One of the ways you strengthen your business is to look for opportunities to partner with the best in your game. You’re never too big or too small to look for partners that will fit your needs. When you partner with the best, you learn to improve your business dramatically. In the best partnerships, they win, and you win, too.
Finding a “game changer” for your business through partnerships is extremely important. This is an ongoing process for me. I’ve always looked for opportunities to partner with those who can help give me access to technology, business systems, intellectual property (IP), and general know-how for my people.
Let me give you some examples: When I started Econet Wireless, I was approached by one of the largest telecoms companies in the world which wanted to buy a stake in my company. Sitting over dinner one evening, the Vice President of the company asked me what was my vision for the business.
I told him passionately that I wanted to run the business myself, and build it as an African-owned company. A deeply compassionate man, who has become a lifelong friend, Jim Myers (an American from Texas) said, “We can help you achieve that, and it really makes no difference to us if we don’t own a stake your business. We’ll find lots of other opportunities.”
“Really? You would do that for me?!”
“Why not? I’m happy to help you in any way I can.”
He agreed to let me go to the US and spend a few days looking around their business. Later he agreed to send some people to visit us. Whenever I needed some help, I would call Jim.
He made introductions for me, and gave me access to people and places I could not have imagined. He did it all for nothing! Years later when he retired, he agreed to serve on one of my boards, just to impart his experience and knowledge… all for nothing.
You might not have noticed it, but as much as there are some bad people out there, there are also some really nice people out there, too!
# Finding a “game changer” for your business through partnerships is extremely important.
It’s not just about trying to get investors. It’s also about finding unique products and services that can enhance your business and make it more competitive. You don’t have to invent everything yourself.
Here are two more examples, this time with Kwesé TV:
The National Basketball Association (NBA) recently announced that they’re sending two teams to play basketball in Africa in August. If you’re a basketball fan, you’ll know that it doesn’t get bigger than that!
The NBA is a $9bn revenue organization! That”s an absolute behemoth. And yet they are keen to develop this great sport in Africa!
We already show all the NBA games live on Kwesé Sport. We also have a 24-hour basketball channel.
# Finding a “game changer” for your business through partnerships is extremely important.
Have you heard our newest exciting news yet?
__ESPN, the largest sports broadcaster in the world, is now our new partner on Kwesé Sport!
If you have a Kwesé decoder, you’ll already know that we just launched a new sports channel called “ESPN on Kwesé.”
They’re also helping us with our sports website, KweseSports.Com, the fastest growing sports website in Africa, thanks to their help. Can you spot how they’re helping us become the best sports broadcaster in Africa?
If you ever find yourself facing an 800-pound gorilla, it makes sense to find a bigger gorilla to stand with you!
What about you? Have you started putting together your own “dream team”?
To be continued…
Author: Strive Masiyiwa
