We are all human communicating to one another even one is a deaf. I could not imagine any living citizens on this earth live without communication. Communication is 'Connecting'. If communication is not important, how come most of Telco providers around the world are making tons of money via the quality improvement of the package plans, lines and other subscribed services?
Moreover in business, communication is part of critical entrepreneurial skill. Being an entrepreneur, one should master the effectiveness of communication since it is the core to strengthen and deepen the connection with others particularly customers, improve the teamwork, solve day to day problems and making decision. Even what to convey is negative, the effective communication has the best way to deal without inflicting conflicts and destroying trust. Communication does show your personality. The arts of communication is not how eloquent you speak English or different languages like in Dictionary, but the vital point is how far people understand what you are trying to say or inform. Being entrepreneurs, you should know how to communicate clearly to your customers and targeted audience. How would the public know what you do and what you have if you don't communicate? Ethical communication is crucial these days since many seem have lost the values and forgotten how to behave when communicating to others due too much succumbed with 'gadgets era style of communication'. Jargons are widely used and basic manners are less appreciated and 'uprooted'. Least that you know, in certain circumstances a winning deal is just because of you have the best manners in communication. Listening as an art of communication. Ironic isn't it? But that is the situation when everyone wants to talk but no one wants to listen. Communication needs two ways traffic. Many fail to listen patiently and carefully which led to miscommunication, misunderstanding and at the end, missing many great opportunities and amazing things. When you are listening, it means you are giving time to yourself to digest the info, then to communicate effectively back. Again, communication is about how we send the message and receive it. Listening is a duet partner to Communicating. It needs to jive together to make a successful communication. So, take note all entrepreneurs, if you want to win your deal and the heart of your customers, start to remember this tips. LEARN TO LISTEN. Communication is very much influenced by our attitude and thinking. For example, if a person is matured and rationale in his or her thinking, whatever to convey would be at the right time, right subject, right individuals or entity with the right manners. We are all human. As much we want to touch the soul of other human beings via communication, we should firstly understand the 'soul of communication'. No matter how fast and modern the technology communication develops, the greatest approach is always started with basic respectful manners and values in every each of us. I believe you YOURSELF is the best communication tool and image to the world at large. Not your gadgets. Effective communication gives you good feelings, best result and maximum satisfaction. It may take times for some entrepreneurs to improve their communication but the more experience you polish your communication, the more effective you can reach your goal. Writer Profile: Sue Kamal is the Co-Founder & Business Development Director of Solution Makers Consultancy (SMC) United Arab Emirates, Award-Winner 2014 Brand Ambassador Alleem Achiever Award UAE & 2014 Special Leadership Award of Alleem Business Congress UAE, 2015 WAVE USA Certified Entreprenologist, An International SME Council Member of ICSB (Washington D.C), ACSB (Asia) & ICSMEE (Malaysia), ‘City Mayor of Entrepreneur Café Kuala Lumpur – World Cities’. Very actively involved at international scene particularly encouraging business and trade into Middle East & Africa region. Email: suekamalsmc@gmail.com What is business without making money. True that, business is all about dollars and cents, making revenue, profit or even investment. Generally, people do business due to money-making potential, accommodating needs and some run it based on their passion. News about companies or people who have created fame on big money success can be heard almost every each day across the world.
