BUSINESS MODEL IS KEY

Create Competitive Business Models

Organizations rise and fall depending on the business models they develop and implement. If you have a good model you are likely to prosper but if you have a bad one you are most likely  losing money. First things first. In simple terms what a business model ? A business model is  a structure or framework of how an organization engages with its clients or customers so that they willing pay for its products and services in a sustainable manner.  Payment by customers generates revenues and the means to pay costs and  possibly  earn profit. The key things to consider in creating a powerful business model are:

1.       Creating value for customers

No matter how much marketing and advertising you do if you cannot create something the customers want or appreciate then you are going nowhere. To succeed as a firm you must be able to meet a customer need or solve a problem at a cost that the customer is willing and  able to pay. If you create something well sought after at a very low cost you have high chance of success. You have opportunity  to increase price and make more profits. You can keep low prices and other competitors can't match you.

2.       Appropriating the created  value

You can create customer value but benefiting from the value is not obvious. Sometimes imitators gain from genuine innovators. Appropriability  is possible with a  lot of innovation and creativity. Another pertinent question is whether  customers can afford  goods and services? How do they pay? Is it in physical shops, online or via some other platform? To appropriate value you must give customers hassle free platforms to facilitate  exchange . Customers are always hungry for generously priced goods of high quality. To easily  part with money  every transaction should be  be a joy to execute instead of frustration or pain.

 

3.       Select and Engage with the right customer

Successful organizations are happy to lose some non profitable customer segments. They focus on developing unique profitable segments. Through appropriate customization successful firms select, engage and develop the right segments in a sustainable manner. Most companies fail  when they try to treat  all customers the same ignoring the fact that today’s customers demand differentiation, personalization and individuality. 

4.       Decide on Competences and Infrastructure to develop and others to sub-contract

In a world of speed and agility, success is hinged on excellence and  in what you do. If you are weak in certain activities pass them to those with capability or look at ways of upgrading your competences. To be fast and flexible means you don’t have to build all the infrastructure yourself but share, subcontract or outsource.

5.       Build an effective production system

To deliver sought after customer value consistently and reliably you need efficient systems and processes. Therefore an effective production system is key to sustainable competitive advantage. To stand above the pack there is need to design, operate and manage efficient systems, processes and policies. This ensures customers get the best quality always. It is also important to periodically review the production processes and to adjust them in line with the feedback received  from customers. Progressive companies are quick to own and correct mistakes. They pride in continuous improvement based on lifelong learning.

6.       Innovate the business Model

No matter how successful you have been, the business model requires periodic assessment to determine its relevance and effectiveness. Good leaders are not afraid to adjust or even abandon a successful model for the sake of implementing one that is future proof. Innovation of the business model should be part of continuous improvement. Customer needs and tastes are changing so there is need to be in perpetual state of flux, monitoring and improving the way business is conducted. Some organizations have failed to embrace change and they have joined others in the grave yard.If the customer wants to rent a product don’t force him to own it. If the customer wants to pay as they go don’t force them to  pay for the whole month. Also, it is important to realize that customers demand many goods and services for free. Sometimes its better to give them free delivery or repair . Therefore its better to  spend time changing business models instead of trying to change  customer mind frame.

 

Re-modelling the business model should be effected  even in times of great success. The greater the success of a business model brings the greater the risk that executives are tempted to keep and use it for life. Customer needs are changing and the business environment is also becoming more complex and challenging. The only sure way to succeed in the highly competitive, volatile and uncertain market is to be comfortable with change. As a result even the most successful and promising business model needs adjustments.

Dr Andrew Nyambayo (PhD. MBA, Bsc Eng) is a business leader, strategist, coach and motivational speaker with over 20 years experience in the telecommunications and service industry. He is the author of famous books, "Integral Marketing: Enhancing Livelihoods"  and  "Succeeding in Turbulent Times"

TEAMS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Creating Winning Teams

Todays’ endeavours are won mostly by strong teams instead of super individuals. The work environment is so complex and the speed of execution needed much faster that the knowledge and skill  of a group is superior to individual actors. A lot has been said about the importance of teams but how do you establish good ones?

1.       Promote diversity in team selection

Strong teams are balanced teams. They consist of members of various social, cultural  and academic backgrounds. They are not a club of people with the same mindset and socialization. Diversity brings newness and creativity, the hallmarks of success.

 

2.       Set the right vision for the team

People are motivated to work towards accomplishment of worthwhile goals. People are happier and energised to pursue clear and inspiring visions. The energy level of the team has a direct relation to the inspiration of the vision.

