Secrets of Opportunity for KTEs

Introduction to Opportunity Basics

Sometimes, life can be very dreary and unappetizing. Not necessary because one does not know what one wants to do or achieve, but because it is human to experience a feeling of going nowhere, and not achieving much, even when this might not be the case.

As humans we love to in control, to know the end from the beginning. We don't want to start a viable project, because we cannot see what value it would serves, we don't have a clue who on earth would profit by it, if they would ever even want it in the marketplace. But the truth is we must learn to stay the course.

Opportunity is one keyword that would stay with aspiring KTEs at all times. It is one word that can make him or her to sink or swim, to float or drwon in the marketplace. Often we know that opportunity is lurking around the corner, but it also plays a hide and seek game with those who want to woo and bring it to the marketplace.

The Character of Oppportunity

Every aspiring KTE must know how to identify, woo and treat opportunity when it appears, or even when it is yet going about in disguise. We cannot afford to triffle with it.

One thing to aware of is that opportunity is the order of the universe. It happens every where and at all times. The task is knwoing whne it appears and making it serve its time. Many lucrative opportunities have come and gone, because whoever brought them to the marketplace missed the timing, or treated opportunity with disdain, and ignorance. To succeed in nay entrprise the aspiring KTE must know how to cross their "t" and dot their "i" in the opportunity game.

Another thing to know is that opportunity exists in response to the needs of the universe, and the universe is acutely sensitive to the way is embraced and nurtured. It's often said that opportunity is all around us. But the reason this is so is because the universe is dynamic, and constantly responding the needs of man. These needs could be spiritual, physical, emotional, social, intellectual or even cognitive. This is why entrepreneurs comein different shapes, types and sizes, regardless of time and place.

The universe takes supply very seriously. It wouldgo to every length to ensure that there is no redundacy in life. Whoever said that nature abhors a vacuum, is really and truly on the ball on what opportunity is all about -to elimiante vacuums, and redundancies, so that only the viable,a nd productive can thrive. Death is nature cleaning up the universe to make room for another. So it is said that one man joy is another man's sadness.

Taking the Bull by the Horn

Enterpreneurs are not politicians, unless thay wantto use their wealth of talent and knack for spotting opportunity to benefit the society. Every entrepreneur knows too well that their are checks and balances in life. Any misused or misplaced priorities or mistreated opportunities would come to hunt the individual, or group of individuals who waste time and energy doing what is not profitable to the society or the unveres as a whole.

Opportunity always plugs into human needs, and these always plug into the needs of the universe. It must serve some purpose, which if found wasteful would be made redundant and ineffective in teh scheme of things.

The universe is too sensitive to waste, an dreally reacts badly to it.

Finding Opportunity: What KTEs Must Know

It must not be taken for granted that your interest in contributing to the universe is a chance incident.It is not. There is system to things, and the way they happen and affcet other people, places and things. As a KTE you contribution is very invualbe,a nd must be taken as a calling to contribute to the growth, and the development ofthe universe as a whole.

This is noble calling indeed. You must realise that whatever opportunity that you discern or discover is a sign that the universe is entrusting something into your care. You must nurture it from the nursery to the adulthood when the idea becomes viable, and takes wings to survive on its own without your interference to the nurturing process.

Also don't take for granted that whilst millions of people are crying and bemoaning the lack of jobs, staying unemployed and perhaps relying on the social security provisions, you are being given the opportunity to work in partnership with the universe. You are entrusted with the secret of unravelling the mystery of creating, producing, and distributing goods and services to the whole wide world. Take this very seriously.

If you serve the universe quite well, it would reward you very richly. This is beacsue every opportunity that you work upon gives the universe a great confidence in your ability to handle the responsibility of being of use to it. By starting to work on what looks rather small and negligible, you show that you are really willing to serve the universe through meeting the needs of other people, cultures and places whom for ocnvenience sake you call by such names as customers, client, supplier, manufacturers, and consumers etc.

You must learn to stalk opportunity if need be, and be aggresive in wooing her to serve if you intend to be married to good fortune, and success in your life time.

To your endearing success; go forth, and achieve.

KTEs and the Global Economic Crunch

The current meltdown is taking its toll on the eevry business, individual, and institution. It spreads like some kind of mysterious Tsunami in the finacial, and economic sectors throughout the world. We are left wondering how long would it all last...

