Are you a meaningful Entrepreneur?
There is a recently published study by Stanford University, about the way we construct our experiences, proving that though the principles of meaning and happiness overlap, a meaningful life is ultimately more important than a happy one. So, what is the difference then?
Putting your energy into cultivating an experience that is meaningful entails something more than whatever appeases your own wants and desires in the moment. Happiness is a fleeting feeling, whereas meaning is a stable foundation. Because if you cut down the things that matter to the reasons why they matter, you will realize that the common denominator is that they all give you a sense of belonging, fulfillment and purpose.
Ultimately, meaning is attainable. Meaning is something we can choose. That is not always the case with happiness.
Now, let’s take this to entrepreneurship. What is a meaningful entrepreneurship?
Meaningful entrepreneurs are the entrepreneurs who are enterprise growers and, therefore, job creators.
So, do you think you are a meaningful entrepreneur?
In his blog, Michael Gerber, a legendary entrepreneur, mentioned that a true entrepreneur starts with an inspiration, an innovative or transformative idea for a business, and is driven by the prospect of growth and reinvention.
The world needs more and more true entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs who are inspired to create, to be inspired to innovate, to be inspired to build a completely new world.
Michael Gerber says the cure for unemployment is not more jobs, but more meaningful entrepreneurs – entrepreneurs who will contribute to the transformation of the economy and to the growth of meaningful, rewarding jobs.
Unemployment is a problem that refuses to go away. The hope lies in the hands of a true entrepreneur, to create meaningful jobs.
Furthermore, in their 2014 report, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) divided entrepreneurial motivation into two drivers: motivational drivers and job-growth expectations. The first one is necessity-driven, which means individuals start businesses because there are no better options to obtain resources for living. The second one is opportunity-driven, which means individuals start businesses based on recognized opportunities.
You do not want to miss our next Lunch ‘n Learn session
Our first Lunch ‘n Learn session for this year was well attended. You do not want to miss the next one next month.
This year’s sessions will be held on the first Tuesday of every month. We highly recommend Lunch ‘n Learn, because, apart from being educative and informative, these session are a great platform to network and advertise yourself or your business. We all know that networking is a really valuable way to expand your knowledge. It helps you learn from the success of others, attain new clients and tell others about your business.
The topic of the first session today was on Marketing, looking into The Importance of Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses. It was such an insightful, well-researched presentation, wherein people walked away with very helpful information on how to go about marketing their businesses.
“I found this session to be so much informative. I thought I knew a lot about marketing, but my eyes were opened to a whole lot of new things today”, said business owner Vincent Staples who was in attendance.
As you learn how to run a business, it’s always a good idea to add variety to your content marketing strategy. Lunch ‘n Learn is one of the platforms that you can use to source information for the benefit of your business.
One of the the few things that we touched on was the Product Marketing Specification. This is about creating a persona when marketing your product or business. Do you know who your ideal clients are? What are you offering? Do you have a strategy for turning potential clients into paying clients?
Find today’s notes on www.slideshare.com and learn more about The Importance of Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses.
We trust that we will see you at our next Lunch ‘n Learn session next month on the first Tuesday of the month.
B.O.B Episode 13 – February – the marketing month
February is the marketing month, a month where people go all out to activate and launch their marketing strategies for the year.
Here at EI, we have packaged all the information about marketing for you this whole month. This is to just help you market your business the right way in order for you to reach your target audience and grow your business. Remember, growing your business is our business.
In this video we focus on the four key factors you need to address when you do your marketing strategy:
– Get to know your product
You need to understand the problems that your product is addressing.
– Get to know your customers
Understand the problems that your customers have. Is your product trying to solve them? Understand what they need and want. Make sure it’s the problems that they want to get rid of, and not the problems that they are happy with.
– How willing are your potential customers?
Are people willing to spend their money on your product? Are they happy with their problems or are they willing to spend money to spend money on your product to solve their products?
– Learn how to connect with customers
You identified the problem, and have a solution, so how do you then connect that to customers?
Watch the video below for more on this briefly explained key factors about marketing.
February – the Marketing month
February is Marketing month and we have some special treats for you.
Four workshops lined up to boost your business marketing to new heights for 2016.
The more you learn the more you save with our 10% off for every additional workshop you attend in February. That adds up to a total of 60% savings if you attend all four workshops.
Please book now using the link to the Meetup Group below.
4 Easy to use tools to market your business Thursday 4 Feb: 09:30 – 16:30
Marketing is not about the 4P’s or price cutting discounts anymore: our customers are demanding higher levels of service, experience and convenience from their brands. Taking your business into the Blue Water zone requires a different strategy, a new way of thinking. Blue Water Strategies will help with this paradigm shift that will make your business immune to the competition and sales negotiations around price cuts.
Taking your business into Blue Water marketing Thursday 11 Feb: 09:30 – 16:30
Marketing is not about the 4P’s or price cutting discounts anymore: our customers are demanding higher levels of service, experience and convenience from their brands. Taking your business into the Blue Water zone requires a different strategy, a new way of thinking. Blue Water Strategies will help with this paradigm shift that will make your business immune to the competition and sales negotiations around price cuts.
How to woo your customers with Narrative Marketing Thursday 18 Feb: 09:30 – 16:30
Telling stories is part of our African heritage, using stories in our marketing creates African legends. Narrative Marketing will unpack all the tools and techniques required to fill your marketing with exciting narratives that connect to and include your customers into a powerful profitable relationship.
5 Secrets to Pimp your Pitch Thursday 25 Feb: 09:30 – 15:00
Only successful business owners and managers go on to build successful businesses. One of the common traits these people have is the ability to share their ideas with others through an effective, thought provoking presentation. This skill can be learnt and when used will set you aside from those who are unable.
B.O. B Episode 12 – Take time to reax
There are three blocks of time we need to work on in our businesses. They are:
– Working IN your business
– Working ON your business and
– Working OUT of your business
I would like to focus on working out of your business, which many people turn to neglect and think it is less important.
Well, most of us do not know the importance of taking time from our busy schedules to relax, recharge and rejuvenate. We spend most of our time doing what it takes to pay bills or handling whatever sorts of other important tasks. We neglect the need to take time to relax and recharge our internal batteries. When we do so, the thought “work is pilling up” would constantly be running through our minds. May I reassure you that taking time to relax is not luxury at all, it is a physical need. It is important, no matter what profession.
Lack of rest lead to a stressful life and a stressful life may lead to physical ailments. So I encourage you to take time to relax. Sit by the river, enjoy nature and let your min re-prioritize.