However, entrepreneurship is not all about money and material at the end of the day. Entrepreneurs give most of their life, heart, energy, time, imagination and creativity and even their savings for the foreseeable better future in business. Thus, entrepreneurship needs to have some kind of humanity and living purpose for more sense of belonging on what they work for. I believe if business is doing in a correct way with great values, sooner or later it will be rewarded at the market place. So, what is humane entrepreneurship? Are we not humane enough? Humane entrepreneurship is a positive culture where business owners or companies treat entrepreneurship with humanity by encouraging their employees or staff to enjoy what they do at their work place and help them to realize their dream can come true through out their working commitment to the company. The result of this ‘heart-warming’ culture is not only about the companies being appreciated and loved by their customers, but also by their employees. Entrepreneurship is all about 'by people to the people'. No one does business alone. The people who work for us need to be appreciated and motivated with hope and joy while doing their job because we are just human being. Psychologically proven, doing something with happiness certainly leverage and contribute to the achievement level of the business. Employers should make the employees visibly seen that, to have a dream through out their job gives more hope to live for. This how humane entrepreneurship shapes a great business leader by understanding and respecting the employees which lead to abundance prosperity in business. Happy staffs definitely bring more strength and energy to the company to stand strong. Humanity in doing business is the way forward. The new capitalism of business management model is human entrepreneurship! This year, we will be hearing humane entrepreneurship soaring the echoes as the main agenda at The United Nation, New York led by the ICSB (International Council for Small Business, www.icsb.org - based in Washington D.C), 15-18 June 2016. Humane Entrepreneurship Award shall honour for the first time the global entrepreneurs who dedicate their business with humanity. That is enough to prove the victory of having values is important at last in our life! :-) Writer Profile: Sue Kamal is the Co-Founder & Business Development Director of Solution Makers Consultancy (SMC) United Arab Emirates, Award-Winner 2014 Brand Ambassador Alleem Achiever Award UAE & 2014 Special Leadership Award of Alleem Business Congress UAE, 2015 WAVE USA Certified Entreprenologist, An International SME Council Member of ICSB (Washington D.C), ACSB (Asia) & ICSMEE (Malaysia), ‘City Mayor of Entrepreneur Café Kuala Lumpur – World Cities’. Very actively involved at international scene particularly encouraging business and trade into Middle East & Africa region. Email: suekamalsmc@gmail.com So, you are facing with bankruptcy? Mountain of debts to settle? Business closure? Being cheated? No incoming job? Clash with your business partner? Stiff competitors? Fail to close any deal? Slow cash or not even a penny in the petty cash!? What else the setbacks we haven't heard in business.
If some people think you are going to 'drown', you must prove them wrong. Business is all about creating and delivering what you believe in. It is not about thinking sadly what people around are going to talk about you. But rather to improve and figure out the best in YOU! Challenges, setbacks and failures are the powerful 'teachers' to prepare yourself launching to the top! Just check the background of those powerful business people in the world. They had gone through all those major obstacles including embarrassment and lost everything what they own in their life before fortune strikes. They learnt the best lesson how to make things even better. When you fail several times, you will think creatively more out of the box and act differently than other normal complacent people do. As said, it doesn't kill, it secretly empowers YOU! Maybe some would tell you it easy said than done, but hey, who said all this while success is easy. So far, no one achieves it over a night. All of us do not come with a book we will get all the things right. Always remember, education is still the backbone of civilisation but at the end the best university to teach you how to be the top-notch is still 'The University of Life' . So, Stay Calm and Be YOU! Those who standout are the result of being bold, dare to fail, stand-up tall even they fail, go to the unknown and courageous to take the risk. That's what creates the distinct persona in many ways from others. What doesn't kill them has developed the remarkable strength and resilience inside. Failures and setbacks don't define who you are but it certainly refines YOU! Writer Profile: Sue Kamal is the Co-Founder & Business Development Director of Solution Makers Consultancy (SMC) United Arab Emirates, Award-Winner 2014 Brand Ambassador Alleem Achiever Award UAE & 2014 Special Leadership Award of Alleem Business Congress UAE, 2015 WAVE USA Certified Entreprenologist, An International SME Council Member of ICSB (Washington D.C), ACSB (Asia) & ICSMEE (Malaysia), ‘City Mayor of Entrepreneur Café Kuala Lumpur – World Cities’. Very actively involved at international scene particularly encouraging business and trade into Middle East & Africa region. Email: suekamalsmc@gmail.com “Imagine A room full of rabbits, I want to bring home one of them. As I began to catch a rabbit, it slipped off. I again chased him, I failed. So I changed my tactics to catch hold off it. I succeeded”an excerpt cited by Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba. (The habit of winning).
