2 Minutes Business Article. Title: Street Sense of A Business Owner 2

Some businesses are limited to a particular class of people, mostly the high class: there is little or no provision for the low class. To put in a better way, some classes of people can't afford some products and services. But, the irony is, some big businesses who became liquidated in the long run would have been saved by the low class people, or small businesses if they were factored into the marketing plan.


Decentralize

Decentralization is the Transfer of decision making power and assignment of accountability and responsibility for results. It is accompanied by delegation of commensurate authority to individuals or units at all levels of an organization even those far removed from headquarters or other centers of power. This is according to the business dictionary.

For me, decentralization is making your products and services available and affordable.

The word 'result' in the definition speaks volumes of what the real goal of decentralization must be.

Every business must have plans to so decentralize its products and services in a way that it serves all classes of people and businesses. So many small businesses will remain anonymous for a long time if they don't find affordable mediums to emerge.  

If you are a big marketing firm for instance, create a very low cost marketing plan for small businesses, go to them in the streets and market to them. Most time, they bring the regular money.


Action Step: Create a decentralization plan for your product or service.


PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

2 Minutes Business Article. Title: Street Sense of A Business Owner

Most market women out there in a local market are a lot richer than many business owners who have very fine offices and employees in very lucrative places, but with so much bills to pay and little turn over to meet up with the bills.

Part of why many Igbo people at Alaba International market and in many rural geographical locations are many times richer than the ‘white collar’ business owners who have everything with drivers driving them in very flashy cars, but lack financial freedom and are in huge debts is because, they choose to do all the street businesses that many people shy away from; and the truth is, any business that puts daily money in your pocket is a business to look at. That’s where the money is. Most street businesses have very little overhead and high ROI (Return on Investment).

For The Big Boys

If you are already playing big in business and don’t have the time to run small street businesses, outsource the contract; look for someone who can do all the running around. Establish a street business in a very strategic place, and look for faithful people who can manage it. There are faithful people around, but are very rare though. No risk, no reward!

For The Small Boys

If you are looking for a business to do, don’t start with an office space, or a business that will require huge capital, start with a street business. The people in your neighbourhood need so many things, but travel to buy them because everyone wants to start big.

Action Step: Establish a street business soonest. 

PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A

@Paulvanplc 

www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Are You A True Believer?

This Will Enhance Your Preparation for 2015...

By Brian Tracy

In my conversations with hundreds of top achievers over the years, I have found that they all have one thing in common. They have taken the time to sit down and create a clear blueprint for themselves and their future lives. Even if they started the process of goal setting and personal strategic planning with a little skepticism, every one of them has become a true believer.

Becoming a True Believer

Every one of them has been amazed at the incredible power of goal setting and strategic planning. Every one of them has accomplished far more than they ever believed possible and they ascribe their success to the deliberate process of thinking through every aspect of their work and their lives, and then developing a detailed, written road map to get them to where they wanted to go.

The Definition of Happiness

Happiness has been defined as, "The progressive achievement of a worthy ideal, or goal." When you are working progressively, step-by-step toward something that is important to you, you generate within yourself a continuous feeling of success and achievement.

You feel more positive and motivated. You feel more in control of your own life. You feel happier and more fulfilled. You feel like a winner, and you soon develop the psychological momentum that enables you to overcome obstacles and plough through adversity as you move toward achieving the goals that are most important to you.

Determine Your Values

Personal strategic planning begins with your determining what it is you believe in and stand for-your values. Your values lie at the very core of everything you are as a human being. Your values are the unifying principles and core beliefs of your personality and your character. The virtues and qualities that you stand for are what constitute the person you have become from the beginning of your life to this moment.

Your values, virtues and inner beliefs are the axle around which the wheel of your life turns. All improvement in your life begins with you clarifying your true values and then committing yourself to live consistent with them.

Action Step: Let your goals be value based and profit will take care of itself.


PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Think Big, Plan Big, Start Small

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Think Big, Plan Big, Start Small


The kind of mind you develop plays a major role in determining how far you go both in life and business. The lack of money, absence of parents, wrong location, economic retardation, lack of helpers or lack of education cannot stop anyone, only the wrong mind-set can. I have seen very educated and very intelligent business owners who are not doing as well as some of my uneducated friends at Alaba International market, Lagos; And the only difference is their mind-sets. The young man at Alaba believes nothing is impossible, while the educated entrepreneur is limited by his own educated mind. (soon, I’ll write on the advantage of Ignorance) as I have seen many uneducated but successful business owners, and have also seen so many educated but unsuccessful business people.


Think Big

You put a limit on your own ability when you think small. You are unstoppable, think like it. You can do anything, think like it. Your mind is your greatest asset, but can also become your biggest limitation if you let it.


Plan Big

I have a friend who all his life have been talking big, dresses big and goes to big places. Sometimes you are tempted to ask, what’s wrong with him? Today, he talks bigger things as he is already doing big things. Each time I’m with him, he’s just in a haste to tell or show me his big plans. Don’t just talk big, plan big.


Start Small

People who talk and plan big most times don’t have the immediate resources to execute their projects. They simply start with what they have. For many people, beginning small is the most difficult thing in the world to do, but, I have found out that only people who learn to begin small develop capacity to sustain big things. Don't give any man anything big to do for you if he hasn't successfully done small things before.


Action Step: Start moving with people who do big things.



PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Selfless Management 2

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Selfless Management 2


I heard the story of a very wealthy entrepreneur in Lagos who relocated his managers from the mainland to the Island, bought houses for them and pays them very huge salaries. He told a friend of his who told us the story that most of the people who work for him are better than him, and will do better if they decide to do the same business. But, they have decided to stay with him because of the way he takes care of them. That’s a very smart entrepreneur, don’t you think so?

Now, don’t forget, some of these people in question have great visions for their lives, but decided to stay with a selfless business owner. That might not make so much sense, and at the same time, it doesn’t mean those managers are stupid. I want to believe that some of them are actually fulfilled working for this man, and are most likely running their visions/businesses while working concurrently.


How to Manage Selflessly

1. Be Involved: when it comes to issues of work, be the team leader. Let the fire or zeal for your business so burn through you that your workers will catch it . Employees take on the attitude of their employer towards the business.

2. Be involved: Many business owners show concern for the lives of their workers, but very few are involved. You get involved by finding ways to help them solve the problems that distracts them at work or that makes them happy. Happy employees will readily increase your ROI consistently.


Action Step: Get actively involve in the lives of your workers or team members.


PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Selfless Management

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Selfless Management

Anyone who can create a vision with the ability to communicate it so powerfully to others in a way that they are almost willing to let go of their own visions and run with his or hers is a leader. Every leader will need a Manager/Managers to run with their vision as leadership and management are not the same ball game. But, every leader can become a manager just as every manager can become a leader.

One of the challenges I have noticed with running a successful business is the selfishness of a lot of business owners. Too many business owners are neither leaders nor managers; they are simply goal setters and goal getters. Well, to put it in a better way; there are more managers than leaders amongst business owners as I believe goal setter and getters will make good managers. But, my definition of a good manager is one who can manage people very well and bring out the best in them, not just one who can manage things. In other words, a good/balanced manager is one who develops great leadership skills.


The Deficit of Selfishness

Selfishness does more harm to the business owner than his employees as when you don’t have genuine concern for the people who work for you; they can’t have genuine concern for the business. And with time, they’ll develop a mind-set called ‘quit and stay’ in the American work environment; which represents when employees are no longer interested in a Job but are only working to pay their bills. That’s a common ground almost everywhere right? Once things gets to this level, its very bad for business. No people, no business.
You don't want to let that happen to you as an entrepreneur. The only option is to start managing selflessly. Very few business owners have time for their workers.

Action Step: Create synergy in your life and business through selflessness, People are looking for shoulders to lean on.



PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Self Management

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Self Management

A Manager is one who controls or directs a business or other enterprise.

Effective management is considered the skilful or resourceful use of materials, time, and working with people to achieve a desired goal.

In production industries, management is a key factor as it focuses on people, process or method, and machines to determine outcome. And, by extension, the most important out of all is people.


Self Management

If a Business/Company has great policies and all the machines without the right people, it will still not get the desired outcome.


The Right People:

They are People who know how to manage themselves effectively. Irrespective of hierarchy, everyone in an organisation makes up the management team as everyone manages and is responsible for one department or another.
No one can be a good manager if he cannot manage himself successfully.