The current bailout plans by various countries like America, Germany, and Uk to soon follow suit - the bail out plaans would not bail out everyone, and may even seem to be like a drop of water in the mighty ocean. How else would we consider the bail out plans with the immdiate £2,500 billion wiped out of the share market soon after Admerica agreed to the $700 billion bail out plan proposed by President Bush.

There is still much to expect. Giant businesses have closed down, reember the like of the Lehman Brothers, for an example. This economic crucn is a big monster raoring its ugly head. It's like the Tsunami, until it completes its destructive tasks would not turn its ugly head away. it seek to feed on the blood, sweat, tears and money as its only sacrificial atonement. People would lose their homes, businesses would fail, and be written off, even those who rescue would think twice to decide if its all worth it..

But on the postive side, i would like the KTEs of this world to turn on their imagination for a moment, an dthink only of one thing..OPPORTUNITIES..... in the midst of the global melt down, busineeses closures and the many sypmtoms of this turbulent times, there are still opoortunties lurking around to be snatched. I read the Murdoch is now eyeing Yahoo, see the seasoned gurus know when to move, and what to look for in difficult times. Th elikes of Murdoch are currently on the prowl, yes literally on the prowl for distressed businesses..that is the recommended mind set for any KTE worth his or her name....Think only of opportunties..

All you need is the will to lcose your mind to all the hollering cries of economic woes, and remeber that sound does indded affect sight and thought.These distressing cries may be true, because they are really happening, but its only half of the story. Those who strengthen their thought, wait like the patient lion on the plains of the current turbulent economic times would enjoy some rich picking..Many Forex traders rae enjoying a killing at this times, yet they read,and hear the same thinsg as we all do, but they know where the nuggets are hiding. Opportunities cannot be stiffled by the crash of Wall street, neither is the Dow Jones the ultimate index of economic opportunities, and prosperity.

Come thee unto thy kitchen table, and thik out the next killer application technology, osftware development, movie project, or whatever your imagination fancies to tinket with. Your kitchen table may double up as the surgical bed where the surgeon takes the patient and works to surgically correct anything that is maligant. In thsi case the conomic is quite maligant, but with the KTE having the mindset buisness pace setters like Rupert Murdoch, Bill Gates and those big guys who hunt down for dsitressing business in atime like this, there can be no end to the great success that is really possible.

KTE..go thee and discover your good fortune...from your kitchen table or garage.

Looking For Meaning: What Does KTE Stand for?

Today, we are looking at the possible meanings we could give to each of the letters in "Kitchen Table Entrepreneur" I hope you enjoy it in the self same fun with which i have created it:


K : Knowledge becomes power ONLY when used

I : Inspiration turns ordinary concepts to extra-
ordinary reward

T : Time is money

C : Creativity truly knows no bounds

H : Honour humanity with your talents

E : Ensure that gifts are justifiably used

N :Nothing is impossible for those who believe

T : Take a chance at life

A : Attitude determines your altitude in life

B : Be positive at all times, no matter the
consequences


L Limiting beliefs MUST be broken

E: Enter the enterprise of entrepreneuship
boldly and courageously



E : Exploit opportunities to maximum
advantage, regadless of time and place.

N :Nothing of worth comes cheap, and easy

T :Talent MUST be nurtured to grow

R : Refresh your thoughts through study and
reward

P : Prioritize your projects, and stay on top
of things

R : Responsible action must be taken at all
times

E :Embrace change, don't be stagnant

N :Never underestimate your ability to achieve

E :Environment matters to the achievement success

U : Uncharted waters need us to put out our
sails, and journey forth

R : Rejoice and receive success with gratitude

KTEs As Agents of Change

Welcome to the true world, where change is the norm and entrepreneruship is the currency of constant change.



Again we go back to the analogy of the kitchen table entrepreneur for us to understand the impact that KTEs exercise in the lives of their community - loacl or global. The kitchen i sthe meeting place for those who want to help solve the hunger of any people, who wait in an expecatnt manner for whatever the chef has to offer them.



It is in the kitchen that we cook whatever meal that we deem fit for the people to consume, both to nourish and empower them for life. The chef attempts to meet the overall needs of the people he serves. In the self same manner, the KTEs are somehow having it at the back of their minds that they represent a certain constinuency of creative, and venturing people who want to enjoy the latest technological breakthrough, exploit the best of oportunities, and stretch every mile of their joint progressive minds and intelligence.



Every community is positively prone to the love of music, inventions, innovative architecture, science development and technological breakthroughs. The contributions of every individual matters to the collective ssurvival of the community.



