| PreambleWhat I am about to share with you is | | | | above is that if an entrepreneur knows s/he |
| my personal vision of what I am convinced is | | | | can successfully pursue alternative avenues |
| a workable strategy that can be used to move | | | | to earn needed income, s/he will be less |
| (especially developing) societies across the | | | | willing to lower his/her fees to unprofitable |
| world FASTER on the path towards sustainable | | | | levels that would most likely impair his |
| socio-economic and political development. | | | | ability to deliver results to the required |
| What I write about here is a strategy which | | | | standards. (By the way, that guy "John", was |
| properly implemented can make INDIVIDUALS in | | | | actually this writer).Multipreneurs are |
| many countries worldwide achieve their truly | | | | entrepreneurs who avail themselves of the |
| great potentials, and then work together with | | | | above wisdom by harnessing a variety of |
| like-minded others to help their respective | | | | skills and competencies to generate multiple |
| countries prosper in ways unprecedented.If on | | | | income streams. It is for this reason that I |
| reading the foregoing, you are already | | | | believe Multipreneurs hold the key to future |
| skeptical about how workable or realistic my | | | | prosperity anywhere in the world. As we |
| proposed plan is, I urge you to be a little | | | | progress, I will explain in more detail who a |
| patient and continue reading. Understand that | | | | Multipreneur is, how/when he can be called a |
| I make these assertions drawing from very | | | | Digital Multipreneur (TM) , and HOW the |
| deep reflection and extensive personal | | | | strategy of Digital Multipreneuring can help |
| experience in successfully applying the | | | | any willing person(s) - and the society at |
| principles I advocate for adoption in my | | | | large.I define a Multipreneur formally, as a |
| personal life. AND this, in one of the most | | | | person who uses a variety of marketable |
| difficult environments any human being could | | | | skills to earn income as the opportunities |
| possibly choose to pursue achievement of | | | | present themselves in the market place. To |
| legitimate, authentic success on this planet, | | | | learn more about Multipreneuring, contact me |
| called Nigeria.I Have NOT Said It All, | | | | for a copy of my article titled "If You Lack |
| Here!Let me quickly warn that even though I | | | | Capital, Intelligent Multipreneuring Can Help |
| have tried - in this paper - to be elaborate | | | | You Get It!"A Multipreneur can be looked at |
| in my explanation of how this proposed | | | | as many entrepreneurs rolled into ONE. This |
| strategy can be implemented, I cannot | | | | therefore means that the benefits of |
| possibly cover all the necessary aspects, nor | | | | entrepreneuring will become even more |
| can I cater for every possible scenario. This | | | | available, to a society in which |
| is why I offer to make myself available to | | | | Multipreneurs flourish. Not everyone can be a |
| speak to and/or work with ANY groups of | | | | Multipreneur however. Few people are willing |
| serious-minded individuals who would like to | | | | to commit the energy and time required to |
| make use of the ideas I offer. This way, I | | | | LEARN HOW to do many things at the same time |
| believe any peculiar issues that arise can be | | | | - and do so successfully, on a long term |
| properly considered and useful adaptations | | | | basis.But the few who are, can make life |
| evolved.Important Requirements/Understanding | | | | better for the rest of us. Think about |
| For Use Of This StrategyWhat I am about to | | | | Richard Branson and his empire of affordably |
| propose is NOT in any way a plan that needs | | | | priced Virgin products and services, and you |
| to be handed over to ANY national government, | | | | will immediately see what I mean.The Strategy |
| regional authority, foreign governments or | | | | of Digital Multipreneuring (TM) This strategy |
| their nationals to implement. It is | | | | is what I believe is the ultimate workable |
| imperative that I also point out here, that | | | | plan. And I have held this belief for many |
| the strategy I propose for adoption in this | | | | years. Back in 2003, I wrote in my personal |
| paper has been deliberately formed to be | | | | philosophy paper titled "Why I Do What I Do, |
| usable by ANY INDIVIDUAL who is willing to | | | | The Way I Do It" as follows:"People with |
| make the commitment to sustained application | | | | mental attitudes and skills that enable them |
| of effort, till the desired results are | | | | to take control of what happens to them |
| achieved. Having said that, if they are sure | | | | daily, are unlikely to be seriously(if at |
