Feb 2016 Kshs. 300 / Ushs. 9000 Tshs. 6000 / RWF. 2200
INSIDE KCB SMEs FINANCING HARNESSING SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP ETHICS ROLE IN BUSINESS TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN NAIROBI
Techno Brain SARAH RICHSON TALKS OF HER EXPERIENCE IN A MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT AND HOW SHE HAS NURTURED TALENTS ACROSS THE CONTINENT
EMPOWERING TALENTS
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Content
16. TECHNO BRAIN
EDGE FOCUS 10. ETHICS IN BUSINESS L’Oreal Group stands out from the crowd due to its sound ethical practices
12. SMEs FINANCING KCB: Facilitating the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises
14. YOUNG AND ENTERPRISING Being disruptive, different and unusual, Levis Maina has led Sullivan Marketing from a little known start-up to top of their game
MAIN STORY 14.
16. TECHNO BRAIN
YOUNG AND ENTERPRISING
4. HEAD START 6. QUOTABLE QUOTES 7. MAIL 8. BRIEFS
Sitting at the helm of Techno Brain, Sarah Richson talks of her experience in a multicultural environment and how she has nurtured talents across the continent
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Content
MAIN FEATURE 22. ENTREPRENEURSHIP Institutions of higher learning are playing a major role in nurturing budding innovators in Kenya
24. BIG BOOKS LIMITED Driven by the concept to build a society based on ideas, Mbugua Nga’ng’a established Big Books Limited. And now with several publications and awards under his belt, the future can only be exciting
26. MEDIA AND PUBLISHING Here’s why it is a bad idea to slap VAT on books for schools
12.
SMEs FINANCING
OPINION 28. CUSTOMER SERVICE Make your customer a walking billboard
42.
TRAVEL & LEISURE
30. CREATIVE SELLING Never say ‘i can’t sell’ once you start a business
32. PUBLIC RELATIONS The internet and new media
34. PERSONAL BRANDING Social media and your brand
36. CAREER KNOWLEDGE How Often Should You Change Jobs?
ARTS & INDUSTRY
40.
40. OMWAMI KELVIN
ARTS AND INDUSTRY
From A Little Known Comedian In Nakuru To Gracing The Churchill Show
TRAVEL & LEISURE
44.
44. KENYA Ten places to visit in Kenya
40.
ALBUM REVIEW
APP REVIEW
Managing Editor Sylvester Okumu Sylvester@edgemagazine.co.ke Editorial Consultant Japh Mutinda jmutinda67@gmail.com Editorial Oroni Tendera Ibrahim@edgemagzine.co.ke Jenny Nyawira Jenny@edgemagzine.co.ke Contributors Derek Bbanga CarolyneGathuru John Kageche MbuguaNg’ang’a PerminusMaina Ken Aruah
Business Development Manager Murrel Aluoch Marketing Executive Nelly Wambui Operations Washingtone Terry
Creative director Felix Rurigi felix@edgemagazine.co.ke
Published by Fine Edge Media Longonot Building, 3rd Floor, Apartment 2A, P. O. Box 74298-00200 Kijabe Street, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: (+254) 20-2088776 Cell:(+254) 724 113 683/ (+254) 715 507 024/ (+254) 770 467 370 E-mail: info@edgemagazine.co.ke Website: www.edgemagazine.co.ke
Edge Magazine is published monthly. Copyright 2016 Fine Edge Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form including photocopy, or any storage and retrieval system without the publisher’s permission in writing. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information contained in this publication.
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Head start
4
Head Start
Creative Disruptors
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applaud all creative disruptors in Kenya and across the globe, especially the young and enterprising. These are movers and shakers of the world. They are adept at identifying societal needs and developing innovative solutions to solve them. Most have gone against the societal grain, opted for untrodden path to establish successful businesses.
Entrepreneurship is currently gaining celebrity status here in Kenya and worldwide. Name the big names in the industry and you will realise that they are also household names in society. From serial entrepreneurs to business leaders, these individuals are highly revered. They are behind leading products and services that are impacting human life. Be it social or economic, entrepreneurship benefits are massive.
Kenya and Africa in general is grappling with high unemployment among the youth. With thousands of them graduating annually from institutional of higher learning, and lack of equally accommodating employment opportunities, many are left jobless. However, they can opt to use the knowledge they have acquired in school to start productive businesses.
I have interacted with some of these entrepreneurs in my quest to know what they are made of. They are admirable individuals with undying spirit for success. For them, success is a journey. They started early in life and have energy, passion and enthusiasm to stretch past their limits. They strive to offer solutions to societal needs and invest diligently in their ideas. And by the time they succeed, they have failed more than a million times. In this edition, Levis Maina, the founder of Sullivan marketing shares his insights from mentoring students while in college to ultimately discovering his love for branding. Mbugua Ng’ang’a the founder of Big Books is also cut from the same cloth. He has invaluable discernments on publishing in Kenya as an entrepreneur. From our expert contributors, one can learn a tip or two on what it takes to succeed as a start-up. Derek Bbanga talks of importance of personal branding on social media and its influence on reputation. John Kageche tells us that you have to sell in order to succeed in business. He discusses the best in the game and how they did it. Carolyne Gathuru customer relations nuggets are also worth note-taking. The edition further shades light on the life of a human resource professional and how she has succeeded in empowering African talents. Her passion for IT talents will amaze you. If you share these aspirations I welcome you into this journey of possibilities. What if you start a business and succeed? What would that mean for you? Would you impact the world and future generations? Would you leave a legacy? I believe this is possible. It all starts in the mind. If others have done it then you too can do it. Start planning. What ideas do you have? Are they practical? Can it solve a societal problem? Can it be embraced? Do you have the financial clout and capacity to deliver? What do you fear most? Are there challenges? What have you learned from others in similar position? Do not wait anymore. Roll out your sleeves and venture out. Sylvester@finedge-media.co.ke
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6
Quotable Quotes
Anisa Kamadoli Costa “If you believe passionately in what you are doing and who you are doing it with, success is bound to follow”
Anisa is currently the President of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation. Her leadership on CSR issues includes serving on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Mining & Metals, where she helps provide thought leadership on transformations affecting the mining and metals industries as they seek to forge a sustainable, long-term future. She has also worked at J.P. Morgan Chase, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Trushar Khetia
“No university will teach you life skills and street-smart business skills. You have to learn this by doing, by risking and putting yourself on the line day in day out.”
Trushar is one of Kenya’s most outstanding young entrepreneurs. He is the founder of Tria Group, an outdoor advertising firm that uses public transport to market leading consumer goods in Kenya. Tria was founded in 2013. It places advertising on more than 300 buses in Nairobi for clients such as Google, HP, Dell and Unilever. He is also the founder of Society Stores, one of the most popular supermarkets in Thika. According to Forbes, his groups of companies has annual revenues exceeding USD 8 million.
Ory Okolloh
“ For me, what has always been the most important aspect of the work we do has remained simple, building a tool that makes it easy for individuals and groups to tell their stories, and making it easy for these stories to be mapped/visualized.”
Okolloh is a Kenyan activist, lawyer, and blogger. She is director of investments at Omidyar Network. She was formerly the policy manager for Africa with Google. In 2007, she helped create Ushahidi-an online service for crowd-mapping data. It has been helpful in highlighting incidences of corruption in Kenya, survivors of the hurricane in Haiti and traffic problems in Washington among others. Erick Kinoti
“Being an entrepreneur in any field is as much as about understanding your worth as it is about understanding the product that you will be presenting on the table.”
Kinoti is an entrepreneur and a knowledge philanthropist. He is the founder and director of Shades Systems EA, Alma Tents, Bag Base Kenya and SafiSana Home Services. He has been listed in Kenya’s Top 40 under 40 and Forbes Top 30 under 30. His company Shades Systems EA is a regional leader in tent manufacturing and has gained global recognition.
Letters Fuzu.com story is spot on
No one gives your business an edge like we do
Searching for a job for jobseekers and getting the right candidate for employers has proven difficult. With thousands of students graduating every year, the problem is expected to escalate. However, the establishment of Fuzu.com is timely. The platform, whose mantra is ‘let job find you’, is playing a major role by linking jobseekers with potential employers. I believe it should be the best option for every jobseeker or employer.
Creative Design
Integrated Communications
Incisive Editorial
Advertising
Branding
Concept Ideas
Robert Wanjala Accountant, Mombasa
Review Column Informative I commend Oroni Tendera’s column on music review and the good work done by the entire edge team. I am an avid reader of that column. However, I would urge you to add more reviews on books, apps among others in order to give readers a whole package.
Annacieta Chero Student, Eldoret
A focus on investment
EDGE www.edgemagazine.co.ke
MAGAZINE
info@edgemagazine.co.ke Tel: (+254) 20-2088776 • Cell:(+254) 724 113 683 • (+254) 715 507 024 • (+254) 770 467 370
Currently, alternative investments have become the new trend for most investment companies. In particular, most are focusing on real estate in helping people achieve financial success. I applaud the excellent work done by Cytonn for the short time it has been in the market. It is unquestionably true that the company has taken the industry by storm!
Alex Mwololo Lecturer, Nairobi
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8
Briefs
Alexander Forbes To Offer Medical Cover For Retirees
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inancial services provider Alexander Forbes is set to offer medical insurance to retirees who are normally left out by insurance firms.
The pension fund manager will allow employees aged below 60 to save towards a medical cover dubbed NgaoMilele which will kick in when they retire.
Alexander Forbes, which disclosed it had reached an agreement with two underwriters to cover the elderly without exclusion, will withdraw cash from the accumulated fund to pay monthly premiums. “Only a handful of employers in Kenya currently facilitate postretirement medical provision for their employees — most retirees guzzle up their savings on medical expenses and housing needs, therefore this new scheme should enable them to plan wisely to avoid desperation in their sunset years,” said Alexander Forbes’ chief executive SundeepRaichura. NgaoMilele will provide both in-patient and out-patient covers. Insurance companies have avoided covering the elderly due to the high risk as they are more vulnerable to diseases.
“Individual schemes end at some age, most are up to age 75, they are withdrawn when needed most as the risk is very high. Its only NHIF (National Health Insurance Fund) which continues throughout,” said Isaac Ngaru, an insurance sector consultant. Alexander Forbes called for the contributions towards postretirement medical cover to be tax-exempt so as to boost uptake. Contributions towards retirement of up to 20 per cent of one’s pay are tax exempt.
Medical costs have shot up in the recent past due to rising inflation and the rise in cases of chronic diseases such as cancer.
The savings will earn an investment return, albeit at a lower rate than cash set aside under the retirement package. Employers have the option of contributing for their staff and joining an umbrella scheme or launching their individual schemes.
