Monday, May 31, 2010
Quote of the day
'True leadership is seen in delegation. You are a limited resource,you are going to run out of you, there is not enough of yourself to go around, you are not omnipresent or omniscient, you are not ALL knowing, you cannot be at ALL places at the same time, you are not all powerful you going to grow tired, your knees are going to start creaking and you are going to need more rest, that what makes you special and valuable, if diamonds were all over the ground they wouldn't be worth much, what makes something worth much is that it is exquisite and it is hard to find. You are a limited resource a class all by yourself., Thomas Dexter Jakes
WORDS FROM A WISE MAN
In the past few weeks the journey of living a dream has...how do I put this?...round house kicked my butt and elbowed me WWE style. So no, when those in it say it aint for the faint hearted they aren't just trying to talk tough. Thank God for business partners, though I may be taller in stature make no mistake my partner has rhino tough skin. She aint the one to mess with, and with me in the team I'd say WE AINT THE ONES TO MESS WITH. But more often than not the past few weeks had me REALLY wishing I had a mentor, someone whose walked the path and can assure me that this too shall pass. So I came across the words of a very wise man and not sharing them would be a crime. So here it goes.
Words from a wise man
In just a short time, I will have been here one half of a century. I've already started celebrating this benchmark filled with so many memories and memoires. When this milestone birthday came up recently a friend asked me 'what words of wisdom have you garnered? What would you do differently and what would you say to those who feel that they only go around once and feel powerless to correct what may be perceived as less-than-glowing results?' I thought before I answered and said 'there is nothing worse that reaching the end of your life and wondering what would have happened or what should have happened but some how didn't happen'
The sad memories of a lost opportunity have made many people bitter the rest of their lives. Often it is no that fatigue of the olympic competitor that is debilitating as much as it is the feeling that if he had lunged further or pushed harder he may have been holding the golden cup of victory as opposed to the bottled water of defeat.
None of us welcome regret into our lives. We want to live to the fullest spiritually, financially even relationally. Yet we often settle for less that the best life we could live. Lulled into sleep by a sense of apathetical compliance, we accept those limitations that could be transcended.
This is what I'm talking about here. Do you feel like you stuck on a job while wishing you had career? Do you worry from those closest to you feeling as if they cannot get in touch with who you really are? No one knows but you to what extent your public success masks private failure. Do you want more out of this next phase of life that what you have right now? Do you?
I don't know about you but most of us do not want to wonder on aimlessly taking life as it comes. We want to take charge of our destiny and see goals accomplishes, move progressively according to a definite and absolute plan. Yet I must tell you that you can only correct what you are willing to confront.
Now I must admit confrontation isn't something that I enjoy, but if I've learned nothing else, I've learned over the years to say what has to be said and face what has to be faced and let the chips fall where they may. Yet many people choose to live in avoidance and perpetual state of denial rather than to risk hard work and ominent reaction that occurs when we confront issues, weaknesses and inconsistencies in others. What becomes even more risky is what I'm about to ask you.
I'm about to ask you to have the courage to face the dark, sinister silent enemy that may be lurkin inside of you. That's right. What I want to know is do have the courage to confront yourself. For the purpose of healing and not hiding you are going to have a heart to heart on issues that may be stopping you from reaching your goals and living your life to the fullest before the second half of your life cannibalizes all that you did in the first half. I just want to intervene, interject, interrupt with an idea that things could turn out the way you want them if you are willing hear and face your truth, this truth will be unveiled if you have had the nerve to confront your subversive destructive behavious, the perpertual erosion that has jeopardized and limited the growth of a wholesome abundant life for you.
Love Thomas Dexter Jakes
I found great comfort in these words so excuse me as I go have that much needed conversation with the mirror
Salute
Words from a wise man
In just a short time, I will have been here one half of a century. I've already started celebrating this benchmark filled with so many memories and memoires. When this milestone birthday came up recently a friend asked me 'what words of wisdom have you garnered? What would you do differently and what would you say to those who feel that they only go around once and feel powerless to correct what may be perceived as less-than-glowing results?' I thought before I answered and said 'there is nothing worse that reaching the end of your life and wondering what would have happened or what should have happened but some how didn't happen'
The sad memories of a lost opportunity have made many people bitter the rest of their lives. Often it is no that fatigue of the olympic competitor that is debilitating as much as it is the feeling that if he had lunged further or pushed harder he may have been holding the golden cup of victory as opposed to the bottled water of defeat.
None of us welcome regret into our lives. We want to live to the fullest spiritually, financially even relationally. Yet we often settle for less that the best life we could live. Lulled into sleep by a sense of apathetical compliance, we accept those limitations that could be transcended.
This is what I'm talking about here. Do you feel like you stuck on a job while wishing you had career? Do you worry from those closest to you feeling as if they cannot get in touch with who you really are? No one knows but you to what extent your public success masks private failure. Do you want more out of this next phase of life that what you have right now? Do you?
I don't know about you but most of us do not want to wonder on aimlessly taking life as it comes. We want to take charge of our destiny and see goals accomplishes, move progressively according to a definite and absolute plan. Yet I must tell you that you can only correct what you are willing to confront.
Now I must admit confrontation isn't something that I enjoy, but if I've learned nothing else, I've learned over the years to say what has to be said and face what has to be faced and let the chips fall where they may. Yet many people choose to live in avoidance and perpetual state of denial rather than to risk hard work and ominent reaction that occurs when we confront issues, weaknesses and inconsistencies in others. What becomes even more risky is what I'm about to ask you.
I'm about to ask you to have the courage to face the dark, sinister silent enemy that may be lurkin inside of you. That's right. What I want to know is do have the courage to confront yourself. For the purpose of healing and not hiding you are going to have a heart to heart on issues that may be stopping you from reaching your goals and living your life to the fullest before the second half of your life cannibalizes all that you did in the first half. I just want to intervene, interject, interrupt with an idea that things could turn out the way you want them if you are willing hear and face your truth, this truth will be unveiled if you have had the nerve to confront your subversive destructive behavious, the perpertual erosion that has jeopardized and limited the growth of a wholesome abundant life for you.
Love Thomas Dexter Jakes
I found great comfort in these words so excuse me as I go have that much needed conversation with the mirror
Salute
Sunday, May 9, 2010
NIZI LIBELE UKBA NIZALA NGOBANI.