| of each others "reliability", like-minded | | | | all) negatively affected in the long term by |
| persons can also team up to use these | | | | the vagaries of their countries |
| ideas.The Three Big Questions1. How do we | | | | socio-economic circumstances. They are likely |
| make it possible for any willing person(s) in | | | | to make the best of them rather than fall |
| our society (including the most disadvantaged | | | | apart. It is my conviction that knowing how |
| e.g. indigent, poor, handicapped) to become | | | | to ADAPT to inevitable changes that could |
| capable of rendering economically beneficial | | | | make your survival skills obsolete, is of |
| products/services to others within and | | | | crucial importance....The foregoing is one of |
| outside our countries and continents?2. How | | | | my motivations for being a Multipreneur. To |
| do we ensure they do this in a way that | | | | succeed more frequently, one needs a |
| enables them earn adequate remuneration to | | | | multiple-career strategy i.e. have a variety |
| achieve financial independence so they are | | | | of skills to generate income and capture |
| less vulnerable to being manipulated for | | | | opportunities in today's fast-changing market |
| their voting power?3. How do we create a | | | | place - leading to prosperity and fulfillment |
| situation whereby opportunities for | | | | independent of economic fluctuations."The |
| socio-economic benefits accessible to those | | | | foregoing is an excerpt from a one-page |
| in developing countries make the option of | | | | Acrobat PDF document I wrote back in March |
| their leaving home to settle/work in | | | | 2003. My vision and conviction has not dimmed |
| developed countries far away from loves ones | | | | or waned since then. Not only that, my |
| less compelling than it currently is?My | | | | achievements since that time have given |
| Answer - A Vision Statement"The world's most | | | | further verifiable proof that what I said can |
| successful entrepreneurs in the future will | | | | indeed be made to work - for ANY individual |
| be Multipreneurs. That is why I believe our | | | | who is willing to put in the required effort |
| future economic (and sociopolitical) | | | | and time.A Digital Multipreneur (TM) will be |
| prosperity depends greatly on the creation, | | | | a person who deliberately acquires a variety |
| and evolution of INDIVIDUALS I call Digital | | | | of inter-related competencies in different |
| (D) Multipreneurs (TM) in every society. | | | | vocations which he then cost-effectively |
| They will be multi-skilled, independent | | | | combines to earn multiple streams of income |
| minded thinkers, with a passion for | | | | by leveraging PC and Internet technology.A |
| creatively adapting technology and the | | | | Multipreneur who is PC/Internet illiterate |
| Internet, to achieve sustainable economic | | | | will struggle to compete favourably with one |
| (and sociopolitical) benefits.These | | | | who IS literate. The former will therefore |
| individuals will be notorious for depending | | | | not enjoy the degree of competitiveness of |
| MORE on their Creative Brain Power - and LESS | | | | the latter in terms of pricing as it relates |
| on their Muscle Power - in working to ensure | | | | to maintaining steady or increasing |
| they can continually provide for themselves | | | | profitability. Note also, that examples of |
| and those that depend on them. They will also | | | | possible areas of vocational interest I have |
| be recognised for their ability to | | | | given in this paper are those I have personal |
| successfully coach willing others to become | | | | bias for, and experience in. Any interested |
| competent to succeed in society in the same | | | | person can choose to adapt the wisdom offered |
| way. In preparing themselves (and those they | | | | here for use in other areas that they find |
| coach) to succeed, they will typically | | | | suitable.Lastly, I must state very clearly |
| emphasise functional skills and knowledge | | | | here that your ability to function |
| acquisition, over formal schooling.Most | | | | effectively, successfully and profitably as a |
| significantly, they will be known for earning | | | | Digital Multipreneur, does NOT require that |
| income mainly while working from home, using | | | | you have anything more than a secondary |
| digital technology and Internet resources, | | | | school education! Once you can read and write |
| instead of being what Robert Kiyosaki calls | | | | proficiently, you will be able to acquire |
| "paycheck slaves". Their activities will | | | | many practical vocational skills, including |
| ultimately have a multiplier developmental | | | | using a PC and the Internet.So, What Makes A |
