TIMES TODAY TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
Communal Prayer
CONTENTS My Pulpit message notes: | Communal Prayer| 3-4 My Devotional: Your gift, your purpose, your joy| 6 Business: Prime Bank Q1 Profits rise by 17 per cent | 7 My Inspiration: Waiting for your invitation | 8 My Entrepreneur: The Nine-Figure Company That Exclusively Hires Underdogs 9 My Health: Intermittent fasting: Is it all it’s cracked up to be?1011 My Kitchen: Ghanaian Jollof Rice |12 My Sports: Shujaa stretched to the limit in World rugby Sevens series 13
My Pulpit Message - notes Communal Prayer
My Pulpit Message Notes are extracted from the sermon preached at the Nairobi Baptist Church (NBC) Ngong Road on Sunday 29th May 2022. Preacher: Pastor Kaiza Ochola. Scripture: Acts 12: 5-17. Topic: Communal Prayer (The house of Mary) When one reads this tale, you can’t help but ask why? Why was Peter arrested? Why was James killed? Why were the Jews happy that James was killed?
Obviously this was never going to be the case when these people were redeemed, crossing over to the promised land. Instead of being a community and changing their people, the people around them changed them. That -To understand this you need to go back to the beginning when something great deceiver was still working, but Christ still persisted, still waited for His strange happened in this great city called Jerusalem. This community of people time to be born. were following this Man who at the time they thought He was just a man, but Through these people He was birthed in Bethlehem and anothHe turned out to be more than that. He turned out to be Elohim. He turned out er community when He grew up came to be. These twelve disciples who were to be Emmanuel (God with us). walking with Him. -So He dies a sure death. The death on the cross. They were certain that He died. They were grieving that He died. And He was buried in a tomb, but on the third day He rose again and they all got to see Him. Five hundred of them got to see Him, walk with Him, talk with Him, eat with Him, put their fingers in His wounds. They verified that this Man was dead and is now alive, but Jesus wasn’t done yet.
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Communities matter to God.
Today we have individualised our faith that our Jesus is just mine, but He doesn’t care about the people around me. My Jesus is just mine. When I come to worship, I want to hear great music, or when that pastor is preacher, it is for me. That Word is for me, but never do we look beside us and see the community that God has put you in.
It wasn’t just the resurrection that happened, but He told them, ‘Go wait for Me in Jerusalem and I will send you the Holy Spirit, for John bap- In Revelation we see that God was not speaking to individuals, but to tised with water, but I will baptise with the Holy Spirit’. churches there at that time. He wasn’t speaking to a pastor, or a prophet. When Jerusalem did not know what was coming and a wind came and He comes and speaks, He will speak to Nairobi Baptist Church. When He calls blew into the room. On their heads, each us out of our sin, He sill talk to NBC. one, were tongues of fire and the revivThose who gather as a community matPeter’s chains fell off. I wonder today, are there people you al began like nothing they had ever seen ter to God. That is the context in which have been believing to come to the Lord and you have been before. He is speaking to all of us, individually Three thousand men doing it alone. Don’t you know that when we come together we and as a community. were speaking in different dialects and are a force to reckon with? Don’t you know that your prayer everyone in that celebratory crowd that Acts 2:42-47, “42 They devoted was in Jerusalem heard them in their partner, you needed them and you didn’t know? That when we themselves to the apostles’ teaching own language and Peter was the chief to fellowship, to the breaking of come together in oneness and call to the Lord someone right and speaker in this first revival meeting. bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was now is in prison, in chains, surrounded and those chains are filled with awe at the many wonders And he spoke to them and what the inhabitants of Jerusalem and signs performed by the apostles. 44 going to fall. said at that time, ‘it cuts through the All the believers were together and had heart’. And that day three thousand were joined to them as believers. Jerusalem everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anywas never going to be the same again. The Jewish leaders had put to death Jesus, one who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple but they couldn’t squeal it. courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere Remember back in the day when Pharaoh tried to kill the sons hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord of the Jews? They grew even more. Even Herod tried to squash this, but they added to their number daily those who were being saved.” grew even more. So this is where the story began. This group of people who had seen amazing things and were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Law brought the Israelites together, but now the Law written in our What can we learn from this community? hearts makes us come together.
