The Singapore Taxi

Shiv Khera, a renowned author and management trainer writes about his experience in Singapore:

"Six years ago in Singapore I gave a taxi driver a business card to take me to a particular address. At the last point he circled round the building. His meter read 11$, but he took only 10. I said Henry, your meter reads 11$ how come you are taking only 10. He said Sir, I am a taxi driver, I am supposed to be bringing you straight to the destination. Since I did not know the last spot, I had to circle around the building. Had I brought you straight here, the meter would have read 10$.

Why should you be paying for my ignorance ?

He said Sir, legally, I can claim 11$ but Honestly and ethically I am entitled to only 10.He further added that Singapore is a tourist destination and many people come here for three or four days. After clearing the immigration and customs, the first experience is always with the taxi driver and if that is not good, the balance three to four days are not pleasant either. He said Sir I am not a taxi driver, I am the Ambassador of Singapore without a diplomatic passport. In my opinion he probably did not go to school beyond the 8th grade, but to me he was a professional. To me his behavior reflected pride in performance and character. That day I learnt that one needs more than professional qualification to be a professional. In one line be a "Professional with a human touch and Values " that makes all the more difference.

Knowledge, skill, money, education, all comes later. First comes Human Values, Honesty and Integrity 

Professionalism: It's NOT the job you DO, It's HOW you DO the job."​

15 common interview questions and how to answer them:

So, tell me a little about yourself.

I’d be very surprised if you haven’t been asked this one at every interview. It’s probably the most asked question because it sets the stage for the interview and it gets you talking. Be careful not to give the interviewer your life story here. You don’t need to explain everything from birth to present day. Relevant facts about education, your career and your current life situation are fine.

Why are you looking (or why did you leave your last job)?

This should be a straightforward question to answer, but it can trip you up. Presumably you are looking for a new job (or any job) because you want to advance your career and get a position that allows you to grow as a person and an employee. It’s not a good idea to mention money here, it can make you sound mercenary. And if you are in the unfortunate situation of having been downsized, stay positive and be as brief as possible about it. If you were fired, you’ a good explanation. But once again, stay positive.

Tell me what you know about this company.

Do your homework before you go to any interview. Whether it’s being the VP of marketing or the mail room clerk, you should know about the company or business you’re going to work for. Has this company been in the news lately? Who are the people in the company you should know about? Do the background work, it will make you stand out as someone who comes prepared, and is genuinely interested in the company and the job.

Why do you want to work at X Company?

This should be directly related to the last question. Any research you’ve done on the company should have led you to the conclusion that you’d want to work there. After all, you’re at the interview, right? Put some thought into this answer before you have your interview, mention your career goals and highlight forward-thinking goals and career plans.

What relevant experience do you have?

Hopefully if you’re applying for this position you have bags of related experience, and if that’s the case you should mention it all. But if you’re switching careers or trying something a little different, your experience may initially not look like it’s matching up. That’s when you need a little honest creativity to match the experiences required with the ones you have. People skills are people skills after all, you just need to show how customer service skills can apply to internal management positions, and so on.

How are you when you’re working under pressure?

Once again, there are a few ways to answer this but they should all be positive. You may work well under pressure, you may thrive under pressure, and you may actually PREFER working under pressure. If you say you crumble like a pack of cards, this is not going to help you get your foot in the door.

What motivates you to do a good job?

The answer to this one is not money, even if it is. You should be motivated by life’s noble pursuits. You want recognition for a job well done. You want to become better at your job. You want to help others or be a leader in your field.

What’s your greatest strength?

This is your chance to shine. You’re being asked to explain why you are a great employee, so don’t hold back and stay do stay positive. You could be someone who thrives under pressure, a great motivator, an amazing problem solver or someone with extraordinary attention to detail. If your greatest strength, however, is to drink anyone under the table or beat your opponent in a game of FIFA11, keep it to yourself. The interviewer is looking for work-related strengths.

What’s your biggest weakness?

If you’re completely honest, you may be kicking yourself in the butt. If you say you don’t have one, you’re obviously lying. This is a horrible question and one that politicians have become masters at answering. They say things like “I’m perhaps too committed to my work and don’t spend enough time with my family.” Oh, there’s a fire-able offense. I’ve even heard “I think I’m too good at my job, it can often make people jealous.” Please, let’s keep our feet on the ground. If you’re asked this question, give a small, work-related flaw that you’re working hard to improve. Example: “I’ve been told I occasionally focus on details and miss the bigger picture, so I’ve been spending time laying out the complete project every day to see my overall progress.”

Let’s talk about salary. What are you looking for?

Run for cover! This is one tricky game to play in an interview. Even if you know the salary range for the job, if you answer first you’re already showing all your cards. You want as much as possible, the employer wants you for as little as you’re willing to take.

You may want to say, “well, that’s something I’ve thought long and hard about and I think someone with my experience should get between X & Y.” Or, you could be sly and say, “right now, I’m more interested in talking more about what the position can offer my career.” That could at least buy you a little time to scope out the situation. But if you do have a specific figure in mind and you are confident that you can get it, I’d say go for it.

Are you good at working in a team?

Unless you have the I.Q. of a houseplant, you’ll always answer YES to this one. It’s the only answer. How can anyone function inside an organization if they are a loner? You may want to mention what part you like to play in a team though; it’s a great chance to explain that you’re a natural leader.

Would you rather work for money or job satisfaction?

It’s not a very fair question is it? We’d all love to get paid a Trump-like salary doing a job we love but that’s rare indeed. It’s fine to say money is important, but remember that NOTHING is more important to you than the job. Otherwise, you’re just someone looking for a bigger paycheck.

Would you rather be liked or feared?

The genuine answer should be “Neither, I’d rather be respected.” You don’t want to be feared because fear is no way to motivate a team. You may got the job done but at what cost? Similarly, if you’re everyone’s best friend you’ll find it difficult to make tough decisions or hit deadlines. But when you’re respected, you don’t have to be a complete bastard or a lame duck to get the job done.

So, explain why I should hire you.

As I’m sure you know, “because I’m great” or “I really need a job” are not good answers here. This is a time to give the employer a laundry list of your greatest talents that just so happen to match the job description. It’s also good to avoid taking potshots at other potential candidates here. Focus on yourself and your talents, not other people’s flaws.

Finally, do you have any questions to ask me?

I’ll finish the way I started, with one of the most common questions asked in interviews. This directly relates to the research you’ve done on the company and also gives you a chance to show how eager and prepared you are. You’ll probably want to ask about benefits if they haven’t been covered already. A good generic one is “how soon could I start, if I were offered the job of course.” You may also ask what you’d be working on. Specifically, in the role you’re applying for and how that affects the rest of the company. Always have question this one with a blank stare is a rotten way to finish your interview. 

Good luck and happy job hunting.

SEVEN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES TO LEARN FROM AN EAGLE....

Eagles fly alone and at high altitudes. 

They don't fly with sparrows, ravens, and other small birds.

MEANING; Stay away from narrow-minded people, those that bring you down. Eagle flies with Eagles. Keep good company.

Eagles have an accurate vision. 

They have the ability to focus on something as far as 5km away. No matter the obstacles, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it.

MEANING; Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacles and you will succeed.

Eagles do not eat dead things. 

They feed only on fresh prey. MEANING; Do not rely on your past success, keep looking for new frontiers to conquer. Leave your past where it belongs, in the past.

Eagles love the storm. 

When clouds gather, the eagle gets excited, the eagle uses the storms wind to lift itself higher. Once it finds the wind of the storm, the eagle uses the raging storm to lift itself above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime, all the other birds hide in the branches and leaves of the tree.

MEANING; Face your challenges head on knowing that these will make you emerge stronger and better than you were. We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers are not afraid to rise to greater heights. Achievers are not afraid of challenges, rather they relish them and use them profitably.

