In the past weeks, a lot of businesses have been forced into the ring of delivering their services virtually. While this has been a convenient and profitable contingency plan for some businesses, the not-for- profit organisations that deliver ‘person to person’ or door to door services have been largely disadvantaged.

In January, I joined a team of skilled digital tech volunteers that help charity organisations in Scotland deliver on their technology enabled products, and I began to gain more insights into some of the challenges non- profit organisations face as well as the possible solutions to these problems.

Trailing the changes currently staring us in the face as we fight covid-19 to a standstill, I cannot help but conclude that only those who have been around business circles long enough, will fully understand how to milk the ripple effects of the changes in our world. As my team’s recent focus has now become helping these non-profit organisations sustain their operations remotely, I am penning down my thoughts on how they should innovate to navigate the interesting times the world has started to experience.

Convert all manual tasks to digitally operated ones – The right question to help put things in perspective is: “how can technology ENABLE our process?” What this means is taking a critical (or have an expert) look at your processes and identifying those strings of activities that are paper reliant, largely dependent on physical (person to person) movement and are time consuming. Doing a business process audit will definitely show you what parts to automate, saving you some long-term significant operational cost.

Human Capital – A major change that cannot be ignored is how remote work teams are about to become more popular than they have ever been. With a spike in the number of people who have lost their jobs, took pay cuts and businesses that have folded up, Economists are speaking about a global recession. Again, there is an opportunity here for the non-profits to engage highly skilled personnel that were once beyond their reach for budget reasons. Best part is, this does not have to be limited to a specific region. Go across borders!

Tone down the Traditional Marketing and Scale your Digital Marketing Activities- This is the perfect time to consider and start executing online fundraising events. The growth of remote work teams will mean people spend more time in front of their mobile screens. As a result, traditional marketing should decrease while digital marketing activities increase. A good digital transformation plan for this period should include promoting your company’s digital channels. Using engaging content and video messaging to reach the target audience group that billboards were once made for.

Accessing Funds from Corporate Bodies – When I am not “doing digital things”, I help charities and social enterprise organisations write grant application. Almost as a response to the effect of COVID-19, there has been an immediate change to the funding criteria – there is a call for social enterprise ideas that can be supported using technology. I seriously doubt this would change. It would be a great idea to have your grant writing officer take up trainings or be part of groups that are focused on digital transformation.

Fundraising: Time to go “retail” – This is the perfect time to get your website integrated into e- payment channels, in order to receive donations by a click of the “Donate Now” button conspicuously displayed on the home page.

One thing is for sure, things are definitely not going to be the same. It’s gonna be a a whole new world and surviving as a business would be determined by how it pivoted.

Yesterday I was invited to speak to a group (about a hundred) small business owners  about Online Networking.

I don’t do too well with person to person networking.

The worst is when I am in a room for some networking event.  For whatever reason  I prefer to blend in the background and watch things happen at these events.

I am forcing myself to get better.

However when it comes to online networking……….. now thats my forte.  I guess being behind a mobile device/ PC helps.

I have made some mistakes over the years but hit on some  jackpots. No not million of dollars. Yet. lol.

Lets dive in;

1. Its not just Linkedin! – As long as it is a platform that has people and their profiles (name it – Shapr, Twitter, Quora, Slack, Meetup, Facebook. etc) you are good to go. The same way we meet people in person everywhere, is the same way we can connect with people on various platforms online.

2. Just do it! I mean  shooting your Shot – When I am online and I see a profile of someone who has an experience I am aiming for business or career wise, not minding how highly placed they might be, gender or ethnicity; with absolute no shame I go into their DM. No hesitation whatsoever. (Screenshot  below).

This is how I reason things out – The worst that would happen is get a NO or get ignored. Hey, no one has ever died from that.

Both “shots” above were answered. The business one went on to be a phone call and has become my business mentor.

3. Make your intentions VERY clear – I am serious. Especially when  you are dealing with the opposite sex. I have  made the mistake of shooting my shot without clarity and the conversation ended with a “meet me tonight at a bar”.

Nothing wrong with “meeting up tonight” if I have met you and we have had a couple of conversations. But this was still in the phase 1 of me shooting my shot. I shut down the conversation and walked away.

So I learnt, STATE VERY CLEARLY WHY YOU ARE IN THEIR DM. eg Look at the screenshot in point 1. Or use the below;

“My name is xxxxx. I am interested in xxxx and and I see you have done xxxxx. I would like your help by the way of xxxxx”. 

4. Keep it clean – I personally cringe when I read some comments or content online that are just offensive.  They are usually written on the premise of  “I don’t do political correctness”. #sideeye.

Especially on professional focused platforms. Okurrrrr

Except you are chatting with your personal personal personal buddies, I personally don’t believe in practicing your profanity legendary on public spaces. These things ALWAYS come back for you somewhere down the line.

Plus people read  these things and make assumptions about your person without knowing you.

Long story short put your best foot forward always.

5. Stay open minded – I know, that sounds like a dating situation. In some instances my conversations have started strictly  for professional/business reason but we ended up sharing travel info/tips and remained travel tips buddies.

