Glanston Company Ltd

06/07/2017

15/10/2015

My Principles of Success
CHRIS KIRUBI | OCTOBER 15, 2015
Most successful people begin with two beliefs: the future can be
better than the present, and ‘I have the power to make it so’. In
pursuit of the belief that I have the power to make my future better
than my present, I use certain guiding principles that have led me
to my path of success.
As you strive to succeed you must identify the values and
principles that will stand by and that will guide you. Success isn’t
just about what you accomplish in your life but what you inspire
others to do. What are your principles of success?
Here are some of my principles of success….
Passion
Your passion is what you love to do even when you are tired, sad,
happy, disappointed etc. FOCUS or PRIORITIZE on your passion as
you venture into various things. Most successful people have had
to work twice as hard to see their passion come to life. Nothing
good comes easy so enjoy the hardships and celebrate the
victories.
Purpose
Recognizing and making a decision on where you want to go, what
you want to do and why you want to do it. What’s your purpose in
life? What’s your vision? You must live for something so let your
purpose and vision be your motivation for achieving success.
Commitment
I once read that commitment means staying loyal to what you said
you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left
you. You must be committed to achieving what you set out to do
and making the most of every opportunity you are given.
Learn to finish the job first. Whenever I began something, I made
sure I finished it. Sometimes, my efforts led to failure but I never
gave up. Be committed.
Honesty/Integrity
Integrity is the heart of character and as you conduct business
your integrity will be tested. We are responsible for our thoughts,
our feelings, our attitudes, our words, our actions, and our
reactions. Always do what’s right. Once you create a credible and
reliable portfolio many will be willing to work with you and for you.
Diversification
Diversification is indeed the name of the game. As I said above,
you must FOCUS on what you are good at and at the same time
spread your wings. Strive to have more than one source of income
and broaden your investments so that you can have consistent
cash flow. Be a jack of all trades but a master of one.
Positive attitude; Positive Energy
Nothing can stop a man with the right mental attitude from
achieving his goal, while nothing on earth can help a man with the
wrong attitude. The right attitude will get you to work hard, achieve
your goals and will encourage you when the times get tough.
Nothing good comes out of negative energy. Remember what you
believe, you shall receive.
Taking Calculated Risks
Every business is a risk taken. Is your business venture a
calculated risk?Taking calculated risks (within your tolerance level)
can help you make decisions wisely while keeping your business
energized and moving forward. You must think thoroughly, weigh
the best and worst case scenarios of an action then decide
whether the risk is worth taking.
Surround yourself with the best and employ the best.
You need to surround yourself with the most skilled, intelligent, and
knowledgeable people. They edify you, challenge your decisions,
brainstorm with you, hold intellectual discussions and are great to
learn from. Associate yourself with greatness if you want to
achieve success. On the other hand try your best to employ the
best talent and sustain them. Why? If you make them part of the
business they will ‘own’ it and help your business grow.
Keep learning
I don’t mean that you pursue education all your life but study
books and other material that will help you become a better
person. Being and staying informed will help you craft new ways
and ideas of doing things. Innovation is key to the success of any
business and I must say that it is the key to the success of all my
businesses. Every day is a new dawn which we must prepare for.
Don’t be caught unawares.
Finally, in all that you do plan for tomorrow. Always have the
bigger picture in mind to help you make the right decisions.
I have managed to create a balance across all the above but that
did not come easy. I endured the tough times.
The struggles you are in today develop the strength you need for
tomorrow; strength to endure tougher times and to create your
success story. Create your success story.

04/10/2015

Before you have wealth you need values.

17/09/2015

7 Success tips from Chris Kirubi
Posted by Peter Lugaria

Christopher J. Kirubi. Photo/Forbes

Christopher J. Kirubi, 73, is one of Kenya’s most successful businessmen with interests in FMCG, real estate, investments, media and communications.

The Harvard-trained tycoon started building his business empire in the 1970s by buying dilapidated buildings in Nairobi, renovating and flipping for a profit – and he hasn’t looked back. Today, Kirubi – with a net worth estimated at Sh25 billion – is one of the richest people in Africa.

The flamboyant businessman frequently mentors young Kenyan entrepreneurs on business and success through his blog, Twitter and Facebook account. Here are 7 lessons that Kirubi has taught me over the years:

1. UNDERSTAND YOUR IDEA
Kirubi thinks of one of his favourite sayings when advising about business ideas: “If you understand an idea, you can express it so others can understand it. However, if you can’t explain it, you don’t really understand it; and you cannot invest in a business you don’t understand.”

You must do your research well and understand the idea you want to execute before investing in it. More importantly, your concept should be in line with your vision and passion.

2. CREATE A STRATEGY
One of the ways Kirubi believes you can find meaning of your life is by creating a strategy that you can use through your journey. He advises that you need to keep the purpose of your life, front and centre as you decide how to spend your time, talents and energy.

“Visualize your past victories while visualizing and anticipating future victories. Planting the seeds of positive expectancy in your mind is the best way to reap.”

3. TAKE RISKS
Every business involves risks. Kirubi dares to point out that you cannot run a business without taking risks. “Success rarely comes by playing it safe.”

