StartUp Magazine September 2020

FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

SEPTEMBER 2020 STARTUPMAGAZINE.CO.KE

KSHS. 400/ USHS. 9000 TSHS. 6000/ RWF. 2200

ENTREPRENEURSHIP 5 Businesses You Can Start with Nearly No Capital in Africa

OPINION The Future of Cloud Computing: Moving at the Speed of Business

MOTORS New Audi S3 Variants Offer the Best of Both Worlds

THE NEW WAY TO WORK As businesses look to resume operations, health and safety in the workplace is an area of growing concern. As a trailblazer for the future of work in Kenya, Ikigai Nairobi rises to the challenge of creating safe and inspiring workspaces for individuals and businesses.

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

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Contents

10 Young Women in Africa turn to Bitcoin amidst Pandemic

14 Ambition: Finding Success in Music

30 DRC Congo: The dancing bleeding nation

28 New Audi S3 Variants Offer the Best of Both Worlds

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

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FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

September

2020

Contents 10

Fintech Young Women in Africa turn to Bitcoin amidst Pandemic

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Digital Finance 24

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Cloud Computing The Future of Cloud Computing: Moving at the Speed of Business

Interview Coffee Break

Ambition: Finding Success in Music

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Economy Rebuilding Africa and strengthening its resilience against future economic shocks

Entrepreneurship 5 Businesses You Can Start with Nearly No Capital in Africa

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SMEs 8 Steps for Paying Employees of Small Businesses

Digital finance, a lifeline during COVID-19 crisis, can deliver longterm financing of the SDGs 14

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Cover Story THE NEW WAY TO WORK As businesses look to resume operations, health and safety in the workplace is an area of growing concern.

As a trailblazer for the future of work in Kenya, Ikigai Nairobi rises to the challenge of creating safe and inspiring workspaces for individuals and businesses.

28.

30.

32.

34.

Motors Travelogue Book Review Song Review

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

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Fresh, Analytical, Inspiring

StartUp Magazine is published monthly. Copyright 2019 Kreative Hub Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced or transmitted in any form including photocopy, or any storage and retrieval system without publisher's permission in writing.

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INSIDE

>Innovation

A Sure Bet to Keep Africa Moving Forward

> Koto Housing

Build Your Dream House in Only 21 Days

> Interview; Andrey Yakunin Understanding the hospitality market in Russia

>Travel & Leisure What to Know about the Marine Parks at the Coastal Kenya

The Driving Force To a Successful Family Business Esther Muchemi, CEO and Founder, Samchi Group of Companies

January 2018 I startupmagazine.co.ke

Managing Editor Sylvester Habil Okumu sylvester@startupmagazine.co.ke

Photographer Versatile Photographers

Associate Editor Adisa Hudson Oroni Tendera

Creative Designer Kreative Hub Media

Contributors Charles Leyeka Guy Ryder Shalini Ghadia Liz Kisyanga

Published By

Business Development Washingtone Terry Nickson Juma Marketing Executive Irene Okoth Operations Simpson Ayodi

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

Contacts 4th Floor, Bihi Towers, P.O Box 3875-30200, Nairobi Kenya.

Cell (+254) 724 113 683 (+254) 776 061 644 Email: info@startupmagazine.co.ke Website: www.startupmagazine.co.ke StartUp Magazine EA @StartupMag_EA

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.

Important Information for Contributors to StartUp Magazine By submitting content before publication you confirm that: (a) You (and/or other named contributors) are the sole author(s) of the content submitted; (b) The content you submit is orginal and has not previously been published (unless you specifically advise us on the contrary); (c) You haven't previously licensed the use of the content you submit; (d) So far as you are aware, the content submitted will not infringe any third-party rights, be defamatory or in any way illegal.

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Guest Piece

By Shalini Gandhia

FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

How should we deliver excellent customer service in these times of COVID-19?

COVID-19 has managed to change our lives in a matter of days. It has brought all human activities to a halt. With all governments imposing various restrictions, there are certain industries whose demand for services have spiked. Some of these include grocery outlets, supermarkets, hospitals and network providers. Those providing us with these services are also humans and are affected by the same pandemic that those who they are serving. So for those working in these industries, how should high customer service standards be maintained?

The pandemic has caused a lot of worry and concern globally. Social distancing has caused man to look at man as a threat as you may not know who could be carrying the virus. This brings about the need for compassion. Customers who walk into your outlet(s) could be carriers or not. It is however important to remember that regardless of the situation, we are still dealing with humans who have feelings and emotions. This understanding will allow us to treat our customers with kindness hence making them feel welcome.

Maintaining a positive attitude despite the situation will want customers to come back and shop from us. Of course, nobody knows how fast things will return back to normal at this point but giving hope helps maintain a strong relationship with our customers. After all, nobody wants to visit a place that has negativity lurking in the environment.

Show your customers that you care about their wellbeing. Give them a warm welcome as they arrive at your premises. Warmth in such a situation goes a long way in creating a positive shopping experience. Giving them tips on how they can take care of themselves in their daily lives is also a sign of excellent customer service. Communicating in other ways like having safety posters around your premises, hand sanitizers, masks etc also reassures your customers that you are not just out to make money but take their health as a primary concern.

Being solution oriented and thinking for the customer are key attributesthat would play a very important role at this time. People are often confused and disoriented seeing that their routines have been disrupted. This has introduced a large percentage of uncertainty in our lives, causing confusion. For customer facing personnel at this time, it is of essence that we strive to offer best solutions to what our customers are looking for.

A good example would be of a customer who walks into a grocery but has no idea on what to buy. A great way of tackling this would be to

offer a greeting, find out how their day is going and strike up a conversation about what they like cooking. This will help you understand them and suggest items in line what would suit them.

Listening to customers half solves a problem.

Shopping at this time should not just be a robotic affair as people are in need of connection and help. Listen to what problem your customer has, and personalize your responses accordingly.

Showing that you care and giving responses accordingly will make them feel valued and happy.

A lot of us are becoming price conscious about our purchases as incomes have been affected as a result of job losses and salary cuts. Listening to customers will therefore divert them from this and enable them enjoy their shopping experience.

An important concern is that we are likely to treat our customers with skepticism. Considering how COVID-19 can spread by just standing close to another person, as customer facing personnel we are likely to be fearful of interacting with our customers. It is therefore necessary that we avoid these fears by taking the necessary precautions to protect ourselves (wearing the right protective equipment and maintaining the required distance) and welcome customers in a warm and non-suspicious manner.

Body language plays an essential role in delivering excellent customer service. At this time, we must remember that our key role is to help these people who are in distress and in dire need of help.

Showing concern by leaning forward or smiling from a distance instills reassurance in customers that we are there for them. This promotes confidence in customers towards us as they are likely to view us a more human-oriented business rather than just commercial or profit oriented.

