Evolve Insights

In 2020, many businesses had no option but to innovate. As a business leader or owner, are you open to new ideas?

Every day we are making enquiries. We do so because we need more information to make better decisions. In the world of business, customers make many enquiries. Often, they do so as an initial step of the buying process. These enquiries should ideally lead to a sale. Enquiries received in person, via the phone, on email, through the website contact page, or via different social media channels, require a follow -up. A customer who enquires is closer to buying than a customer who we need to cold call. When a customer makes an enquiry, they expect a prompt response. Unfortunately, I have noticed that so many enquiries go unanswered.  In most cases, making a simple enquiry about a product or a service is a painful process. Why would any smart business ignore enquiries? Why would a business intentionally cause its customers so much pain as they try to buy?  Why do sales enquiries go unanswered? Why…

We have all participated in research on several occasions both knowingly or unknowingly. Research is a crucial in academia, within governments, in industry and in our daily lives. When the government conducts a census, it is research. Scientists are searching for vaccines through extensive research. When companies measure customer satisfaction, it is research. Researchers across the globe use research to inform decision-making and to gather evidence. Through research new concepts, new methods, new products and new knowledge are developed. Through research, we can satisfy our curiosity. Research involves collection, analysis and interpretation of data using scientific methods. Is Africa doing enough research?  I believe that we are not doing adequate research in Kenya, and in Africa as a whole. As such, we continue to grapple with many challenges whose solutions can be found through research. These challenges cut across different fields. For an understanding of what is ailing Africa and what could be done about it,…

Over Eight million Kenyans belong to Savings and Credits Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs). This is according to the last World Council of Credit Unions' annual Statistical Report released in 2020. The report further showed that the 8,033 SACCOs have assets valued at slightly over 10 Billion USD (Ksh 1 Trillion). Kenya remains an active player in the global Savings and Credits Cooperatives movement. It leads in Africa and is seventh globally in terms of asset size of the SACCOs. In Kenya, the acronym SACCO has erroneously referred to other players in the cooperative movement. Kenyans need to appreciate that SACCOs focus on providing financial services while other cooperatives focus on housing, investment, transport, marketing etc. In most parts of the world, Credit Unions is the common term used for SACCOs. Interestingly, they were seen as the people’s banks during their inception across Europe in the 19th Century. The role that SACCOs play in Kenya’s economy is undisputed. Over…

Happy New Year! What do you like about something new? Maybe it is the unique smell of a new car. A new well-pressed suit stands out. We also look forward to moving into a new home. Even when we get a new phone, a new laptop or a new kitchen item we often look forward to trying it out. In the world of business, the introduction of new technologies is commonplace. A new CEO may come on board or we might move into new offices. Some businesses go through a rebranding process and everything looks new or they go through a transformation process. Sometimes, we do not like the new; we are more at ease with the status quo. We do not often like change; change means making adjustments, it means learning and getting out of our comfort zone. Looking back into 2020, we had many new beginnings than endings. Some of the new beginnings and…

Over the years, the workplace and the nature of work have evolved. It is no longer about hierarchies as organizational structures continue to flatten. Working is no longer about going to the office from 8 am to 5 pm; it is about getting meaningful work done. Besides, workdays, work hours and workstations are largely flexible for some allowing them to work as per their desire. Business leadership has also evolved; instilling fear and intimidating staff is no longer a viable leadership practice. Most forward-looking leaders are today focusing on positively influencing their team members. These leaders have become highly professional, inspiring and more empathetic. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the workplace and the nature of work significantly. Despite these disruptions, some have found joy at work. Unfortunately, for others, work has stolen their joy. Are you experiencing joy at work or is work a source of grief? Joy at work is not a given.…

As it appeared in the Daily Nation on December 1st 2020 Dr Lucy Kiruthu Do you know someone who has lost their job? Do you know someone who is on unpaid leave because of the COVID-19 pandemic? It is most likely that you do. In the last eight months, it has not been business as usual. I have spoken to several Kenyans whose jobs no longer exist. I know of many others whose companies are downsizing and some whose businesses are really struggling to stay afloat. The COVID-19 pandemic has completely disrupted the world of business and the labour market. In mid-March 2020, the International Labour Organization (ILO) had predicted that the pandemic could result in the loss of 25 million jobs worldwide. The actual number of jobs lost so far is considerably higher than estimated with labour income globally having dropped by 10.7% according to ILO. In this last quarter of 2020, ILO is estimating…