Your degrees and titles don't run companies if they did then Govts could be richer than companies all over the world. Even universities will be better run than some businesses. How many Sir's, Dr's CA's, Profs , Phd's ,MBAs , MPhils do we have in Govts and Universities all over the wide world ? All these qualifications do not run companies they never did. Good companies are a result of good and practical managers at the fore.
We are not saying do not get these qualifications but after you have acquired your education be a good and practical manager in your day to day activities. In other words be knowledgeable to increase your relevance.
Complacency and I know it all has had detriments to the cause of business. A piece of paper is no longer sufficient enough to run companies efficiently and effectively .You need to be a super hero to run these companies in a manner that shareholders will get a return on their invested funds and be socially responsible while making human capital happy in a dynamic environment.
People are primarily being taught to be trainable so that they can run these businesses successfully. It is one thing to get a qualification and another to get things done at business level. One needs to get the requisite experience to employ and apply their skills profitably and it can only be measured by results which needs experience in the field. And failing is part of the learning process to harness the superior competence in the chosen field.
Unfortunately as at now the luxury of failing on Zim business landscape is not there due to harsh soci-economic challenges. Simply put you can't afford to fail right now it will be utter disaster you may never recover forever. There is no margin of error in this environment. Failing is great and worth the experience but unfortunately as we speak it's unthinkable under these conditions.
Our education is great but it could have been greater if it really prepared the graduates on what to expect after completing their studies. Business is worried that graduates at post graduate level are failing to measure up to the current challenges that our business environment offers.
We say challenges offered because if you get it right you will have redefined business survival given what we are experiencing as at now is unique and humongous .If you get it right we will celebrate you now and your legacy thereafter .
Our finishing graduate school of business have a challenge to make these graduates relevant to the current scenario .You can repeat undergraduate but surely you can't repeat post graduate school but maybe you can do refresher courses to jog the rusty memory . Maybe case studies approach will equip our students with the requisite knowledge through simulation of our business challenges. Pure vanilla textbook approach to solving Zim challenges would not cut it. These extra ordinary times are immune to bookish managers. Even fasting and praying for a better tomorrow has to be backed by tangible practical steps towards achieving just that. If you want trauma and stress as a manager then use the book to manage your business.
Theoretically you can have winners but practically the business environment is unique, complex and no textbook has been written about this. It's a new challenge that requires flexible business acumen first time all the time.
We have examples of college drop outs that have exceptionally made it in business or managed to overcome. Facebook founder was a college dropout, Bill Gates was, and so is Kanye West but them now run the world. Donald Trump wasn't the smartest in class but he wants to be the leader of the ' free 'world having conquered business. Nigel & Strive were never tops in their classes at university. Chinotimba is very active in parliament under the green carpet. Moses in the Bible couldn't speak well compared to the kids from certain private schools but he co-led a nation to the Promised Land where other people already existed. Malinga (physically disadvantaged) was once the Bulawayo Mayor. They only mastered the art of being practical managers of their businesses or their circumstances (WARNING: For children under 21 please seek explanation for this lest you get the wrong meaning)
This Zim environment requires a business manager to be very real time knowledgeable. The need to adapt at lightning speed can never be over emphasized. You have to be a super business manager with all your degrees. Given the lean number of employees in some companies one has to be able to multitask. Managers need to assume any role as the need arise.
One has to be flexible but assertive. Think like a dealer but act like parastatals ie maximize your profits but still be socially responsible. Managers need to see opportunities where there is none. This is crucial as seeing opportunities now where others see eventually will keep you in the game as it were. Just like a chameleon managers are required to simultaneously learn & adapt and blend with the respective environment but still dictate the pace in their area of business.
From the above it is crystal clear no school can teach this thus managers just need to be leaders.
It's the leadership talent that will carry the day. Some people are born leaders they will lead no matter what their circumstances. Some people can be groomed to be leaders and we have schools that can do that.
It is the 'graduate' leaders (not necessarily degreed) that naturally, instinctively or training wise fully comprehend business environment and their challenges that will deliver for business.
When you take your son through rigors of your business that is more than a business school can do because it's practical and that experience is invaluable.
Zim is in need of transformational business leadership that is open minded, act outside the box, act in other terms , dreamers , innovative , bold/brave , smart aggressive and have patience. A blinkered manager has become a liability to business and the practical ones are assets worth rewarding and showering with praise.
MoB Capital is saying those that will deliver for us in business circles the reward for that is just PRICELESS. If you can deliver in this environment (assuming you are playing fair) then the entire world is your playground. Remember one Dr Phillip Chiyangwa used to boast of having a PHD in common sense guess what that which is not considered naturally common is now being required of you and required in abundance for business survival. And for this you don't need a certificate or be state registered because business will know you by name and that honor is beyond measure.
Here's to practical managers that build future brands that will be brands that will be global and will exist way after demise of founding members.