NIZILIBELE UK'PA NIZALWA NGOBANI
Living in a 3rd world country means that there is an inclination to aspire to EVERYTHING projected by the 1st world. We blindly gulp whatever they throw our way. So our personalities though gifted think popularity is some sort of currency. Chasing and emulating the Diddy lifestyle with not even a fraction of his pocket, oblivious to the fact that the African context is far different. So hungry are we for a piece of the American pie they allow Nike to give them free clothes without the endorsement deal, because even Nike knows that in your chase of the American Dream you have forgotten your worth, inevitably they keep riding us from behind. Like someone said 'some of you guys love JayZ so much that if he had to be in a prison cell with you and he raped you, you wouldn't report it'.
The apartheid regime believed so much in what they were about that even in the midst of international isolation. They stood their ground and started their own Sanlams and Sasols yet with all the freedom we have we are forever willing to sell our birth right to the Barclays of this world.
One of my absolute prides as a young woman of African descent is the loins from which I come. The resilient strength, selflessness of bo Gog' Lilian Ngoyi who was the prominent leader of the militant women's campaigns, both in the urban areas and in the rural backyards of our country. Bo Mam' Thandi Modise, tortured while heavily pregnant that her water broke yet she stood and pursued a freedom she hoped for. Bo Helen Joseph who was a Brit married to a South African yet inherited the hope to freedom as if she was a daughter of the soil, Dorothy Nyembe, Sophie du Bruyn, and Rahima Moosa who is one of the women who spear headed the 1956 historic march in which more than 20.000 women of all races participated on the 9th of August, to protest against the pass laws for women .
These were our grandmothers, who gave birth to even stronger daughters with bold courage bo Mam' Gloria Serobe a founding member and CEO of Wiphold, Mam' Daphne Nkosi CEO of Kgalagadi one of the biggest Manganese mining companies in the country. Bo Bridgette Radebe founder of Mmakau Mining. Mam Zanele Mbeki founding member of Women's Business Development.
In the days of our youth there is always wool over our eyes in how we define success for our parents it was shoes from Spitz and for this generation its German wheels.
But the student always supersedes the master and if this lineage of phenomenal women is anything to go by then you and I have our work cut up for us.
So may we give room for our 8year old to learn the Freedom Charter before gyrate to Rihannas Rude Boy. So the next time they sit through MTV reality TV marathon they may know that you are of a different fabric, that though our stories are similar, ours is in no way identical to the african american story.
Or in the midst of your Louis Viutton Bad, Jimmy Choos, somewhere in between the champagne popping and cigar smoking may we make a mental note that one day our generation is going to rule our population. As great at these women are they can in noway gives us our dreams nor can they fulfil them for us. Their stories can only help us courage in reaching for our dreams.
To all my peers who have been blessed with the gift of motherhood.
Happy Belated Mothers :-)
Living in a 3rd world country means that there is an inclination to aspire to EVERYTHING projected by the 1st world. We blindly gulp whatever they throw our way. So our personalities though gifted think popularity is some sort of currency. Chasing and emulating the Diddy lifestyle with not even a fraction of his pocket, oblivious to the fact that the African context is far different. So hungry are we for a piece of the American pie they allow Nike to give them free clothes without the endorsement deal, because even Nike knows that in your chase of the American Dream you have forgotten your worth, inevitably they keep riding us from behind. Like someone said 'some of you guys love JayZ so much that if he had to be in a prison cell with you and he raped you, you wouldn't report it'.
The apartheid regime believed so much in what they were about that even in the midst of international isolation. They stood their ground and started their own Sanlams and Sasols yet with all the freedom we have we are forever willing to sell our birth right to the Barclays of this world.
One of my absolute prides as a young woman of African descent is the loins from which I come. The resilient strength, selflessness of bo Gog' Lilian Ngoyi who was the prominent leader of the militant women's campaigns, both in the urban areas and in the rural backyards of our country. Bo Mam' Thandi Modise, tortured while heavily pregnant that her water broke yet she stood and pursued a freedom she hoped for. Bo Helen Joseph who was a Brit married to a South African yet inherited the hope to freedom as if she was a daughter of the soil, Dorothy Nyembe, Sophie du Bruyn, and Rahima Moosa who is one of the women who spear headed the 1956 historic march in which more than 20.000 women of all races participated on the 9th of August, to protest against the pass laws for women .
These were our grandmothers, who gave birth to even stronger daughters with bold courage bo Mam' Gloria Serobe a founding member and CEO of Wiphold, Mam' Daphne Nkosi CEO of Kgalagadi one of the biggest Manganese mining companies in the country. Bo Bridgette Radebe founder of Mmakau Mining. Mam Zanele Mbeki founding member of Women's Business Development.
In the days of our youth there is always wool over our eyes in how we define success for our parents it was shoes from Spitz and for this generation its German wheels.
But the student always supersedes the master and if this lineage of phenomenal women is anything to go by then you and I have our work cut up for us.
So may we give room for our 8year old to learn the Freedom Charter before gyrate to Rihannas Rude Boy. So the next time they sit through MTV reality TV marathon they may know that you are of a different fabric, that though our stories are similar, ours is in no way identical to the african american story.
Or in the midst of your Louis Viutton Bad, Jimmy Choos, somewhere in between the champagne popping and cigar smoking may we make a mental note that one day our generation is going to rule our population. As great at these women are they can in noway gives us our dreams nor can they fulfil them for us. Their stories can only help us courage in reaching for our dreams.
To all my peers who have been blessed with the gift of motherhood.
Happy Belated Mothers :-)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Gone Too Soon
GONE TOO SOON.
My introduction to Tupac Shakur was that of an angry potty mouth rapper. But it wasn't until my late teens that a friend introduced me to the life and heart of Tupac Shakur through written material and archives of interview footage. The curtains were raised and a bold dreamer, prolific writer, intellect, longing heart, tortured soul, social misfit and believer was unveiled. A natural born creative Pac studies, jazz, poetry, drama and ballet at the Baltimore School of the art. Just 25years old he is definitely gone too soon. I took some of my favourite quotes and poems from him and put it together in such a way that it reads as a letter from him.
Dear Dreamer
"I didn't get the power from guns. I got the power from books and thinking and strategizing. Its hard cause sometimes when I'm alone I cry, cause I'm alone. The tears I cry are bitter and warm. They flow with life but take no form. I cry because my heart is torn. I find it difficult to carry on. If I had an ear to confide in, I would cry among my treasured friends, but who do you know that stops that long to help another carry on. The world moves fast and it would rather pass by than stop to see what makes one cry. So in the event of my demise when my heart can beat no more. I hope I die for a principle or belief that I had lived for. I will die before my time because I feel the shadow's depth. So much I wanted to accomplish before I reached my death. I have come to grips with the possibility and wiped the tears from my eyes. I loved all who were positive in the event of my demise. I tried to be true, I set goals, took control, drank out of my own bottle. I made mistakes but learn from every one. And when its all said and done I bet this brother will be a better one. If I upset you don't stress. Never forget that God isn't finished with me yet.
