Yesterday, Austin Okere, the founder of the largest Systems Integration Company in Sub-Saharan Africa, CWG Plc, had a Tweetchat session with the Nigeria Computer Society team, lead by the Chairman, Publicity, Events and Trade Services Committee, Mr Jide Awe.
Reminder:
I will be having a Tweetchat with @jidaw & @NigeriaComputer Society by 3 pm. You can join the conversation using #TechIndustrySuccess..
Let us do this together. pic.twitter.com/yTJSi8KJ22— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
With the topic “Achieving Success in the Tech Industry”, the session was focused on the achievements of Austin Okere in the creation of a technology company that is organically African and has been able to survive for 25 years. Austin shared practical tips on what an aspiring entrepreneur must do to build a sustaining enterprise. I am going to share some of these with you.
Introductions
While every the entire part of the conversation bore very impressive ideas, the opening part laid a very good foundation for the entire discourse. Mr Okere’s exposition of his background recalls to mind once again the possibility of producing entirely African champions.
Austin Okere is an African of a Nigerian Dad and Ghanaian Mum. Educated in Ghana at the University of Ghana #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
And also Unilag. Then MBA at IESE ff prep at LBS. Founded CWG in 1992 #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
Great! an outstanding tech entrepreneur #MadeinAfrica#TechIndustrySuccess
— Jide Awe (@jidaw) November 22, 2017
This is quite distinct from the industry narrative of the present that tends to apportion the right to success only to individuals who have been trained in a foreign system. Austin Okere has achieved much in the Nigerian tech space in the past 25 years and he shared a few details in the conversation.
An entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast and teacher. Entrepreneur in Residence at CBS NY, and WEF member. #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
Listed CWG on NSE in 2013 as the largest security in the Tech sector of the exchange #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
The Technology Industry
On the success rate of the tech industry in Nigeria, he has this to say:
Tech is already thriving in Nigeria. People however mistake trading in Tech goods with tech #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
And, he defines what he believes tech really is, this way:
Tech is about looking for a problem and solving it using STEM principles mostly fronted by an App on a platform #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
E.g. empowering unbanked with mobile banking, helping IGR with a platform. Using AI to solve Agric issues. #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
The Challenge of Capital
This was the question:
4.Lack of capital is often mentioned as a major obstacle hindering aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you address this at the time? What are your suggestions today? #TechIndustrySuccess
— Jide Awe (@jidaw) November 22, 2017
Here are his thought:
Let us not hide behind capital. You are will find it with an iron clad scalable business plan. Proof the concept & see #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
How do you navigate the challenge of finance? He offers a suggestion:
There are three other sustainable strategies: tech Leadership, service excellence, and customer intimacy #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
Entrepreneurship is ‘Solving Problems!’
Mr Okere explained what entrepreneurship truly is: identifying a problem, providing solutions and scaling to reach more people. Dazzal!
Focus on the problem you want to solve hack at it. Do not focus on challenges on the way that are out of your control #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
Solve the issues within your own enterprise and leave the macro issues. #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
Ausso Leadership Academy
For the third time, Mr Okere hints at the launch of the Ausso Leadership Academy, a platform through which he will impact future founders and entrepreneurs. He shared some more details about the academy:
My passion now is to provide a backbone to Entrepreneurship by setting up a leadership academy #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
First tranche – how to start on your entrepreneur journey #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
Second tranche – how to scale and institutionalize the business #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
Third tranche – how to attract capital, plan liquidity event, such as listing, succession and legacy
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
Watch this space and Linkedin for further announcements #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
Other Nuggets
From his wealth of experience of over 25 years, the founder shared some insightful nuggets that young entrepreneurs will find very useful. Here are a few:
Wherever there is a challenge there is also an opportunity. Look for that opportunity and create a business around it #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
You have to be ready to learn, unlearn and relearn. Challenge your own status quo and constantly innovate #TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
In sum
In case you missed the point of the whole discourse, here is the conclusion of the whole matter:
I have three principles: way power-learn; will power- persevere; wait power- patience. Apply all three and success!!!#TechIndustrySuccess
— austin okere (@austin_okere) November 22, 2017
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