Training Of Trainers Master Class

The Learning Curve. How do we shorten the learning curve without compromising on the quality? 

 I'm a SDG4 Champion! - Lifelong learning and quality education. One of the areas of interest and specialization in the last 18+ years has been in training delivery focused more in the creative economy sector. I train and mentor young emerging passionate youth and trainers in the creative sector that would love to grow the sector by transferring their acquired skills to the next generation.

My areas of specialization in training 21st century skills, leadership, creative entrepreneurship and life skills. Not everyone with a certain skill can be in position to train others. 

Training delivery is a skill by itself which requires some of the listed values or areas; 

1. Empathy
2. Planning 
3. Continues self learning 
4. Facilitation skill 
5. The right attitude
6. Patience
7. Passion 
8. Open mind
9. Readiness
10. Creativity and innovation.
11. Engagement 
12. Commitment 
13. Diversification of training methodology 
14. Good listening skills
15. Feedback mechanism 
16. Relevance
17. Targeted and result oriented.

 Get in touch with me for a master session with your youth group. My charges are very affordable while offering the best experience and value. 

Training Boot-camps - Master Session

Integrated Education for Community Empowerment (IECE), organized a three days training workshop for its members who undertook different skills training like in fashion, soap and mask making. The workshop was organized to train the participants in extra skills that would help them cope during and after the pandemic by initiating different income generating venture / activities. I had the greatest honor to be chosen as the main facilitator. 

We covered the business model canvas, marketing skills, income generation activities, financial management and market research. Main objective To train selected beneficiaries on financial management and using Income Generating Activities (IGA) to create sustainable livelihoods during and post Covid-19. 

 Observations 

 It was clear that a percentage of the participants who had some form of businesses that were running didn’t have any formal plans for example a business plan or a simpler version using the business model canvas. On the other hand, their current business models were either started through; 

1.  A need to do something (get busy). 
2. Joblessness. 
3. The tough economic times before COVID-19. 
4. The pandemic situation during COVID-19. 
5. Make more money 

Generally, the sessions were big success whereby we also discussed on finding a reason to start a business through acquired skills, talent and the most important finding the need coming from the side of the customer’s perspective and way of life. 

It is important to understand and master the customer journeys if someone wants to succeed in any business, this could mean understanding; way of life, preference, shopping patterns, wants, needs etc. The success of any business depends on mastering the customer journey and by providing value that solve a problem. Eventually, you will grow a sustainable brand through repeat buying, referrals, product diversification etc. 

We looked at why many people find themselves trapped at the IDEA stage or even think that they aren’t good enough in coming up with great ideas. 

We used the I.D.E.A abbreviation to unpack the fears, myths and maximize on our potentials by understanding each letter as follows; · 

•  I – Identification phase: Identify what you need, what you need to do it, if there are other similar models, why people would need our services etc. 
• D- Design phase: Design an action plan on how you are going to operate etc. use the Business Model Canvas (BMC)
• E- Engagement Phase: Engage different stakeholders for more insights about our business model canvas (plan). 
• A- Activation Phase: Activate yourself and the idea. Less talk more on doing as you evaluate everything. Start small and with what you have or else you will never do anything. We came to a general conclusion that we don’t necessarily lack ideas but our most and biggest challenge is in how to activate ourselves and ideas. 

This means knowing when to start with what you have and finding the right resources to activate the idea. Lastly, we also learnt that if our work isn’t found out there it will be hard to be found and eventually your business would suffer. There is need for different marketing strategies to be deployed for one to get the right traction and lead for business. Get in touch with me for master session with your group especially in addressing the knowledge gap in the creative, technical and soft skills.

 Below are some of the pictures has captured using my mobile phone; +throughMylens!

Our Future Depends On Our Value System

. #YouthSpace #ValueBasedGeneration #TheNewNormal

The Other Side Of The New Normal #OpenYourEyes

Our value system as young people is under attack if you didn't know. There are many things that I can cite as examples that are on a mission to attack our values system either consciously or subconsciously as seen from many facets of our life in terms of social, economic, political and technological well being.

Theoretical...

" For a great hardware to operate as per its expectation, it needs to be wired with a super software that makes it perform to its full potential." - Wilson Masaka,Youth Advocate.