You gotta think beyond yourself for if we are all saying that rap music is an art form then we gotta be more responsible for our lyrics. If you see everyone dying because of what you're saying. It don't matter that you didn't make them die. It just matters that you didn't save them. The world didn't make it easy for me. It won't be easy on you either. Don't blame me, I was given the world. I didn't make it.
To all the seeds that follow me. Protect your essence. Born with less but you are still precious. During your life never stop dreaming. No one can take away your dreams. We wouldn't ask why a rose that grew from the concrete for having damaged petals, instead we would all celebrate its tenacity, we would all love its will to reach the sun. Well we are roses, this is the concrete and these are my damaged petals.
Always remember reality is wrong. Dreams are for real.
Never surrender.
TuPac
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
BLACK AMBITION
BLACK AMBITION.
What do you get when you put together a photographer and a cinematographer, give them a subjects matter and let then interpret it separately?... you get BLACK AMBITION.
Pako Magabane (Photographer) and Tebogo Malope (Cinematographer) have put in a collaborative effort towards a Photography Book called BLACK AMBITION. "Film and photography are pretty much the same visual art-forms except film is motion" says Tebogo Malope . " We are parallelling how i would compose my frame per subject matter and how Pako would compose his, the interesting thing is though we are both looking at the same thing, we each come out with completely different interpretation". I guess thats the beauty of perspective.
Together with an in-depth write-up about the concept of BLACK AMBITION, the book will also come with public commentary on their thoughts and what they could decipher from the images. This book is a definite must have on your coffee table. Te intricacies of every picture are ones that require an insightful eye yet you don't feel like you are trying to solve a crossword puzzle. If you grew up in the hood, all the pictures will arouse a nostalgic familiarity. Reminding us just how far we've come and how much we still need to do.
The message of BLACK AMBITION is the bravery of ambition. In every picture there is a subtle tone of aspiration to affluence. My favourite is of a man and woman who are clearly "dibotho" drinking Joburg Beer out of a wine glass. Ingeminating that irrespective of where life places you, we ALL have an inherent gift and ability to dream. "YOU CAN DREAM ANYWHERE" says Tebogo Malope.
BLACK AMBITION IS SET TO BE RELEASED END OF JUNE. Will keep you posted n where to get your copy.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
QUOTE OF THE DAY
There is no greater courage than the courage it
takes to believe in a dream. Youve already
started winning when you start believing.Lerato Mabuse
Monday, April 19, 2010
THE AUDACITY OF A DREAM
THE AUDACITY OF A DREAM
Having had a stable 7 year career in human resources working for Telecom SA and later DeBeers. Sibongile Sambo knew there was more to life than just mere stability. So naturally the frustrations of a nine to five propelled her to ask herself a question we've all asked ourselves at one point or another. "What do you REALLY want from life, what are you most passionate about?". After a couple of weeks pondering on this question, the answer that spilled from her heart is one her mind wasn't quite ready for.
FLYING.
Her love for planes is one conceived in her childhood. She grew up near Hoedspruit Air Force Base and her childhood memories are those spent waving at jets as they came in and out of the Air Force Base. While at DeBeers having access to their private jets revived this passion of her youth and gave her the courage to pursue her dream. In 2003 she took advantage of the then newly implemented BEE, resigned from her job and in 2004 founded SRS Aviation LTD the first black female owned aviation company in South Africa.
She submitted her first application to what was to be her first tender to a government contract. In applying for the tender, Sibongile knew she had no technical expertise to flying so she approached an existing aviation company to partner with in pursuit of this tender. Upon being awarded the tender, finance was her biggest obstacle. On her first assignment, she had to lease an aircraft from Russia for the amount of R800 000. Armed with the confidence of having a tender at hand Sibongile approached a couple of banks. To her disbelief doors slammed in her face . Apparently the amount she requested was too large and the collateral's posted too small.
So what do you do when you have the job, the contract and heart to see your dream to fruition, yet still the world tells you NO. Sibongile turned to her village. Her mom who was then a nurse working in the UK and her aunt with whom she was living with. She called her mom in complete desperation affirmed her that she knew very well that she didn't have the money she was about to ask for and that her request is unorthodox (withdrawing every cent out of her pension fund). When her mom agreed She still stood short and for the remaining amount she approached her aunt to do the same and assured she would pay back every cent.
She deposited the R800 000 to the Russian company which was the only company that had the required aircraft. "I remember waiting for days at the airport for the plane to arrive, panicking that after paying so much money and risking peoples lifelong savings the aircraft my not arrive" she said. You can imagine the sigh of relief when the aircraft finally landed. She got the company she had partnered with to do the necessary inspections on the aircraft in preparation for SRS Aviation's first assignment. Because Sibongile had no prior experience in relation to aviation processes. She wasn't quite ready or the news she got after the inspection. Naturally in leasing an aircraft the fee charged does not include fuel, so over and above the R800 000 she already paid, she still needed R300 000 worth of fuel. With the tender papers in hand she approached petroleum companies for a fuel loan. Little did she know that when it comes to air crafts, petroleum companies cant loan fuel. There are dynamics they cant control ie. in flying out of the country they have no insurance that you wont leave with their fuel never to return. With just a few days to the assignment Sibongile approached the aviation company she had partnered with to loan her the R300 000 of which she was prepared to pay back with interest.
When this first trip took place successfully, it laid the foundation for many more contracts for SRS Aviation. Her company grew drastically purely through reinvested profits. In 2005 with just a full year of business SRS Aviation had generated revenues of $5 Million. Today SRS Aviation provides services in VIP charter, cargo charter, tourist charter, game count and capture, fire fighting, medical evaluation, powerline inspection etc.
I dare anyone to try stop Sibongile...That is the audacity of a dream.
SALUTE
Sunday, April 18, 2010
BE STUPID
BE STUPID
"Mohau, we've got something to tell you". Announces my 16year old sister together with her BFF and cousin Itumeleng.
"I don't have money nor do i want to drive you anywhere. So leave me alone". I prepare them (these two are full of schemes)
" oh puh-lease, we don't want your money". They lament in chorus both rolling their eyes.
"I'm listening" i chirp.
"Tumi and i are going to be famous" Reabetswe announces with a beaming smile.
"Really?..." I say flatly under the magazine I'm reading.
