Summary of “Grand Business Trajectory: from idea to revenue” Live Session – Ndubuisi Ekekwe 

Summary of “Grand Business Trajectory: from idea to revenue” Tekedia Mini-MBA Live Session – Ndubuisi Ekekwe

This summary was done by Tekedia AI Lecture Companion. It summarized a 90-minute lecture for delivery via WhatsApp to our Learners.

Quick recap

Tekedia emphasized the importance of time management, strategic thinking, and understanding design thinking for effective operational execution. He also discussed the significance of a founder’s mindset, the role of technology in problem-solving, and the importance of customer behavior analysis. Tekedia highlighted the necessity of having a unique product or service, effective communication, and strong user base for a successful business. He also underscored the importance of trust, continuous improvement, and customer feedback. The discussion also touched upon the challenges of doing business in Nigeria and other African countries, as well as the importance of value-based pricing and working capital financing.

>>General Summary<<

Time Management, Strategic Thinking, and Design Thinking

Tekedia emphasized the importance of time management and strategic thinking, particularly in exams where students should allocate their time effectively. He also suggested that governments can use design thinking to understand the impact on citizens. Tekedia then  introduced the “Grand playbook”, a business trajectory that helps transition from idea to revenue. He recommended going back to class notes and understanding design thinking to build four critical protocols. He further discussed the concept of mechanical advantage, its application in both physical and business scenarios, and how it can be used to solve societal problems. Tekedia concluded by encouraging the pursuit of different paths to reach the same final destination and the importance of understanding the reasons behind one’s business decisions.

Founder’s Mindset and Idea-to-Product Transformation

Tekedia underscored the significance of a founder’s mindset and the need to take ownership of responsibilities, regardless of the company’s size. He highlighted the importance of having a team that can transform an idea into a product or service that provides value, and acknowledged that the process of turning an idea into a product is not linear and may require idea refinement. Tekedia also stressed the role of technology in problem-solving, particularly in a business context in Nigeria, and questioned the practicality of certain ideas. He concluded by suggesting that successful businesses often emerge from real society rather than from incubated environments.

Customer Behavior and Business Plan Development

Tekedia discussed the importance of understanding customer behavior through data analysis and the need for continuous refinement of products based on customer feedback. He emphasized the significance of having a process for turning an idea into a company, which includes developing a business plan and attracting investors. Tekedia highlighted the importance of having a co-founder and a confident team committed to the company’s mission. He noted the success of new generation banks such as Diamond Bank and emphasized the significance of recognizing one’s talent in achieving success.

Building Great Companies: Products, Execution, and Communication

Tekedia discussed the importance of having a unique product or service that meets customer needs and builds connections. He emphasized the strategies successful companies use, such as Google’s focus on intellectual property and Groupon’s discount-based business model. Tekedia also highlighted the role of effective communication in business and the necessity of momentum. He stressed the importance of understanding what truly matters in business, noting that even the largest companies can face crises due to poor execution, not because of their products. Tekedia emphasized that having great products is not enough; they must also be executed well to build a great company.

User Base and Execution in Business

Tekedia discussed the importance of having a strong user base for a successful product, using Facebook as an example. He emphasized that the best feature of Facebook is its user community. Tekedia also highlighted the significance of execution in business, arguing that lack of execution often leads to the downfall of startups, rather than competition. He further discussed the potential for growth in African markets, describing them as still being in their infancy and presenting opportunities for well-executed products. Tekedia concluded by suggesting a ‘double play strategy’ for monetization and emphasized the importance of trust in business.

Hacking Trust and Double Play in Business Strategy

Tekedia discussed the concept of “hacking trust” and the strategy of “double play” in business, using the examples of Alibaba and Alipay. He emphasized the importance of trust and monetizing a growing user base. The importance of continuous improvement and customer feedback was also highlighted, with the example of Samsung’s investment of $6 billion in a microfabrication facility. A Learner raised concerns about product affordability and balancing quality and cost, which Tekedia agreed with, emphasizing the importance of targeting products to customers’ affordability levels. The discussion also touched upon the example of Dangote, a successful businessman who focuses on serving the largest number of people within their means. Tekedia concluded by announcing a focus on pricing innovation which comes later in the program.