 

3.       Establish acceptable rules

 Strong teams work according to well established and agreed rules. The rules must not be cumbersome or punitive. For example meetings should start and end on time. Every member should be given room to contribute. Members who miss agreed targets or who behave abnormally are sanctioned in love.

4.       Have clear responsibilities

Successful teams have clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Each member knows what is to be done and when. Everyone knows the acceptable quality and what to do if there are challenges. Assignments are allocated according to knowledge, skill and experience. Members not only work well  among themselves but also help each other.

5.       Always raise the performance bar

High performing teams are always looking at ways to exceed the previous milestones and targets . They are never satisfied even after beating records. Continuous improvement of systems, processes, products and people’s conduct is their everyday passion. High performing teams celebrate success but never get satisfied with current achievement. They take time to celebrate but ever hungry for more.

6.       Have Effective communication

Strong teams are well known for good communication, whether verbal or non verbal. Some teams have a reputation of songs and dance. They energize and assure each other through clear and unambiguous communication be it email, face to face communication or even whistling. The team is an orchestra producing good music.  Where there is effective communication, disputes and disagreements are minimized.

7.       Share burdens

High performing terms share burdens. If one member is struggling other members come to the rescue. If there is bereavement for example members support each other. Strong Teams are willing to take pay cuts rather that losing members through retrenchment. High performers to sacrifice  pay for cohesion and high team spirit. Community is more important than pay check. Sustainability better than short term gains.

When you have built and developed a strong team you are assured of winning the game.

Dr Andrew Nyambayo (PhD. MBA, Bsc Eng) is a business leader, strategist, coach and motivational speaker with over 20 years experience in the telecommunications and service industry. He is the author of famous books, "Integral Marketing: Enhancing Livelihoods"  and  "Succeeding in Turbulent Times"

ARE YOU A GOOD LEADER?

REALITY CHECK FOR LEADERSHIP

 

Become a good leader

Everyone can be a leader but not everyone can become a good leader. To be a good leader you must develop a winning mindset, be resilient to adversity and be willing to empower and inspire your team. You can develop a winning strategy but to deploy it effectively you must first define reality. Reality is the current status of things? Reality is the tone in the shop floor and corridors of management? Reality is the current perception of customers, suppliers and other stakeholders about you and your organization.

 

Reality check is critical before you make your next big move. Yu don’t want to use a hammer to fix an ant neither do you use a car to pull a train. Assessing the situation first and accepting what you see is 50% of the job. Only 50% more is left. The challenge is that most people want to prescribe medicine without appropriate diagnosis. As a result they are ineffective or use too much force to the destruction of people and institutions.

 

Deploy appropriate strategies

Some of the reasons people fail to check on reality is that they are too keen to deliver results. Unfortunately a good house is never built on bad foundation. Take time to assess and then deploy appropriate strategies. A builder who avoids special foundation only has himself to blame when the building cracks and is condemned. He should not rush laying bricks but accept that the soil is bad so he needs more time for testing and making special foundation. Sometimes there may be need to abandon a bad site because the cost of building is prohibitive. This should be the modus operandi of a leader. How bad is the situation? Can it be rectified? How much time and resources do I need? The first reaction should not be diving to resolving the issue, but assessment , planning and then crafting appropriate intervention.

 

Therefore good leaders accept reality, good or bad. They don’t just wish or budget for good situations. Good leaders sometimes have to accept that the organization has fallen to the basement, it’s not the ground. The situation is worse than what I envisaged. It is going to take longer than we planned. By accepting reality a leader galvanizes trust and credibility. He /she gains the right to lead and be followed.

Dr Andrew Nyambayo (PhD. MBA, Bsc Eng) is a business leader, strategist, coach and motivational speaker with over 20 years experience in the telecommunications and service industry. He is the author of famous books, "Integral Marketing: Enhancing Livelihoods"  and  "Succeeding in Turbulent Times"

 

 

DON'T BE RIGID AND STATIC

Winning through Dexterity and Adaptability 

Dexterity

Success especially during turbulent times depends a lot on dexterity and adaptability. It's not only what you know but how you apply what you know. It's the high speed and accuracy of execution that frightens competitors or catches them off guard which is critical . When you execute with high proficiency, skill and zeal you have high chance to survive and excel in turbulent markets.