A group of five people qualifies to join the scheme, opening the door for employees whose employers are not ready to contribute to pool funds and contribute. An umbrella cover enjoys better discounts and more flexible terms such as admission of pre-existing conditions. Contract workers also qualify to join the fund. Those laid off will not face any penalty, but resignations which are not preceded by a three-month notice will be penalised.
The level and structure of the contributions will be tailored to meet the needs of each employers’ workforce. The product runs ahead of Kenya’s regulatory framework as it falls between the realm of the Retirement Benefits Authority and the Insurance Regulatory Authority.
“RBA has said their mandate does not extend to post-retirement medical schemes but we have submitted to them that we want to be voluntary, regulated by them and at the point of contracting an insurer IRA,” said Mr. Raichura. Alexander Forbes said the fund will be managed by a board of trustees and will have independent custodians and fund managers to ensure transparency and stability.
It is estimated that 60 per cent of medical bills occur after retirement. Four out of every five employers polled by Alexander Forbes said they would take up the product for their staff. Most Kenyans rely on contributions from family and friends to clear hospital bills.
Barclays Bank To Increase Its Businesses With Focus On SMEs
B
arclays Bank of Kenya aims to become the market leader in its core segments in the next few years.
Managing Director Jeremy Awori said on Friday the lender would ramp up its businesses while redoubling its focus on SMEs, women, youth and innovation to cement is foothold in the Kenyan market. He was speaking when the lender celebrated 100 years of existence in Kenya. “As we celebrate our 100th birthday, we recognise that we are at a critical point in our Kenyan journey. We have therefore
identified this as the most opportune time for us to go a step further towards making the difference that we desire to see in order to make Barclays Kenya a go-to bank because we believe in the potential of the people of this great nation,” Mr Awori said. Singling out the lender’s SME-focused banking products, Mr Awori said Barclays had made available Sh30 billion loans for the segment in the last two years. The bank launched SME banking in 2014. “We have a 48-hour loan approval turnaround time and universal bankers which in essence means that our staff are now empowered to serve both retail and business customers. We also rolled out a single point of contact for our SME customers and reviewed our lending cap upwards,” he said.
Innovative products
He said the lender would firm up its Kenya business through innovative products. “We take the view that ours is shared growth, when Kenya prospers we prosper. So have no doubt that Barclays’ commitment to
China’s Imports From Africa Plummet In 2015
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frica’s exports to China plummeted nearly 40 per cent last year, officials said Wednesday, as low commodity prices and slowing growth in the Asian giant hit trade.
Imports from the continent fell to 440 billion yuan, some 38 per cent lower than in 2014, China’s Customs administration said. Natural resources from Africa such as iron ore and oil have helped fuel China’s economic boom, and it became the continent’s largest trade partner in 2009, giving it growing diplomatic influence.
But growth in the world’s second-largest economy has slowed to its lowest since the aftermath of the global financial crisis, punishing world prices for commodities — the bedrock of African exports.
Kenya is real and we are therefore here to stay,” said Mr Awori.
Barclays Bank of Kenya Chairman Francis Okomo-Okello said the lender which was established in 1916, has in the last 100 years played a “significant role in the development of Kenya’s financial and economic landscapes.” He singled out Barclays for being the first bank to promote an African to the position of the Branch manager with the appointment of Mr Peter Nyakiamo immediately after Kenya attained self-rule. “In 1972, we became the first bank to promote a woman to the position of supervisor with the appointment of Agatha Obare. Five years later, in 1977, Barclays promoted Mary Okello making her the first African woman to become a branch manager,” he recalled. Central Bank governor Patrick Njoroge who attended the celebrations called on financial institutions to embrace innovation and market discipline to ensure success in their operations.
“A single rogue trader can bring down a 100-year-old financial institution…a customer has to be dealt with as if they are the only customer in the world,” said Dr Njoroge Economists say Chinese growth is becoming less dependent on heavy industry, further hitting demand for raw materials. However, Chinese exports to Africa rose by about 4 percent to reach 670 billion yuan, officials said.
Oil exporters are expected to be hit especially hard. China said its imports from Nigeria slumped more than 50 percent by value last year. Beijing said in November its direct investment in Africa dropped “more than 40 percent” to about $1.2 billion in the first six months of the year.
China’s President Xi Jinping announced $60 billion of assistance and loans for Africa last month, signalling ongoing commitment to the continent despite the investment drop.
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10
Ethics In Business
L’Oreal Group stands out from the crowd due to its sound ethical practices
Do Ethics In Business Matter?
O
rganizations must do the right thing basically because it is the right thing to do. That means integrating the principle of business ethics as a major component in the organization’s culture. Ethics in business implies applying ethical values of integrity, transparency, openness, fairness and honesty in every business undertaking. Companies that have found themselves on the receiving end of unethical business practices generally suffer from poor reputation resulting in poor relationships with clients, high staff turnover, and lose competitive advantage among other aspects.
It is worth noting that every individual’s action, be it junior employees or top level executives, affects the organizations as a whole. However, the top leadership greatly matters. Employees tend to imitate their bosses; hence the latter must be credible and trustworthy. As a matter of fact, executives must acknowledge their role in shaping organizational ethics and seize the opportunity to create a climate that can strengthen the relationships and reputation on which their companies’ success relies on. According to philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, ‘being ethical is feeling responsible for the responsibility of others’. Taking for instance, climate change has been a major issue that is negatively affecting many countries across the globe. In that regard, governments, nongovernmental organizations and global business leaders convened in Paris, France during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the
Emmanel Lulin, L’Oreal’s Senior Vice President and Chief Ethics Officer.
parties (COP21). They discussed on setting out a global framework of 2 degrees Celsius in order to cut carbon emissions from respective countries. Some companies also understand that business success is not largely about making huge profit margins and massive sales, and have therefore taken proactive approaches to prevent problems linked with unethical practices.
“Strong organizations are determined by both short and long-term results,” says Emmanel Lulin, L’Oreal’s
Senior Vice President and Chief Ethics Officer. “Companies that run their businesses on double standards may not live long enough as their possibility of failing is high,” he adds. Lulin joined L’Oreal Group in 1999 as the general counsel for human resources heading the legal affairs and human resources department.
Ethics in practice
According to Lulin, it is important for organizations to have an ethics department in their structure. “Integrating ethics in the culture, strategy as well as daily undertakings is the only way through which companies can guarantee sustainability and competitive advantage in the twenty first century.” With respect to this, he founded the Group’s ethics office in 2007 with the aim of incorporating ethics into the heart of the company’s best practices. “The ethics programme is hands-on and upholds the growth of the group in every aspect,” shares Lulin.
L’Oreal established a code of business ethics in 2000, making it among the first companies in France to take this proactive step. It is a shared document that covers important aspects regarding the organization’s culture of loyalty, trust and solidarity. Through it, employees are able to comprehend what is required of them as it sets out the general principles as well as practical everyday examples.
Companies that run their businesses on double standards may not live long enough as their possibility of failing is high
The company also promotes a culture of openness where employees can raise their legitimate concerns. “We also encourage dialogue and employees are free to openly express their concerns without fear of retribution,” he quips.
Lulin offers that ethics in business is not only tied to the top executives but it is a vital responsibility of every person. “For many years, we have also come together during the ethics day that has become a key date in the Group’s calendar.”
While ethics issues are not simple, L’Oreal’s strength is to have the courage to address them. L’Oreal Group is the globe leader in beauty products. With presence in 130 countries
across the world, it endevours to offer the best in cosmetics innovations to all people with respect for their diversity.
Why L’Oreal stands out
In 2015, L’Oreal was named as one of the world’s most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute, on the basis of the relationship that exists between ethics and profit margins. It was its sixth time in a row.
According to Lulin, L’Oreal was honoured by that recognition. “We are positive that companies that exhibit high ethical standards and conduct business with high levels of integrity, respect their employees and demonstrate responsible corporate citizenship benefit from an irrefutable strategic advantage.” He further emphasizes that the company earned that recognition due to its commitment to strong ethical practice, excellent behavior in ethical matters and compliance with regulations in its ethical and social dedication, as well as in its genuine engagement with the community. Indeed L’Oreal aims at becoming an exemplary company globally and that is why it considers its strong values and ethical principles as its major assets. “We are guided by the principles of integrity, courage, respect and transparency which shape our culture and strengthen our reputation.
L’Oreals inclusion as one of the world’s most ethical companies reveals its industry leading commitment to conducting business in an ethical manner.
Operating environment also matters
“Questionable business practices drive away foreign investors,” says Lulin. Recently in Kenya, the issue of corruption saw president Uhuru Kenyatta call upon the private sector to assist the government curb against corruption. It is the only way of creating a healthy business environment and simultaneously promote development. Apparently, the linkage between an organizations impact and ethical behavior cannot be downplayed. In that regard, Lulin feels that it is the high time for both developing and emerging countries to be guided by a code of ethics. By Jenny Nyawira
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SMEs Financing
Edge Magazine interviewed Mrs. Annastacia Kimtai, Retail Director, KCB. She shared insights on how the bank engages with SMEs and facilitates their growth, spearheading economic development. Here are excerpts;
KCB: Facilitating The Growth Of Small And Medium Enterprises
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indly give some insights into KCB current engagement with startups/SMEs.
Annastacia:KCB is focused on SMEs and runs fully-fledged SMEs units in all its branches. In the units, we have assembled highly qualified teams that are dedicated to addressing not only SMEs financial needs but also help SMEs overcome the challenges that hinder their growth. We are increasingly sourcing for partnerships with like-minded institutions to seek more funds for SMEs while training business people on how to manage their businesses, encouraging start-ups and partnering with the Government to simplify business processes.
Through the Biashara Club, the Bank organizes learning expeditions in other countries as part of KCB’s efforts to support growth of the SME sector in the region by providing platforms for learning and knowledge sharing. The tours help SMEs meet business and trade experts who empower them on various SMEs issues, challenges and opportunities.
We teach and train SMEs through seminars and other expos aiming to point out operational weaknesses such as record and book keeping and in areas such as human resource. These trainings are geared towards equipping members with the necessary business skills that will enable them be competitive in their various areas of operations. Have you faced challenges engaging SMEs/Start-ups? Any possible interventions? Annastacia:SMEs are the next frontier for growth for Kenya’s economy. As a growing sector, they face several challenges which as a Bank we are trying to address. Some of the common challenges that face SMEs include lack of business training and proper cash flow management systems. Some also lack networks with institutions that can help conceptualize and transform skills to entrepreneurship.
personalized services to our customers.
Management theorists would argue that lack of financial support is the single biggest plight affecting the growth of Start-ups/SME’s. Do you agree? Annastacia:Access to finances has been cited as one of the major hindrance to the development of the SME sector especially in SubSaharan Africa. Informal sector competition, taxes and workforce skills are also key constraints. However, in the recent past, we have seen stakeholders coming together to discuss ways in which this can be solved. We are glad that this has brought on board various interest groups and I believe more is in store for the SME sector while banks have been making steady strides to bridge this gap.As a bank we believe that improving overall business environment is key and can only be done by ownership to the process by various government agencies. While waiting on the business environment to improve, it would give good development effect to increase incentives to enter the formal economy by increasing access to equity capital. What are some of the emerging trends you are seeing in the SMEs space?
