Growth Academy with Kitan-David(GAWK): Building African Businesses through Reading
Learning is an important element of an emerging ecosystem; hence as part of efforts to boost the growth of a community of startup founders with the necessary information and insights for execution, Co-founder and CEO PlanetNEST, Kitan David launched the Growth Academy with Kitan David (GAWK) in Akure.
The strictly by invitation event hosts business owners and career persons in the form of an acceleration program, and amazing speakers are brought from within and outside the state to share amazing lessons learnt via reviewing different titles.
The June edition of the Monthly event featured Guiness Book Record holder for “Longest Marathon Reading Aloud”, Bayode Treasures-Olawunmi, Bolaji Fawole (Co-founder, FourthCanvas), Morenikeji Ajala (Regional Head—South West, Inclusive Banking, Access Bank) and Tobi Adeoye (Founder, Rhodetails.com).
Toby reviewed and shared lessons from “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. She explained that people find meaning in love, suffering and what people do. “Man is self determining. When we loose meaning, we seek things that give instant pleasure; drugs, sex and porn in a bid to fill this Existential Vacuum of meaninglessness”, she explained. Another, lesson she shared was that happiness is not pursued, it ensues.
Mr. Morenikeji who reviewed “How to Win Customers and Keep them for Life” by Michael LeBoeuf explained the importance of appealing to the emotions of customers; understanding that how they feel about your products/services determines if they would remain loyal. “2 things people buy; good feeling and the solution to problem” he emphasised. He encouraged business owners/ startup founders to learn how to classify and customize and not to treat all customers in one bucket.
From the book, Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason, Bolaji began with an important quote “…it costs nothing to take advice from a wise man”. He emphasised the need to have savings, effective budget of expenditure and well thought out investment of funds. “With the right knowledge on saving, budgeting and investment,every form of wealth can be increased. But with the wrong knowledge, even gold will rust”, he added.
Guiness Book Record holder, Bayode reviewed “My Command” by Olusegun Obasanjo. He outlined the importance of strategy in achieving set objectives. From the book, he showcased the role played by propaganda in winning battles and contextually explained how it could even be applied in our everyday lives.
And in an unplanned twist, the host for the day, Kitan David reviewed “There was a country” by Chinua Achebe. He outlined his thoughts in these points: Count your cost before taking actions, beware of sudden relations in terms of dedication, always have the best guys around and know how to leverage the media; importantly, know when to exit.
The best part of the event is the lessons learnt by participants and emphasis on the importance of reading and learning. As much as possible, the Growth Academy with Kitan-David (GAWK) is pivoting to a platform where a mix of young and experienced leaders from different niches share lessons from the books that inspire them and actionable plans that can be executed on the path to success. The plan is expand to other cities in Africa; so GAWK may be coming to a city close to you soonest.
The kids were not left out, as Bayode had a Growth Academy session for kids at Bishop Hughes Nursery and Primary School and Watersprings international school on greatness and the importance of a good reading culture.
Do you have a book you want to to hear reviewed or a list of persons you would want to hear their book story—the books that inspires them? Let’s have a chat in the comment section.
