Innovation catapulting Zim to greater heights

It was that eminent Harvard Business School’s Professor Christensen who came up with the types of innovations in a most incisive undertaking, whose impact is timeless and expansive.

FOR Africa, he put forward what he termed empowering innovations. These, as the name suggests, empower communities with the exploration of newer opportunities in various fields and facets of their lives.

His research work is credited for transforming the manner in which industries, companies and Masters in Business Administration students viewed management.

According to the HBS, he inspired generations of students and young academics. Forbes described him as one of the top influential thinkers because of how he inspired business to innovate.

I recalled the professor’s work as I reflected on innovation and resourcefulness which are key as we forge ahead as an economy. These twin concepts are of inestimable importance, more so in a country carving its niche in a new dispensation. One senior executive remarked recently that innovation and resourcefulness are what separates ordinary and extraordinary employees. He might as well have been referring to citizens.

As stated repeatedly by President Mnangagwa, global developments and current challenges demand that we depart from the old ways of doing things in companies, institutions, in Government and every sector and facet of life, including in the home. We need to wear new thinking caps, adopt new technologies, systems and processes. Adapting

to the new dictates is what separates men from boys and progressive economies from dormant and retarded ones.

For developing countries, new digital technologies and other innovative solutions help propel economies, fighting poverty, hunger, diseases and other challenges. Indeed we have talked about the new normal. This seeks innovation and resourcefulness from each and every one of us.

For companies, innovation has a positive impact on productivity, opens new horizons, ensures environmental sustainability and promote a much higher Return On Investment. It gives the competitive advantage that the economy needs in this increasingly competitive age.

Where one sees people taking short cuts or cutting corners means there are business opportunities. The possibilities become endless.

We have heard of thinking outside the box, but the thrust now is to actually move away from the box. Traditional ways of doing business have been thrown into the dustbin. We have our own challenges — we have to grow businesses. We need a stable currency, as we need to rein in on inflation. We also need to fight corruption as we need to ensure that everyone is productively engaged.

Initiatives are already in motion in this regard and we have begun to witness stability on many fronts.

Add to that the Buy Zimbabwe campaign. Add too the need to elevate exports, and increase productivity while concurrently working on social issues.

A nation’s matrix are more complex, particularly coming from a tortured past. May I mention too the need for alignment of laws, increased policy consistency and predictability, infrastructure rehabilitation and upgrades among other aspects.

I submit that critical thinking abilities should be nurtured and nourished and we need to assume urgency in the process.

The strategy to introduce innovation hubs at all universities is a game-changer.

We deliberately take responsibility and conscious action.

We also hold each other accountable. We do this with the full knowledge that we are doing it for ourselves, our families, our country and posterity. We each and everyone contribute in this epoch.

The strategy to introduce innovation hubs at all universities is a game-changer and we have already begun to see results. Universities are no longer about just teaching and research, but application.

Useful initiatives have come from these innovation hubs right from the Covid-19 era where they lead the process of producing PPEs and increasingly to solve present challenges in business and in communities. This is as it should be.

It is important that upcoming entrepreneurs adopt innovative ways of doing business. While funding is a challenge in some instances, adopting new and different ways of doing these limits the need for huge capital while conversely creating money-making opportunities that can help nurture these businesses.

The Government then moves in to support these initiatives. It may inject funds or create the enabling environment.

A giant reawakens!

Through innovation and adoption of new ways of doing business, the CSC was this week brought to life after an entire 22 years of dormancy. It is almost too good to be true, but this is for real.

Indeed 22 years is a long time. My son, who turned 22 this year is in his last year of varsity so I was going through all processes from the day he was born to today as I sought to establish how long 22 years is. Believe me it is a long time, but with new technologies and new business systems, the giant has re-awakened.

Growing up, CSC had a popular pay-off line in an advertisement on ZBC/TV which had a talking cow that would say “Nyama inonaka inotaura yega” loosely translated as “good beef ” is self-evident. Advertisement was indeed at its peak. We laughed and enjoyed, as young as we were. This was vintage CSC.

Zimbabwe exported at least 9 500 tonnes of beef to Europe back then. We could do that now once CSC begins to operate full throttle. We will soon supply to all markets that we so wish once we put all systems in place.

Perhaps the best marketing line I have ever heard comes from the Nigerian oil company which states that “you come to us by choice”. That line is loaded, it is simultaneously flamboyant and confident. It presumes a domination of market such that the customers will not go anywhere else, this on the basis of a superior product. The CSC of yesteryear always provided that and we are confident that the new giant will be even better.

The Bulawayo abattoirs is a great start. If my memory serves me right, CSC had Bulawayo, Marondera and Chinhoyi as their flagship units..

Indeed even dry bones can live as the Government has clearly demonstrated.

CSC is symbolic on many fronts. It graphically shows a Government with intent.

It reflects too a proactive approach and it reflects that an entire Government is seized with the issues of the day. We are a nation coming from a not so glorious past. So CSC represents the great possibilities. To some Zimbabwe was a write-off, but the sheer determination of its people has seen immense progress being made in its socio-economic development path.

Much more is in the offing. Much more will be achieved this year and into the future. The phoenix is rising and there is no stopping.

In God I trust!

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For companies, innovation has a positive impact on productivity, opens new horizons, ensures environmental sustainability and promote a much higher Return On Investment. It gives the competitive advantage that the economy needs in this increasingly competitive age