By Strive Masiyiwa
The most powerful principle to drive entrepreneurship that I've ever heard came from the late evangelist TL Osborn who often said to his listeners: “If you really want to be successful, find a human need and reach out to fulfill it”. Sounds simple but it is truly profound.
I used to think my platform was read only by Africans only to find that everywhere I went, the message was resonating. Take the example a few weeks ago I shared here about the young Indian technology entrepreneur, Dr Sampriti Bhattacharyya, who asked me to come and see her innovation when I was in the US recently.
Her innovation was not just about water transportation; she was primarily trying to address the very real challenge of Climate Change as maritime transport has one of the biggest carbon footprints. Elon Musk is one of the richest men in the world, not because he designed a cool car but he designed a car which addresses the human [and humanity's] need to deal with Climate Change.
There is a real nobility when you approach entrepreneurship not as a means to make money but as a need to address a problem that you are seeing either in your community or even the world.
“Money follows successful innovation,” is a powerful mantra to keep in the back of your mind.
I once had breakfast with former President Obasanjo and Aliko Dangote in which the President revealed how Aliko started cement manufacturing in Nigeria: “When I became President I noticed that Nigeria was importing cement from Europe,” he recalled.
“So I called all the importers to a meeting and asked them why they did not consider it viable to manufacture. They all gave me lots of excuses but this young guy was the only one who listed what needed to be done to get manufacturing going. So, I asked him for a list and I changed the laws for everyone... but only he took up the challenge.”
The rest is history.
Listen to me whilst I say it again: If you allow yourself, you can find a lot of reasons why it is not possible to do something. But that is not the way of the entrepreneur. Rather focus on "Why not?"
Dr Sampriti could have said to herself: “I’m a poor young Indian girl. Who will listen to me in America? I’m not white. I have no money. My parents are not rich”...
Pastor Chris used to say, “Don’t have a (self) pity party”.
You have to get out there and just find a way to get started.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus used the little boy’s lunch to feed a multitude, why he didn’t he just feed them out of nothing? My own take is that God prefers for us to use whatever is in our hand before He turns it into a miracle of abundance.
Don’t despise small or inconsequential beginnings or say things like “I have nothing!” There is no one who has “nothing”. Try something with what you have.
Today, rather than focusing your mind on what you need, think rather of what others need. Instead of focusing on who can help you, think rather of whom you can help, even as you tackle your own challenges.
These are tough times for many of you but you can do it. Stay strong and of good courage. Have a blessed Sunday.
[*Posting here again on this platform per request from #JuniorClass which I will still do from time to time].
0 Comments