To succeed in managing a business, a person must be disciplined enough to know how to manage their time well, by doing what they're supposed to when expected to, not when its convenient.

People who do things only when its convenient will mess up their lives, a business or an organisation, its just a matter of time.

 
Action Step: Improve on your self management ability by learning something new.



PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Management You Don't Practice

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Management You Don't Practice


It was Peter F. Drucker who said, “If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old”.
Too much talk and less walk has made dwarfs of, and crippled many potentially great lives and businesses. Part of the confusion in the world today is caused by information overload. Too many people know, only a few act on what they know.

It seems very true that we loose the power to act on the right things when we talk too much for so long about it.(That's by the way).

I've worked with so many business owners who have very great visions, believe in and want to encourage team work, and talk so much in management meetings about allowing employees' Job descriptions be unique to their areas of strength - but, most times, such talks end at the meetings.

The temptation or the need will always be there to multi-task yourself or your employees. But, as far as I know, you, or your people under-perform in your areas of core competence when you multi-task often.  

The best managers are those who know how to harness their own energy and that of their people in a complementary way that helps the business achieve its major objectives.


Action Step: Increase the productivity in your area of core competence by reducing your work load and removing the distractions. Do same for your employees, and set a standard for result for them.


PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Strategy

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Strategy

The term Strategy has a military origin as it is derived from the Greek word for a ‘General’ or the tactics employed by a General in leading an Army. Strategy in military terms Is the deceptive organisation and disposition of troops against the enemy that leads to winning a war.

It is considered in business as the act and science of planning and deploying resources for their effective and efficient use.

Strategy is what every individual, organisation or business must have very early on how to navigate their way to winning in the market place.    

I define Strategy as a set of dynamic rules or policy that’s unique to an individual, organisation or business, used in charting a continuous winning course. No strategy, no game plan for winning. Period!

The first step to designing an effective strategy is knowing the desired outcome. In that business you are into, what do you want to achieve differently from others? Plan and deploy your available resources to achieve that goal. Plan based on your strength per time. Don’t use a template that doesn’t fit. The strategy that works for one business might just not work for the other. That’s why I said strategy must be dynamic, because the market is. Any Military troop that intends to employ an 18 century war strategy will cheaply end up as prisoners of war in the camp of the opposition.

When IBM asked Bill Gates to sell ownership of his Operating system (software) to them, he refused, and insisted on retaining ownership while he designed and sold to them. He was in his early 20’s when he made that remarkable business decision.
If you don't know where you are going, every opportunity is a good one.

Action Step: Besides your business plan, design a dynamic strategy.


PLConsulting…


BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Silent Truth

2 Minutes Business Article

TItle: The Silent Truth

Just yesterday, I was in a studio to have someone do a voice over for me. I didn’t like it, so I told my friend, ‘do you know people don’t have to see you, but can feel and tell your mood just by hearing you?’ In other words, it is your intention that will determine the attention people will give to you or your product and not your eloquence or big vocabularies. A business can do all the adverts in the world and simply advertise itself to its failure if its intentions are not genuine.

The Business Dictionary defines a product as a good Idea, method; Information, Object, or service created as a result of a process and serves a need or satisfies a want. It has a combination of tangible and intangible attributes (function, features, Uses, benefits) that a seller offers a buyer for purchase.

Most times, products are not new, they are simply improved upon. A product simply does what the manufacturer has designed it to, whether new or improved. Rebranding is a manufacturers attempt to increase the level of satisfaction a product can give. I’ve found out that rebranding is a risk as I personal don’t get to like some products after they are rebranded/repackaged. The mistake some manufacturers or entrepreneurs make is rebrand and trade off quality for profit. Unknown to most of them, consumers can feel the notion behind your products. Sometimes, not immediately, but after a few encounters. Once a consumer can decode the notion behind your product, it will determine patronage as well as your profit or loss. That is the silent truth.

Action Step: Redefine your business notions.


PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

STIR, Don’t Stare 3 (The Law of Inertia)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: STIR, Don’t Stare 3 (The Law of Inertia)

We are in a world of Laws and principles. The knowledge, understanding, adherence and application of these Laws and principles, or lack of them are what makes or mars people. Your level of consistent relevant actions is what determines your outcomes.

Sir Isaac Newton’s 1st law of motion, also sometimes referred to as the law of Inertia, states that, every object at rest stays that way, and every object in motion maintains the same speed and direction while in motion unless acted upon by another force.


Relevance of Newton’s 1st Law of Motion In Business

Your current level of performance in life and Business will remain the same as they are being regulated by the quality of your decisions, and the quality of your decisions is always determined by the quality of information you have. To change the quality of your product, you must change the quality of your decisions by changing the quality of your information. Knowledge is not power, only applied knowledge is. If you know anyone who disagrees, ask them to look up the definition of power in physics. Power is defined in physics as the rate at which work is done, or the rate at which energy is expended. This ‘knowledge is power’ cliché has made many arrogant without result.


Action Step: Use the Law to your advantage; always improve on the quality of your life, services and products.


PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Don't Stare, STIR! 2 (Get Help)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Don’t Stare, STIR! 2 (Get Help)


“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?” ~Martin Luther King Jr


You will definitely attract the help of others, but not until you’re already in motion yourself. Humans' and Heaven helps Only he who has helped himself to the level to which he is capacitated to. At least, you must get started. In fact, help becomes valuable when it is right on time. Too many people lose out on getting the help they need from others in times when it is most needed, because they ask for it too early, at the wrong time.

“When you give help, you get it without asking for it.” ~ Paulvan


Who Needs Help?

Everyone does, including the great. In fact, most times, the great need more help as they are already doing so much for themselves and humanity. I know a lot of people will be of a contrary opinion regarding this school of thought as it is almost generally believed that the less privileged needs more help than anyone. But, let me ask; did you know that too many less privileged people have failed and disappointed themselves and their helpers in life because they got massive help without learning the basic principles of sustainability? We don’t have scarcity of helpers, we simply have scarcity of people who really deserve to be helped. They desire to, but don’t deserve to be helped. There are so many great people around who really desire to help others, but hold back because they’ve been disappointed too many times.


How to Get Help

Give Help: This is very easy; the problem is, too many of us think of ourselves first before others. From our yesterday’s true story, Imagine if that young man had gone to Fela Durotoye with a proposal on how to help him solve some of his problems, participating in one of his big visions like ‘GEMSTONE’(Vision 2025) etc.? Mr Fela would probably have given him an Immediate appointment, and becoming a protégé would have been automatic.
In life, we most certainly get back what we give, but in bigger measures.


Action Step: Look for one problem to solve for the mentor you want to meet.


PLConsulting…

BB:265A987A
@Paulvan
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Don't Stare, STIR!

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Don’t Stare, STIR!

At a powerful seminar in Lagos, a few years back, with Fela Durotoye(FD), Kunle Soriyan, Remi Dairo etc, a ‘fired up’ young man went to meet FD after the seminar and said to him, 'sir, I have been longing to meet you for a very long time, Please sir, I want to be your protégé, please, mentor me'. I was close by, so, was listening. Immediately I heard that, because of my understanding of little things about mentorship back then, thinking aloud, I already said to myself, this guy is making a big mistake. I already felt his embarrassment before it came. ‘Sorry, we don’t call it embarrassment in leadership, we call it lesson’.    

He was going to start telling FD about his vision, but FD didn’t have the time, so FD said to him, that vision you have, go and develop it so powerfully, and start affecting lives so much so that I ‘FD’ will want to meet you myself. From where I was, I took a deep breath, and said wow! Thanks to fate, that I had already learnt the little but powerful lesson, that, you don’t go to meet with great people when you don’t have anything to offer them, because I also felt tempted to meet him myself.

I just hoped instead of feeling embarrassed, the young man learnt his lesson as I watched him walked out of the hall disappointed. It was obvious he didnt know the story of Toyosi Akerele of ‘Rise, Nigeria Youth Network’, how she served and learnt under Fela Durotoye.

Whatever you are going to make happen in your life, you are going to be very actively involved. Nobody can make happen for you the things you so desire without your 50,60,70,80,90, and sometimes, 95% participation. Most times, we do a bulk of the work you know! You are in control of the steering wheel of your vision vehicle, and the control buttons are right in your hands. You simply determine the direction your life goes.

PLConsulting…

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@Paulvan
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

From 'The Foundation of Leadership' By Brian Tracy.

