Maria Auma: What it means to be in Business in Uganda – A Woman’s Perspective
In Uganda, and regionally there is the general misconception that most women in business are great at it, probably better than most of their colleagues. The facts on ground however are totally different. See, unlike what we read in news feeds and interviews, most women who eventually become successful are simply ordinary folk that just want to fix a problem so bad, they would do it themselves. In my daily interactions I continuously come across business women who were holding basic positions in companies and just decided that it was time to forge their paths. Of course that goes without saying that in the African business world, a woman has to work twice as hard as a man in order for her efforts to be acknowledged.
From a very personal point of view I would like to say that business is actually personal and the more female business owners realise this, the more successful they will be. Secondly, I would like to reiterate that the notion “a woman in business” is a sensitive statement in today’s modern world. There are arguments concerning workspace, culture, codes of ethics, man-hours (the list in endless) and women. There have been multiple surveys done on female performance as opposed to men, in an attempt to understand what would make for a better, more gender sensitive work environment. The solution to this is complex. We need to remember that majority of these women are mothers too, trying to make ends meet. Perhaps, it would be better to have adaptive work environments that cater for those taking care of their little ones. Families should be just as important as careers.
Recently I got to work on a social project with a young working mom. In fact she was just returning to the work force. I silently observed the way she handled the different important aspects of her life – her family, her studies and her job. She managed to balance it all out amidst the pressure from all angles, and it got me thinking about priorities and time. Another more senior mother that I work with on environmental projects is also balancing her work and personal life. She just recently established two companies on top of having to raise two adorable energetic children. It does help to have a supportive partner, but even that is missing, you learn to set your priorities and respect the time slotted to each segment in your life. Jack Welch says it beautifully; “Make sure your work-life balance plan fulfils your dreams and passions”.
As female business owners, the possibility to stun and get our voice heard appeals to us; the chance to cause eyes to look and ears to listen once we walk into a room gives us a sense of empowerment. And for the most part, most of us are not even calling for that kind of attention. What we seek is to be taken seriously, to engage with fellow business owners on an intellectual level. All the time spent in selecting outfits and grammatical phrases is ultimately to get us through the door. When we make a pitch, our first instinct is to hit a home round – the rest is secondary.
Working in a predominately male industry has caused me to polish my reading skills – a hobby that has enriched both my corporate and personal conversations. Reading, drawing from the experiences of other entrepreneurs and my own has taught me that a boss is actually meant to serve. All of a sudden, you aren’t the person looking up to someone, but the person everyone looks up to. There are a lot of expectations around results, professional standards, codes of conduct, ethical rules , how to be authoritative, when to say “yes” and when to say “no”, even to a potential client, and when to compromise. These are the tough choices everyone in business makes, including women. And it truly brings to light the famous statement, “the buck stops with you”.
I recently had to make the executive decision to let go of a client because I felt that his business practice was not in harmony with what we as a company believed in. Letting go of a lucrative client is as hard as having to give away your most prized possession. I had to agonise for two weeks straight before deciding that it was the right thing to do. Once I did it I realised that there is no trade-off for a peaceful night’s sleep.
That being said, if you are in business and you do not feel exhilarated by the possibility of solving problems or client satisfaction, then you need time-out. But even the best of the best do know that when it comes to doing something they are extremely passionate about, no amount of vacationing can keep their minds away from that one, or many things that just make them feel so alive. Yes, there are challenges, yes the going does get tough, maybe more times than it gets easier. However, the mere fact that a business owner is able to see a challenge as an opportunity is what sets them apart from the people they serve. Eventually, if you are determined, you do turn that challenge around, and maybe make several bucks in the process. In the end, it all boils down to passion.
Maria Auma is CEO of Blue Luxury Investments, Kampala, Uganda.
Do you have an opinion on the business/economic environment in your country and wish to share your views with thousands of business professionals in Africa and international? Contact andrea@africabusinesscommunities.com with your articles and blogs.