Mankiwwa

Mankiwwa the Social Change application of Sri Lanka. If you have not heard of Mankiwwa as a Sri Lankan you should. It's a mobile application that you can lodge complaints and social services. This is made for citizen empowerment to report anything from a roadside water leak, illegal garbage dumping, taking it all the way to a roadside accident or a robbery.

Mankiwwa has won so many social accolades over the past year. Getting them noticed in the social change and digital infrastructure circles of Sri Lanka.

This is not the reason why they are silent heroes, it is because they travel all over Sri Lanka trying and getting appointments with local authorities to educate them of the application and trying to sign them up. It is because they are empowering citizens silently where they already have users reporting such incidents and local authorities having a spark of light to green light the application.

They also have been taken note by Child Protection in Sri Lanka. They are trying hard to change Sri Lanka one person at a time, one authority at a time.

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES

Cheers!

LISWITH

By the People, For the People Mobile App ; Mankiwaa

People are taking charge. With the initiation of a ground breaking app, Mankiwwa has entered Sri Lanka.

Mankiwwa is a mobile app which is made with sole purpose for us the public to report day to day incidents to your local authorities.

This helps you reports day to day incidents like garbage or leaks of the road, emergencies on the road due to an accident or the collapse or a tree, the is taking steps into disaster management and even more serious issues like missing persons.

The app is truly simple basically take a picture of video under the specific incident, e.g.: robbery, broken road, landslide, or an unrecognized parcel and submit. It picks up you location (where location has to be on, on your smart mobile) and app informs the relevant authority.

Due to the sensitivity of the reports submitted the user shall always remain anonymous. The dashboard shall alert you on incidents that require announcements but no images or videos shall be ever displayed.

This is empowering us the public to take charge of our immediate surroundings. ManKiwwa is on the go on approaching government bodies, and other official authorities to make way to this by people for the people mobile app island wide.

LISWITH

Tips for Presentations

Hi there,

• Do not use technical jargon, talk common language. Make it simple for any laymen to understand the point you are trying to get through
• Presentations should be about a DREAM, do not sell the common day to day. Make your idea sound like a dream, make the listener envision it want it.
• Keep the slides simple, short. Do not bore the listeners, with current age the attention span of a human has reduced. Don’t capture them fast, they already have phased out.
• Dress to impress, sorry your degrees, status, or your wallet is not what you it’s simply you. That’s presentation skill too is a requirement not only what you are about to explain.
• Do not call anyone Sir or Madam, keep it Mr. or Ms. the moment you Call Sir you have already said you are inferior, no one takes anyone seriously unless from a point of authority.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Startup Pavilion

Infotel 2017, Startup Pavilion.

This is a place for all entrepreneurs from different trades to be at get inspired.

I saw many familiar faces all with new ones. Everything from Robotics educational services for youngsters, E wallets, Sri Lanka produced gaming, B2B total solutions, Doctor Services via video chat, Enterprise retail solutions, VR experience for a apartments or hotels, and Social Media gurus who take care of your online marketing solutions.

YES!!! Sri Lanka is going places.

This is was great to see young generation getting together under one roof and showcasing their hard work.

What I see as an outsider was that they lacked the support of the trade. No one told them how to create leads, that when they speak to a potential user they should be enthusiastic about it, that no one will walk to their stall and ask Hi! What does you company do? They had to believe in themselves and fuel that inner fire to set fire to each person that spoke to them. Word of mouth the oldest form of marketing. They were not mentored to market themselves along with their product. Not taught to educate a novice what they do.

Today I am writing to inspire all of you at the Startup Pavilion, bring your "A" GAME everyday.

Show people proudly what your passion built and what places you are heading, don’t shy away from educating anyone you meet what you do, what you product does, and how you are the next big thing.

Cheers to all you BRAVE Ladies and Gents who are taking part in this amazing showcase called the STARTUP PAVILION.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Leader Dreamer

This is a short thought I am writing today. What is the most important duty of a Manager and Leader in your work, home or society? I'll let you think.

Think of your dream, what do you want in your life. This dream does not have to linked to your career or family. I am talking about YOU, what do you dream?

How many of us have a clear dream of what we want? This dream you are envisioning now, might be unachievable as of now. But this is what you want your life to be, how you want your tale to be told.

Most of us are vague on this YOU dream. This is something your Sunday should put serious thought to.

Now coming back to the most important duty as manager or leader, is to teach your team to dream. Dream epic big, dream desperate and dream clear.

This dream as a leader should be asked by you, advised by you, and mentored by you.
Now you smart people are thinking; wait if he is working under me, and he dream is home of his own how do I help? This is not part of my job.
It is part of your job, it is how you nurture your team. It's not normal day to day work questions, but this is the guidance and experience you carry they are reaching out for.

As a leader teach them to dream, once they do nurture them to achieve it.

Cheers

LISWITH

What does a Business Traveler seek?

I see so many city hotels coming up around Sri Lanka and globally.

This means the Mice and Business traveler markets are a large portion of the current tourism industry.