Having said all these, as much as we are dealing with emotions and feelings, we also need to remember that procedures need to be in place in order to protect these same customers. Do ensure that all required standards are adhered to and communicated well to all customers. After all, this also communicates that you care as you are primarily looking out for your customer.

Do not forget to continue being warm, friendly and accommodating even after this situation passes. As the saying goes, ‘when you help other people, you also help yourself. It is impossible to not feel good when you do good for other people’.

The author is a marketing professional with 10 years of work experience across various industries.

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

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StartUp Stories

Letters to the editor “It makes me happy that I am doing something which is changing lives and I hope I am changing lives positively, I don’t really care much how popular the group is what makes me proud is that at least I am doing something and changing lives”

Pamellah Oduor, A champion of healthy eating Pamellah Oduor started out as a banker, became a chef, a trainer, a mentor and now she is a counsellor.

She quit her banking career to concentrate on building one of Kenya’s most popular Facebook groups, Let’s Cook Kenyan Meals and singlehandedly turned it into arguably one of the biggest online markets in the country today.

In 2018, Facebook came calling and recognized her as one of the African fellows and awarded her $50,000 (Kshs 5 million) to be used for their community initiative.

Pamellah is also the Proprietor of a catering firm, Spice Land, has vast interests in real estate and runs very popular holiday homes at the North Coast of Kenya, Mtwapa going by the name, Pacod Holiday Homes.

Dr Mutiso is passionate about helping elevate women to positions of leadership and influence in African society. Mawazo Institute and Mawazo’s inaugural Energy Research Fellow, help on focusing on African energy sector development.

Previously, Dr Rose served as a Senior Fellow in the Office of International Climate and Clean Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), where she led DOE’s engagement on technology and policy dimensions of energy access in sub-Saharan Africa

It is no brainer that the pandemic has had a far reaching implications and affected lives and livelihoods in a negative way. With many industry now struggling, this might be the best time to actually buy that land that you have been dreaming about. Many people are out of jobs and might be looking to sell their assets to make ends meet. Selling that property might be just one of them.

Jasper Kasungu Business man, Kakamega

Covid-19 Messed up the economy

“We are endowed with many renewable energy resources, and should leverage them to power the continent particularly in the face of the imperative to mitigate climate change and pollution” Dr Rose Mutiso, CEO and Co-founder of Mawazo Institute

Real Estate Picking up despite the pandemic

and South Asia.

Also, she served as an Energy and Innovation Policy Fellow in the office of U.S. Senator Christopher A. Coons, where she authored several pieces of legislation that were signed into law by President Barack Obama. Rose has technical experience in the fields of nanotechnology and polymer physics, including nano-electronics and next-generation energy technologies. She earned her BA and BE in Engineering Sciences with a concentration in Materials Science from Dartmouth College, and her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

“I like to inspire women to get into tech. We need diversity. If more women come into IT or any business in general, it would be more sustainable.”

Since it was first recorded in Wuhan China in December 2019, no one would have realised that Covid-19 will have wide and far reaching implications. Many governments were ignorant of its effects and just went about doing their business as usual.

Within short span, the pandemic had spread lobally and wrecked many economies as people lost jobs, stayed home and avoided contacts. With dwindling cases globally, let’s hope we will adapt accordingly post-corona.

Elizabeth Michaels London, UK.

Unemployment a ticking time bomb The corona virus pandemic has completely wrecked many economies. Before the pandemic, many youths in Kenya were jobless. But Corona came and almost 2 million people have lost jobs, including the youth.

Now at home, and with nothing to do, this group of young people might start engaging in crimes and other activities to try and fend for themselves and their families. The government should work on a strategy to mitigate this, lest we see social crimes rising in the near future.

Concerned Kenyan Via email, Nairobi

Dorcas Muthoni, founder and CEO of Openworld Ltd Dorcas Muthoni is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Openworld Ltd, a specialist computer software company she established in Kenya when she was just 24 years old. Today, Openworld is a leading e-Government and business software services firm involved in the delivery of some of the most widely used Web and Cloud applications in Africa, such as ARIS, an African Union reporting application used by all 54 member states; and the Performance Management System for the Government of Kenya, automating performance contracting in the public sector.

Dorcas is passionate about using technology to pos-

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

itively transform African society through the lives of its ordinary people, businesses and governments and is a co-founder of the regional organization LinuxChix Africa. She also serves as a Director at Ushahidi; is a Member of the council of the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa - FOSSFA. Through her day to day work as an entrepreneur and Computer Scientist, Dorcas seeks to see technology positively transforming the lives of the African society, governments and enterprises. In 2012 Dorcas is inducted by the Internet Society into the Internet Hall of Fame.

HAVE YOUR SAY ONLINE The editor welcomes reader’s opinions but deserves the right to edit them for publication. Please email to info@startupmagazine.co.ke More comments are published online about news stories published on startupmagazine.co.ke

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FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

News 90% of customers consider counterfeiting a serious issue to their organisation, survey finds Findings from a recent HP survey in EMEA found that over 97% of customers see HP’s Customer Delivery Inspections (CDIs) as a valuable service for their business, and 96% feel they protect them from falling victim to fraudsters.

Customer Delivery Inspections, which are a free and effective feature of HP’s Anti-Counterfeit and Fraud (ACF) programme, offer customers a reliable way to confirm the authenticity of their stock. They involve on-site checks of suspicious large or mid-sized cartridge deliveries in response to reports initiated by HP customers. If dubious deliveries are found, the HP ACF team are proactively alerted, and can follow up with appropriate action. Amid the COVID-19 disruption, HP has also offered photo-based CDIs if circumstances do not allow for an on-site visit.

It was also discovered that 60% of customers planned to take steps to purchase safely in future, directly following with the HP CDI guidance. As a result, 98% of customers surveyed would recommend HP CDIs to other customers.

“At HP, we are incredibly proud of the positive feedback our customers have given in response to our Customer Delivery Inspections,” said Suanne Schoewitz-Franchi, Global Lead of Supplies Anti-Counterfeit and Fraud Programme. “Unlike counterfeit goods, HP Originals are designed to meet our strict quality and reliable standards and to deliver superb performance and consistent results. Our high standards go beyond our products. With our survey finding that 91% of surveyed customers believe counterfeits present a risk to their business, it is important that we continue to fight fraudulent activity and ensure our customers have access to a reliable source of information and advice so that they have a peace of mind when buying HP products. With this in mind, HP maintains its commitment to protect our customers through our Anti-Counterfeit and Fraud programme, as shown by our quick action to adapt CDIs in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Across EMEA over the last five years, HP has supported local law enforcement authorities to seize around 12.5 million items, including counterfeit cartridges, hardware products, and components. Most recently, between October 2019 to March 2020, HP, together with local authorities in Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, have successfully obstructed a number of counterfeit trading programmes and removed close to 200,000 illicit products from the African region, including fake HP printer cartridges and components to assemble further counterfeits.

