tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66292915306421980182024-02-07T09:07:40.112+03:00Edwin Kiama - The Wanjiku Revolution MovementInterrogating Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship, Movement Building & Organizational Development, Community Organizing, Attitude Change, Social Justice.
FEATURED; My thoughts as well as select leadership, motivational and self-help articles by re-known authorities on these topics. Thank you for visiting my blog! Please leave your comments, I value them.Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-23223838499875630552019-11-06T21:26:00.001+03:002019-11-07T09:48:58.955+03:00Moses Kuria's Fake Damascus Moment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image courtesy: The Standard</span></i></div>
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Part of what Gatundu #MPig says on the video that has been circulating on social media is partially true, but the real story is even more insidious!</div>
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Parliament is meant to approve EVERY budget line that the government proposes to spend and later verify that EVERY coin The Executive Arm proposed to spend has been spent on want was approved, service to Wanjiku. That is the principle of checks and balances. </div>
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This scrutiny is done through mainly the Public Accounts Committee (Abwabu anyone?), Budget and Appropriations Committee (Mutava Musyimi anyone?) & the Public Investments Committee among others. </div>
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The Auditor-General, an Independent Office, is parliament's audit arm. Many Kenyans don't realize that the AG is actually meant to help parliament hold the executive, the judiciary as well as county governments to account by ensuring resources are spent on what was budgeted for.</div>
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(It is indeed poetic justice that #UhuRuto sycophants were busy bashing the AG, who's actually their watchdog. See your life now oo!)</div>
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Treasury (Executive) proposes a budget for the year, parliament scrutinizes it and approves it with or without amendments, GoK spends, Auditor General audits the spending, parliament scrutinizes the audits and ideally approves if correct or sanctions if there are audit queries.</div>
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So how did #UhuRuto circumvent this rigorous Wanjiku scrutiny?</div>
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1. The new National CDF Act pegged CDF funds on 2.5% of what MPs approve for the National Government to spend. </div>
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For example, if say national government requests parliament to allow it to spend 1 million shillings and parliament says you can only spend 500,000 shillings, the money available to be divided among MPs as CDF for their constituencies will be 2.5% of 500,000.</div>
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If Treasury presents to parliament a budget proposal of 1 million shillings and parliament amends and approves 2 million, then money available to be divided among MPs as CDF is 2.5% of 2 million... if #UhuRuto present a 3 trillion shillings budget and parliament approves it as is, then the money available to be divided among MPs as CDF for their constituencies will be 2.5% of 3 trillion. Capiche? You get the picture?</div>
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In effect, the more money parliament approves for UhuRuto, the more money MPs get as CDF. #UhuRuto basically bribed parliament to look the other way! </div>
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This explains why #MPigs approved raising the debt ceiling. It just means more cash to them, so it's a no brainer! 🤷🏾♂</div>
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Next...</div>
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2. The Inter-governmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), chaired by the #DeePee and served by Treasury mandarins as its Secretariat, was created to help coordinate resource management between the National and County Government. It is an executive body (national and county) advising the legislature on budgets that are made by the executive.</div>
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What has happened in the #UhuRuto era is that the Treasury does budgets, then IBEC, which is manned by treasury mandarins, advises parliament on these budgets. It has cut off the parliamentary committees mentioned above meant to scrutinize and approve budgets. Treasury has used IBEC to cut off parliament and an accountability arm for Wanjiku. </div>
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In effect, Treasury budgets, approves its own budgets, and then accounts to itself by self-auditing. Now you know why the Auditor General has been under fire for trying to do his job. </div>
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Lastly, please note who chairs the IBEC, then you will undefeated why we are so screwed economically as a country.</div>
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Moses Kuria aache machozi ya chura!</div>
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#NiHayoTu</div>
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#UshenziKE!</div>
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Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-42390918351695474602019-07-02T11:17:00.002+03:002019-07-02T12:42:50.243+03:00The Real Lords of Kenyan Poverty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWgmQedMLogJGrPcNOGtho2B5YfoRe_uLf1-59tRT2BtC3jwAR2vboSN8jX4scL7VnR8XM9wl6vKja6v-W7QrIDCJ7r9GO55oGOGhoZfmwNQmj1jLk3PyZoUeNuARh9PtoIz9g36u1Efh/s1600/Lords+of+Poverty.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="720" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWgmQedMLogJGrPcNOGtho2B5YfoRe_uLf1-59tRT2BtC3jwAR2vboSN8jX4scL7VnR8XM9wl6vKja6v-W7QrIDCJ7r9GO55oGOGhoZfmwNQmj1jLk3PyZoUeNuARh9PtoIz9g36u1Efh/s400/Lords+of+Poverty.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Lords of Poverty</b> <i>Image Courtesy of @StateHouseKenya</i></td></tr>
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Dear Deputy President "Dr." William Ruto,<br />
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Allow me to address you on behalf of the poor people of Kenya who feel the sting of a reckless government which you are the second in command.<br />
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While it's hard to establish the authenticity of the hustler narrative you wholeheartedly peddle, it seems to me that your ivory tower of ill-gotten wealth has blinded you from poor people challenges.<br />
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The buck has stopped with you for the last 7 years you have been in government as the DP.<br />
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To claim that Kenya is poor because of the opposition or an individual who hasn't held any constitutional office since 2013 is to take Kenyans for fools. Carry the cross of the incompetence of the Jubilee regime you campaigned for tooth and nail.<br />
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<b>Let me remind you why Kenyans are poor...</b></h3>
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Kenyans are poor because of elected visionless leaders who'd rather plunder than invest in basic quality services.<br />
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Kenya is poor because of high priests of corruption stealing from the public & occupying plum jobs to benefit their families and cronies.<br />
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Kenyans are poor because of primitive accumulation of wealth (you win here) by a retrogressive elite.<br />
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Kenyans are poor because of income inequalities perpetuated by a clueless regime which negotiates bad trade deals with foreign powers.<br />
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Kenyans are poor because of odious debts borrowed to satisfy the greed of a few criminal elite than invest in high yield public good projects.<br />
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<b>Bwana DP, before you tell us who is the Lord of poverty is...</b></h3>
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Where are the stadiums you promised?<br />
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Where's the maize from Galana Kulalu?<br />
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What happened to free quality maternity care?<br />
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Where's the Euro Bond money trail leading?<br />
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Who killed Msando?<br />
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Where's the Arror & Kimwarer dams' money?<br />
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Who killed Jacob Juma?<br />
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Who messed the debt to GDP ratio of our country?<br />
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Who has pissed on our Constitution & weakened our independent institutions?<br />
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Who has rolled back the freedom gains fought for by Kenyans, some who died in the process?<br />
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In 2022, we will vote you out and the entire corrupt regime.<br />
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In 2022 the people of Kenya will claim back their country.<br />
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In 2022, on that glorious day, you will be held to account for all the atrocities you have done in this country. Your blood-stained hands will be brought to justice.<br />
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In the meantime, enjoy the fleeting glory.<br />
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<b><i>Mwalimu Mutemi wa Kiama - Kenyan</i></b></h4>
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Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-20940573284373588032016-10-12T19:08:00.000+03:002016-10-12T19:08:07.487+03:00#1Milli4WanjikuRevoltsMum Medical Fundraising Appeal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hi friends. My name is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eddiekiama" target="_blank">Edwin Mutemi wa Kiama</a>, also known as
"<a href="https://www.facebook.com/wanjikurevolutionkenya/" target="_blank">WanjikuRevolution Kenya</a>" on Facebook or <a href="https://twitter.com/WanjikuRevolt" target="_blank">@WanjikuRevolt</a> on twitter...
Am a social justice activist opposed to all manner of uthamaki (tribal kingdoms), whether in
Central Kenya, Rift Valley, Nyanza, Ukambani or wherever in Kenya...Am one those guys the Deputy President describes
as non-hard-working Kenyan activists who drink till 11pm and wake up at
11am... No I don't. Seriously, am a typical Kenyan hustler who asks questions on why
things are not the way they should be and speaks truth to power with love. Like, where are the 5 world class stadiums promised
to us in 2013 campaigns?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">State of public healthcare in Kenya<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whenever am questioned on my activism, I simplify it thus:
“I would like my mum who’s retired to have a competently staffed and equipped
government run health center within a 5 Km radius of her location anywhere in
Kirinyaga that can attend to minor ailments, diagnose and refer more serious
cases to a well-equipped, well-staffed government run level 4 or 5 hospital
within the county. There should be no need to ferry my sick mum to Nairobi
unless absolutely critical.” Little did I know I would experience the sorry
state of our public healthcare system first hand, and that our mum would die in
the process!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are a few points...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1) Mum went to have an abdominal operation to correct a
hernia Kerugoya Medical Center, a private hospital. These are usually routine
but she was hypertensive. She went into cardiac arrest and had to be
transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) ICU via ambulance without
operating. Reason, no ICU in Kirinyaga or the environs, not even private
hospitals. Options were KNH or Mathari in Nyeri. How is this possible 54 years
after independence?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Surgery was done at KNH, but turned septic. She was at
KNH ICU for 23 days, had several cardiac arrests, did not survive the last one
and passed on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By then she had incurred a bill of around 1.6 million
shillings after 23 days in a public hospital. Is that right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Mum had been a teacher for 32 years, paid her taxes and
other statutory deductions at source dutifully (well, one has no choice). She
was a pensioner. When she started getting sickly 4 months ago, we discovered
she didn't have NHIF cover. We reactivated it. She died a day after it became
active on 3<sup>rd</sup> October 2016! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Questions on Kenyan
Healthcare System:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why aren't pensioners covered automatically and deducted
from pension just as it was when they were employed, especially former
government GoK employees?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please urge everyone to get NHIF cover as it would have taken
care of this bill, and enrol your relatives, especially the retired and the
elderly parents. Have your retiree family and friends check the NHIF status.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why would someone who has served Kenya as a teacher for
32 years have to sell off hard earned land or other property because of illness
or death to pay off a hospital bill in a government hospital? Does that make
any sense? Isn't the state meant to take care of its people?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other notes...</span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">KNH Casualty section is understaffed. Relatives
and friends have to find beds for themselves. Many patients die there waiting
to be attended.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">County hospitals are referring cases they can
easily attend to to KNH causing an administrative log jam.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">KNH only has 20 ICU beds in the main ICU plus a
few others scattered in different sections. This is a disaster. There is need
for the government to address this.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As a family are humbly appealing to Kenyans to support us
offset the bill through Paybill number or Equity Bank account below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instructions for
sending money: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Go to: Mpesa LIPA NA
MPESA <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">PAYBILL OPTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BUSINESS NUMBER: <b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">849651</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ACCOUNT NUMBER: YOUR NAME<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">AMOUNT: ENTER AN AMOUNT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ENTER YOUR PIN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SEND<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Or through Equity
Bank <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Harambee Avenue
Branch<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stella Karimi
Kiama-Medical Fund<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Account number <b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">0240170059583</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Asante and God bless you!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-37087179040355461352015-12-04T02:13:00.000+03:002015-12-05T12:24:20.362+03:00#KenyansForJuliana Medical Appeal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Am posting this on behalf of my cousin George. As angry as I am about negligence in both public and private health institutions based on fact that we pay taxes to have affordable and quantity healthcare, that's not an option today. We have to deal with current realities. Let's help heal Juliana.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">WRK</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieg2ieRlHgke4I1jXzfY-hQc_txUdAZBwBvpDIT0I-2_-MfIZLvmHn1ddw_DSCBNuA67BeNCgyC26FgNLJetGGQNmEa-SrqNLs09iv-KNIMcx53C0dw_gh0_hdN3nKYldyKboPrhmOMGlv/s1600/IMG-20151204-WA0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieg2ieRlHgke4I1jXzfY-hQc_txUdAZBwBvpDIT0I-2_-MfIZLvmHn1ddw_DSCBNuA67BeNCgyC26FgNLJetGGQNmEa-SrqNLs09iv-KNIMcx53C0dw_gh0_hdN3nKYldyKboPrhmOMGlv/s320/IMG-20151204-WA0023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From George Wachira</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear fellow Kenyan,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please help out a mum, my wife Juliana.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My name is George Wachira. Am a
normal hard working Kenyan. The last one month though has turned my life and
that of my beloved wife and family into hell on earth.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Juliana and I were elated at the prospects of parenthood and on 8th October
2015. We walked into Mater hospital becaus<span class="textexposedshow">e labour
indicated that it was indeed time to receive our bundle of joy hopefully
through normal birth. After being in labour for over 24 hours the doctors
decided it was best to surgically remove the baby. We were gifted with a
beautiful baby boy. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Complications unfortunately arose from the
Cesarean Section and 4 days later Juliana had to be rushed back into surgery
for an emergency Laparotomy and Colonoscopy. Basically, whoever had operated on
her also cut her intestines. Negligence. She had to go into emergency surgery.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="textexposedshow">After the surgery she was put on drip medication
plus hydration because she was not taking anything orally. This then caused
another problem of water retention in the body. When this was eventually
discovered she had to be put in the HDU for close monitoring. After more than a
month in hospital,</span> <span class="textexposedshow">Juliana was finally
cleared to go home. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The bill at this point had come to around 1.8
million shillings. With the help of Insurance, family and friends we were able
to clear this amount and she finally came home and was reunited with her new
born son. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="textexposedshow">Juliana is required to undergo further surgery
to close up the opening left after the previous</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">operation. An amount of 1 million shillings is
required for her to undergo this final operation. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="textexposedshow">Let us help this young mother, my wife, begin
her journey into parenthood a lot happier</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">and healthier. </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please give whatever you can and help us achieve our goal of 1 million
shillings. Every shilling counts. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you and God bless you and reward your kindness.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">George & Juliana<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Paybill Number; 282814<br />
Account Name; JULIANA</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS. We hope to pursue legal redress after Juliana is healed.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-38864388732740679762013-08-23T15:11:00.001+03:002013-08-23T15:12:11.185+03:00Is Kenya due for another presidential election less than a year after the last election?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Why are we in a campaign mode only 4 months after a general election? Why are <b>Deputy President William Ruto</b> and former <b>Prime Minister Raila Odinga</b> going around the country essentially campaigning? Why the talk of a referendum, tyranny of numbers, revolution, parliamentary system vs presidential system?<br />
<br />
Possible scenario: We will soon have a general election to elect a new president/prime minister and deputy.<br />
<br />
Why, you may ask? Well, the Deputy President is likely to be at The Hague for a minimum four months continuously especially after his request not to attend some of the proceeding was appealed by the ICC Prosecutor and suspended. The president will join him in November possibly for the same duration. This means for around two months (60 days) that both the president and Deputy President will be away, then the Speaker of National Assembly will be the acting president. The law however says that he can only hold the temporally incumbency of that office for 60 days after which an election must be held.<br />
<br />
This kind of puts in context the heightened political activity we've been witnessing lately for me. But it's not a possibility....or is it?</div>
Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-80634993161597656332013-08-06T19:18:00.003+03:002013-08-06T19:18:49.968+03:00Why I wrote “End the propaganda, Jubilee!” <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
By <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/114745593930327743696" target="_blank">+Betty Njoroge</a> Twitter @BettyWaitherero </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It started with 11 girls and a dog from
Mombasa, and then a man and a Cow from Kiambu County and then a man and a dog,
a man with a donkey, a man with another cow, a man with a chicken and then two
men with goats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Kenyan mainstream Media which only
weeks ago were broadcasting somewhat relevant news, albeit heavily bent on
politics had now degraded itself to lewd stories of alleged bestiality. All of
this was triggered by a “cup of tea” meeting at Statehouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I am just an ordinary Kenyan, broke, out of
regular work and Kikuyu. I watched in 2007/08 while ordinary Kenyans like me
were slaughtered by militia in the post election violence. This wasn’t the
first time there was politically instigated violence in this country; in fact,
every single county in Kenya periodically runs violent whenever some politician
wants to exert or gain power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We live in a country that is called an
“Island of peace” in a conflict region, but the truth is Kenya is NOT peaceful.
