John Chikuba

I also do this. Very important. In fact mentioning the name of a person helps you to memorize it. It will help you call their name the next time you meet, a key component to making friends and influencing them.

One thing I like to teach young men these days is to never shake someone’s hand whilst sitting down. I see a lot of people doing this, and it’s sad because this is such a basic etiquette that shows respect, intent, trust, and professionalism.

And when you are seated, and someone is being introduced to you… stand up, smile, offer a firm handshake while looking the person straight in the eyes, and repeat their name twice. It shows humility, honour, confidence, and interest.

Why do professional service providers such as ba builder, electrician, tailor, plumber, etc switch off phones once they get a down payment, ai? Can't they get their business to another level, sure?

Many young people today want to look successful—drive big cars, live in posh houses, and enjoy the good life—but shy away from the work it takes to get there.

Waiting endlessly for a white-collar job is not a strategy. It’s a delay.

There is real opportunity in getting your hands dirty—literally. Farming and agribusiness are not fallback options; they are powerful wealth-creation paths. The demand for food is constant, and smart farmers who study the market are making serious money.

Research what’s selling. Look at high-demand crops like vegetables, maize, soya beans, groundnuts, and horticultural produce. Start small, learn the business, and grow steadily.

Success is not about appearance—it’s about production, discipline, and consistency.

Don’t just wait to be employed. Build something. 🌱

Last week, I was fixing a worn-out photocell switch at home — the device that automatically turns our outdoor lights on and off. To replace it, the electrician had to switch off the power completely.

Since it’s school holiday, my 7-year-old was already deep into video games with his friends. After waiting for a while, he came to the doorway and asked:

“Guys, are you done?”

The electrician and I looked at each other and smiled. I called him closer and gently corrected him — that he shouldn’t address older people as “guys,” but rather as “uncle” or “dad.” He nodded and went back inside.

But that small moment left me thinking… and I picked a few business lessons from it:

1. Speed is no longer a luxury — it’s an expectation.
The new generation (especially those born after 2000) have grown up in a fast-paced, digital world. Waiting is frustrating for them. Businesses must respond faster than ever before.

2. Downtime is costly.
Even a short interruption (like power going off) creates discomfort. In business, delays, stock-outs, or slow service can easily push customers to competitors.

3. Accessibility and openness matter.
Today’s generation is more expressive and less formal. They speak freely — even with parents. This means brands must be approachable, relatable, and human.

4. Convenience drives decisions.
If your product or service is not easy to access, easy to use, and quick to deliver, you risk losing relevance.

5. Quality still remains king.
Speed without quality will only bring customers once. Quality keeps them coming back.

6. Customer experience is everything.
That small frustration my son felt is exactly how customers feel when service is slow or inconsistent. Every interaction matters.

7. Adapt or become irrelevant.
The market is being shaped by a younger, faster, and more demanding generation. Businesses must evolve or risk being left behind.

8. Teach values, but understand the times.
While we guide the next generation on respect and discipline, we must also learn from them — especially their expectations of efficiency and convenience.

Bottom line:
The future belongs to businesses that are fast, reliable, customer-focused, and consistent in quality.

This morning, I decided to support one of our local mothers by buying fritters for breakfast. She packed them for me, and I didn’t think to check.

When I got home, the owner of the kitchen pointed something out immediately — most of the fritters were burnt. Not golden brown… but black.

I won’t lie — it was disappointing.

But beyond the disappointment, there are important lessons here for all of us in business:

1. Quality is your reputation.
Every product you sell speaks for you when you’re not there. If the quality is poor, your business name suffers — even in your absence.

2. Never compromise standards.
It’s better to sell less and maintain quality than to sell more and lose trust.

3. Always inspect before delivering.
A simple check could have prevented this. As business owners, we must be our own first quality control officers.

4. Customers remember bad experiences longer.
One bad experience can undo many good ones. Consistency is everything.

5. Support must be matched with responsibility.
We encourage people to “support local,” but local businesses must also rise to the occasion by delivering value.

Let’s build businesses that we are proud of — businesses that don’t just sell, but satisfy.

I don't know how true this letter is. But if it's genuine, then it will help us who cross the toll gate almost daily.

🔧💼 Hustle No Matter What

Don’t just sit at home, thinking about who to beg from or how to swindle your next move.

Go out there. Start something. Use what you have.

Every honest effort carries profit.
Every drop of sweat builds something real.

That wheelbarrow may look simple… but it feeds families.
It pays school fees.
It builds dignity.

There is honor in hard work.
Make your own money. Grow your own path.

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Spencer D Siabeenzu, Kapumba Mwenya, James Mudenda

Business Kupepeka

There is something interesting about business.

It’s like when a man is infatuated with a lady…
He doesn’t sit and wait.

He calls.
He texts.
He travels distances.
He uses sweet words.
He does everything possible to win her.

That is tamanga.

Even street vendors understand this.
You see them chasing cars just to make one sale.

They don’t wait.
They go after the opportunity.

So why should you sit and wait for customers?

Call them.
Follow up.
Remind them.
Go where they are.

In business, those who win are those who show hunger.

Don’t wait for customers. Chase them.

Why Readiness is a Business Strategy

A few years ago, I stopped traveling outside the country because my passport had expired. Like many people, I kept postponing the renewal process—mainly because it was manual, slow, and inconvenient.

Recently, with the new online passport application system introduced by the Government of Zambia, I finally renewed it. The process is now simple, fast, and efficient.

This experience reminded me of an important business lesson:

👉 As a business person, you must always put your house in order.

Sometimes, it’s not lack of opportunity that holds us back—it’s lack of preparedness.

During the period my passport was expired, I missed out on potential opportunities that required travel. Looking back, the cost of delay was far greater than the effort required to act.

Key takeaway: ✔ Keep your documents updated
✔ Stay ready for opportunities
✔ Embrace systems that improve efficiency

Opportunities don’t wait for us to get ready—we must be ready before they come.

More Hours, More Money: Why a 24/7 Economy Works for SMEs

I was listening to a discussion on radio about the new statutory instrument allowing a 24/7 economy in Zambia.

Some people were asking:
“If people don’t have money during the day, where will they get money to spend at night?”

Interesting question—but here’s my take:

A 24/7 economy is not just about spending… it’s about earning.

This is an opportunity for small businesses and hustlers to:

Extend operating hours

Reach new customers

Create additional income streams

Think about it:

Food businesses can serve late-night customers

Transport providers can run longer hours

Shops and service providers can increase daily sales

Of course, for this to work well, we need:
✔️ Improved security
✔️ Better street lighting
✔️ Reliable transport systems

But once these are in place, the potential is huge.

More hours open = more opportunities to make money.

Let’s not just focus on where money will come from…
Let’s position ourselves to earn more of it.