LITTLE DROPS OF WATER OR A DRUMFULL OF WATER: The best way of doing business

The river of water will continue to flow as long as it is not cut from the source. I guess that is why it is said that, “little drops of water make a mighty ocean” because the water keeps flowing. It is unlimited and no restriction for expansion or growth has been put on it.

A drum fill of water however, it’s limited and restricted from expanding and taking in more. It can’t grow beyond the limit set by the container in which it is kept neither is it allowed to flow and nourished. This water body will not be refreshed except the drum is emptied and the water replaced. It is limited.

Most Nigerian businesses and business owners make use of the second for their business model. The business is limited and can’t flow; the result is the fact that the business does not succeed its original creator. Unlike the flowing water body or the human brain it cannot expand its capacity to produce.

Most Nigerian business men go into business because of the immediate gratification and not the future reward of succeeding and providing a solution to a need. Therefore, they would rather have a one-time bulk profit (the NOW profit) rather than the long-term trickles of endless profit that would grow with time.

Why? Basically, the main reason behind this (as research has shown) is corruption, a hunger for quick success, lack of trust and accountability, personal gratification for amassing liabilities instead of assets. We want others to know “we have arrived” and so we must buy the latest and most expensive cars, live in expensive rental flats or mansions and have on our arms the expensively clad lady. This from a guy that is just starting out and probably got a loan from the bank to start.

“Give me my money upfront” he says. The partner from the United Kingdom says, “We will agree to give you 5% for every sale that you make for the next two years. A contract will be signed to that effect.” But no! The Nigerian Businessman would insist on an once-in-a-lifetime fee that will be gone in a flash due to expensive living and not continuous flow. We forget that accumulated benefits, no matter how small, means a lot in the long term than bulk profit that comes just once and is not planned and utilized well.

Our frivolous way of life does not help either. We are flashy and materialistic and so we amass things that would not appreciate in value with time. A start-up entrepreneur or a SME Owner does not have expense that eats up a whole lot of the profit which comes once in a while.

If we are the “drum full of water” kind of business owner, our best bet is to invest in areas where our investment will continue to make more money for us. Even the ones in “little drops of water” kind of business. There is no magic to been rich, it’s just creating avenues for which money can seek you out.

We must all learn to put our greed aside for once, let’s not think about all the things that a bulk sum of money can get us like cars, expensive home, and other needs but let’s think of how we can build a lasting income stream that comes in trickles and continues to flow. As it continues to trickle in build on it and give it room to flow freely and expand. That is the secret to success. But remember legal documents will go a long way in ensuring you are not cheated.

Remember the old Kenny Roger’s song about the gambler. It is only those who have once-in-a-lifetime bulk money that count their money at the table of life / business because they get so excited at their winnings they want to know how much it is immediately. The trickles guys picks up his little coins and moves to the next table and the next and the next until he is able to amass a full bag of winnings. It would be suicidal to count that kind of money sitting at the gambling table or even in a bar.

“There is always time enough for counting when the deed is done.”

So learn to do business the rich man’s way. A little coming in constantly and shrewdly!