Annastacia:While bank financing will continue to be crucial for the SME sector, there is a broad concern that credit constraints will simply become “the new normal” for SMEs and entrepreneurs. It is therefore necessary to broaden the range of financing instruments available to SMEs and entrepreneurs, in order to enable them to continue to play their role in investment, growth, innovation and employment. Mrs. Annastacia Kimtai, Retail Director, KCB.
KCB facilitates trainings and workshops to build capacity while providing networking opportunities that link SMEs/Micros to connect with already established businesses.
What are some of the benefits that start-ups/ SMEs can derive from engaging with KCB (What’s KCB’s competitive edge?) Annastacia:The SMEs sector is very key to us. We are deliberately focused on empowering and facilitating the growth of SMEs as a catalyst of economic growth. Our network spread, balance sheet size, diverse product and services range and a strong financial position give us ample space to efficiently support SMEs. As KCB, we define SMEs and facilitate their growth. We focus on developing Africa’s SME sector, mostly as vehicles to employment and job creation and as a key to the region’s entrepreneurial environment needs.The bank also has in place dedicated county relationship managers - Micro bankers and Business & Retail Bankers who are spread throughout the country to provide
Crowdfunding has grown rapidly since the middle of the 2000s, and at an increasing rate in the last few years, although it still represents a very minor share of financing for businesses. One specificity of this instrument is that it serves to finance specific projects rather than an enterprise. It has been used in particular by non-profit organisations and the entertainment industry, where non-monetary benefits or an enhanced community experience represent important motivations for donors and investors. Nevertheless, over time, crowdfunding has become an alternative source of funding across many other sectors, and it is increasingly used to support a wide range of business activities.While assetbased finance is a widely used tool in the SME financing landscape, alternative forms of debt have had only limited usage by the SME sector, even within the larger size segment which would be suited for structured finance and could benefit from accessing capital markets, to invest and seize growth opportunities. What would you say is the role of SMEs in the future of the Kenyan economy?
Annastacia:SMEs are the next frontier for growth for the Kenyan economy. They will determine the pace and trajectory the economy will take in the coming years as engines of job creation and promotion of entrepreneurship.
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Young And Enterprising
Being disruptive, different and unusual, Levis Maina has led Sullivan Marketing from a little known start-up to top of their game.
A Rookie Who Dared To Dream
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raduating with top honours and top of his class in both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, Levis Maina would not have thought otherwise but work for a first-rate company in the corporate world. Rise among the ranks and build his career to the top. This dream would be widely shared among Kenya’s smart students. He chose the untrodden path. When I met him over coffee at Silver Springs hotel, he was happy and full of life. He is a strict observer of time and had cautioned me not to be late. I was there in time for the interview. At just 30 years, he had formed a leading marketing and integrated communication firm in the Kenya, won the Africa Rising Stars 2014 awards, hosted the first ever African Brand Summit and sat on the board of World Brand Congress. How have you managed this at such a relatively juvenile age? I was curious. ‘’Being a first born in a family of four was defining. All your folks look after you and if you trip, it would be disastrous. I learned to be responsible from a very early age as all eyes were on me. It gave me an early start in life,” he began.
He studied Commerce and Marketing from the University of Nairobi and graduated in 2011 with a postgraduate degree.
Volunteer-ship
Between his undergraduate and graduate studies, he volunteered for ‘I Serve Africa’-acommunity service. He says the programme shaped his perception of life and inspired him to inspire others. For that reason, he mentored high school and University students on Entrepreneurship and Leadership. He also worked as a pro bono consultant with African Center for Women, Information and Communications Technology (ACWICT). His main responsibility was to empower girls and women from slums with business development skills. “I was passionate about entrepreneurship, hence the success of the programme,” recalls Maina. He also taught Marketing and Brand Management as a graduate assistant at University of Nairobi. While at this, he wanted to gain professional experience and went into actual practice. He secured employment with an ad agency in Nairobi city centre, a position that lasted for six weeks.
He was a senior account executive in charge of branding, marketing and communication. Within this short stint, he identified gaps in the market. Something which his employer was skeptical to tap. Many companies did not identify with their brand. Others were struggling to connect with their customers.
“I wanted to venture out and help brands tell their story,” he avers. He adds that the only way he could help was to establish a company. Sullivan Marketing was born in September 2013.
He had no savings. It was only the salary from his six week employment stint that he used to set up the firm. Without further source of income, he had to juggle between growing his start-up firm and cutting down operational expenses. He moved into a one-room shack in Kawangware where he used to Ksh 2,800 every month for rent. This dabbled up as his office. With only a laptop, he embarked on his new journey. Maina had a dream to conquer the world, nothing could stop him. “I settled on an idea to host the first ever African Brand Summit. A conference where corporates, NGOs, institutions, government and private players would talk about transformational branding.” “I was not afraid of reaching out,” he adds. “I wrote and sent proposals to big brands in and around Africa.”
He says the outcome was amazing. African Brand Summit was born in April 2014. The first in the continent. The summits brought together big brands such as Google, Kenya Commercial Bank, Vision 2030 Board, Brand Kenya, Nairobi County Government among others. “My main motivation was to tell the African story in a compelling and inspiring way. It created a dialogue that caught up with the World Brand Summit. I was invited to sit on the board.” Maina further won Africa Rising Stars Awards in June 2014, under the entrepreneurship category.
Setting foot
After setting foot in the industry, the company began strengthening operations in its line of business. He contributed articles in business publications to gain traction. On top of that, Maina established personalized relations with business leaders, built on existing networks and explored new ones. His efforts begun to pay off. KCB, Hivos Foundation and Scania among other leading players came on board.
Over time, he restructured the firm in tandem with the changing marketing trends. Sullivan, which began as a Branding and Communication specialty now focuses on integrated marketing communication, event management, public relations as well as digital and social media marketing. “We have also diversified our operations to handle both SMEs and corporates,” reveals Maina.
According to him, every experience in his entrepreneurship journey has been fulfilling. Although he has mentors who have kept him focused all this while, his motivation comes from within. “I also enjoy the personal freedom and uncertainties that comes with entrepreneurship.”
He works with a team of talented young individuals. Maina says,at Sullivan, they have a very diverse and inclusive working culture. He is also receptive to creative minds and positive attitudes. Above all, he says his team members are obliged to be in possession ofgood interpersonal and communication skills. His vision for the company is also shared among his employees. He says, besides working for him, they are self-driven and entrepreneurial.
Outlook
“Many start-ups flop because they nosedive their business model and fail to connect with it along the way. To stay relevant, being innovative and adapting to market trends is vital,” he shares. Having won awards, defied status quo and established a growing firm, Maina is not done yet.
He has a lot in his bucket list. Besides setting a footprint in the industry, he wants to diversify into political communication, tap on blue markets as well as establish strategic partnerships.
He ends the interview by quoting Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible until it is done.” By Sylvester Okumu
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Main Story
Sitting at the helm of Techno Brain, Sarah Richson talks of her experience in a multicultural environment and how she has nurtured talents across the continent.
EMPOWERING AFRICAN TALENTS By Sylvester Okumu
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y the time she was 19, she had already started her first job, and at 23, she flew to the United Kingdom for further studies. Today, at 42, she is the global human resource director of Techno Brain Group, overseeing over 20 countries across Europe, America, Asia and Africa. We met Sarah Richson in her modest office on the 3rd floor of Techno Brain headquarters atHeritan House along Woodlands avenue in Hurlingham, Nairobi. She looked cheerful and full of demeanor as she ushered us into her office: a small room with a simple desk and a notice board on the wall. Atop the desk, a photo of Sarah and her husband,all smiles, adds warmth to the rather ambient office environment. Having studied, worked and lived in the UK for nearly two decades and
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interacting with people from all walks of life, it is understandable why she is so welcoming. But beyond the sheer passion of her reception, there is a demonstrated expertise in transforming fast-growth companies.
Deep passion for African talents From successfully transforming amorphous environments into structured high-performing space through policy and governance, her deep passion for African talent thrives.
“I have a background in international business management with special emphasis on human resource and strategic management. Having worked in multi-dimensional sectors including HR consultancy, leadership development and professional training among others, I value human capital empowerment,” she opened up.
She is a culture specialist and talent developer working on both African and European projects.
It is under these strings of experiencethat she has discovered and nurtured African IT talents under Techno Brain. “We are one of the reasons why people say Africa is brimming with IT talents. We started training people here in Africa. Currently, we are spread across 19 countries in the continent. We are using local resources to empower African talents,” she reveals. She further adds, “Our chairman started the training center as a social impact. He thought if we would build a knowledgebased economy through IT, we would promote the growth of Africa’s economy and connect it to the rest of the world.” Starting as a training centre, other
structures and solutions were built along the way. Techno Brain is now the leading African BPO/ITE service company with markets spread across the globe.
She argues that the energy for IT driven solutions is more pronounced in the public sector than any other in the industry. To tap on opportunities presented by the growing need of IT solutions by governments across Africa, Techno Brain has won and implemented key governmental projects. Whether it is passport issuance systems for the department of Immigration in Malawi, or automation of key government processes like Huduma Center in Kenya, Techno Brain has been exceptional. “Being an African company with an in-depth understanding of the African context and socio-cultural terrain, we are better placed to develop specific solutions forAfrican needs. The thirst for IT driven solutions was startling, and it continues to be,” she remarks.
Starting in Tanzania nearly two decades ago, Techno Brain was among the first African IT company to disrupt the industry. Years later, its solutions are used nearly across all sectors of the economy. She notes, “Many people sitting in class are either using our platforms to learn or they may end up using our business processing outsourcing solutions at work.” Working culture “We have a diverse working culture and everyone is driven by results. In fact, there are key corporate values that drive our operation. We value diversity, integrity, innovation as well we focus on our people,”says Sarah.
It is through this appreciation of diversity that the company is driven by young talented human capital. It was also among the first companies to promote gender empowerment in technology, a fad that she says has started to gain recognition across the sector.
“Technology is a male dominated field but we are going against the grain to encourage women to prosper in the field,” she notes.
Women rock! Sarah reveals that she is the brainchild behindPink Potential – IT Women Rock: an annual conference and the first IT Woman of the Year Award in sub-Saharan Africa which celebrates women achieving great impact through their work in the IT Sector.
Nevertheless, even with the annual conference, there were very few women in technology. “When I came over, we had less than 30 per cent women in the company. But now we are above that.”
