ISSN: 2141-5994
VOL 1. NO 9 |MARCH 2015
BUSIN SSI Think. Believe. Become
DAYO’S QUEST He’s breaking new barriers, tackling the problems in Africa through Gleehd Foundation
www.businessiqafrica.com
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Persistence Above All here are tons of books written to help you start and grow your business. Also, there are webinars, seminars, summits, conferences and boot-camps designed by consultants and business experts to help you grow your business skills. But there is one major attribute of successful entrepreneurs that you cannot ignore if you must succeed in the business world. This attribute is called passion.
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hours do not end by 17:59 daily. Someone who is passionate about his or her business thinks about it round the clock. If you saturate your night and day thinking about your business, you will be amazed how ideas on how to improve your business will flood your mind. If you doubt me, you will want to ask Jack Canfield, the co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
Every successful business you see and admire is a product of passion. From the legendary soda, Coca Cola, to Instagram, the social media platform where you share photos, the founders all have one thing in coming—an unquenchable flame burning in them, telling them that greatness lies in that small thing that would eventually become a force to reckon with in the business terrain. That unquenchable flame is passion.
Secondly, brainstorm. Now this is something you cannot do alone. If you have a team working with you, then do such with your team. If you are alone, then you need to find a friend who, like you, is passionate about his or her business. Then you can form a mastermind team and brainstorm together. Dedicate at least one to six hours every week to meet with your mastermind partner or team for the purpose of thinking how you can move your business from where it is to where you want it to be. This is one of the greatest secret of all time. If you doubt this too, you would want to read the account of late Napoleon Hill in his book Think and Grow Rich.
Passion in this context is a very strong unusual feeling for your business. It is an intense emotion, a compelling enthusiasm or desire to see that your business grows. It is like some form of energy that you cannot explain, but drives you towards a particular course even when those around you cannot understand what you are doing.
Lastly, have a game plan. No coach faces a game without a plan. Neither will an experienced architect build a tower without a blueprint (plan). You shouldn't too. When you think about your business night and day or you create a mastermind team, the purpose is simply to move your business from point A to B. Anything short of that is mere waste of precious time, fantasy or fairy tale where the princess always gets a kiss from the handsome prince. The business world is not some make-believe-story-book; it is a shark eats shark world and if you are not careful your business won't survive another day. If you must make your constant thinking and brainstorming worthwhile, then you should create a business game plan. Your thinking and brainstorm is simply to grow your business to become what you see with your mind's eyes. If you doubt this, then your business is doomed!
Passion should be the singular reason why you wake up to face the daily challenges lurking in the business world. It is that butterfly feeling in your stomach that keeps you awake through the night. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to constantly ignite his or her passion. To ignite your passion, there are three important things you must do and then you are sure your passion won't diminish even when you are confronted with the greatest Tsunami that may come your way in your pursue of happiness. Rather, business success. First and foremost, you must constantly think about your business. Except you are an entrepreneur who is comfortable with his or her present state, your working
Alfred Ade-Ijimakinwa 3
DAYO’S QUEST He’s breaking new barriers, tackling the problems in Africa through Gleehd Foundation
e is quite young for his vast experience and achievements. He is eloquent and passionate about his chosen course—social enterprise and youth development. This is perhaps as a result of the trauma he suffered as a child at the age of eleven when he lost his dad and had to survive in the slum with his mum, hawking on the streets of Lagos as a source of livelihood. This trauma did not deterred him, rather it laid the foundation for what he would later spend the rest of his life doing.
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sixteen he met Dave Pelzer, an American autobiographer and motivational speaker, through his books. These books left him with a deep impression that made him quest for more out of life for himself and the people around him. These books would make him courageously packed his bag and baggage and left the shores of Nigeria for England where he bagged his First Degree in Law and Master's Degrees in International Relations.
At a tender age, he was involved in Child Rights Act and chose to start a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), perhaps the only child-led-NGO in Nigeria dedicated to campaign for the promotion of children's rights in Nigeria. He would later initiate this child rights as clubs in high schools in Lagos State. As a result of this, he was elected into the Nigeria Children's Parliament at the age of 14. This position paved his way to the United Nation Young General Assembly in Swaziland. His return marked the beginning of several international meetings and speaking engagements with world leaders in Italy, United Kingdom and United States.
