We can’t find good business talent in Africa
‘We can’t find good business talent in Africa. We need people like you.’ That was one of the lines I heard during my transition from working in Europe to taking up my first role in Africa. At the time, it sounded like a flattering statement – you are one of the chosen few. After many years working across the continent I have learnt that it is not a complimentary statement. In fact, it is an indictment.
Question is do I agree with that statement after all these years?
Well, experience has taught me that there is a huge talent pool in Africa. That talent pool comprises of a lot of raw talent yet to be fully harnessed. Raw, is not good enough. I have learnt that the proportion of that talent that is harnessed through training, experience and exposure is too small. That there needs to be an acceleration in the creation of business leaders if Africa is to have business leaders who can create, run and drive companies. That the level of productivity and business skill required to deliver the results needed for the future is inadequate.
So for me it is not a question of the availability talent. There is a lot of talent in Africa. Rather, it is a question of how much of the business potential of African talent is being realised. It is why after deliberating with my team (which is made up of colleagues, friends and family) I have decided to create ‘The Business Case Hub’.
Many of the best leaders in the world were trained using the case methodology. It is how I was trained at INSEAD. It is about understanding and solving business challenges in the safety of a discussion with other people who bring a diverse set of skills, insights and experiences to the discussion. It is about practicing how you would do it if the situation was real. It is about preparing you to deal with real life business situations. Why do we need great business leaders? Because we need to create a more prosperous Africa. I have been sharing my message about ‘The Bold New Normal’ that Africa needs. You can learn about it in my TED talk here.
One of the many visions we must believe and execute is that African Businesses will be run by leaders who create prosperity for Africans by delivering sustainable superior results.
This is just the beginning. If this touches a nerve, please leave a comment and share your thoughts.
#theboldnewnormal #thebusinesscasehub
Partner at KBMI
4 年Well said Mad Lucy. It takes a lot in Africa to build talent. After my first degree in Accounting, a record breaking of 3.96/4.0, (2015) I tried all I could to get access to Audit firm or Accounting job for training. All my letters were turned down and rejected. Others told me they do not have space. In 2017, someone recommended hand to month job opportunity to me( Sales Representative). I took the opportunity to help me move on. I used my savings to enroll in the Institute of Chartered Accounting in 2018. I passed and qualified in November 2019. The sad thing is that I am still struggling to get job or internship with Audit firms in Ghana. I am very passionate, result oriented and I am ready to prove myself of my capabilities as a professional Accountant. Can you help me to make you, organisation and Africa proud? Thank you
Local Sales Manager
4 年Absolutely true!
Business Development Manager
5 年"African Businesses will be run by leaders who create prosperity for Africans by delivering sustainable superior results". I like the last 3 words in your statement above. It is such a profound statement. I will like to delve a bit deeper into it.
Associate Professor/ Reader, International Award Winning Journalist, Speaker, and Creative. Moderator. Ex BBC/ C4 News. Chair EDI,. Leader cinema journalism featured in several books
5 年"How much of that talent is being realised?" Well said Ms Quist.? And then how do we know, because the effect of seeing one, two...millions of talent is the "Cherry blossom effect".? It creates the impact, the spectacle to influence others. However that vision requires being seen, being captured.? We arrive at the point of narrative and storytelling, corporate or otherwise that is transformational, and can impact wider audiences. So in thinking about the next gen, what if found a space to showcase this??https://medium.com/@viewmagazine/leaders-list-what-s-its-impact-ffaea178f14 What then if we brought together tech, entrepreneurs and storytellers https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/1740252-artificial-intelligence-module-to-launch-in-2020 I dream this everyday?
Managing Director at Frontiers Healthcare Services Ltd
5 年I hope your initiative is thriving. Africa needs it . God bless your dreams and your efforts.