Category: Random ideas

3 Mistakes every youth should avoid to get to the top of entrepreneurship game.

1. Avoid getting loans in early stages of life and idea development.

Getting loans is one way of solving lifetime obstacles, in fact not money people have been able to succeed without getting a couple of them. Loans sometimes are a catalyst of self motivation to working harder. Because you know you got a debt you must pay, so you work hard to beat time limits and pay back. Pretty good, isn’t it?

Where is the mistake?

If a loan is to work for you, it should be at a time when you are able to service it. Those times when you have enough income flow, or properties which you are ready to sell off if things don’t go right.

By the way, it doesn’t matter from who you get the loan. Because eventually you will have to pay back. And if you delay then you are essentially harming your network/society indirectly. Do you want to be in such a situation where someone who would be able to help his/herself has to turn to others for help? And the only reason is because they gave out a loan to a friend who is unable to pay back?

2. Don’t give loans.

Whether giving loans is your business or not. Evaluation should be at the front otherwise it’s a huge mistake. Many people have the potential to become rich but mistakes like giving out loans to friends on that basis is not right. At least am saying this out of experience, because many times I’ve got/gave loans from/to friends but we ended up hurting ourselves in the process. Believe you me, unless it’s a life taking situation, always there is another way than a loan. In fact in life talking situations we usually come to the rescue by giving out to save a life.

3. Don’t order unless you have cash.

Every business on this planet grows by having a steady cash flow.

Try so much to avoid traps of ordering for services/products when you don’t have cash. This will help you develop and hook up strong networks. It won’t only show your authenticity, it will translate in care and fairness for everybody around you. The minimum you can order on expected income is when you are 150% specific on the dates it’s coming in. In addition to having self trust that when it comes all you will do is submit the payment. Actually the service provider should know and agree with you, with pure understanding of your the situation. If not that then it’s a mistake you are doing which will be felt like exploiting others. The harm this brings is not felt only by the people/businesses you exploited. It will actually be felt by you, your family and network.

In summary, say no to loans, order with cash. You won’t believe the speed of personal/business development you will have.

August 6, 2016
What vs Why in business.

Many of us from East Africa start up businesses on the principle of results. I want to have some income, I want to be respected, I want to feed my family or I want to be called so and so. As if our sales will be automatic which in reality it can never be. What if we pulled plug on Why and What principles?
Embracing “Why” when involving in any business puts us in pole position to succeed since it pushes one to look at the realistic bit of things.
Why is the attraction of How, What, Where and When.
Without why, one is set to running a business by default as opposed to design. The most successful business people in the world observe it. Take for example, facebook. Mark Zuckerberg had to ask why start facebook.com, How will it work and help in daily life, Where will facebook used (Who will use facebook) and When.
Whatever answers, he got must be the reason why we use this platform everyday, everywhere and everyone virtually uses it.
Additionally embracing “What” helps you define an idea (business) or be part of one. This definition is also the reason why others come on board.
Of course Why defines the purpose for what a solution is created but not everyone will comprehend the why, this is when the What will come to help the people you are talking to understand.
The easier it is for them to understand, the easier it is for them to work with you.
See you at the top! 🙂

July 20, 2016
How to build relevant networks and improve your business.

Any idea whether charity or business needs at a collage of these 5 elements, to grow. In fact, so many of underrate one of the elements, but if once neglected, however much the idea will develop, it may completely fail when it finds a stumbling block. The Idea, The Labour, The Skill, The Market and The Capital are such elements which foster a developing cause/product/service. They are largely equivalent, and are none is bigger, none is smaller which means a good entrepreneur must balance them in his/her eco-system to experience success and sustainability.
How does network get’s it way in. A relevant network is the only way we have those elements in abundance. In this network some are buyers (market) also talk good of us and what we do, some are business partners or charity partners – they invest/fund, some are your employees providing skill and labour, while others could are innovators creating and building ideas. Your Network is your Net Worth so how can you build and sustain it?

Focus on your interests.

Because you need good people around you, it doesn’t mean any famous or popular individual is worth having in your circles. Some have achieved through by hurting others and you don’t want to involve that character in your own personal life or brand life. Because at anytime it can hurt. So know yourself first, know what you are interested in and build your brands are that too. As you do that the people you will attract will most likely have similar interests who posses the qualities of the interests you know you need.

Be responsive

I also suck at this but am doing my best to improve. When you get a new friend or have an old friend, he/she deserves to know you care. Press that phone call or send that text, email once in a while you never know the nourishment it may bring. This is also necessary, when these people reach out for you. Be that someone that is not focusing to impress everyone but just being there when it’s necessary. And the emotional attachment will improve.