HP is dedicated to empowering channel partners, customers, and enforcement authority representatives with the knowledge to identify fraudulent supplies and protect business. In EMEA, close to 7,000 stakeholders have attended HP’s dedicate Education and Prevention activities. The company also cooperates closely with local and global law enforcement authorities to detect and dismantle illegal operations that produce counterfeit HP printing components.

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

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FINTECH

Young Women in Africa turn to Bitcoin amidst Pandemic

t

he COVID-19 pandemic has strained the global economy and put millions of people under financial stress. Understandably, people from all walks of life started looking for alternative income streams. In honour of Women’s Month this August, a global peer-to-peer bitcoin marketplace, Paxful, (Paxful.com) is shining a spotlight on Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

women who have started successful side hustles powered by bitcoin.

Not only are these side jobs providing women with additional income, they are also giving individuals an opportunity to develop new skills in the bitcoin and blockchain space. Blockchain skills are in high demand internationally and may unlock new career opportunities or set

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FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

the ground for running a successful business in the future.

Beyond speculative activities, bitcoin already drives a whole range of entrepreneurial ventures including arbitrage, remittance, e-commerce and educational projects, to name a few. Paxful is committed to encouraging more women to consider pursuing opportunities in bitcoin and blockchain; the company has rolled out a number of educational programs globally to educate more people about the crypto industry.

Realising entrepreneurial potential A report (https://bit.ly/3j4yUoa) released

by CoinMarketCap in April revealed that the number of women in the cryptocurrency industry increased by 43.24% in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, a study (https://bit.ly/2YoEVUS) published in December 2019 by Bitcoin (BTC) fund operator, Grayscale, showed that 43% of investors interested in Bitcoin are women (13% up from 2018), with the number actively growing. “Our sector can still do better to attract more female blockchain professionals and entrepreneurs. At Paxful, nearly 40% of our global workforce is female and we continuously keep our eyes out for more female collaborators, community builders and problem solvers,” says Tugba Abadan, Paxful’s newly appointed Head of Middle East and Africa.

Usage of the Paxful platform is soaring, and the company has also witnessed a steady increase in the number of women participating in its entrepreneurship program, the Paxful Peer Program. The program helps crypto enthusiasts become their own bosses, and women have been topping the list of best performers since it’s launch in November 2019.

Yvonne Kagondu, Paxful’s Community Coordinator in Kenya, says: “It’s not easy to be a young African at the moment. Unfortunately, many of us suffer the consequences of high levels of unemployment and poverty. It’s very important to be on the lookout for as many opportunities as possible and find one that suits you best. I found blockchain technology intriguing and decided to focus on bitcoin, which eventually led me to mentoring other young female professionals and fellow small business owners. I feel so fortunate to be able to help and inspire fellow Africans to take control of their finances through bitcoin.”

Paxful’s Peer Program participant Nkhensani Nyalungu is a Bachelor of Commerce student at the University of Johannesburg. She shares her experience with the program: “I had never considered setting up a tech-related business until I learnt more about the opportunities in the blockchain industry. Once I became familiar with the technology, it was quite easy to dive into the crypto world. I am extremely passionate about educating my peers about the crypto-economy, as I feel I’m carving the path towards economic freedom for our communities.”

Victoria Chauke, a student at Johannesburg’s Wits University, used to work as a part-time promoter before she started her bitcoin side-hustle to earn some extra cash, “Trading bitcoin was a better option for me as I could learn on the go; it’s much more flexible as I can

make money while at home, in-between classes or while busy with other commitments.”

She adds: “I believe we need a lot more women in the bitcoin community. From my experience, I think we can operate as effectively as men, if not better, in the blockchain ecosystem”.

Entrepreneurial aspirations in a time of crisis According to a study (https://bit.ly/2YoEVUS), an estimated one in three working South Africans have a side job to bring in extra income. The COVID-19 lockdown has put millions of people under challenging circumstances as they faced losses of jobs and income opportunities.

The pandemic pushed people to look for alternative income sources, so the interest in crypto and bitcoin entrepreneurship grew rapidly, which Paxful confirms as the number of platform users skyrocketed since the beginning of 2020. As contactless payments are encouraged, people are opting for non-cash in-person trades using bitcoin.

Abadan concludes: “We’re very excited to see how the number of trades on Paxful from South African users have grown by more than 36% in Q2 of this year.

Blockchain technology has created a new frontier for the global economy, and I believe that the industry offers plenty of opportunities to achieve greater economic independence”.

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

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DIGITAL FINANCE

Digital finance, a lifeline during COVID-19 crisis, can deliver longterm financing of the SDGs

Unleashing potential of digital finance could have transformational impact on sustainable development says group of financial, business, government and development leaders convened by the UN Secretary-General Words Special Correspondent

t

he unprecedented social and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the role of digital finance in providing relief for millions around the world, supporting businesses and protecting jobs and livelihoods.

While the pandemic demonstrates the Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

immediate benefits of digital finance, the disruptive potential of digitalization in transforming finance is immense.

Mobile payment technologies have transformed mobile phones into financial tools for more than a billion people. Digital is supporting big data and artificial intelligence in advancing cryptocurrencies and crypto-assets, peer-topeer lending, crowdfunding platforms,

and online marketplaces. Banks have invested over US$1 trillion in developing, integrating and acquiring emerging technologies. In 2018, ‘fintech’ investment reached US$120 billion, one third of global venture capital funding.

Today a new report, “People’s Money: Harnessing Digitalization to Finance a Sustainable Future”, by the UN Secre-

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tary-General’s Task Force on Digital Finance sets out an ambitious, practical Action Agenda. Centrally, it spells out how digital finance can be harnessed in ways that empower citizens as tax-payers and investors in envisaging a digital transformation at scale that better aligns people’s money with their needs, collectively expressed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report highlights how billions of people around the world are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic using digital tools to work, spend and socialize. It argues there is an historic opportunity to harness digitalization in placing citizens, the ultimate owners of the world’s financial resources, in control of finance to ensure that it meets their needs, today and in the future.

The Task Force identifies five catalytic opportunities for harnessing digitalization in aligning financing with the SDGs. Together they cover much of global finance: •Aligning the vast pools flowing through global capital markets with the SDGs.

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•Increasing the effectiveness and accountability of public finance that makes up a major part of the global economy.

•Channeling digitally-aggregated domestic savings into longterm development finance.

•Informing citizens how to link their consumer spending with the SDGs.

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•Accelerating the lifeblood financing for the employment and income-generating world of small and medium-sized businesses.