1. 2. 3.
The community of the believers. The context of the believers’ prayer. The conviction of the believers as they prayed.
1.
The community of the believers.
In the story of humanity’s redemption God has always used people. In the beginning He started with a family, but that old Lucifer, dragon who deceives people kind of usurped what God intended to do. The humans who were supposed to be harness the potential of the earth were now languishing in sin. But God persisted and found this other family, Abraham’s family and through them He grew. He made a promise to Abraham that through him all nations are going to be blessed and they grew. They went to Egypt because of a famine and they grew. And God used these people and got them out and was trying to communicate to Egypt through this people that ‘I am YAHWEH’ fear Me. Obey Me. Turn back to Me.
2. The context of the believers’ prayer. From the passage we do not know the content that the disciples were praying about. All that brother Luke writes is that there was a crisis that had come to the church. Herod wanted to please the Jews so he kills James and arrests Peter. We know that upon the arrest of Peter, the church prayed earnestly. We don’t know if they were praying for his release, or courage as he faces death. All that we know is that they prayed together for Peter continually, earnestly. They gathered in Mary’s home. They prayed consistently from the moment he was arrested to the moment that Peter came and knocked, they were still praying. They prayed openly welcoming all despite their socio-economic class. Rhoda the servant girl is the one who comes and opens the door and the Bible records that she was so excited that she recognised Peter and went back to tell the believers. I asked my husband who is a nerd for history, would a servant be able to talk to her boss the way Rhoda did and the answer was a sure no.
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
My Pulpit Message - notes I imagine the church today that if the Holy Spirit we were to embrace, would destroy any socio-economic class, any tribe that we ever thought would be and we would pray in our homes, we would welcome all despite their race, tribe, bias or prejudice, all those don’t matter because they dedicated themselves to prayer, fellowship, breaking of bread and to the Word. What would our churches look like if we reflected this kind of church? I believe the we as believers would be gathered constantly in prayer places. For all of us who have been blessed with homes you would open it up. I imagine Mary had so many resources to give, maybe not, we don’t know. But we are told that many gathered at their home. When Peter finished telling the tale, he says go tell James and the others. The key apostles were not there. You don’t need the pastor to come to your home so that you can have a prayer time. You need to just start praying. You have been called to fellowship, to prayer, to breaking of bread and reading of the Word. You are released to open your homes, to give of your resources so that we pray. We would only not seek prayer services to pray. We would not just fast when the church says, let’s fast. It’s a challenge to you and I. They just prayed. We would have even those who work for us welcomed. Have you shared the gospel with your domestic staff? I pray for the day when we would have prayer meetings in our homes and everyone is welcome. That’s the kind of church that these believers had.
3. The conviction of the believers as they prayed.
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke God’s Word boldly. The reason I emphasise this prayer is that this people were being moved by the Holy Spirit, directed and prayed was all about the good news of Jesus. They were trying to support this missionary, Peter, please keep going, keep preaching the gospel. If this was our kind of church we would be bringing missionaries and always praying for them, calling them up and asking what do we need to do? If this was they church God wants us to pray, they call of going out and making disciples would burden us so much. It would be what grieves us. When persecuted Christians up in Iran, that is what we would be praying about, gathered in our homes. If we were convinced there would be nothing that would stop us from gathering together to pray and perhaps we need a renewal of our faith in Whom we are praying to. He is the resurrected Lamb of God and He gives us power. My challenge to you is that you would not be caught up with things of the earth that glimmer and glitter and call us constantly. That we would be moved and convinced that Jesus is alive. That is what we want to shout about. What is the content of your prayer?