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: From 'The Foundation of Leadership' By Brian Tracy.


Be Determined and Purposeful

When you set clear goals and become determined and purposeful, backing those goals with unshakable self-confidence, you develop charisma. When you are enthusiastic and excited about what you are doing, when you are totally committed to achieving something worthwhile, you radiate charisma. When you take the time to study and become an expert at what you do, and then prepare thoroughly for any opportunity to use your knowledge, skill or experience, the perception that others have of you goes straight up.


Accept Complete Responsibility

When you take complete responsibility and accept ownership, without making excuses or blaming others, you experience a sense of control that leads to the personal power that is the foundation of charisma. When you look like a winner in every respect, when you have the kind of external image that others admire, you build your charisma. When you develop your character by setting high standards and then disciplining yourself to live consistent with the highest principles you know, you become the kind of person who is admired and respected everywhere. You become the kind of person who radiates charisma to others.

Focus on Results

Finally, when you concentrate your energies on achieving the results that you have been hired to accomplish, the results that others expect of you, you develop the reputation for performance and achievement that inevitably leads to the perception of charisma.

You can develop the kind of charisma that opens doors for you by going to work on yourself, consistently and persistently, and becoming the kind of person everyone can admire and look up to. That's what charisma is all about.



PLConsulting...

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@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Business Best Practice 2 (Leadership)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Business Best Practice 2 (Leadership)

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” – Warren Bennis

Writing a business plan before starting a business is very crucial to the success of every business. But, too many small businesses don't take that into account. The business is already running without a business plan, and there's no plan to write one either. What's worst also is that, they don't write a leadership/management, or organisational structure plan, on how their organisation will run.

I consider leadership the bedrock of business best practice. With effective leadership skills, an entrepreneur will put the best business plan in place, and determine from the onset what the future of the business will be.


Start With The End In Mind

All successful people/leaders all over the world have one thing in common; More than having a clear picture of the future in mind, they always paint it clearly before they start out on the journey.


This Does One Thing

When you have the future clearly painted on paper in your hands, it will guide you and regulate all your actions towards its realisation. A future not yet painted will be very hard to act upon. So, you could say the reason why a lot a people have not taken any action towards their Ideas is because they are yet to do the simply but difficult exercise of writing it on paper. Putting the end on paper carries so much power in itself that pushes you to action.

Best practice begins with leadership. And leadership is what makes every other best practice principles and laws effective.

Action Step: Discover something new that will develop your leadership today.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Business Best Practice

2 Minutes Business Article 

Title: Business Best Practice

Best practice is the application of the principles and Laws that makes an organisation or a business keep evolving to meet the consistently changing demands of its market.

Best practice is never static but dynamic, as new improvements will always be galvanised by new market discoveries, especially in respect to customer needs. Best practice is both the cell and nucleus of a business.

A nucleus is regarded as the pivotal and most crucial part of the existence of a man, animal, an organisation, a group etc., Which forms the basis for its activities, development and growth.

If I remember very well, the definition of a cell in Biology is; A cell is the smallest unit of life of an organism. The human body, for instance, is made up of billions of active cells as cells are the building blocks of living things. 

The best practice unique to your own business might not be much, but, do you have an Idea what they are? The life-sperm of an organism reduces after the death of any cell. No business is alive without best practice.

 

Action Step: find and adhere to your business best practice.

PLConsulting...

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@Paulvanplc

www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Find Your Own Business 'Stephen Wozniak'

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Find Your Own Business 'Stephen Wozniak'

There are people in your life right now you might feel have no business being there - don't make the mistake, don't shut the door. They are in your life for a reason, and a season that's yet to come. If you shut the door, you might never be able to open it again. They may not look like it, but you might need them someday.  


Some people are like Steve Jobs, they are very gifted at seeing money making opportunities in everything, and generating great Ideas. Some are like Stephen Wozniak, they can turn your Ideas into reality. They are creators. But, the Inability to see amongst their network of friends the people who have the genius of complementing an Idea or helping to nurture it to fruition has stopped many from turning their Ideas into businesses.

Every Steve Jobs will need a Stephen Wozniak, every Bill Gates will need a Paul Allen, and vice versa.
Steve Jobs and Wozniak started Apple Computers in a garage in 1975. So, you don't need an office space or money to start. You need a great Idea with maybe, a like minded partner who will complement your Idea. Someone who you won't need to pay, but, who would build with you. They are already in your life, don't look far, find them.


Action Step: Take a step to start executing that business Idea you have been procrastinating.


PLConsulting...

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@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

kEepAtiT

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: kEepAtiT

That's no error! The title's font is deliberate. Although, my computer won't let me be! Okay, you got the Idea already! Let's just say, you got me on this one! Next time, I'll try harder! So, you won! I know you're still reading, maybe not to get the Idea, because you already did; but to get the total Idea.

This is going to be very brief as I'm on the run. I can hear you saying 'what do you mean? You've always been brief!' Yes, you are right. but with resounding lessons you'll agree!

The meaning of the title is simply clear, but the font is intended to engage your attention more keenly. And that's the Idea! To get your attention. Attention is the other word for focus.

The message of focus is what we would hear consistently as long as we live. And we need it. I heard once from a wise man that, only the dead can be truly consistent forever; human beings have enough distractions already.

You can't build anything massive with a divided focus. You are one person, and are limited at the number of things you can do.

'Keep At It'. Know your one area of strength and keep your focus there.

One of the best ways to do this is to focus on focus: keep you focus on the things you do every moment and guide your moments - they determine the speed of your movement; The things we do everyday in every moment are what determines the bigger outcomes.

Determine by yourself what you Keep your attention on per time, don't let anyone do, because people would always try. If you want real results, that's the rule.


Action Step: Focus on focus


PLConsulting...

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@Paulvanplc
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The Reading Business Man 3 (Hard Reading)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Reading Business Man 3 (Hard Reading)


Reading is known as a complex cognitive process of decoding signs/symbols/letters, and making meanings out of them.

The reason why a lot a people don't read is because they feel they don't have the time to sit for so long trying to comprehend a large chunk of information/book etc.


Comprehension

This is the major daily goal of a lot of people who read. They seek to comprehend what they read, and If that can't be achieved, they don't border wasting their time.


Alternatives

Reaching a compromise with yourself does a lot of help. Needless to say, some of the things people give up on, they actually have the solutions to. Instead of throwing in the towel, try alternatives.


Reading Styles That Helps

1. Skimming: This is closely related to scanning or browsing. It is capturing the main Idea of an information you see in passing, or don't have time for the details.  


2. Extensive Reading:
This is reading for pleasure. But it also helps the mind become more creative, and associative(connecting Ideas etc).

3. Intensive Reading:
When you have a goal on mind, a subject you want to research on, a problem you want to solve, this method works best. This is deep reading with the intention for retention


Action Step: Use often the one that works best for you, starting now.



PLConsulting...

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@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Reading Business Man 2 (Reading Is A Big Deal!)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Reading Business Man 2 (Reading Is A Big Deal!)

“Your life rarely gets in Red when you Read.” ~ Paulvan

“I find Television very educating.
Everytime somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” ~ Groucho Marx

“It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.” ~ Oscar Wilde

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.” ~ Dr Seuss


Reading broadens the mind of the business man and opens it up to bigger and better opportunities/possibilities; and more than that, it deepens the mind and saves the man from making shallow business decisions.

The Reading business man makes the best investment choices.

You must have heard it said that he who does not read is not better than he who cannot read. And by extension, I'll say, he who does not read regularly cannot be in the know, and he who is not in the know cannot be in the flow, but would always be amongst the low.

Action Step: Just read! Start with what you love. Read a page, a chapter per day.


PLConsulting...

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@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Reading Business Man

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Reading Business Man

“With or without mouth, everything communicates, but only the inquisitive ears listens, and only the inquisitive mind understands.” ~ Paulvan

Simply because a lot of people have tried so severally to make reading a habit, but have failed, they have given up on themselves and don't regard reading as one of their hobbies.

I have met people who don't read much but are very intelligent. The problem is, their intelligence is not fully tapped as they obviously have the potential to do better at the one thing they have chosen to settle with, and even have the tendencies to be versatile at a few more things and be great at them too. Their only limitation is their lack of zeal to develop a very voracious reading habit - and this can be a major lid on a great destiny or business.

