Are you ready for Entrepreneurship?

Despite all the beautiful pictures on Instagram, not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship can lead to a life of freedom, and benefit the people a business serves. Or, it can be a nightmare if someone isn’t cut out for entrepreneurship. It’s not a one-size-fits-all choice for everyone.

1. You aren’t self-motivated.

Entrepreneurship is lonely at times but you only get out of it what you put in. The ability get things done working alone is important. You have to be self-motivated to complete tasks, especially when you don't feel like it.

If you are the type of person who needs a boss telling you what’s next, you are not ready.

2. You haven't established the foundation.

Before you consider leaving that steady paycheck, you should have a foundation established. This foundation includes a generous emergency fund—you never know when things won’t work out as planned. It should also include a strong financial base. Your debt shouldn’t be out of control and you should have enough currently to pay your bills comfortable. Income from entrepreneurship can be sporadic and you want to prepare the best you can.

3. You get flustered under pressure.

The stress of a business will be overwhelming at times. You have to juggle running the business while dealing with pressure from many angles. If you crumble under pressure and stress, think twice about entrepreneurship.

4. You haven’t done enough research.

Whatever business you want to start will require research. Before you take the first steps you should become an expert on what it will take to be profitable. The Internet and social media provide an opportunity to do some efficient research on building a profitable business. Take advantage.

5. You have no passion for the business you want to start.

Passion isn’t enough to build a business but you better believe it’s an important part of the equation. There are times when a business feels like a job. Your passion is what reminds you of what you have. It helps you continue to move forward. If you don’t have a passion for any one thing, you are not ready for entrepreneurship.

6. Your growth strategy is what somebody else did.

Growing a business can be fun, or it can frustrate you into quitting. When there’s a lack of growth or research, people turn to copying a successful entrepreneur. What worked for someone else probably won’t work for you. Each of us is different and so are our businesses. We have to find what works for us where we are in the process. If you are relying on copying someone else, you are not ready for entrepreneurship.

Don’t leave your day job if you’re not ready for the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship. 

Get honest with yourself about what you want from life. Get honest about whether entrepreneurship is right for you, and if you’re ready. It takes some time to get ready. That’s fine. It’s better to build your dream on the side with a plan than to turn a dream into a nightmare.

Source

How to beat the Monday blues

Lessons from Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, star of MTV ’s Hired

1. Identify the problem. “The first thing to do is to ask yourself what’s wrong,” Kjerulf says. If you have the Monday Blues most weeks, then this is not something you should laugh off or just live with. It’s a significant sign that you are unhappy at work and you need to fix it or move on and find another job.

2. Prepare for Monday on Friday. “Mondays can be extra stressful from work that has potentially piled up from the previous week and, for many, can be challenging to jump right back in,” Kahn says.

To help combat that Monday morning anxiety, be sure to leave yourself as few dreadful tasks as possible on Friday afternoon, Friedman says. “By taking care of the things you least want to handle at the end of one work week, you’re making the start of the next that much better.”

3. Make a list of the things you’re excited about. “We often look at the week ahead of us and think of all the tough stuff we have to do and the difficult tasks ahead of us,” Kjerulf says. “Turn that around. Sunday evening, make a list of three things you look forward to at work that week. This might put you in a more positive mood. If you can’t think of three things you look forward to, that might be an indication that you need to make some changes.”

4. Unplug for the weekend. If possible, try to avoid checking work e-mail or voicemail over the weekend, especially if you’re not going to respond until Monday anyway, Friedman says. “It can be tempting to know what’s waiting for you, but drawing clearly defined boundaries between work and personal time can help keep things in check. When you leave the office on Friday, leave your office problems there and focus on enjoying your time off. Sometimes going back to work on Monday feels especially frustrating because you let it creep into your off-time, and so it never even feels like you had a weekend at all.”

5. Get enough sleep and wake up early. Go to bed a little early on Sunday night and be sure to get enough sleep so that you wake up feeling well-rested, Friedman says. “If you’re only running on a couple of hours of sleep, it’s unlikely that you’re going to feel good about going anywhere when the alarm goes off Monday morning.”

Although it might seem counter-intuitive, waking up an extra 15 to 30 minutes early on Monday morning can actually make going back to the office easier. “Having a little more ‘me time’ instead of feeling like you’re trapped in a time crunch can make that transition a little easier,” she says. “Taking the time to enjoy a healthy breakfast, do some exercises, or take the dog for a walk can help you feel more centered for the rest of the day, and can help you remember that you’re not a robot who just sleeps and works.”

6. Dress for success. “Dress up, perk up and show up ready to be positive and help others be positive,” Shane says. “Be the light and energy that makes others have a better day. Show and share your spirit, charisma and vibe and make yourself magnetic.”

Kahn agrees. He suggests you use Monday as the day to wear your favorite new outfit. This can help build your confidence around the office and might get you a few compliments from co-workers, he says.