We don’t live in peace. Us, the ordinary, broke, out of work Kenyans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I started getting this boiling sensation in
my gut when the campaigns for presidency began. Note that the campaigns for the
other electoral posts were never as bitter, hateful or malicious. My stomach
churned every time a candidate would make utterances that were ethnically
divisive, hateful and derogatory against an entire ethnic community simply
because his rival came from that community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Firstly, I believe that going to elections
in a country that is so divided is endorsing a farce. Secondly, I believe that
the electorate as a whole should have rejected the ballot because of the
divisive people on that ballot. Lastly, when 93% of Kenyans voted ethnically,
for their own ethnic representatives, that was NOT democracy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This is a nation fragmented to its very
core; the politics are of hatred, ethno-centrism and bigotry. It doesn’t matter
what your ethnicity is, you voted like a bigot when you choose not who you knew
was the best suited person but the person who was from your tribe, or allied to
your tribe. There is no democracy in Kenya because the political parties have
no ideologies and no system of inclusiveness and the legal system via its laws
encourage extreme division by allowing coalitions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">You would have imagined that allowing
coalitions would bring people together, right? But actually what the coalitions
or alliances allowed was parties that were inherently ethnic and certainly not
national to join forces with other ethnic parties and present a façade of being
national in nature. In the past one year we have seen the very depths of hell
displayed by some MPs hopping from political party to political party all in
the hope of using that to engineer their return to power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In 2007, 60% of the MPs voted into
parliament were new i.e. they were not part of the previous parliament. By
2011, 100% of these MPs had passed legislations to allow themselves more perks,
allowances, privileges and the chance to hop from party to party as they
wished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s already August 2013. The presidential
campaign period is over. Barely one month after being sworn in MPs demanded
that they receive the same pay as the previous parliament even though this was
a new constitution and a new government and system in transition. Majority of these MPs represent the Jubilee
coalition and indeed Jubilee constitutes the current government even though at
the moment of this uttermost betrayal, all MPs were united in their greed and
perversion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">6 months after the elections, the Jubilee
government has nothing to show in terms of actual results. They can’t sustain
their campaign promises of free laptops or free maternity, or jobs for the
youth. They are not interested in fulfilling promises, that much is clear. So
instead of trying to pretend they are working, they try to distract the nation,
by luring the media and telling us lecherous tales of bestial sex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In all this, to add to the tactic of
diverting attention, the Government Spokesman chooses to take what appears to
be a personal and emotive stand against Raila Odinga to the next level. “Raila
Odinga’s politics are arrogant, chest thumping, hateful and toxic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Toxic. We have a nation where 50% of the
population did NOT vote for the president. In an exam if a child gets 50% that
is a mere C. Why should a government with a C grade brag or abuse others? Where
does the government spokesman get off insulting the opposition when he is NOT
an elected official? How can a government representative address the whole
nation in this manner?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Yet we are divided, we are not united. Even
if we are all poor, half of us are smug bigots and the other half are silently
resentful bigots. My country Kenya is a country in political conflict, and in
many parts of the country this political conflict explodes in perennial
violence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Toxic. The propaganda and absolute drivel
spewing out of Jubilee government is <b>TOXIC, HATEFUL, CHEST THUMPING</b> and
<b>ARROGANT. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I love my country. Very much so, I had to
do something to switch of the flow of toxicity bursting out of the mouths of
undeserving, childish and deviant people. To tell the country, I love you and I
will stand up to these sewer rats. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And so, that’s why I wrote the article.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-28407624391752361942013-08-05T13:45:00.003+03:002013-08-05T13:45:51.486+03:00Welcome to the Era of Digital Censorship in Kenya, but the REVOLUTION is still coming!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Update. A few minutes after posting this on WanjikuRevolution Kenya's Facebook timeline, the post was taken down by Facebook and the profile was blocked for 7 days. Welcome to the era of digital censorship in Kenya.</b><br />
<br />
Am back on #FB after a 24hr block followed by another immediate 3 day block. This means the Kenyan government (my government) and it's operatives are actively reporting this profile as violating #Facebook Community Standards. The truth is a threat to the reincarnated KANU in form of #Jubilee Government.<br />
<br />
KANU Status Quo in it's many incarnations has survived for 50 years by;<br />
<br />
1) Keeping Wanjiku (Wanjikus, Achiengs, Kerubos, Jeptoos, Aminas, Bettys, Nekesas, Abdis, Mwangis, Tanuis, Odhiambos, Mutisyas, Kazungus, Lenanas, Wekesas, Mwacharos, Yussufs, na kadhalika) ignorant on how her government is meant to serve her, not rule her.<br />
2) Keeping Wanjiku living hand to mouth thus too busy to keep government accountable.<br />
3) Divide and Rule - Tell Wanjiku that Kikuyus are the problem, Luos are the problem, Kalenjins are the problem, Kambas are the problem, Raila is the problem, WRK is the problem, etc. As we fight each other, they loot our resources and consolidate their hold on power and our lives.<br />
<br />
Wanjiku Revolution actively challenges the above three slave driving governance strategies. FEARLESSLY!<br />
<br />
Freedom of Expression and conscience as guaranteed by our Constitution IS NOT DEBATABLE. The government has managed to intimidate senior editors at the Nation Media Group and The Standard Media group to silently publish only positive stories about it. The "Accept & Move On'' Doctrine. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT AND MOVE ON! A few brave souls like GADO have refused to be intimidated at the risk of loosing their jobs.<br />
<br />
The war has now been brought online with the #Jubilee chief propagandist working officially from State House with a title to boot and being paid using our tax resources. Bloggers like Betty Njoroge now have the pleasure of having the Government Spokesman Muthui Kariuki call her parents to intimidate her and have her take down her blog.<br />
<br />
Well, WE OWN SOCIAL MEDIA. WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED. WE WILL SPAWN 1000 accounts by Wanjikus, Achiengs, Kerubos, Jeptoos, Aminas, Bettys, Nekesas, Abdis, Mwangis, Tanuis, Odhiambos, Mutisyas, Kazungus, Lenanas, Wekesas, Mwacharos, Yussufs, na kadhalika. WaKenya wameamka. The revolution is coming, it's only a matter of time.<br />
<br />
You can have Facebook shut down this account, but I already have 50 others. You can have Facebook shut down this account, even kill me, but you are acting too late. Wanjiku Revolution is now beyond one person, many others are pushing the same truth. You cannot kill us all, YOU CANNOT KILL THE TRUTH! Wanjiku revolution is a revolution of the mind...attitude change, asking questions, wanting things to be better. This is a mindset that has been embraced by majority of Kenyans both online and offline. You cannot shut us all down. We are a 'Small Axe''...We are organising...we will take you down. WE ARE COMING!<br />
<br />
I Change, YOU Change, Together WE Change Kenya....for the better.<br />
<br />
WRK</div>
Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-84386163633378246172013-03-11T03:24:00.000+03:002013-03-11T03:24:39.817+03:00Kenyans Voted. To Midwife the Rebirth of Kenya's Institutions 50 Years After Independence, Let The Supreme Court Decide!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgnU4Xb-znbOs3zXBR6JaluUf8JKLtwH0NegTNHOPl5nOV0oUTK5kX2tpNjwJKIEFzcc2XGxx6yx1cx5s_ksH4f2T7osVk5bcfzPPc1NjuQptrwugegRqfsgHv996CKjVXDtw9jugT7hN/s1600/Kenya+VotesQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgnU4Xb-znbOs3zXBR6JaluUf8JKLtwH0NegTNHOPl5nOV0oUTK5kX2tpNjwJKIEFzcc2XGxx6yx1cx5s_ksH4f2T7osVk5bcfzPPc1NjuQptrwugegRqfsgHv996CKjVXDtw9jugT7hN/s640/Kenya+VotesQ.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kenyans brave long queues and heat to vote on March 4th 2013 general election.</span> <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: Edwin Kiama</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did not vote for either Uhuru Kenyatta nor Raila Odinga. I have been a harsh critic of both in the past, and I will continue to be if any of them goofs in the future. <br /><br />It does not matter to me which one of them won or lost. I know for a fact that Jubilee Coalition had also prepared to petition the result similarly had Raila won. Jubilee lawyers were also on standby.<br /><br />One major positive I have taken from this is that Kenyans did not loot, burn, rape, kill, maim or displace fellow Kenyans as was the case in 2007. The aggrieved instead have gone to court, the very reason we have courts...to arbitrate grievances. I must admit though that the relative fragile peace was as result of the unity of convenience between Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, and their respective ethnic communities before, during and after the elections. Though we are well aware the unity is out of necessity given the charges facing them at the ICC, it's something we can build on! The issues that caused 2007 PEV still remain, a number of Kenyans remain in IDP camps and there has been no credible effort to ensure justice for those affected. That said, we displayed some level maturity.<br /><br />In the coming court process I see an opportunity for all KENYANS to win, not just Jubilee or CORD. All Kenyans, including those like me who Voted Musalia, PK, Dida, MK, JoK or Muite. It's not the time for one side or the other to gloat or mourn. It's time to put our democracy and new institutions through the test of fire. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTDCHn1TFXOee4YbpCwu3n0Wa0lND1qRdWgU8T8Lzi0tk0JD2AxHFZ_PS3WHWnPJ6CVjCmV3kgX3Yo8tdXOTSoXyMkTlHpZv9tzTUWKJ1vvKcPKCanAqigXvEaC1txDwev9oaEy4cymhz/s1600/Kenya+VotesV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTDCHn1TFXOee4YbpCwu3n0Wa0lND1qRdWgU8T8Lzi0tk0JD2AxHFZ_PS3WHWnPJ6CVjCmV3kgX3Yo8tdXOTSoXyMkTlHpZv9tzTUWKJ1vvKcPKCanAqigXvEaC1txDwev9oaEy4cymhz/s640/Kenya+VotesV.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Manual verification of voter ID during the March 4th 2013 Kenya general election.</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo credit: Edwin Kiama</i></span></td></tr>
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<br /><b>We are presented with an opportunity to audit several things using our new Constitution; </b><br /><br />1. Procurement procedures in the Government of Kenya (BVR and other equipment)<br /><br />2. The integrity of our electoral process (registration of voters, voter identification at the polling stations, tallying of results at the grass-roots and the national level, transmission of results, presentation of final tally to Kenyans).<br /><br />3. The integrity of IEBC and IEBC staff.<br /><br />4. The integrity of the Civil Service and security services (NIS, Police and eg. did the executive interfere through County commissioners?)<br /><br />5. Integrity, fairness and freedom of press (was there a conspiracy of silence and mass conditioning all in the name of 'peace'?)<br /><br />and finally...<br /><br />6. The progress in reforming our Judiciary. How credible, judicious, independent and just will the Supreme Court ruling be, regardless of whom it favours? Or will it be agony for us all as in the past? Do we have an honest referee we can all depend on to settle even lesser disputes in our Judiciary? A referee that all 'Wanjikus' (common Kenyans) can depend on? Time to put that question to bed.<br /><br />Dear compatriots, I say let's seize the opportunity for ALL Kenyans, for the sake of our past, present and future generations.<br /><br />Let the courts inspire and midwife the rebirth of our nation this 50th year. Over to you Hon. Chief Justice Dr. Willie Mutunga and your team.<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMBZ7DY69svejQL-ntMGCfTSQQ9ii1PeGEpzTblC1bpHnpCDi0sLqwEdqqQgEx1MXOQP9dLhQJuJGJa0eiBha6GNHv5mWZH8ur3MJMmMuPoxk8swj0NeU2ETOGO0SsAKsC28XwzZ3pD1i/s1600/Kenya+Votes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMBZ7DY69svejQL-ntMGCfTSQQ9ii1PeGEpzTblC1bpHnpCDi0sLqwEdqqQgEx1MXOQP9dLhQJuJGJa0eiBha6GNHv5mWZH8ur3MJMmMuPoxk8swj0NeU2ETOGO0SsAKsC28XwzZ3pD1i/s640/Kenya+Votes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Kenyans of multiple ethnicities, races & creed voted in the March 4th 2013 election. </span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo credit: Edwin Kiama</i></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"> </span></td></tr>
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<b>God bless us all, God bless our nation Kenya.<br /></b></div>
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Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-61649272967543048392013-02-09T21:10:00.000+03:002013-02-09T21:10:03.192+03:00KENYAN POLITICIANS' SELF INTEREST<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Reason I will NEVER vote for Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Uhuru Kenyatta or William Ruto.</b><br />
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According to the <a href="https://wikileaks.org/wiki/Kenya:_Waki_Commission_of_Inquiry_into_Post-Election_Violence_final_report,_15_Oct_2008" target="_blank">Waki Report</a>, NSIS reported as early as 2006 that William Ruto and #ODM-K were planning Post Election Violence (PEV). Uhuru Kenyatta then was a member of the ODM-K leading lights. Did he know about the planned PEV by ODM? Raila's and Ruto's <b>SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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Kibaki and his PNU side decided to sit on the said NSIS report. They hoped that they could take advantage on any PEV to hold on to power in case Kibaki lost the 2007 election. It happened as planned. Kibaki's and Mt' Kenya mafia <b>SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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In September 2007, 4 months to the General Election, Uhuru Kenyatta crossed over to the PNU side becoming the first Opposition Leader in the Commonwealth to cross over to the governing side months to an election. He of cause knew he would would lose the Gatundu seat by remaining in ODM. Uhuru's <b>SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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After the 2007 General Elections, PEV started. Kalonzo joined Kibaki and Uhuru on the PNU side after being promised the VP giving Kibaki's contested win some bargaining power. Kalonzo's <b>SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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It is alleged that Raila planned to go to Kisumu to quell the violence after PEV broke out; as he waited for his flight while working-out at the Hilton Hotel gym, the NSIS informed and convinced him with enough proof of a plot to down his plane over Rift Valley and blame it on PNU so that his then deputy could take over. They fell out even before the National Accord was signed. Ruto's <b>SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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As PEV unravelled, Kikuyu business people started mobilising resources to defend their siblings in the Rift Valley. They approached Kibaki for help. He declined. They approached Uhuru who saw an opportunity to finally pacify his tribesmen who till then treated him with contempt and considered him MOI's and KANU's orphan. He is alleged to have mobilised and financed the Mingiki against Ruto and co. Uhuru's <b>SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ncck.org/index.php/information/publications/115-krieglerreport.html" target="_blank">Kriegler Report</a> states that no one won the election and both sides massively rigged. So on February 28th 2008 we got a nusu mkate government including all the above instead of having a repeat election excluding all the above from vying. <b>THEIR SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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2010 Kibaki and Raila were on one side supporting the new Constitution, Moi and Ruto on the opposing side while Uhuru and Kalonzo were somewhere in the middle neither here nor there until the last minute when they realised Kenyans wanted it and joined the YES side. <b>SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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2013 Raila is with Kalonzo in CORD, Uhuru is with his 2008 protagonist Ruto in Jubilee. They are all promising to fix Kenyans' problems of the last 49 years including landlessness and make Kenya heavenly while IDPs from the PEV they engineered still languish in camps. None of them, apart from Ruto, has any meaningful legislative or development record in parliament or at the constituency level for all the time they have been in government. Raila, Kalonzo, Uhuru and Ruto all hate each other's guts, but are willing to put that aside temporarily to gain the they each feel <b>ENTITLED</b> to. That if anything should scare Kenyans! <b>SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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Ruto is the most brilliant and ruthless of all these politicians. I foresee Ruto stabbing Uhuru in the back the same way he stabbed Raila. I foresee Kalonzo doing the same to Raila who has humiliated him for the last 4 or so years. A leopard does not change it's spots. <b>SELF INTEREST</b>.<br />
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<b><i>"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." - Albert Einstein.</i></b><br />
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I have no desire to have people full of <b>SELF INTEREST</b> and <b>ENTITLEMENT</b> in charge of my life and government. They will tear Kenya apart. Kenya is bigger than these four!<br />
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<i><b>"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein</b></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfZ6KClzRtoBdVrT3TmiqpqvAEnttGN_977Sp2_u41ES8mJn-jE9z5JtQ_aKE_DfbL8TaTTNDPxhH4MuFJGTnfHbsBZnLyP73kR7YBwEoQuagY3yJ2ZG92Sw4ttOJPGMFeBa31x86_DOe/s1600/DSC09223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfZ6KClzRtoBdVrT3TmiqpqvAEnttGN_977Sp2_u41ES8mJn-jE9z5JtQ_aKE_DfbL8TaTTNDPxhH4MuFJGTnfHbsBZnLyP73kR7YBwEoQuagY3yJ2ZG92Sw4ttOJPGMFeBa31x86_DOe/s400/DSC09223.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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On March 4th after the euphoria and tribal vitriol has died down, each of us will make a decision that will affect our lives primarily and the nation at large. While at the voting booth, I urge all of us to make a decision based on our own <b>SELF INTEREST </b>namely <b>OURSELVES</b>, <b>OUR FAMILIES</b> and <b>OUR NATION </b>not <b>OUR TRIBE </b>or<b> TRIBAL </b>gods. Do not vote for any of the above. Let us send all of them and the mediocrity of the last 49 years to retirement on March 4th.<br />
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<b>I Change, YOU Change, Together WE Change Kenya for the better!</b><br />
