Femtrepreneurs

I have received numerous amounts of positive criticism in the past two weeks. The reason for this is that Simplify learning is growing and doors are starting to open that have taken a lot of hard work to get open.

The positive changes have however resulted in myself and the business being exposed to areas that we are totally unfamiliar with. Again the Fems have stepped in and have offered ample advice and our US based mentors have given valuable insights. A thank you also needs to be extended to my clients and potential partners who sense my inadequacy at times and are willing to see me through without expecting me to know it all. 

A few months ago I know I would have been floundering but here I am calmly accepting it all and learning and growing in the process.

Visible growth is rewarding…     

In my latest column on IT Web, I share some thoughts about the little things that entrepreneurs can do to stand out from their competitors. Not slashing their prices or undercutting the competition, but simply being NICE.

Being nice starts with your vision, mission and values. Assuming those are ‘good’ and solid, it’s then important to LIVE them - to ensure they permeate everything your business and its staff does.

Click here to read the article - and do leave a comment to let me know what ‘nice’ things you do to make your customers’ experiences with your company memorable.

There are many keys to achieving success as an entrepreneur. Support from family, friends, colleagues and clients is vital. Good financial management – particularly cash flow – can make or break an enterprise. A great idea also helps – as does effective marketing. But, in my experience, there’s one thing that outweighs all of these.

Staying power.

Call it persistence, perseverance, unwavering faith – or even stubborn pig-headedness. This, above anything else in my opinion, is what will ensure an entrepreneur’s business is still afloat at that elusive five-year mark.

- Read the rest of my latest column on IT Web here.

Overloaded? Simplify your list of tasks…
02 October 2008 at 06h00

The last quarter of the year needn’t be a hectic rush to accomplish everything that you left to do for later.

By applying some project management techniques, says Natalie Rabson of Boston City Campus and Business College, you can achieve your goals, deliver on your promises and reach targets without losing your mind in the process.

“We tend to panic when we see that the end of the year is nearing,” she says.

“Our minds do a quick inventory of what we have managed to do so far during the year and then focus on what we still want or have to do.

“That is where many of us get stuck - the to-do list is sometimes so overwhelmingly long that we become intimidated and stop dead in our tracks.”

Feelings of anxiety arise and stress levels go up as we think about how we are going to manage to do everything before the end of the year.

Rabson believes it is good to stop and consider the next step.

“It is a good time to re-evaluate the goals and the items on the to-do list that we set for ourselves earlier in the year,” she says.

“Some of those things may have become irrelevant or unimportant and you can delete them immediately from your list and from your mind.”

The rest - the tasks that are unavoidable - can be sorted into priorities.

Then it is a question of tackling the outstanding tasks one by one - the techniques used in project management are useful in this regard.

“Approach the things that you still have to do as you would approach a project,” Rabson says. “Give your project a name, describe the project and set a realistic deadline.”

Once you have a clear understanding of the project, break it down into a set of simpler, separate activities.

The reason for breaking down a project into manageable components or parts is that the brain can only take in and process a limited amount of information at a time.

To get a real grip on the project at hand, think about it in pieces rather than trying to process the complexity of all its details all at once.

If any of these components are still too complex to organise easily, you can break them down into another level of simpler descriptions until you feel you can manage everything. What once looked like a complex or insurmountable project has now been organised into a set of simple tasks.

Read the full article here.

Good luck..

This from our friends at the Innovation Hub and IdeaBank, via http://ideacamp.pbwiki.com/:

Have you got THE idea for the next successful online app?

Would you want to put together a killer team of marketing, business and “geek” brains to make it happen?

Are you looking for advice, funding or inspiration?

Mark your diary, because The Innovation Hub, together with the University of Pretoria and Ideabank is hosting the first IdeaCamp for online entrepreneurs on Monday, November 3, 2008 from 2pm - 7pm. Attendance is FREE. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

IdeaCamp addresses all the issues relevant to launching an online app with global potential. The sessions are going to address topics like:

• Innovation, revenue models, African potential
• Incubation, Angel funding, Venture funding, developing on a shoestring
• Choosing the best development platform for your application
• Creating the right strategy and putting together the best team.

There is a Proposed Schedule. It’s all very flexible. Please read and edit/add your ideas or comments.

But the best thing about IdeaCamp is that it is only the first step in helping you make your idea a reality. After the IdeaCamp conference, we are moving onto Phase 2, which is Business Beat. This is where we help you put together the right team, and mentor you through the creation of a successful business plan and demo.

The concept is simple and exciting:

Get 25 teams of techies, MBA students, marketing students and mentors to put together a business plan and demo model of an online app with revenue potential. Each team then presents the business plan to pre-approved venture capitalists, and competes for funding. There is going to be a confirmed and definite financial prize to the best three business plans/demo, which will allow the team to move into an incubation phase at the Innovation Hub while the full app is developed.

The Idea Camp conference will describe the Business Beat in more detail. Business Beat will run at the beginning of 2009, in conjunction with University of Pretoria / GIBS MBA students. We are in talks to make it a compulsary project for the MBA students, and will probably also bring AAA students on board.