There are those of us who have tried to pray about things in our lives and it is not working. I am one of them. I have prayed for years for my family, and it has not worked. But perhaps the trick is not to do it alone, and the conclusion is When I read this story I ask, what was so different about these believers? that when the church comes together they are a force to reckon with. Why did it seem that the church in general doesn’t seem to have this passionate When Peter was in chains, he had two soldiers each on either side, two power? sentries outside. He had four squads of soldiers to protect him. And the Lord These believers were not only seeing signs and wonders amongst them, put in my heart that Herod was not working for Him. He was working for the but the whole social strata was dismantled. The boundaries set by society were demolished. There was no superstar, bishop, doctor, reverend. There was noth- enemy. But many of our relatives are in chains like this. Many of those that we are praying for have been surrounded by the enemy. As Peter was in chains, ing like that. No one would go to God and then come back and tell them. Why then are we like this? What would make people open their homes could he have known that there was a church praying for him? Did they even and give their resources to pray for a man they didn’t even know before this? realise that a prison break was going to happen? And a few years back none of them knew this, but Luke records, that they were Peter’s chains fell off. I wonder today, are there people you have been convinced that Jesus is alive. Anyone who can die on the cross and come alive, believing to come to the Lord and you have been doing it alone. Don’t you know I am going to pray to. They were convinced, convicted. They knew that truly, that when we come together we are a force to reckon with? Don’t you know Emmanuel is here. Are you convinced? If you were, all the things we pray about as a church that your prayer partner, you needed them and you didn’t know? That when we come together in oneness and call to the Lord someone right now is in prison, would shift because we just want this kingdom. in chains, surrounded and those chains are going to fall. After John and Peter in their conviction about Jesus’ power of raising the dead, We need to come together and pray for our country, for your neighbourif Jesus can raise the dead, even this person seated here begging, stand up, this hood. I know there are believers in your apartment, or estate. Go and knock and is what they prayed after they had been warned not to teach about Jesus, Acts tell them to be your prayer partner. We are supposed to take back this city for 4:23-31 “On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and Jesus. reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” These are the words that really encouraged me, Acts 12:11 “Then Peter they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish father David: people were hoping would happen.” “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth A rescue plan for the lost world will be found in our prayer. A rescue rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed plan for your family will be found in our prayer. So let’s gather together and one. 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you see one another finally differently, that you my bother/sister are the people I’m anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should supposed to pray with. And for those who are in chains, one day they will come happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak to themselves and they will say, ‘surely, I have no shadow of doubt that the Lord your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform came to rescue me.’ signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” You are God’s rescue plan church. So we need to pray. There is a risk of persecution and instead of praying for protection, they are saying, ‘Give us boldness to speak.’
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
My Life How to get saved and spend eternity with God His Love “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB) My response that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)
My prayer Lord God Almighty, thank You for Your love for me. Thank You that You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. Please forgive me for all the sins I have committed against You. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died on the cross and You raised Him from the dead on the third day. Please write my name in the Lamb’s book of life. Help me to live a life that is holy and pleasing unto You. In Jesus’ Name I pray and believe. Amen
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
My Devotional YOUR GIFT, YOUR PURPOSE, YOUR JOY
By Liz Omondi | Email: timestodayke@gmail. com
To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:27-30
thing I do: Forgetting what is b eh i nd a n d straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Severally in the Scripture, Jesus declares His purpose too. As a matter of fact, He is God’s gift to the world. Paul says, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15. Jesus from a very early age tells his Even before he was brought forth into this world, he leaped for joy in his parents Mary and Joseph when they lost him and found him in Luke 2:49 mother’s womb at the sound of his relative and the mother’s of his Lord’s “And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you voice. For his mother Elizabeth declared, “Blessed are you among women, not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the Jesus stated his mission in Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for and to save the lost.” When He completed His work on the cross, He said joy.” Luke 1:42-44 in John 19:28-30 “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a Soon afterwards, baby John was born and grew and became strong in the vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with spirit living in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel. From very sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had early in his life, John knew his mission. He has been referred throughout received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He Scripture by his purpose and so we call him John the baptist. gave up His spirit.” John knew his gift and his mission and purpose was crystal clear carrying it out with grit determination. He publicly declared, “As for me, I baptise you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16
