adminduring the forum and right now. What does this boil down to? Lots and lots of opportunities that need lots and lots of co-operation and trust.
In most instances during the forum discussions centred on springboard platforms for talent and new ideas. Such platforms need co-operation and trust. Does politics or economics drive Africa?
In the past Africa has had a reputation of being “difficult”. I am not just talking about local laws or government policies but the overall supportive culture of BIG ideas.
Are there opportunities in Africa? Yes, massive ones and it’s no secret, but the bigger question is “Where are the access points?”
There are opportunities in China right now that will blow your mind. There are opportunities in Tete province of Mozambique that are also fantastic.
There are opportunities in Ethiopia, the Sudan and Bolivia and you probably know of a few more.
We have had the conversations and they go like this . . . “You know what city is absolutely booming with opportunity . . .” Then it goes into a long story that you heard from some guy, that CNN picked up and did a short story on and so on. The only problem is you have no idea how to get involved or how to reach there.
We all know there’s opportunity, but not all of us have the access. You might be someone that has an “access point’ and not even aware of it?
Do you have a good reputation in your city, a positive stream of endorsements, and do you trust yourself with people and introductions? Do you relate well with people, are you trustworthy, can you keep a secret if required to do so? If the answer is yes you could very well be an owner of an
“access point”. If you don’t have a good reputation then you might want to start mending the bridges, repaying your debts, and start being this link for people who know there’s opportunity but can’t get to them.
How to be an access point
People will pay a lot for trust – be honest and trustworthy. Trust is earned over time. If you are willing to breach contracts, sell out to a higher bidder when you already gave your word, or just blatantly lie, then forget being trusted, and do not expect to be an access point.
Be accessible
Nothing is worse then having an access point that you can’t access. Answer your phone, answer emails and create a good reputation when it comes to communication. Connect people up even when you don’t get paid. It will add to your reputation, which will in the end lead you to more opportunities. Be a networker of ideas.
Think about how you heard about your mechanic, doctor, accountant and lawyer. Chances are it was through word of mouth.
Someone connected you with them. Now take that concept and expand it beyond the sharing of professional services to connecting people in different spheres, different parts of the world.
Open up your world
There might not be an immediate opportunity but if you’ve met someone with confidence and high values then finding a connection point might be around the corner.
Be attentive to conversation. It will be in the seeming random, non-formal communication that you can pick up things that people are looking for.
Some of the greatest opportunities may be waiting at the office coffee dispenser. Many times we focus on where we are at and what we’re doing and by default only see opportunities where we are looking. Lift up your head from your desk and look around you. See what is available.
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said: “You make a living by what you get, but you create a life by what you give.”
Being an access point often means being a giver. Connecting people is at its core an act of giving, you are giving away an opportunity that you may not be able to take advantage of on your own. But the result is so much bigger than anything that you could do individually that it is too good not to. Remember the hosepipe, that as it connects the tap to the plants, it too gets wet.
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