4. BE PERSISTENT
Business is always a struggle, says Kirubi, and there is never an open road, except the wide road that leads to failure. You must always be prepared to press on regardless of the obstacles and competition.

“Every great success has always been achieved by a fight. Every winner has scars….The men who succeed are the efficient few. They are the few who have the ambition and will-power to develop themselves. So choose to be among the few today.”

5. KEEP UP WITH NEW BUSINESS TRENDS
Today’s business world is fast evolving. What is working today may not necessarily work tomorrow and you must therefore strive to keep up with emerging business trends.

“One of the most important lessons I have come to learn over the years is that you can’t do today’s job with yesterday’s methods and be in business tomorrow. You must keep learning new methods and ways of doing things to keep abreast with the world’s ever changing trends.”

6. HAVE FUN, SUCCESS WILL FOLLOW
Don’t do it if you don’t enjoy it. If you are having a good time working on your business, there is a greater chance a conducive atmosphere will be nurtured and your business will succeed. Always strive to have fun and success (read money) will follow.

7. RISE UP AND START AGAIN
Every successful businessperson has experienced set backs along the way. Never allow yourself to get discouraged by a setback or two, instead find out what you never did right in the first attempt, and start again. Do it right.

17/09/2015

24/08/2015

“The hustle brings the dollar. The experience
brings the knowledge. The persistence brings
success.” – Ross Simmonds

20/08/2015

Entrepreneurship is like a computer game in which you have to master every level before achieving success. Startups repeatedly stumble and have to go back to the drawing board. The best way to skip some levels and to increase the odds of survival is to learn from others who have already played the game.

15/06/2015

10 Tips for young enterpreneurs.
I write Entrepreneur.com 's Young Entrepreneur column because I believe there are far too few resources directly addressing the nonacademic trials and tribulations young entrepreneurs face along their journey. Whenever possible, I encourage up-and-comers and established entrepreneurs to mentor the next generation of dream-seekers; for it is this insight and insider education that will provide the foundation for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. With that, here are 10 pieces of advice that I wish someone had given to me before I launched my first venture.

Focus. Focus. Focus.
Many first-time entrepreneurs feel the need to jump at every "opportunity" they come across. Opportunities are often wolves in sheep's clothing. Avoid getting side-tracked. Juggling multiple ventures will spread you thin and limit both your effectiveness and productivity. Do one thing perfectly, not 10 things poorly. If you feel the need to jump onto another project, that might mean something about your original concept.
Know what you do. Do what you know.
Don't start a business simply because it seems sexy or boasts large hypothetical profit margins and returns. Do what you love. Businesses built around your strengths and talents will have a greater chance of success. It's not only important to create a profitable business, it's also important that you're happy managing and growing it day in and day out. If your heart isn't in it, you will not be successful.
Say it in 30 seconds or don't say it at all.
From a chance encounter with an investor to a curious customer, always be ready to pitch your business. State your mission, service and goals in a clear and concise manner. Fit the pitch to the person. Less is always more.
Know what you know, what you don't know and who knows what you don't.
No one knows everything, so don't come off as a know-it-all. Surround yourself with advisors and mentors who will nurture you to become a better leader and businessman. Find successful, knowledgeable individuals with whom you share common interests and mutual business goals that see value in working with you for the long-term.
Act like a startup.
Forget about fancy offices, fast cars and fat expense accounts. Your wallet is your company's life-blood. Practice and perfect the art of being frugal. Watch every dollar and triple-check every expense. Maintain a low overhead and manage your cash flow effectively.
Learn under fire.
No business book or business plan can predict the future or fully prepare you to become a successful entrepreneur. There is no such thing as the perfect plan. There is no perfect road or one less traveled. Never jump right into a new business without any thought or planning, but don't spend months or years waiting to execute. You will become a well-rounded entrepreneur when tested under fire. The most important thing you can do is learn from your mistakes--and never make the same mistake twice.
No one will give you money.
There, I said it. No one will invest in you. If you need large sums of capital to launch your venture, go back to the drawing board. Find a starting point instead of an end point. Scale down pricey plans and grandiose expenditures. Simplify the idea until it's manageable as an early stage venture. Find ways to prove your business model on a shoestring budget. Demonstrate your worth before seeking investment. If your concept is successful, your chances of raising capital from investors will dramatically improve.
Be healthy.
No, I'm not your mother. However, I promise that you will be much more productive when you take better care of yourself. Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle, not a 9-to-5 profession. Working to the point of exhaustion will burn you out and make you less productive. Don't make excuses. Eat right, exercise and find time for yourself.
Don't fall victim to your own B.S.
Don't talk

Advice, insight, profiles and guides for established and aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide. Home of Entrepreneur magazine.

24/03/2015

Employees are a company's greatest asset - they're your competitive advantage. You want to attract and retain the best; provide them with encouragement, stimulus, and make them feel that they are an integral part of the company's mission.

21/03/2015

Economic depression cannot be cured by
legislative action or executive
pronouncement. Economic wounds must
be healed by the action of the cells of the
economic body - the producers and
consumers themselves.
Herbert Hoover

20/03/2015

Becoming wealthy is not a matter of how much you earn, who your parents are, or what you do, it's a matter of managing your money properly - Pete Williams