Be supportive

Some day, I was having a Facebook chat with my friend from France. We were discussing about the class I was going through and I hinted on the award winning. Then he hinted that I should be careful about awards. This meant a lot of me, it showed my friend from a far is supportive to me and wishes me the best. Many people who have money desires think such support like a word or two is not that important. For me it’s important.

Be honest

To me honesty is key and a person who is honest has a unique character. It means to be true to yourself as well as others everywhere. This eliminates unnecessary doubts, and it’s fuel to great networks. Just keep calm and always be who you are.

Go to events

If there is anything to be done, can only be done out there – Ortega Ian, a friend of mine said this to me. Choose the events about the causes you love, attend them because chances are; you will meet inspiration there and make new networks.
They are more things you can actually do to build networks and sustain them, feel free to share with the world. By sharing them through comments.
Wish you success! #OneLove

July 16, 2016
Take action and paint your vision.

For so many months I have been pondering on whether I should learn git or not, I know I needed it than I wanted. Though I kept on procrastinating which made everything difficult. To the extend that even the little I knew evaded from my brain.

A few weeks ago, a friend(Bosco Anthony) shared his with me, his TedEx talk video and did more to me especially igniting my motivation.

In his video he shared about the game changing ingredients which are Purpose and Momentum. And he shared what he knows are the 5 real life applications for fueling one’s purpose. What interested me more was accountability and vision.

How would you achieve a vision if you are not accountable, how easy will it be if you practiced clarity?

Last night I wrote a tutorial which could help anyone learn how to create a WordPress plugin.

Yesterday (3rd/July/2016), besides being a Sunday, I utilized the day instead of relaxing to create templates for the products I’m about to bring to the market, in addition to creating a WordPress plugin, which will help WordPress website owners add 120px by 600px banners to their websites without writing a single piece of code or waiting for a web administrator to do it for you.This plugin is already uploaded to github.com.

A screenshot of the process as I pushed to github via Git CMD.

So that anyone can do whatever he wants do to it for free. Whether you install it on your blog or fork it and contribute to it, you’re welcome. Before the end of the day, I will try to upload it to WordPresss.org, fingers crossed. It will be my first in the repository. You may find it here, if you want it.

Little of this would happen if I hadn’t watched this 18 minute video. In fact, sincerely, the words Bosco shared helped me find Rhythm and introspect.

You can access the video here on youtube.

July 4, 2016
The untold story, shortly fast backward!

If I remember very well, fast backward in 2008 – 2009, I started teaching myself HTML, JavaScript and PHP. But the inspiration was always developed from the PowerPoint slides I often designed, which sparked my interest in Photoshop.

Kaweesi Mark used to help jot everything to paper while copying from the webpage in the internet cafe. I was the research genius sitting right there before the computer screen. I couldn’t do it all by myself since we used to foot UGX.500/= for 20mins yet getting that 500/= was kissing the gates of hell. Maybe it’s not hell, but me stealing Aunt’s money was hell. It required courage. Anyway let me leave that story for another day. Do you remember those times bro?

Just a quick one, if we didn’t collect scrap, if we didn’t play soccer, if we didn’t sneak to watch soccer without paying, if we didn’t sneak in the cinema halls, what if we didn’t, would we be where we are?

I wish the people reading this are those who admire where I am/we are today, but didn’t actually see us during those days. Many wouldn’t want us closer. I take heart, and I encourage you to persevere. You will achieve everything because you can.

Cutting short a long story, amidst all the complications and confusion in different software, here and there; what always kept me amazed was clicking on something and it responded somehow. Why don’t I do this?

From PowerPoint slides (with clip Art) to HTML. Even now I can’t develop a website from scratch without having to sketch on paper, then get to Adobe illustrator/Photoshop mock up the visual representation and then break down into HTML code.

For whatever it is, one has to go through some sort of fine(creative) Art to lay a foundation for the science of web design.

You are lucky today, we have CMS so there is no need to grasp code unless you want to be a web developer, a UX specialist, a mobile app developer, a desktop app developer or a programmer scientist.

You can even become a superb CMS web designer by attending a 12 days practical class. It’s organised by myself and it will be at Aponye Mall, Block B. NBK-Cleaning Kings International‘s offices. My aim is to take you straight from where you are to a superb CMS specialist. The cost is UGX 300K call me on 0704255401.

June 6, 2016
2 top secrets to help you achieve anything you want.

If you don’t know why whatever is happening, happens like it is today, here I share the 2 top secrets to help you achieve anything you want.
People will look down to themselves and wonder why they are where they are, right now. Some will be grateful of what they have achieved whereas the others – biggest in numbers will be regretting and discouraged to continue.
In most cases the regrets are results of unaccomplished goals and missions. To make matters worse, the regrets are worse than worries shown on face, they’re cancers which feeds not only on body, the minds and soul too.
If learn the two secrets I’m about to share and apply their principles; you’re most likely to live a true life, achieve more without regretting.