The Task Force’s Action Agenda is a call to action to businesses, policy-makers and those governing finance to do what it takes to deliver on these opportunities. It spells out not only the ‘what’ but also the ‘how’: investments, new capabilities and governance innovations can get the job done.

The Task Force concludes that harnessing digitalization for the good is a choice, not an inevitability driven by technology. Its Action Agenda points to actions needed to overcome digital risks that, unmitigated, could deepen exclusion, discrimination and inequalities, and separate finance further from the needs of an inclusive, sustainable development.

Enquire today For more information on this product, email us at ke_corporate@transunion.com September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

5 Businesses You Can Start with Nearly No Capital in Africa Words Special Correspondent

s

tarting a business is an exciting idea, but usually, most of the excitement fades when you realise the amount of money you will need to turn your idea into a profitable business. There is also the issue of logistics and risks.

Contrary to common opinion, there are actually many options to start a company that allows you to concentrate less on Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

planning and operating expenses and more on getting started.

These low-investment small business ideas are suited for Africa and provide a perfect entry point for beginners, bootstrappers or anyone with a busy schedule and allow you to pick up a side business without having to let go of any other engagements.

You will still need to come up with a sol-

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id idea, develop a brand, put marketing effort and offer outstanding customer service. However, there are ways to bypass other conventional startup costs including initial inventory, warehousing, and retail space.

Here are 5 business you can start with almost no capital in Africa.

1. In-home child care If you love children and have a nice setting for them, it could be a perfect idea for you to turn your home into an in-home childcare facility. There would be certain fees and criteria for licenses (which differ by country), but aside from these, the costs associated with starting a home childcare business are highly minimal.

2. Freelance Writing or Editing Do you possess strong writing or editing skills? then you can offer these services as a freelancer. all you need to do register on a freelancing website such as Freelancer or Upwork. Ensure to build a strong portfolio by including concise information about your skill. It also helps if you already have previous works to showcase on the platform.

FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

“

Dropshipping gives small businesses a lower-risk solution to trying out new product innovations and product lines without having to purchase and pay for the product upfront. This is a business model that is encouraging a lot of people to become entrepreneurs.

”

Dropshipping enables people to start an online company and sell goods to their customers without owning the items themselves. when a dropshipping store sells a product, the item sold is bought from a third party and delivered to the consumer directly.

Dropshipping gives small businesses a lower-risk solution to trying out new product innovations and product lines without having to purchase and pay for the product upfront. This is a business model that is encouraging a lot of people to become entrepreneurs.

5. Mobile auto detailing There’s a good number of people who own decent cars but roll around with litters on the backseat and floor mats.

With a vacuum cleaner, some inexpensive bottles of automotive cleaning products, you can offer to come to anybody’s home or work and make the interior of their car look clean and organised. Professional stores charge up to $15 for this service.

3. Graphics Design If you’re a creative and great at Photoshop, you’ve already got the skill needed to start a logo or graphic design business. You can list your services on sites such as Fiverr, 99Designs, or any of the other freelance platforms. This way, you can create a portfolio and start developing a client base.

Also, if you know there’s a creative inside of you but you simply haven’t received any relevant training then you opt for online courses in graphics design.

These training usually last between 3 to 6 months after which you’ll be ready to start sourcing for clients. Some of the popular sites to get such training are Skillshare, Cousera, Lynda and Udemy.

4. Dropshipping September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

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INTERVIEW

Ambition: Finding Success in Music Financial constraints will be one of the main challenges since to put up a good music, you need finances. You will need to pay for good sound recording, video direction, recording and editing. It is a very competitive industry to say the least.

So everything must be topnotch.

Also for young and upcoming artistes, getting a slot on TV or Radio is an uphill task. We often get turned down by the hosts while media plays a huge role in boosting the profile and career of an artiste.

Any regrets?

I don’t really have regrets but am inspired to make a big name for myself in this game, and also leave a mark. My joy is to see people love, inspired and jams to my music all over the world.

Words Sylvester Okumu

The first time I interacted with Ambition was when he texted me about his interest to be featured in StartUp. I gave him a lukewarm response but he kept insisting. I later checked out his music on Viusasa, Boomplay, Ngomma, Tubidy, Youtube and Skiza among other platforms and felled in love with his style.

He has always been ambitious in life with an immense desire to achieve the best in whatever field he is, thus the name –Ambitious. Just like many musical journeys, he started singing at a young age but he was more passionate about theatre. Over time, his music skills got better over acting, he settled for the former. His first song was hip-hop, then afro pop, but lately he’s found a way with bongo music. Inspired by what is affecting the youths in the society, Ambition shares his journey in the following interview.

d

o you have anyone you who has mentored you?

I keep a close eye on everything that they do.

I don’t really have a mentor, but I have a couple of role models I look up to and most of the time

What are some of the challenges you have gone through in view of your musical journey?

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

What kind of messages or vibe do you pass through in your music?

Basically, the message I convey in most of my music is to appreciate a woman’s beauty, having fun, of course talking about love and heartbreaks. We have one life to live, let’s live it to the fullest, let’s do what we are so passionate about.

What do you think can be done to get you from where you are to stardom?

Well, first Trusting in God, I need to constantly release music, work with big artists who have already made it and also have a strong management team.

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I believe with this, I’ll be on the highway to stardom.

Any experiences that has shaped your music in a major way?

Yes of course, with music comes lots of experiences.I believe one experience that shaped my music is seeing other big artists performing with live bands and doing live performance. This is what fans always crave for and I think it’s high time we adjust and gift the fans what they love.

So performing with a live band is something that is on my to do list.

Which kind of performance that stood out as the best for you?

Well, one of my best was when I performed at the Mashujaa Awards in 2019 at Carnivore Simba saloon. Great

Kopa

Cent

Africa

people were in attendance including the Nairobi County Women Rep Hon. Esther Pasaris and Embakasi MP Hon. Babu Owino. I also performed at the Samantha Bridal Fair early this year at Sarit Centre.

Any awards you have won? What do they mean to you?

I haven’t won any awards yet, but have been nominated in more than three awards, that alone proves that I have lots of potential. I am optimistic that soon, I’ll win international awards and just fly the Kenyan flag high.

but that doesn’t stop us from doing this online, virtual interviews and live streaming events. Pushing content online has worked for us.

The digital platforms will help increase awareness about our music and stretch outreach to many fans.

Anything we can look forward to?

I have a lot in store. My fans need to expect something bop because I am working on a collabo with Otile Brown.

How are you coping with COVID-19 setbacks as a musician?

