LEADING IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD :

Challenges, Opportunities and

Lessons

LEADING IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD :

Challenges, Opportunities and

Lessons

Ken WathomeKen Wathome

OUTLINE

• INTRODUCTION –The Faulu Story• MY PERSONAL JOURNEY IN SOCIAL

ENTERPRISE• LESSONS ALONG THE WAY• SPECIFIC LESSONS ON CROSS

CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION –The Faulu StoryINTRODUCTION –The Faulu Story

• Morally unacceptable economic imbalance • More than 60% of Kenyans lived in

abject poverty • Government was unresponsive • Opportunistic – Grameen model • Few resources BUT, good idea,

workable model and resolve to succeed…

Faulu TodayFaulu Today

• 300,000 clients •$ 40m loan portfolio•Operations countrywide, and impact in the region•Impact through changed lives•On the cutting edge of local industry leadership and innovation…bond, m-pesa, cbk licencing •Opportunity to influence national belief system and values•Respected brand

Tabitha Kihara

• Joined Faulu in 1997 when she was dealing in selling of low cost baby cots. She took a first loan of Ksh.5,000 (US$64)to boost her business.

• Over the years, she has taken loans ranging from Ksh. Ksh.5,000 – Ksh.200,000 (US$ 2,560); growing her business and extending to tailoring of baby clothes.

• Today Tabitha is a supplier of baby-wear to several retails shops in Biashara street, Nairobi.

• As a result of support from Faulu she is able to provide financial support to her family and create employment for 6 people.

Tabitha’s business today - tailoring of baby wear.

Original business

Tabitha (second left) and her staff

My personal journey in social enterpriseMy personal journey in social enterprise

• WHY?? • Personal mission…….50:50 focus in 1990• Alignment of the cause with my

mission…….• Realization that the lives of the silent

majority lie in the hands of a few……• HOW DID THE OPPORTUNITY COME

ABOUT??• Through relationship……

My personal journey in social enterprise My personal journey in social enterprise

• RATIONALE BEHIND MY DECISION • Prayer & deep reflection• Personal conviction that life was much

greater than self……….• Desire to learn and develop• Desire for “adventure”…….something out of

my comfort zone • Family support (endorsement by my wife)

Lessons along the wayLessons along the way• We are here on a timer! We need to have

a sense of urgency, mission…• Dare take a risk on behalf of the

disenfranchised/poor…..BUT balance between the heart and mind, empathy and reality

• The poor are reliable and bankable given the right model……peer pressure, precipice realization

Lessons along the wayLessons along the way• Resources shouldn’t be the impediment if

the vision is clear………• Courage, faith is necessary…….• Be ready to redirect focus on critical

areas…from micro to macro

Lessons along the wayLessons along the way• Be prepared to deal with constantly

conflicting interests i.e. common interest vs personal interest….set a principle …………..

• Approach should be …..Learn then influence not vice versa……

• Need to periodically “feed” my vision…..to keep in track…..field trips….

Lessons along the wayLessons along the way• I need to have role models to keep my

passion/focus… • Globalization calls for us to deepen our

ability to work together across cultures, this is irreversible…………….

Specific lessons on cross cultural engagementSpecific lessons on cross cultural engagement

• Seek to build friendships and be committed to developing them…..

• Seek appropriate engagement models…eg partnering with like minded and people of similar status to yourself

• Let’s not impose our ideas on “aliens”, they understand space better!!! (voc)

Specific lessons on cross cultural engagementSpecific lessons on cross cultural engagement

• Remember the critical cultural realities…….

• Attitude: when operating in new environment be flexible on expectations but firm on principles……

• Patience…. Effective social engagement is not a quick fix matter……

Conclusion

Don’t tell me what you believe;show me what you do,

and I’ll tell you what you believe…….unknown author.

• THANK YOU