When a female eagle meets a male eagle and they want to mate, she flies down to earth, picks a twig and flies back into the air with the male eagle in hot pursuit. Once she has reached a height high enough for her, she drops the twig and let it fall to the ground while she watches. The male eagle chases after the twig and catches it before it reached the ground, then bring it back to the female eagle. The female eagle grabs the twig and flies to a much higher altitude and drop the twig again for the male eagle to chase. This goes on for hours with the height increasing each time until the female eagle is assured that the male eagle has mastered the art of picking the twig which shows commitment. Then and only then will she allow him to mate with her.

MEANING; Whether in private life or business, one should test the commitment of the people intended for partnership.

 Eagles prepare for training; They remove the feathers and soft grass in the nest so that the young ones get uncomfortable in preparation for flying and eventually flies when it becomes unbearable to stay in the nest.

MEANING; Leave your comfort Zone, there is no growth there.

When the eagle grows old, his feathers becomes weak and cannot take him as fast and as high as it should. This makes him weak and could make him die. So he retires to a place far away in the mountains. While there, he plucks out the weak feathers on his body and breaks its beaks and claws against the rocks until he is completely bare; a very bloody and painful process. Then he stays in this hiding place until he has grown new feathers, new beaks and claws and then he comes out flying higher than before.

MEANING; We occasionally need to shed off old habit no matter how difficult, things that burden us or add no value to our lives should be let go of.

Profile-TV Presenter: Geraldine Mandengenda

Geraldine Mandengenda, one of the hosts of popular local youth TV show Y.G.T, says she knew she was destined to be on Television one day.

The Young, Gifted, and Talented (pun intended) granted us this official interview and talked to us about her experiences as a television presenter.

Q. Who is Geraldine?
Geraldine is a girl born and bred in Harare and I’m 22 years old currently studying Bachelor of Arts in media studies. I’m in the broadcasting world right now and I’m in the entertainment industry and I’m loving it. I’m the only girl in a family of 3and I got 2 elder brothers. I’m more of a reserved person but when it comes to my job, when it comes to presenting I’m a totally different character. I’m all bubbling and talking even more and yes basically that’s me.

Q. Did you know that you were going to here by this time?
I never thought that I’m going to be here by this time you know. It actually hit me by surprise, of cause I did attend auditions when I started presenting that is like 7 years back but I never thought that I would still continue to be in the broadcasting industry. It was that kind of thing that I thought I was just doing it for fun because I was really really young when I started because was only at the age of 15.  So I just thought I’m just doing it for fun and most probably I’m going to take up another career that is after I finish my A`s or after I finish my degree in whatever that I’m going to study but I never thought that this time around I will be actually here and especially with the fact that where I am right now I’m inspiring a lot of youths a lot of young girls. I am on a stage and point in my life where a lot of people look up to me so it’s something that I never dreamt I will be actually doing right now, but I would like to say that it’s something really exciting especially with the fact that I’m really passionate about it
 

Q. What inspired you to choose this career path?
Well presenting is something that I have always loved. I have always being passionate about it ever since I was little girl and I always looked up to my aunt. My aunt being Prisca Utete who is one of zbc main correspondences and she has always inspired me. So ever since I was a young girl I have always wanted to be in the broadcasting industry and I have always liked it so that is why I choose this career path.

Q. If you could stand up for something what would it be
Well if I could really stand up for one thing that will be to really help all the child headed families that we have all across Africa because most policies only tend to focus on women and children and yet we have child headed families that is those who don’t have parents, who don’t even have mothers who actually take care of them. So yes that will be child headed families. Something needs to done in relation to helping them you know with their upkeep if it means with their school fees or funding in relation to clothing, food u know whatever is necessary that they need and that will be to stand up for child headed families that we have in Africa.

Q. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Well on the next 5 years most probably I’m going to be having my very own media house because I have always wanted to produce my very own media house, because I have always wanted to produce my very own talk show and yes that’s means I want to remain in the broadcasting industry producing my own shows and presenting at the same time. So guess I’m going to be producing my own shows soon (laughs).
 

Q. Tell us one thing we don’t know about you
One thing that a lot of people really don’t know about me is that I love cooking. I actually enjoy being in the kitchen most of the time helping my mum dong different dishes. I really love inventing new recipes in the kitchen. A lot of people think that I’m that kind of girl who wouldn’t cook in the kitchen but I’m actually a good cook, I’m not that bad, but I love inventing new recipes in the kitchen.

Q. What do you do to keep you level headed?
Well what I always make sure that I do to stay level headed when it comes to presenting is that as a person you have to be knowing where you are going. Know your aims and goals, your mission. What you aiming at and what you really  want to be in life and never let success get to your head and that really help me a lot to be always be level headed in my career and my life so yes that helps me a lot.
 

Q. What are your top 5 habits?

MAKE UP LOVER
I constantly click to make up things be it lip stain, mascara, lip-gloss obviously make up has to be one of a girl best friends a yes I really love it and I constantly check out the latest trending in makeup and what’s on, what’s good you know what’s bad and yes I always make sure that I follow tutorials on different social network platforms be it on YouTube, be it international videos and local videos. I really love makeup yes I want to say I’m a really really great make-up artist but yes might just get there it’s not like it’s going to be something that’s going to be branching from my main career that is presenting but I could see myself one day with a make-up studio doing people`s make up and stuff. I really love it, even my friends and family know that if they want to buy make up stuff they also get some advice from me, I’m like their make-up therapist.

PROACTIVE PERSON
The 4th habit is that Ito like say I’m a proactive person. That means that I’m not a person who would wait for an opportunity to knock at my door and say it came locating me, well actually I’m the locator. I always try to create new opportunities for myself and I always make sure that I go out there and grab my destiny by the horns you know I never wait for opportunities to locate me. I’m a self-determined person so I always make sure that what I feel is good for me or what I feel is going to change my life for the better and for the positive I actually do it with determination u know that resulting in success and yes I’m a proactive person.

ALWAYS LEARNING NEW THINGS
It is very important and very essential in anyone`s life to make sure that willing to do new things. Personally this allows me to be constantly learning and it gives me the room for self-growth and whatever situation that is presented in my life you know it’s never difficult to tackle. So I love learning new things so always learning for me is one of my top 3 habits actually in my top 5 habits.

TIME MANAGEMENT
The second of my top 5 will be time management, constantly I make sure that I know my schedule and I manage my time very well especially with the fact that right now I’m studying, I’m going to school and at the same time I’m going to work. I make sure that I know what I’m supposed to be doing, where I’m supposed to be at so that I avoid any clashes in my time table, any clashes in my schedule. I make sure that I always plan maybe a day or a week a before you know it there is something that is supposed to be happening or if there is an event that I’m supposed to be attending, if there is a show that I’m supposed to be recording, if there is an exam that I’m supposed to be having. I always make sure that I manage my time if its school time its school time and work time is work time, so time management will be my number 2 of my top 5 habits.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The 1st one of my top 5 habits is I always make sure that I know what is going on like the current news be it celebrity gossip, be it politics whatever, Because as a presenter you need to what is happening especially with all the presenting you know and as for me I actually do live television shows and you need to know what is happening around so that your viewers get to know new information every day and it actually captures your audience attention and mind you know. You need to know what is happening so always make sure I do my research, know what is trending, know what’s not trending, know the latest gossip, and know the latest news all the time that is really part of me and important.

POWER OF ATTITUDE

We’ve all heard about the power of our attitude and that it’s our attitude that determines how much we succeed in life. Statements such as “It’s not just our aptitude but our attitude that determines our success” are often sprouted and I think we’d all agree that people with a positive attitude just seem to enjoy life more and are generally happier and more successful. 

