Where are the opportunities?

I was invited to speak at a program on October 21, 2017, tagged “Youth Rally 2017.” It was an event organized by the “The Men Christian League” of Hoare’s Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Yaba. It was particularly interesting for me because that was the 10th anniversary of the annual event. Men rising to address pressing issues concerning the youth was a major turn-on. And the Mantra, Together, we can make a huge difference, came alive not just on the lips but by action, with men fanning the embers of change.

WELEAD shared the podium with Vision2020, STEM; a project also aimed at ensuring youth makes informed choices about their career and future. This program is in sweet tandem with our current leadership exchange program – “Leadership Exchange Emerge” and “Leadership Exchange Advance”; programs aimed at cross-breeding and cross-pollinating leadership skills and experience across schools and corporate organization respectively. It will help student chart worthy career path, learn life & soft skills, bridge the learning gap between the schools and the expectations of the industry, new workplace and workspaces.

We shared our experience on “Leading in the 21^st Century” – breaking the ice and debunking the Leader-Follower theory which has since produced individuals that lack self- confidence (Followers) and others that grew with a sense of entitlement to leadership without the right professional and behavioural competencies (Leaders). We charged them to embrace the Leader-begets-Leader, a posture that helps everyone embrace responsibility. (Article – Leading in the 21st century, Independence, women unlocked).  Schools present at this rally include Methodist Boys, Yaba; Queen’s College, Yaba; Methodist Girls and Igbobi College, Yaba. We also had parents, young graduates and members of the host community.

After the interactive presentation, a young man rose from his seat a little unsettled; He asked the question, “Where are the Opportunities?” This was a challenge to my earlier position – Opportunities abound everywhere. It was a valid query which confirms the existence of too many smokescreens obstructing the vision of the youth. Today, I will like to reframe the question as; “What do you see?” or better still “How do you interpret what you see?”

In the theory of the whitespaces, new entrants usually look in the same direction of the few black spot or the exhausted shaded area. If we dare to truly and purposefully focus on the untapped aspects of the black/shaded part and the endless opportunities that exist in whitespaces (Blue Ocean Theory), then creativity springs forth from this well of opportunities. Yes, opportunities abound everywhere! Each time we pass by a problem or a challenge, we are also passing by opportunities. Like the words of that wonderful musician, Helen Baylor – Look a little closer……

IT IS AN IDEA ECONOMY, CONCEIVE IT!

Idea does not depict new or novel; having an idea does not necessarily mean re-inventing the wheels. But your level of success will be determined by how much more and better you can conceive and bring to life as compared to others. What we see is not the visual but the pre-conceived image we created in our mind. Conception is about “taking-in” i.e. identifying opportunities around and incubating on it.  However, this is a function of how you interpret what you see. Snail moving traffic represents a source of anger and depression for many, however to others, it is an opportunity to make some money. When “Omo” one of the flagship products of Unilever came up with the Campaign “Dirt is good”, many could not fathom the real meaning. But truly, dirt is good because dirt is part of their success story. If you do not get dirty, they cannot sell. Psychologically, they had to work on customers to re-think dirt and change their perception about it. Recycling is another opportunity spot; that same trash that irritates your nose and eyes is another man’s goldmine, Re-think Trash. Another opportunity zone is the cost-saving strategy of corporate entities. More organizations are focused right on how to maximize the value they get on spend. Bottomline has gone beyond projected revenue to include what can be saved – Re-think Procurement!  Organisations like House of Procurement (HOP) are making global impact in this area. How do you interpret what you see? Dream is free, conceive an idea today. But don’t just dream it, Action it!

BE BOLD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, CREATE IT!

The 21st Century successes are people who have been filling the whitespaces; they create and re-create. Creativity is the name of the game. Within the used spaces, look closely at the value chain, there are opportunities. Agriculture became the new buzz word in Nigeria, and many people went into it. However, the planting or primary animal husbandry is the least of it. Opportunities abound along the value chain which most people are not exploring. One of such is storage of the perishables, a major issue that results in almost 50% waste of our yield.

I remember when “Colour Blocking” gripped the fashion trends; it was a fashion fever nobody envisaged. Suddenly, it became acceptable to appear like a Christmas tree, the exclusive reserves of children who look better and nicer with more colours. It was a complete contrast of to our “To-Match” syndrome especially for owambe parties; but the young trendsetters decided to redefine fashion. The multi-coloured fashion has since rubbed off on many new fashion trends we see. Many are bold to wear ankara trousers with a nice silk shirt, and many have patterned tops over patterned skirts with no apology. Everything suddenly became a seamless and effortless synergy, even the eyes fell in love with it. Today, my darling friend just launched her Instagram page – Oyinlolaasanko, an uncommon fashion shop where you can re-model, re-work, re-embellish or repair your clothes. The quest for the coming election has given birth to #nottooyoungtorun. This campaign has also left the lips zone to take a physical existence. New political parties are emerging every day.  Beyond the used spaces lies unchartered, virgin terrain; uncover the opportunities that lie therein. What can you create?

MAKE MONEY, MAKE PROFIT, CULTIVATE IT!

If you have created something worthwhile, benefit financially from it. Don’t be like those ones that pursue passion without a focus on profit.  Where is your market? Identify it today. Remember, it is not about perfection, Be Genuine!

Oladele-Ilori is a management consultant, an entrepreneur, an author, a wife and mother. She is the convener of WELEAD –www.weleadnetwork.org. Email: [email protected]