I love visiting new places so I am more than happy to have a new friend who has gone on these trips and is  ready to share info about very discounted ticket prices.

On a final note; don’t take it personal. I have so many examples of my messages that went unanswered. This is as recent as yesterday. I know they read the messages.

Just as you would have in a person to person networking event, not everyone is interested in speaking to you. Yeah its rude, but hey not everyone is polite. These things happen. #keepitmoving

I would like to gain new skills at doing the online networking thing. If you have some experience please do share!

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The first 6 years of my professional career was spent in banking.

No doubt my experience at the bank helped me shape some of my professional and personal  principles. It was indeed a very interesting time.

After 6 years, I was tired of the routine, frustrated really, quite honestly I didn’t see any career progress in the horizon. But I had wanted to leave two years in, so I had applied for all sorts of roles outside the bank, had interviews, had chats, spoke with everyone, nothing came through…..until four years later.

I like to call my transition from formal clothing to the jeans life! Goodness thats the best thing about the tech space mehn. Jeans and sneakers everyday (if you want)

I really was interested in the Mobile Technology. Mobile internet was in full swing across Sub Saharan Africa, I could tell it was a thriving industry, so getting into that space was want I really wanted. A foot into the door was all I needed and I got it.

So this is how it happened for me:

Opportunity

It presented itself and I took it.

Short story –  Was about my duties visiting the banks clients in my portfolio to discuss plans for the years. Client mentioned the need to  bring in experienced hands as the business was expanding rapidly. I remember how the conversation went because I said “Can I apply for any of the roles”. The rest they say is history.

Transferable skills 

As at that time, the company was a group of three business units- A digital Marketing  and  digital solutions agency, A mobile Value Added Services Business and  a Mobile Advertising Business.

The first role I got was managing digital marketing agency’s clients  – Mid level and C- Level executives. Sounds exactly like what I was doing at the bank and that is exactly what it was. It was easy for me to “blend in” using the peoples skills I learnt in the bank.

But I needed to learn-  details that are key to the nitty gritty of our daily work, culture, and  lingo of the tech space. Plus learn to use some tools that are particular to the industry.

Paycut 

I took a paycut.

There is no nice way to say, I did and it paid off in the long term.

Full disclosure, it was an easy decision for me to make because my responsibilities were not anything major.  Meaning the “mouths” tied to my income was very very limited and so I could get up and go. But then again I had to look at the bigger picture versus where I was. Plus the paycut didn’t mean I would go hungry or homeless in anyway.

Your circumstances might be different so I suggest you go the Michelle Obama way – lay all cards on the table and negotiate. Long story short make the necessary adjustments in the personal finance front for the short while you are building a new career path.

Then again you might be lucky to get an opportunity that offers to pay the same from where you are. I say take it as long as other factors look good.

Humility 

My colleagues knew significantly much more than I did (and I was leading them – a team of 7 people and grew to 13 in two weeks). I am talking about guys that literally just graduated from school less than two years ago. But I had to learn from them.

So stoop to conquer I did. I became the student while leading them.

A very interesting season of my life I tell you.

Be a Sponge

I took every chance as an opportunity to learn. I mean every chance. Conversations that had nothing to do with me or my unit, I listened to. Articles written about subjects within the space, I took it all in. Fortunately (I use this word with caution) I was given the opportunity to step into a leadership for the Mobile Value Added Service business within 2 weeks of my resumption (the unit head was moving on to another organisation) that meant more learning while also delivering on set goals.

It was hard because i was constantly bombarded by too much information at once. But it was better for it.

Start up 

I think this is very important.

Not exactly start up in the sense of 6 months into the business, I am talking 3 to 5 years of existence. That way you can do some investigation around consistency, structure, and management style.

I joined a young company but the MD had (and still has) a reputation for treating his employees right. So that meant salaries were paid on time ( I remember once there was a 24hour delay caused by some miscommunication of some sort, he sent out a company wide email apologising to everyone, very rare trait), there was a structure to the business that was very clear.

Aside these things, with a start up you can learn significantly alot more than just what is within your responsibility. Conversations and information across teams flow more freely.

You might get an opportunity to join a larger company, please consider taking the offer. What you make of it when you have your foot in the door is what is important. Start up or multinational when you are in, get your hands dirty as fast as you can.

Today the best part about digital or tech skills/expertise is, it is highly sought after in developed countries.  The skillset  and certifications within this space are globally accepted.

But I must be careful not to create a false impression. Yes you can move to a new country with these skillset, you might need to adjust to some local cultural nuisances which may or may not  delay breaking into the system.

I tell you this, there is no better time than now to make the move if you are thinking along the lines of starting a career within the tech space. Quite clearly it is not a walk in the park, but delivers skillset that are relevant for the very nearest future.

My eyes are set on Digital Transformation with specific focus on cloud computing. Would share information as I make progress.

I don’t have all the answers but if you have questions, drop a comment.