Dreams if unachievable, alter your methodology; not dreams. An Entrepreneur is borne out of an IDEA! A brain is the womb for a notion. Feed it with rational thinking, positive attitude and diligent work & you get a baby to play with. The child will try to be the part of society, his thinking may wander but it is the confidence and faith that brings the focus. On the same page, let us take a journey of start-ups to an enterprise. The root question that arises -“What –Ifs?” There are so many ideas we can count upon, but still perplexed. Why? Because we aren’t sure of its fruition or the vital reason –“the fear of failure” .It’s the fear that persuades a start-up to hop from one idea to another & to the next one. Could it be possible to nurture your babies with equal aura, zeal, love and care? As the saying goes “Jack of all trades; Master of none”. One can focus on only one arena of the business .When we work in multiple domains; it becomes cumbersome to direct the sight of focus on one. Precisely, just don’t work on everything . Choose wisely and say NO to weeds. Do not open your arms to variant ideas for start-ups. Take one idea, live for it .Let it flourish well & Bring laurels to the creator .Within a span of years, working on new idea and blowing the triumph will be an abating and ceaseless cycle . Remember! Solely one baby. Writer: Sachi Mandape from Nagpur. Thank you all for coming over on 26th March Lat Saturday and making an evening full of information, learning and networking with investors, mentors, startups , young entrepreneurs etc.
The event attended by more than 55 people was started with Vineet Arya, who is a mentor in Nasscom 10k, an evaluator in Karnataka Govt startup wing and an expert in Marketing strategy and runs outsourced CMO model for startups and SMB market. This was followed by a very deeply engaging talk by Naga (Nagaraj) on exit strategy in startup market and what options that Govt is working on exit options for startup investors, who is a member of India Angel Network, has invested in many startups and runs his own successful startup. We had founders of Iamvibha (a women entrepreneurship organisation), Caroline and Ganesh and they shared the success stories, challenges and plans to build women entrepreneurship in India. We then had, Manishh from Utilis fund and he shared the investors mindset and perspective when they look to invest such as the team, problem that you are solving, and commercial scale in terms of how big is the market. Subranil, City Mayor Entrepreneur cafe Bangalore, spoke about the entrepreneur cafe's new initiative called Ivynext.com, which is to provide 3 days power workshop on entrepreneurship and startups and how it would help startups build, sustain and grow through mentorship. This workshop is every relevant for student entrepreneurs and early startups. Young entrepreneurs such as Shikil Sharma and Anand, the founders of czar (cyber security services and product company) shared their success stories how they became preferred vendor/partners to CISCO, Intel, Winner of China innovation award and winning clients in each continents just at the age of 20/21 years. The sessions and networking were so engaging that people were not ready to leave even beyond 9:45pm. Participants got themselves added to the group in the whatsapp and email group. Anyone is interested to join the group, please drop a text to me on my mobile 8105786528 Entrepreneur Cafe events are powered by NASSCOM 10K Startups As an entrepreneur, you must find ways to save money. With new technologies being unveiled every day, there are so many ways to change the traditional way of doing things and get better quality, faster and more affordable ways. Here are some ideas:
Digital payment systems Mobile payments systems are becoming the trend in most small businesses. This type of payment system is faster and more convenient for both the businessman and the customer. It is safer since you do not have to risk having huge amounts of money lying around in your store. Additionally it is easier to keep track of your financial records when using this electronic system. Your records are also automatically backed up by your service provider in case of any loss to the device you are using. This tool will offer your business flexibility and ensure effortless transactions with your clients. Social media marketing Traditional advertising has always been very costly especially to start-up businesses. Not only does it cost a lot of money to get your advertisement on a billboard, broadcasted on television or printed on paper or other kinds of media, it is also very time-consuming. Social media offers business owners the opportunity of a ready audience to advertise to at very minimal costs. Through various platforms online, you can advertise your store and create an online presence through interacting with your customers. It is also an affordable and time-saving way to offer one-on-one customer care services to your clients. In this era, you cannot afford not to have a social media account. Online stores Depending on the kind of business you are involved in, you can create a backup online outlet. Making your goods and or services available online expands your market. You can offer free delivery of goods purchased online or discounted shipping costs. This way, just in case your physical store is not doing as good as you expected, you have another chance at making money from the internet. You do not have to create an online store from scratch if you find that too involving. You can place your items on websites that offer these services at affordable rates. With people leading very busy lives, you will never lack a customer who prefers to carry out transactions online. It is also a way to advertise and market your business. Cell phone instead of PBX phone Cell phones have more affordable plans that your business can subscribe to in comparison to the traditional alternative. Especially when you are running a small business where you are the only person running a shop or where you have employed a few people, a cell phone will work best. You will reduce the costs you