The truth is, most small business owners I know rarely read or don't read at all. They always feel they can use any convenient reading time to make extra money. What they don't know however, or refused to believe is, they can make so much money that can turn a small business into a big one if they would just read.

Talking about reading, there are different helpful reading methods. Every business person who wants to profitably stay in the game must learn the one that works for them. And, in my candid opinion, more than learning a reading approach that works for you, you must learn what I call 'Soft' and 'Hard' reading.

Soft Reading: Reading of words(both spoken and mimed words), reading of signs(both inscribed and described signs), and reading of languages(body languages and languages you don't understand). We can refer to all these as 'Subvocalisation', which helps your mind to make sense of what you see, sense or hear and even remember it long after. Your mind can do amazing things if you develop it.  


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Empires of The Future

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Empires Of The Future

In 2012, Luxembourg(a small country)was among the highest in the world with a per capita GNP/GDP of $107,206. While the Democratic Republic of Congo had the lowest in the world with $237.

Per Capita GNP or GDP is the Gross National Product or Gross Domestic Product of a country divided by its total population.

Obviously, today, wealth of natural resources/capital is not the determining factor of a country's development - else, some African Countries should be amongst the richest in the globe.

Looking at countries like Japan and Korea whose high economic development allows them to use their limited natural resources more productively than would be possible in many third world or less developed countries - It is therefore true that the productivity(GNP/GDP) of every country is a function of how productively they put their natural, physical and Intellectual resources to use.

As at today, the Democratic Republic of Congo is still amongst the lowest with a GDP of $400.
A report says Nigeria becomes the 24th largest economy in the world taking over from South Africa. I wonder how true this is when South Africa's GDP is at $7000+, while that of Nigeria is at $3000 with all the resources.

"The empires of the future are the empires of the mind."
~Winston Churchill

My brief advice to business owners considering these data is to invest more in intellectual development using the development models of countries like China, Japan, Korea etc., Or don't you think a business can use a country's development model?

Intellectual investment is the greatest investment and the regulatory engine of the wealth of nations.


Action Step: Think for a moment; what will happen, if the government of your country is taken to govern over a high performing country like Japan, and the government of Japan is asked to govern over your country?


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Taking Your Business Out of The Crowd

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Taking Your Business Out of The Crowd.

From recent studies of businesses, the 'Capacity' to create new market space that makes competition difficult is becoming very rare. And I think this is one of the major reasons behind the constant fluctuation of the GDP and GNP of the economy of most countries.

In a harvard research done about emerging businesses in 108 companies, It was discovered that 86% of new business ventures were line extensions - continuous Improvements of already existing products and services. Only 14% of new businesses were targeted at creating new markets or companies. While the companies who Invested in the extension and Improvement of already existing companies account for 62% of the total revenue, they deliver only 39% of the total profit. Interestingly, the 14% who invested in creating new markets and companies, make just 38% of the total revenue and deliver a shocking 61% of the total profit.

This is quite an Interesting revelation of how taking calculated risks into unexplored terrains can be very rewarding. But, you'll agree with me that most times, only one out of ten is willing to take such risks, not because they are comfortable with it, but because they are daring.

You can Join the outstanding 14% who are creating new markets and companies and giving the highest turnover. The key is in learning strategic thinking and making strategic moves - Learning how to make new cheese, spread the smell and make people look for them.

Action Step: Don't compete, come out of the competition and create a new market. Yes, you can.

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Integrity? I Don't Think So!

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Integrity? I Don't Think So!

“Trust is one of the greatest trophy a person can ever earn.” ~ Paulvan

Isn't it interesting that too many people are looking for who they can trust when they themselves can't be trusted!

When you can be trusted, the distance between you and your throne is very short.

I grew up as a little boy knowing not many tailors can be trusted as I collected some of my christmas clothes in March of the following year, long after new year's celebration.
I also got to discover recently through experience that when a plumber says he got something for N500, he actually got it for N50.

Too many business people undermine the fact that Integrity is the bedrock for continuous patronage, long term business relationship and referrals.

If you recommend your own blood brother who lacks Integrity to other people for business, It might stop your own opportunity when your time comes even if you have Integrity. You must be extra careful who you recommend to people.


Why Is Integrity So Hard To Practice?

1. Fear: A lot of people are afraid they might not get many opportunities as they are not sure what the next moment holds.

2. Greed: this has turned many business people to opportunists'. They enlarge their coast by emptying other people's own.

3. Fewer Role Models: It can be difficult for any employee(business owner) to have Integrity when his employer lacks it.

Action Step: Make the sacrifice now. Integrity is a sacrifice, lack of it will make one a sacrificial lamb in business.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Challenge of Integrity

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Challenge of Integrity

Someone said “Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on principles and values rather than personal gain.”

Another person said “Success without Integrity is failure.”

I honestly feel that deciding to do business with Integrity is like deciding to give up everything so others can go up first, while you Join them thereafter, by reaping the harvest of your seeds. Sounds like the most difficult thing in the world to do as we are in a world of ‘what’s in it for me, more than what’s in it for others.’

Integrity is being true with yourself and others in words and works all the way.

The word Integrity has its origin in a Latin word ‘Integer’ which means perfect, complete, or whole.
Integrity is relative; people’s definition and Interpretation of it differ. When you look again at the meaning of the word, you can understand why a higher percentage of people practice what I call ‘pseudo Integrity’ as against genuine Integrity; not many people believe in perfection, completeness, or wholeness.

When you read through the Vision and Mission statement of many Organisations, you’ll repeatedly find the word ‘Integrity’ e.g. ‘we deliver excellence with Integrity.’ But, truth is, for most of these organisations, Integrity has an associative meaning, understood only within the organisation.

In the lives and businesses of many, Integrity is held in a defective measure, so it produces the opposite result of what is really desired. I’m pretty sure you have met people who tell so much lies, but call it wisdom – that’s what I’m talking about! Worst of all, these same people believe they have Integrity.

Though, Integrity means different things to all of us, still, that doesn’t change the fact that Integrity is truth in its pure and undiluted form.



PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Pressing The Fast-Forward Button

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Pressing The Fast-Forward Button

It is very true that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step; but, it is also a fact that ‘the pace between one step and the next will determine your mileage, and if you’ll ever reach the last mile.’

“To walk into wealth, work is necessary.”

“When you work with Integrity, you increase your pace to prosperity and posterity.”

Anyone who desires to change the world but refuses to change himself will leave the world like he met it.

Every day you meet people who are running so fast with great business Ideas and are making so much money, but when you look very deeply, especially if you have done business with them before, you’ll realise the business Is resting on a faulty foundation. Why? They lack Integrity.

Genuine Integrity is what makes people repeat business and keep a long term business relationship with you.

The man with Integrity might look like the slowest at the moment, but in the long run, he would have more than enough customers, and businesses to do as people will readily stop doing business with someone once they discover he lacks integrity. And, once people stop doing business with you for lack of Integrity, they might never come back to do business with you again even if you eventually learn it.

Action Step: To fast-forward your business, choose Integrity over quick gratification.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Real Slave Masters

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Real Slave Masters


“He whose life has become the prison of purpose is the real Slave Master.” ~ Paulvan

Until you free your purpose, life doesn't free you.
Your purpose is simply your business.

This whole world is like a great farm with everyone cultivating his own portion. Some are fruit farmers, some vegetable, some tuber crops, some cereals, others oil palm, and rubber etc.

The condition of every one's life is the condition of his/her portion of this great farm. If your portion of this great global farm is beautiful, your life reflects it, if on the other hand it has been overgrown by weeds, and there's little or no nutrient anymore in your soil to sustain your purpose, your life reflects it too.

In life, whatever your purpose is, it is good to start early as there are so many fights to conquer in your building process. The earlier you start the more strength you have to fight and reach your throne on time. The older you become, the less strength you have to pursue purpose. Every man's strength wanes with age.

Don't enslave your purpose: So many peoples lives have become the prison of their own purpose - But, there's still hope! It doesn't matter the phase you are now, or the situation of your portion; there's a fertilizer plan that can restore you if you will put it to work;

I think the real issue with many is how to find purpose;
We've heard and read so much about the subject of purpose and how to discover it. However, here are further help mediums and the fertilizer plan.


While thinking about what can possibly be another great medium to discover purpose, these came to mind;
- SERVICE;
 Look for an Organisation that is doing what you would love to do the rest of your life, and serve there voluntarily. Nothing frees your spirit and purpose like contribution to other people's course.  

