14/03/2011

Of chickens, iPhones, and wisdom

I was on the way to our church meeting in Soweto when we drove past this shop:

It looked like any other shop on that street. But when I read the sign, at first I thought I’d misread it. “Nah,” I said to myself. “It can’t be that.”

Then on the way back from church, I asked my friend to drive by slowly. I had to make sure. Yes, I did read it right the first time:

Photocopy. Airtime. Chicken.

WHAT???!

You don’t see those three words together in the same sentence very often. I had to stop and take a picture, or no one would believe me. My initial reaction was to laugh. I couldn’t help it. It is comical. But then again, maybe it’s not.

My friend told me that chicken is a staple food in Soweto. So it makes sense that if you’re trying to make a living here, survive the tough economical times, that you would sell chicken in this market. Gotta stay alive. And Sowetans know a thing or two about staying alive.

So let’s learn a couple of lessons from them:

1. Diversify

Sometimes you are in a situation where you have to try something new. Too many people fail in business, relationships, faith, and elsewhere because they get stuck in a routine and refuse to change. Apple started out as a personal computer company. When they came out with the iPod ten years ago, a departure from their core computer business, skeptics predicted failure. When the company ventured into cell phones in 2007, Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer said: “There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance.” Fast-forward to 2010: Apple overtakes Microsoft as the world’s most valued technology company. And as of 2011, they hold over 25% of the smart phones market share (Microsoft 8%).

When the apostle Paul found resistance from the Jews, he diversified: “From now on, I go to the Gentiles.” (Acts 18.6) And because of that one brave decision, which totally departed from tradition, the Gospel reached the nations.

Your fear of change may be your biggest obstacle to growth. You get stuck in a job you hate because your fear of leaving is greater than your desire to grow. Your marriage suffers because you keep trying to change your partner rather than changing yourself. Your faith gets old because you have allowed it to become nothing more than a routine.

If everything you’ve tried so far has brought no results, and things keep getting worse, it may be time for a change of strategy. Let’s try some chicken, shall we?

2. Focus

Sometimes you have to resist distractions and stay focused on what is most important to you. Yes, I know this lesson is the opposite of number 1 — still, it is equally true. You can’t be all things to all people. Knowing when to say “no” is sometimes as important as knowing when to say “yes” – if not more.

The “let’s-sell-chickens-too” idea may bring our Sowetan friend a few extra bucks, but what does it say about his business? Confusion? Anything goes? Despair? For all I know, this could be either a brilliant or idiotic idea. (Perhaps when I return to Soweto, I’ll stop by and see which one was it.)

Sometimes you have to do one thing, and do it right, before you move on to something else. Get right with God before you try to grow your business. Fix your marriage before you try to have a child. Stop acting like a child before you think of getting married. Get your head right and a healthy body will follow. In other words, focus. One thing, all your strength.

Conclusion

These two lessons are directly opposed against each other but that doesn’t make either of them wrong. They are both right if used in the appropriate situation. The wisdom is to know which one to use, and when.

I love it every time I visit Soweto. God bless you bazalwane!