Digital Transformation is one area within the Digital Eco-system I am very much interested in, and I pay keen attention to conversations and updates around the subject.

This past week I had the opportunity to listen in on two great webinars that took place on the same day.

“How Digital Transformations Succeed” hosted by Harvard Business Review  – with George Westerman as speaker.

and

“Leading the Digital Transformation” hosted by the Women in Tech Africa Week 2018 – with Teresa Ramos Martin as speaker.

A clear message came through from both sessions; it is easy to believe Digital transformation is all Technology talk but in-fact technology is simply an enabler in the process.  What it is really,  is Transformation (George) or improving process for people – employees & Staff  (Teresa)

Explaining  it from another perspective, the objective or end result of any Digital Transformation is considered a success when there is an improved user experience for an organisation’s customer (sometimes this might be the employees).  Not just by them using the new system but  accepting it as the new way of doing things and embracing it.

What every business needs to be doing is looking at its processes and asking the question of “how do we ensure our customer experience is improved”. It helps not just to retain customers but most definitely it is a key strategy to enhancing competitiveness.

Let me share some examples

• Sales agent replace cold calling with social selling. 

• Customers receiving highly targeted messages, achieved through a data-driven marketing strategy. 
• Customer support or Service Teams are  being proactive in the way  they help customers.

If we go by  the  study at MIT  that companies that have embraced digital transformation are 26% more profitable than their peers, I guess it is safe to say every business needs to be embracing new ways of enhancing its customer’s experience using technology.

You are here so let me tell you about the Cash Gift Registry for newlyweds.

Our Nuptial  chest  is helping every couple receive cash gifts from their friends/family. If you are getting married or know someone who is, then send  them over to OurNuptialChest!

A few nights ago,  insomnia decided to visit me in the wee hours of the morning, surfing the net kept me busy and I stumbled on a very old article announcing Rosalind Brewer as the new COO of Starbucks and it held my interest for some reason.

Ms Rosalind had left her position as the CEO of Sam’s Club where her growth strategy included a focus on technology and innovation, and brand expansion. In very simple terms she drove large strides in e-commerce and helped to create a better shopper experience with technology.

Now her success with introducing technology for shoppers experience got my attention or more like got me thinking. During her time as CEO of Sam’s Club, she introduced the “curbside pickup service and e-commerce efforts, including introducing a process that allows customers to scan items with their phones in order to speed up checkout,” according to the guys at Fortune.

While they remained a physical giant store, Brewer’s team incorporated the digital  way of enhancing its customer’s experience while shopping with the club.

I  recently had the opportunity to do a company visit to Jebel Ali Port operated by  DP world  in Dubai, ranked the 9th largest container port worldwide. With its capacity (throughput of  21,000 containers per day and  102 cranes in operation) and number of  daily transactions you can imagine the chaos if not properly managed but then they made the right move (but hey its Dubai we are talking about here, nothing less expected ). Smart technology and innovation to the rescue. Its operations are being automated at every level. Case in point, Container trucks are  in and out to drop a container in 30 minutes or less!

I could not but  think, why can’t we have similar experiences? Since the awakening of the social/digital age, brands in the African market have paid attention and done the needful with incorporating everything social/digital  as part of  its  strategy. But somehow we seem to be stuck with defining digital  as activating social media conversations and engaging customers with influencer marketing. Ladies and Gentlemen, that ship has long ago sailed.

I believe we are long overdue for the next phase. Quite honestly we are more than ready for this. Yes, we have a number of other complimentary infrastructure that are lacking and should be fixed before we discuss this. But who says we cant work with what we have? If we keep waiting to get it all right, we would be left way behind.

The mobile and Internet usage statistics show the African eco system’s readiness to take up what I would define as enhancing the customers purchasing experience with technology or simply enhancing processes with smart technology.

We have begun the journey somewhat. E-commerce has taken the lead in the revolution of what or where we need to be and its successes in key African markets do not need to be re-told. I have personally contributed to the statistics of shoppers of groceries (plus other non perishable items) on e-commerce platform (roll your eyes all you want, If I don’t add to the statistics who would?).

But we are yet far from the promise land.

It starts with things  as simple as not having to fill a book register when I visit any office, can you take my fingerprints instead?

Garth Andrus, (principal @ Deloitte Consulting LLP) seems to have read my mind and captured my thoughts.

Shahar Markovitch  and Paul Willmott of McKinsey put together a piece 4 years ago that somewhat captures my thoughts.

We have done the good work of “doing Digital” but we need to become “Being digital”.

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It might not be news to some but I bet its news to others.

It goes without saying that these billions of people are accessing social with their mobile devices. Question for me (and you of course) is what can we do with these billions of people on the global scale.

Lets keep thinking……

NB – Just so you know, this is an attempt to clear the cobwebs that have grown here since my last post.  Got more reasons to be regular with updates. Stay with me.

You are here so let me tell you about the Cash Gift Registry for newlyweds. Our Nuptial  chest helps every couple receive cash gifts from their friends/family. If you are getting married or know someone who is, then send over to OurNuptialChest!