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Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-84046350662539065072013-02-05T14:15:00.001+03:002013-02-05T14:15:19.249+03:00If You Believe fBeautiful call to action by #CampMulla<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lELRbO4EoWY" width="459"></iframe>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-29154429162915985082012-01-23T02:25:00.001+03:002012-11-29T03:15:54.715+03:00You Lazy (Intellectual) African Scum!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /> <a href="http://mindofmalaka.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/you-lazy-intellectual-african-scum/"><span style="font-size: large;">You Lazy (Intellectual) African Scum!</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Posted on </span><a href="http://mindofmalaka.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/you-lazy-intellectual-african-scum/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">January 18, 2012</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> | </span><a href="http://mindofmalaka.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/you-lazy-intellectual-african-scum/#comments" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">151 Comments</a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I got this in my email this morning…</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By </span><a href="http://mindofmalaka.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Field Ruwe</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They call the Third World the lazy man’s purview; the sluggishly slothful and languorous prefecture. In this realm people are sleepy, dreamy, torpid, lethargic, and therefore indigent—totally penniless, needy, destitute, poverty-stricken, disfavored, and impoverished. In this demesne, as they call it, there are hardly any discoveries, inventions, and innovations. Africa is the trailblazer. Some still call it “the dark continent” for the light that flickers under the tunnel is not that of hope, but an approaching train. And because countless keep waiting in the way of the train, millions die and many more remain decapitated by the day.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><br />“It’s amazing how you all sit there and watch yourselves die,” the man next to me said. “Get up and do something about it.”<br /><br />Brawny, fully bald-headed, with intense, steely eyes, he was as cold as they come. When I first discovered I was going to spend my New Year’s Eve next to him on a non-stop JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Boston I was angst-ridden. I associate marble-shaven Caucasians with iconoclastic skin-heads, most of who are racist.<br /><br />“My name is Walter,” he extended his hand as soon as I settled in my seat.<br /><br />I told him mine with a precautious smile.<br /><br />“Where are you from?” he asked.<br /><br />“Zambia.”<br /><br />“Zambia!” he exclaimed, “Kaunda’s country.”<br /><br />“Yes,” I said, “Now Sata’s.”<br /><br />“But of course,” he responded. “You just elected King Cobra as your president.”<br /><br />My face lit up at the mention of Sata’s moniker. Walter smiled, and in those cold eyes I saw an amenable fellow, one of those American highbrows who shuttle between Africa and the U.S.<br /><br />“I spent three years in Zambia in the 1980s,” he continued. “I wined and dined with Luke Mwananshiku, Willa Mungomba, Dr. Siteke Mwale, and many other highly intelligent Zambians.” He lowered his voice. “I was part of the IMF group that came to rip you guys off.” He smirked. “Your government put me in a million dollar mansion overlooking a shanty called Kalingalinga. From my patio I saw it all—the rich and the poor, the ailing, the dead, and the healthy.”<br /><br />“Are you still with the IMF?” I asked.<br /><br />“I have since moved to yet another group with similar intentions. In the next few months my colleagues and I will be in Lusaka to hypnotize the cobra. I work for the broker that has acquired a chunk of your debt. Your government owes not the World Bank, but us millions of dollars. We’ll be in Lusaka to offer your president a couple of millions and fly back with a check twenty times greater.”<br /><br />“No, you won’t,” I said. “King Cobra is incorruptible. He is …”<br /><br />He was laughing. “Says who? Give me an African president, just one, who has not fallen for the carrot and stick.”<br /><br />Quett Masire’s name popped up.<br /><br />“Oh, him, well, we never got to him because he turned down the IMF and the World Bank. It was perhaps the smartest thing for him to do.”<br /><br />At midnight we were airborne. The captain wished us a happy 2012 and urged us to watch the fireworks across Los Angeles.<br /><br />“Isn’t that beautiful,” Walter said looking down.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From my middle seat, I took a glance and nodded admirably.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><br />“That’s white man’s country,” he said. “We came here on Mayflower and turned Indian land into a paradise and now the most powerful nation on earth. We discovered the bulb, and built this aircraft to fly us to pleasure resorts like Lake Zambia.”<br /><br />I grinned. “There is no Lake Zambia.”<br /><br />He curled his lips into a smug smile. “That’s what we call your country. You guys are as stagnant as the water in the lake. We come in with our large boats and fish your minerals and your wildlife and leave morsels—crumbs. That’s your staple food, crumbs. That corn-meal you eat, that’s crumbs, the small Tilapia fish you call Kapenta is crumbs. We the Bwanas (whites) take the cat fish. I am the Bwana and you are the Muntu. I get what I want and you get what you deserve, crumbs. That’s what lazy people get—Zambians, Africans, the entire Third World.”<br /><br />The smile vanished from my face.<br /><br />“I see you are getting pissed off,” Walter said and lowered his voice. “You are thinking this Bwana is a racist. That’s how most Zambians respond when I tell them the truth. They go ballistic. Okay. Let’s for a moment put our skin pigmentations, this black and white crap, aside. Tell me, my friend, what is the difference between you and me?”<br /><br />“There’s no difference.”<br /><br />“Absolutely none,” he exclaimed. “Scientists in the Human Genome Project have proved that. It took them thirteen years to determine the complete sequence of the three billion DNA subunits. After they<br /><br />were all done it was clear that 99.9% nucleotide bases were exactly the same in you and me. We are the same people. All white, Asian, Latino, and black people on this aircraft are the same.”<br /><br />I gladly nodded.<br /><br />“And yet I feel superior,” he smiled fatalistically. “Every white person on this plane feels superior to a black person. The white guy who picks up garbage, the homeless white trash on drugs, feels superior to you no matter his status or education. I can pick up a nincompoop from the New York streets, clean him up, and take him to Lusaka and you all be crowding around him chanting muzungu, muzungu and yet he’s a riffraff. Tell me why my angry friend.”<br /><br />For a moment I was wordless.<br /><br />“Please don’t blame it on slavery like the African Americans do, or colonialism, or some psychological impact or some kind of stigmatization. And don’t give me the brainwash poppycock. Give me a better answer.”<br /><br />I was thinking.<br /><br />He continued. “Excuse what I am about to say. Please do not take offense.”<br /><br />I felt a slap of blood rush to my head and prepared for the worst.<br /><br />“You my friend flying with me and all your kind are lazy,” he said. “When you rest your head on the pillow you don’t dream big. You and other so-called African intellectuals are damn lazy, each one of you. It is you, and not those poor starving people, who is the reason Africa is in such a deplorable state.”<br /><br />“That’s not a nice thing to say,” I protested.<br /><br />He was implacable. “Oh yes it is and I will say it again, you are lazy. Poor and uneducated Africans are the most hardworking people on earth. I saw them in the Lusaka markets and on the street selling merchandise. I saw them in villages toiling away. I saw women on Kafue Road crushing stones for sell and I wept. I said to myself where are the Zambian intellectuals? Are the Zambian engineers so imperceptive they cannot invent a simple stone crusher, or a simple water filter to purify well water for those poor villagers? Are you telling me that after thirty-seven years of independence your university school of engineering has not produced a scientist or an engineer who can make simple small machines for mass use? What is the school there for?”<br /><br />I held my breath.<br /><br />“Do you know where I found your intellectuals? They were in bars quaffing. They were at the Lusaka Golf Club, Lusaka Central Club, Lusaka Playhouse, and Lusaka Flying Club. I saw with my own eyes a bunch of alcoholic graduates. Zambian intellectuals work from eight to five and spend the evening drinking. We don’t. We reserve the evening for brainstorming.”<br /><br />He looked me in the eye.<br /><br />“And you flying to Boston and all of you Zambians in the Diaspora are just as lazy and apathetic to your country. You don’t care about your country and yet your very own parents, brothers and sisters are in Mtendere, Chawama, and in villages, all of them living in squalor. Many have died or are dying of neglect by you. They are dying of AIDS because you cannot come up with your own cure. You are here calling yourselves graduates, researchers and scientists and are fast at articulating your credentials once asked—oh, I have a PhD in this and that—PhD my foot!”<br /><br />I was deflated.<br /><br />“Wake up you all!” he exclaimed, attracting the attention of nearby passengers. “You should be busy lifting ideas, formulae, recipes, and diagrams from American manufacturing factories and sending them to your own factories. All those research findings and dissertation papers you compile should be your country’s treasure. Why do you think the Asians are a force to reckon with? They stole our ideas and turned them into their own. Look at Japan, China, India, just look at them.”<br /><br />He paused. “The Bwana has spoken,” he said and grinned. “As long as you are dependent on my plane, I shall feel superior and you my friend shall remain inferior, how about that? The Chinese, Japanese, Indians, even Latinos are a notch better. You Africans are at the bottom of the totem pole.”<br /><br />He tempered his voice. “Get over this white skin syndrome and begin to feel confident. Become innovative and make your own stuff for god’s sake.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At 8 a.m. the plane touched down at Boston’s Logan International Airport. Walter reached for my hand.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><br />“I know I was too strong, but I don’t give it a damn. I have been to Zambia and have seen too much poverty.” He pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled something. “Here, read this. It was written by a friend.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He had written only the title: “Lords of Poverty.”</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Thunderstruck, I had a sinking feeling. I watched Walter walk through the airport doors to a waiting car. He had left a huge dust devil twirling in my mind, stirring up sad memories of home. I could see Zambia’s literati—the cognoscente, intelligentsia, academics, highbrows, and scholars in the places he had mentioned guzzling and talking irrelevancies. I remembered some who have since passed—how they got the highest grades in mathematics and the sciences and attained the highest education on the planet. They had been to Harvard, Oxford, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), only to leave us with not a single invention or discovery. I knew some by name and drunk with them at the Lusaka Playhouse and Central Sports.<br /><br />Walter is right. It is true that since independence we have failed to nurture creativity and collective orientations. We as a nation lack a workhorse mentality and behave like 13 million civil servants dependent on a government pay cheque. We believe that development is generated 8-to-5 behind a desk wearing a tie with our degrees hanging on the wall. Such a working environment does not offer the opportunity for fellowship, the excitement of competition, and the spectacle of innovative rituals.<br /><br />But the intelligentsia is not solely, or even mainly, to blame. The larger failure is due to political circumstances over which they have had little control. The past governments failed to create an environment of possibility that fosters camaraderie, rewards innovative ideas and encourages resilience. KK, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, and Banda embraced orthodox ideas and therefore failed to offer many opportunities for drawing outside the line.<br /><br />I believe King Cobra’s reset has been cast in the same faculties as those of his predecessors. If today I told him that we can build our own car, he would throw me out.<br /><br />“Naupena? Fuma apa.” (Are you mad? Get out of here)<br /><br />Knowing well that King Cobra will not embody innovation at Walter’s level let’s begin to look for a technologically active-positive leader who can succeed him after a term or two. That way we can make our own stone crushers, water filters, water pumps, razor blades, and harvesters. Let’s dream big and make tractors, cars, and planes, or, like Walter said, forever remain inferior.<br /><br />A fundamental transformation of our country from what is essentially non-innovative to a strategic superior African country requires a bold risk-taking educated leader with a triumphalist attitude and we have one in YOU. Don’t be highly strung and feel insulted by Walter. Take a moment and think about our country. Our journey from 1964 has been marked by tears. It has been an emotionally overwhelming experience. Each one of us has lost a loved one to poverty, hunger, and disease. The number of graves is catching up with the population. It’s time to change our political culture. It’s time for Zambian intellectuals to cultivate an active-positive progressive movement that will change our lives forever. Don’t be afraid or dispirited, rise to the challenge and salvage the remaining few of your beloved ones.<br /><br />Field Ruwe is a US-based Zambian media practitioner and author. He is a PhD candidate with a B.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism, and an M.A. in History.</span></span></div>
Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-74374556377393532402011-10-27T23:50:00.001+03:002012-07-24T09:40:21.434+03:00Kenya Vision 2030 - My 2 Cents...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In my humble opinion this is a vision to ensure that the Kenyan
status quo dominates the infrastructure and energy sectors up to 2030 and
beyond. It is not a people’s (Wanjiku’s) vision, but a vision to serve the Kenyan elite.<br />
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This vision is fundamentally wrong! In my view we should not aim to be a newly industrialized
nation by 2030, at least not when it comes to conventional industry, so as to
compete with China and India, when we cannot even feed ourselves. So, how do we get
there? We don't! We trash the vision, invest in social infrastructure to make
sure that all our people have food, can access quality basic health care,
housing, education, transport and live in a healthy and sustainable
environment. Invest in IT infrastructure so that movement of people and services becomes less necessary. If people can study or work from home (or near home) and transact online then we cut down on time spent on traffic and reallocate massive resources needed to build road systems into other developmental areas.<br />
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After that we develop a new vision 2050 to be the world leader in green
innovation, green energy and environmental conservation. This in my view is the
next major growth area on the planet. Already the west and the east have the
technology to take us there, but their economies are fossil fuel driven and
copious consumption driven and structured to be so up to and beyond the year
2030. They are ‘sitting’ on the technology. We should invite the companies that
have workable green technology to come and invest in Kenya. Our economy is
relatively easier to re-orient. For example we can easily have every car in
Kenya green by 2020 with political will and proper education of the people on
the benefits. We will then perfect the technology, create and develop the necessary
infrastructure to make it work and a market for it starting in Africa. By the
year 2030 when the rest of the world finally comes to their senses on the need
to conserve the environment, we would be uniquely positioned to export it to
them and become an economic super power. That is my dream, but all I see is us
going full throttle via the failing western economic model.<br />
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We also need to develop and implement a sound value system that will result in
transformational, positive thinking forward looking communities and visionary servant
leadership. Our attitude as a people is geared towards handouts. That is the
first challenge we need to address. We also need to realize that unity is
strength and identify leaders who will not be afraid of an enlightened,
empowered and united citizenly but will see them as a source of strength and
progress. Until we get rid of the current divide and rule leadership model we
are going nowhere fast!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My 2 cents…</span></div>
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</span>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-46564092008320032492011-03-11T15:35:00.000+03:002011-03-11T15:35:31.357+03:00No leader rides aloneBy: <span id="goog_370080900"></span><span id="goog_370080901"></span><a href="http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/author/admin/">John C Maxwell</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuozDm8ki5hgjuvlD8RlJQCCeeoEwgX4wETwhhTcN7Ovmf7308xaodZ9D_F0rmMs66U5Vy2luA78xjS5IMiZGMpLObShuRKKUD8Thbq1mWJygY3Y_tbBY1exgwUDUaI_Gjc-PQrcbdn_v0/s1600/Lone+Ranger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuozDm8ki5hgjuvlD8RlJQCCeeoEwgX4wETwhhTcN7Ovmf7308xaodZ9D_F0rmMs66U5Vy2luA78xjS5IMiZGMpLObShuRKKUD8Thbq1mWJygY3Y_tbBY1exgwUDUaI_Gjc-PQrcbdn_v0/s1600/Lone+Ranger.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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In recent years, people in the business world have rediscovered the significance of teams. In the 1980s, the buzzword in business circles was management. Then in the 1990s, the emphasis was on leadership. Now in the twenty-first century, the emphasis is on teams. Why? Because nobody does everything well.<br />
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Not everyone recognizes that those closest to you will make or break you. There are still leaders who hold up the Lone Ranger as their model for leadership. One of the best illustrations of how unrealistic that ideal of leadership really is can be found in <em>American Spirit </em>by Lawrence Miller:<br />
<blockquote>Problems are always solved in the same way. The Lone Ranger and his faithful Indian companion … come riding into town. The Lone Ranger, with his mask and mysterious identity, background, and lifestyle, never becomes intimate with those whom he will help. His power is partly in his mystique. Within ten minutes the Lone Ranger has understood the problem, identified who the bad guys are, and has set out to catch them. He quickly outwits the bad guys, draws his gun, and has them behind bars. And then there was always that wonderful scene at the end [where] the helpless victims are standing in front of their ranch or in the town square marveling at how wonderful it is now that they have been saved.</blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>What baloney! There are no Lone Ranger leaders. Think about it: If you’re alone, you’re not leading anybody, are you?<br />
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Leadership expert Warren Bennis was right when he maintained, “The leader finds greatness in the group, and he or she helps the members find it in themselves.” Think of any highly effective leader, and you will find someone who surrounded himself with a strong inner circle. You can see it in business, ministry, sports, and even family relationships. Those closest to you determine your level of success.<br />
<br />
<strong>from <em>The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership</em></strong><br />
<br />
Right now I’m excited to share a unique opportunity with you. I’m assembling a special group of certified coaches, trainers and speakers worldwide, to participate in the John C. Maxwell Certification Program. This program will equip you with the knowledge, skills and tools for empowering a new generation of leaders.<br />
<br />
This could be a wonderful opportunity for you to:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Increase Your Value in Your Current Profession.</li>
<li>Access Curriculum and Training for You and Your Team. </li>
<li>Become a Coach, Trainer and/or Speaker and Start a Business! </li>
<li>Add Curriculum, Skill Training and Business Tools to an Existing Coaching, Training and Speaking Business</li>
<li></li>
<li></li>
</ul>We’ll be making a global announcement via two <strong>Special Live Calls on Wednesday, March 2 – one at 4:00pm EST (GMT-5) and the other at 9:00pm EST (GMT-5).</strong> I’m honored to have Darren Hardy, Publisher and Editorial Director of SUCCESS magazine, as the host for the call.<br />
<br />
To register, visit <a href="http://johnmaxwellteam.com/new/">JohnMaxwellTeam.com</a>. There you’ll receive the instructions for attending the Special Live Call on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.<br />
<br />
For more information, you can also contact John Maxwell Training at Info@JohnMaxwellTraining.com or (561) 318-0547.<br />
<br />
<em> Image courtesy of photobucket</em><br />
<em> </em><br />
<strong><em><a href="http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/2011/02/28/no-leader-rides-alone/">Like this post? Pass it on!</a></em></strong>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-55715412973658512882011-02-24T21:59:00.001+03:002011-02-24T22:03:40.575+03:00Kenya 28th Feb Stand For Kenya! (Call to Action)<div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse;">Dear fellow Kenyan,<br />
<br />
In the face of ethnic polarization, a highly politicized atmosphere and the daily search for daily bread, it is sometimes easy for all of us <span class="il">to</span> forget what binds us together, that we are Kenyan and that we are strongest when united.<br />