He soon forgot his unfinished business in Nigeria. But a call from a friend made him abandoned his comfort zone and lucrative duty in Spain to be part of the new government in Nigeria. He would later serve in the present government until destiny led him to set-up a foundation—Gleehd Foundation, a not-for-profit organization set up to create solutions to the challenges in Africa. In this issue of BusinessIQ Africa, read the inspiring one on one interview with Dayo Israel who confidently said that his mission is not to a nation, but to nations in Africa and the world at large. BusinessIQ Africa: In a nutshell, tell us, who is Dayo Israel?
But his life took a deliberate turnaround when at
Dayo Israel: Really, I don't know; I'm still finding out for myself. Some said Jesus was Elijah, and some said He was Elisha. But Jesus responded saying who do you say that I am? So, people have different definition for Dayo Israel. To some people, he is a Pastor. To some people, he is a Serial Entrepreneur. To some people, he is a Youth Leader. To some people, he is a Social Entrepreneur. To some people, Development Consultant. I am a lot of things to all men. BusinessIQ Africa: Tell us about your work experience prior to starting Gleehd Foundation? Dayo Israel: I believe it leads to who Dayo Israel truly is. I am a young Nigerian who is passionate about my country. I am a very young leader who is passionate about development and nation building. I've been passionate about entrepreneurship, livelihood and a better world from my young age. This was why in the year 2000, sponsored by UNICEF; I attended the United Nations Young General Assembly in South Africa where I met Nelson Mandela. We were advocating care rally to fight poverty, to educate every child and lots of other issues relating to 6
children and youth development. Before then, I started very early in life. In 1997, I was running an NGO, which I called General Action Against Violation of Human and Children's Rights (GAAVOHCR). I got involved in children advocacy and started child rights clubs in high schools in Lagos State. As a result of my advocacy and my children development agenda and exploits, I got elected into the children parliament of Nigeria in the year 2000 as Deputy Senate President and I served for 5 years. In addition to that, I started doing a lot of projects across Nigeria. I went to the UN Young General Assembly in Swaziland and that of Malawi in 2005. In Swaziland, after several exploits, I got invited to Italy, sponsored by the British Council, to attend UN of People's Conference. I also went to New York for the UN Special Session on Children. I started going from one event to another, attending several meetings, speaking at all these forums. That was the beginning of my journey. I got involved in advocacy at a very early age. That evolved into me getting involved with the many organizations that I worked with in Africa and United Kingdom. And now, I am part of a foundation called Gleehd Foundation for leadership and international development. It's a UK registered non-profit and we do a lot of work promoting development in Africa, promoting sustainable livelihood, trade, investment and many more.
BusinessIQ Africa: How did you start all these? Dayo Israel: I started in primary school; I started a Child Rights small organization, which eventually led to a Child Rights NGO. This led to several projects and NGOs. And it eventually led to a merger of about five NGOs that now formed what Gleehd Foundation is. On the other side, we also have a consulting firm. We consult for the government, senior leaders and executives in the government in Policy advocacy, lobbying, strategy management and capacity building. The foundation also has a social enterprise arm, which is the Dream Center. That is supposed to be the arm that helps the foundation generates capital and revenue for its advocacy programs because to change the world you need money. BusinessIQ Africa: What were the challenges you had to cope with when you started and how did you manage or overcome them? Dayo Israel: I had to cope with lots of challenges. When I started, it was difficult for my parents and others to believe what I was doing. My mother wanted me to go to the university to study law; she wanted me to study land law to be precise. I knew that wasn't what I wanted to do with my life; I wanted more out of life. Friends and people around me thought I was over ambitious. They
wanted me to get a degree, get a job and build a career. Another challenge was that I was treading a new territory because when I started, social enterprise was not popular. I had always loved to do what is very unpopular. Presently, I am still taking some steps that are unpopular in this sector. My passion is to pioneer new ideas. God has giving us the creativity to think what others are not thinking and that is what I am doing. When people ask who is Dayo, I say I like to be seen as a trailblazer. When they ask me what my vision is, I say I don't want to be a president; I want to be a legend. I want to be known for pioneering new ideas. I want to be one of those who are changing the world, finding solutions to the global challenges in a way that nobody has ever imagined or fathom. That has always been my core interest and passion. Also, I faced financial challenge. I recent came across a letter I wrote in 2001 (I had to take a picture of it). I wrote this letter to Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR). I believe Femi Falana was behind it then. I was asking CDHR to give us 1,000 Naira to print 500 copies of our Letterhead. Overcoming this particular challenge wasn't quite easy, but because I had done lots of work over the