Well, Covid-19 has messed things up, we no longer interact with fans in events,

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18

COVER STORY

Ikigai’s co-working space at Westlands, Nairobi

THE NEW WAY TO WORK As businesses look to resume operations, health and safety in the workplace is an area of growing concern. As a trailblazer for the future of work in Kenya, Ikigai Nairobi rises to the challenge of creating safe and inspiring workspaces for individuals and businesses.

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

19 From the moment you set foot in one of Ikigai Nairobi’s spaces, it is evident, this is not your ordinary office. A large bold logo hangs above the reception signalling the vision for their work environments across the country. Redefining the way we think about the office, Ikigai Nairobi is a collective of biophilic, wellness-focused office spaces that offer private offices, shared workspaces, meeting rooms and event space in Westlands, Lavington, Lower Kabete, and soon, Riverside.

Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, these bold, one-of-a-kind workspaces are designed to support individuals and businesses in their quest to find their reason for being or purpose.

As such, every detail in these beautiful workspaces is carefully curated to inspire, motivate, challenge and nurture talent.

Since its inception in November 2016 with a first location in Westlands, Ikigai

“

On the forefront of wellness at work in Africa, Ikigai recently re-opened and introduced a health and safety brand – Kaizen by Ikigai – to communicate its commitment to health and safety.

”

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Nairobi has created exceptional workspaces that nurture connections and foster wellbeing. Founded on the premise that individuals are more creative, productive, and happier outside, each of Ikigai’s work environments brings an element of the outdoors inside. Each of Ikigai’s locations has light streaming in through large windows, an assemblage of plants and greenery - especially at the two locations in Westlands and Lower Kabete which have serene and spacious gardens.

As a business that cultivates and nurtures healthy environments for entrepreneurs and businesses to work, meet and connect; the ongoing health crisis forced it to temporarily close its doors to protect its members and staff. This time was used to reflect,re-strategize, and improve its environment.

During its time away from the office, Ikigai collaborated with 14 global workspace providers from around the globe to form the Workplace Operator Readiness

Ikigai’s offices garden at Lower Kabete September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

20 Council (WORC). The council partnered with experts in healthcare, architecture, real estate, design, and engineering to develop guidelines and policies to manoeuvre health and safety in their respective workspaces. To guide other flexible workspace providers and office corporates through this time, the council recently shared the Return-to-Office Playbook, which includes guidelines on the measures that can be implemented to create safe work environments, now and into the future.

On the forefront of wellness at work in Africa, Ikigai recently re-opened and introduced a health and safety brand – Kaizen by Ikigai – to communicate its commitment to health and safety. Some of the measures included restructuring its work environments to allow for physical distancing and encouraging members to work in their tranquil and expansive gardens, intensified cleaning practices, and the transition to low touch environments by incorporating automated systems into their locations. The team at Ikigai mention that the name – Kaizen – is of significance as they intend to continuously improve their practices and strive for the highest standard of health and safety to ensure the wellbeing and safety of their community.

In addition to new health and safety practices, Ikigai is fully prepared to meet the needs that are emerging as individuals and businesses adjust to the new normal. Their membership plans such as the virtual office membership allow for a hybrid setups where individuals can work from home and also an Ikigai location of their choice; their corporate membership which offers businesses the ability to de-densify their current headquarters and offices and their private office membership that is flexible enough to meet the shifting needs of the workplace.

With a fourth location on the horizon, enhanced health and safety practices and a renewed passion to create purpose-driven work environments, the team at Ikigai is optimistic about the future and the opportunities the new normal will bring.

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

Kaizen by Ikigai

21

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Website: www.fapcl.com September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

22

SMEs

8 Steps for Paying Employees of Small Businesses

HOURLY

i

f you’re a new business owner, learning how to pay your employees may seem tricky. After all, you can’t just hand them a wad of cash. You need to document every dollar that passes through your hands to theirs in a legal way.

This article has been published with permission from hourly.

Fortunately, the process isn’t as daunting as it seems.

In this guide, you’ll learn: •Different types of compensation classifications •How to determine how much to pay an employee •How to pay an employee in a small business •How to pay a worker with a 1099 Different Types of Compensation There are three primary ways that businesses compensate their employees:

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

•Hourly wages •Fixed annual salary •Commission Hourly Compensation Hourly wages are based on an hourly rate. The employee’s pay is determined by how much time they work during a pay period.

For example, you could pay an associate $20 per hour for their work. If they work 80 hours in a pay period, they are owed $1,600.

An hourly wage is ideal for a part-time employee or someone who doesn’t work a consistent schedule, like a restaurant server. Typically, hourly workers are “non-exempt,” which means they qualify for overtime pay.

Salaried Compensation Salaried employees are paid a fixed an-

23 nual rate. Each payday they are paid a consistent figure, which is determined by dividing their annual salary by the number of pay periods.

For example, with a $60,000 annual salary and a bi-weekly pay period, an employee will receive $2,307 in pre-tax wages each payday.

Salaries are best for corporate roles in which the employee’s time input is predictable. Salaried employees are typically exempt from receiving overtime pay.

Commission-Based Compensation You can also pay employees on commission. They would potentially earn a low base rate — which can be hourly or salaried — plus additional pay based on predetermined sales goals.

For example, a salesperson at your company might have a $35,000 base annual salary. On top of that, they also earn a commission based on a percentage of any deals they close.

Commission-based compensation is ideal for sales roles, as it incentivizes employees to meet specific goals.

Refer to the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) to ensure that you are properly compensating your employees while adhering to minimum wage and overtime laws.

How Much to Pay an Employee How much you should pay your employees depends on what your competitors are paying for similar roles.

Conduct market research to see what other companies in your field and location pay for the role you’re hiring for, or for the type of work you need to be done.

Online tools like PayScale and Salary

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crowdsource pay rates from around the country.

How to Pay an Employee as a Small Business To start paying employees, you’ll need to set up a payroll system.

1. Collect Paperwork from Your Employees Have new employees and current employees fill out and submit tax forms: If you plan on paying your employees via direct deposit, you will need to request their banking information as well.

2. Calculate Pre-Tax Pay Determine your employees’ gross pay for the pay period: •Hourly employees: Multiply their hourly rate by the number of hours they worked during the pay period.

•Salaried employees: Divide their yearly salary by the number of pay periods in your annual payroll schedule.

•Commission employees: Determine their hourly or salaried base pay. Then, add their commission earnings for that pay period, based on your company’s commission structure.

3. Determine Tax Withholding Refer to the paperwork you collected from employees to calculate how much of their earnings you need to withhold for (pre-tax and post-tax): 4. How to Pay an Employee: Calculate Net Pay You’ve determined your employees’ gross pay and how much to withhold from their paycheck in taxes. Calculate their net pay by subtracting the withheld amount from their gross pay.

For example, if an employee’s gross pay for the pay period is $2,500 and $680

needs to be withheld for taxes, the employee receives a payment of $1,820 on payday.

