Fighting your competition

I was at mind speak hosted by @alykhansatchu this past Saturday where Gina Din was the guest speaker.
Being in the advertising and marketing background as a person, iv always respected not to mention love Gina. She's always been an inspiration from the day I knew of her and even more when I met her yesterday. During her talk, there was a question asked from the audience which I wish I was able to answer it.

"What do you do when you have your competition bad mouth about your company to clients?"

Gina answered this pretty well - she said come open; be open to your clients of the situation.

Well I wanted to add - IGNORE them!!! The fact that you have asked this question is even worrying me, because clearly you are falling into your competitors trap. your competitor is getting your attention and energy just as he'd like it.

In business especially marketing - bad talks towards your competitor is one of the signs of a dying horse. If a competitor begins this act - brush your shoulders, continue doing and do it more!! To an extent their own words will haunt them with the same very own clients.

This doesn't just relate to business - also in personal life. You will NOT please everyone - people will dislike you, will envy you and also set to fail you. Just have your clear mission vision (purpose) set your living / working standards and just do your thing. Try making as many friends as possible - in the process also be prepared to make enemies. Their weapon is ignore them and live your life - make allies where possible, appreciate, give everyone their rightful credits you'll notice the same team will protect and help you grow....

Block out the negative things in life, and focus on the positive!

ps: *uploaded with a mobile device: kindly pardon my french ;) pls share :)
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Regards,
Ahmed
twitter.com/ahmedsalims

If the World was to END today?

Every experience God gives in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.... An awesome quote that was part of my inspiration to write this post!!!

I would reflect this in 2 ways - business and personal.

Business:
Ever felt the urge to set up your own company, enterprise office etc.. The feeling of being self employed and calling the shots. Its an awesome feeling, BUT, and this is me learning the hard way - its NOT easy!!! If you expecting to get rich or work less and have loads of time in your hands - you're best sticking at employment for as long as that thought stands!!! I'm so serious about this, if there's one time you'll be broke, stressed committed to your work (with no recognition) is when you are truly self employed and goal is to succeed. I'm not trying to scare you but its a reality - hard work commitment loyalty persistence patience luck faith all play a huge role in your success. Must be wondering how does this relate to the title of this post - well part of being successful apart from not giving up is patience persistence that's always talked about. I remember when I had a fear to venture into anything even if its nothing that was conflicting interest of the company I work for I was just too scared - fear of loosing!!! Fear of not making it - its normal. Then came a friend who always inspired me by his style of management and he told me "Take a step a day, in 30 days you'll have taken 30 steps." Made loads of sense. Look back - after just a month you will truly be 30 steps ahead. Even if you just design your company logo, print business cards or just register a domain - that's already a step to your success - remain focused!!

Personal:
One thing iv learnt from someone special (whose identity will remain confidential) Apart from being my best friend has been my life teacher - Live life filled with love, no regrets and forgive a lot. I was reminded by the same person if God can forgive why can't we humans rather who are we not to? Another thing I was told and I'm proud to share it with you is in whatever you do in your life, always remember there's death!! DEATH where by you can't control it, postpone, reverse it or even escape it. Learn your purpose in life and live by it. The least you can do is identify your family / friends, respect them, love them, and forgive everyone around you.
Life is too short to hold grudges or hurt someone intentionally - speak the truth no matter how painful, it'll pass and guess what? You'll be respected even if you kick the bucket at this minute. Again I'm not trying to scare you - if there's 1 thing I fear apart from loosing, is DEATH!!!n I don't like hearing any death news of someone I know... But look at it this way, can I really avoid it? What is left to do is treat everyday as being your last. Thank God every minute you can for your life, forgive every minute one has wronged you, ask for forgiveness to those you have wronged. Smile, appreciate your life and being... Lastly - u r born with a purpose and you are unique in your own way!!! NO one has control of creatures and as God is the all knowing the most merciful and the most gracious he has made you just perfect!!!! Respect your family love the people around you and be the one that spreads the positive attitude to all in the room.

Just be YOU don't lose your real self in the search of acceptance by others...

ps*uploaded with a mobile device: kindly pardon my french ;) pls share :)

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Regards,
Ahmed
twitter.com/ahmedsalims

woooooooooosaaaa

Its been a while since I started blogging - and guess what now?? MY BLOG HAS A NAME!!!! *hippo dance*
For those who have been following my posts you must have noticed I dint know what to name my blog :( But now.......check me out ;) Well thats the new for today :)

*shaking it* wooosaaaaaaa!!!!

Its about U!!