spend on telephone bills. Carry out some research in your region and find a cell phone company that can offer your business the best rates. Electronic invoicing E-invoicing enables business owners to automatically send electronic invoices to their clients through email. This is a very convenient and effortless way to get your invoices to your clients. It will save your business a lot of money that you use for making print-outs and for buying postage stamps. It will also save you valuable time that you can use to make more money. Having most of your work done electronically means that you do not have to employ so many people since most of the tasks will easily be handled by one person. There are so many ideas that you can apply to ensure that you spend less and make more from your business. Find out more tips from other business owners running similar businesses. Mostly very small changes can help make a huge difference in your business and save you a lot of money. Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Faxage, a leading company that provide internet fax services for individuals and businesses. Many industries have succumbed to the loss of their business thanks to the birth of the internet. As much as many celebrate the internet technology, others think the rate at which it is killing traditional companies is its darkest side. Those who have adopted this new technology are thriving in business. A number of things that the world once considered social diehards are now either obsolete or on their way to extinction. Some of them have not died completely but have been reincarnated in a different form. This article focuses on 5 obsolete small business tools saved by the internet.
Box Files/ Diskettes vs. Google Docs/ Google Drive Box files and computer disks have been replaced with Google Docs OR Google Drive. Keeping files is one thing business people cannot afford not to do. However, in this advanced age of technology, people do not see the need to walk around carrying heavy files. To ensure that the filling tradition does not die, the internet introduced the businessperson to Google Drive, which is Google's cloud based file storage system. It integrates well with file sharing as well as collaboration tools inside the Google Docs. This has become a virtual helper and one can work on all documents on the same file. The drive has a storage capacity of up to 15G before having to pay for more additional storage. The Business Letter vs. Email Before the birth of email, the world was abuzz with the telephone directory and address book. Post offices had a hard time locating letters and sending them to the right person. This could take even a month before the communication reached the recipient. However, the last two decades have seen the traditional letter lose grip and in most places, post offices have closed down. To ensure that business people still communicate and transact business, the internet has given birth to email. You can now reach and connect with as many business people as you want by simply clicking your mouse. Retail shopping/Banking vs. Online Shopping/Online Banking In the age before internet, retail shopping or banking was the way things were done, but then the internet changed all that. With the internet, retailers were afraid that clients would no longer buy their merchandise at their stores, but with the emergence of ecommerce stores that fear slowly subsided. The days are gone in which a person would have to wait in line to deposit a check. Instead, people can snap photos with their smartphones to deposit their checks directly into their bank account. This has offered more convenience and both the parties are reaping big. Of course some major brands have been phased out, but those who looked at this change positively and innovated are sure not complaining. Business diary/Calendar vs. Google Calendar/E-Diary Regular calendars are definitely nice to look at with their pretty images and designs, but they are officially obsolete when it comes to their business uses. This has been saved by an online management calendar, most prominently Google Calendar. Business/work diaries were extensively used by business people. It was the easiest way to book and remember business meetings and engagements. However, with Google Calendar technology, it was no longer fashionable to carry diaries to schedule or confirm meetings. Instead, business people could schedule directly on their computers or smartphones and send confirmation emails or reminders to make sure there was no oversight. Google calendar was perfect for managing and monitoring appointments. Faxes vs. E-fax Services A few years ago, faxes were still being used to communicate between businesses. Faxes were notorious for having to deal with jammed papers, low ink/toner, and unreceived messages. With email becoming more prominent, faxes were falling to the wayside. Instead of being completely obsolete, faxes turned to the internet for their rebirth. Fax to email or email to fax would combine new age technology with old age technology (for those who were still using fax machines). Faxes would come into a computer as a PDF, free of jamming, low ink, or error, and would be able to be saved or backed up on a computer or server for future reference. It could be true that the internet revolution has destroyed old ways of transacting business, but it should also be appreciated that it has brought about numerous opportunities for growth and innovation. Businesses have to find a way of flourishing even in the wake of all these changes and the successful ones do. Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Faxage, a leading company that provide online fax services for individuals and businesses. Employees can waste a lot of time in their workday performing tasks without access to the right productivity tools and resources. While every business organization grapples with how to fund new technology and productivity tools for its employees, some investment in these will pay off almost immediately in terms of greater efficiency. With the right tools, employees can do more in their typical workday.