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In this perspective, a group of Kenyans, of diverse interests, political affiliations, tribes, religions and economic backgrounds have agreed <span class="il">to</span> come together on February 28th 2011 and take a few minutes at exactly 1pm (East African Time) <span class="il">to</span> sing the three verses of the National Anthem.<br />
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On February 28th Kenyans will come together and unite in the prayer that is the Kenya National Anthem, <span class="il">to</span> celebrate their unity as a people, and <span class="il">to</span> remind themselves that together, they can achieve much more. On this occasion, Kenyans come together, not <span class="il">to</span> protest against anything but <span class="il">to</span> stand for unity.<br />
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The idea is simple: Wherever we are, whatever we are doing at exactly 1pm on February 28th, Kenyans from all walks of life, will pause and sing the national anthem, led by participating media houses, church choirs, community choirs, school children, and musicians. Once they have sung all the three verses, they will disperse and continue with what they were doing - only energized by the strong spirit of kinship.<br />
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This is an initiative that belongs <span class="il">to</span> Kenyans: aimed at uniting us under the banner of our National Anthem.<br />
</span></span><br />
<b><i></i></b></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="current_crumb" style="background-color: transparent; border-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stand For Kenya!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We are extremely proud to be Kenyan!<br />
We are proud of our beautiful country!<br />
We are proud of our diversity cultures and traditions!<br />
We are proud of our heroes!<br />
We are proud of our high achievers!<br />
We are proud of being hustlers!<br />
We are proud of our hoods!<br />
We are proud of our tribes and twengs!<br />
We are proud of our kanges and our mats!<br />
We are proud of our artists and musicians!<br />
We are proud of our industries and farms!<br />
We are proud of our sports teams!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, wherever you are, at work, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">in the supermarket, in traffic, in school, on campus, in hospitals, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">in churches, in mosques, in temples, in synagogues, on sports pitches, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">in court, on your farm, at police stations, at armed forces barracks, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">in matatus, in buses, on the beach, in the game parks, at the airport,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> in parliament, in State House, in your homes ..</span>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, we stand<br />
On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, we unite<br />
On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, we shall speak in one voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, let’s sing </span><span style="font-size: small;">our beautiful </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">and powerful National Anthem, all three verses.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
On the 28th February 2011 the world will watch as Kenyans stand UNITED;<br />
1pm, 1 nation, 1 people, 1 anthem, united in 1 prayer for 1 Kenya<br />
We are Kenya!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i> </i></b></span>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-24971847482009925492011-01-31T01:28:00.001+03:002011-01-31T02:21:44.108+03:00How Do I Maintain a Teachable Attitude?By <a href="http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/author/admin/">John C Maxwell</a><br />
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Teachability is not so much about competence and mental capacity as it is about attitude. It is the desire to listen, learn, and apply. It is the hunger to discover and grow. It is the willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn. I love the way legendary basketball coach John Wooden states it: “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”<br />
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When I teach and mentor leaders, I remind them that if they stop learning, they stop leading. But if they remain teachable and keep learning, they will be able to keep making an impact as leaders. Whatever your talent happens to be – whether it’s leadership, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, or something else – you will expand it if you keep expecting and striving to learn.<br />
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Futurist and author John Naisbitt believes that “the most important skill to acquire is learning how to learn.” Here is what I suggest as you pursue teachability:<br />
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<b>1. Learn to listen.</b><br />
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American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote, “It takes two to speak the truth – one to speak and one to hear.” Being a good listener helps us to know people better, to learn what they have learned, and to show them that we value them as individuals.<br />
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As you go through each day, remember that you can’t learn if you’re always talking. As the old saying goes, “There’s a reason you have one mouth and two ears.” Listen to others and remain humble, and you will learn things that can help you expand your talent.<br />
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<b>2. Understand the learning process.</b><br />
<br />
Here’s how learning typically works:<br />
<ul>STEP 1: Act.
<li>STEP 2: Look for your mistakes and evaluate.</li>
<li>STEP 3: Search for a way to do it better.</li>
<li>STEP 4: Go back to Step 1.</li>
</ul>Remember, the greatest enemy of learning is knowing. And the goal of all learning is action, not knowledge. If what you are doing does not in some way contribute to what you or others are learning in life, then question its value and be prepared to make changes.<br />
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<b>3. Look for and plan teachable moments.</b><br />
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If you look for opportunities to learn in every situation, you will expand your talent to its potential. But you can also take another step beyond this and actively seek out and plan teachable moments. You do that by reading books, visiting places that inspire you, attending events that prompt you to pursue change, and spending time with people who stretch you and expose you to new experiences.<br />
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<b>4. Make your teachable moments count.</b><br />
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Even people who are strategic about seeking teachable moments can miss the whole point of the experience. I say this because for many years I’ve been a speaker at conferences and workshops – events that are designed to help people learn. But I’ve found that many people walk away from an event and do very little with what they heard.<br />
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We tend to focus on learning events instead of the learning process. Because of this, I try to help people take action steps that will help them implement what they learn. I suggest that in their notes, they pay special attention to<br />
<ul><li>Points they need to think about</li>
<li>Changes they need to make</li>
<li>Lessons they need to apply</li>
<li>Information that they need to share</li>
</ul>Then after the conference, I recommend that they create to-do lists based on what they took note of, then schedule time to follow through.<br />
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<b>5. Ask yourself, “Am I really teachable?”</b><br />
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I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: all the good advice in the world won’t help if you don’t have a teachable spirit. To know whether you are <i>really </i>open to new ideas and new ways of doing things, ask yourself the following questions:<br />
<ol><li>Am I open to other people’s ideas?</li>
<li>Do I listen more than I talk?</li>
<li>Am I open to changing my opinion based on new information?</li>
<li>Do I readily admit when I am wrong?</li>
<li>Do I observe before acting on a situation?</li>
<li>Do I ask questions?</li>
<li>Am I willing to ask a question that will expose my ignorance?</li>
<li>Am I open to doing things in a way I haven’t done before?</li>
<li>Am I willing to ask for directions?</li>
<li>Do I act defensive when criticized, or do I listen openly for truth?</li>
</ol>If you answered no to one or more of these questions, then you have room to grow in the area of teachability. You need to soften your attitude, learn humility, and remember the words of John Wooden: “Everything we know we learned from someone else!”<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><b>Adapted from <i>Self-Improvement 101</i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><b>Just another note:</b> I’m very excited about a new program I’m involved with: <i style="color: black;"><b><a href="http://johnmaxwellteam.com/">A Minute with Maxwell</a></b>.</i><br />
It’s a daily video program featuring short lessons from me on a variety of topics, like perspective, integrity, self-leadership, and persistence.<br />
<br />
Signup is <i>free</i>, and besides viewing the videos, you can also influence content by suggesting topics. I hope you’ll join me by signing up at <b><a href="http://johnmaxwellteam.com/"><span style="color: navy;">JohnMaxwellTeam.com</span></a></b><br />
<br />
<div class="sociable_tagline"><b>Like this post? Pass it on!</b></div><div class="sociable_tagline"></div><div class="sociable_tagline"><a href="http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/author/admin/">John C Maxwell</a><b> </b> </div>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-51916198156324177722011-01-26T17:35:00.006+03:002011-01-26T17:50:46.379+03:00What are your fears keeping you from doing?By <a href="http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/author/admin/">John C Maxwell</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXamI-CU_nWYD4X-u31WnZd6VhnIiej85jaBnRaHeAeKROexTEisCYT5WH-zndUzNLSS7jD3pmu4gDXaLxG0rpxl8N2VzJq8PyPhZ5DTostCEkcDRr8uk4rhmmxB6IkiXkEKzugObLBG-6/s1600/courage-cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXamI-CU_nWYD4X-u31WnZd6VhnIiej85jaBnRaHeAeKROexTEisCYT5WH-zndUzNLSS7jD3pmu4gDXaLxG0rpxl8N2VzJq8PyPhZ5DTostCEkcDRr8uk4rhmmxB6IkiXkEKzugObLBG-6/s400/courage-cat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
In a speech in 1933, American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, addressing a nation mired in a Depression and on the verge of a world war, famously stated, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” During the first century A.D., Epictetus said, “It is not death or pain that is to be dreaded, but the fear of pain or death.” And in the 1600s, Francis Bacon remarked that, “Nothing is terrible except fear itself.”<br />
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Fear is universal. It crosses all boundaries of race, culture, religion and generation. We all feel fear. So why do some people appear to be fearless, doing battle with enemies that others cower before? Because they recognize that the greatest enemy they face is the fear itself. The first battle every hero faces is against fear and its weapons of destruction.<br />
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So how should we deal with fear? Avoiding it never really makes it go away; we either become paralyzed or defeated. Frantically searching for a quick fix usually just results in unfocused and wasted effort.<br />
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The only way to deal with fear is to face it and overcome it. Dale Carnegie explained it this way: “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” Here are some actions you can take to face and overcome fear:<br />
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<b>Discover the foundation of fear</b><br />
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The fact is that most fear is not based on fact. Much of what we fear is based on a feeling. According to an old saying, “Fear and worry are interest paid in advance on something you may never own.” And Aristotle explained, “Fear is pain arising from anticipation of evil.”<br />
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When you acknowledge that the majority of fear is unfounded, you can begin to release yourself from its power. American general George Patton understood this. He said, “I learned very early in life not to take counsel of my fears.” Businessman Allen Neuharth saw his worst fears come true, only to realize that they weren’t as big as he’d imagined: “I quit being afraid when my first venture failed and the sky didn’t fall down.”<br />
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<b>Admit your fears</b><br />
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One of our biggest misconceptions is that courage equals a lack of fear. In actuality, the opposite is true. Mark Twain explained, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” By admitting our fear, we can then challenge its accuracy.<br />
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That’s how General Patton dealt with it: “The time to take counsel of your fears is before you make an important battle decision,” he said. “That’s the time to listen to every fear you can imagine! When you have collected all the facts and fears and made your decision, turn off all of your fears and go ahead!”<br />
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<b>Accept the frailty and brevity of life</b><br />
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Sometimes our greatest fears are founded on reality. For example, we are all going to die sometime. There’s no denying that. Likewise, life will often be hard and painful. Those things are completely out of our control. By accepting their reality, we can then focus on the things we actually can control.<br />
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I love what Gertrude Stein wrote about fear: “Considering how dangerous everything is, nothing is really frightening.”<br />
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<b>Accept fear as the price of progress</b><br />
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“As long as I continue to push out into the world,” said Susan Jeffers, “as long as I continue to stretch my capabilities, as long as I continue to take risks in making my dreams come true, I am going to experience fear.”<br />
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To do anything of value, we have to take risks. And with risk comes fear. If we accept it as the price of progress, then we can take appropriate risks that yield great reward.<br />
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<b>Develop a burning desire that overcomes fear</b><br />
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Sometimes the best way to fight fear is to focus on our reason for confronting it. Is it bigger than the fear? The firefighter runs into the burning building not because he’s fearless, but because he has a calling that is more important than the fear.<br />
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The person afraid of flying decides to confront it not because the fear has vanished, but because a meeting with a new grandchild awaits at the end of the flight.<br />
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<b>Focus on what you can control</b><br />
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We cannot control the length of our lives; we can’t control many of the circumstances that we face. Accepting those facts allows us to focus on what we can control. Like American basketball coach John Wooden said, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”<br />
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As a leader, I often have to deal with the wrong attitudes and actions of the people who follow me. So a long time ago, I decided that,<br />
<br />
<i> I can control my attitude, but not others’ actions.<br />
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I can control my calendar, but not others’ circumstances.<br />
<br />
And it’s not what happens to me, but what happens in me.</i><br />
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<b>Focus on today</b><br />
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Fear tries to make us look at all of our problems at once: those from yesterday, today, and tomorrow. To be courageous, you have to focus only on today. Why? Because it’s the only thing you have any control over.<br />
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I love what a wise man once said about an ocean liner: If an ocean liner could think and feel, it would never leave its dock; it would be afraid of the thousands of huge waves it would encounter. It would fear all of its dangers at once, even though it had to meet them only one wave at a time.<br />
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By focusing only on what’s right in front of us, we can manage tremendous risk because we know we’ll only have to deal with it one wave at a time.<br />
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<b>Put some wins under your belt</b><br />
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Just like fear tends to breed more fear, courage leads to more courage. According to Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”<br />
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The more we face our fears, the more capable we begin to feel, and the more fears we are willing to face.<br />
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<b>Do it now</b><br />
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Often, all it takes to conquer a fear is to change our focus and try some of the above suggestions. As we realize what’s true and focus on what we can control, the fear naturally fades and weakens. But there are other times, when no amount of thinking can overcome the fear. In fact, the more we think in those situations, the more fearful we become. Then, the only solution is action.<br />
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As W. Clement Stone said, “When thinking won’t cure fear, action will.”<br />
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It is the wise person who accepts that fear is a very real part of life, and it must be faced and overcome with courage. By taking action in the face of fear, he or she achieves results and becomes more courageous.<br />
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Another American president, Harry S. Truman, said it this way: “The worst danger we face is the danger of being paralyzed by doubts and fears. This danger is brought on by those who abandon faith and sneer at hope. It is brought on by those who spread cynicism and distrust and try to blind us to our great chance to do good for all mankind.”<br />
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<b>Like this post? Pass it on! </b><a href="http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/author/admin/">John C Maxwell</a>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-15357579019711841462011-01-07T03:25:00.002+03:002011-01-07T03:32:15.906+03:00Kenyans, it is finally time to become a nation<a href="http://www.sunwords.com/2011/01/02/kenyans-it-is-finally-time-to-become-a-nation/">Kenyans, it is finally time to become a nation</a><br />
by <a href="http://www.sunwords.com/">Sunny Bindra</a> on January 2, 2011 in <a href="http://www.sunwords.com/category/sunday-nation/">Sunday Nation</a><br />
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I listened to a rendition of our national anthem at a school Christmas production the other day. The anthem was played, unusually, using piano and violin – and it was utterly enchanting. I am not ashamed to state here in print that it brought a tear or two to my eye. And why not, when deep-rooted emotions of belonging and oneness are stirred?<br />
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The performance made me reflect: why doesn’t this happen more often? Why don’t we in Kenya feel this deep stirring, this common spirit, this feeling of unity and inter-connectedness, this powerful glue of togetherness?<br />
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Let’s face it: we are only a ‘pretend-nation.’ We have borders and passports and a flag, yes – but we have yet to become a nation. And the blame for this should be placed squarely at our leadership over the decades. We have yet to encounter true nationalist leaders – people whose sole mission is to unite the nation and the collective and drive it forward. Instead, we have had to settle for a procession of ethnic chieftains whose primary identity has been around their own tribes and families.<br />
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We the people also carry the blame. We engage enthusiastically in making pretend-noises about national unity, when all we are really preoccupied with is a much narrower set of enclaves: religions, clans, communities, families.<br />
