Bitature talk #2

Part 2 is finally here and this will mark the end of Bitature talks on the blog. Part 2  covers the business tips that stood out for me and the ones I am looking to implement. Feel free to pause and think critically on ever point and write down your answers. PS;They are in no particular order.

+Have a plan.You can`t do anything well without a plan. For any business to succeed, you must have a proper plan, short and long term. Never start anything without a plan.

+What product/ service are you offering. You must be sure of what you are offering.Your surety is what sets you apart from the already existing products/services.

+What`s your marketing strategy? Now that your certain about your product/service, what`s your marketing strategy? How ill you get your product/service known?

+Do your research. Know all about your business. The pros and cons, who else is doing it, seasons for the business.

+Keep the business system simple-tailor it to suit you and those your working with.

+Have your accounts straight. I have personally run a business before and one of the things I struggled with was a financial system. I was the law and I got into the habit of using business money to meet my personal needs. Now I know better.

+On partnership in business, partner with people who have what you don`t have. Get people on board who compliment you. They will add flair and spice to the business.

+Find out what your strengths and weaknesses are. These help you to know where to specialize and who to hire for the business.

+On decision making, As the leader in your business, hear other people out and appreciate their opinions. However, make the right decisions for the business.

+Don`t be afraid to experiment. In experimenting, you learn the right way to do and not to do something. Your business will benefit from this greatly.

+Learn business language. Learn from those who are already in business,use google, network. Learn how to write a business letter, make receipts and  quotations. Learn all you can learn on this matter.

+Know where things are. Mr. Bitature narrated an old story where Uganda lacked sugar but he knew where sugar was-in Kenya. He got onto the bus and went to Kenya. He purchased lots of sugar and brought it back to Uganda and sold it off and made profit.

+Stay around progressive people. These are people who are achieving their set goals, taking on opportunities and progressing in all areas of their business. You can`t be around such people and not be challenged to be better.

+Read widely. Leaders are readers. Read on your business, read about people in the same business and learn from them.

+Pace yourself. He built Protea a four star hotel to host guests for  the common wealth meeting held in Uganda in 2007 and now he has built Naguru Skyz Hotel 10 years later. Don`t be in a rush. Understand your business patterns.

Protea hotel. Source: protea.marriot.com

I hope you can apply these principles from Mr. Bitature to your business whether a start-up or one already running.

Share business tips you have applied and have worked for you. Let`s learn together.

 

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Bitature talk #1

I had the opportunity to hear business mogul Patrick Bitature speak. Oh boy!! I was clearly in the presence of greatness. I have divided the lessons learnt from Mr.Bitature`s talk into two parts and today I will share part 1.

Our gang alongside other gangs had a date with Mr Patrick Bitature,like you just can`t call a rich man plainly,you should show some level of respect.

First things first, he is a normal man, doesn’t have extra hands or feet. He has the same 24 hours like you and I .God has n`t favored him with extra hours to make money. hehehe. Therefore you and I can make it big like Mr. Bitature.

Source: patrickbitature.com

A few tips from Mr. Bitature about habits of successful people. There is no harm in trying them out. I mean these are Mr.Bitature`s habits and see where he is now. There is wisdom.

Here a few things he shared that hit home for me:

+ Success is about forming consistent habits. Why? Because habits protect from you, keep you organised and form your character. These habits give you an edge. Do you have consistent habits? What are consistent habits?

+Set goals. There is power in goal setting. Do this by writing them down on paper and remember to go ahead and achieve them. Keep revisiting them until they physically manifest. What goals have you set?How far with achieving them?

+Let achieving set goals be your consistent pattern. Don`t relax the habit.Keep doing it, until it becomes apart of you.

+Keep your focus. Don`t let your clothes, shoes, phone, hair, etc affect your focus.

+Take care of your body. Good health must be a priority for us all. To achieve your set goals, your body ought to be at 100%. Don`t ignore your health at the expense of making money. Start now to indulge in proper eating habits, drinking lots of water, get a workout routine that suits you, have enough rest and do whatever it takes to keep your health at 100%.

+Read. There is something you don`t know that can be found in a book, online material. Get reading every day, every week, month and learn something.

+Be consistent in all you commit too.

Go ahead and try these habits .If you have been practicing them, be consistent to have greater results.

Follow Mr. Bitature on twitter –https://twitter.com/patrickbitature  for more nuggets on entrepreneurship,finances and business.

Look out for Part 2 of Mr.Bitature`s talk on the blog.

 

Book review 12: Secrets of a millionaire mind

Ever met a millionaire who knows their net worth but also knows what being broke is?? Meet T. Harv Eker, the author of this amazing book. His wit and sarcasm makes the book a worthy financial read guaranteed to change your financial life-only if you put the word to work.

Photo courtesy of google

He dispels what a poor mindset looks like and gives practical steps to empower your mind to think like a millionaire. He causes you to question your money blue print which must somewhat change if you are to become a millionaire. A financial blue print is what has been passed on consciously or sub consciously about finances by our parents, environments,TV, other people and has become our truth knowingly or unknowingly. He believes, the major difference between rich people and middle class and poor people is the mindset and focus. You will find the 17 wealth files deciphering the ways rich people think differently from poor and middle class people.

The book has been revelatory for me, I am currently going through a serious financial shift in my life . Learning that my blue print needs a shift and I need to pick up thinking like the rich do and stop thinking money belongs to the rich who are thugs, corrupt, fishy has set me on a whole new financial literacy journey.“You can`t be what you despise.”

