Towards the end of 2023, my Brand Team had a strategy meeting which had ambitious targets and activities for 2024.

As I contemplated how we were going to achieve our goals, it was clear that I needed to structure the activities in forms of strategic partnerships to reduce the exposure to risks such as excesses which would have a negative impact on the brand.

The questions that were doing their rounds in my mind were;

1. where do I start and who do I engage?
2. would anyone even pay attention to a start up brand like me?

Early this year, I received a call from a number I didn’t recognise. The gentleman on the other end of the line was very jovial in his greeting and I began to wonder whether I just didn’t save the number of someone I knew! When he introduced himself, I still couldn’t connect and I began to doubt my memory!

“ I am Reverand Humphrey Zimba from Taglyn Creative Hub and I would like to speak to you about possible partnership with you as a governance expert” he said.

We agreed to share information with each other so that we could come to a common understanding regarding the proposed partnership.

We very quickly concluded our discussions which culminated into a very good partnership!

In sharing with colleagues today, I would like to refer to the experience I had with Reverend Zimba.

I learned that opportunities can come unexpectedly and the lesson is to exhaustively explore the opportunities before a decision to pursue or dismiss them is made. Learning from others about ways of delivery and placing value in a product or service was also a key point for me. I was made to see my personal brand from a diversity of perspectives. My work was given value that I could also put on the table as my key bargaining chip and it was an awakening moment for me!

I now have cordial business relationships and networks in some areas of my activities under my brand, thanks to that one phone call from a spirited individual!

Thank you Reverand Zimba for taking that leap with me and I wish you success in your endeavors to promote innovation and creativity as we work together to contribute to development and growth.

Let’s share!