“Our roles here sometimes can be engaging. For instance we have to travel a lot across the globe. This discouraged women for such responsibilities but we are now encouraging them.” According to her, the fact that she is reshaping the mindset on women and IT both at micro and industry levels is fulfilling.
Experience in multicultural sectors Given her experience in multi-cultural sectors, she has created an empowering and enabling environment in the company. She explains, “We understand millennialism and embrace neo-culture. We are very flexible and understand that people have different interests in life which we encourage them to embrace.” Asked whether Techno Brain is the choice employer in the industry, she shrugs off and chuckles. “We have too many requests
where people want to work for us. Maybe that would explain.”
All in all, she argues that human capital management should not be approached as a policing job but with a human face. “I approach HR from the human school of thought. It is distressing that the current market orientation is focused on the tasks to be done unlike people centered. This opts to change.” Sarah is a thought leader in the areas of leadership development and people strategy. She says she is a credible trainer in these areas.
Spends time with the youth She spends enormous amount of time with the youth and speaks regularly at local educational institutions in Africa where she mentors and advises on careers and life choices. She spearheads the Presidential Digital Mentorship Programme. She is also a keynote speaker at YALI, a Barrack Obama mentorship programme for young leaders. In view of indentifying young and fresh talent and preparing them for leadership, she launched the first leadership programme at Techno Brain. Together with a structured internship, these programmes prepare young talent for future leadership. With all these responsibilities, Sarah admits that sometimes it is quite complex to handle a big workforce from different countries. ‘’There are times I can be woken
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person and his application of knowledge,” she says.
Sarah comments, “I am more interested in application of knowledge rather than theory. I would most likely consider a B student for a job opportunity than an A student if he is more interested in showing me an application of knowledge.” Besides, she says she is a servant leader. “I approach everyone with dignity, be it the CEO at the top or the guard at the gate.”
up in the middle of the night to attend a web-conference in the US,” she goes further, “However, I have thrived in these complexities. It calls for understanding of the task at hand. I handle every challenge with a specialized approach.”
Sarah explains the industry has a share of its challenges. “The uptake of knowledge across different regions differs. For instance, in Kenya and South Africa, the uptake of IT is very fastunlike across other countries in Africa.”
Ultimately, she is able to handle all these complexities, thanks to her experience in a multicultural environment.
Her impressions after living and working in Europe “I have come to appreciate diversity. I have learned the invaluable lesson of systematic thinking. Time is a resource that should not be wasted. Here in Africa we are still struggling with that,” she remarks. “I also learned to value people’s abilities. Human capital is very focused on the
Emerging trends She observes that the local private sector is being tipped to play an important role in Africa’s development. Literacy levels are growing across Africa and uptake of technology is surging up. Although multinationals have long been involved in helping businesses, fresh initiatives by African companies are now proliferating. Therefore, in order to remain relevant, she says, it is important to understand people’sanalytics.
“Connecting people to business strategy is a trend. For instance, understanding millennials and connecting them to business strategies is key. We can now leverage on social media and other neoculture trends for business growth.” She also notes that the industry has started to embrace multi-dimensional employees. “We are now seeing individuals with degrees in physics working in the department of human resource among others. In fact, I have a political scientist working in my department here at Techno Brain. And she has been phenomenal, helping me in understanding people’s analytics and the likes.”
Sarah further notes that market trends are now shifting towards impact sourcing. “This is a concept where an organization sources for talents from individuals with social and economic problems and mentors them for employment. For example, recruiting students from slums as opposed to top notch universities, and training them. Within a few months, you would be
surprised that they look sharper and more productive,” she affirms.
Success is a journey Borrowing from her father who was a self-taught engineer, she offers, “Leaders build themselves daily, they are not built in a day. It practically means that leadership and success is a journey that one should be willing to embrace.” It is a trait that the 8thborn girl ina family of 13 siblings, mostly engineers, has learned to approach life as a learning process.
But from her modest office, Sarah remains unfazed by these achievements but instead wants to focus on developing more talents, spending time with family and giving back to society. In her own words • I am a teacher, mentor, strategist and talent developer. • I really love my family. My oldest son is 23 years and my husband is always supportive.
• I come from a multicultural family. I am Kenyan, my husband is American and my children are Britons. • I spend enormous amounts of time with the youth and speak regularly at local educational institutions in Africa where give advice on careers and life choices.
• My father is a self-made and self-taught engineer. • I mentor 8 individuals every month. • I am a prolific speaker who advocates for empowering lives of local communities with inspirational mentorship programmes.
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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ntrepreneurship is a global phenomena. Many theorists have described it as the willingness to take risks and develop, organize and manage a business venture in a competitive marketplace that is constantly evolving. Entrepreneurs are leaders, pioneers, innovators and inventors. They are at the vanguard of technological and social movements-in their thinking, in their desire to push the envelope, in their constructive thinking. They are dreamers and most importantly-doers.
Global leaders like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have shown us what it takes to effect visionary change through their innovations and leadership. Locally, industrialists like Dr. Manu Chandaria and Chris Kirubi have been exceptional. They have excelled in their desires to generate something new in the marketplace and redefine human experience.
There are new crop of leaders in town. They have taken over from these pioneers, turned their technical skills and creative ideas into blossoming ventures. They are answering societal problems and creating value in return. What is more, they consciously value the idea that success in entrepreneurship does not only mean making money but, more importantly, making a difference.
Institutions of higher learning are playing a major role in nurturing budding innovators in Kenya
Harnessing The Spirit Of Entrepreneurship
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n the past, institutions of higher learning mainly focused on the teaching mandate. Recently however, this has changed and most universities have incorporated research and development as well as technology transfer in their curriculum. One such university is Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development (MOIED) established the Nairobi Industrial and Technology Park (NITP) in 2013. NIPT is a Kenyan vision 2030 flagship project wholly owned by the University. The project advances the heritage of offering world class solutions as well as employment creation.
“The aim of the park is to nurture innovations and research findings into enterprises that can be commercialized to help build the economy,” says Dr. Suleiman Oketch, Director of NIPT. The university has set aside a budget that will help researchers and other staff members to conduct research and generate new innovations.
Since that took root, new technologies and innovations started emerging but they needed an outlet to be harnessed into enterprises. “However, since they have not been commercialized yet, they need to be
nurtured first so that people can know about them,” says Oketch.
It is worth mentioning that upcoming innovators find it hard to get funding from the mainstream financial service institutions because such institutions generally look at the profit margins and sustainability of such enterprises. “This was what called for the establishment of the industrial and technology park,” reveals Oketch. “In that regard, we look at the best innovations from students and bring them into the park, discuss with them the problems and obstacles that they face, help them to start building them into good products, nurture them, and help the product reach out into the market,” he adds. Through that they start creating jobs and generating income. At JKUAT, education is pegged on practical teaching and students are required to take part in an industrial attachment before graduating.
Areas of concentration As a university of agriculture and technology, the park mainly concentrates on six areas which are agribusiness, value addition, mechanization of operations, biotechnology, information communication and technology as well as packaging. Although the idea of the park came up in 2007, it technically started in 2013.
farm inputs such as fertilizer. This makes working in the farm efficient and easy. Other innovations include the Rehau homegas, miraa wine as well as value addition of sorghum among others.
Harnessing innovations in higher education Universities are supposed to spearhead the development of a nation by bringing in skilled manpower as well as generating technology.
“Currently, the most expensive commodity across the world is technology,” says Oketch. In particular, X-ray and cancer equipments are costing the Kenyan government a lot of money through importation. These innovations should be developed by the local universities in order to support the economy while creating employment internally.
“The university has allocated 32 acres of land for the park that will be equipped with infrastructure including specialized workshops and laboratories, recreation facilities, a technology museum, a conferencing facility and banking facilities with the aim of harnessing upcoming businesses and help them grow.” The park is open not only to students but to every other person with an innovation. Ongoing innovations Currently, there are various innovations ranging from small and simple to sophisticated ones that are currently within the park.
To start with is the Taifa Laptop, the first Kenyan assembled laptop. The Taifa is assembled in partnership between the University and Inspur, an international company based in China.
The second technology is a production of tractors that is developed in collaboration with the Society for Research and Technology Institute in India and supported by USAID India. The project aims at facilitating the mechanization of
small scale farm operations and value addition thus empowering small scale farmers and youth in particular.
“The university did research on the development of small tractors and learnt that there is an institution in India that has been addressing the same issues and we combined forces to pursue the objective.” The tractors can plough small pieces of land. They will be manufactured by small and medium entrepreneurs around the country where each one will make a different part which will later be assembled at NIPT.
A multipurpose food processing machine is the other technology. It can make juices from different fruits and vegetables. Most importantly, it has a facility that extracts the essential oils for instance from the rose flower. “Currently we are carrying out a pilot study and we have a group in Kibera and Kitui which are already producing juice using the machine,” offers Oketch. Besides, it has also developed a planting dibble. The equipment has a tube with some blade at the end that is pushed in the soil for planting and also for applying
Oketch feels that it is the high time the government supports local talents as this is the only way the country can participate in harnessing and nurturing innovators to enable them compete against their counterparts in emerging and developed nations. “Innovation does not necessary rely on education, but it is all in the mind.” The government should create a suitable environment for the innovators to develop their innovations to commercial levels and show appreciation and acknowledgement that something good can come up locally. However, budding innovators face various challenges one of them being lack of resources. They are not able to develop and market their products and in some cases, they are drawn out of the market by the already developed companies. Policies and regulations are not encouraging at all. Upcoming companies are required to pay taxes, submit audited accounts all which require resources in terms of money. “Kenyans are enterprising and have become innovative. All we need is to improve on policies and laws that will encourage that spirit.” By Jenny Nyawira
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Driven by the concept to build a society based on ideas, Mbugua Nga’ng’a established Big Books Limited. And now with several publications and awards under his belt, the future can only be exciting.
The Publisher With Big Ambitions
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n September 2009,Ng’ang’a Mbugua established Big Books Limited.A decision that was born out of rejections from publishers and dissatisfaction with pitiable royalties that authors earn from theirpublishers. Big Books offers publishing services to both upcoming and established writers, as well as editorial consultancy to independent authors and publishing houses. So far, the firm has 6 titles to its name.
What really makes Big Books unique?
Unlike mainstream publishing houses in Kenya, whose specialty is in school books, Big Books is committed to fill the gap created by traditional publishers by reaching out to general readers out of school. He reveals that it is risky to focus on school books alone. “If you specialize in school books then your major customer will obviously be the government, a very unpredictable client. Governments can introduce new policies that might prove to be unfavourable.” In view of getting a head start into the industry, the firm adopted innovative measures. For instance, they invested instate-of-the-art cover designs. He says, “When I set up shop back then, all publishers were using illustrations on their cover pages, a style which
was old fashioned. But wechose to use photographs in place of illustrations. A successful trend that is being emulated by other publishers.” He adds, “You will notice over the last several years book cover designs have changed. I pioneered a change that has been disruptive.”
