Leading Entrepreneurs: Vision, Passion and Perseverance
Being an entrepreneur, as defined by on-line encyclopaedia Wikipedia, applies to ‘a person who is willing to help launch a new venture or enterprise and accept full responsibility for the outcome.” Being willing to jump two feet first into a new adventure is not an easy task. But it can be hugely rewarding. And once at the head of a successful venture, one has to lead. This is a snapshot of what it takes to be in leadership.
You have now settled your business, let it be a flourishing internet-based company or a chain of restaurants. Based on a simple idea, you have developed a business plan, target your market, evaluate potential risks and outcomes and shared your vision with the relevant partners. The few steps prior to the launch of a business are already marked with the stamp of leadership.
One may think it only takes bravery and courage – and a little bit of wildness too – to be an entrepreneur, but the reality is: it takes leadership skills. One has to go through all obstacles, often alone, lead potential teams and partners towards an idea that has yet to emerge. How do you get to this state? How do you become a leader?
Leadership can be taught and learned. There are some tricks and tips that can help you gain confidence and the trust of people around you, may it be your team or your partners.
One may think it only takes bravery and courage – and a little bit of wildness too – to be an entrepreneur, but the reality is: it takes leadership skills. One has to go through all obstacles, often alone, lead potential teams and partners towards an idea that has yet to emerge. How do you get to this state? How do you become a leader?
Leadership can be taught and learned. There are some tricks and tips that can help you gain confidence and the trust of people around you, may it be your team or your partners.
The Golden Key: Listen
One of the most important rules to be a great leader is the ability to listen. Leaders take the time to listen to others, grasp information, let one’s creation and contribution be heard and valued before emitting a comment. It is crucial not to miss this step and cut people off. Don’t judge before you have taken the time to listen to the whole story. Allow others to express themselves. And only then, give your opinion and advice.
One of the most important rules to be a great leader is the ability to listen. Leaders take the time to listen to others, grasp information, let one’s creation and contribution be heard and valued before emitting a comment. It is crucial not to miss this step and cut people off. Don’t judge before you have taken the time to listen to the whole story. Allow others to express themselves. And only then, give your opinion and advice.
Image by glennharper via Flickr Recognition Of Talent
As a leader, it is important to be able to recognize who is doing what and who is succeeding at certain tasks. Your team needs support and attention and although criticism can be constructive, regular acknowledgement of one’s success is essential. Has one of your employees exceeded his sales for the month? Share his story with others. Call him personally to give him your congratulation. Use his example as an inspiration to others. And even give him a reward. It doesn’t need to be overwhelming, but acknowledgement of success is what will make your employees trust you as a leader.
As a leader, it is important to be able to recognize who is doing what and who is succeeding at certain tasks. Your team needs support and attention and although criticism can be constructive, regular acknowledgement of one’s success is essential. Has one of your employees exceeded his sales for the month? Share his story with others. Call him personally to give him your congratulation. Use his example as an inspiration to others. And even give him a reward. It doesn’t need to be overwhelming, but acknowledgement of success is what will make your employees trust you as a leader.
Accept Your Mistakes
Being a leader doesn’t mean being irreproachable. It doesn’t prevent you from being human. Escaping this reality will only make people less respectful. So whenever you make mistakes, be honest about it. You don’t need to share them with the world, you don’t need to post them on Twitter or Facebook hoping to get repentance for it – and risking to ignite fire instead – but don’t blame someone else for something you have done wrong.
Being a leader doesn’t mean being irreproachable. It doesn’t prevent you from being human. Escaping this reality will only make people less respectful. So whenever you make mistakes, be honest about it. You don’t need to share them with the world, you don’t need to post them on Twitter or Facebook hoping to get repentance for it – and risking to ignite fire instead – but don’t blame someone else for something you have done wrong.
Set The Right Example
Do what you preach. This is as simple as stated. If you ask your employees to be on time, don’t arrive late to meetings. If you want them to respect you, respect them in regards. Equal standards apply if you want to be a good leader. Show your team, your partners, how to drive the business by respecting a certain ethic and not compromising on your core values.
Do what you preach. This is as simple as stated. If you ask your employees to be on time, don’t arrive late to meetings. If you want them to respect you, respect them in regards. Equal standards apply if you want to be a good leader. Show your team, your partners, how to drive the business by respecting a certain ethic and not compromising on your core values.
Get Inspired And Inspire
You became the entrepreneur you are because you had an idea, a passion, a vision. Something that drove you to launch the business you are in and make it a success. Well, keep the fire going. In order to have a driven team behind you, you will need to inspire them. To show them why it is worth waking up every day and go to work. This might require you to get inspired too, so don’t hesitate to join workshops, establish connections, go to conferences that may be relevant to the field you work in and never stop learning. This way you will keep on growing and help others grow along.
You became the entrepreneur you are because you had an idea, a passion, a vision. Something that drove you to launch the business you are in and make it a success. Well, keep the fire going. In order to have a driven team behind you, you will need to inspire them. To show them why it is worth waking up every day and go to work. This might require you to get inspired too, so don’t hesitate to join workshops, establish connections, go to conferences that may be relevant to the field you work in and never stop learning. This way you will keep on growing and help others grow along.