- GIVING;
Give to the needy. When you have a quest to discover purpose, that's a need in your life. Go around and meet other peoples' needs, that way you easily attract the solution to your own need.

Fertilizer only fulfils its purpose when it supports the soil. Serving and Giving helps you support others and frees your purpose.

Action Step: Help someone solve the problem that irritates you most today.

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Build Your Own Personal Economy

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Build Your Own Personal Economy

In a time such as this, it will be catastrophic for anyone anywhere in the world to entrust their present and future welfare on the economy of their country. You must work out your own financial freedom by yourself!

The word 'Economy' simply represents an Individual's, Nation's, Organisation's, or Community's system of using its own resources (either natural or acquired) to produce wealth.
It also means the state of a country's prosperity or poverty.

From the definition, it is obvious that its practically impossible to be resourceful without resources. Nature is very fair, it has given to every individual, Nations, and communities everything they need to harness their own prosperity.


“In this life, you're not built until you build something.” ~ Paulvan


There is a voice, product, purpose inside every Individual, Nation, and community, craving for manifestation; that voice/product/song/dream etc is the uniqueness, the resource you have been given to build your own economy.


Do You Desire To Build Your Own Economy, So You Don't Have To Depend On The Economy of The World or Your Nation?

Here's How;

1. Find The Answer; The questions you go to sleep and wake up with in your heart. Questions that won't just go away. Questions that seeks answers on how to better your life and that of your family/community, are questions you must find answers to. When you do, you will not just find peace, you will find prosperity

2. Agreement/Acceptance/Alignment; Accept your unique self and destiny. Don't try to be like anyone, or be what your parents say they want you to become. One of the major problems of the world is that too many parents wants their children to go to school and study their own course choice and not that of their children - thereby, making their children kings/queens of a jungle, instead of allowing them to become Presidents of Nations that they are destined to be. A child who pleases others or his parents will end up being in conflict as to what his/her true Identity is, and may never reach their full potential.

Action Step: Stop pursuing money and pursue purpose.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Positive Energy

2 Minutes Business Article


Title: Positive Energy

“Never say die until you're dead.”
~ Malcolm Forbes


A long time ago, one cool evening,while on my way from the office - all the way, my friends were engaged in a very serious conversation about how bad the Nigerian economy is, and how the country will never rise above her challenges. We hear such conversations very frequently as a lot of people don't believe in this country anymore,and have given up on her. Usually, I try as much as possible to avoid and never be part of such conversations, but, on this very day, I was stuck with them, as there was no where to run to.

They said so much, and related to so many cases of corruption. One said, the best solution to Nigeria's plight is that they should shut her down as a country, and all the citizens should decide which country to go nationalise themselves in. Another said, the best solution is to divide the Nation into three. At this point, the level of negative energy and resentment in the air was so strong, you could touch it. This was when I finally decided to speak. By this time, we were almost home.

Here's what I said; 'as a rule in life, no matter how bad a situation is, if change must happen, you must remain positive on the inside, speak positively on the outside, and never say any wrong word.'

Please, don't Join the mob! Irrespective of how Obvious and tough your business or Nations challenges are, don't complicate things by Joining others to complain and rave.

People who speak negatively concerning a situation, do so because that's all they can see; the one's who speak positively on the other hand, do so not because they are more disciplined or resilient, but because they see better. What do you see? Develop the discipline to always see things not with your outer eyes but with your inner eyes. And then, speak positively. That's the only way we can transform our businesses and our Nation.

Action Step: Tell your trusted friends to collect a N200 or $2 bill from you each time they hear you speak negatively.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Advantage Of Adversity

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Advantage Of Adversity

In all simplicity, I wish to tell every young person reading this, and every 'not so young' person who is not getting their desired result in life to take their life more seriously. By now I believe almost everyone agrees that life has no place for people who take things with levity. The very lucky people are not so many! People who just wake to find that all their struggles in life are suddenly over because they met a helper.

Almost every one will work out their own emancipation in this generation. The one's who might even eventually become lucky must have paid their dues one way or another.  
Taking a deeper look at the trend of things so far in life, It seems to me like even 'life' personified, Is looking for people who can sustain things, and not people who will waste them. “Life will bless the internally made and prepared, not the externally made and prepared.” The externally made and prepared will always be materialistic, the Internally made will always be selfless! And business is not for materialistics people

“There is more hope for the one whom life has prepared through adversity than he who has wealth and education, but has not internalised the basic principles that only real life lessons can teach.” ~ Paulvan

My Father in faith whom I have mentioned a couple of times in my articles, gave me a book sometime ago,Titled, 'The University of Adversity'. The book changed my life! The personal lessons I learnt: It teaches that the difficult challenges we face individually in life prepares us for greatness by purifying our purpose, refining our motives, and helping us redefine what success truly is in a way that makes us become stewards instead of squanderers.

Don't waste your challenges, don't waste your adversity, create something timeless out of it by allowing it purify your purpose, desires and motives for success.

Action Step: No matter what you are going through, choose to remain Positive.

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

You Are Very Creative! 2 (Creativity Hampering Activities)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: You Are Very Creative! 2 (Creativity Hampering Activities)


I once heard a story of how a man went to visit his friend at his office, and while his friend was showing him around,he saw an office of glass doors and windows,it looked special. Inside the office was a man sitting on a chair, no tables, no computers, no shelve nor a safe lock. After sometime,he noticed the man had been sitting there for long. Irritated, he asked his friend,the CEO/Manager, 'how can you allow such idleness in your office?' His friend replied, 'just leave him there, that's his office. All he does is to think for the company. The last Idea he gave saved us millions, so, just leave him alone!'
Would you like to be payed for just thinking and initiating profitable and creative ideas that will bring about solutions?

When a company is downsizing, the most difficult people to let go are those who consistently provide creative solutions to the company's challenges.
As an entrepreneur, one area of your business you don't want to play down on is creativity. You must open yourself up to unending challenges that will always stretch your creativity.


Creativity Hampering Activities:

- Too Much time spent watching a television:
Some years ago, the major way to escape from my frustrations was television - watching films and all sort of brain draining programmes. Each day, after many hours in front of the TV, I usually felt very sick in my mind and would go to bed overwhelmingly depressed, and then have nightmares(Very bad dreams!).
As simple as this sounds, making the adjustment can make a great difference.


- Too Much Unproductive Internet Browsing:
A Nigerian report says, an average Nigerian spends at least four hours a day on facebook. I agree because of how tempted I am everyday to do same. But, I'm so discipline - I just do my postings and run away.
These days at work or on projects, people don't submit report on time or meet deadlines anymore because of unproductive browsing and chatting. And many have even lost their Jobs as a result!


Action Step: Reduce your Television watching/browsing, and that of your family by 60%, do more of reading, and creative thinking Instead.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

You Are Very Creative!

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: You Are Very Creative!

“Guide and enhance your creativity with due diligence, for out of it comes lasting business ideas and products.”

Don't stop at Imagination, stretch and complement your imagination with the creative power in you. Imagination builds the Intangible, Creativity builds the tangible,they work together - as a woman must meet with a man if they must have kids. No couple can imagine a child into reality you know! The coming together of the man and woman is the creative/creating part.


Statistics says about 75% of people believe they are using their creativity optimally. That's what happens when people become comfortable, and traditional in their approach to life.

Barry Gordon, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, says "the 10 percent myth, that human's use only about 10% of their brain power,is not true as most parts of the brain work at the same time everyday". The notion is associated with Albert Einstein who used it to explain his own unlimited mental power. In as much as it is true that the human mental power in unlimited, the 10% myth has actually tampered with the average man's creative power as he believes that the human brain can never be fully tapped, so he sleeps, or never attempts to go beyond 10%.

However, Barry Gordon's research shows an Interesting fact which reveals the 10% myth is only true when we're resting; It says; 'At certain moments in anyone's life, such as when we are simply at rest and thinking, we may be using only 10 percent of our brains.'

In other words, the less we exercise our creative ability, the less creative we become.

Muscles become stronger with use and weaker without use.



Action Step: You are the most creative person on earth! Begin now, start exercising your creativity everyday!


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Law Of Believe

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Law Of Believe

'Be' 'Live'. 'Be, and then, Live!'. I'm coining out two words from the
Word 'Believe'.
As far as life is concerned, you become what you believe. But, the difference is; what you believe and then become, will determine whether you truly live or merely exist.