"Well, were going to have a reality show, because you see everyone thinks we've got such exciting lives and those that don't like us are only pretending not to like us, so we figure we might as well make money from this by putting together a reality show"
"And..." Tumi interjects "...from the reality show, we are going to have a clothing line under one label catering to different people that reflect our personal styles. Mine will be more boyish and colourful, Reabetswe will be all lady like"
I lift my eyes from the magazine to radiant beautiful young faces that are glowing from the prospects of this dream. I pull myself from the magazine because in my heart i know that if i don't respond accordingly to this "exciting" news, they ll never trust me with the most treasured possessions of their heart. Their dreams. My big sister rep is on the line here. Ive already lost my cool big sister factor, i cant afford to lose the trust too, so i master some excitement to give them my full attention.
In unison they sing "we know it sounds crazy but watch we'll make it happen"
Funny how we are ever ready to defend our dreams and i don't wanna be that person that they cant tell anything to because they feel rediculed.
"It doesn't sound crazy at all girls, its very attainable. Question is do you girls want it badly enough to fully pursue it" i get an aggressive nod.
"Ok so how do these things usually work" i think out aloud, thinking back to my advertising days. "Wed have to research the process in full but i think you have to pitch the idea to a production company first and if they dig the idea you ll go to the SABC to pitch the idea, its a very involved process".
"SABC?????????????....." they yell loudly, at this point their naturally big eyes are now the size of plums.
"well guys they are our national broadcaster and they do have the highest reach" i reason.
"Not going to happen" Reabetswe declines
"Imagine that, all SABC channels are WHACK, infact they are all pathetic, so not cool" Tumi sides with her partner
"Ok, i know you guys live in MTV land but youre in South Africa. How else do you figure you are going to get this show on air?" i enquire in complete astonishment, feeling like i missed some memo.
"We were thinking more along the lines of E Entertainment" Reabetswe informs me with smiling eyes
"oh does etv have an entertainment slot" i enquire ignorantly
"No man, as in E Entertainment? ...as in Ryan Searest??"
At this point all i want to do is burst out laughing...cause this must be a joke...but the serious looks on their faces tell me otherwise so all i manage out is a suspended "ooohhh..........." i held it for a good 7 seconds just so i get my composure back. "So how do you figure you gonna find Ryan" i ask drowning in confusion, Now im certain that ive missed some memo.
"Well you know, with Facebook, YouTube, Twitter....we'll find him" they say casually.
"That easy huh?" i say swallowing my laugh
"It ll happen, you ll see" Tumi affirms me, as if im a naysayer (or like they normally say, a hater)
"Sure, but i really think you guys shouldn't scrap out SABC" i plead
"We cant be seen on SABC, it ll ruin our reputation we'll never live that down" Tumi reiterates
"Well, we cant be seen on SABC 1 that's for sure. SABC 2?... I. Would. Die. SABC 3...well only before or after Top Billing. Anything outside of that wont work for us" Reabetswe continues
"Of course". i oblige. "As long as you guys will be the ones bearing this news to the SABC"
The arrogance of our dreams is something i cant claim to fully understand. To those that aren't sold to the dream it borders on bold stupidity. Sadly enough the older we get we lose that "stupid" element. We become cynics, critiques stuck in the pessimistic view we excuse as reality. No matter how bazaar, how far fetched your dreams are its imperitive to maintian a superior level of faith. Im a full believer of dreams. I believe in God, Love and Dreams. I would rather be stupid and believe in God than be a glorified intellect drowning in faithlessness. I would rather be stupid and believe in love than be smart yet hard hearted. I would rather believe in dreams than live in hopelessness. I have fallen jealously in love with a line from the new Diesel "Be Stupid" campaign.
SALUTE
"Mohau, we've got something to tell you". Announces my 16year old sister together with her BFF and cousin Itumeleng.
"I don't have money nor do i want to drive you anywhere. So leave me alone". I prepare them (these two are full of schemes)
" oh puh-lease, we don't want your money". They lament in chorus both rolling their eyes.
"I'm listening" i chirp.
"Tumi and i are going to be famous" Reabetswe announces with a beaming smile.
"Really?..." I say flatly under the magazine I'm reading.
"Well, were going to have a reality show, because you see everyone thinks we've got such exciting lives and those that don't like us are only pretending not to like us, so we figure we might as well make money from this by putting together a reality show"
"And..." Tumi interjects "...from the reality show, we are going to have a clothing line under one label catering to different people that reflect our personal styles. Mine will be more boyish and colourful, Reabetswe will be all lady like"
I lift my eyes from the magazine to radiant beautiful young faces that are glowing from the prospects of this dream. I pull myself from the magazine because in my heart i know that if i don't respond accordingly to this "exciting" news, they ll never trust me with the most treasured possessions of their heart. Their dreams. My big sister rep is on the line here. Ive already lost my cool big sister factor, i cant afford to lose the trust too, so i master some excitement to give them my full attention.
In unison they sing "we know it sounds crazy but watch we'll make it happen"
Funny how we are ever ready to defend our dreams and i don't wanna be that person that they cant tell anything to because they feel rediculed.
"It doesn't sound crazy at all girls, its very attainable. Question is do you girls want it badly enough to fully pursue it" i get an aggressive nod.
"Ok so how do these things usually work" i think out aloud, thinking back to my advertising days. "Wed have to research the process in full but i think you have to pitch the idea to a production company first and if they dig the idea you ll go to the SABC to pitch the idea, its a very involved process".
"SABC?????????????....." they yell loudly, at this point their naturally big eyes are now the size of plums.
"well guys they are our national broadcaster and they do have the highest reach" i reason.
"Not going to happen" Reabetswe declines
"Imagine that, all SABC channels are WHACK, infact they are all pathetic, so not cool" Tumi sides with her partner
"Ok, i know you guys live in MTV land but youre in South Africa. How else do you figure you are going to get this show on air?" i enquire in complete astonishment, feeling like i missed some memo.
"We were thinking more along the lines of E Entertainment" Reabetswe informs me with smiling eyes
"oh does etv have an entertainment slot" i enquire ignorantly
"No man, as in E Entertainment? ...as in Ryan Searest??"
At this point all i want to do is burst out laughing...cause this must be a joke...but the serious looks on their faces tell me otherwise so all i manage out is a suspended "ooohhh..........." i held it for a good 7 seconds just so i get my composure back. "So how do you figure you gonna find Ryan" i ask drowning in confusion, Now im certain that ive missed some memo.
"Well you know, with Facebook, YouTube, Twitter....we'll find him" they say casually.