John the baptist knew his purpose, and that was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. He said, in John 3:28-30 “You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become Have you identified your gift from heaven? James 1:17 says, “Every good less.” and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” John knew his gift which he received from heaven, he knew his purpose and when he accomplished his task, his joy was complete. Jesus Christ is If you have identified your gift, how are you using it? 1 Peter 4:10 exhorts our indescribable Gift. He knew His purpose, to do the Father’s will, to “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as seek and save the lost and when He died on the cross, the work was finfaithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they ished. He rose again on the third day and ascended to heaven. He is our should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, joy and in Him we are complete. they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus Christ commissioned His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth Saul turned Paul was also a very gifted man. He was eloquent and a good has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, debater who was very knowledgeable. He was overly zealous in whatever baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy he did. However, it was only until he had an encounter with Jesus Christ Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. that he knew what his mission was and how to use his gift for God’s glory. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” After his dramatic encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, Jesus sent a man called Ananias to spell out Paul’s mission for him. Despite his reluctance to go meet Saul for he heard what kind of an evil man he was, Jesus commanded him,“Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
May God help us to use the gifts He has given each one of us to accomplish the purpose for which we are called. When all is said and done, may we here our Lord and Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ Matthew 25:23
Paul obeyed this call zealously carried out his mission. He said, “But one
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
Business Prime Bank Q1 Profits rise by 17 per cent
By Agency
Prime Bank has posted 17 per cent growth in net profit for the three months to Highlights of the Financial Results March 31, 2022. · The Bank’s balance sheet expanded by 9 per cent to KShs. 129 Billion from The Bank grew its profit after tax to KShs. 768 Million from KShs. 655 Million KShs. 118 Billion recorded period in 2021. recorded in the same period last year. · The Bank’s Total Deposits stood at KShs. 99.7Billion with an increase of Managing Director Bharat Jani attributed the steady growth trajectory and about 10 per cent from KShs. 90.7 Billion. strong performance to the growth in customer deposits, reduction in non-performing loans as well as improved operational efficiencies. · Total Net Advances to customers stood at KShs. 37.2 Billion. “Going forward, the improved results signal a more energetic, renewed effort to do even better especially as we celebrate 30 years of service to our customers this financial year,” added Jani.
· The Core Capital of the Bank was at KShs. 24.7 Billion, against the statutory requirement of KShs. 1 Billion.· The Bank’s liquidity ratio stood at 79.6 per cent, well above the Central Bank of Kenya’s statutory requirement of 20 per cent.
Digital improvements can make or break ports www.blogs.worldbank.org | NICOLAS PELTIER-THIBERGE If you have made any major purchases in the last two years, it’s likely that you have personally felt the impact of the global supply chain crisis. Pandemic-induced spikes in consumer sales and labor shortages triggered artery-clogging nightmares for some of the world’s busiest ports. At the most serious end of the spectrum, this has contributed to food shortages. But maritime backlogs can delay the delivery of everything ranging from clothes to couches to cars. More than four-fifths of global merchandise trade (by volume) is carried by sea, and container trade has been growing at a faster rate than global GDP itself. How the maritime sector performs, as we have seen over the course of the past two years, is vital for international trade. Whenever there is friction in the maritime sector, it translates very quickly to shortages on shelves. Maritime ports are a key element in the cost of international trade for any country. Unfortunately, in many of the client countries of the World Bank, the “port” does not facilitate trade as much as impede it. The newest Container Port Performance Index, produced by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, helps understand which ports are performing well and which ones could benefit from improvements. The index measures 370 ports around the globe based on the time vessels needed to spend in port to complete workloads and ranks them to determine which of the world’s ports are the most efficient. In 2021, Ports in the Middle East took four of the top five spots, responding very well to the heavy volume growth and service volatility caused by impacts of the global pandemic . In particular, King Abdullah Port in Saudi Arabia topped the rankings after increasing its container volume by 31% in 2021. Its rapid growth and its consistent efficiency