This is a great opportunity for techies to align themselves with business and marketing “brains”!!

If you want to take part in Business Beat, you must attend IdeaCamp. Sign Up now!!

The venue only allows 100 people. If you are intersted in attending, please sign up now.

If you have any questions, visit the FAQ page, and/or submit your own question.

To contact the organiser, Eve Dmochowska, directly, drop her an email at eved@ideabank.co.za or visit http://ideacamp.pbwiki.com/.

I had the privilege of having the legendary femtrepreneur Jo sleep over at my home for a night whilst on a business trip in Johannesburg. Whilst in America I introduced Leslie to a food creation called the haystack. It sounds disgusting and everyone who I have told about this item of food have pulled an ugly face at me but once I get them to try it, it becomes a standard favourite!

Jo asked that I please introduce the haystack to her as well and without fail she loved it! We had a great visit . It was encouraging to see her business progressing and growing. It was special to share in her joy and to simply want more abundance for her. It was a tonic for me to be encouraged by her and to get her creative and valuable insights into my business. It is seldom that business partners become such good friends! I was very sad to see her go.

When I reflect on this I see a few valuable things about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship:

• We do not shy away from “new”. In fact we seek it out. We hunger for it.
• We are very innovative. When I introduced the haystack to Leslie all we had in the hotel room was a coffee pot and a perculator. The perculator became a pot and tada: a haystack was produced.
• We only truly experience success when we share all of who we are with those around us, so that they are able to succeed more fully.
• Having a group of like minded, positive, creative, forward thinking, passionate people surround you is a sure step in the right direction for success.

In closing I will include the recipe. Try it. Pass it on . Enjoy the famous haystack and if at all possible do not use the perculator as a pot.

Heat olive oil, origanum and garlic in a pan.

Add a tin of baked beans and a tin of red kidney beans to the pan. Gently heat.

Cut up tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, red and yellow peppers and lettuce into very fine cubes.

Mix avocado and sour cream together with some salt, pepper and lemon juice or alternatively mix humus and bulgarian yoghurt together.

Place corn crisps or other crisps on a plate.

Place the bean mixture onto the crisps.

Grate mature cheddar cheese over the hot beans.

Add the salad mixture.

Add either the guacamole or humus mixture onto the entire stack.

Enjoy…

Isabelle Rorke

Many congratulations to Femtrepreneur Isabelle Rorke, whose company Anamazing Workshop has just won a place on Endeavor’s global network. Only 11 entrepreneurs from 9 countries across the world were selected. Go Izzy!

Here’s the press release from Endeavor:

Endeavor South Africa’s 5^th International Selection Panel reinforces the local and global importance of high-impact entrepreneurs

JOHANNESBURG, 13 September 2008. Endeavor South Africa hosted its 5th International Selection Panel from 9^th – 11^th September at the Kievits Kroon Country Estate near Pretoria. The Panel interviewed 12 companies representing 14 entrepreneurs - ten from South Africa, two from Mexico, and one entrepreneur each from Columbia and Jordan.

After a rigorous nomination and selection process, the top entrepreneurs were interviewed by three groups of Panelists comprised of top international business leaders and executives. After intense Panel deliberations, eleven entrepreneurs representing nine companies, all of which are transforming the industries in which they work, were invited to join the global ranks of Endeavor Entrepreneurs. Those companies include Altis Biologics, iSlices, Anamazing Workshop, Shonaquip, DISA Vascular, Refinancia (Colombia), Acento Mexicano (Mexico), Javna (Jordan) and AliBio (Mexico).

“For Endeavor South Africa, this Panel represents one of the most important steps on our journey to become the Gold Standard of Entrepreneurship in South Africa”, said Greg Durst, MD of Endeavor South Africa.

“We aim to attract, select and serve the best Endeavor Entrepreneurs in the country to inspire other entrepreneurs to be role models and to make a lasting impact in terms of job creation and development.”

Durst explained that with Endeavor’s support, entrepreneurs are able to surpass the obstacles facing most emerging-market entrepreneurs and realise their full potential.

The selected candidates will have access to mentors and coaches, strategy assistants from global consulting firms and top businesses. They will also have the opportunity to work with a network of MBAs from Harvard, Stanford, University of Chicago and other institutions that work with the Endeavor Entrepreneurs on key strategic and operational issues.

“We offer our Entrepreneurs access to a network of the best business minds in the world,” said Durst. “The aim is for these entrepreneurs to eventually give back to their communities through donations of time, money and knowledge.”

Adrian Gore, Chairman of the South Africa Endeavor Board commented, “The international Endeavor staff, local and international panelists and observers applauded South Africa on the quality of our candidates. South Africa continues to meet and exceed the Endeavor global standards.”

Isabelle Rorke from Anamazing Workshop, said that it is a great honor to be part of this global family of entrepreneurs and looks forward to learning and growing under the metorship of Endeavor.”

