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Traitor to the Jua Kali cause
muganda
#1 Posted : Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:35:21 PM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 9/15/2006
Posts: 3,907
Hot n Corny has opened up in a few malls in Nairobi. I resisted the aroma of boiled maize for a couple of months but finally succumbed to the aura of youth, music, 'utterly butterly' and 'peri peri magic'. And today as I saw now scarce roasted maize Jua Kali guy at a corner I realised I'm a traitor to the cause.

I remembered my young Jua Kali barber who cut my hair for so many years in South B; but the journey grew longer and longer with age and the set-up didn't keep pace with the times and classier town joints in my mind.

And the vegetable stalls around the corner, and the milk kiosk. Now convenience stalls have rang the death knell.



So the key to growth in any economy is the informal sector; but capitalism is so harsh, so brutal, and alas I must admit that I'm a traitor to the cause.

Where do you stand?
bird_man
#2 Posted : Thursday, February 11, 2010 3:30:25 PM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 11/2/2006
Posts: 1,206
Location: Nairobi
Muganda....I love the peri peri one!

Interesting thinking.....but don't you think that your South B barber still has new "small fish" coming in?He may survive for another 30years....only that his revenue will not be on the increase.
Formally employed people often live their employers' dream & forget about their own.
redondo
#3 Posted : Thursday, February 11, 2010 3:38:12 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 12/2/2009
Posts: 161
Location: nairobi
@ muganda. i feel you. i must say 4 me its my campus barber.for the longest time even many years after leaving campus, i kept visiting him for a regular hair cut. in recent times though, i too have betrayed the course. i pay 4 times more at a classy barber shop where the quality is no better, only better ambience
the sage
#4 Posted : Friday, February 12, 2010 5:22:37 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 11/20/2008
Posts: 367
@All, here is the other side of the coin. Nakumatt, Tuskys's all started as small shops and year's later they are these huge retailers. There are so many other examples, could it be that some of these businesses either never saw the big picture or they forgot what they were selling; services not products.
A case is the coffee trend, it tastes more or less the same everywhere but there is a reason why a consumer opts for Java as opposed to Njoki's.
redondo
#5 Posted : Friday, February 12, 2010 7:09:01 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 12/2/2009
Posts: 161
Location: nairobi
i think. the issue sometimes isnt size. growth is usually aimed at increasing revenue base. however i have found that some small outfits are very good at what they do and are also quite profitable. small can be intimate and more customer focussed.

Here is some reading: SMALL GIANTS By Bo Burlingham
http://www.smallgiantsbook.com/
muganda
#6 Posted : Friday, February 12, 2010 8:21:50 AM
Rank: Elder

Joined: 9/15/2006
Posts: 3,907
Good insights. @sage, you assuage the conscience of a traitor. It's encouraging to see a handful of Jua Kalis move to the next level.

Maybe the issue is culture or regulation. We do not really integrate the businesses to our social fabric, and provide necessary support to ensure they always have relevance as capitalism advances.

Good example are those new shoe polish guys in jazzed up chairs. Those guys are Jua Kali but with support they've been integrated into our psyche. And yes I've not disowned those ones yet.
the sage
#7 Posted : Friday, February 12, 2010 8:56:48 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 11/20/2008
Posts: 367
That is why I like this site there is so much diversity. @Redondo Where on earth did you uncover such a book?
the sage
#8 Posted : Friday, February 12, 2010 9:12:12 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 11/20/2008
Posts: 367
@ Muganda may be I am. But here is a sad story. There was a popular fish and chips joint I liked, started off well but as soon as they got enough customers they began slacking by keeping the place untidy, recycling oil used (which spoils the taste of food but more importantly is a health hazard, diluting source with water. Sadder it is a story that has been old many times over and over.
I think some businesses need to style up if they are to climb a rung on the ladder.
The saddest part is that some guys are still hell bent on traveling on the same road.
redondo
#9 Posted : Friday, February 12, 2010 9:58:51 AM
Rank: Member

Joined: 12/2/2009
Posts: 161
Location: nairobi
@ the sage you can get a copy of this book at Prestige Booksellers
(Prudential Assurance Building) or from any books first store (Nakumatt Supermarkets)
anasazi
#10 Posted : Friday, February 12, 2010 12:31:29 PM
Rank: Veteran

Joined: 6/8/2007
Posts: 675
yeah, agreed with redondo fully. sometimes being too comfortable can lead to early death in business. the guy may be happy just making enough, thinking things will remain the same for good. and then the big boys come in, with their ambience, etc. and all the small guy has is that he's cheaper. at some point there needs to be more value add.
Form is temporary, class is permanent
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