provides some interesting cues for other countries example, Morocco’s Tangier-Mediterranean Port, looking to improve how well their ports perform. for instance, ranked 6th. Since established in 2007, Tangier-Mediterranean has become the largest port King Abdullah Port is the region’s first port to in the Mediterranean by adhering to international be owned, developed, and operated by the pri- standards and working to improve efficiency in port vate sector. Partnerships with well-known com- and vessel operations, traffic management, port cypanies such as Maersk and others have enabled ber security and IT data exchange and information. investments in the port’s infrastructure and technology. Recent upgrades such as the creation of Following a modernization plan of several hunan e-portal for entry permits, 24-hour X-ray in- dred million dollars, Cartagena Port in Colomspection capabilities, petrochemical warehous- bia ranked 12th in the CPPI, making for aning, efficient links to land transportation and the other notable story. The port offers digitized, world’s deepest berths for giant container ships. real-time information through a virtual tool as well as an electronic data interchange, automatWhile this success is not easily replicable, it is im- ed authorizations and smart container delivery. portant for more ports to harness the power of digital technology. Doing so would boost the per- The World Bank works with our client countries formance of the maritime sector and help address to improve their trade environments, and port many of the critical challenges it is currently facing. performance is a key part of this. With the CPPI, we aim to inform national governments, port authorities and operators, supra-national organizaThe creation of an efficient digital ecosystem would tions, and other public and private stakeholders go a long way in streamlining operations and facili- engaged in trade, logistics and supply chain sertating the exchange of data between shipping lines, vices about what it takes to become a top-performport services, cargo handling operations, clear- ing port. Based on this information, we can advise ance agencies, and with other transport networks. our client countries how they can modernize their Many developing countries can start climbing the ports, such as through efforts to digitize processes. ladder of digital transformation by standardizing documentation through a Maritime Single Win- The efficiency gains achieved by using digital techdow. Next, introducing a Port Community System nology are evident through the CPPI. But what and Port Management System, which help opti- the index doesn’t show is that better-coordinated mize, manage and automate logistics such as vessel use of digital technology would also result in safer traffic, cargo, inspections, permits and even waste. and more resilient supply chains, and lower emissions. All these factors are important for our cliLooking at the 2021 CPPI Rankings, we see sever- ent countries, and we hope that the information al upper- and lower-middle income countries’ ports conveyed through the CPPI results will encourlisted near the top of the rankings. Several of these age progress toward digital transitions at ports. have recognized the importance of digital modernization and invested in these improvements. For
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
My Inspiration WAITING FOR YOUR INVITATION
By William King | Email: kingwilliam189@gmail.com | image courtesy: istockphoto.com
You may be facing difficulties that look as though they’re never going to change. David wasn’t waiting to get out; he knew God was right there with him. God says, If you’re only praying, “God get me out,” you’ll be frustrated until it changes. “I “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; through the rivers, they can’t enjoy my life. I’m dealing with this sickness. My finances are down.”
shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire you shall not be burned (Isaiah 43:2).
You’re waiting for God to get you out, but
could it be that God is waiting for you? In The reason that David didn’t live afraid is that he understood the the Scripture, David went through valleys principle of inviting God into the valley of trouble. When you’ve
of difficulties and faced giants of obsta- invited Him into your situation, when you know that He is with
He doesn’t say He’ll keep you out of deep or away from fires. He says that although challenges and adversities are going to
you, you’ll have a song of praise and a smile in the middle of the cles and adversities, yet he says, “Though come, He will be with you in them. Are difficulty. I walk through the valley of the shadow of
you trying to get out of waters that God is
death, I will fear no evil because You are
going to take you through? Are you fight-
with me” (Psalm 23:4).
ing? Everything will change if you start inviting God in.
The reason that David didn’t live afraid is that he understood the principle of inviting God into the valley of trouble. When you’ve invited Him into your situa-
He promised He’ll be with you; maybe He’s just waiting for your invitation. You
tion, when you know that He is with you, you’ll have a song of praise and a smile
have to do as David and have an attitude that says, “Lord, thank You that You’re
in the middle of the difficulty.
with me.” When you invite Him, you’ll feel Him breathing in your direction, enabling, empowering you.
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
Every Good G S ift
ells
Entrepreneur
The Nine-Figure Company That Exclusively Hires Underdogs By Jodie Cook| https://www.forbes.com/
added, “at Upshift we avoid hiring those who didn’t work until they graduated from university.” There’s also a strategy of employee ownership. “We give all internal full time employees ownership in the company through stock options.” These employees are proud to be part-owners, they outperform and share the news with their families, then they share in the wealth creation that ensues from their work.
The rationale
The rationale for this strategy is simple. “We find that people with a chip on their shoulder are much hungrier,” compared to “those who grew up with a silver spoon in their mouth who are often less ambitious and more entitled.” Pantich believes that “when you are driven to prove other people wrong about what you can achieve, you can achieve just about anything.” Upshift itself is an underdog platform, disrupting an industry by doing employment differently. It makes sense that their employees share this identity and are driven by more than convention. A high-performing and motivated team is essential for any business looking to achieve a lot in a short space of time. Business leaders spend much of their work week making this a reality, and some crack the puzzle. While different strategies are effective for different companies, one thing cannot be ignored: driven and hard-working people put in the effort that will make a business thrive.