"That easy huh?" i say swallowing my laugh
"It ll happen, you ll see" Tumi affirms me, as if im a naysayer (or like they normally say, a hater)
"Sure, but i really think you guys shouldn't scrap out SABC" i plead
"We cant be seen on SABC, it ll ruin our reputation we'll never live that down" Tumi reiterates
"Well, we cant be seen on SABC 1 that's for sure. SABC 2?... I. Would. Die. SABC 3...well only before or after Top Billing. Anything outside of that wont work for us" Reabetswe continues
"Of course". i oblige. "As long as you guys will be the ones bearing this news to the SABC"
The arrogance of our dreams is something i cant claim to fully understand. To those that aren't sold to the dream it borders on bold stupidity. Sadly enough the older we get we lose that "stupid" element. We become cynics, critiques stuck in the pessimistic view we excuse as reality. No matter how bazaar, how far fetched your dreams are its imperitive to maintian a superior level of faith. Im a full believer of dreams. I believe in God, Love and Dreams. I would rather be stupid and believe in God than be a glorified intellect drowning in faithlessness. I would rather be stupid and believe in love than be smart yet hard hearted. I would rather believe in dreams than live in hopelessness. I have fallen jealously in love with a line from the new Diesel "Be Stupid" campaign.
SALUTE
Welcome
YAYYYY we are growing!!!! Would like to welcome Lerato Musi, Lebohang Motloung and Lebogang Mashabela to UTOPIA. Really hope you enjoy your stay :-)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
CEOs Without Degrees
CEOs Without Degrees.
Throughout my school career i was indifferent towards my academic results. The school systems rarely embraced individualism so i reluctantly conformed by doing the bare minimum. If all i need to pass was 40%, all i was gunning to know was 45%. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. In Grade 11 i got a rude awakning, i was told that my Grade 11 results had a huge bearing on being accepted into varsity.
Suddenly the joke was on me. You see i come from a family that believes in tertiary education as they do in God. And in life you get two types of people, those that went to varsity also known as Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers and those that didn't also known as Pick n Pay cashiers and receptionist at best. So naturally i thought if i didn't go to varsity i would be bound to the life of an eternal failure, working as a Pick n Pay cashier (not that there's anything wrong with that, i worked as a cashier at C.N.A all of my tertiary years). Or the horror of attending STAR school (that was not going to happen especially not on my watch)
I could almost forgive my family elders for holding such primitive perceptions to this vast playground called life. They come from a different school of thought. I was however shocked when sitting with some friends some months ago and the topic came up. Folks argued that tertiary education was the right of passage to success. This became heated as not all of us were afforded the same privilege and in a country like ours were an alarming rate of the people will never smell the polished corridors of ANY tertiary institution. It made me feel that if that argument holds any water then the implications are unpalatable.
Some of the past and current most successful people don't have degrees. But what they lack in academic credentials they make up for in being relentless students of life, they make up for it in dreams, tenacity, ambition, brains, guts and strong business sense. Lets take Ty Warner for example. Ty dropped out of Michigan to pursue an acting career, when this failed, he returned to Chicago and worked in a toy company. Today Warner is the sole owner, CEO, and Chairman of Ty, Inc (very very very few people can say this). Ty is a savvy business man whom in 2007 made $700 million in a single year with the Bienie Babies craze without spending money on ANY advertising. Today his estate stands at a whopping $4.4 Billion.
So imagine if we took that one or three lil boys that ALWAYS made the best wire cars, his peers chanting "haai untswembu saan", told him that there is more to life than a reluctant career path in IT, when his blatant passion lies elsewhere. Imagine if we told him about Henry Ford who at 16 left home to apprentice as a mechanic. Later he started Ford Motor Company, Ford's first major success, the Model T, allowed Ford to open a large factory and later start the assembly line production, revolutionizing the car making industry
Imagine if we sat that orphaned girl down and told her about Coco Chanel. An orphan for many year, Coco trained as a seamstress. Determined to invent herself, she threw out the ideas that the fashion world deemed as feminine, boldly using fabric and styles normally reserved for men. A perfume bearing her name, Chanel No. 5 kept her name at a buzz that transcended generations. Now years later the bold elegance of the Chanel brand remains unparalleled.
If we took that 19yr old that dropped out due to lack of funds not to dispair and told him about Steve Jobs. Who after attending one semester of college dropped out to work at Atari, Co-founded Apple from his parents garage. Now Apple includes innovative products such as the iPod, iTunes, iPhone and most recently iPad.
Imagine if we told them about Anus Friis who was named Times Magazine's one of the 100 most influential people yet has had NO formal education. He co-founded Skype and in early 2006 sold Skype to eBay for $2.6 Billion. Or, Barry Diller who started his career in the mail room of the William Morris Agency after dropping out at UCLA after just one semester. He was hired by ABC in 1966 where he created the ABC movie of the week. Pioneering the concept of the made-for-television movie. At age 32 he became president of Paramount Pictures. Producing a string of successful TV shows and films (Saturday Night Fever, Beverly Hills Cop) under his helm. Imagine if we encouraged their ideas even if we didnt fully get them, because God placed in them the same capacity and greatness as Walt Disney who also had no degree to his name .If we told them about Marverick Cater, Michael Deli, Richard Brandson , Rachael Ray, Felix Deniis or John Paul DeJoria.
A couple of years ago Forbes 500 conducted further research of they annual Top Forbes 500 CEOs in the world. It was found that 163 CEOs with no degree made 16% in Median total returns to shareholders (which is annualised over the CEO's tenure) versus the 165 CEOs with MBAs who made 15.2% in Median total returns to shareholders.
The road to being a CEO via lecture halls is the road most travelled but for many it is a one way ticket to a life of mediocrity and playing by someonelses rules. While the other is the road least travelled, those that pursue it do so seldom by choice but rather by conviction. Its the road to self actualisation where your heart is the CEO, your gut the MD and you a mere employee. I don't particularly care which road you pick....Just pick one and commit to it already.
SALUTE.
Throughout my school career i was indifferent towards my academic results. The school systems rarely embraced individualism so i reluctantly conformed by doing the bare minimum. If all i need to pass was 40%, all i was gunning to know was 45%. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT. In Grade 11 i got a rude awakning, i was told that my Grade 11 results had a huge bearing on being accepted into varsity.Suddenly the joke was on me. You see i come from a family that believes in tertiary education as they do in God. And in life you get two types of people, those that went to varsity also known as Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers and those that didn't also known as Pick n Pay cashiers and receptionist at best. So naturally i thought if i didn't go to varsity i would be bound to the life of an eternal failure, working as a Pick n Pay cashier (not that there's anything wrong with that, i worked as a cashier at C.N.A all of my tertiary years). Or the horror of attending STAR school (that was not going to happen especially not on my watch)
I could almost forgive my family elders for holding such primitive perceptions to this vast playground called life. They come from a different school of thought. I was however shocked when sitting with some friends some months ago and the topic came up. Folks argued that tertiary education was the right of passage to success. This became heated as not all of us were afforded the same privilege and in a country like ours were an alarming rate of the people will never smell the polished corridors of ANY tertiary institution. It made me feel that if that argument holds any water then the implications are unpalatable.
