercontinental Hotel. Twenty seven exhibitors will be showcasing and selling their products and services. Delegates who are specifically interested in finding out about the best printers, outdoor companies, advertising agents, graphic designers, production houses, photographers , e commerce companies and the media : can call Africast on 295311 to buy entry and lunch tickets. Pre registration is essential.
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