What you believe is so powerful that if you work towards it, you'll reach a tipping point in your life where you go on Auto-pilot and things are just happening on their own accord with less effort on your part.

According to Brian Tracy;
The Law of Believe states that; whatever you truly believe, with feelings, becomes your reality.

So, in actual fact, you are right about what you believe about yourself, whether good or bad!

Since this is true by principle, why not choose to believe the best you can about yourself?

A person might have the best entrepreneural or business skills, but, with self limiting believes, one will most assuredly be limited in life and business.  

I talk to young entrepreneurs frequently, and, I'm so amazed at what I hear them say; a lot of people believe they can't make it in business in Nigeria because of the economy.


“Nigeria cannot limit a Nigerian, only the mind of the Nigerian can.” ~ Paulvan


Action Step: Change every unhealthy believe you have about yourself and Nigeria.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Deep Facts About Economics

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Deep Facts About Economics

“Economics is everywhere, and understanding economics can help you make better decisions and lead a happier life.” ~ Cowen Tyler


Thought:..

Understanding economics is having insight into the way life works; the necessity to meet unlimited/unending needs through unlimited production(creation), and consumption(Use).
We all consume, so, we must all produce. Creators/Producers are gods! entrepreneurs are gods!


“In all recorded history there has not been one economist who has had to worry about where the next meal would come from.” ~ Peter Drucker


Thought:..

Instead of worrying over what they'll eat, entrepreneurs/economists' worry over what others will consume/eat; that way, what they'll eat is taken care of.


“We need to revise our economic thinking to give full value to our natural resources. This revised economics will stabilize both the theory and the practice of free-market capitalism.
It will provide business and public policy with a powerful new tool for economic development, profitability, and the promotion of the public good.” ~ Paul Hawken


Thought:..

I'm of the opinion that a lot of natural resources are fast depleting as a result of lack of use, or abuse of use.
Nature has provided all the raw materials we'll ever need, so, we must go ahead and keep creating. That way, we exercise our freedom to live and not just exist, and create a space for ourselves in the global free-market as capitalists'.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Economics 103 (Cutting Cost)

2 minutes Business Article

Title: Economics 103 (Cutting Cost)

Cutting cost in our personal lives once we have reached a particular level of comfort can be a major challenge - we experience a similar situation even in business.
It is very true that expenses always rise to meet income.(Very few people have power over pakinson's law)

Some of the costs' that are keeping bills really high in our businesses are things we can easily find alternatives for. Usually, the effort pays off when we make it.
 
The discipline you learn by cutting cost in your life and business can be a cutting edge maturity for long term sustainability.

You may want to add to your weekly goals a 'cutting cost' debriefing time - this will help your business explore alternatives and make better cost saving decisions that can even save your business in the long run.

One Area To Consider:

Suppliers

As cheap or considerably okay as you think the services of some suppliers/Vendors are, you're simply overspending. Sometimes, it's not easy to look for alternatives especially when you don't have the time (that's the excuse of most people; they overspend because they don't have the time to either seek out alternatives or do it themselves).

It's okay to trade money for time when you have plenty of it as an Individual, (that's the way of the rich) but, it's bad for small businesses, and even big businesses if it's done without limit.

Action Step: Look for alternative suppliers for your business today. It's Okay to have more than one per service.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Economics 102 (Money Matters)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Economics 102 (Money Matters)

The time is already here, where the entrepreneurs who will last in business and always see/have bigger opportunities open up for them are those who are always willing to give more through their products and services than they get in payment.

I saw it first hand, growing up as a young lad in a military barracks; how price can propel competition, and how the prices of products are determined by the laws of demand and supply.

I saw in the neighbourhood how two women would be selling the same products, and the demand on one will be higher than the supply because she kept her price low, and had good product; whilst the demand on the other woman's product was low because she would not bring her price down for anything.

On making findings, the one's who kept their prices high would always say they got their goods at a higher cost, so can't sell low.

What they didn't do!

So many entrepreneurs find themselves in a similar situation today; they buy high and can't sell low, so, demand is low.

The laws of demand and supply thrives even in real estate. But with slight difference: In most cases, if demand increases, supply remains same as land or houses cannot be produced like common products. However, in real estate, price can rise when demand increases; while for most products, increase in demand galvanises a competition that brings down prices, except if there is monopoly.

The Idea is this: whatever business you do, build a reputation for giving more in service than you get in payment.

Action Step: Cut down the price of any product you've not been able to sell for long. Seek for one way to help your customers today.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Economics 101

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Economics 101

“In my considered opinion, salary is payment for goods delivered and it must conform to the law of supply and demand. If, therefore, the fixed salary is a violation of this law - as, for instance, when I see two engineers leaving college together and both equally well trained and efficient, and one getting forty thousand while the other only earns two thousand , or when lawyers and hussars, possessing no special qualifications, are appointed directors of banks with huge salaries - I can only conclude that their salaries are not fixed according to the law of supply and demand but simply by personal influence. And this is an abuse important in itself and having a deleterious effect on government service. ~ Anna Karenina

Running a business on sentiment will run the business down.

It is common sense in business to make sure your income always exceeds your expenses.

As simple as this sounds, there are people who are out of business now who never saw their liquidation coming. They didn't have a system that regulated demand and supply.

I've met people who don't like numbers, can't hire an accountant at their start-up level but are really passionate about business. They are usually in and out of business.
You must love numbers and always do little accounting as an entrepreneur to sustain your business.

Demand is the amount of products consumers are willing to buy per time.

Supply is the amount of goods or services a business is willing to provide per time.

You must run your business consistently based on these two laws. And regulate your expenses based on them as well if you must stay profitable in business.

Action Step: Become more interested in the cash-flow/financial statement of your business.

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Entrepreneural Success Made Easy

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Entrepreneural Success Made Easy


Stay As Current As The Internet

I have friends who didn't go to any University but are working with Telecommunication and Media Companies simply by doing a course on the internet.

I heard some Kids in the US said to their parents 'Why do we need God when we have google?' Can you Imagine that? Google is good, but Only a fool will choose google over the God who made the people who made google. Anyways, that's just by the way!

Keep Your mind renewed if you don't want to wake up one day only to find out that the world has relocated from where it used to be and is now 20 years away/ahead of you.

A research was done in Sweden 1979 on close to a hundred Swedish Adults and teenagers about what Learning actually meant to them: Some said it is an abstraction of meaning. Another group said it is memorizing. Another believed it is the understanding of facts and principles which can be use in practice. To another, it is increase in knowledge. The last group believe Learning is an interactive process aimed at understanding and interpreting reality.

Some had a surface understanding of what learning truly is, whilst others had a deep perspective to it. And the difference is always obvious even today.

What is your own perspective to Learning?  

I believe until knowledge becomes experiencial, learning has not taken place. Experiancial in the sense that until life presents a challenge in business or any area, and you are able to apply what you have learnt to navigate your way through and come out of it successfully, learning is yet to happen.    

We all prefer any day to listen to a man with experience more than the one with just knowledge.

Continuous learning keeps you happy and going all the way.

Action Step: Go online now and learn something new about your business

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Why Entrepreneurs Fail 2 (Learn From The Butterfly)

2 Minutes Business Articles

Title: Why Entrepreneurs Fail 2
(Learn From The Butterfly)

Over the years, research has shown that when someone is appointed to a higher leadership role, they have a 40 percent or more possibility of demonstrating disappointing attitude and performance. Also, 82 percent of newly appointed leaders don't succeed because they fail to build partnerships with peers and subordinates.

Why Entrepreneurs Fail:

3. Lack of Leadership Skills:

Developing Leadership skills for an Entrepreneur is as important as a butterfly getting out of it's cocoon else it will never fly.

The butterfly undergoes four stages in it's life circle; The Egg, Larva/Cocoon, Chrysalis and Adult.

This is due process. That is the way nature has programmed the butterfly to emerge. And to attempt to circumvent any of the level is to never become a butterfly Or fly.  

The flight of many leaders/entrepreneurs is stunted because so many of us try to fly at the larva level when we should still remain in the cocoon/preparatory level. And, the preparatory level never ends as every high level of leadership prepares you for a higher one.

The cocoon protects the caterpillar; learning, working, and walking with your peers and subordinates protects you and helps you to reach your full potential as a leader/entrepreneur.

