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Victoria Ruzvidzo Business Focus
At a time when money is hard to come by for most people, talking about millions of dollars and even billions might appear to be out of sync with reality. Who is concerned about having a million dollars at a time when having 20 dollars in your wallet has become a feat not easy to achieve.

And yet it turns out that times like these are actually the most appropriate to have the mindset of a billionaire. Such a mindset helps you to make the most of what you have; it makes one more sensitive to the opportunities available rather focusing merely on the stumbling blocks.

This came out at the just ended Billionaire’s Mindset Summit held in Harare and hosted by United Family International Church Founder and President Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa who is also a big business executive with interests on the London Stock Exchange, among his many businesses. Africa Sun chief executive and pastor Dr Shingi Munyeza, one of Zimbabwe’s successful entrepreneurs to have emerged out of Independent Zimbabwe, and Angola’s business mogul and pastor Dr Teddy De Almeida were speakers as well.

These three men of God had stories to tell, not fairy-tales but real life-transforming experiences and nuggets about how to achieve wealth sustainably even when the chips are down. It was interesting to note how these men, inspired by the Bible and their faith in the things of God, told of how they are making it in this life despite the challenges confronting not just the local economy but the global one as well.

The thousands of Zimbabweans that thronged the Harare International Conference Centre for the summit left with a different picture about the economic landscape and how they can turn their seeming misfortunes into viable ventures by adopting the mindset that makes things happen. Much of the information in terms of presentations may not be shared on this platform as it was exclusively for the participants.

We will respect this, but suffice to say that despite the many challenges Zimbabwe is grappling with, there are immense opportunities that can be seized to make life more manageable while growing the national economy.

Zimbabweans are highly regarded for their entrepreneurial flare and this needs to be harnessed properly and directed to those centres of success that will see businesses thrive and even grow in spite of the present economic challenges.

Jobs are presently hard to come by and more firms seem to be closing down but regardless of this state of affairs, there remain opportunities through which wealth can be created and grow our GDP.

Of course the gap between the haves and the have-nots appears to be widening on a daily basis and the question that beckons is: How are some making it when others can barely survive?

Some enter the shop to buy one packet of sour milk for relish and yet others are pushing overloaded grocery trolleys. Of course life has always been like this but I am convinced that there are others that have adopted a more focused never-say-die mindset and are applying principles that are bringing results.

We obviously have a few in places of authority which could be making it through corrupt practices but generally those with the billionaire’s mindset are not struggling. These belong to the group that is building mansions and castles at an amazing pace in Harare’s upmarket suburbs and yet others are failing to pay monthly rentals, let along build a two-roomed cottage at their inherited pieces of land in Seke and other areas.

Many factors or scenarios can be brought forward to explain the differences but, to a large extent, it all boils down to one’s mindset and behavioural pattern. This determines how many navigate through present challenges.

What I have noted is that although in the 2008/2009 era, many people survived through speculative deals with foreign currency, fuel and anything they got their hands on, this time around, the economy demands straight deals that will give the true value of the dollar.

There aren’t many opportunities for speculative behaviour presently but that businesses need to be done in a proper manner that entices customers. With the dollar becoming more and more elusive, consumers are looking for real value for their money hence there should be no short cuts.

It is now the survival of the fittest in terms of the best possible way of doing business and navigating challenges in a manner that brings results. It’s all about having a billionaire’s mindset that will not easily succumb to pressures but will remain resolute until they achieve something better.

Bonuses!

The month of November is one that many normally awaits every year as firms have traditionally paid bonuses or 13th cheques as the year draws to a close. A human consultancy firm quoted by a weekly paper last week said the majority of firms would pay bonuses this year.

This is good news that is expected to bring hope to many workers, most of whom have been subjected to erratic salary payments as firms grapple to survive.

However, for those that will not be receiving bonuses, the news compounds their already precarious financial position.

Indications are that those that will pay bonuses are fewer than those that did last year, further confirmation that this year has been more challenging to firms than last year.

“Our findings this year indicate that the number of companies that are likely to pay a bonus may have decreased by 17,96 percent when compared to 2013 (67,42 percent).

“The percentage of participants who are not sure if they are paying a bonus has increased by 16,92 percent when compared to 2013 (6,74 percent),” said the report by human resources consulting firm, Industrial Psychology Consultants..

At least 49,46 percent of the respondents in the survey had said they would pay bonuses this year, while 26,88 percent said they would not. The remainder — 23,66 percent — said they had not yet decided. Of those employers paying bonuses, 36,56 percent said this would be performance-based, while 39,78 percent said it was a guaranteed bonus with no link to either company or individual performance.

“We observed a 0,6 percent increase in respondents who said that their bonus is a performance bonus (35,96 percent in 2013 compared to 36,56 percent in 2014). “

Developments in the next few weeks will be instructive as those that have yet to decide will be making their decisions known to their employees. Of course payment of bonuses is highly recommended as employers commend and reward employees for remaining steadfast in such challenging times where many have had to walk long distances on an empty stomach to get to work.

The year should surely end on a high note for many while for others, 2015 should bring good tidings!

In God I Trust!

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