5. Distribute Paychecks to Your Employees Now it’s time to pay your employees the net pay they are owed. Checks and direct deposits are the most popular ways to pay an employee.

If you use direct deposit, refer to the bank information your employees gave you. Alternatively, you can have your bank or payroll provider cut checks for employees.

6. File Taxes You are responsible for paying taxes on behalf of your W-2 employees. Take the portion of the employee’s paycheck that has been withheld and distribute those funds to the proper places.

7. Pay Into Benefits Not all withheld pay will go to the government. Depending on your company, a portion may go toward employee benefits.

This might include contributions toward: •Health insurance •Retirement •Commuter benefits •Health savings accounts •Flexible spending accounts If you offer any employee benefits program, make a payment on behalf of your employees into the relevant accounts.

8. Update Payroll Records You’ll need to keep your payroll records for several years in case of an audit.

Keep your payroll register up to date, organized, and accessible. Include information about who got paid, how much they worked, how much they were paid, and what taxes were withheld.

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

ECONOMY

Rebuilding Africa and strengthening its resilience against future economic shocks

CHARLES LEYEKA

The author is the Acting Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management at the African Development Bank Group

a

fter demonstrating its resilience during the Ebola outbreak and the global financial crisis, Africa is once again facing a severe test of its strength and agility because of the coronavirus pandemic. The good news is that the continent has entered this crisis in reasonably good shape following decades of progression in health, education and economic outcomes.

As of early 2020, macroeconomic fundamentals in Africa were improving, with investments, rather than consump-

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

tion, accounting for more than half of the region’s growth. Inflation was falling and the continent was making impressive strides towards accomplishing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Africa must build on the momentum and strive to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from reversing the gains of the past 20 years.

Admittedly, that’s easier said than done: despite their best efforts, many countries still struggle with fragile health systems, high debt levels, weak external balances, as well as high rates of poverty and

FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

unemployment. The African Development Bank now projects that Africa will fall into a recession in 2020 with economic growth contracting by at least 1.7 per cent. In a worst-case-scenario, this figure could turn out as high as 3.4 per cent.

Cumulative losses in gross domestic product (GDP) across the continent could range between $173.1 billion and $236.7 billion in 2020 and 2021. The coronavirus pandemic threatens to increase the debt burden of African countries from 60 per cent to 70 per cent of gross domestic product, heightening the likelihood of a sovereign debt crisis. The additional financing required to cushion the consequences of the crisis could be in excess of $150 billion.

In a part of the world where 85 per cent of the population earn their living in the informal sector, unemployment as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic could push an additional 28 to 49 million people into extreme poverty. Moreover, if we fail to take adequate action, the impact of the crisis on food insecurity and malnutrition may be even worse than anticipated.

What can be done to support African economies?

To counter the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, Africa needs robust policy responses from every country on the continent, paired with strong support from Africa’s development partners. In the short term, African countries should prioritise healthcare spending for the provision of essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and materials, acceleration of local production of medical supplies including PPE and vaccine and drug discovery.

Targeted cash transfers and subsidies for

vulnerable households as well as subsidies and tax relief for businesses should be high on the agenda. Central banks must inject liquidity into the economy, turning to unconventional policy tools such as quantitative easing if necessary.

In the longer term, countries should seize the imperative of building resilience to future crises. As good times return and economies get back on track, it should become a priority to build domestic and external buffers against any potential exogenous shocks.

More money should be earmarked for scientific, economic and social research.

Countries should pursue global and

“

To counter the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, Africa needs robust policy responses from every country on the continent, paired with strong support from Africa’s development partners.

”

continental partnerships to prepare for eventualities. Private sector growth and revamping education and labour markets for the future of work are also key.

The role of development partners At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, multilateral development institutions took immediate action to help Africa’s poorest countries navigate the crisis and help them on the road to recovery. The African Development Bank is playing its part through its USD 10 billion COVID-19 Rapid Response Facility (CRF). The CRF offers immediate relief to African countries to address the crisis by providing additional resources for public health interventions, social protection programs and liquidity and budget support to affected sectors of their

economies.

Civil society and think tanks have a useful role to play by helping to build trust, solidarity and uptake of COVID-19 prevention and containment measures. They can also help to ensure that COVID-19 interventions are carried out equitably and that governments are held accountable for their policies and actions.

The African Development Bank stands ready to work with other multilateral financial institutions and wealthier nations to alleviate the impact of the pandemic on African countries. For example, we welcome partnerships to establish dedicated donor-financed COVID-19 trust funds. We also urge G20 nations to consider debt forgiveness for low-income countries.

Reasons to remain optimistic The continent’s youthful and innovative population, its growing middle class, its value addition to the abundant natural resources and its ever-improving governance systems give us plenty of reason to be confident that Africa will overcome the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year marks the first time the continent has entered a recession in more than half a century. Over the past two decades, Africa has boasted some of the highest growth rates in the world, setting the region up as the next investment frontier in a post–COVID-19 world.

The level of cooperation in Africa has been encouraging. But beyond the crisis, we need to continue working together to help rebuild our economies and prepare them for the future. Africa will emerge from this episode stronger and more resilient than ever before.

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

26

CLOUD COMPUTING

The Future of Cloud Computing: Moving at the Speed of Business

PATRICK NDEGWA

Nedgwa is the Business Sales Lead for SEACOM (https:// SEACOM.com/) East Africa

Businesses now accept that the future of organising, processing and presenting their data is in the cloud

t

here’s been a definite shift around the discussion about the cloud in Africa. Businesses now accept that the future of organising, processing and presenting their data is in the cloud. And with services like cloud-based email, many companies are already using this innovative technology – whether they Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

realise it or not. The conversation has changed from asking ‘what is cloud technology?’ to looking at how it can be harnessed to achieve business success.

Organisations need to be able to adapt at the same speed as this new technology and take advantage of the opportunities it presents. This will ensure busi-

27 ness continuity and resilience in the long term. So what’s next for the cloud?

The future of cloud computing: opportunities for Africa The Internet of Things (https://bit. ly/2QC4iyt) is set to become even more prominent, with companies able to automate and optimise more processes as connected ‘smart’ machines are used.

Interconnected systems mean that busi-

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will become more interlinked and intertwined, providing opportunities for companies that are ready to take advantage.

Furthermore, the cloud enables remote working and service provision, regardless of where employees or organisations are located. This opens up business opportunities as distance from customers and clients is no longer a stumbling block. African companies can offer their services to a wider market – and in turn use additional services – as a result of a digitally connected world. The same applies to workers; employees can search for jobs nationally and internationally, as opposed to simply searching for opportunities in their immediate area.

Business flexibility and scalability will be key to enabling growth while reducing unnecessary costs as a result of more streamlined operating systems and access to more markets and a wider range of service providers.