Many say being a leader can be walking on a very lonely path. But it doesn’t have to be this way. It is up to you to make sure that your team backs you up, follows you and respects you so that your path as a successful leading entrepreneur is never a lonely one.
Friday, 1 July 2011
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Agribusiness Focus on Africa
AFRICA – International Agribusiness Conference to focus in on Africa and its agribusiness sector.
Key stakeholders in the agribusiness industry have been invited for an international forum that will discuss ways to promote sustainable agriculture in Africa.
The two day AGROTEC-EMRC International business forum to be held in Lisbon, Portugal on 20 & 21 January will bring together more than 300 participants worldwide. Among these participants will be entrepreneurs, farmers, micro-finance institutions and bankers from across the world.
The participants will cast the light on Africa and discuss ways to improve agriculture in the continent with the invention of new technologies. It will also study current trends and look at ways to change current modes of operation in order to boost agriculture on the continent. The forum is a platform for private sector partnerships in agribusiness.
Lack of innovation and skills among farmers, rain shortage, floods and bad soils are some of the challenges that have limited the growth of agribusiness in Africa.
Governments can support the sector by establishing better infrastructure for efficient delivery of farm produce and ease access to credit for farmers.
The AGROTEC-EMRC International Business Forum has been organised by the Lisbon hosted AGROTEC Fair which showcases agricultural innovations and the EMRC, a global body that brings together entrepreneurs and financiers.The forum will also serve as a networking session and will be a platform for the start of new projects in agriculture and related sectors. The forum is a follow-up to a similar event that was held in Kampala, Uganda this year.
EAC Discuss Access to Microfinance
EAST AFRICA – The EAC is studying the possibility of eliminating Microfinance Institution licenses in the five member states to encourage greater access to financial services to SMEs.
This is one of the moves the EAC is considering as it seeks to harmonise MFI regulations in the region.
In a workshop recently held in Kigali to discuss the matter, 26 regulators of the Microfinance sector from the EAC region discussed how the harmonization of the MFI regulations would affect the performance of the sector, access to financing, supervision and regulation of the institutions.
The EAC observed that elimination of the Microfinance license would enable more microfinance institutions to set up and expand their operations in the region.
MFIs operating in either of the five states comprising of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi would then be allowed to operate anywhere in the region without requiring a license.
Microfinance institutions have played a key role in the region by providing financing for small businesses in rural areas, most of which are considered to be high risk by commercial banks.
Microfinance institutions have been providing training and financial services such as loans and insurance policies through partnerships with other organisations to mostly women and the youth.
This has contributed considerably to improving access to financial services in rural areas, the emergence and growth of entrepreneurs and the eradication of poverty.
Finance & Expertise Leads to Success
Being an entrepreneur primarily means being able to turn one’s creative and innovative idea into a lucrative business. Whether you are starting up a business or revamping an existing one, it will require expertise and financing. GroFin is an interesting and valuable option.
Banks, apart from the little few that are now entering the league of venture capitalists, often fail to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, stuck into an often too conservative and rigid way of thinking business. What could be the alternative?
‘GroFin is a leading multi-national financier and advisor to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). As growth finance experts since 2004, we invest in the future value and potential of entrepreneurs who own businesses at any stage of development (from start-up through growth to expansions), across all sectors.’
The company, operating in eight countries across the African continent is offering expertise and financing specifically tailored to one entrepreneur’s needs.
Why? Because the company understands that SME entrepreneurs are not corporates already in synch with the market. They often need guidance, help, individual attention, time in addition to finance support.
While bigger companies don’t want to waste time and have the internal resources to find solutions to day-to-day problems and obstacles, SMEs face constant challenges alone and would welcome expertise and help from specialists.
And this is just what GroFin is offering entrepreneurs: ‘We offer business finance solutions tailored to suit each client’s unique needs and aim to increase the ability of SMEs to succeed by providing them with more than finance. Success is achieved by affording each client access to GroFin’s in-house, local expertise for the duration of their loan.’
GroFin’s approach differs from a bank as the in-house experts strive to increase the ability of small and medium enterprises to succeed by providing entrepreneurs with support that addresses the unique challenges that they face.
The company’s finance is structured according to one’s business needs: ‘we will work with you to develop a financial plan that enables you to better understand and manage your business for its long-term profit and growth. We will assist you with a financial model, business plan and structure all at a market related price. This unique business finance offering combined with our continuous expert business support and guidance is your formula for success.’
A dream for willing entrepreneurs. There is a downside though, unfortunately, GroFin does not invest in primary agriculture or any businesses which do not comply with applicable environmental, legal and social requirements.
The limit for financing goes from US$50,000 up to US$1.5million.
Yet, in developing long-term partnerships with each entrepreneur individually, GroFin gets a better understanding of their business, providing support that is adapted to each and every entrepreneur. A tailor for your business? Yes, this is what GroFin could be for you.
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