Furthermore, the publishersays that his firm not only shares publishing costs with writers but also orients them through the publishing process systematically.
Asked if Big Books authors are as dissatisfied with the sales and returns of their books as he were before venturing into publishing, Mbugua shakes his head in disapproval before giving an account of how their writers are fairing in the market, “There is one writer who recouped his capital after just 300 copies. With
passionate was he about writing that he attended Typewriting and Office Practice classes, a subject that was then stereotypically labeled ‘feminine’. From high school, he proceeded to Egerton University in 1994 where he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Literature, Linguistics and Philosophy. In the same year, he secured a job at The People newspaper -writing weekly book reviews. After graduating from college in 1998,Mbuguaworked as an assistant editor for a monthly publication at the Media Institute. He worked for 18 months before returning to the People. At the People, he won a continental journalistic award,Pan Africa Broadcast and Heritage Award, for his story on Human rights in 2000.
His first book was published in 2000. After nine years ofenduring rejections and earning meagre royalties, Mbugua secured a SACCO loan of Ksh. 200,000 and started Big Books Limited.
At the moment, he is an author of 13published books and working on his 14th book, scheduled to be published this year. Besides, he has won the Wahome Mutahi Literary prize twice and two of his award-winning books, Different Colours and Terrorists of the Aberdare, are being studied as set-texts in four Kenyan Universities. Mbugua does not regret venturing into publishing. “I used to request publishers to publish my books. Nowadays, I even get commissioned by publishers to write books. Recently, I was in a meeting with a writer who wants to buy the rights of Different Colours,”he avers.
this he had already accomplished his goal which was to have the book published at no cost.”
Poor Reading Culture
However, everything is not glamorous in the publishing industry. Mr. Mbugua is concerned about the poor reading culture in Kenya. He says Kenyans perceive reading books to be a school activity. Despite the fact that many of his clients are middle class Kenyans-majority of whom would rather buy books for their schooling children than for themselves.
In a bid to change this worrying trend, Big Books launched a campaign to imparta reading culture among Kenyans. “We are encouraging adults to read,” he shares.
Career Journey
Mbugua started writing while in secondary school. So
The Outlook Initially, Mbugua had an idea of selling Big Books but he changed his mind after realizing the potential that lies in millions of literate Kenyan readers out of school. Driven by the goal, to build a society based on ideas, he plans to expand and diversify the services offered by his publishing company.
VITAL STATS Player: Mbugua Ng’ang’a
Business: Big Books is a publishing and editorial consultancy firm working with both upcoming and established writers, as well as other publishers.
Funding: Used his own savings together with a Sacco loan of Ksh
200,000
X-Factor: Mbugua is an established author and newspaper editor.
With over two decades experience in the industry, he complement his wealth of knowledge and his love for creative design to channel out exceptional books. By Oroni Tendera
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Media And Publishing
“Because it has placed a high premium on knowledge, Europe remains a dominant player on the global stage despite the fact that its population is just a small fraction of the world’s eight billion people…”
Here’s Why It Is A Bad Idea To Slap Vat On Books For Schools
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urope is home to 12 per cent of the world’s population, but it produces 33 per cent of the knowledge generated globally each year. Indeed, one of the mission statements of Germany – a dominant player in European affairs - is to produce tomorrow’s innovations today. True to their mission, each year, Germany hosts one country during the Frankfurt International Book Fair where they showcase their books, history, culture and other achievements in the spheres of generating knowledge. Last year, it was Indonesia. This year, Flanders and The Netherlands will be joint guests under the theme ‘This is what we share’. Next year, it will be France’s turn.
Europe remains a dominant player on the global stage despite the fact that its population is just a small fraction of the world’s eight billion people because it has placed a high premium on knowledge.Its capacity to generate, harness and exploit knowledge for social, cultural and political development is matched by few. That is why it has remained a magnet for both political and economic
refugees and for people across the world who are searching for ideas, for a better way of life and for communion with others reaching for higher ideals including intellectual advancement.
Most European nations offer education for free to their citizens. In other advanced countries outside Europe, such as Japan, the first twelve years of education are both free and compulsory. And the quality is superior, going by the international tests administered across continents to measure competence at various levels of learning. Although education in public primary schools in Kenya is free and subsidised in public secondary schools, the quality remains a challenge because taxation of books means that schools spend the little they are allocated by the government to buy fewer books. Ironically, in Africa, only Kenya and South Africa charge VAT on books.
secondary school. As a society, we are yet to reach a stage in our development where such a question should not arise in the first place, partly because we have failed to put a premium on education.
I have said this before but it is worth repeating: In Kenya, a person’s income raises in tandem with their level of education. If a person drops out of school in Standard Three, chances are that he will be poorer than the one who sits KCPE but fails to join Form One and so on. Sadly, this is also the case for families. If a household is headed by a person who only has a KCPE certificate, it will be worse off than one headed by a person with a KCSE certificate. We know this but we have failed to do anything about it, hence we cannot adequately address the question of how to reduce poverty and income inequality. Yet, we are appalled that a large number of Kenyans continuing to live below the poverty line. As a country, we need to invest more in education as a first basic step and the sooner voters make this a political issue, the better it will be for everybody because politicians will start prioritising education. Secondly, we need to bridge the gap between the knowledge that we already have and the needs of our society. Let me give you an example. Scientists at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology have found a way to make cheap bread by adding sorghum flour to their regular ingredients.
They also have the technology to fabricate ovens that can bake 50 such breads in one go. One, entrepreneurs are unaware of this opportunity. Two, the cost of breads in the shops remains high, meaning that children who should be having it for breakfast are missing out because their parents can’t afford bread. Each day, they go to school hungry, meaning that they cannot concentrate. And because their bellies are empty, they cannot grow to their full physical and mental potential. In Kenya, VAT is pegged at 16 per cent of the cost of commodities, including books and other learning materials. That means the cost of buying a book in Kenya is higher by 16 per cent compared to other countries in the region, such as Uganda and Tanzania. It is much higher compared to European countries because our cost of production is much higher, the cost of distribution is also steeper. As a result, when other countries are already thinking about how they can apply the knowledge they have today to influence humanity in 50 years to come, we are still debating mundane issues, such as why the brightest KCPE candidate in the entire country was denied a Form One place in a national
In his book, The Great Escape: Health, Wealth and The Origins of Inequality,Deaton Angus, who won the Nobel Prize for Economics last year, argues that one way to measure a society’s progress is by checking whether children are taller than their parents. If they are shorter, that society – or family – is not making progress. The converse is also true. And for children to be taller than their parents, they must eat well. For them to eat well, their parents must be in a position to afford a balanced diet. For that to happen, the parents need to have gone to school and stayed there. The operating word is “stayed”. The longer they stay, the more knowledge they gain and the better their prospects in life. But if the government continues to tax books, how will our children be taller than ourselves? Ng’ang’aMbugua is an author of 13 books, including the award-winning novel, Different Colours. He is also a newspaper editor. Email: mbugua@bigbooks.co.ke
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Customer Service
Word of mouth is a powerful tool in many ways. Recognizing it and doing what it takes to harness this resource is what entrepreneurial wisdom is made of, and the rock upon which great businesses stand By Carolyne Gathuru
Make Your Customer A Walking Billboard
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hen starting up a business, entrepreneurs often grapple with thoughts of how best to reach a responsive market and how turn prospects into sales. Well thought out marketing plans are usually crafted, with a view to engaging the right audience to consume the product or service. There is need to carefully spend the initial business development and marketing budget put aside, in a prudent fashion to ensure that maximum impact is achieved. Depending on the product or service being launched, the marketing tools applied range from digital outreach to the more traditional fliers on the street. Whatever the case may be, marketing is one of the biggest things that keeps a startup entrepreneur, no – make that most entrepreneurs, up at night. A critical solution for businesses in their initial phase of life is to capitalize strongly on the most powerful yet absolutely free solution available. Word of Mouth Marketing. This solution that has transcended time, space and geography over the centuries was as
A delighted customer will not stop talking about your product or service and will be the first to highly recommend your organization within their networks
powerful then as it is now. The CEO of Weebly a webhosting service that currently hosts over 20 million sites with a monthly rate of over 1 million unique visitors, attests to this tried and tested solution by confirming that “Word-of-mouth marketing is a crucial component of organic growth for startups, and one of the primary ways that Weebly has grown to over 15 million customers, one customer at a time”
The core foundation required to trigger the precious resource that is word of mouth marketing, is to create and ensure delightful customer experiences. The rallying call to convert your customers into brand ambassadors, has become as cliché as ever, but if deliberately and purposefully applied, it works. Delighted customers are a force unto themselves and in juggernaut fashion, are unstoppable. A delighted customer will not stop talking about your product or service and will be the first to highly recommend your organization within their networks. Delighted customers will take to their social media platforms and
So what should entrepreneurs do to convert every customer into a walking billboard?
Every single enterprise should do what it takes to really listen to their customers. Every aspect of the business should be specifically thought through, with a view to assessing if it focusses on the customer’s convenience or the business’ convenience. There should be different exercises conducted and scenarios played out to imagine what customers will do, say and feel about the product or service, and every imaginable response documented for scrutiny. “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” declares Alan Lakein, and so should be the mantra every entrepreneur lives by.
Every organization should pre-design customer experiences that will produce the outcome they desire. There is no room for surprise. Delighted customers should be the objective of every enterprise and any outcome contrary to this should be the exception rather than the norm. An exception that should trigger sufficient concern from everyone to right the wrong and to review the process, system or procedure that brought about that result, to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
comment about their experience and encourage others to share in their delight. If this be just one client, whose networks have now become your audience and who has taken it upon themselves to toot your horn, imagine the multiplier effect every time you exceed customer expectations? The value of these recommendations and endorsements computes far beyond the reach of any marketing material generated in house. Marketers have generally acquired a reputation of ‘mistrust’ as agents pushing their company’s agenda and looking for quick sales. The word – of – mouth marketer however, who is genuinely sharing feedback about a product or service, with nothing to gain from this communication (no commissions from sales) on the other hand, is truly trusted by their colleagues, family and friends. Purely on the strength of the recommendation received, they will try out the new product or use the new service
Human beings are relational animals and thrive in environments where they are the center of attention. Providing this attention will delight customers beyond measure. Customer’s value it when providers really listen, and listening to customers requires very simple interventions. For as long as the enterprise owner determines that a culture of listening to customers is to be embedded in the organization, it will be adopted. Leaders set the pace and lead by communicating the vision and living by example. Every single interaction with customers needs to be wired towards listening to them. Listen out for the various ways in which customers communicate. They may be letting you know: their expectations and what they consider as satisfactory; feedback on their experience with the product sold or the service delivered; ideas on what could be done to improve on the offerings; information on price and whether they got value for money or otherwise; and feedback on what the competition is doing and what they think you could or couldn’t do about it. Important decision making information, coming straight from customers, that would have otherwise taken up valuable market research investment to establish.
