Start with WHY!

I have just finished watching Simon Sinek´s TED lecture on inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question "why". In 21 minutes, he explains how with a little discipline, anyone can learn to inspire.

Why? How? What? This little idea explains why some organizations and some leaders are able to inspire where others aren’t. Every single person, every single organization on the planet knows what they do, 100 percent. Some know how they do it, whether you call it your differentiated value proposition or your proprietary process or your USP. But very, very few people or organizations know why they do what they do. And by “why” I don’t mean “to make a profit.” That’s a result. It’s always a result. By “why” I mean: what’s your purpose? What’s your cause? What’s your belief? Why does your organization exist? Why do you get out of bed in the morning? And why should anyone care?

START WITH WHY offers an unconventional perspective that explains WHY some people and organizations are more innovative, more profitable, command greater loyalties from customers and employees alike and, most importantly, are able to repeat their success over and over. These are not the one hit wonders. These are the ones who change the course of industries or even society.

Don´t believe it? Watch and be inspired! Simon Sinek - Start with Why!

Join our Business Owner Networking and Sharing Party

It is Global Entrepreneurship Week (15-21 Nov 2010) and you are invited to join the Afriversity team, fellow business owners and key enterprise development stakeholders as we celebrate Cape Town Entrepreneurship Week (CTEW).

Business Owner Networking and Sharing Party with Afriversity
Tues 16 November 2010,
Time: 17h00 - 20h00

The River Club, Observatory

This invitation is OPEN to all small business owners, past participants of the Integrated Small Business Development Programme (iSBDP), the Strategy Development Programme (SDP), and all other AFRIVERSITY friends and those committed to sustainable business practices.

Come and share your story (successes and challenges) as we journey together to grow business and develop Cape Town as a hub of business innovation and success.

Afriversity is a not-for-profit organisation founded to train, support and provide incubation for promising business owners.

Over the last three years Afriversity has impacted more than 350 local business owners. Our Afripreneurs are highly capable and motivated individuals who are dedicated and passionate about building sustainable businesses.

You can expect an exciting and an inspiring event where serious networking, learning and deal-making will happen.

We asked a few business owners to address us on their business journey. This, together with some dynamic speakers the evening is billed as a not to miss event on the Cape Town Entrepreneurship Week calendar.

The networking session will encourage business owners to hook up with other business owners and a prize will be awarded for the most valuable deal struck at the end of the evening.

Book NOW - click here

Brian Adams for the Afriversity Team

021 418 0450 - adminsa@afriversity.org

Inspiration Injection and Window of Opportunity!

Yesterday we met with some wonderful individuals that have started an organisation called Industries for Africa. The goal of the Industries for Africa Foundation is to aid the people in Africa in building the sustainable industrial infrastructure that they so desperately need. With the hard work and dedication of our patrons this goal can be reached in an entirely feasible way. It will begin with the production of 100 plantations, roughly 50 square kilometers each. These plantations will be used for the harvesting of the Jatropha nuts, which, while inedible, provide by-products that can be used in a variety of incredibly beneficial ways. These nuts can be harvested for up to 30 years and are comprised of around 38% oil. This oil is in turn refined for the creation of bio-diesel. Any remnants of the Jatropha nuts after the refining process are pressed into pellets which, when burned, create energy.

While it is the purpose of their organization to create the foundation of this industry, it will be the responsibility of the local citizens to carry on with it. Locals will be trained to proficiently perform any and all of the tasks required in order to keep this project running successfully for years to come. The plan is not to support the people of Africa financially but rather through a strong support system that revolves around the transference of knowledge. It is with your help accompanied by the generosity of others that we hope to achieve this goal and give the people of Africa the fighting chance they deserve.

Afriversity and Industries for Africa will work together to provide these individuals with the training and support they need to create a sustainable business.

Please meet our new friends and see if you can help:

http://www.industriesforafrica.com/

Have you got an opportunity?

Entrepreneurs are the engines that get the economic trains moving. Entrepreneurs organize and direct business undertakings. They assume the risk for the sake of the profit. Success often depends upon how skilled, innovative, and passionate entrepreneurs are about their ideas and dreams. An entrepreneur has exceptional vision, creativity, and determination and frequently creates entirely new industries. There is no shortage of entrepreneurs in Africa; in fact, over the centuries, there have always been entrepreneurs in Africa. Given the opportunity, entrepreneurs in Africa and from around the world will drive Africa's economic trains forward.

We need continual creation of opportunities for skilled, innovative, and passionate entrepreneurs in Africa to successfully implement their ideas, achieve their dreams, and bring benefits to their communities.

Have you got an opportunity? Share it with us!