• Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Donate
  • Login
Watchdog Uganda
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
Watchdog Uganda
No Result
View All Result

STRIVE MASIYIWA: If I get you to accept this, there is nothing you cannot do!

watchdog by watchdog
4 years ago
in Conversations with, Op-Ed
4 0
Strive Masiyiwa

Strive Masiyiwa

ShareTweetSendShare

About 30 years ago, I wrote a letter that changed my life as an entrepreneur. I had come across an article in a newspaper that said the private sector arm of the World Bank, IFC, was setting up a special fund to help what they called at the time “Small and Medium Size Businesses”—SMEs [we don’t really use that term much anymore; today we say “Entrepreneurs].

It was there in the newspaper that we all read. But I read to DO, so I always have a pen and paper—READY TO FOLLOW UP!

There was no email, no Internet. I decided to write a letter and waited some months for the reply. A black guy from Guyana eventually wrote back, and said he was one of the people working on this IFC [International Finance Corporation] fund. To cut a long story short: he traveled to Harare to undertake a due diligence of my little business. Together we worked on my Business Plan. He actually had the first laptop that I had ever seen! I had only a desktop!

It must have taken six months, and at least five visits by Dr Lawrence Clarke, to help me develop an investable business plan. During those six months, I learnt more about financing structures and DEBT vs EQUITY in a business than I had known in five years.

At the time, it was only $250,000. But the principles I learnt would apply to any amount you need.

In the years to come, as I grew my business bigger, or went into businesses that required ever more money, I had first been put on the path of how to do it… by this highly credible professional.

“With all your getting, first get a proper understanding of how it really works” [my paraphrase of a great Proverb].

For me, the Bible verse: “My people perish [or fail] for lack of knowledge” has always held a particular meaning.

I’m always asking myself: “Could it be that I simply don’t know enough about how this really works, and that lack of knowledge is working against me?”

If the answer is yes, then I take action, without delay. I have an excellent team but I also do my own research, studying only credible analysis and global best practices. I talk to trusted experts and friends, including those who I know will tell me what I don’t want to hear, if need be.

You must learn to discern who you can trust. What are their own interests, if any? Everyone has interests, that is fine, but make sure their interests align with your own values and visions. Not just your business survival depends on this!

# Are you asking yourself the right questions?

# Are you doing your homework based on trusted, credible and reliable sources?

# Are you making the observations that really matter?

# And ARE YOU ACTING ON WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT?

There will be many opportunities for you, even today, such as the one I had that day when I saw that article. Every day I write stuff for you that is just as important as that article, but you and you alone, are the one to ACT!

Yes, today we are still very busy tackling a historic pandemic which I know has badly impacted many of you on this platform, but in your life as an entrepreneur there will always be storms of one kind or another. If you’re not already, it’s time for you to soar my eaglets!


Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
Share1Tweet1SendShare

Related Posts

Op-Ed

RICHARD BYAMUKAMA: The Legitimacy of South Sudan’s Government Hangs in the Balance

29th June 2025 at 23:59
National

MP Nsereko Vows to Block NUP’s Rubongoya in Kampala Central Race

29th June 2025 at 11:27
John Arthur Kamale
Op-Ed

JOHN ARTHUR KAMALE: The People You Trust – An Open Letter to the President

26th June 2025 at 17:17
Next Post
Flavia and Kabuura attend Joel Khamadi's wedding function

Flavia Tumusiime proves she still loves her cheating husband Kabuura dearly, attends wedding function with him

  • Prostitution in Uganda- Courtesy Photo

    10 dangerous hotspots known for prostitutes in Kampala

    1098 shares
    Share 439 Tweet 275
  • LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

    2281 shares
    Share 912 Tweet 570
  • Uganda’s Billionaires 2025: Once Again Sudhir Ruparelia Leads a Resilient Pack

    38 shares
    Share 15 Tweet 10
  • Pastor Bugingo Seeks Reconciliation with Teddy and Children, Prays for Makula’s Twins

    18 shares
    Share 7 Tweet 5
  • LIST : Gov’t releases Revised Salary Structure for Teachers, Police, and Prisons Staff for FY 2024/2025

    111 shares
    Share 44 Tweet 28
Facebook Twitter

Contact Information

Watchdog Uganda is a portal for solution journalism, trending news plus cutting edge commentaries in the fields of politics, security, business, tourism, entertainment, technology, agriculture, climate change, environment, public health et al. We also give preference to Ugandan community news and topical discussions. The portal also publishes community news and topical discussions.

Email: editorial@watchdoguganda.com
To Advertise:Click here

Latest News

RDC George Owanyi engaging the meeting

Nakapiripirit RDC George Owanyi teams up with Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition to intensify fight against corruption 

30th June 2025 at 09:21

RICHARD BYAMUKAMA: The Legitimacy of South Sudan’s Government Hangs in the Balance

29th June 2025 at 23:59

Check out

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minister Muruli Mukasa

LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

24th May 2020 at 10:45
Pregnant woman

Shock as 17-year old boy impregnates his two sisters during Covid-19 lockdown 

17th June 2020 at 08:17
Sudhir Ruparelia is set to speak at business forum in United Kingdom

Billionaire Sudhir’s wisdom on how to invest in real estate

0

How a boy’s destiny turned from cotton grower to communications guru

0
RDC George Owanyi engaging the meeting

Nakapiripirit RDC George Owanyi teams up with Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition to intensify fight against corruption 

30th June 2025 at 09:21

RICHARD BYAMUKAMA: The Legitimacy of South Sudan’s Government Hangs in the Balance

29th June 2025 at 23:59

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda