Evolve Insights

Customers Have a Choice

As it appeared in the Daily Nation on May 30th, 2017 We live in different times. In almost every sector, customers have a wide choice. New customers choose which services or products to use and which not to. Existing customers choose whether to stay or whether to go look for alternatives. Sometimes, customers choose to use multiple service providers or to try out different products before making a final decision. The sort of loyalty witnessed with our parents is not there in our generation and the generation after us. In the last decade, it is likely that many of us have switched between brands. The reasons for the switch may vary. The mere fact that one can switch at no cost makes the decision an easy one. Today, one can walk into a bank, walk out with a new bank account, and be ready to close the old account within hours. On expiry of the motor…
Dr. Lucy Kiruthu
May 30, 2017
Evolve Insights

SACCOs in Kenya Scaling New Heights

As it appeared in the Daily Nation on May 23rd, 2017 In discussions about financial inclusion, access to credit and encouraging a culture of saving, the vibrant cooperative movement in Kenya has featured prominently. Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) are at the center of this movement. In the last six years, I have closely followed the happenings in SACCOs. As I have deciphered the movement, it has been evident that the movement has been witnessing a renaissance. SACCOs also known as Credit Unions in some parts of the world have their roots in Europe. These financial services providers are considered unique because they are managed and owned by members who are also customers. In their early days, SACCOs were seen as the people’s bank.  The movement is today pursuing an aggressive campaign worldwide to reach out to more members. According to the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) Kenya has a leadership position in number…
Dr. Lucy Kiruthu
May 23, 2017
Evolve Insights

Is an MBA all that important?

As it appeared in the Daily Nation on May 16th, 2017 I often interact with young professionals eager to enroll for a Master in Business Administration (MBA). Some of them usually have a business related undergraduate degree while others are from an entirely different field. My answer may vary depending on where one is in their career. However, I am always clear on the fact that one should not get an MBA for the sake of it. Enrolling for an MBA because of peer pressure or because it looks nice on the resume adds no value. I earned an MBA early in my career. A position in research and development opened up a new world of business that seemed fascinating. Most business schools by then required one to have work experience, to sit the GMAT exam and score a certain minimum as well as to take certain business related undergraduate courses as prerequisites. I found the…
Dr. Lucy Kiruthu
May 16, 2017
Evolve Insights

Operational Excellence: The Missing Link in Many Organizations

As it appeared in the Daily Nation on May 2nd, 2017 Many activities go on every day in organizations. These activities vary widely. Some activities are to get new customers while others are to provide existing customers with products or services. Most of the activities that relate to provision of services or to the production and distribution of products are often summed up as operations. Almost every organizations has an operations team that is responsible for the core business activities. Operational excellence is core to making the different activities seamless. Indeed, operational excellence is one of the business strategies that winning companies such as MacDonald’s have focused on over the years. However, operational excellence remains a challenge in many of our organizations. At the center of operational excellence is proficient operations management. This proficiency aids meet the ever-changing customer needs and expectations in an efficient manner. Operations management is viewed as a systematic way of running…
Dr. Lucy Kiruthu
May 12, 2017
Evolve Insights

The Changing Face of Agribusiness in Kenya

As it appeared in the Daily Nation on May 2nd, 2017 Commercial agriculture also commonly referred to as agribusiness has been around for many years. Globally, agribusiness is at the heart of many livelihoods. In Kenya, universities such as Egerton and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and many other institutions such as Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) were specifically set up to support better agricultural practices. In spite of the extensive knowledge that these institutions generate, we remain a food insecure country. It is obvious that peasant farming cannot even sustain food supply at the household level and that urbanization continues to increase the demand for agricultural produce. In the last few months, a major shortage of products such as potatoes and milk has hit most parts of the country. Today more than ever before, commercialization of agriculture is a subject that is receiving renewed interest in Kenya. Looking back, I…
Dr. Lucy Kiruthu
May 2, 2017