years, it gave me an edge; I was able to leverage on my network. I was able to leverage on the network I had built over the years. My advice is that you should start whatever you are doing very small and should look into your community, family and friends. People you have been part of their growth or lives, what are they able to contribute to your dream, passion or what you are doing. If they believe in what you are doing, they should be able to give you some form of support. I remember in October 2001, when we did our first conference. We had a seminar on the role of a child in Nation building and I invited the First Lady of Lagos State, (then Her Excellency Oluremi Tinubu) to the event and she came. We were supported by British Council and some people on my small network. This support we got as a result of the advocacy we have been doing since 1999. We were doing lots of advocacy and what we were doing was legendary and it paved the way for financial support. Today, I still leverage on my network. BusinessIQ Africa: How old were you when you started your advocacy project? Dayo Israel: I was fourteen when I started. I was sixteen when I traveled to UN in Swaziland. At that age, I was going for seminars, conferences, 10
meetings and other events. I believe all these contributed to my self confidence and things that I do. Also, the books I read perhaps broaden my horizon. BusinessIQ Africa: What kind of books were you reading at that age? Dayo Israel: I read a book by E.A. Adeboye titled A Child of Divine Destiny. I read Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn. I read Dave Pelzer's series: A Child Called It, The Lost Boy and A Man Name Dave. These series by Dave Pelzer were the books that made me carry my bag and left Nigeria. I read those books when I was sixteen. Then, I said to myself, I need to make something out of my life. I told my mother I was going to England and I carried my bag and left. I had already been travelling for events, summits, conferences and meetings. I had been involved in travelling since I was eleven, so it was easy for me to finally leave at sixteen. I did some works and mentorship programs and then I decided to study afterwards. I decided to get a good education. So, I went on to get my first degree and then my Masters. BusinessIQ Africa: So why did you come back to Nigeria? Dayo Israel: I was actually in Spain working for
the Council of Europe. Then I got a call from a friend of mine who wanted me to come to Nigeria to add some values to the new government. So, I came attending some meetings. Then the idea came up that I should work with a minister, which I did. And after a while, I went to work with the Director in the National Assembly. And then Gleehd Foundation came up and here I am. But I still travel every now and then. BusinessIQ Africa : Tell us about Gleehd Foundation? Dayo Israel : Gleedhd Foundation is an organization seeking to find solutions to challenges in Africa. We are passionate about creating livelihood for Africans. Africa greatest problem and challenge is poverty. That is why you see corruption around and during elections; they are buying voter cards and people's conscience. But if you are educated and have good source of livelihood, you won't fall for it. We are a group of Africans in Diaspora, working in Africa to create solutions to our problems. We work with the governments to find economic solutions to these problems. We work with African businesses, NGOs, business leaders and private sector leaders. We also create opportunity for businesses in Africa to meet with Europeans businesses.
BusinessIQ Africa: How does this affect the masses? Dayo Israel : When we work with the government; we work with them to create policies, trades and investments. These lead to implementing of new ideas and job creations, which literally affect the masses. We also equip the people; we run training programs, capacity building, employability and literary programs. Also we have a book club to enhance learning. We also hold life changing events, summits, conferences and seminars. We also hold leaders breakfast where we invite experts and professional leaders to come and share with emerging leaders and others. We talk about capacity building, creating values and innovations for businesses. We also talk about politics. We endeavor to cover every area that is necessary to improve the economy of Africa. BusinessIQ Africa : Gleehd Foundation definitely covers lots of areas to add value to Africa economy and we know this is a lot of work and requires huge capital. How do you intend to sustain all these or what is Gleehd Foundation sustainability strategy? Dayo Israel: At Gleehd, we report differently. Here we don't have an annual report, we have sustainability report. That helps us to know where we are, what we have the ability or capacity to do. Here, we do not generate funds using the conventional ways. Although, we rely on donations and grants, but we have created a system that will help our continuity. We have some arms of the foundation that help to generate funds that are channel back to sustain the Foundation. Like the Dream Center, which has a facility for events; we generate revenue through it by renting out the facility. We have a library program in which we charge a small fee from its users. This also generates revenue for the organization. We have the consultancy arm of the Foundation, which is also an avenue to generate fund. It is important for every not-for-profit organization to create sources of generating funds because you cannot completely rely on donations and grants. If such doesn't come, then you are on your own and won't be able to carry out your organizational plan or projects.