It’s no secret that people are often driven to prove others wrong. Pantich recruits these individuals with no regrets, finding that his team members are “willing to dream bigger and push harder than those who have been in their comfort zone their whole life and had everything given to them.” Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible is as much mindset as it is skill or IQ. Many of the Upshift team has experience in retail, hospitality and public services, during their time in hourly rate jobs working directly with customers. Customer service, resourcefulness and quick thinking are required in these forms of employment, which are often accompanied by shift work and long hours.
Alex Pantich is barrelling forward with his strategy of exclusively hiring underdogs, to tremendous results. As the cofounder and COO of Upshift, a platform that connects people with business in need of extra staff which he began in 2016, he oversees HR and operations at one of the fastest growing companies in the world. Upshift is backed by Recruit Holdings, who also own Indeed.com, and its Q1 revenue of 2022 was over seven times that of Q1 2021 and Upshift is on track For Pantich and the Upshift team, the strategy is paying off. “We are growfor nine figures in revenue during 2022. ing faster than any company we compete with.” Pantich puts this down
The outcome
Currently hiring almost 6,000 “Upshifters” per month, Pantich explained that everyone on their platform is a W2 employee. This means that unlike many of their competitors, who classify workers as contractors to avoid following labor laws, paying employment taxes and contributing to medical benefits, Upshift is doing employment properly. Pantich explained the strategy, rationale and outcome behind their bold ethos of hiring underdogs for their internal team.
The strategy
to his team’s experience, motivation and background, as well as Upshift’s market knowledge and timing. “We’re a hard-working team but we stress the importance of relaxation and time off too. I think we have a good balance.” Especially in recruitment, the team-wide focus on getting the job done is paramount.
“We are adamant they shouldn’t be pushing themselves to breaking point and make sure they take time off, but at the same time they are able to get more done in less time than our competition.” For example, many of Upshift’s competitors have considerably larger development teams, yet the Upshift system is more stable and pushes out features more quickly. The growth speaks for itself, with over seven times revenue on last year. The app progresses faster, its customers are happier and the team is rewarded for the company’s progress in their shareholding, marking sustainable wins all round.
“We purposely look for people who have a chip on their shoulder to join our internal team,” explained Pantich. “Whether this be people without well-connected parents, who didn’t go to an elite university or didn’t have the money to do unpaid internships.” In years of hiring, Pantich has turned down many people with elite university degrees or high-profile jobs. Instead, “many of our internal employees were working hourly jobs before Resumes can be misleading. Internships, famous colleges and impeccable grades might serve your company less well than a dropout scoring Cs and we hired them and most didn’t spend four years in college.” Ds who stacked shelves as a teenager. Paving the way for growth and progPantich, who started working in a grocery store when he was 15, includes ress might mean overlooking the former in favour of the latter, dependhimself in this group. “Having responsibility from an early age meant I ing on your requirements of your team. Could hiring underdogs be your grew up faster and learned how to take care of myself,” he explained. Teen- game-changing move for recruitment? age jobs teach a lot of skills that people bring to their adult roles. Pantich
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
My Health
Intermittent fasting: Is it all it’s cracked up to be?
www.medicalnewstoday.com | Written by Amber Charles Alexis, MSPH, RDN — Fact checked by Alexandra Sanfins, Ph.D.
Intermittent fasting is a term used to describe a variety of eating patterns that have alternating periods of fasting — abstinence from foods — and eating. The fasting period may last from 12 hours per day to several consecutive days, with a consistent, recurring pattern over the course of a week. The main types of intermittent fasting are: modified fasting or the 5:2 diet — this protocol involves fasting for 2 non-consecutive days of the week, and eating normally for 5 days alternate-day fasting — fasting days are alternated with days where foods and beverages are consumed normally, without restrictions time-restricted eating — a type of intermittent fasting that limits the “eating window” to 4–12 hours, inducing a daily fasting period of 12–20 hours. Persons eat to satiety during their eating windows without caloric restrictions.