About Endeavor

Hailed by NYT columnist Thomas Friedman as the “mentor capitalist” model, Endeavor identifies entrepreneurs leading high-growth, innovative companies in emerging markets. Endeavor breaks down barriers that prevent emerging-market, High-Impact entrepreneurs from reaching their potential. These entrepreneurs are given world-class strategic advice, access to key networks and other tools that will catapult them to success.  With Endeavor’s guidance, these companies share common characteristics with Endeavor Entrepreneurs world wide; they create many high value jobs, generate wealth and inspire others to become entrepreneurs with innovation as a foundation. Often overlooked, these local entrepreneurs are jumpstarting private sector development in their countries.

Anamazing – GP (Johannesburg)

Industry:  Animation and Film

Entrepreneurs:  Dumi Gumbi and Isabelle Rorke

www.anamazing.co.za

A company focused on producing high quality long form 3D animation with culturally relevant African animation and universal appeal. The company is now positioned as a leading player in long form animation on the African continent.

What you think about you bring about..

I recently received this email which I had to share, from the Women in IT group.

*******************************************************

Good Afternoon Members
 
Bursary Programme: Women in IT: Call for motivations
 
Since its inception in 2005, Women in IT has awarded 5 bursaries to female students studying in the IT or ICT field and we are once again calling for motivations from female students entering their final year of studies in 2009.
 
Women in IT consists of a bursary and mentorship program that aims to grow and develop women within the information technology sector and it is our intention to award 5 bursaries for the 2009 period.
 
All motivations received will be reviewed and evaluated against the following criteria:
 
·         A female student studying in the ICT or IT field and entering her final year of study in 2009
·         An individual who is determined to succeed
·         An individual who is financially disadvantaged
·         An individual who wants to make an impact on the IT industry
·         An individual who is a full-time student, and who is not currently employed
 
Rules and regulations
 
1.                  Each student must submit a motivation (approximately 500 words) as to why they should be awarded a bursary. They should include details of their career aspirations and some examples of situations where they have demonstrated the knowledge and /or skills of someone who will succeed in the IT sector.
 
2.                  The motivation must be typed in a Word document and emailed to sharon@womeninit.co.za by no later than 30th September 2008.
 
3.                  The motivation must be accompanied by the following:
 
3.1              Details of the student, including full name, date of birth, e-mail address, contact telephone numbers (home, work and mobile), ID number;
3.2              Details of the students academic and professional history and experience;
3.3              Contact details of at least two referees should be provided - this includes the referee’s name, position, title or relationship with the student.
 
4.                  Motivations will be evaluated against the selection criteria by the Women in IT panel. Candidates who are short-listed will be required to attend an interview with the panel. The evaluations and interviews will be conducted during November 2008. Winners will be announced before the 31st November 2008. No feedback with regard to unsuccessful applications will be available.
 
5.                  Winners will receive a bursary fund of R20 000 or R10 000 depending on the amount of subjects required for the year. This includes a psychometric test valued at R2,500.00. The funds will not be supplied to winners in cash; however these funds will be managed by the Women in IT committee on behalf of the winner. Funds will be paid to winners by June 2009. Women in IT will provide the bursary winners with a letter to the university as proof that payment will be made in June 2009.
 
6.                  Winners must be willing to be photographed and interviewed for publicity purposes.
 
7.                  Winners must attend a full day psychometric test which will be conducted by a professional psychologist who will offer them career advise and guidance. Winners must make themselves available for this test. The cost of the test is included in the bursary fund.
 
8.                  Winners must supply monthly written reports during 2008. Winners will also be requested to supply Women in IT with 2 main reports that have to be submitted after semester exams. These semester reports have to be accompanied by a report from an ambassador (that has to be selected by the bursary winner) at the institution of study. These reports will be used for the Women in IT website and will be used for other publicity purposes. The first report is due on the 30th February 2009 and every month-end thereafter.
 
Please contact me should you have any questions.
 
Yours sincerely
 
__________________________________________________________
Sharon Morris
Women in IT
Project Manager
[t] +27 (11) 467-7171 [f] +27 (11) 507-6726 If you cannot get through on the landline this is most likely due to a power failure - please call on my cell.
[c] +27 (71) 609 3679 [e] sharon@womeninit.co.za
[w] www.womeninit.co.za
This message may contain information, which is confidential, private or privileged in nature. If you are not the intended recipient of the message, you are notified that any distribution, use or copying of this message is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately.

1. Breda - Paul Coelho
2. Leadership wisdom from the monk who sold his Ferrari - Robin S. Sharma
3. Eat, Pray, Love, One Woman’s Search for Everything - Elizabeth Gilbert

Other books in my collection includes:

• The monk who sold his Ferrari - Robin S. Sharma
• The E-Myth Revisited - Michael E. Gerber
• Screw It, Let’s Do It - Richard Brandson
• Quiet Leadership - David Rock
• Getting Things Done - David Allen

For another session, I also read science fiction, which I have been neglecting terribly. Some great reads to come, watch this space.