For Branson Centre Foundations of Entreprenuership - Session 2, click here
You don't learn to walk by following rules.
You learn by doing and falling over.
- Richard Branson
So today was my first day at The Branson Centre in Braamfontein, South Africa. For those of you who don't know how it works, the Centre is basically a business incubator. As part Virgin Unite, it is tasked with training and mentoring South African entrepreneurs, providing them with the know-how they need to take their business to the next level.
There were 18 of us in today's session, spanning across a diverse range of industries including financial services, arts, fashion, training/ education and catering to name but a few. After some timid side-glances (and wondering if it was ok for us to descend on the coffee station) we plucked up the courage to start talking to each other. Being an entrepreneur has thusfar been a lonely road to walk, with many challenges that have left me feeling overwhelmed - and questioning my sanity. My interaction with fellow entreprenuers today has really encouraged me by reminding me that others are walking the same road, dealing with the same pressures. There's comfort in voicing those struggles. It was also liberating to admit we don't have all the answers... And that there's nothing wrong with that.
After all, we are here to learn.
After the caffeine had kicked in everyone was a lot more animated. The team from Vantage Point (a enterprise development/ management consulting group) briefed us on their business board game/ simulation and we broke into groups. Each group consisted of 3 companies, trading, hiring staff, negotiating, securing sales and experiencing realistic business challenges. We all made ALOT of mistakes - which (hopefully) we've learnt from. By the end of 2 hours of play we were all pretty passionate about our little business entities and even scolded opposing teams for headhunting our staff!
During the debriefing process we got to share some of the insights we'd gained during the exercise as well as listen to some sound advice on how the principles translated into the real world.
One of the stats presented in the Branson Centre promo video is that over 70% of South Africa's unemployed are between the ages of 18-35. Some would argue that the reason for this is the disparity between the needs of industry and the quality of education the average South African is receiving.
Personally - I think this is a bit of a cop out. I don't think there's a lack of opportunity in South Africa. What we are lacking as young people is the realization that the power to turn our country's economy doesn't come from another government hand-out, winning the lotto, or being employed in some minimum wage position.
Something that really stood out for me was the fact that as entrepreneurs, we need to take responsibility. A lack of willingness to take responsibility and make confident and timeous business decisions is one of the big reasons that 7 in 10 businesses fail in the first 2 years.
We need to stop making our success in life somebody else's responsibility. Eric Toknell, the founder of Wimpy said something at a business breakfast that has really stuck in my head:
"What do you have in your hands? Use what you've got. Start where you are. Do what you can."Session 1 has left me feeling encouraged and looking forward to growing my business. Knowing I have the support of an organization like the Branson Centre has really blown fresh wind into my sails.
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