Some of the past and current most successful people don't have degrees. But what they lack in academic credentials they make up for in being relentless students of life, they make up for it in dreams, tenacity, ambition, brains, guts and strong business sense. Lets take Ty Warner for example. Ty dropped out of Michigan to pursue an acting career, when this failed, he returned to Chicago and worked in a toy company. Today Warner is the sole owner, CEO, and Chairman of Ty, Inc (very very very few people can say this). Ty is a savvy business man whom in 2007 made $700 million in a single year with the Bienie Babies craze without spending money on ANY advertising. Today his estate stands at a whopping $4.4 Billion.
So imagine if we took that one or three lil boys that ALWAYS made the best wire cars, his peers chanting "haai untswembu saan", told him that there is more to life than a reluctant career path in IT, when his blatant passion lies elsewhere. Imagine if we told him about Henry Ford who at 16 left home to apprentice as a mechanic. Later he started Ford Motor Company, Ford's first major success, the Model T, allowed Ford to open a large factory and later start the assembly line production, revolutionizing the car making industry
Imagine if we sat that orphaned girl down and told her about Coco Chanel. An orphan for many year, Coco trained as a seamstress. Determined to invent herself, she threw out the ideas that the fashion world deemed as feminine, boldly using fabric and styles normally reserved for men. A perfume bearing her name, Chanel No. 5 kept her name at a buzz that transcended generations. Now years later the bold elegance of the Chanel brand remains unparalleled.
If we took that 19yr old that dropped out due to lack of funds not to dispair and told him about Steve Jobs. Who after attending one semester of college dropped out to work at Atari, Co-founded Apple from his parents garage. Now Apple includes innovative products such as the iPod, iTunes, iPhone and most recently iPad.
Imagine if we told them about Anus Friis who was named Times Magazine's one of the 100 most influential people yet has had NO formal education. He co-founded Skype and in early 2006 sold Skype to eBay for $2.6 Billion. Or, Barry Diller who started his career in the mail room of the William Morris Agency after dropping out at UCLA after just one semester. He was hired by ABC in 1966 where he created the ABC movie of the week. Pioneering the concept of the made-for-television movie. At age 32 he became president of Paramount Pictures. Producing a string of successful TV shows and films (Saturday Night Fever, Beverly Hills Cop) under his helm. Imagine if we encouraged their ideas even if we didnt fully get them, because God placed in them the same capacity and greatness as Walt Disney who also had no degree to his name .If we told them about Marverick Cater, Michael Deli, Richard Brandson , Rachael Ray, Felix Deniis or John Paul DeJoria.
A couple of years ago Forbes 500 conducted further research of they annual Top Forbes 500 CEOs in the world. It was found that 163 CEOs with no degree made 16% in Median total returns to shareholders (which is annualised over the CEO's tenure) versus the 165 CEOs with MBAs who made 15.2% in Median total returns to shareholders.
The road to being a CEO via lecture halls is the road most travelled but for many it is a one way ticket to a life of mediocrity and playing by someonelses rules. While the other is the road least travelled, those that pursue it do so seldom by choice but rather by conviction. Its the road to self actualisation where your heart is the CEO, your gut the MD and you a mere employee. I don't particularly care which road you pick....Just pick one and commit to it already.
SALUTE.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
After the type of week we've had in our politics, with tempers raging and opinions flying. The one thing i can attest to in spite our head butting views is: South Africans really love the land of their inheritance. So i deemed it appropriate to start the week with one of my favourite quotes from someone loyal to progression of the African people. AT. ALL. COST.
"In my wallet you'll find a three coloured card. Just because i carry it doesn't mean i act without reason. In my veins run the blood of ex MK cadres, general secretaries and King Sekhukhune to whom ideals of the congress are founded on and for you to even hint disloyalty is insulting at the least and a crime at the worst. Yet the worst crime by far is the notion that a thinking brain is no longer worthy of the noble membership of the real congress of the people and that intellectuals and high capacity thinkers are relegated to an infant party. THIS IS THE REAL CRIME"
Tebogo Malope
"In my wallet you'll find a three coloured card. Just because i carry it doesn't mean i act without reason. In my veins run the blood of ex MK cadres, general secretaries and King Sekhukhune to whom ideals of the congress are founded on and for you to even hint disloyalty is insulting at the least and a crime at the worst. Yet the worst crime by far is the notion that a thinking brain is no longer worthy of the noble membership of the real congress of the people and that intellectuals and high capacity thinkers are relegated to an infant party. THIS IS THE REAL CRIME"
Tebogo Malope
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Get Over It.
1000 will love you, 10 000 will detest you. So get over it.
I'm a fan of a lot of peoples work. However am not a personality groupie, nor am i a star struck person in general. If asked "if you had a choice of hosting anyone in the world for dinner, who would it be?" ill admittedly say the friends i always have dinners with. Nothing beats the presence of relentlessly stubborn love, that has seen you through all shapes and shades, makes any meal great.
HOWEVER I AM AN OBAMA STAN. Being the first President of colour is enough of an achievement in my eyes, but succeeding in passing a health bill that will cater to 32 million Americans that were previously excluded by the elitist health insurance laws and rates. Has a lot of us in awe. *ahem, not that we expected any less*
You'd think after such an achievement, folks would cut a brother some slack. Right? Well nope, at least not in his life time. See we've mastered the art of cursing people when they are alive and celebrating them when they die. I have come to the resolution that in pursuit of a dream, never expect to be liked or understood. If there is one thing we lack as a generation is the spirit of camaraderie. The external hauls of the pessimists and cynics are far more screeching than the endearing words of the optimist. Make a habit of setting the table and inviting, faith, hope and courage for a cuppa. They make for revitalising escape.
I recently came across an article on the New York Times that had me thinking, if legacies are going to be built, then the notion of popularity has to be drop kicked.
Below piece is taken of the article: "Its a bird, Its a plane, Its Obama"
"Depending on where you stand, or the given day - he (Barack Obama) is either an over-intellectual, professional wuss or a ruthless Chicago machine poll rivalling the original Boss Daley.
He is either a socialist redistributing wealth to the undeserving poor or a tool of Wall Street's Goldman Sachs' elite.
He is either a terrorist coddling, A.C.L.U tilting lawyer or a closet Chenneyite upholding the worst excesses of the Bush administrations end run on the Constitution.
He is a lightweight celebrity who is clueless without a teleprompter or a Machiavellian mastermind who has ingeniously forged his Hawaiian birth certificate, covered up his ties to Islamic radicals and bamboozled the entire mainstream press. He is the reincarnation of John F Kennedy, Lyndon B Johnson, Franklin D Roosevelt, Reagan, Hitler, Adlai Stevenson or Nelson Mandela."