Ensuring the safety and security of the business The importance of security in this new cloud-connected world cannot be stressed enough. As more data is moved to a cloud environment, businesses that don’t take security seriously become more susceptible to data breaches.

ness processes and actual equipment will be linked to ensure ease of access and optimisation. This has the power to significantly improve efficiency for businesses that can get it right. This could include inventory systems that automatically order more stock when levels are low; smart machines that notify you before a part needs to be replaced; or logistics tracking that optimises routes and delivery based on orders and current traffic congestion. As we progress into this digital world of work, systems

User rights need to be properly managed and the relevant software put into place to prevent cyberattacks and data leaks. In addition to this, each individual accessing a system affects the safety of the wider network, so employee training is vital. Accessing and managing data remotely will need to become a priority. The constant influx of data that is being collected and stored needs to be organised and used strategically. Regular backups are crucial in ensuring that

information is safe and easily accessible should the original data be deemed at risk. This will ensure business continuity and reduce downtime.

Companies that stand to win will be those that partner with cloud providers that can help them put the right security measures in place.

Adapting to a cloud-driven world of business Research indicates that by 2025 (https:// bit.ly/2ELzsRc), all of the world’s data is expected to increase by five times. This data is estimated to be worth around 123.2 billion USD. In addition to this, the mobile cloud services market will be worth an estimated 95 billion USD by 2024. This trend also applies to Africa.

As Internet usage in Africa grows (https://bit.ly/32Kf5MJ), so does the amount of data created - as well as the value of that data. Accessing these huge amounts of data won’t be the biggest challenge - making sense of it will be.

Companies that can collect, collate and analyse the sheer volume of data generated every day by their customers, employees and other stakeholders stand to gain a lot. If you aren’t organising your data and using it strategically, you will be left behind.

As we look to the future, the importance of partnering with a provider that can assist your business in meeting its operational needs to remain a top priority. A forward-thinking cloud partner can help your business plan for the future, while making the most of the latest innovative technology.

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

At the back

Motors

New Audi S3 Variants Offer th

Words MHH International-A Prestige Car Importer The S3 variant of Audi A3 models is a step down from the fiery RS generation, yet still delivers feisty and controlled performance, but more suited to general motoring. There’s plenty of power on tap but comfort and ride quality are also taken into consideration. It’s a good mix. Audi models are very popular here at MHH International and we welcome enquiries.

About S3 With sub-five-second acceleration to the benchmark 62mph plus the capability to deploy 305bhp (310PS), S3 models deliver Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

on handling thanks to updated S-specific sport suspension and quattro drive with intelligent control. There’s a choice too: the powerfully built haunches of the new Sportback or the sleek saloon body, both with a totally redesigned cabin integrating an array of digitalisation, connectivity and driver assistance improvements.

With attention to detail, the everyday usability and the slickly integrated technology make these cars perfectly adaptable for everyday, combined with performance and handling on demand when the mood takes the driver in its grip.

The Looks The front end is dominated by the large rhombus-patterned grille and impressive air inlets, embellished by LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, or upgraded Matrix LED units in S3 soon-tobe-announced ‘Vorsprung’ models. The pronounced shoulder line extends from the headlights to the rear lights, below which the body curves inwards – a new element of Audi design that places a stronger emphasis on the wheel arches.

Aluminium door mirror surrounds confirm to onlookers that this is an S Series,

29

FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

he Best of Both Worlds

characteristics in the Comfort and Dynamic settings available to the driver.

Essentially for those who love to drive, there is also an engine note to suit the driving mode that takes priority, adjustable via the standard Audi drive select system. Hushed for everyday journeys and long distance cruising and crisper and more bass-heavy for more challenging drives.

The Inside Compared with their predecessors, the new S3 Sportback and S3 Saloon are three centimetres and four centimetres longer respectively, while both models are three centimetres wider. They share the same 2,640-millimetre wheelbase, which affords greater shoulder room and elbow room than the outgoing models, and provides for 370 litres of luggage space in the saloon and 325 and 1,145 litres of luggage space in the Sportback depending on the position of the rear bench seat.

The Ride With suspension that can comfortably and compliantly accommodate long journeys, the S3 models still corner with impressive balance, resolve and agility.

Lowered by 15 millimetres over the standard A3 and equipped with a four-link rear axle, complemented by progressive steering, the standard S-specific suspension is a great all-round set-up. This helps provide even wider, more discernible differentiation between operating

It’s business as usual in these Audis, with the now expected unmatched quality. Newly developed sport seats finished in Nappa leather complement a crisply defined, driver-oriented dashboard that integrates the new MMI operating concept with its 10.1-inch black panel touchscreen display. MMI Navigation Plus is standard and offers predictions on the development of the traffic situation and very precise information about the traffic flow.

gear shifts and economy-conscious freewheeling function.

as if the four trademark exhaust tailpipes were not enough.

The Drive Under the bonnet (hood) is a 2.0L TFSI engine engorged with 305bhp and a 400Nm (295 lb-ft) torque peak. Highly charged performance is available with 62mph arriving in just 4.8 seconds with a governed top speed of155mph. Even so, the frugal driver can expect up to 39.2mpg with reduced CO² output of as little as 178 g/km, aided by the seven-speed S-tronic auto gearbox with its lightning-fast

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

30

At the back

Travelogue

First Day in My First in Rwanda Job by Oroni Tendera

“Don’t settle down and sit in one place. Move around. Be nomadic. Make each day a new horizon,” John Krakauer Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

31 The day I stepped into my new work station in the heart of western Rwanda, excitement, euphoria and reality mingled. In my wild imagination, I had foreseen myself working on the tenth floor of the tallest building in Kigali. I had already moulded the image of my residence, a five star hotel for the expatriate Regional English Language Trainer or a palatial house in the outskirts of Kigali.

Nyamasheke district would be my new home for the next 12 months. Nyamasheke is one of the remotest places in Rwanda. In fact Rwandans in other parts have an annihilating saying that goes: “Rwanda is made up of Rwandans and Nyamashekeans,’’ to emphasize its rather isolation from the rest of the country.“To travel is to learn,’’ I kept on muttering under my breath and forced a smile each time I felt like fainting. To my surprise, these words brought contentment over me. Tranquility that I had never known that day.

“Welcome to Nyamasheke district,” said my new immediate supervisor, the District Education officer. His accent was a blend of French and Kinyarwanda. He introduced himself as Jean Pierre Hakizimana, an A0(an equivalent of a bachelors degree) holder from Universite nanionale du Rwanda. Titles were revered there, I later inferred as we engaged in a 15-minute conversation. “You are here because you are qualified. The best among the best. Show it.