Word of mouth is a powerful tool in many ways. Recognizing it and doing what it takes to harness this resource is what entrepreneurial wisdom is made of, and the rock upon which great businesses stand. And the beauty about it is that it works like a charm both ways – delighted customer, delighted business owner. Simple right? Who was it again who said the simple things in life are those that bring about most joy? Carolyne is an accomplished brand and marketing strategist. She is and ardent customer service practitioner with over 15 years experience and the founder of LifeSkills Consulting. Email: cgathuru@life-skills.co.ke
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Creative Selling
“I started a business but it failed because I don’t know sales.” By John Kageche
Never Say ‘I Can’t Sell’ Once You Start A Business
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his lamentation came to me via email from a reader and I choose to write about it because, “I don’t know sales” is a common phrase by many who shun the profession. It, however, becomes worrying when you have to shut down a business because of it. Did you know that the very fabric of our economy is held together by SMEs? According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the SME sector employs 7.5million people and accounts for 80 per cent of the employment market while contributing 92 per cent of the new jobs created annually in Kenya. These are phenomenal statistics. If these businesses were to throw in the towel because “they can’t sell” one begins to see how this would not only be disturbing, but possibly catastrophic. Selling is a step by step process: Prospect, Interview, Demonstrate, Validate, Negotiate, Close, and Referral. For the businessman, an understanding of the steps will enable you know where to look when sales aren’t coming in or focus on these steps when seeking training. The blanket phrase “I cannot sell” can easily snap the thin line of patience still holding your frustration together.
This aside, let’s businessmen:
learn
from
other
Paul Kinuthia
Paul Kinuthia of InterConsumer Products (Founder of the Nice and Lovely brand) chose to take it on himself and did a sterling job of it.
The Business Daily captured his story thus: “Initially running a one-man operation in which he was the only worker on the ‘factory’ floor and the chief salesman, Mr. Kinuthia would package his goods and walk from one beauty salon to another introducing his products to prospective customers.” Mr. Kinuthia started selling his products to salons in downtown Nairobi for a few shillings and almost two decades later was still selling, only this time, it was a significant stake of his company for a billion shillings.
“Ballmer’s aggressive salesmanship during the boom days of the personal-computer industry exemplified how Microsoft became the world’s most valuable company….He also built one of the world’s most profitable and efficient sales and channel organizations.” (The Economic Times) All the three businessmen had products which they believed the world needed and each had his own style of bringing this to fruition. In retrospect, all the three were right but none approached the challenge with the phrase “I cannot sell”.
Robert Kiyosaki
Bill Gates
Some, like Robert Kiyosaki, admitting they cannot sell, did something about it. By his own admission, he went into employment before venturing into business with a singular objective: to learn how to sell. He did this because he realized how critical that would be to succeed in business. (Robert Kiyosaki is author of best seller Rich Dad, Poor Dad; he was financially independent within 10 years of starting his business)
In the early days of Windows, Bill Gates signed on Steve Ballmer (immediate former CEO, Microsoft) as a partner because he knew he will need a strong salesman to spread Windows globally. Bill knew what he was good at (writing software) and what he wanted (to transform the world of computing). He also knew what he was not good at-sales; hence Ballmer’s employment. That Ballmer was a successful salesperson is not in question:
The lesson: Shift the approach from what you cannot d, to what can you do about it. But there is something else that cannot escape mention and, in my view, is the bane of many a start-up and the cause of the lamentation, “I cannot sell”-the belief that “it’s my business idea, my money, and I will not invite joy riders.” This view is myopic. It also invites the question: would you rather get 100 per cent of Shs 1,000,000 or 10 per cent of a Shs 100,000,000? There is wisdom in the proverb, if you want to go fast, go alone and if you want to go far, go with others. Synergies bake a bigger cake for all who baked it to partake of it. However, to see this, businessmen must see themselves serving a greater purpose than just enriching themselves with their businesses; a purpose which entrepreneurs easily see-they go into business to serve a need; to benefit others. Money is a result of this-not it’s cause. The economy is in need of your idea; the market needs your idea; your idea serves a purpose. Don’t be selfish. Instead of winding a business saying “I cannot sell” identify which step or steps need to be worked on, or expand your vision and partner with another like-minded party who is proficient in the sales process.
Clinging on to “I cannot sell” only serves to compound an already challenging situation. Don’t! Kageche is Lead Facilitator, Lend Me Your Ears; Email: lendmeyourears@consultant. com. www.lendmeyourears.co,ke
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Public Relations
How do you reach out to the Millennial Generation? By Aruah Ken
The Internet and New Media
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hey text, tweet, chat, tag, send friend requests, like, post, upload and download all day every day. They are called the millennial or the generation Y. Anyone born between the early 1980’s and the mid 2000’s belongs to this group that has proven to be a headache to managers and C.E.O’s above the age of 45. Generation Y speaks a different language; a unique form of communication that can only be understood by those who have established anonline presence. Companies all over the world have spent a fortune in an effort to tap into the potential held by netizens. The pressure of the sluggish economy coupled with the need to embrace new forms of technology have made the millennial generation an attractive target market. Many have succeeded while others have failed. The internet and the social media have revolutionized the communication scene.
In Kenya,there seems to be some form of digital divide between companies that have embraced the new media and those still clinging onto analogue methods of reaching out to their customers
Companies that are yet to exploit social media platformsare likely to find themselves in a quagmire a few years from now when the internet will have dominated most forms of communication. As it stands, the Communications Authority of Kenya (2014) states that 42.9% of Kenyans don’t have access to the internet. A percentage that is likely to drastically reduce in the future. However, don’t let statistics deceive you.Uploading a few photos on the web cannot guarantee an increment of your company’s market share. Digital literacy is Key. One might have all the tools at their disposal, but how efficient is one at utilizingthe social media?
boost and satisfies their need. In regard to this, the millennialgeneration uses the social media to post comments, videos and pictures. They are more interested in making friends, playing games and post updates on what one is doing.
Your company can tap into generation Y by doing the following: Investing in research that will identify the right platform
Just because something is a trend doesn’t mean it’s the best for your company. Finding out the attitudes, perception and behaviour of internet users will enable you to understand what you need to focus on. It will help you improve on the way you attend to the needs of your customers. Remember, not all your target customers rely on information from the internet and social media. You must identify a relevant platform that will enable you reach to your target audience in the best way possible.
Accept the millennial Generation for Who They Are
In the field of Public Relations, we emphasize on being proactive rather than reactive. What are you doing to get your company ahead of the game? If you know that Generation Y is more social, unpredictable, trendy and attracted to innovative and more efficient ways of doing things, then why would you try to change that? Tailor your approach to meet their needs, not vice versa.
Use millennials to get millennials
Think like a millennial kid. Four words are sufficient to describe them:‘bundles’, ‘chat’, ‘upload’, and ‘download’. This group is indeed conscious of what is happening around them but they don’t really pay attention to the details of your company. Social Media marketing -a form of digital marketing technique- is still at its infancy stage.If your company wants to understand it better, thenstudying the perception of the actual users is inevitable. Internet world Statistics (2012) ranked Kenya the4TH African country with the highest number of Twitter and Facebook users.However, the question still remains, how does your company infiltrate this dynamic digital communication scene?
The uses and gratification approach, postulated by Blummer& Katz (1974), holds that people actively guide their media usage and choose the media source that tends to
Hire a social media manager who walks the talk. The prospective social media manager should have no reason to show you his/her hard copy paper resume. All you need to do is follow his/her digital trail to find out how active he/she is online. The insight he/she can give you is worth more than you can get from a loyal pencil pusher in your organisation.
Adopt a proper strategy
Unnecessary online media clutter is the last thing you would desire for your company. Remember they use most of their data bundles to chat on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter you name it. What makes you think they will be interested in opening a link to your website with slow web-speed? What makes you think they would be interested in reading your news or financial pages? You have to use a more creative strategy to lure them in and get them to notice you. Talk to the millennials, don’t assume you understand them. If you strategize more meticulously, you are likely to spend less and end up being more efficient. Aruah is a media and public relation lecturer at Nairobi Institute of Business Studies. Email aruahkent@gmail. com
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Personal Branding
People buy people and we buy from the people we like. And if you can promote yourself online in an honest, authentic and likable way, then that is a very powerful thing to do. By Derek Bbanga
Social Media And Your Brand
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e inhabit a world where- for many of us- the first opportunity to connect with our audience or target market is online. Neuroscientists have established that we form our first impressions within the first 30 seconds. The first thing we look out for when we meet someone online is whether we can invest our trust in them. One of the key things we consider when assessing someone’s trustworthiness, is their reputation-and this can be through the social media. For example, how many followers do they have or do they have endorsements from renown public figures? It’s important to think about what we are posting online and what other people would think if they saw it. For instance, studies have shown that over 90 per cent of human resource managers usually carry out an online background search of their prospective employees prior to inviting them for an interview. Building the right online presence In order to build the right online presence, you have to organize your online information into a coherent
personal brand. Start off by looking at what you want to offer; who your target audience is and how they perceive your profile. Which channels will you use to reach them? How are you planning to position yourself? How are you going to interact with your target market as well as create interesting content? A strong personal online brand would be someone who has clearly defined what they do, what they can do for their target audience and are also well connected within the online community- giving them credibility and a sense of trustworthiness. It must also be noted that social media is about socializing; not just posting any content but creating a conversation that involves your target market. This can be done by retweeting their twitter items, allowing them to guest blog or tagging them in your Facebook posts. .
The best people who post online have developed a routine of publishing their posts on a regular basis, in fact it has become a habit. Note there is a big difference between blasting out self promotion material and engaging your target market in a strategic way. One is a good habit; the other is simply annoying and turns people off. Irrespective of your profession; social media not only allows you to express a deeply seated urge to connect with others but also gives you a sense of belonging to the large online community.
Research has shown that a one-minute video is an equivalent of 1.8 million words. At the end of the day, creative use of online resources can help you build a rapport effortlessly, and if so then you can engage with greater ease and converse with people in a way that relates to them and that they can relate to you. As part of your personal brand you have to figure out what personality can you show, how can you present it in the best light and how c you can express yourself and convey this through the social media platforms that you speak on.
A strong personal online brand would be someone who has clearly defined what they do, what they can do for their target audience and are also well connected within the online community- giving them credibility and a sense of trustworthiness You need to have a clear idea of your core values and how much of your personal self you can express through them.