1. The reason why

The secret is the reason why, the reason why you exist. It is the foundation of your culture and all your history. This will be the basis of what you’re about to do everyday. So you introspect around it and you can’t exchange it for anything. Simply because it’s priceless and not business but a progression tool.
Do you know why you live and what purpose you must serve in this life? For anything you want to achieve, whether it’s a career, a relationship, a business etc, you will achieve, if they align with your purpose.

Dalai Lama said, our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.

2.The courage

We people who different fears, which stop us from going after what we want. We feel like it’s the right thing to do but at the same time, something pulls us back and we can’t do anything more.
Courage is the secret to determination, focus and perseverance.

April 24, 2016
Are you a web developer, software developer or mobile app developer in Africa, lend me your ears.

Like they say practice makes perfect but when it’s done right.

That said I encourage you to involve in team work effort products. By that I mean don’t do things alone.
Hook up someone who can help in writing the idea, someone else who can plan the User Interface, also let someone help on the database bit then you can code.
When it’s done, it’s good to hook up a friend, who can record a pitch video about the product and share it. Because who knows, this could be the opening door to the world of opportunities.
Why do I recommend assigning different tasks to different individuals?
Because it will most likely bring the best out of each individual involved. It may also inspire you to learn and develop other skills from the same individuals. Without spending much time looking for where and who to learn from.
Furthermore, it will help you a lot in personal development since here you can easily comprehend your abilities on how you work with others. Which is important because everywhere in the world you cannot work alone. Not even in your own business.

Tip: Don’t give up on developing because not everything you develop must be welcomed by the world. Just keep on learning, developing and sharing soon sales will be closed.

Happy coding!

April 16, 2016
How did I make it to the CMS SUMMIT 16 in Kampala.

First things first, so let’s get somethings out of the way, CMS is an acronym to mean Content Management System. Examples of CMSes are WordPress(most pupolar), Joomla (Youngest of the giants released in 2005) and Drupal(Oldest not only CMS but a great CMF too).

How it started in brief.

In 2006, I started playing around with HTML and Javascript drawing inspiration from movies and video games. Times were tough and I didn’t get to do anything useful for over a year before I was attracted by PHP and started developing simple web based applications.
Sooner than later, I met someone who wanted a website designed for his start up tourism business. On landing this job, I was so excited. But it was such a challenge after-wards, a challenge worth taking though. In fact through determination but not prowess, I was able to deliver the project in a few months.
Developed a couple more web apps in plain HTML, CSS and PHP before I was introduced to Joomla 1.5. I admit, it was a life saver by then, because everything came already engineered. No need to write any piece of code but you could have a website up in a day.
In 2014, someone else recommended I try out WordPress too. But I was like why? The answer simple, it eases life. From then on, I have never looked anywhere else.

The first word about CMS Africa summit.

In most cases, we first hear about things from friends, the people who care. And for me it was none other than Job Thomas from South Africa. A friend I met on twitter after searching for WordPress enthusiasts.
Even without knowing me in real life, he was welcoming, free and open-minded, ready to contribute knowledge in anyway, he can. I remember disturbing him with a couple of coding related questions, but he pointed me to WordPress forums since he wasn’t a coder, he thought things would be easily solved, if I submitted to forums.
We conversed for several days then weeks before he introduced me to CMS Africa Summit. CMS Africa summit 16, is a gathering of coders, web enthusiasts, mobile app developers, students of all professions, educators, bloggers, & entrepreneurs etc. Interestingly, it’s coming to my city – Kampala. That means no need to pay air ticket bills. It will bring together 30 keynote speakers and several sponsors. Additionally there would be a 48 hours hackthon.
Sounds interesting so I registered on the website for a 2 day ticket.

Day 1. Highly motivated.

It’s in the wee hours of the morning of 1st-April, 2016, I have my back pack ready excited to attend a web summit for the first time in my life.
Together with my friend @MutebiIvanJunior – a social media student and successful practitioner, we get on the road, grab a public 14 passenger van on the way to the heart of Kampala; commonly known as Town. All is good, though we are nervous whether we get there in time. You know the tickets have the dates but not the time.
As we get to town, the clouds are changing from sky blue to smoke gray, things look okay as we are optimistic nothing will stumble. After all, it’s been months of total hotness without any single drop of it.
It’s now about 7:30am, and we are already in Town for the second taxi to Luzira, we even have to be faster because we don’t know the kickoff hour. Thus the aim is to get there as early as possible, unless we could miss out something.
Soon after 25 minutes, we are in Gems Cambridge International school jurisdiction – Luzira town. Before we go head to head with the gifts of mother nature to the farmers.
Before 9:00am, we are at check point, security confirming we are not carrying anything dangerous. And we are ready to join the audience!

April 3, 2016