Our values are those 'software' and the rest are the 'hardware'. Now that many of us are at home due to the pandemic there is need for more interventions in the youth World in fixing or upgrading the 'software' by either;

1. Leading as examples (role modeling)
2. Training on relevant skills
3. Targeted and meaningful mentorship.
4. Support and embrace their efforts and ideas.
5. Create platforms for them to practice what they love that builds on the national values.

" Our desired future of either a decent life, prosperity, equality, equity, empowered youth, corruption free zones, decent earning etc., can't be possible if we don't protect and nurture great values from one generation to the next one" - Wilson Masaka,Youth Advocate.

On a daily basis our values system is under attack especially through what we are sold or fed from television programs, music, politics, lifestyle, people etc. As young people we tend to copy a lot from what we see to the extent we would fake it until either we make it break out in misery. Sometimes what you see isn't what you get. We might look happy on all social media platforms but you never know what one goes behind the scene.

"Never copy someone's lifestyle because you never know what they are going through which might not be broadcasted sometimes to the public"  - Wilson  Masaka, Youth Advocate.

A part from the material things that we admire we should also strive to be great role models for the next generation through our admirable values and sharing our authentic journeys through training and mentor-ship.  Below are some of my philosophies which I would love to share with you as part of how we can enrich our value systems.

Here we go!

1. Shield your ears from all negative influence or what would make you think otherwise especially on your core values.
2. Shield your heart and be authentically you, build meaningful relationship that strength your values.
3. Shield your brain so that you may think of innovative ideas and create positive vibes towards building an ecosystem of value based solutions.
4. Shield your eyes so that you may not copy the rot, but see how you can be the change to the situation.
5. Shield your body so that you may be fit and healthy to serve. 

This all for now, get in touch with me for as session with your youth group.

Change Making Through Skills and Talent.

Everyone has a chance to make positive change in the society regardless of their status or influence in the society. Two of the greatest ways to achieve the desired change is through the use of your talent and skills. As social entrepreneur I have come to learn a lot through my talent on how to influence the desired change which I combine with other skills like problems solving mind set, teamwork, creativity, innovation, presentation skills, marketing, sales, research skills, technical skills etc. 

Talent alone isn't enough, whilst change making doesn't always require money to start and on the other hand it's a lifelong journey of learning. I'm convinced that talent only makes 20% while as skills and other attributes takes the 80%. Today I want to celebrate my journey by sharing with you what you can do with your skills and talent to achieve the desired goal which will eventually build a supportive networks, learning opportunities, solve a problem and make money. 

 The good question to ask yourself when you set long term goals for 5 to 10 years is; what do you need to do to achieve the goal? It is very possible to achieve long term goals at an individual levels provided you learn the ropes by setting your mind, have some clear procedure and routines to follow. I want to share with you my secret routine and procedures towards achieving my long term goals.

 Here we go; 

1.  Set S.M.A.R.T goal which means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound.
2.  Set two objectives linked to the goal. 
3. Write all that you need to do to achieve the objectives (list of activities). 
4. Plan for time in learning any new stuff that links to the goal. 
5. Set goals that are inline with what you do or what you would love to do. Find that centre for passion. 
6. Break the 5 -10 years goals into small goals to be achieved per year. 
7. Document your journey in a format preferably in digital format. There are many platforms and with the use of your smart phone you can achieve a lot. 
8. Training your mind on how you see the goal. You can visualize its success and work back words.. Imagination and visualization of what success means to you in regards to the goal is a booster towards achieving the set goal.
9. The goal must solve a problem at any level which can be at a personal level or society at large. When we are confronted with a challenge at hand our mind generates all manner of ideas to solve it.
10. Have a system track and trace where you are in your implementation plan. 

It is easy to get overwhelmed with many other life challenges so if you don't have a routine way to document and review progress you can get lost even before the first year ends. Now you know, at an individual level it's very possible to achieve more than 5 - 10 years goal only if you believe, have passion, track your activities, define the end goal into smaller manageable objectives, use what you have etc. as shared using my 10 point formula. 

Below is a video of my journey which was produced 2014. It is now close to 6 years and after watching the video today I came to realize that it is very possible to achieve a long term goal like 5 years as much as there are many threats, thinking of impossibility and the unknown future. Between the year 2010 to 2019 I had the following goals which were all successfully achieved. 

   

Project: T-shirt project story-line Period: 2010 - 2016 

Goal: Creative Change Making Objective: To be part of community of positive change makers who inspire great values in life through their skills and talent where reaching at least 500 people within 5 years. 

