In late 2011, PricewaterhouseCoopers conducted its Annual Global Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of businesses Survey, and the prospects from Nigerian CEO’s showed one sign: outlook bright.

CEOs in other parts of Africa weren’t quite as optimistic, even though their outlook skewed to the positive.  Of the CEOs surveyed:

• 90% of Nigerian CEOs were very confident about their companies’ prospects for revenue growth in the short (the next 12 months) and medium (three years) term.
• In other parts of Africa, 64% predicted growth in their companies’ revenue over the next 12 months, and 65% were hopeful for growth over the next three years.

Right now, it seems that these optimistic CEOs in Nigeria are focusing on expanding existing markets, as opposed to directing efforts to new geographic markets.  Product expansion to existing customers was a key factor in driving business forward in the next few years.

Other interesting insights from this study showed:

• Optimism for world trade.  80% of survey respondents believe that the world will be more open to cross border capital flows in the next few years, and 70% believe that international trade will increase over the same time period.
• Top priorities and considerationsforthe coming years:
  • Risk issues (94%)
  • Capital investment (93%)
  • Innovation (87%)
  • Talent (86%)
• The importance of flexibility.  A great driver in this bright outlook for African business is that these CEOs are preparing themselves for change, to become more competitive and relevant in the international market.  A full 80% of the Nigerian respondents feel the need for changes driven by competitive threats, consumer demands, economic forecasts, and risk tolerance.

Africa continues to prove itself as a growing player in international business, and this survey shows just how optimistic and bright the future of African business will be in the coming years.  If you have considered entering this geographic market, now may be an optimal time to take advantage of growth, positive outlook, and possible new partnerships from thriving companies there.  If you have questions about how you can best bring your business to Africa, contact MyBizMarketer.  Owned an operated by Eunice Nyandat, a native of Africa, MyBizMarketer understands what it takes for you to succeed in this market.

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Africa’s business community is booming right now, and many Western companies are scrambling to enter this important, developing market.  If you would like to take your product or service to Africa, start with the basics of marketing and make it your business to know your target audience.

Obviously, you can’t just decide that you are going to take your product and target “the people of Africa.”  In a continent with 54 different countries, some of which have hundreds of ethnic groups and languages all their own, there is a diversity that you will need to discover, research, and come to know.

Earlier this year, The Nielsen Company published a report on “The Diverse People of Africa.” This research shed light on the groups of people that populate this vast country, and it shows just how much opportunity there is to reach a new, international market.

Nielsen’s research identifies three distinct African consumer profiles:

• TIER 1:  Trendy Aspirants and Progressive Affluents — the wealthy, urban, well-educated Africans with high income and CPG (consumer packaged goods) category spend. These consumers drive modern trade, print and online penetration and are more open to expensive and new brands.

• TIER 2: Balanced Seniors and Struggling Traditionals — middle aged, mid-income Africans with average CPG category spend. These consumers are heads of households, they shop for their family and are focused on affordability.

• TIER 3: Evolving Juniors, Bachelors and Female Conservatives — Africa’s biggest tier, comprised of consumers who spend much less than average on CPG categories. Primarily young and lower class, they are otherwise a diverse group comprised of consumers from increasingly modern students to conservative housewives.

Is there a group here that fits your product or service market?  Can you tailor your offering to fit the needs of one or more of these groups? If so, remember that, especially in an emerging market such as Africa, trust and affordability are two of the major factors that Africans list when making purchasing decisions.

If you are interested in introducing your product or service to the African market, contact MyBizMarketer. Owned an operated by a native of Africa, MyBizMarketer understands the intricacies of international business and can help you expand your reach across the continent and around the world.

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    Outlook: Africa. Doing business with a continent on the rise.

All too often, when we think of Africa, the first thing that comes to mind are images of famine, starvation, and lack. And while it’s true that many countries on the continent are facing these challenges on an unprecedented scale, the fact remains that an estimated 50 percent of African’s 900 million people are thriving and hungry for the products and services the world has to offer.

And not only that; the continent is quickly becoming a powerhouse player on the world stage.

According to information provided by the UN trade agency and OPIC, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Africa is estimated to provide the highest rate of return on foreign investment the world over. What’s driving these returns? Aside from petroleum (analysts predict that in the near future, Africa will provide the United States with more petroleum than the Middle East), the telecommunications field continues to be one of the fastest growth sectors on the continent. Since they were first introduced a decade ago, cell phone usage in Africa— a more convenient and practical alternative to computers — has soared. According to a 2009 report released by The Guardian, more than 350 million Africans now own a mobile phone. At the time the report was released, that number was expected to grow by 550 percent over five years. In 2011, digitaljournal.com reported that Africa had reached the status of the second largest mobile phone market in the world, giving weight to The Guardian’s estimation and providing further proof that the continent is plugged in and ready to transact.

As with any emerging market, the risks of investing in Africa cannot be ignored. However, the greater the risk, the higher the potential reward, and the year-over-year growth that Africa continues to enjoy makes it hard to ignore.

If you’re an entrepreneur who’s looking to do business in Africa or are an African business owner considering entering the U.S. market, contact MyBizMarketer. Owned an operated by Eunice Nyandat, a native of Africa, MyBizMarketer understands the intricacies of international business and can help you expand your reach across the continent and around the world.

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Getting Business on Twitter: 7 ways to make the most of your tweets.

Using Twitter as a business lead generation tool has become one of the most effective strategies for letting potential customers know about your business, products, or services, connect with a new audience, and grow a list.

