|
|
| Youths and Coping with the Challenges of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria |
 PRINTABLE VERSION |
Growing steadily – some youths are so eager to make millions in the first few years of venturing into business that they lose focus, before reaping the dividends from their labour. This should not be so. In most cases, the few years of starting a business need be used to create the right systems and consolidating on whatever one has been able to achieve. Youths need to know that success is gradual and should be willing to give it all it takes to reach the apex.
Getting requisite business management skills – there is more to handling or managing a business than just personal interest or suggestions from people. Most syllabuses that youths must have studied do not usually include business management techniques adaptable in the real business world. A good number of youths that want to start a business are not aware of what a business plan is, nor its importance. Only a fragment can even develop a winning business plan. Youths should avail themselves of such knowledge and skills through available institutions that have the capacity to offer such. Support and Training Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) and the Fate Foundation are good examples of youth-focused business development institutions.
Partnership – studies have shown that most entrepreneurs in Nigeria (including youths) feel more comfortable working alone as sole-proprietors. This may not be helpful in all cases – youths can pull resources together to form an alliance that can achieve more, than if they were operating as single entities or entrepreneurs.
ICT – The Information and Communications Technology is a useful tool that youths can leverage upon for their businesses. With a click of the button, youths can access a wide range of information that can be helpful for their businesses, through the internet. They can trade beyond their national boundaries through the advantages provided by e-commerce and can also exchange useful information with others.
Mentoring and Coaching – there are a lot of people that have threaded in the paths that most of the youths may be venturing into. By carefully seeking them out, youths can afford themselves the opportunities of gaining experience and getting first-hand assistance from notable entrepreneurs who have succeeded in murky waters and risen to the top. This provides an opportunity of learning to avoid mistakes and the pitfalls such people have experienced.
Networking – youths can achieve more if they can take time out to identify people of like minds they can rub shoulders with. This provides a forum for learning more and sharing with others, thereby creating a synergy that cannot be underestimated.
Volunteering – this is an area that Nigerian youths need to explore. There are times they might need to offer their services for free to gain experience, by volunteering in some organizations (especially the ones they intend to focus on later). Youths can gain a lot of experience that will be useful when they eventually start their own enterprises.
Investing in oneself - growth is continuous. The moment one stops growing, one starts dying. One of the ways by which youths can continue to be relevant as a successful entrepreneur is by investing in themselves. Youths should not limit themselves to the basic education they have acquired in school, but should aspire to learn and make a conscious effort to know more. We live a dynamic and fast-growing world and only those who are ready for change will be poised to succeed. The people that invest in themselves have a better competitive edge than their counterparts in the near future. Personal development, knowledge and skills acquisition should be an integral part of a youth’s vision and personal mission statements. They should also seek out information that will take them from a lower level to a higher and better one.
Contributing to one’s community - it is high time that Nigerian youths start giving back to their country. There should be less focus on what one can constantly get. We need to ask ourselves, how much have I contributed to the growth of this nation to expect something from it? Giving should be mutual, that is, symbiotic and not parasitic. This can be done by starting from one’s locality or community. I see contributing to one’s community from a multi-faceted approach. It could be contributing towards law and order, by obeying the set rules and regulations or guidelines. It could also include a conscious effort at striving to add value in one’s little way rather than folding one’s arms till the bad gets worse. Contribution should be everyday life – seeking to extend a helping hand, believing in people and encouraging them to contribute too. Youths shouldn’t wait till they are multi-millionaires before contributing because little drops of water make the mighty ocean. If they cannot practice that now, it is not likely they would do better if given better opportunities in the near future.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
'Yemisi
Hello there! I'm Yemisi, a Nigerian female with a passion for developmental initiatives.
I love writing because it's a way of adding value to other people's lives, i.e. sharing. We all are who we are today just because sometime in our lives we had opportunities to read what someone else had written.
I like advocating for the voiceless, especially the less-privileged ones. I love programs that focus on children, teens, youths and women. I also believe that we all can live lives worthy of emulation (by generations yet unborn) if we contribute positively - by putting in our best in whatever we are involved in.
My first degree is in Economics and I also have a Masters in Humanitarian & Refugee Studies. I'm currently in University of Jyväskylä, Finland studying for a Masters in Development and International Cooperation.
I'm interested in issues relating to children, youth and women empowerment, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
I have authored 3 books titled - "Child Development: Whose Role", "Let's Help Nigeria", and "Charisma and Character".
I am a facilitator, trainer, business advisor/consultant and a motivational speaker. My goal is to contribute to socio-political and economic development through skills transfer, knowledge sharing, networking and policy advocacy.
Thanks to TIG for giving me a unique platform to share with and meet new friends!
|
Comments
good vincent adeolu adesida | Nov 8th, 2004
you are a good writer
good chile ezinwanyi nkechinyere | Nov 16th, 2004
your writing is lovely and inspiring.keep it up
Not bad at all Joshua Adedeji Ajayi | Nov 30th, 2004
I appreciate your sense of utmost caring and your undilluted passion for others. Your compassion is greately appauling. Keep it up
u are one greta asset wew need down here classic | Jan 4th, 2008
just wish i could meet you. your article is just good for nation hood and economy growth
u are one greta asset wew need down here classic | Jan 4th, 2008
just wish i could meet you. your article is just good for nation hood and economy growth
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