A final note will be to use a reasonable amount of etiquette when online. An airline has misplaced your luggage or the customer service at a restaurant left a lot to be desired, is your instinct to go ballistic online and vent your spleen? Certainly the case can be made for genuine grievances to be put on social media but getting into twitter wars with organisations (or social media trolls) does your personal brand no favour, and says a lot about you as well as the customer service of the company you are complaining about. There is no shortage of stories about people losing their jobs or reputations due to posting something inappropriate. Control what you can control. Human beings are the same as they’ve ever been. And if you can promote yourself online in an honest, authentic and likable way, then that is a powerful thing to do. Derek is a Strategic Image and Communications Consultant and managing director at Public Image Africa. He can be reached on (www.publicimageafrica. com) or Twitter @derekbbanga
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Career Knowledge
“I am a firm believer that job hopping is not a bad thing. At times it’s the only way to get a better pay and learn new skills...” By Perminus Wainaina
How Often Should You Change Jobs?
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n an earlier article on ‘What Employers Look for in a CV,’ I pointed out that the duration of employment with current and previous employers is a key consideration. Employers will consider you a high-risk- hire if you change jobs now and then. Stay in a company for too long and employers will question your flexibilityand ability to fit in a new organization. However, employers and personal circumstances differ, and as long as you have a valid reason for changing jobs, you should not worry.
In this article, I’ll explore some of the factors that influence an employer’s perception when it comes to a candidate changing jobs. I’ll also highlight some of the questions you should ask yourself before making a decision to change your current job.
For some professions and industries, it is normal for people to changes jobs within a short period. In the NGO and construction sector, it is common to find employees with one-year contracts. Most of the NGO work is project-based and relies on donor funding. When the project is over or funds run out then your employment ceases. The same goes with construction where employment is tied to completion of a real estate project. The two examples are sectors where employers tolerate frequent job changing. In a fast paced industry like information technology, candidates change jobs regularly to remain relevant. Consistency If you are a fresh graduate or a professional starting out in your career and thus with less than three years experience, it is expected that you will change jobs now and then as you try to figure out what you want.Majority of employees don’t stick with their first employer. However, employers don’t take it kindly when you keep changing jobs even after getting enough work experience. No employer wants to hire someone who has held 6 different jobs in a span of 6 years. There needs to be consistency. After settling in your career it is expected that you will change jobs after 3-4 years and the higher you rise the less you should change jobs.
Whenever I interview candidates and ask them why theyleave an employer after a short period, many will give generic answers like career growth and more responsibilities or challenges. After interviewing more than 2,000 candidates in a period of 6 years I can tell when a candidate is not being straight. Moreso when I can see from the CV that the candidate left a previous employer where they had stayed for an extended period and now want to leave the new employer in less than a year. What I have come to learn is that there are underlying reasons that a candidate does not
wish to divulge. Some of the reasons why an employee would like to move so soon include employer not keeping their word i.e. promise of commissions that are never paid. Salary delay, toxic work environment and even a bad working relationship with a supervisor or boss are other factors that inform change of job.
Be professional
A prospective employer will understand if you want to leave your current job due to any of the above reasons. However, be careful not to come out as unprofessional, bitter or vindictive. For example, if it’s the issue of salary delay, you can explain that you have obligations to meet by a certain date and the fact that salary is never paid on time inconveniences youdealing a blow on your concentration and hence lowering your productivity. If you are based in a different town-for
learn new skills. Some employers will take advantage of the fact that you’ve been with them for a long period and therefore assume that you will always be there. That is why I recommend that you change employers after every three to four years. And it doesn’t have to be with a different employer.If your organization is big, aim for a promotion. Job hopping shouldn’t be for the sake of it. Aim to acquire transferable skills, otherwise no one will take you seriously. To sum it up, Marsden-Huggins, a career advisor writing for executive style recommends that you ask yourself the following questions before making a move:
• Are you leaving for the right reasons – better job, more money, and more flexibility? • Are you prepared to assure prospective employers you’re not a high-risk hire?
• Is there anything you can do to improve the situation in your current job if the timing isn’t right? • Is this the best time to move on, for both personal and professional reasons? instance inNakuru away from your family in Nairobi and this is affecting your young family- then mention that you are looking for a position near home. Sometimes telling it as it is can set you free. You might have thought that the distance would be a non-issue when you took the job but one year later,reality dawned on you. I am a firm believer that job hopping is not a bad thing. At times it’s the only way to get a better pay and
• Will changing jobs now impact your chances of securing a new job later on?
Perminus Wainaina is the Managing Partner & Head of Recruitment at Corporate Staffing Services Ltd.
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Healthy Living
ACHIEVING UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE WITH LOW EXPENDITURE
To many, out-of-pocket payments to access healthcare prevents them from seeking and receiving the needed services as many do not have enough resources. Some opt for alternative methods of accessing treatment such as traditional doctors while others die helplessly as the cost of health services is skyrocketting on a daily basis. Many countries are now working on ways to offer its population universal coverage of health services but one of the main questions facing these countries is how their financing system can maintain this. Universal healthcare or coverage means everyone is covered for basic healthcare services, and no one is denied care as long as they are legal residents of a country. While it takes years to achieve universal coverage, many countries are striving towards this goal. According to World
Health Organization, Singapore is generally acknowledged as having one of the most successful healthcare systems in the world, in terms of both efficiency in financing and the results achieved in community health outcomes. The key to Singapore’s success in offering universal coverage to its citizens is the emphasis on the individual to assume responsibility towards their own health. The use of compulsory deductions has also helped significantly in private funding for hospital expenses. According to Singapore Ministry of Health, the government has also ensured that overall health expenditure does not fall victim to the inflationary pressures by regulating the supply and prices of healthcare services. It is however important to note that while Singapore is tops in universal coverage,
their system runs concurrently with development of the country which is politically stable and the fact that it has a small population. It might not be as easy for other larger countries but definitely achievable. Kenya has also made strides with their system. The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) is the primary provider of health insurance in Kenya with a mandate to enable all Kenyans access quality and affordable health services. It offers a family based health insurance cover which is available to the contributor, spouse and children regardless of whether they are in the formal or informal sector.
Like Singapore, Kenya’s system has been running concurrently with the development of the country allowing successive governments to introduce consistent measures relating to individual responsibility,
compulsory savings and regulatory control of healthcare services and costs.
Indeed NHIF has continuously improved its cover since its inception over 40 years ago. The NHIF health cover has been expanded to allow as many Kenyans as possible to benefit and has been achieved by opening membership to informal sector, with no age limit and no discrimination based on ailment.
However, while there has been increased awareness of importance of being insured against unforeseen situations like sickness in the country, there is still a gap in a large percentage of the population, especially the poor, vulnerable and pastoral communities who cannot access quality healthcare. Hence the increased emphasis in the capturing of the informal sector membership by NHIF as it strives to reach out to all these groups. Kenya’s NHIF covers dependents of the member automatically including spouse, children under the age of 18, students (even if over the age of 18 as long there is proof that they are attending school/ college or are disabled and are dependent on their parents for support. Other adult family members require separate premium contributions to be covered.
NHIF requires compulsory membership for all salaried employees with contributions automatically being deducted through payroll. These contributions are remitted by the employer on a graduated scale based on their gross income. The self- employed members and retirees contribute a standard amount of Kshs. 160 per month. NHIF has about 2 million contributors spread across 41,000 employers. Together with their dependants makes more than 10 million people who the Fund takes care of. Although a new proposed increase in premiums gazetted in June 2010 was met with bottlenecks, plans are still underway to revise the rates which have been in existence for at least the last two decades. According to a study conducted by PriceWaterHouse Coopers (PWC) and International Finance Corporation (IFC), there is need to revise the rates to go hand in hand with the ever increasing cost of living. The proposed
Further to improving on quality service to its members, the NHIF has already attained ISO 9001:2000 certification which will enable the organization to improve its responsiveness to customer requirements by putting in place Quality Management Systems (QMS). NHIF is certified in Occupational Health and Safety OHSAS 18001:2007 to ensure its premises meet the safety requirements for staff and customers alike. The organization was recently ranked second best nationally in the government performance evaluation for state corporations. This is a major achievement for NHIF as it is evidence of compliance with the government reforms introduced through performance contracts efficiency.
changes will also see other sectors of the government, non-governmental organizations and other well-wishers able to purchase NHIF cover for indigents.
Once the rates are increased, NHIF plans to introduce outpatient care. However, the proposed changes are currently under judicial review and have not yet been implemented.
NHIF members’ benefits package includes comprehensive inpatient cover and maternity cases. NHIF has put hospitals under: Category A which mainly includes government hospitals where members enjoy a full comprehensive cover including surgery. Category B includes non-profit private hospitals, faith-based hospitals, and private hospitals in rural areas or areas not adequately served by the public sector where members enjoy comprehensive benefits but in the case of surgery, the contributor may be required to chip in. Category C includes higher cost private hospitals where NHIF provides a rebate per day of hospitalization.
NHIF works with a wide network of over 600 accredited government, private and faith-based health providers spread across the country and repays hospital claims as per agreed contracts. Contract A and B providers are reimbursed through feefor-service provider payments. Contract C providers are reimbursed through a rebate system. Claims are submitted to the Fund by the hospitals or in some cases contributors after members have been discharged from the hospital. NHIF has computerized the claims processes and strives to pay within 14 days upon receipt of the claim. The organization has managed to stay on top partly due to visionary Board of management. The representative board comprise of persons from diverse specializations who therefore enrich the vision of the Board. Such stakeholders represented include the Ministries of Medical Services, Treasury and the Directorate of Personnel Management, Kenya Medical Association (KMA), Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) and KNFU.
To enhance service delivery, NHIF has also put in place an efficient system of member identification in form of electronic photo cards which are designed to solve key concerns such as contribution compliance, identification and surveillance. NHIF has now embarked on a hospital connectivity exercise where most of its over 600 accredited hospitals are being equipped with a magnetic card reader. Linked hospitals can now connected directly to the NHIF database and access online information on the status of contributions and confirm the member’s declared dependents.
NHIF has a well-organized branch network spread across the country’s major towns and smaller offices in national, provincial and district hospitals. The branch offices are connected to the headquarters in Nairobi for effective and efficient service delivery to the customers.
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ARTS AND INDUSTRY
From A Little Known Comedian In Nakuru To Gracing The Churchill Show
Who’s your dream mentor? That would be Basket Mouth. I remember watching some of his comedy shows and inspired me. I aimed to fit in his shoes.
Omwami Kevin
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Who’s your single best influence? Churchill.
efore 2015, Kevin Omwami was a little known as the Nakuru-based comedian who graced events and emceed on gigs.
In 2014, he applied to be part of the entertainment crew that graced the Churchill Road show in Nakuru but unfortunately, failed to make the cut. But this did not dampen his spirit. He went for more auditions till he successfully secured a role in an open mic segment on Churchill Show at Carnivore, where his career got supercharged.His achievements as an entertainer havenow eclipsed his past.