| effect on their societies. Incidentally, such | | | | Multipreneur "Digital"?As far as I am |
| individuals already exist today, especially | | | | concerned, a Multipreneur can only be called |
| in developed societies - proving that this | | | | Digital, if she KNOWS HOW to use PC and |
| idea WORKS. That is why Self-Development | | | | Internet technology to :a. increase the |
| Academy(SDAc)'s main objective is to actively | | | | quality and value s/he delivers to her |
| promote the proliferation of D-Multipreneurs | | | | customers or employer.b. dramatically cut |
| (TM) ." - Tayo K. Solagbade, Founder | | | | down expenses incurred in delivering the |
| Self-Development Academy(SDAc) Limited - 2006 | | | | product(s)/service(s).c. significantly |
| Vision White Paper, 1st January 2006.Download | | | | increase the marketing and advertising reach |
| the FREE Acrobat PDF E-book version of this | | | | impact of her work in a way that complements |
| white paper from arriving at the answer | | | | her use of conventional methods.A |
| strategy I propose - described above as the | | | | Multipreneur CANNOT be called Digital simply |
| active facilitation of the creation and | | | | because she can use the PC or Internet. No, |
| evolution of Digital Multipreneurs (TM) , I | | | | that would not be enough.To be a Digital |
| have considered a number of perspectives | | | | Multipreneur you need to:a. be competently |
| based on current realities in many | | | | skilled in multiple vocations that your |
| societies:Perspective A. Poverty & | | | | target audience will be willing to pay you |
| Self-Esteem:For many countries, the main need | | | | for.b. KNOW HOW to intelligently apply |
| is economic empowerment of the larger | | | | relevant computer and Internet resources to |
| majority of the citizenry. No human being can | | | | improve your ability to do the different |
| survive for long in the absence of very basic | | | | things you do, in a way that makes it easy |
| necessities like food and/or shelter. Both | | | | for you to operate profitably for the long |
| are easily acquired when money is available. | | | | term. Note that many income earning |
| Eroded self-esteem/belief is gradually | | | | opportunities exist on the Net alone.For |
| restored when the ability to EARN money that | | | | anyone to succeed as a Digital Multipreneur |
| is to be spent meeting daily needs is | | | | requires a very clear understanding of the |
| realised such that dependence on the | | | | above distinctions.Example: A self-employed |
| generosity of others becomes unnecessary.Any | | | | person who works on a PC at home offering |
| answer/strategy to be adopted MUST address | | | | various PC based services such as graphic |
| this most fundamental need if it is to be | | | | design, Excel spreadsheet programming, |
| taken seriously by majority of the | | | | freelance writing, Website Design, |
| people.Perspective B. Choice | | | | Automation, Web marketing strategy |
| Unavailability:More jobs would help, but even | | | | development, and other related services for |
| better will be the creation of a rapidly | | | | individuals and businesses.S/he would easily |
| growing pool of multi-skilled people who | | | | maintain a homestead Catfish Farming and/or |
| understand that they have a choice to become | | | | other livestock ventures in the back yard, |
| (or remain) employees or to be self-employed | | | | which would constitute a significant addition |
| and independent. And, who know HOW to go | | | | to the income stream from the computer |
| about it. Again the solution to be adopted | | | | services delivery. She could also have an |
| MUST address this need if it is to be widely | | | | aquarium construction and ornamental fish |
| accepted.Perspective C. Entrepreneurial | | | | breeding homestead business alongside the |
| Conviction:For those who are self-employed or | | | | catfish venture.Her PC based services would |
| independent, they need a clear conviction | | | | be affordable because she would have fewer |
| about the value they offer their clients or | | | | overheads, and would not be working for an |
| customers. Most critical is the need for them | | | | employer who would have gotten a part of the |
| to UNDERSTAND that a true entrepreneur DOES | | | | money to be paid by clients.As a result, her |
| NOT NEED any Samaritans.Getting repeat | | | | clients would also benefit, because this |
| business or referrals from clients/customers | | | | highly skilled professional would offer |
| MUST NEVER be about someone feeling sorry for | | | | relatively lower fees (or more value for the |
| you and doing you a favour by telling others | | | | same fee) compared to her counterpart |