Dayo Israel: For me right now, is setting up the Dream Center, which had been my dream for over five years. Although we are not yet fulfilled, we are not completely there yet; at least we have a temporary site, not yet the permanent site. My fulfillment is that I am alive and I am thanking God for keeping me alive to see the Dream Center come to past. When I told the Board about getting the present facility for the Dream Center, they were alarmed at the price, but I knew the time was right and here we are today in the Dream Center. BusinessIQ Africa: Every business has its share of challenges, what are the challenges yours is presently facing? Dayo Israel: One of the challenges we are presently facing is electricity. It is quite alarming how much you spend to fuel electricity generators. This could have been channel to further a good course if the electricity is stable in this part of Africa. Another challenge is staffing. I remember when I started, I employed almost twenty staff and they basically did
BusinessIQ Africa: What is your greatest fulfillment when it comes to Gleehd Foundation? 13
not have the slightest idea of what we are doing here. I sacked every one of them in less than one month. I had to start all over again, hiring the right set of people and making sure I communicate the vision of the organization to them over and over again. If I have to say something to a particular person, I invite all of them to a meeting and communicate it so that everyone can understand what we are doing. Also, I hold regular meetings with them solely to communicate our vision to them all over again. BusinessIQ Africa: Staffing is an integral part of every business; what is your recruitment strategy? Dayo Israel: Yes, we do have staffing issue because as an NGO you rely on grants and donations. This means that the salaries are not fat. But luckily, there are people who also believe in your course and you should do nothing than to leverage on that and carefully employ those who are passionate and believe in your course. That has been our strategy. BusinessIQ Africa: Any room for internship? Any required procedure? Dayo Israel: Yes, we have lots of rooms for interns, but such must be willing to run with the vision of the organization and be ready to really take on his or her responsibility. Passion is important as this is what will keep you in an organization like Gleehd Foundation.
BusinessIQ Africa : Every business requires publicity, what is your major publicity channel or channels? Dayo Israel: Our major publicity channel for now is social media. We drive all our programs and events through social media. It is important you go where the people are and they are on social media. Also, we have a TV program, which also serves as a publicity platform for the organization. BusinessIQ Africa: What is the greatest business mistake you've ever made? Dayo Israel: Employing twenty staff only to find out that they don't understand what they were employed to do. I was left with no choice than to start all over again. BusinessIQ Africa: Tell us about your award and recognition? Dayo Israel: To the glory of God, I have lots of recognitions from my young age. Those are not my priority; my major focus is to add value to life and affect nations. My mission is not to Nigeria, but to nations. And there are lots of works to be done. BusinessIQ Africa: Tell us about your life outside work? Dayo Israel: If I am not working, I enjoy watching African Magic Yoruba majorly because of the funny and strange slangs. That's where I learnt some of the street slangs from. If you have seen any of these films, you will understand what I am saying. BusinessIQ Africa: What is your advice to would-be and budding entrepreneurs? Dayo Israel: Do what you are created and called to do. Some set up NGOs because they believe they can get donations or grants. These sets of people themselves need NGOs to help them achieve their goals. I am doing what I am doing right now because that is what I have been doing all my life. Find your true calling and create a business around it and remain focus and in no time, you will succeed. To learn more about Dayo Israel and Gleehd Foundation, visit: www.dayoisrael.com and www.gleehdfoundation.org. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Facebook: Dayo Israel | Twitter: @dayoisrael Instagram: Dayo Israel
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