1. Be honest with yourself.
If you’re feeling bad or down and your attitude towards life or work is quite poor, then admit it to yourself. Don’t live in denial. Accept there is an issue because only once you’ve accepted something for the way it is can you make a change.

2. Get some rest
Have there been times when you’re overworked and stressed and you’re not getting as much rest as you should? How do you feel during those times? I bet you’re agitated and the smallest things can set you off. Often just getting some rest and forcing ourselves to take a break can be the best thing for our attitude. Adequate rest and sleep is a vital ingredient to maintaining a positive attitude.

3. Get clear on exactly what is causing you to have such a bad attitude
What exactly is bothering you? Is it your boss? Your partner? Your kids? There have been many times when I know I’m not quite feeling right but I can’t put a finger on exactly what’s bothering me and until I can figure it out, my attitude remains bad. However, once I figure out exactly what is bothering me (and that usually only takes a few minutes of quiet reflection), I can then do something about it and my attitude immediately changes.

4. Look at the Consequences of your Bad Attitude
For example, are you stressed at work because of impending deadlines? Is that causing you to snap at your kids and walk around the house with a bad attitude. If so, look at the consequences of that. Your poor kids and your partner have got nothing to do with how things are at work. So why should they cop the brunt of your poor attitude? If you continue with this, what’s going to happen? Things at home will only get worse and that will only make your attitude even worse. It’s a negative spiral which is very tough to get out of. So get clear on the consequences of your bad attitude. Who are you hurting as a result of being grumpy?

5. Do Something to change your attitude
What can you do to improve your attitude? For example, if you’ve had a bad day at work and you’re about to walk in the door and see the family with that same bad attitude, what can you do to change the way you feel? If I’m walking home, I will often take a longer route. The added exercise and fresh air often helps clear my head or I’ll start listening to some uplifting music which immediately improves my attitude. I might also go for a run or head to the gym. What can you do to change your attitude.

6. Change the way you are looking at the situation
We all have trigger situations that cause us to get into a bad mood and to have a bad attitude toward life. Remember it is not the event, experience or problem itself but rather the way we respond to it that makes us feel the way we do. For example, if you feel like you have too much to do at work, rather than complaining and wishing it will go away, take on your extra work as a challenge. Imagine how good it would feel to get through all this work and have your head about water again. Then, with your new positive attitude attack your workload with a new enthusiastic gusto. I guarantee that when you change the way you look at something, your attitude and your results will immediately change.

7. Have an attitude of gratitude.
When Sir John Templeton was interviewed and he was asked what the definition of wealth is, he replied, “Live with an attitude of gratitude”. Everyday, look for things to be grateful for. I don’t care how tough things get, there is always something to be grateful for, whether it is as simple as the fact that you have eyes to see things with, a roof over your head or a bed to sleep in. Look for 5 things to be grateful for everyday, seek to live with an attitude of gratitude and watch your entire attitude towards life change.

Think of everyday as a fresh start. Looking in the past can only do harm, and no matter how old you are there is always room to grow. So forget about the past and look onward to the future with positivity. Whoever said “you can't teach an old dog new tricks” was wrong.

*TIPS ON HOW TO REMAIN POOR*

*1. _Never wake up early._*

 Keep stretching and turning in bed until you get too hungry to continue dozing. If there are no bed bugs,
why hurry to get up?

*2. _Never plan how to spend your money._*

 Whenever you get money, start spending it right away and when it's finished, you try to count and recall how you spent it.

*3. _Don't think of saving until you have real big money._* 

How can you save when you earn so little? Those telling you to save are not sympathetic to your burning needs.

*4. _Don't engage in activities usually reserved for the"uneducated"._* 

How can you, a graduate, engage in petty trade, network marketing or home-based production? That's for people who never went to school!

*5. _Don't think of starting a business until an angel comes from heaven and gives you capital._*

 How do they expect you to invest before you get millions? Even though more than half the businesses in your town were started with little capital, you as a smart person can only start with millions.

*6. _Complain about everything except your own attitude and laziness._*

Blame the system, the government and the banks that refused to lend you money. They are all bad and do not want you to get rich.

*7. _Spend more than you earn._*
To achieve this, buy consumer products on credit and keep borrowing from friends and employers.

*8. _Compete in dressing._* 

Make sure you're wearing the latest clothes. Intimidate the congregation with your trendy
fashions every Sunday. Whenever your neighbor buys a new phone, you get one that is more expensive.

*9. _Get yourself a nice second hand car_*

That costs more than three times your yearly salary.

*10. _Give your children everything they ask for since you're such a loving parent._*
They should not struggle for anything because you do not want them to suffer that way, they will grow up lazy and hence poor enough to ensure they can't help you at old age

LIFE WITHOUT PURPOSE

The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but life without a reason. It is very dangerous to be alive and not know why you were given life. One of the most frustrating experiences is to have time but not know why. From the beginning of man`s history mankind has been grappling with old age questions: why am I here? What is the reason for my existence? What is the meaning of my life? Is there a reason for the universe, the creation and man? These questions are universal. They dig deep within the secret chambers of every human being on earth regardless of their colour, ethnic heritage, socioeconomic status or nationality. However most philosophers have made an attempt to explore these seemingly illusive questions but for what it’s worth they came up with more questions than answers.

One of the deepest craving of the human mind is to find a sense of significance and relevance. The struggle for relevance in life is the ultimate pursuit of man. Conscious or unconscious, admitted or unadmitted, this internal passion is what motivates and drives every human being, either directly or indirectly. It influences his decisions, controls his behaviour and dictates his responses to his environment. This passion makes one race or ethnic group elevate itself above another. It also gives prejudice and causes the fabrication of erroneous perceptions that result in grave injustices and the conception of abominable and inhuman behaviour. This desperate desire to feel important also causes the sacrifice of common sense, good judgement, moral standards and basic human values. Many individuals have sacrificed excellent reputations and years of character building lifestyles for the sake of advancement to a desired position, or a place of recognition and fame in their society or workplace, so they could feel important and worthwhile. 

In essence, this deep desire for a sense of importance, significance and relevance is the cause and motivation of all human behaviour and conflict. This passion for significance knows no boundaries. Therefore one should set forth some essentials principles, precepts and concepts that you must understand as you embark or continue on your journey of discovering your purpose. PURPOSE IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE FULFILLMENT. Everyone may know who you are but you may not know why you like that. In other words you haven’t realised your purpose. You will have been driven by the expectations of others that you haven’t discovered your personal reason for being. 

Purpose is the key to life
There are millions today who are busy making a living, but they experience very little of life. If your goal in life is to be wealthy so you can retire, you have embarked on a depressing journey to nowhere. If your vision for life is measured by status, your upkeep will be your downfall. Your vision is buried in your purpose. With knowledge of purpose, life becomes an endless string of activities with little or no significance. Like a rider on a rocking horse, life without purpose makes much motion but no progress.
A lack of purpose and the impending tragedy that results from its absence is not found only in people but in all things. When elements of nature lose their purpose, chaos and destruction are the results. When nations, societies, communities or organisations, friendships, marriages, clubs, churches, countries lose their sense of purpose and significance, then confusion, frustration, discouragement, disillusionment and corporate suicide whether gradual or instant reign. 

Purpose is the master of motivation and the mother of commitment
It is the source of enthusiasm and the womb of perseverance. Purpose gives birth to hope and instils the passion to act. It is the common denominator that gives every creature an element of distinction. The guiding sense of purpose is more than an orientation toward a goal. Rather it is deep awareness that a common vision, we can only exist. We feel no passion for living neither do we have a reason to wake up in the morning. Practical examples we have is Dr Strive and Tsitsi Masiiwa have shown that there are living a purposeful life. We have these role models that we look up to and they nature us to realise our purpose.