As with every other form of marketing, however, there are a few rules to follow if you’re going to grow your business on Twitter successfully. Consider the following seven keys to using Twitter for your business promotion:

Your Business on Twitter: 7 Keys to Explosive Growth

1  Know your audience. Always provide original, meaningful, and relevant information about your company or service and offer it in a way that it will benefit those who follow you.

2  Ask a question and have the answer ready. If you need the space, considering leading readers to a blog post where you can develop your idea more fully.

3  Include links to relevant information or offers, but not on every tweet. To leave space for others to retweet your message in its entirety, don’t forget to shorten the link.

4 Use Twitter as a way of broadcasting employee success stories or company achievements. Success breeds success, and true accomplishments will attract the attention of those who appreciate what it takes to achieve them.

5 Meaningful content gets retweeted. Be sure to mix up your twitter stream with content that adds value, solves your customers’ problems, or in other way further engages with your followers.

6  Don’t forget to say “thank you” from time to time. Share a recent success and thank your followers for their contribution.

7 Reciprocate retweets, Follow Fridays, and other ways in which your followers spread the word on your behalf by doing the same and watch your influence expand at a rapid pace.

Running Your Business on Twitter

Now that you know the “how” of promoting your business on Twitter, start gathering information to be used for tweets. Keep a notebook handy, or record ideas into your handheld devise and then store them in a campaign with a folder. Once a month, set aside some time  to schedule broadcasts for your business on Twitter (Hootsuite is a great application that allows you to do this very quickly). That way, you can drop in once or twice a day to respond and engage, add to a conversation, or keep one going, while your scheduled tweets run on autopilot.

When Outsourcing is the Ideal Solution for Running Your Business on Twitter

For many entrepreneurs, the thought of adding one more to-do to the list can seem nothing short of overwhelming. That’s when outsourcing your social media marketing needs starts to make sense. (See our list of services to learn how My Business Marketer can help grow and maintain your social media presence and increase the impact you make online.) The key to successfully handing over this aspect of your business is to find someone you trust. Be sure that they can establish a monthly media calendar for what will be tweeted on your behalf, and then drop in every now and again to ensure that your campaigns are being managed in a way that best represents your business on twitter.

Outsourcing to a trusted partner can lighten the load considerably and free you up for more important things, so take some time this week to explore the possibilities. As you do, considering tweeting about your experience so that your followers can learn from your example. This will not only help to further establish you as a leader in your field, but will also help you extend your reach in the social media arena as never before as you grow your business on Twitter

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There’s been a lot of talk of late about whether or not Africa has the talent, capital, and ideas needed to become the next Silicon Valley. But as this “Report on Africa” will demonstrate, if the continent is to become an epicenter of innovation, as many believe it has the potential to be, there are a few things it needs to take from Silicon Valley’s playbook in order to get there from here.

Report on Africa: Bridging the Digital Divide

Silicon Valley is considered to be the technological hub of the world — and for good reason. Name any notable innovation to come onto the marketplace in the past 30 years that has enabled people to connect, interact, and conduct business at an unprecedented level, and you will be able to trace its roots back to Silicon Valley and a host of investors, creative thinkers, and industry leaders.

What has kept Silicon Valley going through boom-and-bust cycles that are part and parcel of every industry is the commitment of those who have prospered from striking the technological equivalent of gold to reinvest their wealth back into the system to keep alive this culture of growth and innovation. Attempts are being made around the world to replicate the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

The Report on Africa 3-Step Plan for Success

In researching this Report on Africa, one thing became immediately clear: If African enterprise is to mirror the success of Silicon Valley, it must commit to the following, three-step process:

1. Africa must nurture and court talent from within its ranks. The start-up environment is not for everyone. But creating opportunities that offer Africa’s graduating talent pool attractive salaries and other benefits as well as access to continuing education to help them remain competitive on a global scale will only serve to increase the talent pool and help companies to establish a presence within their given industries.

2. African companies must focus on enticing exit strategies. Nothing attracts capital like attractive exit strategies. Viable exit strategies are part and parcel of Silicon Valley’s continued success as they encourage subsequent rounds of financing which are often critical to a start up’s ongoing survival.

3. African entrepreneurs must recycle their wealth. Investing in the start up environment by those who have made their fortunes there is one reason why Silicon Valley continues to drive worldwide innovation. If African companies hope to influence global markets in a similar way, the continent’s wealthy must be comfortable numbering venture capital among their portfolio of investments.

Report on Africa: Putting It All Together

If there is a central theme to this Report on Africa, it is one of investment — not just in financial terms (though this is critical to African success), but in terms of talent and time as well. If Africa is to compete on a global scale and live up to its promise as the next Silicon Valley, it must be willing and able to nurture its talent, invest in people and ideas, and give the process the time it needs.

Silicon Valley wasn’t built in a day. But there are valuable lessons to be learned from its impressive history — lessons that, if applied, can shorten the learning curve in Africa and help its start ups to grow and thrive. Success is within reach if the continent is willing to put into practice the strategies outlined in this Report on Africa.

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Women entrepreneurs, example not exception

Who is keeping score, yes you guess it women.

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I have finally jumps of the deep end and blogging about my journey as an entrepreneur, six years in business and still learning from mistakes or small successes. As I think of my plans for 2012, I can’t help being scared and excited at the same time. This lecture by Professor Patrick Dixon starts of 2012 for me.

A Better World

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A Small Business Marketer!

I am on this earth to advocate for Africa, Women and Children.

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