Sutton Fell says when you look good, you feel good. “Feeling good about yourself is half of the battle on Monday mornings, because rather than being deflated by work you want to face it with confidence.”

7. Be positive. Start the week out with an “attitude of gratitude,” Kahn says. “Take time to recognize and appreciate the things that you enjoy about work.”

This starts before you even get to work. To pump yourself up on your way in to work, try listening to your favorite songs, Friedman says. “Think about the type of playlist you would create for a workout, and incorporate that same upbeat, high-energy music into your morning preparation or commute.”

8. Make someone else happy. Make a vow to do something nice for someone else as soon as you get to work on Monday, Sutton Fell suggests. “Doing nice things for other people definitely can lift the spirits, and in this case, it could actually help shift the overall mood in your office,” she says. “Paying it forward can yield great results all around.”

9. Keep your Monday schedule light. Knowing that Mondays are traditionally busy days at the office, a good strategy is keep you Monday schedule as clear as possible, Kahn says. “When you’re planning meetings ahead, try to schedule them for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This will help you to come into Monday with more ease from the weekend.”

Have fun at work. Take it upon yourself to do things that you enjoy in the office on Monday, Kahn says. “Maybe bring donuts for your colleagues or take a quick break to catch up with friend in the office. Sharing stories about the weekend with co-workers can be fun and also is a great way to strengthen your interoffice network.”

11. Have a post-work plan.  Your day shouldn’t just be about trudging through Monday to get it over with, but about looking forward to something. “By making Monday a special day where you get to go out with friends, make your favorite dinner, or eat a bowl of popcorn and catch up on a TV show you recorded, the day doesn’t have to be all about getting up to go into the office,” Friedman says.

Every wedding MC should know this!

The Master of Ceremonies (MC or emcee) is the host of your wedding and should make sure everyone is having a good time. A good wedding MC is more than someone who is good at public speaking or can tell a few jokes. They should make sure everything runs smoothly and introduce each person who is speaking, as well as important events. 

1. Be organized
Have everything written down in advance and know exactly what you’re going to say. Make sure you have the correct names and information and a detailed timeline. The MC says opening remarks (not a long speech) and introduces all of the key players of the wedding. A good wedding MC is organized, responsible and can take instructions well. It’s about the bride and groom and not about the MC’s fifteen minutes of fame.

2. Know what’s going on (and make sure everyone else knows too)
One of the essential roles of the wedding MC is to work with the vendors so everyone knows what’s going on. It’s very important to know the flow of the evening and make sure everyone is ready for his or her cues. The MC is there to lead the audience and have them know what’s happening next. They should make sure everything is running on time and that the DJ, photographer and vendors are cued to capture key moments.

3. Do your homework
Watching major award shows, or looking to talk show hosts for ideas. These people know what they’re doing. You can see everything is short, scripted and to the point. The most important thing is to be prepared. Meet with the bride and groom beforehand to discuss details and what kind of role they see the MC playing. There will still be some surprises on the day, but there should be a program or itinerary in place to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

4. Add some emotion and special touches
Interview each speaker beforehand. Ask them how they know the couple or for a special memory you can tell before you introduce them. The wedding is about emotion and these special moments and this makes it so much more fun. It’s a celebration of two people coming together, so you should put emotion into introducing key people. For example, the MC could ask the bride to write a special message or memory about her parents for the MC to read before they are introduced.

5. Be careful with humour
To tell jokes or not to tell jokes? That is the question. Tread lightly when it comes to humour. Make sure jokes are in good taste and do not offend anyone—especially the bride! Someone with a great personality or a natural storyteller can make a great wedding MC, but nine times out of 10 jokes will bomb. The goal is to make everyone feel at ease and relaxed without stealing the spotlight.

Join Divine Schools Africa, to learn these and more, and start your journey to being a great MC.

Proposals that win!

Fundraising is an important part of the program planning process.  Obviously, sufficient funds to operate a project are essential to its success.  However, requesting money from a foundation is not the first step.

  Writing a proposal for the project helps staff organize ideas and concepts and develop them into an effective program.  A well written proposal should describe the importance of and need for the project as well as outline the organization's specific plans for implementing it.

Four Top Reasons Proposals Do Not Get Funded

1. Funding source does not believe you understand the problem
2. Funding source does not believe in your solution
3. Funding source does not believe in your qualifications
4. Funding source does not believe or trust your budget

Learn how to write winning proposals at Divine schools Africa

Do you have speech anxiety?

Speech anxiety triggers

The reasons non-academics give for why the prospect of giving a speech gives them anxiety are, roughly, the sames as those confirmed via academic research. Note 4

The major sources or triggers of speech anxiety are (Note 4):

Lack of preparation

The fear of making mistakes

Concerns about appearance

Projections about a lack of audience interest, and

Lack of previous experience public speaking

Coping With Public Speaking Stress

There are really two ways to cope with the stress of speaking in public:

Avoidance:  Convert speeches to sit-down style presentations

Stress management:  Manage your Mind

Avoidance:  Convert speeches to sit-down style presentations

Let’s be honest.

