Let me share my thoughts about my experiences as an entrepreneur, who has been involved in many businesses that have failed, writes Themba Mtsali.
Firstly: 1. The biggest issue is not just communication but misalignment of values. There can be a huge emphasis on communication but if there is misalignment of values, the whole business crumbles.
2. If the vision and mission is not communicated on the daily basis, people will take things as far as money is concerned and working for money has the systematic attitude towards it. Money should not be the motivation but the results.
3. If people’s hierarchical needs are not met, chaos begins.
4. Pride and politics seems to be the biggest division amongst people because everyone wants to appear important instead of being people who are bringing value.
Now the reason why I am writing this article, it is show you that the way the system has divided us as black owned businesses, money is the excuse, or a front that has been used to masquerade the elephant in the room- misalignment. I really have thought that, as a growth entrepreneur that I am, I would focus more on the big picture. I believe that value without growth is like a car without tyres.
It is time that we address these issues as humans. For example, when I build Sounds Divine Studios, I am not building it just to make money, but to build systems in place so that money is in full circulation all the time, as well as the fact that the business creates value for clients. Sometimes, money is needed, not to feed my stomach but to nurture the growth of the business.
We need to stop this cycle. People work for the system and yet they bring their systematic, slave mentality into the start- up businesses which they lose fluidity. Money goes to the people who create value for it. I have been poor and I have been rich, and I choose to be rich all the time, even when the odds are against me. I will not falter nor fumble in my decision making. This disease is killing a lot of startup businesses. The worst part of all, it is not happening only in businesses but also in families, and communities.
If the business is not built on solid foundation, it is possible that the business can die. Now, what is more important, that needs to become the main thing, is the vision of the business. Vision is not static. It changes.
My advice is this, if you want to build a lifestyle business that exist because of you and you want to make money of it, it is cool but know this, when you die, the business dies with you.
African child, stop lying to yourself and be honest.
WITHOUT SYSTEMS IN YOUR BUSINESS, YOU WILL WORK HARDER and DIE.
- Mtsali is the CEO and Founder of Sounds Divine Studios
