Hi, It's Jennifer.

Welcome to NOW, the newsletter that helps you stay informed and be the smartest one at the table. Send NOW's newsletter to your friends and help them get to the table ;)

Here's what we got today:

• Founder Story: The Rise and rise of Amal’s Botanicals

• Bookclub: The One thing

• Black Women You Should Know: Ama Ata Aidoo

• Speaking & Job Opportunities

This is brought to you by www.workintech.ng, an online job database for opportunities in tech.

BUSINESS

Google Hustle Academy Bootcamp Program is open…

This bootcamp, delivered online by subject matter experts, is designed to help small businesses grow by increasing revenue, positioning for investment, and building a sustainable business for the future.

The Google Hustle Academy is currently open to businesses in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

Click here to apply today.

BUSINESS

Africa is the Next Big Thing In Global Business

Reports have been saying for a long time that Africa will be the next big destination for business. But some reports say that Africa's market ranks near the bottom when it comes to competing in the global market.

Now, there's news that a group from the United Nations called The Global Compact has started a project named Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI). This project wants to help Africa grow in business and trade. But, will they really help or just talk about it? You can read the full story here: Africa is the next big thing

STARTUP STORY

The Rise and Rise of Amal Botanicals

In 2015, Zuwaira Isah-Ikharo served as a forensic tax specialist at Nigeria's Federal Inland Revenue Service. That same year, she learned she was expecting triplets. Given the high-risk nature of her pregnancy, the triplets were born prematurely at 33 weeks in 2016. They required a six-week stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. During this period, Isah-Ikharo faced challenges finding local, natural skincare products suitable for their sensitive skin. "If you've seen premature babies, their skin often appears dehydrated and demands extra care," she notes.

Driven by this need, Isah-Ikharo formulated a moisturizing cream in her kitchen, combining shea butter with extra virgin olive oil. Observing the positive effects on her triplets' skin, relatives and friends expressed interest in buying the cream for their own kids. This demand marked the inception of her brand, Amal Botanicals. She then broadened her product line to incorporate shea-based hair and skin oil, a bath wash, and African black soap. All components, including shea butter, coconut oil, neem powder, baobab oil, cocoa pod ash, and cocoa butter, were procured locally within Nigeria.

Read the full article here: The Rise and Rise of Amal Botanicals

BOOK CLUB

The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results

Authors: Garry W. Keller and Jay Papasan

"The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results" is a book written by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. It was published in 2013 and quickly became a bestseller, offering insights into productivity, focus, and success.

The central premise of the book is that by focusing on one single task or goal at a time, individuals can achieve more and reach their goals more efficiently. The authors argue that multitasking and spreading oneself too thin can lead to mediocrity, while concentrating on the most important task can lead to extraordinary results.

Some key takeaways from the book include:

1. The Domino Effect: Just as a single domino can set off a chain reaction, focusing on one key task can lead to a cascade of success in other areas.

2. The 80/20 Principle: Often referred to as the Pareto Principle, it suggests that 20% of your efforts produce 80% of your results. The book emphasizes the importance of identifying and focusing on that crucial 20%.

3. The Focusing Question: "What's the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?" This question is central to the book's philosophy and is intended to help readers identify their primary task or goal.

4. Time Blocking: The authors recommend setting aside large chunks of time (they suggest four hours) dedicated solely to your ONE thing, ensuring that you give it the focus and energy it requires.

5. Avoiding Distractions: The book discusses the importance of saying "no" to distractions and tasks that don't align with your primary goal.

Overall, "The ONE Thing" provides readers with a framework to prioritize their tasks and goals, emphasizing the power of focus and the importance of narrowing down one's attention to achieve extraordinary results."The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results" is a book written by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. It was published in 2013 and quickly became a bestseller, offering insights into productivity, focus, and success.

Happy Reading!

INSPIRATION

Black Women You Should Know

Ama Ata Aidoo was a prominent Ghanaian author and playwright. Born in 1942 in Saltpond, Ghana, she was a significant figure in African literature for several decades. Aidoo's works often focused on the challenges faced by African women, and she addressed themes like colonialism, tradition, modernity, and gender roles.

Some of her notable works include:

1. "The Dilemma of a Ghost" (1965): This is Aidoo's first play, which deals with the cultural clash between Africans and African Americans. It tells the story of a Ghanaian man who marries an African American woman and brings her to live in Ghana, leading to various tensions and misunderstandings.

2. "Anowa" (1970): This play is based on a traditional Ghanaian tale and delves into issues of personal choice versus societal expectations.

3. "Our Sister Killjoy" (1977): This novel is a semi-autobiographical account of a young Ghanaian woman's travels in Europe. It provides a critical perspective on both African and European societies.

4. "Changes: A Love Story" (1991): This novel tells the story of a professional African woman navigating the complexities of modern life and love in Accra, Ghana. It touches on themes of tradition, modernity, and the challenges faced by contemporary African women.

Aidoo was recognised for her contributions to literature and has held various academic positions in Ghana and the United States. Throughout her career, she has been an advocate for women's rights and has used her writing as a platform to discuss and challenge societal norms and expectations. Aidoo died on 31 May 2023 in Accra at age 81.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Call for proposals: THE TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION

• Event: Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2023

• Event: Web Summit, Portugal

• Job: UX Qualitative Researcher, Meta, Remote

Brought to you by www.workintech.ng (Telegram Channel)