They truly vilify you and glorify you with the same tongue. Make peace with that and keep building.
Monday, April 5, 2010
TOP 10 WORLD BRANDS
TOP 10 WORLD BRANDS
Funny how the brands we have indiviually sold out to mean very little in the larger scheme of things. I for one am disappointed the Apple brand isnt on here. Here is the Top 10 World Brands according to http://www.interbrand.com/
Funny how the brands we have indiviually sold out to mean very little in the larger scheme of things. I for one am disappointed the Apple brand isnt on here. Here is the Top 10 World Brands according to http://www.interbrand.com/
10. DISNEY
Its brand value is worth 29,251 million. The Walt Disney Company today has branched out to various entertainment studios, theme parks, products and other media productions with an annual revenue of approximately $30 billion.
Its brand value is worth 29,251 million. The Walt Disney Company today has branched out to various entertainment studios, theme parks, products and other media productions with an annual revenue of approximately $30 billion.
9. Intel
Intel has dropped 2 positions previously number 7. Its brand value is worth $31,261 million.
Intel has dropped 2 positions previously number 7. Its brand value is worth $31,261 million.
8. Toyota
Its brand value is $34,050 million
Its brand value is $34,050 million
7. GOOGLE
Its brand value is worth $25,590 million. Not too bad for an index site.
5. Nokia
Its brand value is $35,942 million. Though iPhone has lot of buzz Nokia phones sell eight times more.
4. GE
GE is the fourth most recognised brand in the world, worth $53,086 million.
Its brand value is worth $25,590 million. Not too bad for an index site.
6. McDonalds
Its brand value is worth $31,049 million. I would happily flip burgers for that.
Its brand value is worth $31,049 million. I would happily flip burgers for that.
5. NokiaIts brand value is $35,942 million. Though iPhone has lot of buzz Nokia phones sell eight times more.
4. GE
GE is the fourth most recognised brand in the world, worth $53,086 million.
3. Microsoft
Its brand value is worth $59,007 million. With over 79,000 employees in 102 countries. Micrsoft develops, manufactures, licenses and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices.
Its brand value is worth $59,007 million. With over 79,000 employees in 102 countries. Micrsoft develops, manufactures, licenses and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices.
2. IBM
Internation Business Machines' brand value is worth $59,031 million.
1. Coca-Cola
With the brand value is worth $66,667 million, Coca-Cola is one of thee most recognised brands and logos in the world.
With the brand value is worth $66,667 million, Coca-Cola is one of thee most recognised brands and logos in the world.
Hey Equaliser
HEY EQUALISER
By Khosi Mabaso
You were sent to the best of schools to afford you a more privileged future. Pity you weren’t warned that as a result, you would forfeit the assiduous presence of a parent. You learnt independence from an early age. At the age of 7 you were waking up at 4 am because the “Kombi” picked you up at 5:30. S’ka masoja you sat in vans and mini busses for an hour and a half to get to the same schools that were a comfortable 7min drive for them.
You equalised and killed the misconception of unintelligence. Though you came from non-English speaking backgrounds you spoke as polished as they did. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week was enough to dilute your accent. After having excelled on the hockey, soccer and rugby fields, the netball and tennis courts you made your way back into kasi. Sitting through 2 hours of traffic to find no one home. Because you see that Private school you go to cost too much and something has to give, so the warm embraces and home relations fly out the window.
Through hard work, came the award ceremonies. Again you found yourself alone. At the school halls we applauded and cheered for each other for we knew they wanted to be there but The Labour Act didn’t include this ACT
Some excelled in sports but never pursued it due to lack of post high school support structures. Then came the booming industries, IT, Marketing, Accounting, Law. Not going to tertiary was a non-option. No longer were you limited to teaching and nursing. The onus was on you to be engineers. Never spoke about love in relation to career choice. Pressured by the status rank you family gets post your granduation.You spoke about lucrative value instead.
Like relentless warriors you entered the corporates who gave you internships. Giving double efforts was the order of the day because in the back of your mind you knew that the primary reason you were there was because our elected government enforced these standards
The concept of equality is a fallacy. At worst we are equal on human basis and at best equality is attained in job titles and salaries. That’s where it ends. Your reality is rectifying the injustices of the past. My first salary had to pay for my driver’s license, a friend sorted the home security wall and it could not be average either. Her mother wanted a wall that could reflect that she indeed did raise a doctor. Not only the illusion that you are now rich with your “entry level” salary. Your cousin needing money to register for a short course. You seldom had enough to cover your own needs. Whilst your non heavy pigmented colleagues on the other hand got their first salaries to venture out to holidays and see the world….how could this be equality?
For though we're expected to be equalisers true freedom and empowerment will come with full ownership, not buying 10% stake in someone else’s company. No longer SMEs but registered at the JSE. Equality means we give up the cheap thrills for long term gratifications. So those we give birth to become a fully liberated brood of world travellers, back packers and dream chasers.
Hey Equaliser, you’ve come too far and non of your efforts have gone unnoticed however boarding off is still a non option.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Home Sweet Home
Growing up interior walls were eaither white and if you were adventureous youd have cream. Then we rebelled and went all over the place, from valentine red lounges to custard yellow kitchens. PHEW!!! So glad we are moving away from that, but am i the only one who is completely feeling these dark interious? or does it ALWAYS look better at the showroom than it does in your home.
We Salute You.
I detest the fact that our chronological location puts us a season ahead of the western world but due to reasons beyond our control we're a season behind in fashion. I'm no student of pop culture but I cannot for an iota deny its influence on our lives and sense of identity. Keeping up with pop culture however to me is a chore at the least, I mean the streets are ALWAYS buzzing, and staying in the loop will mean that I move my bed under some bridge somewhere. So no, you couldn't pay me enough.
Late last year after much deliberation I decided to give a social network that rhymes with “quitter” a trial. A couple of weeks later, the benefits proved more than I had bargained. It afforded me the privilege of knowing things as and when they unfold. Insight into whats hot and who's not. Insight into those who influence the people that influences you. So four months later on the social network, im like that cousin whos visit was supposed to be for a weekend and before you know it you are sharing closet space
A Couple of weeks ago i came across some tweets that hyped the launch of a watch brand called FLUD to hit our streets. With the amount of punting it got from the locals, I was naive enough to think one of our own was the mind behind this product, to which I was ready to buy one myself and a couple of clicks of research, I had egg on my face
Not many can say that Mr Ngwekazi, for that. WE SALUTE YOU.
