Sunday June 18 2017 <\/p>\n
A prototype of the Sea Bubbles Flying River Taxi is pictured during the Viva Technology event dedicated to start-up development, innovation and digital technology, on June 16, 2017, in Paris. PHOTO | GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT | AFP <\/p>\n
In recent times, we have witnessed a trend of copycat business models. <\/p>\n
One company adopts a strategy for growth and many others follow suit. <\/p>\n
Before long, the strategy comes a cropper. None of these models are technology-driven. <\/p>\n
Here are some examples. Uchumi supermarkets main undoing was expansion at a pace that wasnt sustainable. <\/p>\n
Its competitor, Nakumatt, seems to have fallen into the same trap that doesnt bring projected returns. <\/p>\n
Universities have followed the same path. In the past few years, many opened campuses at nearly every town. <\/p>\n
Some towns have several campuses of the same university. <\/p>\n
Just like the supermarkets, universities are now realising that rapid expansion of brick and mortar classes is not sustainable. <\/p>\n
The overheads are way too high to sustain these schools. <\/p>\n
Expecting to run them on fees paid by a dwindling number of students is to build a business on quick sand. <\/p>\n
It doesnt require the skills of a business analyst to see that the many malls sprouting on every road and street will be unsustainable. <\/p>\n
One wonders who these malls are meant for, at a time when many businesses are taking smaller spaces and going digital. <\/p>\n
In the property market, there is a spirited dash to buying and subdividing land. <\/p>\n
Looking at the insane amount of money being spent on land and buildings, one wonders whether this is the best investment option, at personal and country level. <\/p>\n
At the moment, the country is grappling with basic survival issues such as food. <\/p>\n
Maize flour, the countrys staple food, is scarce. <\/p>\n
The reasons why we cant feed ourselves are many, but one of them is because we have severely damaged the environment. <\/p>\n
Over the years, the forest cover has been dwindling and the effect has been clear and dire less rain, low food production and high cost of living. <\/p>\n
The question is, if we continue subdividing the land and erecting buildings, where will food come from? <\/p>\n
Whats the comfort of erecting malls and apartments costing billions yet we cant grow food? <\/p>\n
Around the world, the most profitable technology-based ventures have little dent on environment. <\/p>\n
Think of Uber, Facebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter and Safaricom. <\/p>\n
Cant business leaders and government educate Kenyans to invest in these lasting ventures? <\/p>\n
Instead of building malls and supermarkets where others already exist, think about online retailing options. <\/p>\n
You will not have to pay for licences and hefty fees required to start businesses. <\/p>\n
Through technology solutions, you will connect your services and products to consumers and make money from anywhere. <\/p>\n
There are many case studies of how simple technology solutions such as M-Pesa, online car track, messaging applications and on-line retailing have become big businesses. <\/p>\n
We have also seen how technology is changing nearly every sector. <\/p>\n
Online trading is gradually pushing out brick and mortar malls. <\/p>\n
E-learning is getting more and more attractive in this era of traffic jams and rising cost of education. <\/p>\n
Smartphones and tablets are becoming powerful and cheaper every year. <\/p>\n
Internet connection is getting more and more affordable, and wider in coverage. An army of tech-savvy young people is growing. <\/p>\n
The population is also gradually warming up to transacting online. <\/p>\n
All these create an enabling environment for investments in technology. <\/p>\n
Its about time we think, train and encourage people to invest in technology with the same zeal they have portrayed in the property industry. <\/p>\n
Technology is the profitable property for this century. We are only limited by our imagination. <\/p>\n
Cartels in Kenyas financial sector are not happy with his firm stand on graft. <\/p>\n
President Kenyatta and William Ruto take their hunt for votes to Kakamega County. <\/p>\n
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Read more:<\/p>\n
We need more investments in technology - Daily Nation<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sunday June 18 2017 A prototype of the Sea Bubbles Flying River Taxi is pictured during the Viva Technology event dedicated to start-up development, innovation and digital technology, on June 16, 2017, in Paris. Continue reading