The most effective way to eliminate the stress of speaking in public is to not speak in public.

You should bookmark this article now so you will be able to reference that little tidbit later.

In all seriousness, for many, many people, this is exactly the strategy they adopt. It works.

If you MUST give a presentation, you can still use this strategy (but with a twist).

Not all presentations are alike. There are State of the Union addresses to the entire nation. TED Talks seen by millions on the web. And then there is the ‘presentation’ you need to give at your team meeting.

Sit-down style presentations often get lumped into the category of presentations and public speaking. And they are a different breed entirely. They are made sitting down, around a table, updating a project team, or presenting our thinking to our boss.

The context of these types of ‘sit-down’ meetings has a profound effect on the stress they generate.

These types of meetings and presentations:

Consist of small groups, in a more intimate setting, seated

Will be more detail oriented

Are more likely to result in discussion, with other people contributing and asking questions

Likely to have the participants holding a hard-copy of the presentation in their hand

They can be, for many, considerably less stressful.

Where possible, a useful avoidance mechanism is to convert a ‘public speaking’ style presentation into a sit-down style presentation. It will have smaller groups, seated around a table, with supporting material that can be referenced. And it will be less stressful.

Join the Event Business in Kenya!

TYPES OF EVENTS

• Social / life–cycle events eg  birthdays, weddings, funerals, baby showers, bridal showers
• Education and career events eg. Education fairs
• Sports events eg. marathons
• Entertainment events eg. concerts
• Political events eg. Campaign rallies
• Corporate events-  seminars, conferences, dinners
• Religious events – Iddi, Xmas

GLOBAL EVENT TRENDS

• In 2016 the following will be trending;
• Unique Venues
• Textured Fabrics
• Floral Installations
• Lighting installations
• Sustainable food
• Tasting stations etc

CAREER IN EVENTS MANAGEMENT 

•Events management is multi-million industry and it employs many professionals eg; event planners/managers, decorators, florists, videographers, photographers, Djs, concept designers, wedding planners, MCs, animators, bakers, caterers,………•To be an event planner one requires;

• Certification- certificate, diploma, degree(knowledge)
• Skills – organizational skills, time management skills, attention to detail, creativity, flexibility, high energy levels, intelligence, social skills, innovation, networking skills, conflict resolution skills etc
• Experience

FUTURE OF EVENTS

• Events is all about experiences
• All participants are looking for are new experiences, to be able to be a big part of the event.
• Technology has taken over in terms of registration, attendance and event décor eg. 3d venues, teleconferencing
• Real time intelligence
• Mobile phones technology
• Embracing Unique venues- the conventional venues are no longer appealing
• Gamification
• Back to the basics

   

Words From an Entrepreneur!

As a third-generation entrepreneur, I’m inspired by the “do-ers.” The people who take an idea or dream and then make it a reality. From my grandparents’ café, to my grandmother’s bridal boutique, to my parents’ watch and jewelry store to the lawn and landscaping business I own with my husband – all entrepreneurial businesses require a strong sense of action.

That strong sense of action makes up the cultural ethos of Saxum, which led Renzi Stone, CEO, to support me in the launch of a new division of Saxum called Lithos (“large stone” in Greek), a dedicated team that currently serves Saxum’s entrepreneurial clients. We’re meeting demand in a market that is growing.

So, let’s say you’re a startup tech company or professional services organization looking to expand into new markets. You need an integrated communications strategy to reach your audiences. But where to start? Here are a few foundational elements any business needs to get off on the right communications foot:

Solid branding. Naming or re-naming an organization is no easy task. It’s a detailed, creative process that takes time and brainpower – and it’s not cheap – but it’s essential to get it right the first time. Avoid these major naming pitfalls. Further, any name produced by a communications agency should be properly vetted by an intellectual property attorney.

Claim your space(s). Once you’ve selected and vetted a name, claim it everywhere you can. You’ll need your website URL (and all domains), as well as unique social URLs for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc. Mobile optimization is a must for any website design. We live in a smartphone world!

Message mapping. Mission, vision and values are standard messaging elements for every business. Don’t skimp here, either. When it comes to a mission statement, be specific and straightforward. Some really well-known brands could use help in this area. Core values like honesty, transparency and safety come standard in any industry. What do you value that sets you apart? Saxum has a distinguishing set of values (bonus – they form an acronym!).

Expert positioning. It’s that simple. Identify your strengths, and then share them. Don’t make a hard sell – it’s about building name recognition and building trust. Reach out to local media and let them know you’re there to help; better yet, suggest a timely topic that impacts their readership. Build your digital presence and share your knowledge. Keep it authentic, and you’re guaranteed to succeed.

Entrepreneurs mix action with creativity, flexibility and guts. We have that in common. You’ll hear more from Lithos. In the meantime, you can find me out and about – having coffee at Elemental, eating lunch at Café do Brasil or volunteering with Uptown 23rd.