HomeOld_PostsReading key to SMEs growth

Reading key to SMEs growth

Published on

IN recent years, the country’s economy has been characterised by a huge number of small and medium enterprises.
Pundits opine this is not a bad thing for it’s an indicator of successful empowerment of the people.
Many nations are being powered by a strong SMEs base.
Notably, SMEs account for almost 90 percent of businesses in both leading and developing economies through job creations, employment, tax provision and contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
However, local SMEs face numerous challenges and it appears the biggest is how to get operations to the next level.
Since imposition of illegal sanctions by Britain and its allies, the country’s economy has largely depended on indigenous SMEs.
According to business developer Brighton Kadenge, lack of a reading culture among many of small-scale players has led to them not growing and transforming their operations into giant players.
“It is common knowledge that some of the SMEs are run by people who have not been to business school but possess innate business-skills. But there comes a time when the skills they used to start the business are no longer sufficient. And this is where the culture of reading is important,” said Kadenge.
Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates reportedly tears through around 50 books annually and prioritises reading over other hobbies.
“For one to survive in a world of constant change, he/she must constantly update his/her knowledge base and one of the best ways to do this is by reading. For one not to be obsolete, old fashioned and left behind, one has to read.” said Kadenge.
“As an entrepreneur, I have to keep my eyes open for opportunities and by reading, I might come across business opportunities posing as problems. Thus, one has to read to be updated on industrial and general trend. Trend can be a competitive advantage in business if you can spot it fast enough and take advantage of it.”
So much information, he said, was packed in various publications that include specialised magazines, books and journals.
“There are various industrial analysts who carry out important research. When they are done and publish their findings, pick up their journals and see what they have to say and how it relates to your business. We must read to learn and be informed. To be a successful entrepreneur, one has to be a constant learner. Employees and self-employed professionals are specialists but entrepreneurs are generalists so they need to read wide,” he said.
For instance, one book that should be on the shelf of every business in the country in this new dispensation is Paradigm Shifters – Re-inventing Your World written by Elton Mutize and Lovemore Tembo.
The writers, Tembo, a holder of a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Zimbabwe and Mutize, who possesses a Bachelor of Accountancy (Honours) Degree from the same institution, presents a piece which emphasises the importance of re-invention.
“Those who master the art of metamorphosis rise above the confines and constraints of their immediate milieu and assume invincibility in the face of insurmountable challenges,” writes Mutize and Tembo.
“They push existing boundaries, smash barriers and create new frontiers. They become the vanguard of human accomplishment; the famed ‘paradigm shifters’, those who establish new realities.”
The country’s biggest programmes to date, the liberation struggles, land reclamation and indigenisation of the economy have necessitated the creation of a new economy, an indigenous economy.
Theirs is a message that will resonate with the indigene who understands that it is no longer a ‘business-as-usual-approach’ required to succeed.
Using local and international examples, they show how resilience and fortitude is all that is required in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. The book points out that success is not a preserve of the few or the elite.
“The point here is simply that you are capable of doing so much more. You are a boxer punching below your weight, yet you have what it takes to deliver the sucker punch,” they write.
The message or central theme of the book is that there is no excuse for failure.
“It is not unusual to hear one say, ‘If I had enough money to invest, I would surely go into business. If I had a good job I would have my own car. If I had wealthy parents, I could be enjoying the best education on offer’.” they write.
“We don’t need more strength or more ability or greater opportunity. What we need is to use what we have.”
Paradigm Shifters – Re-inventing Your World is a must read for every serious would-be and existing business persons.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest articles

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

The contentious issue of race

 By Nthungo YaAfrika AS much as Africans would want to have closure to many of...

More like this

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

Discover more from Celebrating Being Zimbabwean

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading