Read Comments Comments (5)

• Osagefo 12 years ago

  Top 5 Tips for Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur
  
  The following are some tips for becoming a successful entrepreneur based on my experience of building a company from the ground up, leading New York City as mayor, and foun ...
  read full comment

  Top 5 Tips for Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur
  
  The following are some tips for becoming a successful entrepreneur based on my experience of building a company from the ground up, leading New York City as mayor, and founding a philanthropic organization.
  1. Take risks.
  Life is too short to spend your time avoiding failure.
  In 1981, at the age of 39, I was fired from the only full-time job I'd ever had - a job I loved.
  But I never let myself look back, and the very next day I took a big risk and began my own company based on an unproven idea that nearly everyone thought would fail: making financial information available to people, right on their desktops. Remember, this was before people had desktops.
  In 2001, when I was debating whether to run for mayor, most people advised me against it. They all were afraid I’d fail. But one person said: “If you can picture yourself giving a concession speech, then why not go for it?” That was the best advice I received – and I followed it.
  In order to succeed, you must first be willing to fail – and you must have the courage to go for it anyway.
  2. Make your own luck.
  Luck plays a part in success, but the harder you work, the luckier you get.
  Whatever you choose to do, even if it’s not the job of your dreams, always work hard at it. Be the first person at work in the morning and the last to leave at night. Hard work creates opportunities where your resume cannot.
  3. Be persistent.
  Persistence really does pay off.
  When starting my company, I would go downtown and buy cups of coffee. Then I’d take the coffee up to Merrill Lynch – our target audience – and walk the hallways.
  “Hi,” I would say. “I’m Mike Bloomberg and I brought you a cup of coffee. Can I talk to you?”
  Even if people were wondering who I was or where I came from, they still took the coffee.
  And I kept coming back, day after day, working to build relationships with potential customers. I learned about the audience for our product and what they could really use.
  Three years after starting Bloomberg LP, Merrill Lynch purchased 20 terminals and became our first customer.
  4. Never stop learning.
  The most powerful word in the English language is “Why.” There is nothing so powerful as an open, inquiring mind. Whatever field you choose for starting a business – be a lifelong student.
  The world is full of people who have stopped learning and who think they’ve got it all figured out. You’ve no doubt met some of them already – and you’ll meet plenty more.
  Their favorite word is “No.” They will give you a million reasons why something can’t be done or shouldn’t be done.
  Don’t listen to them, don’t be deterred by them, and don’t become one of them. Not if you want to fulfill your potential – and not if you want to change the world for the better.
  5. Give back.
  You are ultimately responsible for your success and failure, but you only succeed if you share the reward with others.
  At the end of the day, ask yourself: “Am I making a difference in the lives of others?”
  My first charitable donation was a $5 check to my alma mater, Johns Hopkins, not long after I graduated. I was just scraping by back then, but I continued to give. And while the checks may be bigger today, they come with the same spirit. You don’t have to be wealthy to give back. You can give back by getting involved and giving your time and talents. You just have to be committed to opening doors for others.

  reply
• Iroko 12 years ago

  Thank you for this quality advice. I don't think you are a Ghanaian ??

  Thank you for this quality advice. I don't think you are a Ghanaian ??

  reply
• william 12 years ago

  Good move. Level trade between us Africans still shamefully low! Level of tourism still shamefully low. May 'GhaNiger' show the way.Please bring back the 'transaharan trade route' destroyed by colonialism and still destroyed ...
  read full comment

  Good move. Level trade between us Africans still shamefully low! Level of tourism still shamefully low. May 'GhaNiger' show the way.Please bring back the 'transaharan trade route' destroyed by colonialism and still destroyed by the African ruling elite (public servants and politicians)!!!!!

  reply
• C.Y. ANDY-K 12 years ago

  When I read "decades of relationship between Nigeria and Ghana", it was clear to me Nana Opare is no historian. Otherwise, he'd say at least "centuries of relationship." Yes, that relationship goes back to Hausas, Ewes and Ga ...
  read full comment

  When I read "decades of relationship between Nigeria and Ghana", it was clear to me Nana Opare is no historian. Otherwise, he'd say at least "centuries of relationship." Yes, that relationship goes back to Hausas, Ewes and Ga-Adangmes tracing their roots to Nigeria. Indeed, even some Yorubas were already living in the Gold Coast in the C18th!
  
  The cola nuts trade, the batik from Kano were particularly developed by the Hausas. There was so much which was destroyed by the Aliens Compliance Order and the Ghana Must Go retaliation years later.
  
  I hope something comes out of this exhibition cos there is so much we can exchange with each other to improve the lives of all.
  
  Andy-K

  reply
• GHFUO! BE SERIOUS NOT PRIDEFULL 12 years ago

  Kudos to you ! I respect you a lot and always watch your comment. Keep it up bro!

  Kudos to you ! I respect you a lot and always watch your comment. Keep it up bro!

  reply