Leadership Skills To Consider:
- Respect Others - Empathise - Don't Do Divide and Rule - Don't Define Yourself By Your Position - Be A Team Player.

Action Plan: Look for one leadership weak point in your life that can make all the difference and work on it.


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Why Entrepreneurs Fail

2 Minutes Business Articles

Title: Why Entrepreneurs Fail

Almost every positive minded person agrees that failure is not a person but an occurrence, yet, so many beat themselves after every failure experience, but still don't learn the expected lessons. We see these everyday!

Are you an Intending business Owner or already in business? Here's something I observed while still in the Corporate world that would be of help.

To some it's a reminder to simply re-evaluate since it's already in practice in their respective Organisations - to others, it's a call to quick action.


Why Entrepreneurs Fail:

1. Fuzzy Vision: I've met entrepreneurs who started business because they felt they had a good idea and the fund. These are not enough. To run a successful business, you must be very clear about where you are going.  

2. Lack Of Clearity: When the employees and clients of a business owner are wondering ' what is he really Into?', there's problem! Working in a place where the leader doesn't have a well defined vision will mean working without proper Job description. And nothing can be more frustrating. Also, it will affect the clients, as no one wants to do lasting business with a general contractor.


Action Step: Answer again all the questions that Vision asks. What, Where, When, and How. Make sure you're still on point.

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The Poor Millonaire

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Poor Millonaire

In life, it's not who you know or what you have that makes you, it's what you know and use rightly.

Many years ago I met through a friend the son of a late prominent politician in my country. They had everything, major thriving businesses etc. But, today, non of those big names are around. If I mention just one, you'll remember quickly.

Back then, I would go to his office to pass time and make many free distant calls.(I was yet to come to terms experiencially with the power of relationship and consistent learning), maybe I would have had first-hand Insight to why those companies failed.

My Observation;

Chance;

A good man leaveth an Inheritance for his children children, but, these days good children don't wait for the Inheritance of their father. I'm sure many have heard the story of Mr Tonye Cole of Sahara Energy, how his father refused to support him at a point in his when he needed him most, and he decided to go into clothing business as his first business. Today, anyone who doesn't know Sahara Energy is probably from pluto.

If all the inheritance any good man leaves for his children is money and material assets, then, he hasn't done a balanced Job. The most Important part of the Inheritance a good father must leave for his children are the Values and principles that will help them preserve and multiply the material Inheritance.

A child who becomes a millonaire by chance or Inheritance without the right values is a poor millonaire. Teach your children to choose what they love and love what they choose. And then, help them learn to build and manage businesses in these areas, else, your name/assets and businesses might not survive after you are gone. That's a hard reality.      


Action Step: Start Preparing your children for the future by instilling in them the right values.


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Your Competitor's Plan

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Your Competitors Plan

“Don't be Nice, be Wise.” ~ Paulvan

Even If your business is still just at the Idea level, you already have competitors. Some people will never start a business until you start one. And, woe to him that is at ease in business.

If you choose to be the nice guy or act Indifferent in business, you'll be surprise.

Success attracts both enemies and friends, failure is an orphan. A succeeding business is everybody's business.

Here, we have ineffective patent and copyright laws, so, every entrepreneur must learn consistent proactive thinking.


PLAN 1

If your idea is Original and fresh, you don't have competitors until you start. Almost all competitors are advocates of the wheel principle; don't reinvent the wheel, Just improve on it.
Your competitors are waiting for you to start something new so they can start it too. What do you do? Start anyways, powerfully, and don't stop.


PLAN 2

Your competitors want to do your business better than you. Don't assume because you're the original owner of an Idea your competitors will just be nice and allow you take the lead.
What do you do? Do all you can to remain the best around.


PLAN 3

Your competitors want to put you out of business. They are always after your customers. What do you do? Don't be nice, be wise!
The WAR of competition and Innovation in business is unending.



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Quality And Sustainability

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Quality And Sustainability

The Quality of a product or service plays the major role in determining the sustainability of a business.

In production Industries it is believed that the process is as important as the product. Once the process is right, the product is guaranteed.

In a business summit recently, a major speaker in the country said to us; 'whatever business you do must align with your core values' - In other words, when a business doesn't align with your values, it can be easy to compromise quality. And in compromising quality, once it is started, it can be very difficult to stop, as it is easier to form a bad habit than break one.

In this part of the world, compromising quality is what we're already used to; little wonder why today, someone is in business, and tomorrow he is back in payed employment. People readily choose quick gratification over long-term satisfaction.

I grew up in an environment where today, everyone is celebrating a product because the recipe is just right, but, by tomorrow, it's obvious that quality has been traded off for money.

In the concept of tradeoff in business, it is expected that If it doesn't work, immediate adjustment or rebranding should be made, but, these days people don't care, they're just after the money. So, everyday we have less quality products and services, and people are left with little or no option but to buy repeatedly as there are fewer or no alternatives.


Action Step: Do an Immediate 'Quality Assessment' for all areas of your business and make necessary adjustment today.    


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Mind Your Business 3 (Long term Profiting)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Mind Your Business 3 (Long term Profiting)

There's an adage that says; “He who doesn't know how his friends are making it will run around for long without anything to show.”

A secret is something not seen, heard or known by others.

In life and business, before you start searching for secrets, become skillful at practising principles with discipline.

The mastery a lot of people have in business came not because of any secret they know, but, by the operation of simple principles with discipline.

The most powerful secret will fail in the hands of anyone who doesn't embrace principles.


One Thing

“Consistency and Focus are co-tenants with success.” ~ Paulvan

I know people who do many businesses and are still more broke than those who don't do any.
I believe in people having many streams of Income, but I advise that we stay at 'One Thing' and establish it very well before diversifying.


Stay At It

Opportunists hardly make successful entrepreneurs - I mean Opportunists who delve into every trendy business in town. It pays to be an opportunist only if it is done in that one area of business you have chosen.

IBM (The Big Blue) has remained IBM all these years building all kinds of hardware computers. Microsoft has no plan to stop building softwares; from games to operating systems etc. Since 1962 Wal-Mart has been in the retail/discount business.

Do one thing, stay at it, and put all the excellence, branding and marketing into it, then, at the right time diversify. When is the right time? When the business can successfully run itself and another.
Action Step: Freeze/Sale all unprofitable businesses and put the money in the profitable one.

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Mind Your Business 2 (Emperors And Kings)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Mind Your Business 2

(Emperors And Kings)

“The empires of the future are empires of the mind.” ~ Winston Churchill

An Empire could be defined as an extensive group of countries or states under a single supreme authority, usually an emperor or empress.

It would be right then to say that an empire is like a group of businesses belonging to, and under the supervision of one individual like Aliko Dangote.

The CEO As An Emperor

A CEO can be likened to an emperor if he/she has successfully built one business that has emerged into a group of businesses.

In a monarchy emperors and Kings are considered rulers but the power or level of authority of each is different. The difference between both can be likened to the difference between the CEO of a company and the manager. An emperor rules the empire with many kingdoms/managers under him, but the King/Queen/managers rules over one kingdom/Jurisdiction per time.

This is similar to what we have in the business world. The way some people are building will make them emperors in the future, and others Kings.

The CEO As A King

The CEO as a king is he who successful builds one business and he's fine. There's really nothing wrong with that, but, I think we undermine our potential when we can become emperors but remain kings, and when we can becomes kings but end up servants/employees.

A man's mind is his greatest asset. Everyman's mind is very noble and loyal to him, it doesn't allow into your life what you can't conceive.   

I know the greatest gold mine in the world; it's your mind. It makes you an emperor, a king or a servant. It all depends on you.

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3 Business 'Ships' You Must Build

2 minutes Business Article

Title: 3 Business 'Ships' You Must Build

Life is like an Ocean, every one can take so much and it will still look un-touched. And how much you take from the Ocean of life will be determined by the strength of your 'Ships'.

Like Titanic, if you must not sink, then, you must build these 3 business 'Ships' with very solid base such that even the Ice-berg on the Ocean of life won't sink them.

3 Important Business 'Ships'

1. Leader-'ship': It's the ability to build yourself and Others to Independence so that everyone can inter-dependently fulfil destiny. Effective leadership builds your business into a structure.
Every business that en-slaves others won't last.

2. Relation-'ship': Good Relationships will open doors that the best education will not. Your Net-worth will always be the end-result of your Net-work.