Do you believe you can truly impress everyone?
I once wore a black sweater to work (I love black as a colour - something about the colour) and a colleague told me he doesn't like the design of the sweater...it looks faded n rugged he added!! I dint say much then!!! While walking around the office, another colleague (this time a lady) commented.. "Amu, I love your sweater, where did you get it from....like the design so natural" heh??? 2 different comments on the same day? As in really - I rushed to the washroom to inspect the sweater from turning back all to the armpits *just to confirm* and it looked fine to me.......

My point - you cannot please everyone in this world, everyone has a different taste, mindset opinion, likes and dislikes!! BUT what do you do? Be yourself!!! Be natural and believe everyone has a unique feature that the other person doesn't.

I believe in appreciating people for the little they do all to the huge stuff which at times I'm sure there's no way I can pay back apart from saying a prayer for them. Life has its ups and downs and if at any point you will expect it to be easy run, please sprinkle water on your face and wake up!!! Life is a B*tch; as for me, I like challenging it - try it!!!

*uploaded with a mobile device pardon my french if noticed :p ;)

Blessed.

Kenya28FEB

Today is the day we United as Kenyans and sang the National Anthem. I sang together with fellow Kenyans at Nakumatt Westgate at 1pm and captured it on video too KENYA28FEB check it out guys!!!
The above video has loads of emotions attached to it - A United Kenya

Also forgot to mention I had an interview at Radio Jambo in Swahili and it went really well. Had a good chat not just with Ghost and Yousuf but also the listeners who called thanking this initiative and also encouraging us to do more.

today is one of those days you look back and say - the pressure, stress and hustle was all worth it - the team behind Kenya28FEB was awesome to work with and I am not only proud to be part of the team but also look forward in dong more for this country :)

ps: pardon my vague and short post

KENYA FEB28

My efforts to ask Kenyans to join in Singing and Uniting Kenya on the 28th FEB 2011 at 1pm!!

KENYA 28FEB (Sing and Unite KENYA)

@Kenya28Feb

We are extremely proud to be Kenyan.

We are proud of our beautiful country

We are proud of our diversity cultures and traditions

We are proud of our heroes

We are proud of our high achievers

We are proud of being hustlers

We are proud of our hoods

We are proud of our tribes and twengs

We are proud of our kanges and our mats

We are proud of our artists and musicians

We are proud of our industries and farms!

We are proud of our sports teams!

On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, wherever you are, at work, in the supermarket, in traffic, in school, on campus, in hospitals, in churches, in mosques, in temples, in synagogues, on sports pitches, in court, on your farm, at police stations, at armed forces barracks, in matatus, in buses, on the beach, in the game parks, at the airport, in parliament, in State House, in your homes...

On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, we stand

On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, we unite

On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, we shall speak in one voice.

On the 28th of February 2011 at 1pm, let’s sing our anthem, all three verses

On the 28th February 2011 the world will watch as Kenyans stand UNITED; 1pm, 1 nation, 1 people, 1 anthem, united in 1 prayer for 1 Kenya

We are Kenya!

Personality of the week

I feel its best I share this with you - this was an interview done by Mutheu Mutua of Vibe Weekly East Africa Magazine via email.

Fluid Tees

Check it out...
Ahmed Salim: Fluid Tees

Asante Sana.....

While growing up I remember I used to see my mates have or do something: I always wanted to do the same or have the same.. It wasn’t competition but the new things I saw always inspired me not to be left behind and to feel part of the IT thing if you know what I mean. That got into me that I ended up being too demanding and finding ways to get whatever I desired – from a water gun to a brick game (for those who remember it)…. I recall having issues with my mum for my demanding behavior – at that age I dint know what it took to put food on the table it was more like it’s normal to eat, sleep work etc… I was raised in a single parent family; my mum bro and myself!!! I want to believe I was spoilt and pampered being the last born but fact of the matter is peer influence!! Mama really never knew how to say NO in actions even if she’ll say its worthless or why compete or I don’t have money to buy it for you – she would sleep with guilt and made sure with time I’ll have it this was  to ensure I don’t end up stealing or feel that space of not having a dad around(story for another day) I dint realize all that till the day she thought its time to sit and talk to me about life in general…..