I always thought net worth is an exclusive term used by rich people (its not their term but they care more about it than the poor and middle class people )and its not important for me to know my net worth. woe unto me. I must mind my net worth in order to cut the poverty cycle in my family.

For the Christians, he thoroughly answers your questions and puts your mind at ease on whether it is okay to have lots of money since some have been taught that money is evil.

The book has practical applications and real life experiences that must be acted on to realize your financial goals.

If you admire to become rich, have your money work for you, live a dignified life, give to those in need, make contributions to family things and enjoy lunch at nice hotels without looking at the right-hand column of the menu, then this is for you.

Remember, “to get rich, learn new ways of doing things.” If you`re old ways haven`t yielded any fruit, I recommend this book asap.

For more financial tips, follow T. Harv Eker on twitter-https://twitter.com/T_Harv_Eker

Kanyu Interiors

I love exposing young people who are doing extraordinary things to my people right here. So today, I am proud to introduce to you a brilliant young lady, a lawyer and entrepreneur whose brand has a lot of potential. Enjoy the ride and the cushions.

1.Who is Kanyunyuzi Adrine?

Adrine is a simple lady with crazy ambitions and goals. She is a born again believer and holds a law degree from Makerere University. She is the founder of Kanyu Interiors, a home improvement brand that focuses on turning houses into homes. Kanyu Interiors has currently stocked versatile cushions that can be used in your living rooms, bedrooms, for picnics, bridal showers and baby showers.

2.Briefly share on the Origin of Kanyu Interiors.

(well this one is funny) I was tired of being broke and having everybody tell me that the only cure for that was to get a job.I wasn’t anywhere near qualified for all the jobs that I came across so I decided to take things into my own hands. I prayed to God to show me the way forward because as you know “man makes plans but God determines his steps.”I needed Him to show me what to do and He did. The answer came to me in the night and I got up and wrote it down. It came to me and just wouldn’t leave, it was everywhere, I would visit homes or places and just obsess over the decor or start changing it in my head till I eventually started Kanyu Interiors.

3.How long has it been running?

Believe it or not, it made a year in February,2018. Just that it has had a number of challenges from lack of clients to even actually almost going under one time.

4.Do you make the cushions yourself?

Yes, and No, we offer both customized and ready made cushions to our clients. So the customized ones are designed with the client and I get down to business while the ready made are ready for purchase any time.

5. Have you faced any hiccups while running Kanyu Interiors? If yes, what have they been?

Yes, I have had my own share of hiccups. People don`t appreciate the product so they are always looking for a bargain yet a lot goes into a product thus the price. Also,competition is always alert and watching and this keeps you on your toes.

6. Many businesses in Uganda struggle with financial systems which ruin their businesses, because business money becomes personal money. How are you handling your financial system?

All money received is immediately deposited in the bank thanks to mobile money and access is only to purchase more items for sale. In the initial stages of the business, I stole from the business.I made the business money my personal money but I realized I was shooting myself in the foot.Accountability is key. I got a mentor who is running a business too to guide me and follow up on me in this area and to ensure I grow Kanyu Interiors.

7.Future prospects for Kanyu Interiors

To be a one stop shop area for home decor that is unique and caters to each and every individual’s beautiful tastes for generations to come.

 

8.Share a few tips for anyone who is planning to start a business.

+I know this sounds cliche but don’t give up!!Find something that you love or are willing to develop and just work on it every day.

+Always be hungry for knowledge and fill yourself with knowledge and master your business.

+Do courses -online or physical class courses and read books or practice that skill till you harness it.

+Be ready to put in the work so that you can get the results that you desire.

+Involve God in all your plans, seek Him and let Him guide because in Him you will find peace even when you have no clients and you just want to give up, you will find your peace and hope in Him.

To make your cushion orders,Call or whatsapp 0700215200.

Follow Kanyu Interiors on Instagram : kanyu_interiors , FB:Kanyu Interiors, Twitter:Kanyuinteriors for cushion orders, organization hacks and tips and so much more.

Go ahead and place your order as soon as you read this. Let us support our very own.

Photo courtesy: Adrine Kanyunyuzi

 

Book Review 11: The Richest Man In Babylon

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason is a classic tale about Babylon a man-made city that drew the attention of its neighbors to question how they managed to make wealth and multiply it for generations.

The tale unfolds with various characters whose knowledge with money can`t be ignored. Akard, who is referred to as the richest man in Babylon carefully and with detail tells of how he has made his wealth, and passed on this knowledge to his son who has borne fruit over and above. Akard`s childhood friends come to inquire from him the secret to his wealth. He willingly shares his secrets but like many of us, some of his childhood friends doubt and believe there is a deeper hidden source to his wealth. A few practice the principles he has passed on to them and grow rich. The king of Babylon also calls upon Akard to share with all the Babylonians the secrets to his wealth thus making Babylon one of the richest cities.

My favorite quote from the book is, `Our prosperity as a nation depends upon the personal financial prosperity of each of us as individuals.” There is no selfishness in that statement and it gives a call to action to all people. Mind about your neighbor`s financial health. It is a lie to think having a few rich people is okay. We all ought to be rich and help others build their financial muscle because the prosperity of our nation depends on each individual`s financial health.

Topics such as seizing opportunities, procrastination, determination, investing, growing your ability and becoming a master in your trade and so much more are intertwined in this classic tale.

The question on everyone`s lips was, `how did the Babylonians do it?” If you care to know the answer, gethe book. It has practical lessons that will leave you sober about your finances.

Are you in a financial fix, debt upon debt? I deeply recommend this book.

If you love a good story coupled with life lessons, this book is for you.

Grab yourself a copy now. You just might be the next richest man/woman in your family or Kampala.