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When David Rudisha runs past that finish line to break the world record and take the medal, what do we feel? Do we dismiss him, saying that fellow from that tribe has nothing to do with me? Do we think this is good for ‘his’ people but not for ‘ours’? No, we all jump for joy and share in the triumph of a Kenyan and Kenya. Don’t we?<br />
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So why is it we can’t maintain that emotion at all times, in all our interactions? For once the emotion of the moment is done, we slink back to our little caves and think smaller thoughts and become smaller people preoccupied with smaller things. We revert to what we really are: a collection of ghettoes that has never really understood nationhood. We look to our tribes, our religions, our places of birth, our social classes to give us our primary identities.<br />
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If a country as diverse as the United States can develop a pronounced national spirit, what stops us? Look at the unity of purpose shown by the Germans and the Japanese to understand the power of collective fervour and mission.<br />
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Kenya is at a great economic moment. Many factors have come together – a new constitution, a youthful population, a favourable location, a burgeoning hinterland, mobile connectivity – to produce a moment we cannot afford to waste. But waste it we will if keep thinking small. We have to think nation, region and continent now – not village and estate. This is not a time for little minds.<br />
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This land of great beauty needs to stand for something bigger than tribes and skin-colours and religious cocoons. We have to sing our anthems with fervour and support our champions with gusting emotion. We have to each give as well as take from our motherland. We have to participate fully in the big issues of our country.<br />
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Most importantly, we have to place a new set of demands on our leaders. We have to chase those who encourage hatred of our fellow Kenyans out of our villages and towns. We have to stipulate that we want big thinkers to lead us – those who can understand this new, always-on, globalized world and who can forge out a competitive position for Kenya in the new order.<br />
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Seriously, people, we have finally to become a nation of patriots led by big hearts and minds. The time for petty politics and self-centred leaders is gone.<br />
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<i>Sunny Bindra’s new book, ‘The Peculiar Kenyan’ is now on sale</i>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-40852901333328198872011-01-07T01:04:00.000+03:002011-01-07T01:04:51.660+03:00Young Entrepreneur Advice: 100 Things You Must Know!<a href="http://under30ceo.com/author/under30ceo/">Under30CE</a><br />
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We wanted to create an article addressing some of the problems start-up companies and young entrepreneurs have. So we asked!<br />
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“What do you wish you knew before you started a business?”<br />
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1. I wish I would have known how unpredictable things can be at ALL times. I read a lot before starting my business and realized unexpected things happen, but never did I realize the frequency in which they do. You really need to learn how to adapt everyday to things you may not have forseen waking up that morning. – Scott Fineout, <a href="http://www.607magazine.com/">http://www.607magazine.com</a><br />
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2. Before going into business I wish I knew the importance of having an established “Advisory Board”. Having a mentor is one thing but having a counsel of people who are not only experts in various business<br />
related functions but are also cheerleaders and coaches for your success is another. – <span style="color: #666666;">Kellie L. Posey</span> <a href="http://www.keleventsllc.com/">www.keleventsllc.com</a><br />
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3. I wish I knew about the value of keeping it simple. Starting out young with plenty of energy and great ideas led me down many paths of distraction. Instead, by focusing first on what sells, why and at what price and then staying true to that over time, I would have saved a lot of headaches, time and supported profitability a lot sooner. The saying KISS is popular for a reason and particularly applicable when you’re an entrepreneur. - <span style="color: #666666;">Deborah Osgood</span> <a href="http://www.bdki.com/">www.bdki.com</a><br />
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4. The one thing that I wish I knew before starting a business was how much time you spend learning – it is constant – from self development, to business basics, to social media, – talk about wearing many hats! Oh my and thought motherhood was challenging. I love to learn new things but had no idea it was going to be like this. You have to learn how to act, how to present, how to close, how to keep in contact, how to prospect, and how to keep customers! – <span style="color: #666666;">Michelle Morton</span> <a href="http://www.sochomebusiness.com/">http://www.sochomebusiness.com/</a><br />
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5. Focus on yourself as much as your product/service. The recipe is only as good as the Chef preparing the dish. – <span style="color: #666666;">Mujteba H. Naqvi</span> <a href="http://www.bonvoy.com/">http://www.bonvoy.com</a><br />
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6. That whatever my start-up budget is… I should have multiplied it by three - <span style="color: #666666;">Aliya Jiwa</span> <a href="http://spunkystork.com/">http://spunkystork.com</a><br />
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7. The most important, and costly, lesson I had to learn is that in order to grow in a good economy, and in order to survive in a bad one, it’s necessary to understand that one person can’t do it all. It requires the efforts of a team (sales, accounting, production-service delivery, management, etc.) to be effective. Too many young entrepreneurs, myself included, feel they can do it all. That’s a huge mistake. – <span style="color: #666666;">Tom Coalson</span> <a href="http://www.tomcoalsonconsulting.com/">http://www.tomcoalsonconsulting.com/</a><br />
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8. Financially, I learned that you should get incorporated and need to have a great accountant that specializes in small business taxes.I also discovered that success is easier to achieve if you learn from people that know more than you instead of going it alone. – <span style="color: #666666;">Eddy Salomon</span> <a href="http://www.workathomenoscams.com/">www.WorkAtHomeNoScams.com</a><br />
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9. I wish I would have known that the hardest part of owning and operating my own business would NOT have been how to create revenue on a monthly basis. I wish I would have hired a full time IT guy and a shrink to manage with my sales force! – <span style="color: #666666;">Bradley W. Smith</span> <a href="http://www.debtfreeassociates.com/">http://www.debtfreeassociates.com/</a><br />
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10. I really wished I developed more social skills early on to spend more time developing relationships. Networking has been key to bringing in more business and I had practice this social ability more, then business may have come sooner rather than later. – <span style="color: #666666;">Ali Allage</span> <a href="http://www.boostlabs.com/">www.boostlabs.com</a><br />
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11. The best thing i did is to outsource all my administrative tasks. Now i have enough time to focus on other important tasks. – <span style="color: #666666;">Gagan </span><a href="http://www.fortepromo.com/">http:</a><a href="http://www.fortepromo.com/">//www.fortepromo.com</a><br />
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12. Never pay full price for anything online (office supplies, stock photography, services, etc.)–always Google for coupons. – <span style="color: #666666;">Bill Even</span> <a href="http://www.thecomingwave.com/">www.TheComingWave.com</a><br />
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13. Location, location, location. It really is true! – <span style="color: #666666;">Tanya Peila</span> <a href="http://www.tanyapeila.com/">www.tanyapeila.com</a><br />
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14. Finding the right Accounting / Financial Manager right up front was our biggest learning and biggest mistake. Completely changed our financial performance and caused us to hit a wall we should have avoided. – <span style="color: #666666;">Mike Cleary</span> <a href="http://www.abcom-inc.com/">http://www.abcom-inc.com</a><br />
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15. I wish I knew how much general information I would need to know and how long the process would take. Almost three years later Im still in the “set-up” phase to my business and teaching myself all about websites, graphic design, business law, bookkeeping, customer service, etc. - <span style="color: #666666;">Leslie Boudreau </span><a href="http://www.inn-photo.com/">http://www.inn-photo.com</a><br />
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16. It’s important to get customer validation early on. You can have the greatest technology, or website, or service, or whatever, but it’s ultimately meaningless if you haven’t verified that there are actually customers willing to spend money on or around what you do. - <span style="color: #666666;">Adam Rodnitzky</span> <a href="http://www.reteltechnologies.com/">www.reteltechnologies.com</a><br />
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17. Business partnerships are like marriages and should be entered with the same care. Like marriages, there are a lot of assumptions about what the partnership is/is not and communication about those will lead to better success. - <span style="color: #666666;">J. Kim Wright</span> <a href="http://www.cuttingedgelaw.com/">www.CuttingEdgeLaw.com</a><br />
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18. I wish I had known how few true entrepreneurs there are out there. Every time I thought I had a kindred spirit with whom to share experiences, lean on for support and provide support to them, it turned out that they were looking for a paycheck. Find a partner and a kindred spirit BEFORE you launch. – <span style="color: #666666;">Tom Reid</span> <a href="http://www.certifiedksolutions.com/">www.certifiedKsolutions.com</a><br />
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19. Small business owners should carefully reflect on how they can tastefully build referral sources through all contacts, and how to utilize social networks, including the vast resources of the internet, to build a referral base and, in turn, a client base. - <span style="color: #666666;">Jay Weinberg</span> <a href="http://www.jayweinberg.com/">http://www.jayweinberg.com</a><br />
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20. I wish I knew how important it is to never rely on anyone else. I wasted a number of years “networking” in hopes of people referring business. It never worked. My career took off when I assumed responsibility for every aspect, including marketing and sales. – <span style="color: #666666;">Rob Frankel</span> <a href="http://www.robfrankel.com/">http://www.RobFrankel.com</a><br />
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21. I did not realize the level of sacrifice that would be required to become not only an entrepreneur, but a successful entrepreneur. Don’t get me wrong, it is worth every single second, but I had no idea that friends and family would not be able to relate. – <span style="color: #666666;">Amber Schaub</span> <a href="http://www.rufflebutts.com/">http://www.rufflebutts.com/</a><br />
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22. I wish I had understood how little time I would have to do the things that I need to do in order to “produce” and to make money. Make sure that you spend your time and your energy on the revenue generating matters. Spend the money necessary to get help. Pay someone else to take care of all of the admin stuff. – <span style="color: #666666;">Francoise Gilbert</span> <a href="http://www.itlawgroup.com/">http://www.ITLawGroup.com/</a><br />
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23. I wish I knew how hard it was to manage employees and have good, competent help. I also wish I knew how to market, advertise, and work these social media tools. - <span style="color: #666666;">Jamie Puntumkhul</span> <a href="http://jlpeducationservices.vpweb.com/">http://jlpeducationservices.vpweb.com</a><br />
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24. Have a serious exit strategy & plan prior to opening doors. As an entrepreneur I was ready and willing to take the plunge to open my own company, but didn’t realize I had to structure my company around the exit strategy (i.e. make it sellable and transferable, and self sustaining without my everyday presence). - <span style="color: #666666;">Christopher N.</span> <span style="color: #666666;">Okada </span><a href="http://www.okadaco.com/">www.okadaco.com</a><br />
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25. With my first companies I wished I had lined up a client and received a commitment to buy before I jumped in the water. – <span style="color: #666666;">Patrick J. Sweeny II</span> <a href="http://www.odintechnologies.com/">http://www.odintechnologies.com/</a><br />
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26. I wish that I would have known that my MBA wasn’t necessary to be an entrepreneur. I started business before and thought the MBA+ would give me a better insight to prevent me from making mistakes but I believe you either have it or you don’t. – <span style="color: #666666;">Janice Robinson-Celeste</span> <a href="http://www.celestestudios.com/">www.CelesteStudios.com</a><br />
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27. I wish I would have known how expensive running a business is – mainly payroll taxes, medical insurance, etc. We researched all of our fixed costs, however, the more we billed out, the less we keep. – <span style="color: #666666;">Marian H. Gordon</span> <a href="http://www.yippeeprinting.com/">www.yippeeprinting.com</a><br />
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28. Find the very best, most knowledgeable people you can afford and hire them with not just salary, but incentives. The better the people, the better the job done and advice given. – <span style="color: #666666;">Ric Morgan American Business Arts Corporation</span><br />
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29. Several years after starting my business I learned that the best source of advice and peer support are fellow entrepreneurs, especially those who have attained the level of business success to which I aspire. – <span style="color: #666666;">Charles E. McCabe</span> <a href="http://www.vaceos.org/">http://www.vaceos.org</a><br />
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30. I wish I had understood the value of investing in high-level talent. As a start-up, it’s scary to think about hiring someone whose experience demands a higher-level salary. So you tend to hire less experienced individuals, but they typically don’t bring the intellectual capital or business savvy that can help you grow faster. – <span style="color: #666666;">Susan Wilson Solovic</span> <a href="http://www.susansoloviconline.com/">www.SusanSolovicOnline.com</a><br />
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31. Starting a business is like getting married, you think you know what youre getting into and that youll be better then the median, but when it comes down to it you have no idea. – <span style="color: #666666;">Summer Bellessa</span> <a href="http://elizamagazine.com/">http://elizamagazine.com</a><br />
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32. The biggest thing I’ve learned and wish I would have known before I had started our company is the difference between sales and marketing. Everyone says sales and marketing together like they’re the same<br />
thing. They’re not. - <span style="color: #666666;">Scott D. Mashuda</span> <a href="http://www.riversedgealliance.com/">http://www.RiversEdgeAlliance.com</a><br />
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33. I wish I would have known how important a real business plan was, a marketing strategy, and exit strategy were. You should really plan your first two years and have a hit list of sales/marketing opportunities that are interested before you take the leap. – <span style="color: #666666;">Ben Wallace</span> <a href="http://www.innovative-memories.com/">www.innovative-memories.com</a><br />
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34. Probably the most important thing I wish I had realized earlier was how little I knew about how consumers bought things on the Internet. I have been a web developer for years and knew all about technology, but little about marketing and getting inside the mind of the consumer. – <span style="color: #666666;">Sara Morgan</span> <a href="http://www.custsolutions.net/">http://www.custsolutions.net/</a><br />
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35. You can’t put your life on hold while waiting for your venture to hit. I have tremendous regret around all of the family events, vacations, and time with friends that I missed because I was working on getting my film/company off the ground. -<span style="color: #666666;"> Pamela Peacock</span> <a href="http://www.shadowlightpictures.com/">http://www.shadowlightpictures.com</a><br />
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36. Admittedly, we went into GiveForward knowing we’d have to be flexible and patient. All of the good books tell you this, but no one really tells you how emotionally draining that wait can be. – <span style="color: #666666;">Desiree Vargas</span> <a href="http://www.giveforward.org/">www.GiveForward.org</a><br />
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37. Hands down without a doubt no questions asked – effective marketing. It truly does not matter how great your product or service is unless someone knows about it you are still behind the start line. – <span style="color: #666666;">Leanne Hoagland-Smith</span> <a href="http://www.processspecialist.com/">http://www.processspecialist.com</a><br />
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38. I thought if I had a great product and an attractive, functioning website customers would come. Boy, was I wrong! In the online world its all about SEO! – <span style="color: #666666;">Semiha Manthei</span> <a href="http://www.firststeporganic.com/">http://www.firststeporganic.com/</a><br />
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39. I wish I’d have known that the only thing important in business is building a product that someone will buy. That’s it. It’s real easy for first time founders to get caught up in visions of grandeur – but in reality, the only things that matter are having a great product, and having customers that will pay actual money for it. - B<span style="color: #666666;">rett Owens</span> <a href="http://www.chrometa.com/">http://www.chrometa.com/</a><br />
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40. Business books and all the education in the world can give you the foundation for starting a business, But they cannot show you the cold hard truth about how difficult it can be to start a business. – <span style="color: #666666;">Michael Grosheim</span> <a href="http://www.thesocialtweep.com/">http://www.thesocialtweep.com</a><br />
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41. One thing I wish I knew right off the bat is the benefit of networking. I spent a lot of time trying to tackle everything on my own, but its really important to reach out to fellow entrepreneurs, complimentary businesses, family and friends for advice and support. – <span style="color: #666666;">Cailen Ascher Poles</span> <a href="http://www.cailenascher.bravehost.com/">http://www.cailenascher.bravehost.com/</a><br />
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42. I wish I had known how important it is to outsource to other professionals instead of trying to do everything myself, and ultimately not always doing everything correctly. – <span style="color: #666666;">Jennifer Hill</span> <a href="http://www.jhilldesign.com/">www.jhilldesign.com</a><br />
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43. I wish I knew exactly how important it is to prioritize tasks and goals. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in the last few months is to prioritize what is important, in order of its proportionate worth. It is easy to do the little things that make you feel like you are accomplishing something, but it is the big important things that need your full attention – even if it is uncomfortable. – <span style="color: #666666;">Evan Urbania</span> <a href="http://www.chatterblast.com/">www.chatterBLAST.com</a><br />
