When Sam Adeyemi was writing his book, titled; “Ideas Rule The World”, he probably was inspired by the urge to motivate mankind to thinking themselves into wealth with ideas. In support of his line of thought as a renowned author and public speaker, the man showcased many successful men and women that have “made it” in life through creative ideas.
Unfortunately, in today’s Nigeria, despite the fact that a lot of people have come to terms with the present embarrassing rate of unemployment, they still get themselves involved in businesses they know little or nothing about. Once a person succeeds in a certain line of investment, many others will follow suit without first of all, trying to understand the nifty gritty of such area of entrepreneurship. And this, to a large extent is the bane of many failed businesses in the country. Sustained enterprises beyond the life span of the founder ensures continuity and by extension, greater employment opportunities for a nation’s future generations.
According to Tim Ferriss; “one can steal ideas, but no one can steal execution or passion.” Till date, the actual ingredients used for the development of Coca-Cola brand of soft drinks are still a mystery to the world. The inventor’s idea has remained so unique to the company that within two years of its production in commercial quantity, many convinced and interested investors started buying stakes in the company. Shortly before the death of the founder, Dr. John Stith Pemberton in 1888, a buyer in the person of Asa Candler was ready to acquire his entire interest in the two-year old entity in Atlanta Georgia, USA. This was even before Coca Cola became a corporation around 1892.
Asa Candler, using his equally researched ideas developed a vision that ensured that the product was available and accepted by every home in the world. Sales of the commodity increased tremendously around the entire globe. The staff strength of Coca-Cola presently stands at about 700,000 worldwide.
Unfortunately, the country’s follow-follow business entities are mostly found in areas such as private schools (at all levels), hotels, estate management, money-lending and processing of foreign travel documents. No inventions. No manufacturing. And people seldom invest in farming. In fact, many farm lands have been bought over by land barons in the name of estates. Unlike estates defined in the Britannica English language dictionary as; ‘a group of buildings that were built for a particular purpose such as housing or industry on an area of land’, most of these “modern” estates in Nigeria are merely lands fenced round for interested capable buyers of empty plots of land to acquire at exorbitant costs.
The hoteliers on their part are establishing new ‘havens’ in new township layouts while the old ones are dying off due to lack of maintenance and patronage. Another factor responsible for the fall of these old established hotels is the death or weakened health status of owners.
For the longevity of indigenous companies in the country to begin to span into the next generation beyond that of their founders, focus of entrepreneurs must shift from a state of temporariness to the mindset of generational legacies. One of the ways to accomplish this is by inviting stakeholders to subscribe to the ownership of established, flourishing companies through equity.
Individual researchers must not always wait until governments buy into their discovery efforts before going ahead to bring critically thought out ideas to fruition. Though Charles Babbage, the father of computers applied for grants from the British government during his invention of what the world know today as computer, he never got one until he passed on in 1872. This notwithstanding, his efforts have been acknowledged by mankind. Attempts must be made to discourage the get-rich-quick syndrome amongst the nation’s populace.
Economic planners and political leaders in Nigeria must, as a matter of urgency begin to think out ways of making sure that governments at all levels do all they can to protect local industries from the harmful effects of established foreign companies. The manufacturers and inventors must be supported with grants or loans.
Those scampering for the very few job openings in government ministries and agencies must be encouraged to shift from their stance and begin to embrace private sector-influenced initiatives. Quality experiences gained from this arm of economic activities can help those with them to further create credible ideas that can grant them financial freedom beyond one generation.
Yes, indeed, ideas rule the world. But those cultivating must also strive to learn how to execute them with precision. In order words, sustainability-driven ideas must be followed up with feasibility reports, clearly stated vision and mission with conscious generational and global perspective in focus.