How To Be On Time – Always!

Imagine arriving for a meeting or even church, and as you walk into the venue, you hear the speaker giving the closing remarks. Or, arriving at the airport after exceeding speed limits and beating several traffic lights only to discover you missed your flight by a few minutes?

As a person of excellence it is expected of you to always be on time. You have to take the responsibility of making it happen by putting in conscious efforts to attain it.

Outlined below are some tips to help you be on time always.

Prepare for tomorrow today:
Before going to bed in the night, have your morning laid out. Plan the clothes you will wear and get them kept at arm’s length. Have your routine for the morning laid out and specific times to have each task accomplished. Items like keys, cards, wallets, purses etc. should be kept together in an obvious place.

·         

Wake up Early:
Waking up is the first thing you do in a day. Waking up early sets you on course early, and gives you plenty of time ahead of the rush hours. People that achieve a lot during the day wake up early in the day. The Bible says of Jesus that He rose early before dawn to pray (Mark 1:35). When you wake up early, you give yourself time to pray, prepare and plan for the day and anticipate what’s to come. The most popular way to wake up early is to set an alarm. One key tip to waking up early is going to bed early.    

·         

Have duration for every task:
Waking up early is beneficial; but it doesn’t guarantee you being on time. Set duration for every task you have lined up for the day. Don’t spend too much time on a task. For example, one could wake up early and spend too much time on getting breakfast set and end up running late. Have an account of how much time each task will take and consciously ensure you end the task within the stipulated time.

·         

Clear Away Distractions:
The little time you think you spend on social media feeds, instant messages, an email etc. amounts to a great deal of time. Avoid unnecessary chats and conversations especially when you have tasks at hand. Avoid the temptation to do ‘just one more’ of that thing you’re not supposed to be doing at a specific time, because it might just escalate from ‘just one’ to many.

·         

Anticipate delays in your plan and action:
Imagine you have a meeting scheduled for 4:00pm, and it normally takes 30minutes to get to the venue from your location. Leaving your location at 3:30pm for the meeting would be erroneous. You have to consider the possibility of unforeseeable circumstances erupting. Remember there are things that you don’t have control over, so when planning put these into consideration. It is better to be hours early than minutes late.

Stay at it:
It actually takes some time to make changes. If you miss it the first few time, don’t quit trying. Work on being consistent at it, Keep at it, don’t stop working on yourself, and believe that you can achieve it. Very shortly, you’ll observe that you have made tremendous progress.

Enjoy!
God Bless You.

SELF WORTH

Two important management lessons I learnt from a 500 Naira note.

1. It happened some time ago but . I was in an audience listening to a motivational speaker. The speaker got out his wallet & pulled out a 500 Naira note. Holding it up, he asked, "Who wants this 500 naira note?"
Lots of hands went up. Including mine. A slow chorus began to build as people began to shout "Me!" "Me!" I began to wonder who the lucky one would be who the speaker would choose. And I also secretly wondered (and I am sure others did too ) why he would simply give away 500 naira. Even as the shouts of "I want it" grew louder, I noticed a young woman running down the aisle. She ran up onto the stage, went up to the speaker, and grabbed the five 500 naira note from his hand. "Well done, young lady," said the speaker into the microphone. The speaker simply say "Most of us just sit and wait for good things to happen. That's of no use. You've got to make things happen. Make a move" 'Simply thinking about doing something is of no use and not gud enough'. Our lives are like that. We all see opportunities around us. We all want the good things. But the problem is we don't take action. We all want the 500 naira notes on offer. But we don't make the move. We look at it longingly. Get up, and do something about it. Don't worry about what other people might think take action.

2. Later, the speaker got another 500 naira note and held it up for all to see, I thought I knew what's up. But he just asked a simple question. "How much is this worth?" "Five Hundred naira!" the crowd yelled in unison. "Right," said the speaker. He then took the note and crumpled it into a ball and asked "How much is it worth now?" "Five Hundred naira!" screamed the audience. He then threw the note on the ground, stamped all over it and picked up the note and asked one more time: "And how much is it worth now?" "Five Hundred naira!" was the response. "I want you to remember this," said the speaker. "Just because someone crumples it, or stamps on it, the value of the note does not diminish. We should all be like the 500 naira note. In our lives, there will be times when we feel crushed, stamped over, beaten. But never let your self-worth diminish. Just because someone chooses to crush you, that doesn't change your worth one bit!
Don't allow your self-worth to diminish because someone says something nasty or does something dirty to you."
Never let your self-worth diminish.

Initiatives and Strategies to reduce cost n increase value deliverables in Procurement and SCM

Move Supplies Faster
If you can find ways to expedite shipments from suppliers, you can order closer to the time you need the supplies. Ordering far in advance can incur warehouse costs, because you have to store them so that they'll be available, and products are more likely to get lost or damaged. In addition, examine whether you can shorten the time it takes you to transport supplies from where you receive them to where you need them. Transportation from the supplier and within your company can add days or weeks to your supply chain and increase costs

Improve Space Utilization
It costs you money to keep supplies and inventory in a warehouse. If you conduct an analysis of how well you are using your storage space, you may find that you are paying for too much space. You may also be wasting money paying personnel to search for stored items. A more efficient storage strategy could reduce the amount of space you use and the amount of time it takes to find and pull items. This could result in reduced rent and payroll costs.

Use Multiple Suppliers
If you only use one supplier, you are eliminating competition for your orders. Find several suppliers who can compete on price, and use several of them at all times so you can avoid costly delays in receiving products. If one supplier is out, another may have the items. Using multiple suppliers protects you from spending money for less-than-satisfactory service.

Collaborate, Don't Compete — A true value-oriented supply chain consists of an extensive network of integrated suppliers, suppliers' suppliers, internal supply chain participants and customers, all working together to maximize the value of the supply chain. When you develop relationships with suppliers, it is the mirror image of setting up customer relationships. Just as you want your customers to succeed, you should want your suppliers to succeed, too. Each participant's success and increased value has a positive impact on your supply chain performance as well as your bottom line.

Just as you want your business processes and people to be aligned in terms of goals and strategies and operations, your supply chain partners should be aligned to collaborate and develop ideas for mutual competitive advantage. Suppliers can often be the best source for new ideas on technology, process streamlining, inventory reduction and product design improvements. But making this work requires different methods of developing incentives and monitoring performance for partners. Fortunately, there are approaches to joint risk/reward sharing available that can be incorporated into supplier agreements.

Focus on total cost of ownership (TCO), not price.One benefit of strategic sourcing is that it shifts the focus from looking only at the purchase price to understanding the total cost of owning or consuming a product or service. For significant spend areas, procurement teams at best-in-class companies are abandoning the outmoded practice of receiving multiple bids and selecting a supplier simply on price. Instead, they consider many other factors that affect the total cost of ownership. This makes good sense when you consider that acquisition costs account for only 25 to 40 percent of the total cost for most products and services. The balance (and majority) of the total comprises operating, training, maintenance, warehousing, environmental, quality, and transportation costs as well as the cost to salvage the product's value later on. Identifying the total cost of ownership requires looking at the entire process of procuring and consuming the product or service, something that can only happen with cooperation and input from both the buyer and the seller. Best-in-class organizations do not stop there, however. They also ask suppliers and internal stakeholders the following important question: "How can we work together to reduce the total cost of ownership?"

Establishing a "total cost of ownership" mindset is a goal that the supply management organization needs to embrace and perpetuate throughout the entire enterprise. It will not be easy, however, to convince your company's executive leadership to truly prioritize value over price. Since the global financial collapse in 2009, most chief executives have focused on cost reductions, which they expect will translate to reduced prices.

