"IT PAYS TO START AT THE BOTTOM"

Some of the Greatest Individuals I have had the privilege to know started at the bottom.

I know one such Gentleman who is the CEO of Lafarge Malawi and he begun as a Technical Sales Representative in Uganda. His work ethic, intellect and charisma was unrivalled as I worked under him while he was in Kenya. Today he is running Malawi and believe me, the best is yet to come for him. Watch his pace. His name is Mr. Geoffrey Ndugwa, one of my Role Models and former Commercial Director at Bamburi Cement Limited.

I know another Great Guy who begun working as a Technical Sales Agent like me. His compassion, humility and down to earth persona have made him a force to be reckoned with in the Kenyan paving block industry. At one point in his career as a Technical Sales Agent, he could not even afford to buy chips (french fries) for Kshs. 20 bob because he was soooo broke. That is my Mentor for you. Now he runs his own paving block plant and doing pretty well. His name is Mr. Athanas Kyalo, my former Boss at Bamburi Special Products Limited, Mentor and Friend.

I know another very Great Gentleman who was soooooo determined as a Sales Representative that he flew to Tanzania to a conference meant for all the respective Finance Ministers in East Africa. The Kenyan Finance Minister would not meet him despite his many efforts to schedule an appointment with him. But he knew that in Tanzania, the Minister would not be accompanied with as many security personnel as in Kenya. And he waited for the Minister outside the conference room where the conference was being held. He made sure he could blend with the reporters outside the conference room and managed to get a hold of the Minister once he got out. Talk about aggressiveness! The Minister was so thrilled with this Gentleman's tenacity that he gave him ten minutes to pitch his elevator sales pitch. And the rest is history. This one took the trophy for me. His name is Mr. Robert Nyang'aya, my former General Manager at Bamburi Special Products Limited and "Bridge to my Destiny" (Bridge to my Destiny is in reference to a post i wrote a month ago https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/peter-mghendi-11350969_ready-mix-concrete-shakes-up-construction-activity-6671699624530583553-22qP)

The creme de la creme is a Charismatic Leader who came to Kenya as a Priest with no penny in his pocket and did not even know a word of the Kenyan language. He only had faith in GOD and today he is a Billionaire Industrialist and Philanthropist who employs thousands. His name is Mr. Narendra Raval but he prefers to be called GURU, my former Chairman at National Cement Company Limited. I recommend you buy his book called GURU by Narendra Raval and Kailash Mota. The preface of the book is written by President Uhuru Kenyatta and he has even been featured on Forbes Magazine. He still eats in kiosks when visiting sites. And he is still as humble as the day he arrived in Kenya with no penny in his pockets. 

There is a story behind the Titles you see at your place of work. Those "Great Men and Ladies" did not begin where you see them today. They earned their stripes through their countless sacrifices, work ethic, performance, discipline, consistency and humility. They deserve our respect and support. And you can learn a lot from them if you are ready to listen and follow their lead. They already know the way you seek and they can show it to you if you're ready to follow.

We salute all the Managers and Business Owners who are trying to steer their companies during these difficult economic times we find ourselves in. Your shoes are not easy to walk in. And many are the battles you fight in private because of the weight that comes with your roles. We salute you. And we are cheering you on as you steer the ship to clear waters and fertile shores.

"HAPPY MANAGERS DAY" No need browsing this day. I just invented it.

Is there a Manager or Business Owner you admire too? Let us know about them by tagging them in the comment section. It will be our way of saluting them too.