Implemented; Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. 

Indicator for success: In a period of 5 years sold more than 500 t-shirts. 

Project: Wilsen Initiative

Period: 2014 - 2019 

Goal: Knowledge and skills transfer to young people through soccer and master class training. Objective: To training at least 500 youth per year in Life-skills, entrepreneurship, ICT and use football for social change. Implementation: Nairobi, Kenya Indicator for success: Successful community tournaments and master class training workshops. 

 I thank everyone who have supported my journey in one way or the other by buying my t-shirts, documentation especially video, shared new skill and provided exposure for learning especially my previous employer (NairoBits Trust). 

In 2019, I set a new targets and goal for the next 5 years which is to train and mentor youth in different space as a youth consultant and facilitator. The main objective is to train, transfer skill and mentor youth in technical skills, Life skills and creative entrepreneurship with the aim of achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 4 and 8. 

•  Goal 1; No poverty 
• Goal 4: Quality education and life long learning 
• Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth. 

My target is to reach at least 500 youth per year and my platform is called +throughMylens: Consult / Connect / Create. Help me achieve the goal by either through collaboration, linkages, documentation, fundraising etc. For the training and mentor-ship Skill-Up training I charge affordable rates and so far In have trained at Nairobits Trust, Maji Mazuri, Hope Riasers Initiatives and Mathare Oasis. 

Eight Things You Need To Know About Working Hard Versus Working Smart.

#WorldOfWork #FinancialLiteracy #PhilosophyMoneyMatters #YouthSpace

 

In this pandemic mode also known as the new normal, Covid-19 era, the era of uncertainty and many other names, life can be very challenging especially on finances. 

 

As a youth advocate and facilitator I love training youth on money matters as part of the creative entrepreneurship master class. I have my own challenges in reaching my financial goals and objectives especially at this moment where my business model of training at different youth spaces has tremendously been disrupted.

Photo by Michael Longmire on Unsplash

One thing for sure that I can't miss is in how to treat money which I believe is a vital life skill. 

 

Think about the following situations;

 

1. How do you behave when you don't have money? 

2. What about when you have it? 

3. Do you shift your financial goals as per the situation at hand? 

4. Do you plan with money at hand or do you have a plan that waits to meet money?

5. Do you do budgets?.

6. How much money is enough money?

7. How many sources do you have for money?

8. What does savings mean to you?

9. Who do you trust with your money?

10. Would you take a bank loan? 

 

Is there a difference between working hard and working smart?

 

There is a big difference between working smart and working hard, whereas this sounds like language symantec and can be argued to mean the same thing. In my books they have different meanings as follows;

 

Working Hard

 

1. The goal is to work towards meeting a need within a week or month (Short and medium goals). 

2. Keep routines to ensure a saving pattern is met without any project in mind (saving for the unknown future).

3. Works for money

4. When you die everything stops.

5. The traits aren't transferable to the next generation. No or limited inheritance.

6. Think more of now, tomorrow and future.

7. Runs business to survive.

8. You might work long hours with  less pay. (Average skill and survival mode)

 

Working Smart

 

1. The goal is to meet a more sustainable model where their money works for them.

2. Keeps a routine to ensure a steady financial flow between saving and investment. (Securing the known future)

3. When you die your money keeps on working in support of the family.

4. The traits are transferable to the next generation with a portfolio of inheritance.

5. You think more of yesterday, now, tomorrow and future.

6. Runs business to solve a problem.

7. Works towards meeting a need within  SMART objectives. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound)

8. You might work less hours, good pay (expert mode and special skill).

 

Here are some of my lifelong financial quotes; 

 

"Don't save for the future, save to secure the future" - Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate.

 

"Learn how to treat money nicely or it  will treat you badly" - Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate.

 

 

Do you want to read  further on the same topic?

 

Here is a great read from https://agileleanlife.com/the-big-difference-between-smart-work-and-hard-work/

 

Extract from the article;

 

"If you want to be well off financially, you need to have good money management skills, no matter how much you earn. If you want to work smart, you need to be in good health, regularly take care of your body with exercise and diet. If you want to be happy and feel secure, you need to have the capacity for loving yourself and others, and finding the right spouse that supports you on your journey and vice versa."

 

Don't be afraid to Google the same topic About Working Hard Versus Working Smart there are many other perspectives.

 

Have a great month of August.