Put contracts under the supply chain function

Purchasing and procurement teams often negotiate significant potential savings during the sourcing process but never fully realize those savings. The reasons for this vary, but they often include a failure to communicate contract terms to the affected organizations and a failure to monitor contract compliance.

All too often, in fact, the executed contract is filed away in some drawer and forgotten. This is no exaggeration; several years ago, the research firm Aberdeen Group asked supply managers the following question in a survey: "How do you manage your company's contracts?" Their answers were startling. Two thirds of the respondents stated, "We can't even find the contracts, much less manage them."

More companies are moving responsibility for contract management to the supply chain organization rather than leaving it in purchasing, legal, finance, or operations. One benefit of this shift is that it ensures the contracts are collected and maintained in a central repository. The migration of the contract management function to the supply chain organization also allows the supply chain leader to more effectively leverage the company's spend, particularly in the area of services, where there is a great opportunity for cost reduction and risk mitigation.

Optimize company-owned inventory 

The global economic downturn means that more chief financial officers have put inventory on their radar screens, and their financial teams are constantly looking for new ways to improve the bottom line and reduce working capital. Supply chain organizations should therefore constantly review their inventory quantities and strive to keep them at an optimal level.

It's no surprise that best-in-class companies are paying attention to inventory at the highest levels. The "real" cost of holding inventory often is higher than the generally assumed 20 to 25 percent. In fact, recent research reveals that inventory holding costs could represent up to 60 percent of the cost of an item that is held in inventory for 12 months. Those findings included the holding cost of insurance, taxes, obsolescence, and warehousing. Poor planning and forecasting are direct causes of inventories that are out of balance with a business's needs. Accordingly, best-in-class companies also are placing more emphasis on demand planning and forecasting as an additional means of ensuring optimal inventory levels.

What’s the difference between warehouse and distribution center?

A lot of logistics professionals use the terms warehouse and distribution center interchangeably. Some of them even say that there is effectively no difference between warehouse and distribution center. So, is there any difference between warehouse and distribution center? Let me tell you upfront that they are as different as a modern 21st century supply chain is from a traditional supply chain.

The simple rule in traditional supply chains was to store “maximum possible quantity of every product, everywhere, every time”. This rule had to be followed because of lack of information flow and planning mechanisms in the supply chain. This gave birth to the warehouses which were used for stockpiling inventory and inventory would be shipped out months after it arrived in the warehouse.

Supply chains have evolved and are much different from what they used to be say 2-3 decades back. Modern supply chains equipped with better information & intelligence are able to predict product demand well in advance, plan accordingly and deliver the items close to when they are needed. The new supply chain rule is to have “the required quantity of the right product in the right place at the right time”.

But what’s exactly the difference between warehouse and distribution center?

The traditional warehouses are not completely fit to cater to this new supply chain rule and this led to the evolution of static warehouses into distribution centers. Now that you know the context, let me tell you the exact difference between a warehouse and a distribution center:

A warehouse is used for storing products while a distribution center, apart from storing products offers value-added services like product mixing, order fulfillment, cross docking, packaging etc.
A distribution center stores products for relatively lesser periods compared to a warehouse. So, basically the flow velocity through the distribution center is much greater than the flow velocity through a warehouse.
A distribution center is customer-centric and is the bridge between a supplier and its customers. While the role of a warehouse is to store products efficiently, the role of distribution centers is to efficiently meet customer requirements.
Typically retail and warehouse orders are shipped from a distribution center and not a warehouse. Basically a warehouse generally doesn’t serve external customers while a distribution center does.
The operations at a distribution center is much more complex than that at a warehouse. As a result, the distribution centers are equipped with latest technology for order processing, warehouse management, transportation management etc.
You now know the stark difference between a warehouse and a distribution center and how the evolution happened over time. Does this mean that warehouses no longer exist or they don’t serve any purpose? You will be mistaken if you believe that. Warehouses still exist and serve a purpose. A good example would be how inventory is pre-built months in advance to meet the high seasonal demand and is stored in typical warehouses before being sent to a distribution center for customer service. However, the importance of warehouses in supply chain has gone down and the distribution centers have now emerged as the nerve centers of the modern supply chains.

The seven core behaviors of people who positively impact the world

1. They dedicate themselves to what gives their life meaning and purpose.
Thousands of people today don’t believe in meaning and purpose as something to discover or pursue in life. And others believe in a life purpose but won’t take the risk to identify or honor it. 

2. They commit to continually bettering themselves.
People who impact the world for the better know that they are not perfect. They understand how their knowledge isn’t “complete” — there are always gaps, biases, limitations and prejudices, and new places to go with their expertise.

3. They engage with people in open, mutually-beneficial ways.
Those with huge positive influence understand the power of relationships, connection, and engaging with the world openly. They’re not afraid to get “out there” — connecting with others, sharing their knowledge and talents, offering their authentic and often contrarian viewpoints and opinions. They’ve pushed beyond any introversion, shyness or reluctance to be who they are, and have learned how to relate well with others and build mutually-supportive relationships that catapult both parties to a higher level. 

4. They invest time and energy not in what is, but what can be.
When they see something that agitates and disturbs them, they strive to know more, get to the root of the issue, research and understand the contributing factors, and arrive at new solutions. They observe gaps and mistakes in common thinking and behavior, and trust themselves in their belief that it’s time to push the boundaries of what’s accepted. They want to affect change because they believe change will bring a better way to live.

5. They spread what they know
Those who make a true positive difference can’t help but share and teach what they’ve learned. They don’t see their knowledge as just some commodity to sell, as a meal ticket or a money maker — they see it as information that has to be shared with the world for its betterment. They believe their ideas and innovations are of use and value to others, and can’t help but share those openly, and teach others what they’ve learned. They live the universal principle — “the more you give, the more you get.”

6. They uplift and Empower others
people who positively impact the world not only obtain amazing results in their work, but their process of obtaining these results — how they operate in life — is also inspiring and uplifting. They are happy to help and support others, and have an overflow of positive energy that enriches the lives of everyone they work with and connect with. These positive influencers want others to grow.

7.They use their Power and Influence very well
Positive influencers use their power well and wisely. They understand the widespread influence they have, the power they have to build up and elevate, or tear down. Those who impact the world for the better are careful and judicious with their words, actions and behaviors. They operate with heart, and care deeply about their leadership and communication process and style, and the influence they have.

Look around you and you’ll see three kinds of people – those who hate their work, and complain bitterly, those who just tolerate their work and see it as a paycheck and aren’t looking for more (or feel they can’t have more), and finally, those who love their work, and relish it. 

None of them are wrong - There are enough challenges in every human life. Not everyone can have the world, the world, the substance, the circumstance, the age to phase, the phase to courage. Life itself is a great effort.But still the third category that is a small subset of all professionals globally, but this group stands out because these are, most often, the people who change the world for the better  - We don't need to reach there but we need to drive our life towards that as long we can.

SINGLES SEMINAR

*Presentation 1 – Spiritual investment for your future*
The future is for those that prepare for it.
You need to look at investment
Success is impacting your world with the investment of your personality
1.Spiritual investment
2.Physical investment
The spiritual aspect
1.Your focus should be on Jesus.
1 Cor 3v10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Christ has to be your foundation.

Heb 12v1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus has to be the centre of all your relationships

2.The word of God has to be your foundation
Acts 20v32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

You cannot live your life according to the wisdom of men. It has to be based on the word.
In the word of God  is where you have the plans of God revealed to you.

3.Prayer.
No relationship works without prayer.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Prayer brings a divine connectivity in your relationships.

4.Have Godly icons
The people you follow must be from the kingdom of God
Phil 3v17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

In your dealings with the world, never forget who you are
Any relationship not supported by the word of God is not of God.

Work on your character. What you are is what you attract.

