Instead of reducing bias, studies show that mandatory diversity training can actually activate bias instead of reducing it. In fact, it can lead to more animosity towards other groups.
Success comes as a result of you doing certain things in a certain way, over and over. There are habits and daily disciplines that position entrepreneurs correctly and they are often the differentiating factor between success and failure.
Have you noticed how full gyms are in January and then suddenly when winter approaches the numbers decline? The same happens to goals we set in our businesses. Somehow, as time goes on our goals become more casual in nature. We begin to lose focus and the discipline to follow through on our commitments. Here is a thing, until you have done something for a period of time in a consistent manner, you can’t really say it works or doesn’t work. So, in order to be successful as an entrepreneur you need to develop self –discipline and will power; the ability to stick to actions and behaviors that lead to growth and success.
With the current unprecedented Covid -19 Pandemic and prolonged lockdowns that have led to the worst economic crisis in South Africa; small businesses are closing or struggling to stay afloat with many stating they can’t wait for this storm to pass. Now, more than ever before entrepreneurs are required to think on their feet for survival. Entrepreneurs can’t afford to wait for the storm to pass; they have to learn to work in the rain and find ways to pivot.
This is the ideal time of the year to think back to where you started and how far you have come in the past (10) ten months; both personally and professionally to remind yourself of the progress you have made. Essentially, you don’t have to wait until December or January to evaluate where you are.
Photo by: Christian Newman
Too many events fill our days leaving us completely exhausted throughout the year.
So, it is critical to pause from time to time; to put expectations and schedules aside and just be still because it is not in the planning or hectic moments but in the stillness and inactivity that true imagination and inspiration flourish.
Generally, the most common outcome for entrepreneurs who hire friends is ruined friendships. So, can we really mix business with friendships? Can we effectively navigate both, with the knowledge that business relationships gone sour can ruin friendships?
In business, thinking differently about goal setting can be a real game changer. By now most of us are familiar with the concept of SMART goals - an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. While it’s important to give as much detail as possible when setting goals to ensure that they are specific, measurable, realistic and have a time line; sticking to goals that are achievable on the other hand may limit us from stretching ourselves to achieving high goals.
Building effective teams is a common challenge for most of us entrepreneurs because there's always that one or maybe two employees who are difficult to deal with or just don’t perform well. As a result, we end up spending most of our time and emotional energy on them. Often contemplating letting them go, but never gathering enough courage to follow through on it.
Goals are important for our business and personal growth as they provide a clear understanding of what we are striving for. In fact, having goals give meaning to your daily tasks. Goals give you direction and clarify reasoning behind the decisions you make daily. This said, why is it that entrepreneurs and people in general do not achieve the goals they set out to achieve each year?
How often have you asked the question: “why are we having this meeting again?” You know, the meeting where you meet to discuss what was discussed at the meeting prior; where you are not even sure why the meeting is happening and when it finally ends, you are even more confused.
Do you put off making important or difficult decisions? How often have your colleagues or employees asked you for feedback and told them: “I’m still working on it or reviewing the situation”? The point is, taking too long to make decisions or set clear priorities can cause major challenges in your business.
For the most part, people who are drawn to you probably possess more qualities that are similar to yours than those that are different. Similarly, mentors tend to gravitate towards mentees who remind them of themselves when they were younger, and as a result are inclined to believe in these mentees’ potential than those that are different from them.
Economists project that by 2060, Africa’s middle class population, which is currently about 300 million people, will triple to about 1 billion people. This will without a doubt present a lucrative market for products and services that all companies, including multinationals, are eager to access.