Business Challenges in Nigeria and Africa

Tekedia and a Learner engaged in a discussion about the challenges of doing business in Nigeria and other African countries. Tekedia emphasized the importance of having suitable platforms for businesses to thrive, citing the lack of such platforms in many African countries as a significant obstacle. The Learner shared his personal experiences and concerns about the high failure rate of businesses in Nigeria, particularly within the first three to five years. Tekedia suggested that the execution phase is where most problems occur and that a significant opportunity lies in managing these challenges effectively.

Balancing Growth and Revenue: Challenges and Strategies

The meeting discussed the challenges of balancing user growth and revenue in a business. Tekedia suggested a value-based pricing strategy, referencing successful models such as Amazon and Tesla. He also advised charging a membership fee to act as a risk barrier and emphasized the importance of working capital financing. A Learner expressed concerns over the high entry point for Tekedia Capital, highlighting the challenges of separating good from bad investments. Tekedia explained that the membership fee, as a risk barrier, is designed to exclude those unable to take risks in startups and young companies. But as soon as they are able to take risks, they can always join and become Tekedia Capital members.

>>Section Summaries<<

Design Thinking in Various Fields and Games

Tekedia reiterated a discussion about the application of design thinking in various fields. He stressed its importance in problem-solving and creating value for customers. A Learner asked if design thinking could be applied to games. Tekedia confirmed it could and gave examples of how it could be beneficial in academic settings, such as in exams, to efficiently allocate time and space for answering questions. The conversation also touched on the importance of preparation and planning for examinations.

Design Thinking and Transduction in Governance and Business

Tekedia discussed the application of design thinking in various sectors, including governance and business. He emphasized the importance of considering the end customer, in this case, the citizens, when implementing policies or running a business. Tekedia also introduced the concept of transduction, which involves moving from one energy state to another, as a relevant concept in business. The discussion revolved around how to efficiently translate an idea into a product or service, including the necessary transition processes and the effort required. The potential for these ideas to help overcome societal frictions and eventually lead to business success was also highlighted.

Ideas, Teamwork, Execution: Business Process Essentials

The discussion revolved around the importance of ideas, teamwork, and execution in the business process. Tekedia emphasized the need for a team to translate ideas into products or services of value and highlighted that the process is not linear and there may be instances to go back and improve the initial idea. The concept of ‘founder’s mindset’ was also introduced, stressing that everyone, regardless of their role, should take ownership and responsibility. The discussion concluded by outlining the transduction process, which involves turning an idea into a product or service that generates revenue.

Refining Business Ideas for Product-Market Fit

Tekedia discussed the process of refining business ideas until they reach a product-market fit. They emphasized the importance of identifying specific problems that can be solved, and how technology can be used to address these problems. Tekedia also highlighted that not every problem needs a technology-based solution, and that sometimes old-fashioned contacts and connections can be more effective. They also examined the concept of incubators and accelerators, suggesting that while they can provide support, it’s important to remain connected to the real-world environment where the business will operate. Finally, Tekedia illustrated the idea that products can evolve based on customer feedback and usage, using the example of toothpicks being repurposed for use in Suya, a local dish in Nigeria.

Product Adaptation and Capital Attraction Strategies

Tekedia discussed the importance of understanding how customers use a product and adapting it accordingly. Tekedia used the example of Instagram, which started as a location-sharing app but pivoted to focus on user faces, leading to its enormous success. Tekedia also highlighted the significance of having a business plan when launching an idea, which is crucial for attracting capital and assembling a diverse team with the necessary skills. The discussion concluded with a mention of various methods of raising capital, such as crowdfunding, venture capital, and initial coin offerings.