KTEs are often born to be relevant to their times. Instinctively, they pick up what the natural environment looks like, and then work towards accomplishing it. The kitchen table and "garage" entrepreneurs are members of a community of people. If young, they pick up the vibes of what may best appeal to young people, fiding alternative to education for their bored conuterparts in Colleges or Universities. The likes of Bill Gates made their work with computers to pay off for their fellow counterparts. What about Steve Job and hisuniqu Mac/ipod creations - it is unmistakable that their youth helped to inform the nature, character and demographies of their constituency. The chef must know who the consumers are, and the be close to the heart-pulse of the marketplace.



Through interactions, and the act of socialization it is possible to get the vibes of the heartbeat of the marketplace. The chef needs to know what to cook, what ingredients to purchase, in what amount, who eats what, and who does not eat what etc. Therefore, more time is spent at the kitchen table, garage or wherever they choose to work their hearts out to work exclusively, and dedicatedly for the benefit of the local and global community to which they belong.



So we see thatthrough quite a few people have got the gist of what kitchen tabel entrepreuenship is all about; teh beloved english bard, William Shakespeare made the use of english language to be the primary target of his educational objective. Now we see that theuse of english has become a global phenomenon; Bill Gate saw computers coming, and he thought it was best to devote his youthful time and energy to the creation of something that would last the times



Man and His Environment



Look all around you - the architecture, infrastructures, transportation, the magnifence of the things around us, and thinking how could he have managed all that he has created, and those things already created by the forerunners of our modern cultures. The interdependency of creations, and inventions show that through the ages man has always had a vision of what he wants for his community, and acts in concerts with all those concerned to make it possible and achievable.



Man has always known he is never alone. Those who live around him, and whom he serves with his talent make up his world. Nothing else would do but the best. The marketplace would NOT tolerate mediocrity for too long. The marketplace of entrepreneurial innovation is open and ready for hot new products and services from the stables of KTEs who are ready and willing to to stand ther ground, and refuse to quit.



It must be borne in mind is that those who stay long in the marketplace don't quit too soon. Before the next innovation is served on the platter of community vision, the people have grown in taste, number, and complex demography. Innovation must grow to meet the challenges of the new times.

From the Kitchen Table to Community Care

Who cooks the meal, and eats it alone or decides to forever live in the Kitchen, untouched by the outside world.

Looking all around us we cannot but find objects, and products of longlasting inventions that have been preserved for the benefit of humanity.

In self same manner, it is the responsibility of the Kitchen Table Entrepreneur to ensure that he strives to meet the needs of the customer, the people on whom the reins of economic power depend. From the moment that the task of creating, discovering and making postive contributions are set to be accomplished, the entrepreneur becomes a committed agent of the community - be it local, national or global.

A chef, in the self same manner that we may describe the Kitchen Table Entrepreneur or K-tec expects others to benefit from his skill as a restauranteur. The K-tec is concerned about his consituency, constantly thinking about what is most needed in the marketplace. He strives to define his market, and to esnure that its needs are met. Through market research he is bound to find out what it is that the marketplace really wants.

The simplicity of the kitchen table must not fools anyone. It is the bed on which dead talents come awake to manifest their skills and abilities; the school of hardknock where inventor, writer, chefs, software programmers etc find a home , and place to concentrate with reckless abaondon, totally captivate by the things that go around them.

Every invention, product, copyright, services or licensed products comes from the stable of some genuinely concerned K-tecs, who are working very hard to find solutions to challenging human, and societal problems. It could be as small as discovering the next writing pen, inventing a special feeder bottle, and many of the life changing inventions that we tedn to take for granted in today's marketplace.

Everything that we use on a daily and regular basis carries with it the powerful message of care for the outside world. Imagine what would become of our world if there was no electricity, clothes to wear, houses to live, and businesses that are at the forefront of community development - all of these greatly impact the reality that the entrepreneur experiences most of the times.

Therefore, the seriously committed entrepreneur cannot afford to underestimate the importance of understanding the needs of the community at large. The kitchen table may also double as the delivery table where ideas take wings, and the fingers tinker with anything within its reach.


Tomorrow we would look at the possibility of the enterpreneur as an agent of change.

Parable of the Kitchen Table Entrepreneur

Today, i would like us to look a bit deeper at the importance of an enterpreneur from the perspective of one who brings something to the table of progressive, and innovative creations. The question every serious - regardless of shades, colour or hue - the question they must be asked is of the value of their contribution to the society, and to humanity at large.

