Under the stand of problem is money

Business people system consultant & Columnist

In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.

Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a bag where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king.”This is for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.”

Dear friend, there is opportunity in obstacle. Our nation is filled with obstacle but what do you see? Time and again, the wealthiest and social leaders in any society are those who make sense of obstacles and social threat. You can help us solve the problem because leadership is your calling too. Everybody is a potential leader. Go ahead to solve the problem by starting a company.

At a time in Nigeria, when telecommunications problem was obvious, many complained about the services of NITEL (Nigeria Telecommunications Company). It was a problem then but now a business opportunity for the present investors. They solved that problem at that level.

I want to encourage you to have a new perspective to problem. Problem is an opportunity to start a new business. There are different services that can be derived from problems confronting peoples in our society. Let us see perspectives to maximise opportunities in problem.

The first perspective is to believe that you are part of solution providers. The belief you have will inform your association and commitment. Entrepreneurs are solution providers. I will list below examples of problems prevalent in Nigeria and possible business opportunities. Let me clearly state that another indicator for business opportunity is change in trends.

Some time change in trend create problems for people and those who are proactive in providing solution makes business leadership out of it. Change in age trend, fashion trend, technology trend, are to be watched out for as opportunities for business.

Here are listed below, problems and business opportunities for you to develop.

Problem of unskilled graduates:

The business opportunity: Start after graduate work place training to prepare an average of about two millions graduates yearly for different sectors of the economy. Build the company where corporate companies can source skilled workers.

Problem of single parenting:

The business opportunity, among others, is single parenting skill academy; Nanny for children and Nanny mobile application for busy single parent to source the services of quality nanny.

Problem of water flooding:

Poor drainage management cost Nigerians about =N=3 trillion in the year 2012. The business opportunity is to develop drainage monitoring technology and application for ministries of environment across the country and for private estates managers.

Problem of poor business financial accounting:

This is prevalent among small scale business operators. I mean those who haves shops with one or two employees. The business opportunity is mobile accounting application that can help put their books in proper shape. Also, it is an opportunity for mobile accountant services who move from shop to shop helping to manage those books at a price.

Problem of poor political image:

The business opportunity is for those who have interest in communication, public relations, image management to create platforms for both online and classroom training, and consultancy.

The second perspective is that problem will generate creative tension. Problem should generate creative tension that is able to compelled entrepreneur to design valuable and profitable solution. It will not be easy to create value from problems without tension.

Tension is condition of being hold in a state between two or more forces, which are acting in opposition to each other. If you will solve problem and create value, then be ready for resistance. So make your decisions and move forward.

The first best decision requires of you to make the best out of tension is to keep focus on the vision of possible solution.

The second decision is to tell the truth about where you are at every stage of solving problem and reaching out for necessary support.

I want to encourage you to take a step now and help solve the problem for us. Start with the problem that confronted you. Many people are facing the same problem as you. Don’t just loudly blame the government but loudly provide the solution. This is your season of opportunity. You have the opportunity to shine now.

 

Victor Mamora