To make it in this uncertain world of volatility, ambiguity and complexity you must be ready to change course and do things differently. You must be comfortable with change, not afraid of it. Like a cat you must be willing and able to jump from one position to the other, from one height to the other. Not only should you perfect your current game but you should also work on new ones. Constantly and consistently seek new opportunities. As an example Fin order to  attract, retain and motivate capable highly skilled staff organizations  must be flexible enough to change their well tried and tested remuneration philosophies and try new ones that fit the environment. In the new world nothing is so sacred that it cant be changed. Both people, processes, systems and policies should be changed.

Adaptability

Lifelong winners are always adaptive to different situations. In a rapid changing world its not about strength and endurance but adaptability. The individual  who wins in not the one runs faster than machines or who thinks better than machines but the one who can adapt and work with and not against them. New technology is not the enemy but being unable to reframe yourself and work in partnership with the technology. Move at pace with the new technology. Never be slow to adopt newness This is the new normal. Change is everywhere. Therefore adaptability brings new life to dying professions and markets. You can benefit from the adjacent possible not just from opportunities far away. Learn new rules in the business game. After learning and thoroughly understanding the rules change them to your advantage. At every opportunity renew yourself like an eagle.

Dexterity and adaptability are truly the hallmarks of sustainable advantage. Without them you have no legs to stand on. How can you compete?

Dr Andrew Nyambayo (PhD. MBA, Bsc Eng) is a business leader, strategist, coach and motivational speaker with over 20 years experience in the telecommunications and service industry. He is the author of famous books, "Integral Marketing: Enhancing Livelihoods"  and  "Succeeding in Turbulent Times"

GOOD VISION ATTRACTS RIGHT PEOPLE AND RESOURCES

Crafting a Powerful Vision

A vision is a long term goal you would like to accomplish in 10 to 20 years. Some visions stretch to 50 or more years. The Bible clearly states that " where there is no vision the people perish". For your family or company to reach its full potential it must be guided by a clear vision. Individuals, teams, organizations and nations are sold out to visions that are:

1) Inspiring.

 An inspiriring vision wakes you up from bed in the cold winter. When there are obstacles you are energized to move forward by a powerful vision. An inspiring vision propels people to do things at greater speed,  scale and scope than they would ordinarily do.

2. Meaningful.

Pursuing the vision should also bring meaning to your life and others. Teams often ask why are we pursuing this vision? What will it change? Who will be made better?  It's not strange to hear someone say , "I don't want to be part of this vision because it's worthless to me". Make the vision meaningful and people are willing to support you.

3. Ethically acceptable.

What ever we do we should ensure we improve  livelihoods and wellbeing of people. We must be cognizant of acceptable actions and behaviours. What ever we pursue, we must remember to protect the future generations instead of harming them. We must be responsible enough to resist the temptation of maximising profits at the expense of the environment or future generation wellbeing. Therefore our vision and endeavours should be ethically acceptable.

4. Easily understood

The vision must be easily understood by the most "uneducated" person in the team ( if there is such). For the team to pursue the vision with vigour and energy the vision  must  be explained in layman language . What does the vision mean to me as a receptionist, driver or messenger?

5. Short and sweet

Sustained  accomplishment of a vision depends on whether it's short and sweet. The power in some visions is lost in complexity and clutter.Reciting the vision should be an enjoyment instead of  pain. Short and sweet visions bring confidence to the team as everyone easily shares the reason of existence and knows where they are going. It should not be a taxing mental test to ask what the company vision is. Not at all. It must be as easy as a, b and c.

 Example of a Powerful Vision  : The Econet vision

I always like to share the Econet vision because it was a magnet that attracted me 20 years ago. Econet vision is " to provide telecommunications to all people of Zimbabwe".

It is pertinent to remember that 20 years ago only 3 out 100 people (3%)owned telephone lines in Zimbabwe. When you applied for a telephone in Harare, the Capital City you were promised a telephone after 15 years or 20 years.

Therefore, "providing telecommunication services to all people of Zimbabwe" was a simple but meaningful and inspiring vision worth pursuing. Everyone in Econet knew what the vision was and how hard we were supposed to  work to bring the vision to reality. The majority of employees agreed that the vision would hardly be accomplished in our working life. The vision had to be passed to the future generation as well.

The sweeter part of the vision was summarized  by the founder Dr Strive Masiyiwa as "every mbuya/gogo (grandmother) in rural area having a phone". That statement gave more clarity to the vision. The logic in the statement is that you can only see every grandmother in rural community with a phone when the working class and youths have been serviced.

The vision to provide telecommunications to all people of Zimbabwe is definitely ethically acceptable. Telecommunications enhance livelihoods and wellbeing of the people through socio economic empowerment and inclusion.