Mobility Matters While some businesses do most or all of their business using electronic devices such as computers and tablets, other businesses still maintain physical locations and manage vast amounts of paper records. Both cloud-based and paper-based businesses will benefit from using these 5 time saving tools: 1. VOIP software for inbound and outbound calls. If the business has any kind of internet connection, it can save time by using this voiceover internet protocol software to handle incoming and outgoing calls. Employees can talk to customers on a headset connected to their laptop or desktop computer. They don't have to spend time near a desk with a traditional phone. 2. Productivity software. Every business can benefit from tracking in a spreadsheet or productivity application all of its major and minor tasks. Software makes it easy to assign tasks to employees and give them deadlines. This software also helps business owners and managers track how many labor hours go to each task, which helps with budgeting and billing. 3. Copier equipment. It is costly to spend lots of time and effort printing out mass materials on a single desktop inkjet or laser printer. It wastes even more time to run up to the office supply store and have copies made by an employee. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from purchasing or leasing at least one copier that will keep up with the duplicating demands of the organization. 4. Job aids. Businesses also need quick training tools that will help new employees and cross-trained employees with performing tasks that are not necessarily in their regular duties. For example, a job aid might list a set of questions and answers that customers who typically call the business will ask. This is helpful so that anyone can answer the phone and take messages when staffing levels are low or the main line needs to be covered for a meeting. 5. Tablets. Many businesses now provide their goods or services to customers on the go. Any employee who is going out into the field to perform his or her job or move frequently around the office can benefit from using a tablet. This handy device saves time going back and forth to a computer by giving an employees mobile access to email, voicemail, memos from the boss, and Internet access to web-based computer systems and internal databases. Employees can even use tablets to take pictures and make notes about projects on which they are working at any time. Keeping employees productive will help any business save time. Because every employee is costing the business money in terms of wages, the greater efficiency that can be achieved through adoption of technology and productivity tools is worth trying at least once. Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Faxage, a leading company that provide email fax services for individuals and businesses. Once the world shocked on the confession of Steve Jobs, one of the greatest inventors in IT revolution and successful entrepreneur, suffering from pancreatic cancer. He has everything as an entrepreneur would ever dream of, wealth from his genius and creative microcomputer empire, own the most powerful 'PIXAR' animated studio, a profound brand ‘APPLE’ the world is obsessed about, and not to forget he’s a global icon stands to inspire from the budding inventors, entrepreneurs wanna-be, investors, phones, IT and gadget users, students and even normal people like you and me.
The latest surprising announcement from one of my work-link circles, a prominent entrepreneurship, innovation & leadership global figure, Adiba Barney - CEO of Silicon Valley Forum (SVF) in San Francisco, diagnosed of stage 4 cancer has made me writing this time, seeing many people, particularly that I know suffering and dying young when they are at the top. It is very sad to see wonderful talent, innovative, kind-heart and great minded people have to go due to terminal ill. It is even sad if they know how they should avoid circumstances which led them to suffer sooner or later. Remembering Herophilos, a famous Greek anatomist had once said, 'When Health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal by itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth become useless and intelligence cannot be applied'. World these days, when so many people spend their health chasing the life they could ever have or material life they could ever dream of, or gaining wealth as to become a powerful image to others, which subsequently later, whether their life turn out to be a misery when they have to spend their wealth for health. It has nothing wrong when you struggle to make it to the top, to achieve what has been aimed. But to get rich, never ever risk your health. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. You still have yourself to make a comeback. But when health is lost, most of thing will be a great loss to everyone. An entrepreneur should have a healthy lifestyle. That includes managing your stress! Eating habits, good quality night sleep, healthy social life, regular exercise and positive thinking are among the way forward to have a great health mentally and physically. Since entrepreneurship is all about a lifetime process with a 'bumpy-ride package', never trade your health for wealth. You may think you can buy with wealth but you absolutely cannot. One needs to have a good health to pursue all the wealth that you are looking for. THE FIRST WEALTH IS STILL YOUR HEALTH. Having a good health will never happen in one night. It takes the whole of your life to ensure you have a good health. Work will always be there. It can never finish. If you need to decline request from people because you are not even have time to yourself, you should learn how to say NO. You don't need to please everyone. Take some quality time for yourself to regain and cherish your great self. In certain challenges you face, don't take everything too serious as if tomorrow is the end of the world. Sometimes, when things become stressful, you need to learn how to laugh at yourself too! :-) Your body is your business. You will be out from business soon if you don’t take enough care of it. When your health is at the top-notch, you will be able to be more productive, progressive and give more to the world. Love yourself as you want to see your wealth in legacy. ~ Mahatma Gandhi quotes 'It is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver' ~ Writer Profile : Sue Kamal is the Co-Founder & Business Development Director of Solution Makers Consultancy (SMC) United Arab Emirates, Award-Winner 2014 Brand Ambassador Alleem Achiever Award UAE & 2014 Special Leadership Award of Alleem Business Congress UAE, 2015 WAVE USA Certified Entreprenologist, An International SME Council Member of ICSB (Washington D.C), ACSB (Asia) & ICSMEE (Malaysia), ‘City Mayor of Entrepreneur Café Kuala Lumpur – World Cities’. Very actively involved at international scene particularly encouraging business and trade into Middle East & Africa region. Email : suekamalsmc@gmail.com “Life-fulfilling work is never about money – when you feel true passion for something, you instinctively find ways to nurture it.”
The above quote befitted the key speakers of “Beauties with Brains” – an exhilarating event organized by Entrepreneur Cafe and powered by NASSCOM 10K Startups – Jaipur amidst chilly climes on a sunny afternoon on Thursday last week. The event was a perfect amalgamation of different elements of nature – fire, water, air and earth whose traits were portrayed by 5 women entrepreneurs brought on a single platform by City Mayor – Miss. Rachna Ghiya. The keynote given by Rachna was a carefully drafted inspiring talk entailing her own personal journey into entrepreneurship and a brief introduction of the key speakers, I hold absolutely no doubt that this girl knows how to engage with the audience and leaves no trace of boredom! The keynote paved way to 3 young women studying in 11th grade at Neerja Modi – Aishwarya Bagri, Janki Hariani & Meesha Gupta – the proud creators of H.U.G.S (Help Us Gift Smiles). Already holding 2 exhibitions in their vanity, they sell books that are donated to them at throw away prices, which bring in funds for the business growth and fulfil their desire to reach out the underprivileged. They are the true messengers of “knowledge for all”. Surbhi Bhagat, founder Avdhan MindPower Pvt Ltd, was someone who exhibited an invisible halo around her and her persona manifested the calmness and the confidence to make a difference, no matter how small, to the world. Her vision – 100% literacy in India, says it all. She strives to make the Indian parents understand that to run after academics scores is not important but what’s important is to understand the inherent talent of the child. Her team has managed to create hundreds of video lectures in both Hindi and English for students and have expanded in both urban and rural areas. Deepti Sharma from The Urban Events was another inspiring story formulating all the obstacles that she faced and a gamut of problems she resolved and conquered. She was a little bundle of joy and her little talk definitely boosted confidence of many women amidst the crowd in attendance. Anant Mishra’s little session was informative and definitely increased awareness about the grants by government that women entrepreneurs can avail. Swati Souls, youngest art entrepreneur of Jaipur city told about her story of starting as an artist without any family support. It was truly inspiring and exhilarating to watch these women from varied backgrounds, humble to restricted ones, and to listen to their stories of breaking the invisible shackles that we all complain about that restrict us from following our dreams, the innumerable excuses we make, and just how they turned a single opportunity into a true story of success! Finally the event ended with a note from Jaipur’s startup community builders – Mr. Mahavir Pratap Sharma from RAIN (Rajasthan Angel Investors Network), Mr. Rajesh Mundra, President, TiE. Blog post submitted by Miss Manasi Mittal The icing on the cake is the awesome coverage done by media after the event. |
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