She started off by taking me through her monthly budget against her monthly pay!! Believe you me – far back in my mind felt like a mallet hitting sense in me slowly!! She ended the discussion by saying “Kuuna mahali mkono wafika…and I do love you” THAT HIT ME SOOOO HARD; Guilt – felt like a potato stuck in my throat and I won’t lie it wasn’t easy – took a while, started thinking a lot about what she said and you know what made sense? I had stuff some of my friends dint have, I had a shelter that some dint, I went to school despite my notorious years some dint… then comes the sense you need to be responsible in life not to feel you’ve achieved only but to pay back for the one woman who fought her life for my brother and I – who made decisions based on our future, who planned what’s best for us and not her…. Who sacrificed her life happiness to see we got what we needed and mainly education!! That’s one trait I would love to get from mama – sacrifice for those you love and care for!!!  That’s when you say – THANK GOD FOR WHAT I HAVE!!! You think you have problems? Look at the one who sleeps on the streets? Think you deserve the best? Look at the one who is innocently jailed for no crime.. you think you have a whack phone, car, cologne, perfume, anything.. ? Look at those who walk miles to work every day for a 50 bob a day? Or those who only use a phone to pass a death announcement!!!!  Im not saying be stingy or do not enjoy life – but all im saying lets appreciate what we have – the bigger you have the more blessed you are J

Believe God is the greatest and has planned the best for you – no matter what happens its for the best and with God’s love, you will accept it. Be grateful for what you have:  your loyal friends, for your family, for the one you love for the one you once met and made you smile…. Appreciate it all – not just by saying but also action it!!! Help a stranger and see the response – smile at a kid or a stressed person – you just might show them the light at the end of their tunnel….. We all are Gods creation for He is the all-knowing and thus we all need to remember Him appreciate Him and pray to Him.

Today being my birthday with all the calls, texts, messages, gifts…. Its all thanks to God to have made me meet people and make friends with them who actually care. Its touched me in a very unique way that im inspired to return the favour in all possible ways and mainly by praying for you all. You all are a blessing and God sent.

Thank you and love you all!!!!

Leadership is influence...

Olaa…

Im always psyched to write but when I’m on my 10” laptop I go blank completely… I wonder if it’s the screen size that’s causing this or just that I’m not born a writer… oh well let’s see how this goes!!!   

I recall, after my KSPE results were out I was among the few lucky ones selected in a government school… As for most would be proud of it, I wasn’t!!! Well at first!! Tell you why, I was in a private primary school where despite all the canes and punishment it was a good school secondly my brother was taken to a private school so I dint see why I should go to a government one…. I had no choice ; what I had was a very strict mother who I can count the number of times she smiled at me during my school life…. I remember very well when I joined form one, I was first the only brown guy in class (where my sense of attention began) secondly I was the only one who had dressed in full uniform and had all my books covered (even rough book)… again attention!!!! I was honestly scared and had fear of being monolized (bullied) but surprisingly the coast side in me got people in my class to like me – they were amazed with a brown guy speaking fluent Kiswahili... By mid-2^nd term I was made class monitor and this is where I found out the leadership skills in me!!! * (I have never believed myself as a leader but I do get people who trust my decisions and trust me in leading a team to its goal…. ) I was disliked in class after being made the class monitor and was hated the most when I was elected school prefect in form 2!!! The mistake I did, which I honestly do not regret – was to turn down the offer all in the name of pleasing people and being the guy they wanted me to be….

*“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure: which is: Try to please everybody”. Herbert B. Swope

Well that was one of the things I should have learnt… but I do not regret in fact I appreciate that I got to learn it the hard way!!!

Point to always remember is leadership skills and techniques can be learned. You don't have to be a natural leader. The other thing to always keep in mind is YOU ARE LEADING A TEAM… without that team you are leading nothing!! Appreciate your team, meet them, talk to them, inspire them, identify their strengths, help them on their weak points, give them credit for what they deserve, tap them on their shoulders for a well done job in public, correct them in private!!! The team’s success and failure is a leader’s responsibility. Always respect your teams’ individual dreams - help them and they will forever respect you. You also should accept criticism. Criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger - but it's a powerful tool of learning. Above all, assess criticism on merit, without regard to its originator…. Finally most importantly a good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well…

I read the below that was compiled by some University students:

• Honest — Display sincerity, integrity, and candor in all your actions. Deceptive behavior will not inspire trust.
• Competent — Base your actions on reason and moral principles. Do not make decisions based on childlike emotional desires or feelings.
• Forward-looking — Set goals and have a vision of the future. The vision must be owned throughout the organization. Effective leaders envision what they want and how to get it. They habitually pick priorities stemming from their basic values.
• Inspiring — Display confidence in all that you do. By showing endurance in mental, physical, and spiritual stamina, you will inspire others to reach for new heights. Take charge when necessary.
• Intelligent — Read, study, and seek challenging assignments.
• Fair-minded — Show fair treatment to all people. Prejudice is the enemy of justice. Display empathy by being sensitive to the feelings, values, interests, and well-being of others.
• Broad-minded — Seek out diversity.
• Courageous — Have the perseverance to accomplish a goal, regardless of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Display a confident calmness when under stress.
• Straightforward — Use sound judgment to make a good decisions at the right time.
• Imaginative — Make timely and appropriate changes in your thinking, plans, and methods. Show creativity by thinking of new and better goals, ideas, and solutions to problems. Be innovative!