| to give you business. It MUST be about ONE(or | | | | employed in an organisation with overheads to |
| more) happy, satisfied client(s) or | | | | cover. Consequently she would be in a |
| customer(s) excitedly telling other potential | | | | position to command more frequent |
| clients/customers about you, such that the | | | | patronage(in both local and foreign |
| latter inevitably feel it would make sense to | | | | currency), and be able to retain more of her |
| engage your services, over others, whenever | | | | revenue as tangible profits, which can in |
| they have a similar need.Without this | | | | part be channeled to her other income |
| understanding, venturing into entrepreneuring | | | | generation ventures to further increase the |
| (particularly in developing countries | | | | flow of multiple income streams.If s/he were |
| continents like mine) will continue to be | | | | to be employed under the current situation |
| regarded as a dead-end rather than an avenue | | | | extant in a developing society like mine, the |
| through which creative geniuses accumulate | | | | employer would balk at paying her the kind of |
| wealth (while making society better) by | | | | rates her clients would offer her as a |
| bringing their unique ideas from conception | | | | self-employed, independent contractor. Also, |
| to reality. An example is the way Bill Gates | | | | s/he would have less free time of her own (on |
| has today made use of the PC easier for | | | | a 9 to 5 job for instance) to pursue other |
| everyone using his MS Windows software. If | | | | income-generating interests. Most |
| Gates had not chosen to quit Harvard when he | | | | importantly, as an employee, the volume of |
| did, he may have NEVER gotten around to | | | | work she does will not necessarily directly |
| starting Microsoft.Entrepreneurs are to be | | | | translate to a proportional increase in money |
| reverred, valued and encouraged. This is | | | | s/he gets on a salary!As you can see from the |
| because they offer society an opportunity to | | | | foregoing there are huge potential benefits |
| make progress in quantum leaps (rather than | | | | to he reaped from becoming a self-employed |
| by taking baby steps), through their selfless | | | | Multipreneur.However, even if you decide to |
| implementation of paradigm-shifting ideas and | | | | be a salaried Multipreneur, with the |
| concepts. Wherever authentic | | | | intention of using your after-work hours and |
| (non-corner-cutting) entrepreneurs are able | | | | free weekends to nurture your additional |
| to proliferate, the inevitable result is a | | | | income stream generation ventures, the pros |
| never ending cycle of innovation and | | | | still far outweigh the cons.The bottom line |
| creativity that makes society continually, | | | | of all that I am saying here is that |
| and rapidly improve to the benefit of all its | | | | depending on a single source of income for |
| members. It is because MANY entrepreneurs in | | | | the long-term in today's world can only be |
| developing societies like mine do NOT | | | | described in one word: STUPID.Key Benefit Of |
| understand the above that they allow | | | | Digital Multipreneurs (TM) To SocietyThe |
| themselves to be manipulated out of their | | | | proliferation of financially independent and |
| earned income for work they have done (via | | | | socio-politically aware/empowered persons in |
| the giving of percent cuts, and kick-backs | | | | society, functioning as Digital Multpreneurs, |
| etc).Another reason why many such | | | | with an enduring passion for cloning |
| entrepreneurs lamely accept bad/shoddy | | | | themselves will bring multidimensional |
| treatment meted out to them is because they | | | | benefits to the society as a whole.Digital |
| have no other skills, or alternative means of | | | | Multipreneurs (TM) will ideally be |
| earning income. As a result, when threatened | | | | self-motivated INDIVIDUALS who see an |
| with the possibility of losing a contract or | | | | opportunity for financial liberation of |
| project they are bidding for, such | | | | themselves and those they love using their |
| entrepreneurs readily break down and | | | | unique abilities. As they increase in number |
| compromise.Ironically, the terms under which | | | | over time, the problems highlighted at the |
| they then accept to work make it even more | | | | start of this paper(i.e. "The Three Big |
| difficult for them to deliver satisfactory | | | | Questions") would progressively suffer |
| products or services, thereby damaging their | | | | diminishing relevance, due to increasingly |
| future ability to secure patronage from the | | | | influential positive Social Change Agent |
| same or other clients/customers.Multipreneurs | | | | roles that will be assumed by many Digital |