Has anyone thought what are the key factors influencing the business traveler mind. In the past couple of weeks, I have been listening to busy bee business traveler reviews, on what they weigh when making the decisions.

Location: yes, it should be a city Centre, accessible easily as they are always on a tight schedule.

Breakfast: the first and mostly the last meal taken at the hotel. This carries a long way.

Internet connection: that's not chargeable. The whole point of a business traveler hotspot is the fact they are able to stay connected.

Executive lounge: this is a work and play place this lounge is where they kickback and work. Light music, and couple of good wines this is a lounge. People often mistake concept of a lounge and bar.

Customer service: no repeater shall be ever referred to as Sir but as Mr. X. This is captivating the client to come not to a hotel but back home. 6 days in a hotel and regular staff do not know your name or preferences, you start thinking twice. Can you remember so many clients? That is whole point of the Hospitality industry.

Rewards: business travelers love to be rewarded this is upper hand which the international chains have over local establishments do not. This means opportunity for them to start up.

The room: should be clean, the bathroom should be great and the bed should be comfortable. This is key factor the whole point of a business traveler after a hard day of work comes back to rest calmly.

Value adds: free laundry and dry cleaning this is comes very much in handy because they shall always pack light.

Now we have discussed the flag screen TV or the coffee machine, the porcelain wear. Wait do these matters? Yes they do, but on a decision making point of view nope!

What do hotels who concentrate on the business traveler end do rest of the year. The many operational restaurants, bars, and the convention halls that are rented out for meetings, balls and weddings.

Now thinking of the key factor, we spoke ROOM, they main sources of income can be a hindrance for the client never return. Loud music that doesn't end, the noise of footsteps next to your room, and endless chatter of the drunk folks.

Should these events be stopped? No no no. This would be a direct hit on the substantial revenue generated monthly. How can this not be a disturbance to staying guests, I suggest sound proof the rooms.

Well those are my inputs, next time you travel on business let me know your input.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Maldives

I lack the stones to be one

Many years back a gentleman I love and respect immensely wanted me to be an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur, dictionary states: a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.

My background is that I am taught, influenced and educated by some of the greatest entrepreneurs and minds of the current age. It's a daily influencing factor to think bigger, think of society, and the lives and people you shall touch.

My life I have learnt hard work, ever since a child my father always mentioned that a man works hard.

Now getting back to the answer to the initial question of do I want to be an entrepreneur, my answer was I lack the stones to be one.

My life experiences taught me of certain fears, one been letting people down. An entrepreneur word itself is a risk. The self-made MBA anyone can own is been a true entrepreneur.

Yes my whole life I do dream to be one. This is written to inspire people to be an entrepreneur, written so I and others learn to conquer fears to achieve greater dreams, written to show a focus is a 24 X 7 job there is no time one can drop the ball.

Cheers to conquering your dreams.

YOU NEVER LOSE UNTIL YOU GIVE UP

Liswith

Challenges

This is something I am still struggling to face head on.

Many years earlier into my working career I learnt sometime I am given tasks that are beyond me.
Firstly, I was very discouraged, simple thought process your washing your hands-off work and dumping on me. Years later anger turned to frustration this sent on a resentment spiral of people.
With the experience years of work grew, I learnt I am feeding my mind at a fast speed pace. A pace that left me constantly hungry, I always need to breakdown and know the why and the how? Most people now portrait this obsession of mine, as a negative.

How I over challenges that were put up against me like a wall was purely selfish. I understood what is taught to you, what you self-learn or any hurdle you over is a benefit on you. What is learnt by you cannot be stolen, this is all you. This was you hard work that paid off not for others but for yourself, this is greater experience that can make you a better employee and a person.

This constant hunger let me over most challenges put up against me, the first thought I always now think is what can I get off this lesson that I am trying to overcome. Don’t let is misguide you thinking I face all of my challenges head on and with confidence yes, I shall have a smile upside down but yet try to accomplish it. There are many challenges I have not faced yet and still have to face.

This trait can make you a more reliable friend, family member or employee.

Next challenge, think what can I learn off this to my life’s curriculum vitae.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Innovate > Micro Manage

Well this was an idea spark kind of thing I wanted to share. This is about us Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka, Sri Lankans are genetically being great at Innovation, simplification of the day to day progress. May it be grounding medical advances, or services at your fingertips, and even simple things like finding shortcuts in day to day operations. We can think out of the box to minimize human effort, ever thought why. I thought and came to only one conclusions we are freaking lazy, lazy as it comes so when boxed in between moving yourself around to get things done or at your fingertips. We chose to, yes you guessed right the non-movement. While the other part of world makes shoes that self-tie themselves, we are streamlining our lives to move less.

I think this is a true power, we have been given that gift to push push push the world, in a way to give more time to actual things that require our attention and remove time spent of tedious tasks. This kind of innovation is only creating such great entrepreneurs in our motherland.

With the blessing to innovate, we were blessed with an insecurity too that we are the best at micro management.