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44. I was naive enough to think that if I had a great product that helped people and at the same time had the lowest prices available for the products we did sell that word would spread and people would be excited to use our product. – <span style="color: #666666;">Chris Sorrells</span> <a href="http://www.ergonomicssimplified.com/">www.ErgonomicsSimplified.com</a><br />
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45. I wish I had known that you dont need to be right with your first iteration of your business plan. Young businesses naturally deviate from their roadmap as the founders ideas about what will work get tested by reality. Smart entrepreneurs listen to the feedback they get and adapt. – <span style="color: #666666;">Matt Lally</span> <a href="http://imaneed.com/">http://imaneed.com</a><br />
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46. I wish I’d understood the incalculable value of having just the right executive assistant, someone who can leverage your time and actually be an extension of yourself. - <span style="color: #666666;">Barry Maher</span> <a href="http://www.barrymaher.com/">www.barrymaher.com</a><br />
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47. I wish I had more marketing skills to take my business to the next level. At this point I have to hire someone as I am super limited in this area. – <span style="color: #666666;">Deb Bailey</span> <a href="http://www.powerwomenmagazine.com/">http://www.powerwomenmagazine.com</a><br />
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48. I’ve learned that I can’t micromanage everything, no matter how much I want to. Sometimes you have to delegate certain responsibilties to others. Not only did this help keep me sane, but it was good for team building amongst employees. – <span style="color: #666666;">Lev Ekster</span> <a href="http://www.cupcakestop.com/">www.cupcakestop.com</a><br />
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49. I wish someone would have explained the difference between sales verses marketing. – <span style="color: #666666;">Tom Pryor</span> <a href="http://www.sbdcexcellence.org/">WWW.SBDCEXCELLENCE.ORG</a><br />
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50. I wish I knew depth of the thought process needed in starting a business, especially on a personal level. I wish I understood how my thoughts would affect my business. – <span style="color: #666666;">Jennifer Ann Bowers</span> <a href="http://rosebridgecreations.com/">http://rosebridgecreations.com</a><br />
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51. I wish I understand “cash flow”. I figured that as long as I brought in lots of business, the business would be great. Cash is king and always keep MORE of it than you forecast or expect to need. – <span style="color: #666666;">Ryan Kohnen</span> <a href="http://www.ryankohnen.com/">www.ryankohnen.com</a><br />
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52. I wish I had taken a class, or gotten practical experience in, using business accounting software. The investment would’ve been minimal, and it would’ve saved me (and my accountant) hours of frustration. Additionally, I wish I had spent a few bucks on an accountant to set up my books properly. – <span style="color: #666666;">Shane Fischer</span> <a href="http://www.fischer-law.com/">www.fischer-law.com</a><br />
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53. What I didn’t know then was the value of networking. You never know where business will come from. And having friends and acquaintances from political, business and social circles may prove to be your best new business referral! – <span style="color: #666666;">Melissa Stevens</span> <a href="http://www.fkmagency.com/">www.fkmagency.com</a><br />
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54. I wish I completely understood what “cash flow” meant and how important it is to live within a budget and how important it is to hire the correct people, rather than just able bodies. – <span style="color: #666666;">Kelly Delaney</span> <a href="http://www.cakes4occasions.com/">www.cakes4occasions.com</a><br />
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55. The one thing that I wish I would have known before going into business more, was my own strengths and how I use them on a daily basis. – <span style="color: #666666;">Jason C. Raymer</span> <a href="http://www.bluegrassautoglass.com/">http://www.bluegrassautoglass.com</a><br />
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56. Trademark/ Copyright info – 3 months after we had started one of the businesses we had to completely scrap all the branding and build a totally new site, social media, EVERYTHING due to a legal issue regarding trademark. – <span style="color: #666666;">Sarah Cook</span> <a href="http://www.raisingceokids.com/">http://www.RaisingCEOKids.com</a><br />
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57. I wish I knew how to proficiently do marketing via the web, newsletters and blogs. The other key thing is to get the right coach. I eventually used www.onecoach.com, headed by John Assaraf of “The Secret”, who finally helped me pull my business together. – <span style="color: #666666;">Nancey C. Savinelli</span> <a href="http://www.naturalhealthctr.net/">www.naturalhealthctr.net</a><br />
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58. I really had to understand the “basics” of business and how to capitalize on the small opportunities to given to me and turn them into “larger than life” success stories. – <span style="color: #666666;">Darren Magarro</span> <a href="http://www.thedsmgroup.com/">www.thedsmgroup.com</a><br />
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59. I wish that early on I had sought out more business leaders in my field. It wasn’t until I was a bit older that I realized the value of the knowledge to be learned from veteran industry players and how it could help me grow my business. – <span style="color: #666666;">Jim Janosik</span> <a href="http://aladanmediagroup.com/">Aladanmediagroup.com</a><br />
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60. I wish I had seriously thought about branding and the longevity of the brand. Looking back, I should have thought about what was going to define my company, what would be a look that would last for years and not go out with the trends, and what image I wanted my customers to see when they first started researching my company. – <span style="color: #666666;">Katie Webb</span> <a href="http://www.becomeintertwined.com/">http://www.becomeintertwined.com</a><br />
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61. If you have taken the time to think through things (price, service, contracts, delivery) don’t be so quick to change it up just because a Client wants you to. – <span style="color: #666666;">Joni Daniels</span> <a href="http://www.jonidaniels.com/">http://www.jonidaniels.com/</a><br />
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62. I wish I knew not to expect things to happen for us. Often times, we were waiting to get lucky and not making our own luck. We learned that nothing is going to get handed to us on a silver platter and if we want it, we have to go out and get it. – <span style="color: #666666;">Ben Lerer</span> <a href="http://www.thrillist.com/">http://www.thrillist.com/</a><br />
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63. At the time of founding it I was so focused on survival I didn’t think about the exit strategy. – <span style="color: #666666;">Laurence J. Stybel</span> <a href="http://stybelpeabody.com/">stybelpeabody.com</a><br />
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64. I wish I’d know how much easier it is to build a business around an established market that’s already looking for a solution to its problems rather than trying to build the market around the business I wanted to start. – <span style="color: #666666;">John Crickett</span> <a href="http://www.businessopportunitiesandideas.co.uk/">http://www.businessopportunitiesandideas.co.uk/</a><br />
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65. How challenging it is to get people who request our services to pay. Since we are a nonprofit/community organization, everyone thinks our services are free because of grants or corporate giving. – <span style="color: #666666;">Candi Meridith</span> <a href="http://www.goodforyourself.com/">www.GoodForYourself.com</a><br />
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66. You have to have to have some sort of passion in order to be successful. But no matter how much you want to believe it, doing what you love because you love it and doing what you love as a business are different. Don’t expect every day to be bliss. – <span style="color: #666666;">Andy Hayes</span> <a href="http://www.travelonlinepartners.com/">www.travelonlinepartners.com</a><br />
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67. I wish I knew it didn’t take tons of money to get started, so I would have started it sooner. I think that holds a lot of people back. – <span style="color: #666666;">Candy Keane</span> <a href="http://www.threemusesclothing.com/">http://www.ThreeMusesClothing.com</a><br />
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68. When I was opening my first business, I made the near lethal error of leasing a business location without a plan. Once I got in the location I had to do three times the amount of marketing necessary just to contend with the competition. I spent more on marketing than I would have spent on the extra rent of a better spot on the street I was on. – <span style="color: #666666;">S. Zargari</span> <a href="http://www.assuranceadvertising.com/">www.assuranceadvertising.com</a><br />
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69. I would have spent more time selecting the most qualified technical resource by interviewing more people more strenously to ensure we got the most talented resource for our money…both short term and long term – <span style="color: #666666;">Jennifer Myers Robb</span> <a href="http://www.hergameface.com/">http://www.hergameface.com</a><br />
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70. Get a coach – someone who can walk you through the jungle to get you to the gold. Why bother flying blind, when others have blazed the trail before you? Starting a business without a coach is like getting in the car and driving. Sure you can move–and fast–but using a map is so much smarter than not. – <span style="color: #666666;">Richard J. Atkins</span> <a href="http://www.improvingcommunications.com/">HTTP://WWW.IMPROVINGCOMMUNICATIONS.COM/</a><br />
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71. I wish I’d known it would not be enough to know my stuff cold. (I’m a subject matter expert, but the same would apply to someone with a product.) You have to really know (or be willing to learn FAST) how<br />
to market yourself and have a plan to do it. – <span style="color: #666666;">Judy Hoffman</span> <a href="http://www.judyhoffman.com/">www.judyhoffman.com</a><br />
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72. I just wish I knew how much free goods I would have to give out in order to promote my products. – <span style="color: #666666;">Jacqui Rosshandler</span> <a href="http://www.eat-whatever.com/">www.eat-whatever.com</a><br />
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73. I wish I knew that there was a fine line between self-employment and un-employment. Second, I wish that I knew more about the competitiveness of my type of business and had spent some time interviewing people who were successfully doing what I wanted to do. – <span style="color: #666666;">Cyndi A. Laurin</span> <a href="http://www.guidetogreatness.com/">www.guidetogreatness.com</a><br />
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74. I wish I had known that starting a business would give me so much happiness, and worry. I knew that it would be hard, but I had no ideas of the hills and valleys that would come with being a business owner. – <span style="color: #666666;">Shay Olivarria</span> <a href="http://www.biggerthanyourblock.com/">www.BiggerThanYourBlock.com</a><br />
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75. I knew that starting a business was going to be a lot of work, but I didnt know much work and that it was going to go slower than I had expected. I wish I had known that there was going to be a lot that I didnt know, but that its ok because Ive figured it out (and am still figuring it out!) along with way. – <span style="color: #666666;">Grace Bateman</span> <a href="http://www.perupaper.com/">http://www.perupaper.com</a><br />
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76. Everyone will not be happy or supportive of you starting a business or succeeding in it, and that’s okay, as you do not need their nod, their vote of confidence or their praise… you have your own. – <span style="color: #666666;">Anahid Derbabian</span> <a href="http://www.integritycommunicationsco.com/">www.integritycommunicationsco.com</a><br />
<br />
77. Don’t work with your spouse. If you want to wreck a marriage, be together 24/7 with one person exerting power over the other. – <span style="color: #666666;">Susan Schell</span> <a href="http://www.citadeladvisory.com/">http://www.citadeladvisory.com</a><br />
<br />
78. Relationship Marketing – I wish I had understood the importance of staying connected with past clients and nurturing relationships with current clients. Your personal life, your spiritual life and your professional life is all about the relationship. – <span style="color: #666666;">Sandie Glass</span> <a href="http://www.sandstormideas.com/">http://www.sandstormideas.com/</a><br />
<br />
79. I wish I would have realized earlier the importance of having a core group of target customers. Find a handful of people and build a trust with them. Test various products and services on them and eventually use their passion and your business to fuel evangelism to grow as you refine your business model. -<br />
<span style="color: #666666;">Dayne Shuda</span> <a href="http://huntingbusinessmarketing.com/">http://huntingbusinessmarketing.com</a><br />
<br />
80. If you’re young, and especially if you’re a woman, you may be tempted to undersell your product or service – or worse, give them away – in order to get into the game. Don’t. Set up a pricing structure that’s in line with your business plan and allows you to grow your business. – <span style="color: #666666;">Ruth Danielson</span> <a href="http://www.msmarketintel.com/">http://www.msmarketintel.com</a><br />
<br />
81. I wished I had learned about the need for business systems and process documentation and why they are important. I have found they are a life saver to developing a work environment that thrives since everyone in the company knows what they are supposed to be doing and can easily reference the steps. – <span style="color: #666666;">Adam Sayler</span> <a href="http://arthurwinn.com/">http://arthurwinn.com</a><br />
<br />
82. What I wish I knew before I started a business was a really great business advisor! Most of us go into a business with a big heart for the product and lots of excitement. Few of us really know how to run a business. – <span style="color: #666666;">Kelley Small</span> <a href="http://www.smolakfarms.com/">www.smolakfarms.com</a><br />
<br />
83. I wish I knew how long it would take to build a steady stream of clients and establish strong relationships with customers and vendors. - <span style="color: #666666;">Alexis Avila</span> <a href="http://www.preppedandpolished.com/">www.preppedandpolished.com</a><br />
<br />
84. I didn’t take into account what being a home business owner would mean I mean I’m in my house a<br />
lot! I have to eat 3 times a day and there are very few delivery places where I live – so making a mess in the kitchen 3 times a day, and cleaning the office myself. – <span style="color: #666666;">Maria Marsala</span> <a href="http://www.elevatingyourbusiness.com/">http://www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com</a><br />
<br />
85. I wish I had known how demanding entrepreneurship is on the entire family. It took me months to realize that they were giving as much or more than me by picking up the slack around home and giving me space to pursue a dream. – <span style="color: #666666;">Carrie Rocha</span> <a href="http://www.pocketyourdollars.com/">http://www.pocketyourdollars.com/</a><br />
<br />
86. To be patient. When I first started, I expected results instantly. I’d get frustrated when things didn’t work the way I planned. Luckily, I didn’t have any hang-ups about failing, so I kept trying new things<br />
and slowly built upon those things that worked. – <span style="color: #666666;">Naveed Usman</span> <a href="http://www.theusmangroup.com/">http://www.theusmangroup.com</a><br />
<br />
87. How much money would I make in the first couple years of operation. Obviously, this answer would of told me to find a steady job and do this on the side until I really got it going 3-4 years later. – <span style="color: #666666;">Marc Anderson</span> <a href="http://talktocanada.com/">TalktoCanada.com</a><br />
<br />
88. I wish I knew that cash flow wasn’t the same as profits, that employees are not paid friends and that you should always trust but never let anyone open your bank statements. – <span style="color: #666666;">Anne-Marie</span> <a href="http://www.brambleberry.com/">www.brambleberry.com</a><br />
<br />
89. The one thing I wish I had done differently is not spent money on advertising offers that don’t pay off. This is business people don’t often do things out of the goodness of their heart. I’ve learned to be a lot more skeptical of “opportunities” I get offered. – <span style="color: #666666;">Adrien</span> <a href="http://www.thenakedhippie.com/">TheNakedHippie</a><br />
<br />
90. One piece advice I would give to people just starting up that I wish knew is that success is less about the idea and more execution. Don’t wait until you have the great idea or have refined all the plans, just get something up and start iterating. – <span style="color: #666666;">Ben Hatten</span> <a href="http://www.legalriver.com/">www.legalriver.com</a><br />
<br />
91. How important it is to network, instead of attempting to fly solo. Fortunately, my belated learning didn’t negatively impact my company for too long but the soaring would definitely have occurred<br />
sooner had I considered the value of self-promotion. – <span style="color: #666666;">Marlene Caroselli</span> <a href="http://www.caroselli.biz/">www.caroselli.biz</a><br />
<br />
92. I wish I knew how much my time was really worth and the best way to set my rates. I made an early mistake by charging too little and booking myself so tightly that I didn’t have enough time to work on some projects the way I wanted to and I couldn’t hire anyone to help me because I didn’t allow for the added cost. – <span style="color: #666666;">Susan Bender Phelps</span> <a href="http://www.odysseymentoring.com/">www.OdysseyMentoring.com</a><br />
<br />
93. I wish I knew the importance of networking when I first started my web design company. It took me a few months to realize that referrals and networking are the best types of leads. People want to do business<br />
with people they like! – <span style="color: #666666;">Becky McKinnell</span> <a href="http://www.ibeccreative.com/">www.iBecCreative.com</a><br />
<br />
94. First, that being successful causes growing pains that are a major headache. A good headache to have, but difficult challenges nevertheless. Second, it would have been nice to know it can take a year or so for things to take off. Starting a business can be frustrating in the beginning and you really have to be determined to succeed. – <span style="color: #666666;">Nick Veneris</span> <a href="http://www.xomba.com/">Xomba.com</a><br />
<br />
95. Dont listen too closely your friends who might be good business people but who have never started a business. They mean well, but their assumptions are way different as an employee of a company than they could ever be as a principal shareholder in a business. – <span style="color: #666666;">Elizabeth Pitt</span> <a href="http://caregiverneeded.com/">CaregiverNeeded.com</a><br />
<br />
96. I wish that someone had told me that managing a business isn’t about numbers, but rather all about people skills. During my first management foray I fell face first in the dirt. People called me a micro-manager because I got too much into the nitty gritty of how to do the job rather than allowing them to find their own way. – <span style="color: #666666;">Steve Richard</span> <a href="http://www.vorsight.com/">www.vorsight.com</a><br />
<br />
97. I wish I had known that starting a business requires you to ride an emotional roller coaster. You can go from the highest highs to the lowest lows in a matter of hours because a startup company always seems be on the verge of either collapsing or taking off like a rocket. Now making my business grow is all the more exhilarating because I survived demoralizing low points to get it off the ground. – <span style="color: #666666;">Alex Andon</span> <a href="http://www.jellyfishart.com/">http://www.jellyfishart.com</a><br />
<br />
98. That it is OK to trust your instincts — even when they are not necessarily backed up by years of finance/accounting or business school credentials – <span style="color: #666666;">Jenn Benz</span> <a href="http://www.benzcommunications.com/">www.benzcommunications.com</a><br />
<br />
99. Less time spent on paid marketing/advertising efforts and more time screening and building strong partnerships with influential journalists, writers, editors and television producers. – <span style="color: #666666;">Philip Farina</span> <a href="http://www.farina-associates.com/">http://www.farina-associates.com</a><br />
<br />
100. I now know that businesses are extremely organic & have a way of taking on a life of their own – now I know that though things don’t always work out as planned, there is always another opportunity around the corner…understanding this from the beginning would’ve saved me a lot of stress! – <span style="color: #666666;">Rina Jakubowicz</span> <a href="http://www.rinayoga.com/">http://www.rinayoga.com</a><br />
<br />
Now that’s a lot to take in before you start! There are a lot of hardships, problems and things to consider but to sum it up I think Kat Gordon of <a href="http://www.maternalinstinct.net/">www.maternalinstinct.net</a> says it best <strong>“In short, I manage my own destiny. And I’d have it no other way.” </strong><br />
<br />
<em><strong>Contest Announcement:</strong> BizBreak & Under30CEO Present <a href="http://under30ceo.com/bizbreak-under30ceo-present-limitless-vc-contest/">“Limitless VC Contest”</a>. You will have a chance to win over $3,000 and consulting from 5 veteran entrepreneurs! The contest is live and will last 60days. All you need to enter is a business and a camera to shoot a youtube video! Get all the details at <a href="http://bizbreakapp.com/">http://bizbreakapp.com</a><br />
</em>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-59683708424589158382011-01-05T19:56:00.000+03:002011-01-05T19:56:50.772+03:00Kenya, Africa's Eden<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lLq_GGzdjXE?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-15440835035362680002011-01-04T11:10:00.000+03:002011-01-04T11:10:03.271+03:00A Time to Risk or SitBy <a href="http://www.nightingale.com/prod_detail~product~Lead_Field.aspx">Earl Nightingale</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nightingale.com/EmailSubs_Subscribe~promo~INLACFF.aspx">Subscribe</a><br />
© 2010 Nightingale-Conant Corporation<br />
<br />
<strong>In 1965, Robert M. Manry, a copy editor for the <em>Cleveland Plain Dealer</em>, sailed from the United States to England in a 13-foot sailboa</strong>t—3,200 miles across the North Atlantic in a boat so small you'd hesitate to take it out on Lake Michigan or Long Island Sound as small-craft warnings were flying. <br />
<br />
For 78 days Manry and his tiny 36-year-old sailboat battled one of the toughest stretches of saltwater on earth. Gales blew the boat on its side. Manry tried to nap during the day and sailed at night so that he could try to avoid being run down and chopped into kindling and hamburger by great ocean-going steamers. On several occasions, he was washed over the side in heavy seas. Each time he would haul himself back aboard by a lifeline he kept tied to himself in the boat. He suffered terrible hallucinations, the result of having to take so many pep pills to stay awake during the long nights. <br />
<br />
Why? What made him do it? It wasn't publicity; he went about the whole thing so quietly—practically no one knew what he was up to. He thought no one would pay attention to him, and that was fine with him. <br />
<br />
The reason was that he had dreamed of sailing the Atlantic ever since he had been a small boy. He bought the dinky old boat for $250. He completely rebuilt her, taught himself navigation, and practiced long-distance sailing on Lake Erie. <br />
<br />
He told his wife the real reason for his embarking on so incredible a journey in so vulnerable a craft. He said to her, <strong>"There is a time when one must decide either to risk everything to fulfill one's dreams or sit for the rest of one's life in the backyard."</strong> Now this is why Mr. Manry went sailing over the mountains of deep water in a boat only about twice the size of your bathtub. This is why he sat in his tiny open cockpit and weathered storms that caused the passengers to clear the weather decks of giant ocean liners. He was fulfilling a dream he'd carried in his heart since he'd been a small boy. <br />
<br />
As a result, offers for books and magazine articles poured in to him. Cleveland gave him a hero's welcome, as did the 20,000 people who wildly cheered the successful end of his voyage when he arrived in Falmouth, England. It's been proposed to Congress that Manry's boat, Tinkerbelle, be placed in the Smithsonian Institution alongside Charles Lindbergh's plane, Spirit of St. Louis. <br />
<br />
But all this fame and sudden stature in the eyes of the world—this was not why he made the trip. It was because he believes that there is a time when one must decide either to risk everything to fulfill one's dreams or sit for the rest of one's life in the backyard.<br />
<br />
<strong>Courage, the courage to finally take one's life in one's own hands and go after the big dream, has a way of making that dream come true.</strong> It seems to open hidden doorways from which good things begin to pour into one's life. But only after we've made the journey in our own way. For Manry, at 47 years of age, it was sailing 3,200 miles of the North Atlantic. Each of us must make his or her own voyage through darkness and danger to the light that beacons in the distance. A journey to fulfillment... or sit in the backyard.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>The Profile of a Creative Person</em></strong><br />
<br />
The creative person realizes that his mind is an inexhaustible storehouse. It can provide anything he earnestly wants in life. But in order to draw from this storehouse, he must constantly augment its stock of information, thoughts, and wisdom. He reaches out for ideas. He respects the mind of others — gives credit to their mental abilities. Everyone has ideas—they're free—and many of them are excellent. By first listening to ideas and then thinking them through before judging them, the creative person avoids prejudice and close-mindedness. This is the way he maintains a creative "climate" around himself. They “reach for ideas.” <br />
<br />
Ideas are like slippery fish. They seem to have a peculiar knack of getting away from us. Because of this, the creative person always has a pad and a pencil handy. When he gets an idea, he writes it down. He knows that many people have found their whole lives changed by a single great thought. By capturing ideas immediately, he doesn't risk forgetting them. [Note: a great way to save ideas easily is to text message them from your cell phone to your main email account. You are rarely without your cell phone, and this allows you to record your ideas for later review and action.] <br />
<br />
Having a sincere interest in people, our creative person listens carefully when someone else is talking. He's intensely observant, absorbing everything he sees and hears. He behaves as if everyone he meets wears a sign that reads, "My ideas and interest may offer the hidden key to your next success." Thus, he makes it a point always to talk with other people's interest in mind. And it pays off in a flood of new ideas and information that would otherwise be lost to him forever. <br />
<br />
Widening his circle of friends and broadening his base of knowledge are two more very effective techniques of the creative person. <br />
<br />
<strong><em>The Anticipation of Achievement </em></strong><br />
<br />
The creative person anticipates achievement. She expects to win. And the above-average production engendered by this kind of attitude affects those around her in a positive way. She's a plus-factor for all who know her. <br />
<br />
Problems are challenges to creative minds. Without problems, there would be little <br />
reason to think at all. She knows it's a waste of time merely to worry about problems, so she wisely invests the same time and energy in solving problems. <br />
<br />
When the creative person gets an idea, she puts it through a series of steps designed to improve it. She thinks in new directions. She builds big ideas from little ones and new ideas from old ones: associating ideas, combining them, adapting, substituting, magnifying, minifying, rearranging, and reversing ideas. <br />
<br />
<strong><em>Be Creative for Yourself</em></strong><br />
<br />
Creative and productive people are not creative and productive for the benefit of others. It's because they're driven by the need to be creative and productive. They'd be creative and productive if they lived on a deserted island with no one benefiting or even aware of what they were doing. They experience the joy of producing something. That others benefit from it is fine, but only secondary. <br />
<br />
This is a story of the painters who were before their time. Renoir was laughed at and rejected not only by the public but by his own fellow artists, yet he went right on painting. Even Manet said to Monet, "Renoir has no talent at all. You who are his friend should tell him kindly to give up painting." <br />
<br />
A group of artists who were rejected by the establishment of their time formed their own association in self-defense. Do you know who was in that group? They were Degas, Pissaro, Monet, Cezanne, and Renoir. Five of the greatest artists of all time, all doing what they believed in, in the face of total rejection. <br />
<br />
Renoir, in his later life, suffered terribly from rheumatism, especially in his hands. He lived in constant pain. And when Matisse visited the aging painter, he saw that every stroke was causing renewed pain, and he asked, "Why do you still have to work? Why continue to torture yourself?" And then Renoir answered, "The pain passes, but the pleasure, the creation of beauty, remains." One day when he was 78, finally quite famous and successful, he remarked, "I'm still making progress." The next day he died. <br />
<br />
This is the mark of the creative person... still making progress, still learning, still producing as long as he or she lives, despite pain or problems of all kinds. Not producing for the joy or satisfaction of others, but because he or she must. Because it brings pleasure and satisfaction. <br />
<br />
<strong>The Great Problem-Solving Tool</strong><br />
<br />
All creatures on earth are supplied at birth with everything they need for successful survival. All creatures except one are supplied with a set of instincts that will do the job for them. And because of that, most creatures don't need much of a brain. In the Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Archibald MacLeish's play The Secret of Freedom, a character says, <strong>"The only thing about a man that is man is his mind. Everything else you can find in a pig or a horse."</strong> That's uncomfortably true. <br />
<br />
Take the magnificent bald eagle for example. To see one of them swooping down and pluck a live and sizeable fish from the water on a single pass is astonishing. More astonishing still is the eagle's eyesight. And because of its need to see small rodents moving in the grass from high altitudes or a fish just inches under the surface of the water, its incredible eyes take up just about all the space in its head. For the eagle, its eyes are the most important thing, and everything else works in unison with them. Its brain is tiny and rudimentary. It doesn't think or plan or remember; it simply acts in accordance with stimuli. <br />
<br />
And it's the same with most other living creatures. Even the beautiful porpoise, with a much larger brain, and the chimpanzee are easily tamed and taught. Only one living creature takes 20 years to mature and has dominion over all the rest on the earth itself, and has today the power to destroy all life on earth in a couple of hours. Only one is given the godlike power to fashion its own life according to the images it holds in its remarkable mind. <br />
<br />
The human mind is the one thing that separates us from the rest of the creatures on earth. Everything that means anything to us comes to us through our minds, our love of our families, our beliefs, all of our talents, knowledge, abilities. Everything is reflected through our minds. Anything that comes to us in the future will almost certainly come to us as a result of the extent to which we use our minds.<br />
<br />
And yet, it's the last place on earth the average person will turn to for help. You know why? You know why people don't automatically turn their own vast mental resources on when faced with a problem? It's because they never learned how to think. Most people will go to any length to avoid thinking when they're faced with a problem. They will ask advice from the most illogical people, usually people who don't know any more than they do: next-door neighbors, members of their families, and friends stuck in the same mental traps that they are. Very few of them use the muscles of their mind to solve their problems. <br />
<br />
Yet living successfully, getting the things we want from life, is a matter of solving the problems that stand between where we are now and the point we wish to reach. No one is without problems. They're part of living. But let me show you how much time we waste in worrying about the wrong problems. Here's a reliable estimate of the things people worry about: Things that never happen: 40%. Things over and past that can never be changed by all the worry in the world: 30%. Needless worries about our health: 12%. Petty miscellaneous worries: 10%. Real legitimate worries: 8%. <br />
<br />
In short, 92% of the average person's worries take up valuable time, cause painful stress, even mental anguish, and are absolutely unnecessary. And of the real legitimate worries, there are two kinds. There are the problems we can solve, and there are the problems beyond our ability to personally solve. But most of our real problems usually fall into the first group, the ones we can solve, if we'll learn how. <br />
<br />
The average working person has at his or her disposal an enormous amount of free time. In fact, you'll see if you'll total the hours in a year and subtract the sleeping hours: If we sleep 8 hours every night, we have about 6,000 waking hours, of which less than 2,000 are spent on the job. Now this leaves 4,000 hours a year when a person is neither working nor sleeping. These can be called discretionary hours with which that person can do pretty much as he or she pleases. <br />
<br />
So that you can see the amazing results in your own life, I want to recommend that you take just one hour a day, five days a week, and devote this hour to exercising your mind. You don't even have to do it on weekends. Pick one hour a day on which you can fairly regularly count. The best time for me is an hour before the others are up in the morning. The mind's clear, the house is quiet, and, if you like, with a fresh cup of coffee, this is the time to start the mind going. <br />
<br />
During this hour every day take a completely blank sheet of paper. At the top of the page write your present primary goal clearly, simply. Then, since our future depends on the way in which we handle our work, write down as many ideas as you can for improving that which you now do. Try to think of 20 possible ways in which the activity that fills your day can be improved. You won't always get 20, but even one idea is good. <br />
<br />
Now remember two important points with regard to this. One, this is not particularly easy, and, two, most of your ideas won't be any good. When I say it's not easy, I mean it's like starting any new habit. At first you'll find your mind a little reluctant to be hauled up out of that old familiar bed. But as you think about your work and ways in which it might be improved, write down every idea that pops into your head, no matter how absurd it might seem. <br />
<br />
The most important thing that this extra hour accomplishes is that it deeply embeds your goal into your subconscious mind, starts the whole vital machine reworking the first thing every morning. And 20 ideas a day, if you can come up with that many, total 100 a week, even skipping weekends. <br />
<br />
An hour a day, five days a week, totals 260 hours a year and still leaves you 3,740 hours of free leisure time. Now this means you'll be thinking about your goal and ways of improving your performance, increasing your service six full extra working weeks a year, 6½ 40-hour weeks devoted to thinking and planning. Can you see how easy it is to rise above that so-called competition? And it'll still leave you with seven hours a day to spend as you please. <br />
<br />
Starting each day thinking, you'll find that your mind will continue to work all day long. And you'll find that at odd moments, when you least expect it, really great ideas will begin to bubble up from your subconscious. When they do, write them down as soon as you can. Just one great idea can completely revolutionize your work and, as a result, your life. <br />
<br />
Each time you write your goal at the top of the sheet of paper, don't worry or become concerned about it. Think of it as only waiting to be reached, a problem only waiting to be solved. Face it with faith, and bend all the great powers of your mind toward solving it. And believe me, solve it you will. This puts each of us in the driver's seat. <br />
<br />
Each of us has a tendency to underestimate his or her own abilities. We should realize that we have deep within ourselves deep reservoirs of great ability, even genius that can be tapped if we'll just dig deep enough. It's the miracle of your mind. <br />
<br />
Everything fashioned by human beings is a result of goal setting. We reach our goals. That's how we know that the diseases that plague us will be conquered. We've set goals to eradicate every disease that plagues us and eradicate them we will, one by one. We have never set a goal that we have not reached or are now in the process of reaching.Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-25896162151815064502011-01-04T02:16:00.000+03:002011-01-04T02:16:33.647+03:007 ways to get a VC you don’t know to mentor youJanuary 3, 2011 | <a href="http://venturebeat.com/author/larry-chiang/">Larry Chiang</a><br />
<br />
<em>(Editor’s note: Larry Chiang is CEO of Duck9 and is also co-moderating the upcoming <a href="http://bit.ly/vc0111">ReverseVC Pitch Panel and Dinner</a> at Stanford. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.) </em><br />
<br />
Catching the eye of a venture capitalist is hard enough. Convincing him or her to mentor you – especially if they’re not familiar with you and your work – is a much more difficult proposition.<br />
<br />
It’s not impossible, though. What it takes is accelerated networking skills that allow you to beat the Catch-22s that so often trap entrepreneurs. Here are seven tips that will help you get your foot in the door.<br />
<br />
<strong>Don’t ask for a coffee</strong> – I believe that anyone in this world can be gotten to and networked with. The first step is rarely ever a coffee.<br />
<br />
A coffee connotates a 90-minute minimum time commitment for a VC. A better first step is a 5-10 minute phone conversation. Before you get that coveted ten minute wedge of phone time, though, you’re going to need to do some work.<br />
<br />
<strong>When the student is ready, the teacher appears</strong> - I think I first read that phrase in a fortune cookie – but that doesn’t make it less true when it comes to mentorship.<br />
<br />
Tactically, this might mean ambushing a VC at a party, conference, panel or party. I mention parties twice since they’re a favorite hangout for many VCs. And by ambush, I mean combine your elevator pitch and charm as you solicit an invitation to further interact. Your goal is simple: Get yourself mentored.<br />
<br />
Pre-network with a VC via a portfolio company introduction – There’s a phrase I coined called “the transitive property of influence”. Essentially, it means charming once and transitively conveying it to the end target – the VC you want to have help you.<br />
<br />
How it works is pretty simple: You reach out indirectly to a VC by directly romancing the CEO of one of his or her portfolio companies. If that executive makes an email introduction, you’re in.<br />
<br />
<strong>Woo by reading</strong> – In Star Trek, Spock would do the Vulcan mind meld to get insight into someone’s thoughts. You can go one better without risking the assault charge by reading what your would-be mentor reads and reading what they write.<br />
<br />
I used this practice to woo Roelof Botha after he mentioned, “MoneyBall” on a panel I chaired. Read the books, blogs and other material they recommend to build rapport. The more you have in common, the better.<br />
<br />
<strong>Mentorship as a funding vehicle</strong> – I moderated a panel at SXSW where VC and 500 Startups founder Dave McClure gave some cogent advice to the audience: “If you want a VC to consider giving you money, ask for mentorship first.”<br />
<br />
The VC’s risk is mitigated when you take their coaching. It is, in many ways, a trial by mentorship, allowing them to augment your shareholder equity before they invest. And it increases their confidence in the likelihood of a positive outcome.<br />
<br />
<strong>Ace the initial conversation by mentoring them</strong> – Mentorship goes both directions. The student/teacher dynamic often includes some role reversal. In the end, if the mentor is good, the student surpasses the mentor pretty quickly. In the interim, here are ideas to get you started mentoring your mentor<br />
tell them what to pay attention to<br />
tell them what trends you see<br />
tell them your opinion of what recent news means<br />
tell them what else you like in your marketplace<br />
tell them what specific industry problems exist and how you’re solving them<br />