| (TM) Hold THE Key!When you consider all of | | | | Multipreneurs, in their bid to give back to |
| the scenarios discussed above, it becomes | | | | society. Take a look at what Bill Gates is |
| quite obvious that Multipreneuring offers | | | | doing with his foundation, and you'll get an |
| multiple benefits that reward those who | | | | idea of what I mean.Summary Of Digital |
| practice it in line with efforts they expend, | | | | Multipreneuring(DMg) Features/Benefits1. |
| while protecting them from the negatives | | | | Digital Multipreneurs(DMs) (TM) can be |
| typically visited on entrepreneurs and | | | | self-employed or paid employees.2. There is |
| others.For instance, I like to point out that | | | | almost no age limit. Once a person is capable |
| a Multipreneur is less likely to bow to | | | | of creative, value-adding, income-generating |
| pressure to accept poor remuneration, shabby | | | | effort - especially using PC/Internet |
| treatment, or demands to give cuts, | | | | resources - s/he can become a DM.3. DMs can |
| kick-backs etc in exchange for contract | | | | work for longer periods daily, and will have |
| awards, due to her ability to pursue multiple | | | | no need to retire formally.4. They do NOT |
| alternative avenues of income generation | | | | need any formal qualifications or education |
| simultaneously.Consider this true story. | | | | beyond being schooled to upper primary or |
| John, a Multipreneur, is asked - by the | | | | secondary levels and being able to read and |
| principal of a leading secondary school - to | | | | write competently. Everything else can be |
| drop his fee for building one of his 6 gallon | | | | learnt through diligent self-effort and |
| size custom natural self-cleaning aquariums | | | | access to appropriate resources.5. A true DM |
| (biologically balanced; use no electricity or | | | | will easily integrate her online and offline |
| air pumps - thereby giving long term savings) | | | | income-generation activities.6. DMs, for the |
| by almost 75%(!). When he explains to her | | | | most part will not be limited by physical |
| that what she wants is impossible, she | | | | handicaps or social status. Hence disabled |
| ignores his response and says: "go and think | | | | persons, housewives, orphans etc can |
| about it"!That day, John left the principal's | | | | successfully become DMs.7. Activities of DMs |
| office knowing he would not be going back. It | | | | will create multiple income opportunities |
| was not that he did not need the business. He | | | | jobs for others.8. This strategy of DMg will |
| did. But he knew it would not make good | | | | dramatically increase chances of micro/small |
| business sense to take on an UNPROFITABLE | | | | business startup survival since very little |
| client (one does not need a university degree | | | | startup capital is required. Also multiple |
| to deduce this). More importantly however, he | | | | income generation opportunities will help DMs |
| knew that as a MULTIPRENEUR, he had a CHOICE. | | | | keep going for longer periods till they break |
| This was because building low long-term | | | | through.FINAL WORDS: My Vision Statement - |
| operating /maintenance cost aquariums was | | | | AgainLet me now end by asking you to re-read |
| only ONE of his income-generating | | | | my earlier outlined vision statement (above) |
| competencies.A few days later, he picked up a | | | | of how Digital Multipreneurs (TM) will |
| cheque for TWICE the amount offered by the | | | | determine our future prosperity. Hopefully, |
| principal, after delivering a one-hour talk | | | | you now understand it better.I would be glad |
| to 14 new management trainees at the | | | | to take on any questions you may have on HOW |
| corporate headquarters of a leading fast | | | | this idea/strategy can be successfully |
| foods company(he had been invited as an | | | | implemented by interested, adequately |
| external speaker by a consultant organising a | | | | motivated individuals, groups and/or |
| week-long induction for the new intakes). | | | | organisations.Self-Development/Performance |
| Some months later, he would build and install | | | | Enhancement Specialist - Tayo Solagbade - |
| one of his 6 gallon size natural aquariums in | | | | devotes his time to exploring new frontiers |
| the reception of the main premises of a large | | | | of Self-Development Education, especially as |
| group of schools, for a discounted price | | | | it relates to showing people what they can do |
| which was FOUR times that offered by the | | | | by themselves, for themselves to achieve |
| school Principal - ALL of which was paid to | | | | their set goals - DESPITE the limitations of |
| him upfront.The obvious learning from the | | | | their circumstances or environment. |