Tweet

Changing the mindset

Written by: John Wesonga

Article Overview: As technology director at our company one of my key responsibilities is to identify talented and eager web enthusiasts the objective of which is to train and mentor them in two key areas Technology and Business. As a company we are aiming to set a standard not only in the technologies that are used but also in developing applications that make business sense within this part of the world, what this means is that the people we identify need to be innovative not necessarily entrepreneurs but they must possess a degree of creativity and I'm sure you'll agree with me that in order for you set a standard innovation is key. I once told a techie that we don't want to reinvent the wheel all we need to do is find one aspect of the wheel that we can improve and make it work for this part of the world.

Changing the mindset

This was a post I did on other blog Subsaharancoder that I thought I'd share with you guys:

As technology director at our company one of my key responsibilities is to identify talented and eager web enthusiasts the objective of which is to train and mentor them in two key areas Technology and Business. As a company we are aiming to set a standard not only in the technologies that are used but also in developing applications that make business sense within this part of the world, what this means is that the people we identify need to be innovative not necessarily entrepreneurs but they must possess a degree of creativity and I'm sure you'll agree with me that in order for you set a standard innovation is key. I once told a techie that we don't want to reinvent the wheel all we need to do is find one aspect of the wheel that we can improve and make it work for this part of the world.

The biggest challenge I'm facing when it comes to the identification of these extraordinary people is the mindset that the IT community in Kenya has in general, I cannot speak as though I don't belong to that community but it does sadden me when I have a discussion with somebody and I realise that they have no true skill in what they do. What do I mean when I say "true skill"? well, a large percentage of web developers in Kenya (including designers and producers) have perfected the art of download,customise and call it my own, which though works when one is trying to learn cannot really be equated to a true skill.

I had a chat with one lady who said she was very good in production which basically means that she can translate a design into a fully functional HTML prototype, what this requires is skill in use of graphics packages, HTML and Javascript. I then proceeded to ask her if she could do a full CSS concept compatible across several browsers and she responded by saying that she downloaded templates and customised them (download,customise and call it my own). This kind of "skill" cannot be truly put to the test and is absolutely devoid of any creative process.

Taking the example of learning a programming language, Al had the opportunity to interview a developer I've known for a few years, upon explaining to him that the technology we aim to use is new and would require one to commit themselves to learn and apply the developer was quick to point out that he couldn't do this until he'd had a chance to look at the language. That kind of fear is borne out of a culture of non-innovation and reuse.

Africa and Kenya specifically cannot be empowered using technology when the mindset we have adopted is one of reuse rather then revolution. If we are truly to be the next frontier of untapped technology then we must strive to build skill and nurture innovation from the onset. I don't mean to belittle my fellow web techies but the era of plug and play must come to an end, there is nothing wrong with downloading an application to learn the code base but only true knowledge is acquired when I use what I have learned to build something on my own. If we are to mentor and build the coming generation of techies then our skills need to be strong. If we are to be truly the next source of technology talent then we must move past this mindset.

The aspiring developer, designer must see pride in innovation even when recognition from ones peers isn't forthcoming. I am always impressed by the story of Google and its founders, when they built their search engine the venture capitalists and other companies that were around at that time including Yahoo saw no need in purchasing the search engine yet this two guys stood beside their application because it was theirs and they believed in the innovation, that is what we need in Kenya. So what if everybody else is taking the easy way out, we must make the conscience decision that we will stand and be counted as the innovators and not as the imitators.

I hope this inspires my fellow techies and brings about change, if not then at least the voice was heard.

Related Articles
  Do I Need to Have a Millionaire Mindset to Be Successful? Secret Revealed
  Can You Become A Successful Entrepreneur?
  SME's - the impact of government mindset on entrepreneurship
  Move Your Iceberg II: Be, Do, Have
  Changing to an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Article Tags: Kenya, technology, technology director, true skill, Yahoo



Related Forum Posts
Re: Search Engine Optimization - A lot of SEO in terms of on-page optimization is trial and error. Changing just one word can have a huge impact on your rankings.
Re: Does birth order influence the desire to start a business? - Hi Kevin, I can't really say if birth order has anything to do with having more of a business mindset and taking risks. As for my situation, I have a sister who is three years older than me. I've always wanted to start my own business and work from home ever since I was in high school. My sister on the other hand got a four year degree and now works as a graphic design artist. I've mentioned to her on several occasions about doing freelance work and starting a side business. She just shrugs it off and says she doesn't have time to do something like that. It's a pitty because I know she would excel if she had the type of mindset that I have. She does great at her job and would do great as a freelancer.
Hiring the best people for the job - One of the hardest things I had to do as an entrepreneur was to give up control over a project to someone else. Currently, I am having a professional design my website for me. Sure I can do it myself, or hire someone to do it how I tell them, but what would I learn? Handling the technological side of the business is not my strong suit, so i had to find someone who knew more about the subject than I did and also has done what I want to do before. It has been a learning experience, and the great thing about it is it frees me up to do what I do best in my business, and letting someone else do what they do best. I have been brought up with the mindset that [i:vazquuoz]if you want it done right you [/i:vazquuoz][i:vazquuoz]have to do it yourself[/i:vazquuoz]. I am slowly but surely weening myself away from that mindset and learning how to delegate more effectively. Now I am extremely selective on who I hire, and my goal is to surround myself around people who are smarter than myself in their area of expertise.
Re: Boomers Are Not Bloggers - I agree Shri, the mindset is the most important part and it can be shifted. If the person wants to shift it. There are some very radical early adopters over 50 but in my experience they have to be shown how it can improve their business first. J
How She Does It - Interesting to see what are the most popular threads in this folder, judging by how many hits each thread gets. There must be a lot of moms out there who want to start businesses. I'm currently reading How She Does It: How Women Entrepreneurs are Changing the Rules of Business Success, by Margaret Heffernan. Some interesting statistics: Between 1997 and 2006, privately held businesses owned by women grew at 3 times the rate of all American privately owned firms, women's companies are creating jobs and growing profits at twice the rate of all firms and are responsible for more payroll than all of the Fortune 500 companies combined. This book tells the stories of a few women who have made it big...recommended reading so you know that "you can do it, too."


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Starting a Business a Brave Move or a NoBrainer

Top 5 Qualities in an Outsourcing Company

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.