3. Steward-'Ship': Stewards don't own anything, they are care-givers and care-takers. It's stewardship that turned John D Rockefeller, Bill Gates etc, into philanthropists. Too many African Businesses die quickly because there is no sense of Stewardship.



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Mind Your Business

2 minutes Business Article

Title: Mind Your Business

When you follow due process, as in the principles that makes for building a viable structure, with time, when your business fully evolves, it will almost run on auto pilot, and it eventually will. The culture will be so ingrained that even new employees will be able to read the handwriting on the world and easily align. Until it's obvious that's already happening, please, mind your business. You don't have to always be physically present, but, be present. You know what I mean!


You

Starting a business that will outlive you requires more than Vision, ambition, capital, branding or partnership etc. It requires you.

Very close to me here, about four people started a creche/school business. I told my girlfriend who happens to be my wife, that in just a few months the one who will still be in business is the one who understands how it works and is always there. I told her people don't play with their children. I was one of the first to change my baby's school to the obviously better one, though, with less than excellent facility. Same fees, same services, but different approach. Now, almost everyone is taking their children to the school I took my baby over a year ago.

Lesson:
In a more general sense, as I need to be careful now; until you find people who have seen, are still seeing, and have committed themselves to see to it's realisation what you have seen about the future, don't be far from your business.


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Reward Winning Motivator

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Reward Winning Motivator

Today, I intend to bend the rule a little; The article won't take a directly integrated form, but all paragraphs will try to communicate Ideas that are very closely related to the 'Title'. I hope you make sense out of it.
And, you may as well excuse my style!


Retirement

A man who is retired or downsized only to find out that his skills have become obsolete in the business world, has simply lived his life in the work place walking backwards.
What was his motivation? If he had any at all, let's assume it was salary.


Carrot And Stick

In mechanised farming a ridger does the ridging. But, in the carrot and stick method of farming, the Jockeys does all the work. She chases the carrot tied to the locally made ridger, tied around her neck and back, but never gets to take the carrot or eat it until she has finished the work for the day. She never gets hold of the carrot right in front of her because the carrot is not moving, she's the one moving both the carrot and the ridger.
In the carrot and stick work place motivation, people never get what they are motivated by all their life.


Complacency

Many people start out in life and business highly motivated. They go after all they can, get all they can, can all they get, and then sit on the can. What then was their motivation?


The Real Thing

While on my way back from the office last week, I caught myself blushing on all sides. When I asked myself why? My answer was; fulfilment brings more Joy to your heart and smile to your face than money. Haven't you met very wealthy but often sad people?

The 5 men whose wealth put together was more than the economy of the world in 1925 - Who all died miserably, never had fulfilment. What was their motivation? Money and more money I guess.


The Cooperate Ladder

The greatest desire of many people in the cooperate world is not to own a business but to climb the cooperate ladder, get to the top, sit down there for a while, and then, retire after all their zest is depleted just to sit at home and watch their grand kids grow.      


The Bottom Line

Will your life or business ever reach it's zenith? That will depend on how personally and ceaselessly motivated you are to always bring your Ideas and goals to fruition no matter what you have already achieved.


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Where Is Your Baby?

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Where Is Your Baby?

So many people know what they want from life, the problem is not how to get it either but the guts to make the move.

Motivation is one thing, movement is another thing entirely. With so many motivational speakers all over the place, one should expect that there should be more entrepreneurs than we already have, but so many people simply stop at being motivated. They don't move.

There's the delivery room of entrepreneurs, it's called the market place. In a real delivery room, a woman gives birth to the baby once, but In the business delivery room(the market place) you clone your baby, as you give birth to her in parts; from the head, to the hands etc.

Don't let a Job make you abort your Ideas. In life there's no barren person if we look inwards and know what to do.

Most of my articles are Inspired by my father, Rev'd Olufemi Akinola of the Hebrews Int'l Outreaches, Who teaches a lot about purposeful living.

Staying under him has helped me to discover purpose and has built in me a passion to help others do the same.

He said to us yesterday that 'the first person to run with an Idea is the real owner.' And coincidentally, While at JCI business summit yesterday at Radisson Blu, VI, my business mentor, Stephen Akintayo of Gilead balm group said the same thing.

Have you found out that it wasn't Alexander Graham Bell who Invented the Telephone but Antonio Meucci?

Some of the great businesses you see today are actually the Ideas of some people who planned on starting them tomorrow, and since tomorrow never ends, they're still planning.

“The man who runs with an Idea is he who decides to turn his tomorrow into today.” ~ Paulvan


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Think Like Your Staff 2 (Lesson's from Kenneth Blanchard)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Think Like Your Staff 2 (Lesson's from Kenneth Blanchard)


When the chips are finally down, the one who will be 'the last man standing' in business is he who learns to think like his employees and helps them find fulfilment. A lot of people who run the rat race think they are looking for money when in actual fact what they are searching for is fulfilment.

The simple goal of thinking like your staff is to help them find fulfilment in what they do so it will be easy for them to think/see like you (the CEO).

Real Empathy is the end product of sound emotional intelligence. That's the trading secret of transformational leaders.


Lessons From 'The One Minute Manager':  

1. One Minutes Goals/Project: As a successful entrepreneur, you need to understand your employees want to be like you. If not for anything, for the freedom. They have goals, dreams, and desires they'd like to accomplish too. Align your Organisational goals with the innate abilities of your Team(Staff). Goals are realised faster in the Ideological 'One Minute' when people are happy with what they do. Put people in their areas of core competence.

2. One Minute Praising/Compliment: Say thank you Often to your Team both in words and gifts, and let them know you'll expect more of their great works.

3. One Minute Reprimand/Correction: This works better when they are aware that they'll always get feedback for their work. When you always do it immediately. And when you often constructively criticise the mistake and not the person in question.


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Think Like Your Staff (Lesson's From Kenneth Blanchard)

2 Minutes Business Article 

Title: Think Like Your Staff (Lesson's from Kenneth Blanchard)

“In Life, the greatest Investments you'll ever make will not be made in stocks, real estate or in your personal business but in people.” ~ Paulvan

By now you may be asking, how many professionals does this writer wants me to learn to think like to become the best entrepreneur? 

Let me ask you too; how many course modules did you do in school? In fact, I'm pretty sure many of us, while in school felt like we didn't need some of those courses. But, the truth is, we did.  

By privilege, I have worked with a number of great business people. Amongst all of them, those whose businesses thrived better are the one's who understood the truth I'm communicating here. They were able to save so much simply by offering themselves services that the professionals would have been payed for. 

I understand that this Idea works better for young and struggling businesses than the multinationals. Why throw away the money you should invest into your business? 

Thinking like your staff is also part of thinking like the professionals, since most employees are professionals at what they do and most are even better than their employers. Employers, please, Don't take this personal. But, it's simply true. And I think one of the things that makes you a great employer is your ability to hire and retain highly competent people like Bill Gates.

In 'The One Minute Manager' Kenneth Blanchard with Spencer Johnson communicated very trivial but profound truth on how to productively manage employees. And, in my opinion, they are some of the best ways to think like your staff. 

The Basic Ideas in the book are;  

1. One Minute Projects

2. One Minute Compliments

3. One Minutes Corrections

We will explore each one tomorrow. 

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Think Like A Consultant

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Think Like A Consultant

“In the Business world, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; The cash will come later.”
~ Harold Geneen

“The quality of one's business experience is determined by how committed he is to it, the kinds of problems he has solved, and how consistent he is at learning about, and adjusting to the changing global trend in his area of business.” ~ Paulvan

Consultancy is a major profession in itself. But anyone can learn it's basic school of thought and leverage on it big time.

As an entrepreneur, turning your business experience into a money generator is what consultancy is about.
Employees too can go into consultancy using their work experience. Their major challenge however, is their limited control over their time.

A consultant is one who proffers solution to business management and leadership problems by giving semi-professional or professional advise in exchange for payment.

How To Think Like A Consultant:

1. See Yourself As One: I tell my clients often; once you are in business and making headway, you're a consultant.
There are people who would need what you know that is working for you. Attach money value to your services. Any value people get for free doesn't do much. There's a mystery in that!  

2. Always Look Out For Consultancy Opportunities And Cease Them, whether for free or fee. Of course, there are people who won't be able to pay you at their level.

3. Create Daily Thinking Time: Consultancy is problem solving. To solve other people's problem and yours, you must make critical/creative thinking a habit.


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