#24
First, big shoutout to Sedi for keeping me on my toes with these posts. Appreciate you.
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Saw this on Twitter today from Panji: My 5 year old son just explained the whole world to me… “Daddy, it’s easier to share if you don’t have enough…because you won’t have enough whether you share or not…” See the wisdom coming from a 5 year old. What was I saying when I was 5? “Mommy, more plantain chips, please.” Panji’s tweet plays right into what I wanted to talk about today: networking is more about giving than receiving. That’s the only way to create value through networking. I started practicing this after I read Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. Friends would testify that it’s one of the first books I recommend whenever anyone asks for books to read. I used to buy copies for anyone who asked me for recommendations. Might actually get back into that 🤔. Anyway, below excerpt is a continuation on my post on how to network. Hope you find it useful.
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Say Yes and Don’t Expect Anything in Return
Be generous with your time. Your time is valuable, but if you only do things because you’ll selfishly get something out of it, then you will often end up being disappointed. I am very intentional about being open to helping others. I don’t help them because I expect anything in return, I do it because I can. Pay it forward. If I can help someone else with my expertise or network, then why wouldn’t I meet with them? This openness has paid back dividends tenfold in what I’ve spent in time. People I’ve helped along the way have made incredibly valuable introductions, asked me to be an advisor, and have given me critical advice in return. Those who believe in karma can relate to this. Obviously you only have so many hours in the day so you can’t always be responsive, but you can always be open.
Article List— What I’m reading
My Great-Grandfather, the Nigerian Slave-Trader: If you’re Fante, your ancestors most likely participated in slave-trade as well. Find more info by reading Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. One of my favorite books, even though Korantema doesn’t like it that much. She prefers Kintu. Yet to read.
No Continent for Old Men: What’s going on in a continent that has the youngest population but we’re ruled by (mostly) men (mostly) over 50? The story isn’t much different with the law-makers. Who are they building the future of the continent for?
I Just Discovered Warren Buffet's 25/5 Rule and It's Completely Brilliant: Crux of the article—First, Buffett told Flint to make a list of his top 25 career goals. Then, Buffett said to circle the top five goals. and focus on these.
Is Africa prepared for Libra-lization from Facebook?: Are we? What’s going to happen to mobile money? How does this affect us on the continent? Ebenezer has broken it down for you.
MoviePass will shut down for good on Sept. 14: Useless company. Who ever thought this business model would work? I was part of the early wave that took advantage of this silly school of thought. Thank God for sense. 😬
The grandmaster diet: How to lose weight while barely moving: Welp. Who knew intense concentration burns calories? Maybe this works better than sweating in the gym. Get in the library folks!
Venture Capital — No, We’re Not Normal: Learnt a new term today— “hit rate” — which we defined as the percent of invested dollars generating a 10X or greater return.
Which US companies had the biggest IPO haircuts?: Didn’t know about Solar City’s serious haircut. Crazyyyy.
Where Africa’s rich live?: No billionaires in Ghana? Welp.
Rescuing Nkrumah: Right when I saw the author spelt “Ghanaian” wrong, I stopped reading. But have a go at it.
Podcast— What I’m listening to
American Innovations: Every day eating Kellogs and Rice Krispies…go and learn the history of cereal in these episodes. 😒
Book—What I’m reading x2. My book list is nearing 1000 books. Send help 🌚
Typical Ato. Not done with a book but already moving on to another. The Ghost of Sani Abacha is my new read. Imagine a whole country celebrating that you’re dead. What kind of trifling acts must you have committed? 😮
Remember folks: “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”
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