*Presentation 2 HIV and AIDS*

HIV is Human Immunodeficiency virus
It causes the condition called AIDS which makes someone vulnerable to opportunistic infections due to a broken immune system
Zimbabwe has a very high prevalence of HIV and AIDS
It is transmitted mostly through sexual interaction.
Its wise to get tested before getting married.
If you are found positive, it does not mean you are going to die. You carry God inside you. You can deal with it.
Its very important that you disclose to the person who you are going to marry your status.
Its illegal in Zimbabwe to not disclose your status to your partner.
Deliberately infecting someone with the virus can give you a jail term of up to 10 years.
If you test positive, its important to start on treatment (ARVs) before you go to the healing school
The best method of preventing HIV is abstinence.
Sex is for the institution of marriage
When you are taking care of a loved one with HIV, make sure you do not have contact with their body fluids. Wear gloves and other forms of protection when required. Contact your local clinic for assistance.

*Presentation 3 Courtship*

After salvation, the most important choice you make is who to marry
For 2 people to live together in harmony, there must be an agreement spiritually, mentally and physically
No sex before marriage.
You are not marrying for sex, because you are old, you want money, you got pregnant or just because you love the idea of marriage
Marriage is Gods idea so it will not fail
It is God not Adam who said Adam needed a help meet.
The purpose of marriage is to be joined with someone of the opposite gender who will help you fulfil Gods purpose for your life.. That’s the primary purpose
Secondary reasons are, Having Godly seeds and companionship.

Courtship is a relationship with a goal to lead to marriage.
The church must be involved from the beginning.
Life is spiritual
The church expects to be involved right from the start.
Before you even introduce that person to your parents, the church must know.
In your courtship, ensure that that person is in Christ and serves in the house of God
If you are not serving in the house of God. You are not ready.
Ensure that the church is aware of your wedding arrangements, proposed dates etc
You cannot give instructions to the church, follow the right procedures.
Do the word, walk in the word and this life of glory is yours

*Presenation 4 Question and answer segment*

Q. What does a brother do when after he notices a mighty woman and he discovers that she is in a relationship with a non ministry member.
A If you are led by the spirit. In prayer God will reveal Ms Right for you and that person will wait for you. She will not get into an unequally yoked relationship. Do not rush.
God will lead you besides the still waters. Those are not still waters.

Q. Is it true that in our ministry, the qualification to marry is to be a tither, buy 1000 rhapsodies, join a cell group and serve in a ministry department

A.Would you like to marry a robber. A non tither is a professional thief. If you want to live a broke life, marry a non tither.
200 is the minimum number of rhapsodies you are supposed to buy for your wedding day. It is encouraged that all your guests must receive a copy. It is a means of saving souls in your family. Do not see this as an expense. Its about souls
You must be serving in a ministry department. That proves responsibility. It starts in church
You must be a partner because partnership proves sonship. Marry a son of Pastor Chris
You must be in a cell. Anyone who is not in a cell is not a member of Christ Embassy.

Q. I met someone online. Should I date him
A.NO, go to your pastor whenever you find someone you like. Do not hide this from your Pastor.

Q. Is it possible to see the person I am to marry in my dream and what am I to do
A.Go to your pastor. Some dreams come because that boy/ girl has been in your subconscience.

Q. If a girl elopes to me what should I do.
A.Marry her. That normally happens because she is pregnant.

Q. Whats the right age to be married
A.There is no rights age. You get married when you are spiritually, mentally and emotionally stable

Q. Will she submit because she is younger
A.Not necessarily. Age does not matter. Its important that a lady marries someone who she reverences.

Q. Does God allow a single to marry a divorcee whose ex is still alive
A.As long as its legal it is allowed. God hates divorce, do not cause divorce.

Q. What do you do when you get pressure from your family to get married.
Patiently hear your parents side, treat them with love and pray about it.

Q  Can I marry from another ministry
A.Sharp doctrinal differences can destroy a marriage. At the end the couple would have to choose one church. Deal wisely

Q. Are secret relationships allowed
A.NO. Whoever wants a secret relationship is not serious with you. Sisters be guided by your Pastors whenever you get approached.

Q It seems there are no single men in our ministry. What should I do.
A.Sister look around. Release the right sound code (confession)

Q. Is it good conduct to visit each other at home during courtship
A. Yes and NO. Avoid late nights and compromising lone times. Be transparent. No romantic interaction. Don’t play husband and wife before getting married.

Q. Is it wrong for a man to have two wives even if the first wife has agreed
A. It is wrong. God said he will give you a help meet. Not help meets. Marrigae is Gods idea not mans idea

Q. How can I choose the right mate
A. Your pastor will help you choose. Trust your Pastor.
Points to note. – wrong foundations
1.One Party is Too Busy to be Involved in Church
2.No Financial Commitment to the Gospel
3.One Party is Not Submitted to the Authority of His/Her Church
4.One Party is Always Demanding for Money or Other Resources

*PASTOR RUTH*

The word of God has all the answers you need today
The word works.
Your part is to receive. The grace is available here
You are a blessing to ministry and we love you

Isa 40v31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

It matters who you hang out with.
Any relationship that takes you away from God is not from God.
Which company do you keep
Which counsel do you take

Friendship is about peer pressure. If you still young, you are easily influenced by friends.
You are the light of the world
You take the world to your friends and influence them
Prov 27v17 7 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
You sharpen your friends with the word of God.
Be the one to sharpen your friends
Let your conversations be filled with virtue. When you visit people minister grace unto them.
Its not stupid to speak the word of God with the girl you love.
Be guided by the Holy Spirit. Let him take over your conversation.

There is no curse that can cause you to not get married.
Num 23v23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

You are marriageable, You are a child of God and you can get married

If you family forces you to go for a ritual, remember,
Mark 16v18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover
If you eat any deadly thing, it shall not hurt you.

Who do you get your counsel from.
Get your counsel from an spiritual person.
Don’t be desperate to get married. You will get married to the wrong person.
Be guided by the word of God.
Don’t be like Sarah who could not wait and decided to help God perform a miracle by bringing in Hagar to give birth to Ishmael.
Wait upon God, in your case, he will show up

Your character.
Are you marriageable. Do you not chase potential partners away from you by the way you conduct yourself.
Ruth 3 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
2And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshing floor.

That’s right spiritual counsel from Naomi to Ruth
I will direct you to you Boaz or Ruth. She will be in a place of prayer.
The threshing floor is a place of prayer.
Men looks at the outside, God looks at the inside. Trust you Pastor.

Ruth 3v3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

Are you marriageable.
1.Wash yourself. Do not smell bad, be presentable.
2.Be anointed. Dress up in the spirit
3.Don’t make yourself known unto the man until he marries you

All sisters should remember Ruth 3v3
A woman should seek a man who fears the Lord
You will tell by his language and by how he treats other people

A woman should seek a man who is not afraid to love
A lot of young men today are afraid to commit. We need men who are not afraid to love
A man who is not afraid will say, I want to go and meet your Pastor.

A woman needs a man who can admit his faults and admit when he has hurt you.
A marriage is a union of two forgivers
Don’t marry someone who cannot forgive e.g someone who cant forgive his mother

A woman should seek a man who can control his passions
A man must control his desire for the opposite gender.
Don’t turn a blind eye to this sign

A woman should seek a man who honors his parents
If you want to see how a young man will treat you, see how he treats his mother.

A woman should seek a man who is in the process of becoming a leader who knows how to serve
If a young man does not know how to serve others, his ability to start a family is questionable.

Prov 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

A man must have wisdom to see the qualities in Ruth 3v3.
Is she anointed, presentable, listens to instructions.

A man should seek a woman whose hope is in the word of the Lord,
Is she focused on the word of God.