Late last year after much deliberation I decided to give a social network that rhymes with “quitter” a trial. A couple of weeks later, the benefits proved more than I had bargained. It afforded me the privilege of knowing things as and when they unfold. Insight into whats hot and who's not. Insight into those who influence the people that influences you. So four months later on the social network, im like that cousin whos visit was supposed to be for a weekend and before you know it you are sharing closet space
A Couple of weeks ago i came across some tweets that hyped the launch of a watch brand called FLUD to hit our streets. With the amount of punting it got from the locals, I was naive enough to think one of our own was the mind behind this product, to which I was ready to buy one myself and a couple of clicks of research, I had egg on my face
Its much easier to take someone else’ brand which already has an appeal and a set marketing DNA and adapt it to S.A (after all we are part of a global community) but it really does nothing for us. Which made me take a second in thought and tip my hat to people who have succeeded in influencing pop culture. The fact that so few have procured this makes my mind comfortably lean on the fact that it cant be easy.
For my generation there was Loxion Culture, for these young’ins there is Amakipkip. Each to its generation provided a strong sense of identity, allowed us to be embodied yet not boxed. Whether you buy into the brand or not is irrelevant but the impression that Amakipkip has on our streets is unmitigated. When the Chinese find your product worth counterfeiting, id say your brand SHOULD be doing OK. Now whether the brand perception is matched in financial returns is a story for another day.
You are going to have to bare with me since the only thing I can make time for on TV is Greys Anatomy. Everything else ill catch on YouTube. If it ain't on YouTube? I guess it wasn’t that hot to begin with. So no, I never watched Street Journal nor did I catch a single episode of Real Goboza. My first introduction to the one half of Amakipkip, Siyabonga Ngwekazi was through his weekend breakfast radio show Siz n Scoop. How anyone over 23 can listen to the show? I hear you wondering. Well like everything else its in the art called filtering. As a loyal listener it was only a matter of time that Syabongas infectious personality would grow on me. His heart has completely won me over to the show.
Siya's rags to “doing not to shabby for himself” story is like many others. A man carried through tough times by his passions, talents and dreams. A lover of Basketball, Hip Hop and fashion. You can ignore a lot about him but you cannot ignore his eclectic sense of dress. His street dress sense is a culmination of Hip Hop culture meets basketball, the more “throwback”, the more he is likely to rock it. His formal dress sense straight out of Motown bravado. 
Like many of us who've seen or tasted the bitter taste of poverty, Siyas drive stems from his fear of being poor . As one of the founders of Amakipkip his awareness of the contextual view of clothing within South Africa is heartfelt. “In a country where majority of the people are poor, clothing brands become aspirational. So a lot of people know they might not get that car they want this year. But they can get that pair of branded jeans that they want ” says the 27 year old. To Rage.com he declared “I guess I’m always trying to be the first, even though I’ll encounter a lot of criticism”. A relentless self starter its easy to say success on one level or another was inevitable “Our business grew from some clients, to a room., to getting a stall in Rosebank, to the Magents shop, to a shop in Menlyn Mall and being at the OR Tambo Airport. We have grown, and its all thanks to the Joburg people, that’s what I love about Jozi. With the swagger and everything, now everyone is wearing it.”. Small beinnings should never be despised. The brand now has a nationwide reach through Cross Trainer stores
The fact that brands that are most active within youth and pop culture are alcohol promotions and cigarette brands is an insult to the great young minds of our generation. This ought to change. The sooner we start owning our brands within pop culture the more we can dictate the direction in which our culture is steered. The sooner we can own our deas, own our crafts. The more of us can echo the words of Siyabonga Ngwekazi in saying “I don’t dream no more, I'm living mine.”
Not many can say that Mr Ngwekazi, for that. WE SALUTE YOU.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
THE MAN NEXT TO THE MAN
I have been side eyeing my friend Mamela about her looking at “the man next to the man” theory for a while now. Often this guy gets misconstrued as that guy on the passengers’ seat of his friends City Golf with his arm out the window hollering at all the girls. Only cool by association and lives under illusion that he too is “The Man”. The guy that shines in the spot light of another mans glory.
However the older we get, these friendships are held together by far stronger threads than stale gratification. More often than never authenticity lies at their foundation. Most successful men have a #2 Jay-Z has Tyty and Lebron has Maverick Carter. For the sake of comparing apples with apples. Let’s take Maverick Carter.
One can't question their loyalty to each other. Their Friendship dates back to high school, “I have known him all my life,” Carter said of James. “We are like brothers.” However when Lebron fired his agent Aaron Goodwin to form a management team called LRMR (initials of members) with his childhood friends Randy Mims, Maverick Cater (then 23), Richard Paul . The Four are called “The Four Horsemen”. The Media was not happy about this. How could they be? In his act, he had denounced the “order” of sports management in pro-sport to take his own unchartered path. Naturally they attacked.
“James’ switcheroo a youthful mistake,” the Chicago Sun-Times said.
“Team LeBron might have taken a turn for the worse,” said the Columbus Dispatch.
Out of the 3 friends, Maverick got singled out. He found himself in the heart of public scrutiny and ridicule. Pronounced a failure before he could even started the job. I Marvel at his ability to focus on the job. Remaining neutral with the Media, never giving them ammunition for personal attack. Asked about his role as the leader of the team “I want people to know this is a management group, We work together as a team. Everything we do is a team effort and we run it as a business.”
Before being CEO of LRMR Carter was a basketball sports marketing field representative at Nike, working directly under the guidance of Lynn Merritt, the global head of Nike Basketball Sports Marketing (whom he still calls for advice). He was also actively involved in Nike’s efforts to expand the LeBron James brand through various marketing and promotional campaigns. So the union between the two in pursuit of creating a new financial model for the 21st-century athlete is not by default.
As CEO of LRMR Innovative Marketing & Branding, Maverick is responsible for the company’s overall strategic direction and spearheads their new business development efforts. In addition, Carter plays a vital role in all client management issues, providing marketing and branding advice and counsel to clients.
Instead of just lining up endorsements, LRMR is seeking equity in the companies he works with; using Lebrons on-court prowess to build a corporation that deals with entities as disparate as Bubblicious and Warren Buffett. To Carter this is not about collecting endorsement cheques but about building a brand that will set a new tone in Pro Athletes. In the same way that Jordan brand transcended sports into pop culture.
So “The man next to the man” isnt some retarded chump cashing in on someone elses hard work. Not everyone is going to be a number one, and frankly not everyone wants to be. Some people are REALLY happy with being number two and excell at it. The real value of the man next to the man is only known by the The Man himself. So whether you looking at the #1 guy, or #2 lets hope he is as good at it as these two brothers.
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