Benefits Many of the benefits of intermittent fasting are attributed to daily fasting periods of no less than 12 hours, although some research suggests that a minimum of 16 hours of fasting may be required.
Of these, time-restricted eatingis the most popular, and may be what most Generally, during 12–36 hours of uninterrupted fasting, the liver glycogen people refer to when they mention intermittent fasting. stores become depleted, overall metabolic processes are altered, and posiThe 16:8 pattern — eating during an 8-hour window and fasting for 16 tive health effects are observed. hours each day — may be the most recommended time-restricted eating Here are some of the science-backed benefits of intermittent fasting. pattern.
The circadian rhythm
1. Improved cholesterol levels
across animal and human research show favorable changes in Much of the research on intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating Findings cholesterol levels. considers the impact of fasting on the body’s natural circadian rhythm. fasting has the potential to reduce total cholesterol, triThe circadian rhythm, also called the circadian clock, represents the 24- Intermittent glycerides, LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and increase HDL chohour cycle of metabolism in the body, including control of the sleep-wake lesterol or “good”cholesterol cholesterol. cycle, blood pressure, mood regulation, and hormonal balance, to name a few. Elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels are risk It is influenced by light and darkness over the course of the day, eating factors for heart disease. behaviors, and the timing of meals. 2. Blood sugar control fasting can improve blood sugar control by reducing insulin A growing body of research suggests that eating for lengthy periods in the Intermittent resistance, and increasing insulin sensitivity. day, ranging from 12–15 hours, may disrupt the circadian rhythm and increase the risk of chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, and This results in lower fasting blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin — type 2 diabetes. HbA1c — levels. Thus, a major goal of fasting, specifically time-restricted eating, is to re- In fact, experimental research in adult males with type 2 diabetes showed duce the time spent eating in the day by extending the overnight fasting the potential for intermittent fasting as a therapeutic approach that may period. reduce the need for insulin therapy. The study of the relationship between circadian rhythms and food timing is called chrono-nutritionTrusted Source.
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
My Health Alternatives
3. Changes in body composition
Changes in body weight and composition are among the most studied Intermittent fasting is not the only type of diet to result in the aforemeneffects of intermittent fasting. tioned benefits. Several studies have shown that weight loss of between 3–7% body weight Calorie restriction in an average of 8 weeks was achievable through intermittent fasting. Research also noted that this method could result in fat loss. Calorie restriction involving a reduction of about 25% of daily energy needs without a change in mealtimes had a positive effect on promoting Fasting in a 14:10 pattern — an eating window of 10 hours and a daily fast overall health. of 14 hours — can act on the risk factors of metabolic syndrome, including by reducing waist circumference, body fat percentage, and visceral fat. Some research suggests that the health outcomes of intermittent fasting are no greater than those observed in calorie restriction diets. Intermittent fasting can thus ease metabolic syndrome, a set of risk factors that increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In fact, outcomes for weight and/ or fat loss, body fat percentage, and metabolic risk factors are comparableTrusted Source between the two.
4. Other healthbenefits
However, research on intermittent fasting shows a greater adherence over A 2015 review of 2,650 adult females indicated that reducing calorie intake longer periods compared to calorie restriction, and suggests that it may be in the evenings, and fasting for longer periods at night, may lower inflam- a more sustainable approach. mation and the risk of breast cancer and other inflammatory conditions. Mediterranean diet Observational research of 26,092 adult males over a 16-year period sug- The Mediterranean dietis a renowned dietary pattern based on the tradigested that reducing late-night eating through time-restricted eating may tional eating patterns of the Mediterranean basin. significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Like the potential heart-friendly benefits of intermittent fasting, research Other areas of health that intermittent fasting is being explored in include shows that long-term adherence to the Mediterranean diet reduces the longevityTrusted Source and neurodegenerative conditions like Parkin- occurrence of heart attack and stroke by up to 30% after approximately 5 son’s diseaseT years.