A man should seek for a woman who honors her own parents
The girl must be able to tell you that my mother says I must not go out and follows that instruction.
If she has a hard time honouring her parents, she will have a hard time honouring you.

A man should seek for a woman who forgives him when he fails her.

A man should seek a woman who wants to be a wife and a mother.
Her career should not be her number one priority.

A man should marry a woman who knows how to dress.
Her character should be displayed on the inside and not the outside.

A man should seek a woman who knows how to follow the man not the man.
She must understand that she is the vice president not the president.
The husband is the head.

A man cannot marry another man. That’s horrible.
Go to your Pastor if you see that spirit coming upon you. If you see those feelings coming upon you

You may be in a situation right now where you are thinking, will I ever get married
Psa 37v23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
God will lead you. Do not go back to the systems of the world. Keep your mind stayed on him.
The word works. Put your trust in God

Whatever mistake you have done in life, don’t let it hold you back.
God has forgiven you

*You are going to get married* ❤

Here are some professional development tips for college students

1. Understand And Admit Your Weaknesses

The only way to develop both personally and professionally as a college student is to first understand what needs to be developed in the first place. Self-reflection is so crucial in all of our lives, but especially during your college years.

Taking ownership of what you don’t do well and trying to improve is just as important, if not more important than understanding what you are good at. College is the time to improve and grow and that will only happen if you have goals set on what skills you want to enhance. If you have never completed a transferable skills survey before, I encourage you to give it a shot, as this can really show you where you need more development.

2. Research, Read, Be Aware

All of us have had people we have looked up to in our lives. For those of us who have been in the workforce for a good while, we probably have had mentors and leaders that we have looked up to along the way. One way you can take ownership of your own development is to emulate the people that you look up to.

By being aware of your surroundings and understanding what exactly has drawn you to certain people, you can understand what skills you need to be able to showcase to someday be in that position of leadership. This only happens through reading, researching, and being intentional with your learning. Having outstanding job specific skills are important, but you need to have the intangible qualities that employers are looking for to ultimately reach your career goals. To grow in your development, you must first identify the skills you actually want to develop.

3. Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone

As a college student, I knew that I was a terrible public speaker and not very good in large social situations, as I would get extremely nervous. In my second year, I forced myself out of my comfort zone and attended a Boost seminar at Mandel training center. At this seminar, there were over 100 students and it was an extremely packed room. While I accomplished something just by going, I didn’t actually do anything. That’s right; I simply walked around and didn’t talk to anybody.

Many of us are afraid to stray from what is comfortable to us, but you only get better with practice and experience. I challenge my students to try something new that gets you out of your comfort zone at least once a month. Obviously, the key to that is you have to actual take action and not just walk around!

By getting out of your comfort zone, you can learn a lot about yourself and develop interests that you never thought were possible. Who would have thought that 2 years after I walked around doing nothing, I would be teaching students in high schools mentoring them. Own your insecurities.

4. Diversify Your Experiences

There is no better way to take advantage of your own development than by diversifying your experiences while in school. Think about it. The more involved you are and the more experiences you have, the better your chances of finding out what your true passion is.

For example, I work with organizations that aim to build student talents and we started a trust which deal with young and disabled children ton of student, many of them end up changing their major because they love what they do within their student job. I implore all students to diversify your experiences by getting involved in student organizations, volunteering, and being employed while a student.  At the very least, a diversified resume with a lot of experiences looks pretty good to an employer!

5. Stop Waiting For Things To Happen, Make Them Happen

We have students all the time who come to our meetings  and want help finding a student job. The first question I ask them is where they want to work. I ask this specifically because if they want to work in the Library, why are they coming and talking to us? Go talk to somebody at the Library!

There is a reason most jobs in this country are filled without advertising, and that is because they don’t need to advertise. If you want to develop yourself, get the career you want, and meet the people that you want to meet, then go do it! Take charge and make things happen for yourself by being PROACTIVE. If you are an employer, what skills does it show you when someone proactively comes to you looking to learn more? Plus, as a student, you are in a learning phase and can play the student card, which will probably get you in the door easier than someone older.

6.Take control of your own fate and make things happen.

So many things that happen in your career and life are going to be out of your control. Take that control back and take ownership of your own development. Learn from every experience that you have good or bad. You never know, one day all the failures that you learned from when you were a college student could lead you to the career you never knew you always wanted. Be a lifelong learner and you never know what you could be doing next.

Understanding Education

Education is one of the misguided concepts especially on the African continent. Going through junior school,  high school, getting good grades and finally making it into college then graduating with a degree has been the definition of education in Africa for the past centuries  yet that's only a means to education not education. Africa's education system at its best has produced administrators yet true education ends in the deployment of oneself. Education result in depolying oneself as a result of well developed gifts, talents and abilities.

What it is not: It's not going to junior school, high school and getting good grades. It is not going college to get a qualification and ultimately get a job. Education is not a bait that one uses to get a pay check at the end of the month. Education is bigger than that.

What it is: Education in its truest sense is broadening ones mind to see beyond the horizon. It is to draw out the potentialities within an individual and further develop the potential till the potentials are serving humanity. It is not a certificate, though it can be symbolized by a certificate. Education equips one with skills to solve problems, to analyze information and come up with strategies. It is measurable and quantifiable: education is value that someone is willing to pay for.

Education is the ability to deploy oneself based on ones gifting, talent, skills and abilities so as to provide service to humanity and it earns you commercial value.

Many mistake literacy for education. Education: results  in a mind that has been transformed by the information it has received resulting in a changing attitude and ultimately a better character.

Literacy is the ability to receive, store and reproduce information without the information effecting changes to the receiver. Which makes the statement "knowledge is power" to be partially true but I will say "knowledge acted upon is power"

Give your mind to a tutor: develop your mind, gifts,  talents and abilities. Education is a personal responsibility, the best an educator can do is to guide you as you educate (teacher) yourself. Also know that the school is not there to educate you but to create and maintain an environment for you to educate yourself. 

In summary education is:

1. The development of your reasoning faculties, to stretch and to train your mind to think.

2. To teach you about problem solving.

3. To familiarize yourself with the world and the industries thereof.

4. The development of your gifts and abilities.

5. It is for molding your character.

To be continued..

Business seminar

Education, especially higher education is very good but it can be useless if not coupled with wisdom and leadership skills. The most successful and richest people in the world are not very educated. If one goes down the list of the richest people you will notice that they are school drop outs. If we are to classify the Degreed people and those with Diplomas as 'A'  people whilst those who couldn’t make it further are 'C' people then we can conclude that, it is the majority of 'A' people who are working for the 'C' people. In other words it is the school dropouts who are employing the educated 'A' people.

Working hard does not make one rich and neither does further education make one to become rich. If the hardest worker was the richest then people who dig trenches or do strenuous manual work would be the richest people in the world. Furthermore, no employee has become rich to be counted among the richest people in the world. Go back to the above mentioned list of the richest people you won’t find an employee. Remember there is not salary that will ever be enough for an employee. You are only given just enough to sustain you livelihood so as to come back the next day; your salary dwindles by each day up to the last day of the month. The majority of the employees’ salaries do not even last for more than 3days. Therefore there are limited chances, maybe one in a million for an employee to join the rich peoples’ list for as long one remains an employee. No matter how many millions the company makes and saves every month but the employer will never give you more than just enough to last a month.

The only person who can become rich is the one who comes with solutions to problems. He is a problem solver. He identifies the problems in the society and comes up with wise solutions to those problems for the exchange of money - thus, getting rich. To get rich comes out of identifying opportunities through existing shortages or problems. This concept falls under leadership qualities - thus, rich people are great leaders. On the other hand, it is also the education system that has led the world to having institutions of higher learning producing graduates who have the mentality of becoming employees rather than entrepreneurs. The education system does not teach graduates to become employers; hence they go out scrambling for the few jobs available. Henceforth, entrepreneurship must be incorporated into the education system.

