Small African Business Network

What do people say about your business when you aren’t there? Think about it for a minute. Was it hard to imagine? Do people hiss when they think about your or when someone else talks about it or do they give glowing adorations and sing your praises to high heavens? How many times have you said that you ‘loved’ a product or brand?
According to , founder of Amazon.com, “your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room” and people’s responses to your depend on how you treat them. The truth is: # Branding isn’t just about the logo, it’s also about the personality of your business. It speaks volumes about who you are, where you are going, and why people should love you.
So, how do you develop your brand? The first step is to understand your vision. What is the change you want to see in the world, and why do you get out of bed in the morning to do what you do? If you know where you're going, it will help you get there, and also help other people understand and buy from you.
The second step is to identify your USP. What makes your different from others? What is the value you provide to your customers that they don't get from your competitors? You need to find these power(s) and wield them.
The third and most important is your customer experience. Do your customers leave happy, sad, gloomy or angry when they deal with you? Do they keep coming back to buy from you or never come back after a first purchase? How do you deal with them when they are angry? Do you interrupt or speak rudely or do you let them talk, listen and politely solve their problems? Are you or not? All of these and more are what contributes to how your perceive your brand.
Want more ? Follow this page for more tips on how to make your business grow.

Keep calm and have a merry Christmas...

Networking is not about collecting contacts

When people hear of , what comes to mind is that you attend an event, party or conference or any gathering and you begin to distribute your and collect same as if you’re distributing a souvenir? Is this you? You better come down from this table.
The first and most important rule of networking is you have a network of people not because you need them now but because of the future. Read that again. So, if you meet Mr XYZ at a gala today, you have his contact and keep him in your network because of future reasons.
The second rule is to always follow-up with your network. So, if you meet someone at an event, don’t collect their business cards or numbers only to leave it packing dust on your shelf or in your purse and bag. Follow up with them a day or two after the event and mention who you are and what you discussed about so that they easily remember you.
The third rule is to not network but . Sounds surprising? You shouldn’t. Most times, people attend an event simply to NETWORK and not build relationships. And that is very wrong. Genuine people can spot or smell a fake from afar. Meet people because you like them and because you share the same values or beliefs. Nobody likes to be used. Don’t be a USER!
The fourth rule is to listen. When we speak, we share what we already know. When we listen, we learn. Being a good listener is not optional; it is required to build new relationships. When meeting and communicating with new people, we often unintentionally interrupt or cut off someone we just met. Learn to be a .
And finally, choose quality over quantity. This is our favourite because it’s better to meet 3 to 5 solid people at an event and have them in our network than to greet tons of new faces. The only thing you’ll end up with at the end of the day is lots of business cards. Always choose quality over quantity.

AN INVESTMENT IN KNOWLEDGE PAYS THE BEST INTEREST!
“If you want to invest in something with minimum risk and a guaranteed big return, invest in knowledge”
Why is investing in knowledge so important?
This is because it allows you to become the best version of yourself- financially and mentally.
You can and become a master of your craft by simply investing in a little more knowledge.
You are probably wondering how you can invest in knowledge? Relax, we’ve got you.
Here are 3 ways to invest in knowledge.
1: Start Reading: is an awesome way to increase your knowledge and expertise. Books give you the power to explore new things and believe in yourself. and successful businessmen and women always recommend reading books.
2: Start Attending Seminars/Conferences: Attending , seminars, or conferences provide learning, networking, and .
3: Develop a New Skill: When was the last time you learned something new? Learn a new language, take an advanced degree, take a certification, learning a new musical instrument, driving, etc- all are valuable investments.
is a lifetime process. There’s always room for new skills. Don’t let anything hold you back, invest in knowledge today and earn high-interest tomorrow.
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Happy mental health day.