After Office Hours // 4 Lessons Shared by Host Speakers

After Office Hours // 4 Lessons Shared by Host Speakers

It’s evident that running your own organization can be highly rewarding. However, it can also be frustrating, and incredibly challenging as well. Therefore, the question begs: How does one navigate these rough waters?

One of the many ways would be to join a coworking space, where the community builds and supports each other. Joining a network of like-minded entrepreneurs can help give a lifeline, and help catapult you to success.

Nairobi Garage is not only a workspace destination but also the home to innovative, vibrant, fast-growth organizations such as SWVL, Akili Networks, Pangea Accelerator, Kwara, Mdundo, Sisu Global among many others.

It is always such a vibe when it comes time to meet up, discuss, learn, with all our members during our knowledge share & networking events such as – After Office Hours.

The event is open to the public event is held every last Thursday of the month, and we co-host it alongside great and inspiring African business leaders. The prolific speakers share the life stories that made them who they are today at any of our 3 locations.

It is through their inspirational sessions that event attendees learn about personal motivation, leadership, endurance, overcoming failure in business, and managing success.

Over time, it has become clear that despite being one in their business journey, the challenges we face are not unique to us, and being surrounded by a strong support network helps.

We’re sharing the lessons we’ve learned over the years from hosting After Office Hours:

Hire the Right People

One of the business lessons for entrepreneurs is putting together the right team. Most are the times that you will put together a  team and they will end up disappointing you.

Terryanne Chebet, an African female entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of Keyara Botanicals as well as the Founder of Africa’s Leading Ladies, advises that hiring the right people is crucial for business.

Diana Opoti taking a selfie with After Office Hours attendees at Nairobi Garage. In-person events help with networking and interaction with inspirational leaders.

Entrepreneurs should have a formal hiring process in place when looking for new team members. The consideration should be bringing on board people who understand your brand and are willing to buy into your vision.

By putting time and work into finding the right people, you will improve your chances of hiring the best performers and avoiding costly and painful mistakes.

As a leader you should learn to communicate with your teams this nurtures trust and loyalty from them. Also look for people who fit into your company culture, and always look beyond the CV.

Learn more from the 6 Lessons from Terryanne Chebet’s journey.

Build Company Culture

Organizational culture has emerged as a pivotal frame of reference for every leader and organization.

Mr. James Mworia, Group CEO Centum Investments, advised that business leaders should ensure that they have processes and systems in place that support their strategy and company culture to achieve success.

Mr. Mworia added that business leaders should also follow-through, and monitor the key metrics across the businesses. It is imperative for project managers to understand their internal organizational culture and that of their customers in order to be successful.

Understand this and more by reading Company Culture // Building for Success from James Mworia After Office Hours session.

Patience Pays

Partnering with established brands and organizations is a great idea and can give your company leverage for growth. However, it takes time and patience.

In her case, it took Dr. Joyce Gikunda – Co-founder of Lintons Beauty, over 13 years of several trips to Europe, to finally bag Estee Lauder products in her portfolio.

Dr. Gikunda, however, cautions startups that even as they get into these partnerships, they need to have a good sense of what they want as the end results of any partnership before they consider it.

She also advised having in mind what you are bringing to the table.

Ben Kiruthi speaks at After Office Hours at Nairobi Garage. In-person events help attendees get a sense of the speaker upfront which creates more impact.

Plan for Succession

Many organizations do not have a strategic plan for eventualities such as having to replace personnel such as an eventuality a CEO or COO or the loss of a founding member to death.

In most cases, the leadership left behind ends up fighting over control, and often the result is a failure.

The wisest leaders, however, have already created a, and that is known as a succession plan. However, some companies have never even thought about it until it is too late.

A succession plan will help your business identify the key roles in your company and the employees best suited to fill those roles in the future.

It establishes a trajectory for each role, highlighting the skills needed for optimal performance in each role and how those skills can be acquired. It also helps identify top talent in an organization and charts a mentorship plan for such.

Learn more about the right strategies that can position your business for success from Dr. Joyce Gikund’s After Office Hours session.

Upcoming Event

As the year kick starts in earnest, we are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring business leaders that will inspire you in your journey of entrepreneurship.

We’ll be hosting the first After Office Hours of the year on Thursday, 25th February 2021. Save the date and stay tuned for further details.