A leader does not only use or rely on existing services but he invents new systems, tools and services in order to improve his life and that of others. When you get employed and you operate as a manager you won’t make it in life or you remain a manager for life. A manager maintains what’s there unlike a leader who invents new systems and ideas. To become rich you need to have wisdom and leadership skills. Therefore, getting rich has nothing to do with hard working but through wisdom; identifying opportunities or areas of need and take advantage at the right time. In other words you need to work smart, not work hard to become rich. While higher education is very essential it becomes useful when coupled with wisdom and leadership skills.

You can be given a title or post of a manager yet you are not a leader. Being a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company may not necessarily be a leader, it is just a title with regards to his responsibilities and maybe qualifications. You can be a Pastor or Bishop of a church but not a leader. Inversely, you can be leader whilst you hold a junior post in an organisation. However, your leadership qualities will eventually escalate you to leadership positions in an organisation or company provided they are focused on the success of the company. Therefore, educational papers or professional qualifications do not run companies, they are run by leaders.

In addition you need 5 elements in life to succeed.

Prov.6:6

“Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,”
The above verse teaches the lazy man about going to the ants and watching how they work. It teaches on two issues namely, not being lazy and creative a conducive environment that produces good yields.

1) Good friends - you need good friends to assist you on your way up. They become your immediate redeemer.

2) Anointing - This is the flavour that brings favour to your life. It comes from God. It makes people want to work with you and lift you upwards. Things go your way when you have anointing. Lack of it leads to your downfall.

3) Mentorship and guidance - Everyone needs a mentor and guidance to succeed. You need someone who has been there before, someone with the experience to guide you. Moses was mentored by Jethro, Joshua by Moses and Elisha by Elijah. Whoever guides you spiritually guides you naturally.

4) Good environment and condition of the heart - A heart that is troubled will not yield any meaningful results. A troubled heart is one full of fear. That fear opens doors to negative manifestation in your life. It closes your heart from receiving. Remember, an open heart is one which is ready to receive. One needs the correct environment in order to succeed and you need both internal (heart) and external (surrounding). If the environment is not conducive one has to create one and that demands leadership skills. Create your own environment in order to succeed.

5) Knowledge and wisdom - information
Proverbs 3: 24-28
These scriptures are centred on wisdom. God is teaching us on wisdom. Additionally He is teaching us that size does not matter but wisdom. Time to work is very important and we must learn to save for tomorrow. Learn to spend less and save more. You need to work today and prepare for future generations. A wise parent must think like a leader because a leader thinks generational. We must not be selfish but think of others especially future generations.
If you want to succeed you need to monitor the open doors in your life. By so doing, you close useless doors and ensure good ones remain open to facilitate your success.

Proverbs.30:24-28
24 “Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 hyraxes are creatures of little power,
yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts have no king,
yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand,
yet it is found in kings’ palaces.
……………………………………………………
When God wants to speak to people he chooses tiny creatures like ants. He says that ants are wise and because He said it means an ant is exceedingly wise. He chooses to talk about ants not elephants, rhinos or lions. Wisdom is not about size it’s about capabilities it is about the ability to use wisdom appropriately.
The best way of conquering the world is wisdom. Everything that is crumbling is because people rush for tittles they want to be associated with the big five whereas the humble ants are the wisest. You rush where God is not focused on. Ants do not even have a life span as long as an elephant but it is wiser.
Everyone is after tittles but it is not about tittles but wisdom to carry out your work. The bible says ants are little creatures which are not strong. They keep their food in summer because winter is coming. There is plenty of food supply in summer and it is well aware that in winter the conditions will not be favourable for their weak bodies.
The problem with us human beings is we want to spend first and save less when in actual fact we ought to save first before we spend, then spend the remainder. When people got money they rush to buy cars and other flashy things instead of saving or investing in things that will generate income. People choose to drive the most expensive cars whilst they are still renting their accommodation.
The biggest problem with poor people is they want to look rich when in actual fact they are poverty stricken. Ants co-ordinate with each other well as it moves it places a certain substance which it smells to trace back the route it would have used before. They create a trail, whereas human beings do not keep any records they cannot even diarise or if they do they do not keep the records.
Writing down is a gift from God if it was not important we would not even have the bible. Even in business the business fails as soon as the owner dies because no one understands how they will be running and neither will there be any records. If you are not like an ant then you are not going anywhere you have to keep records.
A life without a diary is a life without direction. There is another quality an ant has, it is little and very fragile but it stores food for tomorrow - it doesn’t think that it might die before the next day but it thinks generational. Summer and winter are seasons not days and an ant might not survive to the next season but that does not deter it from storing up. What it stores is consumed by the next generation because of its short life span.
Human beings tend to spend like they will die tomorrow not worried about future generations yet they are the ones with a longer life span than ants. God says that we should plan and he will honour our plans. There is one other characteristic of an ant, it does not carry something smaller than itself. It is not afraid of the size of the baggage. When it goes out it comes back with something bigger than its size. People tend to limit themselves to small things they are afraid of venturing into big projects.
Ants are determined to carry whatever size home and achieve contrary to human beings who are afraid to even try. When an ant is carrying all those things it is done in summer in preparation for winter. They do things in time and as people we ought to adapt the same principle. Do not be shaken by the size or figures of what you might want to venture into because your mind will stretch up to that level.
Be ready to face any challenge be ready to push it. It is in the character of an ant to know that it can pull any size of a particle. If it struggles other ants chip in to assist because it is better to have 1/10th of an elephant than 100% of a rat. When you venture into big things raise your head and seek help when you see signs of failure. You have lots of potential but do not have to be selfish with information. You are better off sharing it with people that can raise you up. There is a lot of potential lying in the graves because the people decided to be selfish with information. If you have a business idea share with the one with the capital and allow them to invest and you get a share from it than to die with your idea. Do not be overwhelmed by the little things you have. Do not let pride destroy you it is your worst enemy it has destroyed companies, ministries, countries or cities.
Mother ant does not go out to labour all it does is lay eggs and it also has those ants that tend to the eggs. They have division of labour but when you come back to people everything is centered on them they run it all on their own. They fail to even train other people to be capable of what they do, let alone their own children. A rock rabbit is weak but it has its house in the rocks. It cannot run fast because it is weak but it looks similar to rocks through its fir so that when it flees from the enemy towards rocks the enemy may confuse it with the rocks. It looks the same as the rock hence the enemy loses track of it. You should know your weakness and take cover. You should find cover in the Lord Jesus Christ the best Rock, my Ebenezer. Everyone has a weakness but you need to know how and where to run to. You need a covering over your life. You need to hide from your enemy.
A rock rabbit or badger does not complain or whine about its weaknesses but it takes cover on rocks. Take cover in God let Him be your strength and in that way you will never fail.

Lessons from Daniel

Daniel 9: 2 In the first year  of his reign I Daniel understood by books the  number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord  came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would  accomplish seventy years in the desolations of  Jerusalem. You realize it is important to read even in the bible Daniel said I Daniel understood by books. Never take reading lightly. Daniel 9: 20 And whiles I  was  speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin  and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting  my supplication before the Lord my God for the  holy mountain of my God; 21 Yea, whiles I  was  speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I  had seen in the vision at the beginning, being  caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time  of the evening oblation. 22 And he informed  me,  and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now  come forth to give thee skill and understanding. Realize this when you mix your reading with prayer great things will happen praise God. The man was praying for Israel. Check what happened in verse 21, the angel Gabriel had to come. Daniel was given skill and understanding. So in your studies you receive skill to execute those assignments and understanding when you read. Be blessed