Avoiding The Kitchen Sink

The other day I was talking to my cousin about a venture he wanted my opinion on. As this cousin reeled off the list of things that the business will be doing, all I could see was a red neon signing flashing before my eyes. STOP!

How To Harness Your Personal Network For Business

My aunt is trying to create a new brand image for a business that has been in existence longer than I have been alive. The first thing she did when she saw me was present the case to me. She stated her goal and then she asked me the best way to reach that goal. As I sat there discussing my opinion with her, I realised that I was perhaps giving her another perspective to consider before making a move. When she was done talking to me, she headed to the neighbours' house to ask their opinions as well. She is essentially crowdsourcing ideas on branding from the people closest her.

Four ways To Get Best Out of Your Workers...

Just as multinationals are some of the best places to work, Nigerian companies are known for the horror stories they generate. The banking industry in particular is so terrible that it has been known to cough out entrepreneurs from within it rank. These ex-bankers turned business owners often leave really lucrative positions because they are tired of the inhumane existence. So imagine my surprise when I realise that some of these ex-tortured souls start businesses that become notorious for the lack of consideration for the staff. The business owners do this not because they are horrible people. They do it because they just don't know any better. As a former business owner myself, there are times when I talked to people and they recommended drastic steps because Nigerian workers are infamously disloyal, untrustworthy and inefficient. This flaw in employees does not mean you still should not consider creating a friendly atmosphere for your employees in your work place. Below are four ways to start creating a work-place culture that would encourage your employees .

1. Be Consistent: Create a clearly defined and expressed set of rules for your employees. Alongside the rules, there should be clearly defined consequences for breaking said rules. The most critical part of this process is the follow-through; make sure you follow-through on punishment when rules are broken.Consistently abiding by the rules creates discipline in the work environment.

Hello!

Hello! Welcome to 2013! Welcome to my blog! Start-Up Naija is more than mine though. It  is my hope that Start Up Naija would be a space for me and you, my readers.

First off, let me introduce myself. You see I am a sort of failed entrepreneur. I started a business in Lagos a couple of years back. Through the initial highs and few lows at the beginning, I was sure that I was ready to be an entrepreneur. It was only as I was shutting the door on my business that I realised that I was not ready. I failed massively because I was not ready to be an entrepreneur.
I am sure you are now wondering why the hell you should follow a blog from a failed entrepreneur championing entrepreneurship. Well, my hindsight through my lens of failure provides me with the special perspective. I have become obsessed with understanding entrepreneurship in Nigeria. I have also become obsessed with encouraging it and celebrating it. Business ownership is a good thing and can create the perfect platform to be able to make healthy lifestyle choices instead of operating on default. As you read more of this blog, you will begin to understand my entrepreneurship fanaticism better.

Welcome to 2013! I hope this is the beginning of an empowering journey for all of us!