Potential downsides
Additional research on the Mediterranean diet demonstrates its protective nature against the development of colorectal cancer and the loss of nerve Despite the many touted benefits of intermittent fasting, there are also cells in Parkinson’s diseaseTrusted Source. some downsides. A major benefit of the Mediterranean diet compared to intermittent fastSide effects ing is that similar results can be achieved without the need for fasting. Intermittent fasting may be safe for heart and metabolic health, but ac- The bottom line cording to a 2017 review, it may induce negative side effects in some people, such as: Intermittent fasting describes a variety of eating patterns that alternate periods of fasting and eating with a consistent, recurring pattern over the increased feelings of hunger course of a week. heightened irritability worsened mood Time-restricted eating is the most popular form of intermittent fasting increased thoughts about food and uses the principles of chrono-nutrition to lengthen night-time fasting fatigue and potentially reduce chronic disease risk. fears of feeling out of control around food overeating during eating windows Intermittent fasting may improve cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, difficulty concentrating. weight and/ or fat loss, lower inflammation, promote longevity, and supQuality of evidence port neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, most of the research on intermittent fasting is based on animal research, with littleTrusted Source long-term human research avail- However, most of the research on intermittent fasting is based on animal able. studies and human research is sparse and often of low quality. Furthermore, a 2021 reviewTrusted Source found that only six out of 104 Alternative non-fasting diets that produce similar results to intermittent alleged health benefits of intermittent fasting were supported by moder- fasting include calorie restriction and the Mediterranean diet. ate- to high-quality evidence, and most findings were based on low-quality research. This means that more rigorous human research on the long-term health benefits of intermittent fasting is warranted.
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
My Kitchen
https://tasty.co/ | By Tei Hammond
Ghanaian Jollof Rice
Ingredients for 6 servings 2 large yellow onions, roughly chopped ⅓ cup vegetable oil (80 mL), plus 2 tablespoons, divided 14 oz diced tomato (395 g), 2 cans 6 oz tomato paste (170 g), 1 can 1 habanero pepper 2 teaspoons curry powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon mixed dried herbs 3 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed 2 ½ cups long grain rice (500 g), rinsed 1 cup frozen mixed vegetable (150 g) 1 ½ cups water (360 mL)
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and habanero pepper to the blender, and pulse until smooth. Transfer to a separate medium bowl. Heat the remaining ⅓ cup (80 ml) of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the onion puree and cook until the water has cooked out and the puree is starting to brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato puree and add the curry powder, garlic powder, ginger, dried herbs, and crushed bouillon cubes. Cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stew has reduced by half and is deep red in color.
Preparation
Add the rice, mixed vegetables, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with foil and a lid. SimAdd onions and 2 tablespoons of oil to a blender and pulse until mer for another 30 minutes, until the rice is cooked through and smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl. the liquid is absorbed. Enjoy!
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022
My Sports Shujaa stretched to the limit in World rugby Sevens series
www.standardmedia.co.ke | By Washington Onyango
Kenya Sevens struggles at the World Rugby Seven Series con- mances in the world stage, especially since the beginning of the tinued over the weekend after they finished last at the London year. Sevens in England. Currently one of the 15 “core teams” of the World Series and Shujaa are a pale shadow of themselves with worrying perfor- with a guaranteed place in all 10 events each season, many exmances in the world stage, especially since the beginning of the pect Kenya to compete for titles alongside Argentina, Fiji, South year. Africa and Australia, who are considered world best rugby Sevens teams. Currently one of the 15 “core teams” of the World Series and with a guaranteed place in all 10 events each season, many expect Kenya to compete for titles alongside Argentina, Fiji, South However, Shujaa has been reduced to whipping boys who are Africa and Australia, who are considered world best rugby Sev- always bullied and thrashed with teams Kenya predominantly ens teams. used to dominate. Since the beginning of the year, Kenya has not gone past the However, Shujaa has been reduced to whipping boys who are group stage after poor results in Malaga, Seville, Singapore, Vanalways bullied and thrashed with teams Kenya predominantly couver, Toulouse and now London. used to dominate. Since the beginning of the year, Kenya has not gone past the group stage after poor results in Malaga, Seville, Singapore, Vancouver, Toulouse and now London. Kenya Sevens struggles at the World Rugby Seven Series continued over the weekend after they finished last at the London Sevens in England. Shujaa are a pale shadow of themselves with worrying perfor-
TT 154 | May 31st - June 6th| 2022 The Times Today is a publication of Elizabeth Omondi Consultancy. P.O. Box 833-00100 GPO Nairobi. Tel: 0722 927792. www.thetimestoday.wordpress.com