Prove to your trainees that you have an A0 in Language Education from the university of Nairobi,’’ he said in a monotonous tone, emphasizing every syllable. He then asked me to assume my new responsibilities immediately. “No time to waste. Rwanda is on the move to achieve vision 2020,’’ he reminded me. He then led me to the district hall, filled to capacity with primary school teachers.

The DEO talked to my prospective trainees at length in Kinyarwanda before introducing me to them. I was received with a round of applause. He asked me to kick-start the training then left. I was not ready. I had not established the language competency levels of my trainees. I had just arrived in Nyamasheke district after 27 hours of travel by bus from Nairobi. Moreover, locating Nyamasheke district headquarters had almost consumed four hours, thanks to language barrier. Most residents of Nyamasheke

FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL

were monolingual. They only spoke Kinyarwanda. Some spoke incomprehensible pidgin Swahili.

My eyes were pulsating with pain. My legs were aching. I licked my dry lips. They almost failed to release each other. With pain and struggle, I managed to open my mouth. “Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am here primarily to help you learn English. Rwanda has shifted from Francophone to Anglophone. It is a brave and wise decision by your government considering the fact that Rwanda has now joined the East African community. All East African Community member states are Anglophone. This will ease trade and movement of human resources in the region.’’

“Pardon,’’ a middle-aged man interrupted, to the amusement of the audience. He continued, “Je ne parle pas anglais. Parlez-vouz francais?’’ (I don’t speak English. Do you comprehend French?). The whole audience roared in laughter. Some cheered. Others Jeered.

My French competency is fluent second language speaker, almost native. I shifted to French and explained to him the importance of being multi-lingual in the age of globalization. I also emphasized the fact that English is the global language of commerce as well as science and technology.

This came to them as a surprise. Nobody could fathom seeing a Kenyan communicating in French.

“I did not comprehend anything. You speak French like a white man. You sound like a Belgian. We speak French from Paris,’’ rudely interrupted another middle-aged man in rhythmic Central African French.

A young lady came to my aid. “We are here to learn English. Not French. Change your bad attitude,’’she cut him short in simple English. The middle age man, not the type to accept defeat, stood on his ground, “English has been imposed on us for political reasons. French is here to stay.’’

“If you are not ready for change. You will get extinct like dinosaurs,’’ retorted the young lady in a fit of anger. A section of the audience cheered her. I took control of the hall.

I asked them to be calm before spelling out my goals, objectives, teaching methods and content. But for my training to be effective, it would be necessary to place them in var-

ious levels of competency . That would be only possible through evaluation(oral skills, grammar, comprehension and listening). I issued my first assignment to my learners, I asked them to write an essay of 200 words about themselves overnight.

That marked the end of my brief introductory session. As I released my trainees, I could hear some of them wondering aloud why their government was wasting a lot of money on foreigners yet they can learn English on their own using Google translator.

My body begun to revolt in fatigue. My muscles ached. My vision became blurred.

I tottered out of the hall. Somebody patted me gently on the back. I turned back .

A tall, slender, light-skinned man flashed a smile at me then suddenly assumed a serious look. “I am the immigration officer of Nyamesheke district. Can I have a look at your job contract and passport?’’ he said as he waved his identification card. His voice was calm but full of authority. I complied to his demand. He scrutinized my documents then said, “You do not have a work permit.

Citizens of East Africa get it free within two weeks. Your contract was signed 13 days ago. That means tomorrow you will be eligible for a fine of RwFr 50,000.And the amount will double after a month.’’

I explained to him that I had just landed in Rwanda and my contract had been back dated to 13 days but he could not hear my excuse.

I was remaining with money enough to cover my accommodation and food for a day. I had not opened a bank account.

No airtime in my phone, therefore I could neither receive nor make calls back home.

How I would survive for the rest of the month in a foreign country, remained a strange mystery.

But I did not give a damn. I knew it was during times I am far outside my element that I experience myself the most. That I see and feel who I really am. On that note, I kick-started my first job, a 12-month renewable contract with Rwanda Education Board.

September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

32

Coffee Break

Book Review

Traction

Get A Grip on Your Business Authors: Gino Wickman Reviewer: Oroni Tendera Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business is the small business owner’s go-to book for problem-solving — not necessarily the little day-to-day hiccups you’ll experience, but the big things that can totally derail your progress, such as frustration, losing control of the business and becoming burned out. Wickman essentially asks, “Do you control your business or does your business control you?”

The book suggests the “Entrepreneurial Operating System” to deal with frustra-

Blog Review

tion, burnout and associated problems.

Wickman offers three ways to implement the EOS. It’s chock full of tools and techniques that will bring you and your business back on track, but it’s more about strategy than step-by-step instruction.

Traction is also an easy read, proposing solutions in plain English. You won’t need an MBA to understand and master Wickman’s suggestions. Traction is available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle and an MP3 audio edition.

Social Media Examiner Founder: Michael Stelzer Website: https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/ Social Media Examiner has useful, thorough how-to articles, guides, tips, and trends, covering the latest social media trends. It’s a terrific resource for businesses looking to drive traffic, generate awareness, and increase sales through social media.

Founder Michael Stelzer wanted to help businesses understand how to best leverage social media. Since founding the blog in 2009, he’s managed to do this exceptionally well.

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

With no social media experience, Michael set out to create a movement for businesses. His premise: If marketers openly shared what worked with social media, businesses could thrive. His mission was to bring together the brightest minds and offer quality content for free.

Today, more than 93 million people have benefited from the content produced by Social Media Examiner.

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September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

At the back

Song Review

Don’t Start Now Dua Lipa Review by Abitofpop.com

Startupmagazine.co.ke September 2020

Dua Lipa’s self-titled debut record took a long time to see the light of day, but when it did ‘New Rules’ became a massive hit and catapulted her into super stardom.

subtle build up in the production makes sure the track never feels even remotely repetitive or uneventful. That last chorus with the little ad libs is pure fire.

Lipa co-wrote the tune with Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren and Ian Kirkpatrick while he also signed for the production.

The verses have a smooth and soaring quality with instantly catchy melodies and a proper disco vibe. The punchy chorus serves a groovy rhythm and funky bass line. The whole track has a thick disco sauce all over it, but it never feels contrived and certainly won’t sound too old-fashioned for her younger fan base as it never feels out of place in 2020. ‘Don’t Start Now’ does not necessarily have a massive chorus, but the melodies are impeccable from start to finish and the

Lyrically, ‘Don’t Start Now’ is an empowering tune about getting over an ex lover completely to a point where you honestly don’t care about them anymore. Needless to say Dua’s delivery is fierce and we all need this type of confirmation sometimes! I have no idea what fabulous nu-disco will do charts wise these days, but this already is a triumphant comeback.

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September 2020 Startupmagazine.co.ke

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