Profiled as one of the most promising comedians in Kenya, Edge Magazine had a one-on-one interview with Kevin. We take you through the story of his life below.
What gadget can you not live without? My phone.
At what age did you decide on your profession? That is a hard one, but I should say when in primary school. I had something pulling me to this profession from way back. What’s the single most important trait for entertainers? Humility
Why did you venture into comedy? First, the modern world is very competitive. Individuals need to be creative and take advantage of any opportunity in different businesses and careers. Setting up your own business opens you to new networks, challenges, and experiences. If you embrace it positively, you will learn and grow.
What’s the best way to describe this generation? Innovative and vibrant. A number of young people are creating employment opportunities for themselves and their peers, and are turning out to be great entrepreneurs.
Can you describe yourself? I am jovial, vibrant and charismatic person. I am outing, love to make friends and enjoy life.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever performed? I treat each concert as my last since I love to give my best in everything I do, but my most memorable ones would be Churchill show on the road for Professor Hamo’s homecoming in Nakuru and the 2015 Boxing Dayteen’s beach party at Jembe Beach Resort in Mwanza, Tanzania.
How has your journey been? Long. Looking back from when I was a small boy in primary school, I used to gather my friends around, tell jokes and rap skits. I used to cram verses and rap as they create beats with their desks. In high school, I joined the drama and music clubs. I was among the best dancers in the dramatised traditional dance and best narrator. I did several plays and set books in theatres which influenced my stage-act experience.
What was your major breakthrough? When the Churchill Show on the road was in Nakuru. I decided to give it a shot, but I did not make it to the podium. Challenged, went for further auditions at Carnivore in Nairobi. I once heard “ukiwa patient atamaweunaezapika”. I was given a chance on the open mic segment and next thing I know I’m on TV.
Are you an early bird or a night owl? I would say both because in my line of work you have to be flexible to work both at night and during the day.
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Going forward, what can we expect from you? A lot. I want to capitalise on events, do a lot of travelling to gain enough experience in the comedy world, and probably have my own show in the future.I also want to engage the ministry of education to fuse arts in the school curriculum to mentor other students who have diversified talent.
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK: THE GOD’S EYE VIEW GENRE: POLITICAL THRILLER AUTHOR: BARRY EISLER REVIEWER: ORONI TENDERA Fast paced, poetic and tense. The God’s Eye View by Barry Eisler, will undoubtedly keep you turning the pages into the night. NSA director Theodore Anders’s main goal is to keep America safe by monitoring all phone calls, emails and internet connection.
Theodore’s personal assistant, Evelyn, pays no attention to his project. Her focus is directed towards her deaf son and job; managing the NSA’scamera network and face recognition programme. The novel takes a rather terrific turn when Evelyn not only discovers an NSA programme code-named God’s Eye View but also the myth behind the strange death of a string of journalists and whistleblowers. She also learns about two secret government assassins: Delgado, a carefree hacker and bomb-maker, and Manus. The possibility of whistleblowers getting more information about the Code’s Eye View programme is becoming real. Evelyn finds herself dragged in a dirty political war. A war that involves blackmailers, whistleblowers and terrorists fighting against the White house. Evelyn is obliged to use her espionage training to survive.
Elser’s novel sends readers into the world of politics; engendering in them questions about governments’ hidden agendas. For instance, can government’s secret and unchecked powers overturn democracy?As a reader, you will find it difficult to decide who really are thevillains. The government and its hired secret assassins or the whistleblowers and terrorists fighting the government? Barry Eisler’s political thriller also reminds us of the surveillance that humans are creating-a world of spying on everything and anything
APP REVIEW
that they do.
APP: INSTAGRAM REVIEWER: ORONI TENDERA You are passionate about photography but worried about the substandard photos that the 4.0 megapixel front camera of your Tablet produces? If your response is in the affirmative, then definitely you have never heard of Instagram app. Instagram is a popular social media platform, currently with 300 million monthly users, that not only enables users to enhance photos into professional looking snapshots but also shares them instantly on multiple networks like Facebook or Twitter. All photos published are available for public consumption on instagram.com, though there is an option of limiting photos accessibility to your followers. It must however be noted that the basic terms state that, users must be at least 13 years old and ready to be responsible for any activities that occurs through their account. Partially nude and sexually explicit photos are prohibited. Users can flag and report any content that they deem offensive for review. However, Instagram has no Issue with users uploading X rated photos in the comment segment.
.Just like Twitter, users of Instagram can explore the world of hashtags, but unlike twitter, posts have no word limit. Instagram users also have the option of gaining followers easily. This has been made effective by merging contact details of LinkedIn, Facebook and Gmail accounts of the user. Generally, Instagram app is easy-to-use and highly recommended for anyone with a heart for photography
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Travel & Leisure
Nairobi was recently named the most successful African city in 2016 by City Momentum Index.In 2014 and 2015, Kenya’s capital city was ranked the most intelligent African city by Intelligent Community Forum.With her flourishing flora, fascinating fauna and shiny skyscrapers, Nairobi is the most revered beautiful city in the continent. Here is a list of ten places to visit in the most beautiful,intelligent and successful city in Africa.
10Places To Visit In Nairobi By Oroni Tendera 1.NAIROBI ARBORETUM Strategically located along state house road, three kilometers from the city centre, Nairobi arboretum sits on 30 hectares of land. The arboretum is home to over 350 plantspecies, 100 species of birds and a sizeable population ofVervet and Syke’smonkeys.Paved paths,evergreen picnic lawns,sufficient park benches, spacious parking space and zero entrance feesmake Nairobi Arboretum a perfect island of tranquility. 2.NAIROBI NATIONAL MUSEUM Nairobi National Museum sits on museum hill, approximately ten minutes drive from the city centre. Travelers keen in learning Kenya’s diverse culture and rich history will find the museum resourceful. It is open 355 days every year.
A 2 year renovationbetween 2005 and 2007 gave the museum galleries anultra-modern face. Currently, it boosts of a new coffee lounge, gift shop and lush botanical gardens.
3 NGONG HILLS Ngong hills, 22 Kilometres from the city centre, is a favourite destination for visitors from all walks of lives-ranging from pilgrimages seeking spiritual peace to love birds escaping the hustles and bustles of the city. The vast mountain range is gazzettedland occupying an area of 21,000 square Kilometres. Ngong hills from the East faces Nairobi national park while those on the West stand over 1000 metres above the Great Rift Valley. The highest summit is at 2460 metres above the sea level. Hiking up on the hills from Kona Baridi, in the South to Ngong town in the North takes between 4 to 5 hours. Nature lovers are advised, however, to either walk in groups or hire armed rangers at a fee of Ksh 500, as reports of muggings have been recorded in the past. Visitors are required to pay an entry fee of Ksh 200 per head at the Kenya Forestry post near Ngong Police station
4.KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM Karen Blixen museum is situated at the foot of Ngong hills. According tomuseums.or.ke, ‘the museum was built in 1912 by Swedish Engineer Ake Sjogren. Karen and her husband bought the museum house in 1917 and it became the farm house for their 4500 acre farm.’ Karen Blixen museum offers insights into the historical pattern of Europeans’ settlement in East Africa and the life of Karen Blixen .It is open every day from9:30 to 6pm. 5. THE NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK Nairobi National Park is the only national park on earth located within a capital city. Situated approximately 8kilometres from the city centre,the national park is home to various wildlife including lions, giraffes, cheetahs,buffaloes, 400 species of birds and the endangered black rhino. Apart from game viewing, visitors can enjoy a hike on the walking trails,have fun on the park’s picnic sites or simply sample Kenyan cuisines at the Rangers restaurant
8.THE KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE The KICC is Nairobi’s third largest building located at the central business district. The 43 storey building hosts several international conferences, meetings, workshops and exhibitions. Designed in 1967 by a Norwegian architect, the building’s terracotta façade is a reflection of traditional African architecture. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Nairobi city, at the helipad, on the rooftop of KICC at a fee of Ksh 200.
7.KENYA NATIONAL ARCHIVES The Kenya National Archives is located in downtown Nairobi, opposite Ambassadeur hotel. It is sandwiched between Moi Avenue and Tom MboyaStreet. At an entryfee ofKsh 50 and Ksh 200 for locals and foreigners respectively, visitors are automatically driven down history lane artistically. The ground floor holds Murumbi art gallery; laden with an array of diverse artefacts from all over the world. On the first floor, a photographic exhibition highlights key events and heroic personalities from pre-colonial period to present day Kenya.
9.DAVID SHELDRICK TRUST ELEPHANT ORPHAN CENTRE David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust isa second home to orphaned elephant calves. At the orphanage, they are fed, bathed and sheltered until they are old enough to be taken back to the wilderness. Visitors intending to visit the elephant orphanage can board amatatu number 124/125 at Ken com (the rate ranges from Ksh30 toKsh 70) or hire a cab at Ksh 4500. The entry fee to David Sheldrick Wildlife trust is Ksh 500.
6.BOMAS OF KENYA Bomas of Kenya is 9Kilometresfrom the city centre and just 1 km from Nairobi national park. Bomas is derived from the Swahili noun ‘Boma’ that translates to ‘an enclosed homestead.’ At Bomas, traditional homesteads belonging to the 42 ethnic groups of Kenya are on display. Visitors also get a rare chance to interact with various cultural troops. 10.UHURU GARDENS Uhuru gardens is located along Lang’ata road, approximately 15 minutes drive from the city centre. It is the largest memorial park in Kenya. A 24 -metremonument commemorating Kenya’s struggle for independence sits at the heart of the park,flanked by a statue of freedom fighters and a water fountain.
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Album Review
ALBUM: ANTI GENRE: POP ARTISTE: RIHANNA REVIEWER: ORONI TENDERA Anti is Rihanna’s eighth album released on 27th January, 2016. The album’s cover art and title were released in October, 2015-eliciting anticipation and speculation among her fans about the album’s exact date of launch. Anti’s thematic concerns are as diverse as the songs therein. From the struggles that carefree black girls undergo in America, to betrayal; where the people you treasure painfully shred the trust that you had invested in them. Rihanna also alludes to sex quite spiritedly. On ‘Needed Me’ she criticizes her partners for catching feelings towards DJ Mustard. In the next song entitled ‘Yeah I Said It,’ she commands her lovers to ‘get up inside it. Homicide it.’ Towards the end of the album, she singles out an unnamed male fan and dedicates this line to him, ‘sex with me so amazing.’ Rihanna is certainly satirizing the false fantasy image conjured in the minds of her foes and fans. She does not stop at this spot. Sporting a mischievous grin, she continues, “Stay away from my Instagram with your temptation.” With that, Rihanna reverts back to herself, aware that she will always remainunapologetically true to her personality; notwithstanding our thoughts and attitudes towards her.
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