I was at Safaricom shop in Westlands today and I asked the lady there how the new boss (Bob Collymore) coming in has affected them…. And her response was “He is sooooo cool… the guy has stepped in with the right foot” Now that is being a good leader – notice Safaricom on social platforms – they were literally abused online called all names but today – people are appreciating them slowly. I personally have complained a million times, I hate standing in their queue and hate being put on hold – but think about it – what more can they do? This is a company that is making the most profits in East Africa yet they still have the courtesy to say sorry, thank you, please… Try running that size of organization and then tell me!!! The other thing we ought to be proud of is Safaricom is a KENYAN BRAND!!! The company has taken a whole new twist in promoting our country as much as we got criticism on the new ad, the choir being alittle too much – they are not just selling the network services but they are also selling Kenya!!!

Il leave you with this quote as you go to my todays “Positive, Negative, Sensitive”

*“Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” George S. Patton

+ / - SENSITIVE

Yesterday’s post had various responses to which I agree with almost everything posted!! It all depends on the situation I guess…

Well today I ask

“Would you quit your well-paying job to start up a venture you are not sure of succeeding???”

Alil' bout Twitter!!!!

Olaa My People….

It’s been ages since I last blogged. I recall in my last post, I said I haven’t given up – but honestly I think I was overwhelmed to handle this. I had friends post on my wall, tweet me about it and even ask when we meet – well I’m glad you do enjoy reading my thoughts J I have a cousin of mine who always writes and while worked up and stressed she writes even more unlike me who looks for a bed to sleep it off….

A lot has been happening in the past few weeks from work to personal stuff!! (A post for another day) I have met loads of people from the last time I wrote which God willing I would love to share them with you soon. 

Currently I am at my mums work place in Westlands trying to do my work stuff also help her with hers... Reason I love going with her to work on Sunday is mainly because she inspires me – she works 7 days a week and I respect her for her unending psyche for her job…. The other reason is I get to meet her clients who are potential clients for me and I love how she proudly introduces me as her son giving me the direct lead to seal a deal…. (Well depending who it is)  *sipping my coffee…..

Speaking of meeting people, of late have been meeting FluidFans who I end up being friends with – just yesterday I delivered tees to Roger who is a student at Strathmore University. I wanted to know more about what Roger does and apparently he does what I’m looking for… Mobile Apps!! We agreed to catch up in the new years on how we could work together….  

Twitter twitter twitter!!! A fast growing micro blogging platform around the world!!! I gave myself a target to get more followers by end of JAN 2011… I love tweeting and for those who follow me can clearly tell!! Its so hard to get yourself out there to the people with the millions tweeting at the same time – my advice, open an account (if not already) and just tweet… tweet about anything, about what’s on your mind, on what you think, what you feel, why things are happening the way they are, share the news and if you are a public figure or a person who people would like to know about what you are upto – talk about your everyday experience!!! One thing il tell you and this is my own personal research and conclusion: mix your tweets… apart from your professional info, get alil’ personal, alil’ sexy alil’ edgy you will see wonders!!!! What im trying to still hack is getting followers the hard way (by just tweeting like I’m all alone in the platform) and seeing how many ill end up following!! If you are in desperate need of followers then there are many options you can go with!!!

On both my points of meeting people and tweeting, it’s again yesterday I met Aisha. I posted a tweet being at the Impala grounds for a soccer match and the next thing I got a notification asking where I am exactly because she was at the same venue…  Aisha and Fluid partnered on the Breast Cancer Awareness in October. We had never met and had never spoken!! She is a FluidFan and through Twitter we did manage to partner.   The wonders social networking platforms does!!!!

Email me your twitter addresses I might have a surprise for the first 11 names I get  -this is even if I follow you!! Hint #FluidTees…. ;)

+ / - SENSITIVE

I love this bit because apart from being controversial we do come to a conclusion in one way or the other….

In todays “Positive, Negative Sensitive”

Do you think your partner should judge, question or conclude you by your social networking updates????