Bulls n Bears Entrepreneurship Zone :: The journey so far: Ian Henderson, MD, Superior Homes Kenya

[Bulls n Bears]

 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

 

 

Ian Henderson is MD of Superior Homes Kenya, a real estate development
company.


1. Tell us about one of the toughest situations you’ve found yourself in as
a business owner.


Having started a road transport business in the 1970s, 20 years later it
was clear the best business decision was to close the doors, sell the
assets, and invest the proceeds in commercial property.

It was hard explaining to drivers and staff that, despite all of their
loyalty, commitment and hard work with the company, they were to lose their
jobs. Our people were good and the demise of the business was through no
fault of theirs, so I spent some weeks recommending them to other
transporters and ensuring that they all had jobs to go to.


2. Which business achievement are you most proud of?


Without a doubt it was developing and then managing the plan to repatriate
refugees from Angola to Namibia in time for them to vote in the independence
elections in 1990.

Over a 12-week period, using trucks, buses and aircraft, we transported
more than 25,000 people and their belongings home safely. With no accidents
or injuries, we actually delivered several more people due to babies being
born en route.


3. Describe your greatest weakness as an entrepreneur.


Impatience and expecting everything to be done immediately, when it clearly
cannot. I have learned to take advice and a more realistic view on
objectives and time frames, which brings order to the process.


4. Which popular entrepreneurial advice do you disagree with?


It is great to be able to invent something new or to deliver a unique
service but neither is vital to become a successful entrepreneur. It can be
enough to add value to an existing product or service, and then effectively
execute the business plan for delivery, so that you can be ahead of the
competition.


5. Is there anything you wish you knew about entrepreneurship before you
got started?


Yes – a lot.

Every day I come across something and say to myself: “I wish I had known
that before now.” But the best way to learn is the hard way – through
experience, just so long as it’s not too costly.


6. Name a business opportunity you would still like to pursue.


I want to develop a world-class performance venue back in my hometown in
Scotland.

The venue will be a great resource, and it will create employment and
attract footfall and business to the town centre. This is partly driven by
my ambition to use what I have learned in various jobs in different parts of
the world for my community back home.--Howwemadeitinafrica

 <https://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/?attachment_id=61361> 

Ian Henderson

 

Invest Wisely!

Bulls n Bears 

 

Telephone:    <tel:%2B263%204%202927658> +263 4 2927658

Cellphone:      <tel:%2B263%2077%20344%201674> +263 77 344 1674

Alt. Email:    <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> info at bulls.co.zw  

Website:
<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bulls.co.zw&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AF
QjCNH8LYgdY55h-XKseuM8Kpr-JKdfhQ> www.bulls.co.zw 

Blog:
<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bulls.co.zw%2Fblog&sa=D&sntz=1
&usg=AFQjCNFoIy6F9IXAiYnSoPSgWDYsr8Sqtw> www.bulls.co.zw/blog

Twitter:                  @bullsbears2010

LinkedIn:               Bulls n Bears Zimbabwe

Facebook:
<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBullsBearsZimba
bwe&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGhb_A5rp4biV1dGHbgiAhUxQqBXA>
www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe

Skype:         Bulls.Bears 



 

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: winmail.dat
Type: application/ms-tnef
Size: 116672 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20180508/b4797f4d/attachment-0001.bin>