Co-Founder, Team, Products, Intellectual Property

Tekedia emphasized the importance of having a co-founder in a business venture, someone who remembers you and isn’t just there for the company. He also highlighted the need for a strong team with individuals who believe in themselves and their unique skills. The discussion underscored the crucial role of products or services in a business, stating that without them, there can be no customer connection or resolution of customer issues. Tekedia also touched upon the significance of intellectual property in businesses, using Google and Groupon as examples.

Group Discounts, Financial Performance, and African Market Growth

The meeting discussed the potential issues of group discounts in restaurants and the importance of a company’s financial performance. Tekedia emphasized the role of growth in mitigating problems for a company and the crucial role of product and execution in building a successful company. Tekedia highlighted examples of IBM, where despite having great products, execution issues led to the company struggles. Towards the end, Tekedia emphasized the potential for growth in African markets, suggesting that with the right product and execution, significant opportunities exist.

Trust in Business: Hacking Challenges in Nigeria

Tekedia discussed the importance of trust in business, particularly in the context of digital systems. He used examples such as Amazon and Uber to illustrate the role of trust in driving business success. Tekedia also emphasized the need to “hack trust” to overcome challenges, such as technical issues or trust deficits, in order to achieve successful product execution. He concluded by encouraging questions and discussion. A Learner  asked about the specific challenges that should be considered when developing products in the Nigerian environment, which has public trust issues, fraud concerns, and affordability issues.

Affordability and Scalability in Emerging Economies

The discussion revolved around the importance of affordability and scalability in product development, particularly in emerging economies. Tekedia emphasized the need to engineer products that customers can afford, citing examples of companies that have achieved success by offering affordable, quality products. The conversation also touched on pricing strategies, with a focus on structure-based pricing that caters to different customer budgets. A Learner shared his concern about the execution of business in Nigeria, noting the need for patience and building trust in the market. The conversation concluded with the understanding that executing business in Nigeria requires a unique approach due to the country’s distinct market conditions.

Government’s Role in Enabling Business Platforms

Tekedia discussed the role of government in creating enabling platforms for businesses to thrive. He emphasized that in many developing countries, such as those in Africa and South East Asia, these platforms are lacking, forcing businesses to divert resources to build these foundational elements, which can hinder their ability to compete globally. Despite these challenges, Tekedia highlighted opportunities for investment and stressed the importance of effective execution in business. A Learner asked about balancing user growth with revenue, to which Tekedia suggested a two-pronged strategy, or ‘double play’, where a company leverages its user base to generate revenue through other means.

Business Model Diversification and Platform Negotiation

Tekedia discussed the business models of companies like Samsung and Amazon, emphasizing the importance of diversifying revenue streams through different products or services. He noted that while the Samsung Galaxy series doesn’t make significant profit, it supports the microfabrication facility that does, thereby generating substantial revenue. Similarly, he explained that Amazon’s cloud services, which have a high gross margin, wouldn’t be possible without its less profitable e-commerce business. Tekedia also touched upon the financial implications of using platforms like PayPal, suggesting that businesses may need to negotiate transaction fees. He also referenced the subscription-based model used by companies like Tesla, where customers make recurring payments to access the product.

Business Model Power and Accessibility Concerns

Tekedia discussed the power of business models and the potential to pioneer unique models to create separation from others. A Learner expressed concerns about the high entry point for Tekedia Capital, which is not accessible to young people due to membership fees. Tekedia noted that it was structured that way to protect them, until they can afford to take risks.

Premium Services Feasibility in Nigeria

Tekedia and a Learner  discussed the feasibility of offering premium services in Nigeria. Tekedia emphasized that the success of a premium service relies on its usefulness to customers. He cited examples of banks offering private banking services and the success of Uber despite launching during a recession. The discussion also touched on the importance of gauging customer needs before launching a product. The conversation ended with Tekedia expressing gratitude to everyone, apologizing for not being able to answer all questions due to time constraints, and inviting everyone to connect on future meetings.

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