Dr Andrew Nyambayo (PhD. MBA, Bsc Eng) is a business leader, strategist, coach and motivational speaker with over 20 years experience in the telecommunications and service industry. He is the author of famous books, "Integral Marketing: Enhancing Livelihoods"  and  "Succeeding in Turbulent Times"

IMPROVE YOUR CAPABILITY

Becoming a Great Leader 

1.  Build Capacity everyday

Capacity is the ability to do expected tasks. As a leader you are expected to:

• Set the right Vision

• Create Strategy to achieve the vision

• Create Accountability & Control:  Set milestones and steering mechanism to put plans back on track

• Inspire the Team.  Be a good example. Be  a credible and  caring person. Reward good performance and behaviour.  Celebrate success.
• Discipline wayward behaviour in love

2. Learn & master the system you work in

• Fit into the culture and also reform it for the better. Observe  unwritten rules, the way we do things here and  the taken for granted behaviour. Respect others.
• Respect company values. Remember and respect  the glue that binds the team together. ( e.g. integrity, honesty, innovation, commitment, professionalism )
• Make your personal values fit into the firm's values. If they don't choose who to serve.
•  Beware of red lines, the no go areas . No one is above the law.

3. Be a good example. Walk the Talk

• Nothing beats a good example. You don't need to explain anything.
• Keep your promise even if it hurts 
• Set a good example: at home, work & community.
• Your word should be your bond.

4. Manage performance

Leadership is measured by results not by how much charisma you have. At the end of the day we must see the dashboard needles moving up. We must see the family or firm becoming  stronger and stronger. Therefore bring the cherished good results without fail to earn your position.

5. Have Emotional Intelligence

Be aware of yourself. Control your emotions. Manage provocations and triggers. Take charge of the beast in you before you manage others.

• Have self awareness: Know yourself; know your strengths and weakness. 

• Have self management & self control

• Have Interpersonal skills - Work well with others. Be tender not abrasive. Be gracious not forceful. Be firm but not aggressive. 

When we see an excellent family we can point to a great leader. When we see a healthy company or nation we can point to an exceptional leader. That's why if performance is unacceptable the board should change the leader.

Dr Andrew Nyambayo (PhD. MBA, Bsc Eng) is a business leader, strategist, coach and motivational speaker with over 20 years experience in the telecommunications and service industry. He is the author of famous books, "Integral Marketing: Enhancing Livelihoods"  and  "Succeeding in Turbulent Times"

BE IN CONTROL

Taking Charge of your Life

The quest for success should be on the heart and mind of every individual. Never settle for mediocrity.. Don't be lukewarm in your actions regardless of the circumstances. Even during turbulent times there is hope not only to survive but to succeed.  This is how you can succeed in your personal life, business or even church.

1. Be hopeful always

The first way to see that someone is not going to make it is loss of hope. When you lose hope you lose your most powerful weapon to survive and succeed. When you have no money believe that one day the circumstances will change. When you are sick believe for a better tomorrow.

2. Take charge of your life.

Many people have mortgaged their lives to others. Some have put all their life in the hands of their employers . Others have banked with political parties. Still others believe the diaspora is the solution to their problems. If you want to succeed in challenging times accept  being the master of your destiny. Be the prime mover of your deliverance.

3. Set the vision and be faithful to it.

To come out of difficulty circumstances you must know where you are going. You must be committed to the direction you are taking. You must also feel a sense of duty and obligation to the vision. You must be passionate about the vision. The vision must be worth pursuing. The feeling of accomplishing the vision should offset the prospects of failure. When you feel you can achieve something significant you have energy to continue.

4. Avoid distractions and focus on the assignment. 

During turbulent times the danger is focusing on negativity and not your vision. You don't go anywhere thinking more of problems instead of solutions. Therefore avoid distractions and focus on your assignment.

5. Surround yourself with positive energy.

 In crisis don't hang arrive with discouraging people. Only those who do not hope for life play with the undertaker. If you want life play with midwives. If you want to achieve your goals play with passionate people who see sunshine instead of hail and thunder. Surround yourself with positive energy and very soon you will be energized to accomplish your dreams regardless of circumstances.

The call is yours. No one can do it better than you. Take change of your life and career.

Dr Andrew Nyambayo (PhD. MBA, Bsc Eng) is a business leader, strategist, coach and motivational speaker with over 20 years experience in the telecommunications and service industry. He is the author of famous books, "Integral Marketing: Enhancing Livelihoods"  and  "Succeeding in Turbulent Times"