Modern civilization has been made possible by people - ordinary men, women, and children who have braved the world of innovation and creativity to serve something new at the table. Look around you, and make a list of all the inventions, and what life would be without them. To name afew - what would life be without electricity, television (for those who love it), look at space travel, aeroplanes and their diverse types, teachnological innovation, the culture of managment and enterpreneurial thinking, transports and transport systems, communication , and what else?

Have you ever thought how man came about discovering the instruments of law and education, tools and techniques used to educate his kind and to improve the quality of life, the fact that today the currecy we call money is an unparalled innovation in getting rid of the clumsiness of trade by barter.

Therefore understanding the kitchen table enterpreneur is much more than creating a thriving business, it is much more than that. Let's attempt to break it down to bits, one by one.

Breaking Down the Components

To appreciate the power of the Kitchen table enterpreneur lets us understand the individual components so as to see clearly what he represents for the society at large.

1. The Kitchen

Toput it bluntly, the kicthen is a place for cooking. Whoever cooks is not cooking for himself or herself alone. Though it may look so, it is not ofetn the case. Anyone who cooks ensure that what they serve themselves is edible, and needs to be nourishing to the body. The ingedients need to be available, and must be bought in time to ensure that cooking is carried out at the right time. It is imporatnt that everything that is needed in the kitchen is provided on time, and without delay.

They say those who cannot stand the heat must NOT stay in the kitchen - how true is this for the Kitchen Table Entrepreneur. Only people of like minds can work together to successfully any vision of any thrvng business or enterprise.

The kicthen is the meeting ground where the ingredients are gathered and ready for use, where the chef meets with his/her helpers in the kitchen. The kitchen has its own ecology, requirement, and facility. It must be well equipped to meeting the required cooking challenge, reagdless of any situation or circumstances. Looking well after the kitchen is very mandatory.

2 . The Table

The table represents the surface where all preparations are made. We must beware of any sfaety hazards - the table must be strong enough to hold the food, and allow people to eat at he table. The table needs to built to meet the specifications that would make it useful and useable.

Whaeevr the colour of the table it must lend itself to holding, displaying, and givng rest to any object that is placed on it. It must not be chaotic, so as to avoid unnecessary disruptions when working in the kitchen.

The table must not take all the spaces in the kitchen so as to allow room for fire exit, provide for corridor of sfaety, communication, and maximum possibilities to allow for changes in the configuration of objcet placments and arrangments. The possibilities must be infinite.

3. The Entrepreneur

In the self same manner as the chef, the Entrepreneur puts everything together to ensure that they work seeminlessly with one another. He is at the very centre of his entreprise

The enterpreneur must know what it is like to not put too many things on the table, managing limited resources, having hope against hope, never giving up on any vision or aspirations.

The entrepreneur must learn to ask the relevant questions without fear of repressions. Any innovation or creation must be thoroughly studied to ensure that the proverbial food is not wrongly served to any unsuspecting victim, that is customers.

The entrepreneur must take his enterprise rather seriously. He has a responsibility to serve the best of entrepreneurial meal in thought, action, and perception.


Start Small, Grow Big

The kitchen may also be likened to a nursery for young growing plants. It is where the ideas are nurtured, and given everything necessary for their survival.

No matter how cramped the space may be, the kitchen comes in many shapes and sizes, eqipped to aid ones aspiration in breaking all limiting barriers in ones thought, and breathing the fresh air of new found wisdom.

For the religiously- minded, is not true that Jesus was born in the manger? What a humble beginning that has today become something of a marvel to modern day

Also Psalm 23 reads: "..i would prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies....." Talk of the competition and the nightmares they can cause an unsettled and unfocused mind.

The world of entrepreneurship lends itself to diverse forms of representation, and the continued pursuit of progressive entrepreneurial thinking - the right to think outside the box, to pursue unconventional thoiughts and practices with a view to brining something of value to the community.

The Lose ends

The circle of influence seems to be that the kitchen flows inside -outside. The inside being a location where the entrepreneur does the thinking with a view to brininging out some product launches that would benefit the community, which is the outside aspect in the equation of the lose ends.

The lose ends depend on the people in ensuring that products get to the marketplace as soon as possible, and reaching only the people who need them the most, the customers.

Tomorrow, we would take a deeper look at role of the Kitchen Table Enterpreneur as one with a caring heart for the people whom he/she serves the best