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<strong>Kiss VC Butt</strong> – Read the following verbatim and try to minimize your gag reflex: “Hey I read all about you at Stanford Business school website and I think you’re an incredible genius. I have dreamt of one thing and that is to get a call back from a thought leader like yourself”.<br />
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Do VCs have massive egos? It’s hard to say. But I do know that after you magnanimously kiss ass like that, it rarely hurts your chances. You don’t, of course, want to be the obvious brown-noser in the room. My hack is to sincerely compliment them on something undeniably true, so it comes across as genuine.<br />
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<a href="mailto:lawrence.chiang@gmail.com">Larry Chiang </a>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-80757069769547245732011-01-04T00:22:00.000+03:002011-01-04T00:22:45.416+03:00Fight for your dreams in 2011<a href="http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/author/admin/">By John C Maxwell</a><br />
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Happy New Year! If you’re like me, you spent some time in the past few weeks reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the coming one. I’m already excited about what’s in store for the next twelve months!<br />
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What dreams do you have for 2011? Or maybe a better question is, do you have dreams for 2011? For some people, dreaming is easy. Your mind is full of dreams just waiting to be expressed. But what about those who find it hard to dream? What if you’re not sure if you have a dream you want to pursue?<br />
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Let’s face it: Many of us were not encouraged to dream. Others had dreams, only to see them actively discouraged. The world is filled with dream crushers and idea killers. Why? Some people without dreams of their own hate to see others pursuing theirs. Other people’s passion and success makes them feel inadequate or insecure. Others think they’re being helpful: keeping us from risk or hurt.<br />
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Business professors Gary Hamel and C. K. Prahalad wrote about an experiment conducted with a group of monkeys. Four monkeys were placed in a room that had a tall pole in the center. Suspended from the top of that pole was a bunch of bananas.<br />
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One of the hungry monkeys started climbing the pole to get something to eat, but just as he reached out to grab a banana, he was doused with a torrent of cold water. Squealing, he scampered down the pole and abandoned his attempt to feed himself. Each monkey made a similar attempt, and each one was drenched with cold water. After making several attempts, they finally gave up.<br />
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Then researchers removed one of the monkeys from the room and replaced him with a new monkey. As the newcomer began to climb the pole, the other three grabbed him and pulled him down to the ground. After trying to climb the pole several times and being dragged down by the others, he finally gave up and never attempted to climb the pole again.<br />
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The researchers replaced the original monkeys, one by one, with new ones, and each time a new monkey was brought in, he would be dragged down by the others before he could reach the bananas. In time, only monkeys who had never received a cold shower were in the room, but none of them would climb the pole. They prevented one another from climbing, but none of them knew why.<br />
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Perhaps others have dragged you down in life. They’ve discouraged you from dreaming. Maybe they resented the fact that you wanted to move up or to do something significant with your life. Or maybe they were trying to protect you from pain or disappointment. Either way, you’ve been discouraged from dreaming.<br />
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Take heart. It’s never too late to start dreaming and pursuing your dreams. My friend Dale Turner asserts, “Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.”<br />
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If you haven’t done any dreaming yet this year, set aside some time to explore possibilities and commit yourself to new opportunities. It’s never too late to dream.<br />
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~Adapted from my book <a href="http://amzn.to/idCMBp">Put Your Dream to the Test</a><br />
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<strong> </strong>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-69944811009202623012010-12-21T17:18:00.000+03:002010-12-21T17:18:25.908+03:00For leaders: balancing care with candor<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By </span><a href="http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/author/admin/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">John C Maxwell</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Every person makes mistakes at some time in the workplace. Everyone needs someone to come alongside them to help them improve. If you’re a leader, it is your responsibility and your privilege to be the person who helps them get better. That often begins with a candid conversation. But before you have it, it helps to ask yourself what the nature of the problem might be.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My friend Sam Chand says that when he is having difficulty with a person he asks himself one simple question, “Is this person a can’t or a won’t? Can’t is about abilities. We can help these kinds of people in most cases—not in all cases, but in most. But won’t is about attitude. If the issue is attitude, the time to let that person know there is a problem is now, because here is the deal: we hire people for what they know and fire them for who they are.”</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I believe that people can improve their attitudes and their abilities. And because I do, I talk to them about where they’re coming up short. If you’re a leader and you want to help people, you need to be willing to have those tough conversations. So how does a leader handle being relational while still trying to move people forward? By balancing care and candor.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Care without candor creates dysfunctional relationships.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Candor without care creates distant relationships.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> But care balanced with candor creates developing relationships.</span></em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is how care and candor work together in leadership:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Caring Values The Person While Candor Values The Person’s Potential</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To lead successfully, it is important for you to value people. That is foundational to solid relationships. Caring for others demonstrates that you value them. However, if you want to help them get better, you have to be honest about where they need to improve. That shows that you value the person’s potential, and requires candor.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you’re candid with someone but with their benefit in mind, it doesn’t have to be harmful. It can be similar to the work of a surgeon. It may hurt, but it shouldn’t harm. As a leader, you must be willing and able to do that. If not, you won’t be able to help your people grow and change.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Caring Establishes The Relationship While Candor Expands The Relationship</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The things that usually help to establish a relationship are common ground and care. But those things usually aren’t enough to make a relationship grow. To expand a relationship, candor and open communication are required.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most leaders I talk to have a difficult conversation that they know they need to have but are avoiding. Usually they are reluctant for one of two reasons: either they don’t like confrontation, or they fear that they will hurt the person they need to talk to. But if a leader can balance care and candor, and the follower responds with grace and willingness to grow, it will actually deepen and strengthen the relationship.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Caring Defines The Relationship While Candor Directs The Relationship</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Solid relationships are defined by how people care about one another. But just because people care about one another doesn’t mean that they are going anywhere together. Getting the team moving together to accomplish a goal is the responsibility of the leader, and that often requires candor. My friend, Colin Sewell, owner of several auto dealerships, said to me, “Leaders have to make the best decisions for the largest group of people. Therefore, leaders give up the right to cater to an individual if it hurts the team or the organization.” If you want to lead people well, you need to be willing to direct them candidly.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Caring Should Never Suppress Candor While Candor Should Never Displace Caring</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The bottom line, which has already become very clear, is that good leaders must embrace both care and candor. You can’t ignore either. So to help you strive to keep the balance between the two, I’ve created a caring candor checklist for working with people. Before having a candid conversation, make sure that you can answer yes to the following questions:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have I invested in the relationship enough to be candid with them?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do I truly value them as people?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Am I sure this is their issue and not mine?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Am I sure I’m not speaking up because I feel threatened?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Is the issue more important than the relationship?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Does this conversation clearly serve their interests and not just mine?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Am I willing to invest time and energy to help them change?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Am I willing to show them how to do something, not just say what’s wrong?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Am I willing and able to set clear, specific expectations?</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then your motives are probably right and you have a good chance of being able to communicate effectively.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a young leader, I found it very difficult to have candid conversations with people. I often postponed those difficult talks, hoping that an issue would go away. Seldom did that happen. Maybe you relate to that. If so, you’ll be glad to hear that you’re normal. However, you need to know that candid conversations are a leader’s responsibility and must be done—but in the right way with the right attitude. When an employee is hired to get a certain job done and doesn’t, that hurts the team and the organization. And it’s then time for the leader to take action. That can be very hard; but in the long term, it’s best not only for the organization, but also for the person who needs to hear what’s not going right. If your goal is to help the individual, improve the team, and fulfill the vision of the organization, then this is the path you should follow as a leader.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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</span><strong><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Adapted from my upcoming book, The Five Levels of Leadership (October 2011)</span></em></strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">John C Maxwell</span>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-30971177832651057962010-12-15T15:08:00.000+03:002010-12-15T15:08:05.163+03:00The distance between ordinary & extraordinary is shorter than you think!By <a href="http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/author/admin/">John C Maxwell</a><br />
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What do you think of when I say the word “ordinary?” These are the words that come to my mind: Common. Usual. Normal. Boring. Average. Something you see everyday.<br />
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What about “extraordinary?” I think of: Amazing. Incredible. Uncommon. Unusual. Special. Above average. New.<br />
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In the English language, only five little letters separate “ordinary” from “extraordinary:” extra. And while “extra” can be defined as “outside,” in English it also means “just a little bit more.”<br />
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The word we use is not as important as the idea: the distance between ordinary and extraordinary is shorter than you think. For too long, people have thought there was a huge gap between normal and special. They’ve assumed that “above average” was far above “average.” Unfortunately, once you believe that, it’s easy to conclude that since you’re “average,” you’ll never be anything else; that there’s no way to claw your way up to “above average.”<br />
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I’m here to tell you that you’ve made the gap too wide. Let me illustrate. If you’re an average reader, you’ve taken 2-3 seconds to read this paragraph so far. Two lines of text = one second. How much more would you be able to read in another second? Another line? Not very much, but really, what difference does a second make?<br />
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Well, in some areas of life, a second makes all the difference in the world. Have you heard of Usain Bolt? Often referred to as The Fastest Man in the World, Bolt is the current world-record holder for the 100-meter race in track and field. His record for that race is 9.69 seconds. In the Olympics, he won the gold medal racing against seven other men in the finals. What was the time difference between his time and that of the silver medalist, Richard Thompson? Thompson ran the 100 meters that day in 9.89 seconds. The difference between gold and silver was .2 seconds. The “fastest man in the world,” the winner of that race and world-record holder, ran 100 meters in 2/10 of a second less than his nearest competitor. A second – or even a fraction of a second – CAN make a huge difference.<br />
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In life, just as in sports, an extraordinary performance is often separated from an ordinary one by the slightest of margins. What if your ordinary life could become extraordinary with only the smallest of changes? Would it be worth trying?<br />
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Here are some “extras” that can help you close the gap between ordinary and extraordinary:<br />
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<strong>A little extra effort.</strong> There is a price to be paid for achievement. Sometimes it’s a large price. But sometimes just a little extra effort can yield significant results. What price are you willing to pay for success?<br />
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<strong>A little extra time.</strong> To give something time, we need something other than perseverance. We need patience with the process of growth. I believe that many of us overestimate events and underestimate the process. But we’ve got it all wrong. As I wrote in the Law of Process in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, leaders develop daily, not in a day.<br />
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<strong>A little extra help.</strong> I love this saying: “If you see a turtle on top of a fence post, you know he had help getting there!” Why do I love it? Because I’m a turtle on a fencepost. I know that I didn’t get to where I am in life on my own. I’m just not that smart, gifted, or fast. The truth is that those who reached “extraordinary” had help getting there. And many types of success can only be achieved with help. If you refuse to ask for – or accept – it, you limit yourself and your work to a lower level of achievement.<br />
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Remember that ordinary and extraordinary are not far apart. If you accomplish just one of the above “extras,” your work will begin to be above average in that area.<br />
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If Ordinary People …<br />
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Gave a Little Extra Effort,<br />
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Spent a Little Extra Time,<br />
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Sought a Little Extra Help …<br />
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They Would Become Extraordinary!<br />
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<strong>Like this post? Pass it on!</strong>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629291530642198018.post-3549385362275725922010-12-12T00:05:00.001+03:002010-12-12T00:49:22.280+03:00Top 5 funding mistakes by entrepreneurs – By Adam Hoeksema<i>– Adam Hoeksema is the founder and CEO of startup consultancy fir</i><i>m </i><a href="http://www.theexecutiveplan.com/"><i>Executive Pl</i><i>an</i></a><i> </i><i>This article appeared on <a href="http://www.under30ceo.com/">Under30CEO</a>. The views expressed are his own. –</i><br />
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For most entrepreneurs these days, funding is nearly impossible to come by.<br />
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According to the report titled, “Important Things for Entrepreneurs to Know about Angel Investors” and distributed by the Angel Capital Education Foundation, only 1 to 4 percent of applicants successfully raise angel investment capital. So before you ruin your chance at securing investors, make sure you have not committed any of the following deadly mistakes.<br />
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<b>1. Wait until you need it.</b> So many entrepreneurs make the mistake of waiting until they need the capital “tomorrow” to begin the process of seeking funding. Make no mistake about it, the process of raising capital can take months and months. Even a simple loan will require enough paperwork to kill a small tree. Ironically bankers and investors are more likely to provide you with additional capital when you don’t need it. So don’t wait until you have an immediate need to begin the funding process.<br />
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<b>2. Submit a full business plan.</b> Another great way to get your funding application thrown in the trash is to submit an unsolicited, full business plan. An investor or banker is not going to waste two hours to read through an entire business plan with your initial funding request. Submit a short executive summary, then if you are asked to submit a full business plan – great. Just don’t start with your business plan.<br />
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<b>3. Claim “conservative” projections.</b> It can be a major turn off to some investors and bankers when you call your financial projections “conservative.” Of course you think your projections are conservative, but the fact of the matter is that many, if not most, businesses fail within a few years of launch. If every entrepreneur’s projections were truly conservative, then why are so many small businesses unsuccessful at reaching their projections? Don’t let yourself sound ignorant. Simply state your projections and let the bankers or investors make their own judgment.<br />
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<b>4. No next step.</b> Maybe you get a chance to submit an executive summary to a potential investor or even recite an elevator pitch to an interested banker. This is a golden opportunity that can be worthless if you fail to outline a clear next step. For instance, in your executive summary you should request a meeting or a phone call as a clear next step. If you simply end your elevator pitch without a clear next step, your audience will quickly forget your funding needs.<br />
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<b>5. No follow up.</b> Don’t just assume that a potential investor will follow up with you if they are interested. They may want to gauge your commitment by waiting for you to follow up. Give the investor a couple of days to review your executive summary, but make sure to follow up before you fall of their radar screen.<br />
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Keep these potential deal breakers in the forefront of your mind as you begin the funding process for your small business.<br />
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Courtesy: <a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/small-business/2010/12/08/top-5-funding-mistakes-by-entrepreneurs/">Reuters Blogs</a>Mutemi wa Kiamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11603477040046861471noreply@blogger.com0