May it be British rule mentality which never left us, we are very insecure of what we build, create. Firstly my idea shall be stolen, showing great failure that you yourself have zero faith in your idea or product. Secondly follows never will I teach what I learnt to another, may it be a subordinate or competitor. We encourage such dependency that's unhealthy, subordinates do not know problem handling or even thinking for themselves. Competitors are treated like vultures, we never can be transparent with another as our minds plotting their demise: not thinking me and my competitor can work towards a common win win goal situation.

Lastly this micro management experience level gained, disrupts your growth. You become the FBI hound sniffing out issues, taking away your valuable time that you need to initiate your first blessing we spoke of Innovate.

Think of these words that I observed and let me know was my observation sound.

Over and out.

LISWITH

Educate Clients

Educating a client is a critical part of any sales individual.
One of the key factors when selling of any product, service or innovation. Educating one is the setting a standard in the eye of your customer, telling them the honest pros and cons.

The standard you set in the customer can be innovation of your own industry to the next level, something your competitors have been lazy and ignorant about.

This honest passing of knowledge will earn ones trust with you not as a person who is trying to sell but a friend who is helping you improve the level of service you need that you never knew about.

Education of one's trade can make things more transparent, get your company the respect as a people's company. Not the company that sells you a one time good, but one that establishs a customer provider relationship.

Can your customer change jobs over the years? Yes of course they shall in order for their growth.

Will they forget you? No!

Today is not about gaining a customer for an one time deal, but gaining that loyalty that befriends us in this Internet based society.

A thought I shall leave by you.


LISWITH

Maldives

Is everyone your Marketeer?

My knowledge of sales and marketing literature is very poor.

This is purely written on one skill I trained myself over the years to own; the skill of observation.

Mass marketing.

Takes a lot of Facebook campaigns, understanding of Google analytics and some serious marketing skills.

How does one empower all around you to sell your idea or product.

The key is truly simple, you market it in every discussion; it can be a casual drink, or a dinner, and can be that random coffee.

People love the idea of sharing new things, empower them your idea kicking in their intrigue curiosity level with a boost them of knowledge.

We all love to talk, even more we love to shout out what new things we know or we heard.

You are already making your idea viral.

Do not be aggressive, no ones like been smothered with opinionated ideas. Be the storyteller, everyone loves a good story.

Always knows good stories makes waves, creates and audience and an audience shall create your market.

Written by : Liswith Obinamuni

Why use your Travel Agent ?

Why aren't travel agents and destinations specialist still not out of style.

They say online is the new age, then why is your travel agent so important.

What does a destination specialist do exactly what it states. They are specialists.

An online engine will provide you a name, a ranking, dates of travel, a room and an amazing payment gateway.

Destination specialist will tailor to your needs, your wife's dreams, your kid's safety, your husband’s budget, and your parents’ needs.

They are made to think for you, they are there to advice you on the country, the culture, where you shall stay and the dos and don'ts of where you are travelling.

They will customize not only to you budget but to the little worries and confusions you may have.

They are the one who will know when traveling with your children to book a resort close to medical assistance. They are the ones who will attend to your special meal needs even before you arrive. The privacy of your holiday that information is protected.

Yes online will book everything to your budgets need. What happens when you miss your transfer? What happens when you face a difficulty at your hotel? What then, would one ask?

Not to brag, travel agents are those who are behind your worry free holiday.

By Liswith Obinamuni

Maldives

USP

This time, let’s discuss Unique Selling Points.

What are your unique selling points within your business, product or idea?

·         Do you provide great service?

·         Is your user interface friendly?

·         Do you provide 24/7 assistance?

·         Do you have a rewards programs

All the successful institutions, apps, hotels or customer agents provide the above. It is part and parcel of their success as a whole.

Providing excellent service is a norm in all industries.

Your end client expects something extraordinary, expects an added value beyond what you have promised.

Most of us have products and differentiation is the tough cookie. How do you do that?

We always have to reinvent what sets us apart. Know the market you are serving. What quality of life you trying to instill.

So take this opportunity to write down five USPs regardless of whichever industry you are in. Make this your mantra and the root of your marketing plan.

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

Maldives

Is there anything called a bad Inquiry?

Is there anything such as a bad inquiry, request, or a sale? NO there is not.

Do we do it often? Yes, most of us do! The viewpoint I am going to discuss briefly is why we probably should not.

As freshmen of any trade, we are inexperienced so every sale gets our heart and soul. The rush of closing the deal is palpable. As we mature in the industry, we somehow lose this.

When do you think we become complacent and self-righteous when we all started with a freshman attitude? Sadly, this happens with experience. We let judgments take us over; how a customer approaches, his/her budget, or at times on appearance.

A practice to end this dilemma is always take each sale with a fresh mindset. Fresh eyes to evaluate all avenues.  Does this mean that like a freshman, you shouldn’t let go? This is definitely not what I was getting at, this is the point that your experience should kick in. When you have the understanding of when things are coming to a full stop. Stop the drainage of resources and time.

Don’t let your experience stroke your ego, but learn not to pre-judge.
Your sale might be to a startup company or a client without a huge budget.

Why take it? What do you get in return?
You get loyalty, you earn trust, you earn a free marketing executive for your company.

You shall earn yourself a repeater, a true believer!

by : Liswith Obinamuni