“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know “ …the common phrase we often grow up with. How to make business connections, how to get a job, how to find the right mentor – “Who you know is going to be key, so network like mad, especially if you are an entrepreneur.” But we have to have a starting point, and this is the missing element in most people today …..They don’t know! What don’t they know? Their vision! “Where will you be in 5 years’ time? What job would you like to do? What is your greatest ambition in life? What is your definition of success? What is your unique selling point? ”
I have been an entrepreneur for 25 years, it drives me. I have an ambition to turn 7 billion ideas into action, that’s one idea for every person on the planet. It is what keeps me alive and keeps me focused. I have been training entrepreneurs, developing human capital and mentoring for 20 years and each time I start my sessions it is with less than 4% of people in the room knowing what to put on the top of their ‘blank piece of paper’ when I ask what is their vision for their own life. If you have every read the world best seller, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, you will know this is the secret to success! Know your Definite Purpose.
Actually , it is why I love what I do, because developing entrepreneurs, leaders, change-makers and especially creating opportunities for those facing challenges in the world, is about each one of us ‘knowing’ where we want to go. When I start my sessions with ‘blank’ pieces of paper, and end several days later with people pitching themselves as brands, or presenting their ideas to investor I know I have created the next generation of focused and determined visionaries …each of them will turn an idea into an action and I will be a few more people to achieving my vision.
But before any of us can take the first steps, we have to know where it is we plan to go.. .. The how is not important, qualifications and educational attainment are not necessary, neither the ability to read or write, you don’t need money, you don’t need anyone’s permission and the business plan is definitely not required, but that’s a different story !! The question is, when you close your eyes, can you see your future?
Madi is an Entrepreneur who founded and runs the Madi Group, a group of International private sector & not for profit companies, and NGOs. The philosophy is to create innovative ideas tailored to local action which can achieve global impacts beneficial to a sustainable society. She is also a member of The European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels.
Madi is a keynote speaker at the ICSB World Entrepreneurship Conference this June. Her presentations, spoken from the heart, motivate and inspire and seek to make others consider their ability to affect change. It is now tagged #MadiEffect
Don’t miss the #MadiEffect in Dublin this June.