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By Ross Moyo
Zimbabwe’s richest man and Econet Founder, Strive Masiyiwa has encouraged his fellow citizens and the world at large ti reflect on the just ended year of 2024, embrace the now 2025 by being innovators.
Speaking on his official Facebook page, the Telcos Mogul spoke glowingly about how he began his mobile business when he introduced a mobile phone to his late grand mother who lived a long fulfilling life to 106 years old.
The country’s Richest man said, “Reflections on the year that was…2024 Urging Innovator In Chiefs For 2025
, saying “Don’t sit down, keep moving!”
Masiyiwa wrote, “This picture is from 1998 when I showed my grandmother a mobile phone for the first time. She lived until she was 106 years old. Many of you here can also remember back a few decades ago, before you had this technology in your own hands. [Though some of you who are younger can’t imagine it at all!] ”
The Technopreneur urged all entrepreneurs from all walks of life to always do business thinking ahead.
“Whatever generation you are, as entrepreneurs, you must now imagine forward… and fast! I started my mobile business, Econet Wireless, in 1993. The big technology opportunity at the time was providing mobile voice communications. Today, voice [speaking on the phone] is actually a small part of how people use their phones. And it is also reflected in how mobile operators make their money. As an entrepreneur, one of my main jobs is to be “INNOVATOR-IN-CHIEF” ensuring that new ideas are being turned into INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS that consumers need and can delight in,” said the revered business man.
“I also have the task to ensure that many others in the organisation function as “INNOVATION drivers.” This is because we understand that each new INNOVATION is an opportunity to increase our PROFIT, based on what Peter Drucker said: “Innovations followed by good marketing is what drives profit in a business; the rest is cost.”
Masiyiwa kept the pedal on innovation being the game changer for any business when marketed well stating, “As most of you know, I turned this into a simple formula: INNOVATION + MARKETING – COST = PROFIT.”
The search for INNOVATION AND MORE INNOVATIVE ways to do things must be incessant for a modern business. As you look forward to the New Year, and as you look back on your own business, reflect on your INNOVATIONS.
Masiyiwa even alluded to haidressers innovation keeping some ahead of others.
“Even a hairdresser knows that she or he needs new styles to stay ahead. Hehehe! Of course, they do!, The billionaire stated.”
Success with one INNOVATION which starts to make lots of money should not mean that you can now sit back and enjoy “the fruits of your labour”. If things are already going well in your business, you will have some important decisions to make if you really want to “grow your wealth”. [If you haven’t yet, consider these types of decisions a high priority].
Does that mean building yourself a huge new house, going on expensive holidays, or even starting a farm [unless your core business is farming]?
Far from it! You must be restlessly seeking the next great thing for your customers. This is what makes companies like Apple so formidable. Every year they have an annual gathering for showcase new PRODUCTS developed by their INNOVATORS-IN-CHIEF. The whole organisation is wired to deliver without ceasing!
Sometimes a new INNOVATION is so big that it warrants becoming a new #Business altogether, just like we did this year when we launched Cassava AI. Your ability to see new INNOVATIVE opportunities requires you to have #hypercuriosity. [If you are a parent, it is so important to encourage your children’s curiosity at the youngest of ages!]
Every morning I spend more time reading about new innovations in my field of interest than anything else I do in any day. It is the most profitable activity! I even listen to crazy geeks on YouTube, and I never miss my favourite entrepreneurs like Jensen Huang of NVIDIA and Larry Ellison of Oracle, talking about what they are up to in business!
I listen to product launches by the likes of Sundar Pichai, Demis Hassabis, and James Manyika. I also buy books on everything to do with my business focus.
Now, if I was involved in say hotels, it would be the same. I would know about all the major players, subscribe to industry journals, listen to podcasts and YouTube by all the movers and shakers of that game!
And talking of games… of course, football is a business. So if I owned a football club, I would be totally immersed in the business side of that game. I would follow #Innovations by the entrepreneurs of that industry more than the football players. And I would definitely make a tonne of money. It’s just not my (business) game so I ensure I don’t get carried away with what goes on there!
Some INNOVATIONS require you (as entrepreneur) to find new investors, just like Elon Musk has done with his many tech ventures. I do that too, in my own small way. I just don’t have his bandwidth. Knowing your own bandwidth or risk tolerance is also wisdom.
“No one owes you a living.” [My mother]
Now, what’s the first thing YOU are going to do this year, as an entrepreneur?
Don’t sit down, keep moving!
I wish you and your families all a blessed New Year. I may not comment all the time like I did before, but I still read everything you share here.
Masiyiwa ended with an Image caption showing gratitude to grandmother.
” Thank God I have my grandmother’s genes, which means I might yet have my own space venture one day, Lol!”
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