Writer G. K. Sarpong set to release new book inspired by Steve Jobs
Ghanaian writer, G. K. Sarpong is set to release his latest book this April dedicated to the promotion of entrepreneurship around the world especially in Africa.
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G. K. Sarpong who has authored several books notably Develop the Master in You, Entrepreneurship Africa and Building Success revealed that he was inspired by entrepreneur giant, the late Steve Jobs in writing his new book.
The new publication titled The Laws of Entrepreneurship is designed to assist young and upcoming entrepreneurs around the world have access to an entrepreneurial guide that will enable them navigate the foundational complexities in building successful business enterprises.
G. K. Sarpong gives us insight into his new book he has sub-titled Unraveling Steve Jobs as he sits down with South African journalist, Mtago Voldoune.
Below is the transcript of the full interview;
Mtago Voldoune: Thank you very much for your time. I am happy to have finally met you. I have followed you keenly over a couple of months. Your articles seem to center on entrepreneurship in Africa, so why Steve Jobs? Why not business giants like Papa Kwesi Nduom in your home country or Zimbabwe’s Strive Masiyiwa?
G. K. Sarpong: First of all, I am grateful for taking the time to have this interview with me. Yes, entrepreneurship is something that is very central to my publications and off course I highly respect the likes of Nduom and Masiyiwa for what they are doing.
The focus of this new project transcends Pan-Africanism if I have to put it that way [Laughter in the room]. Why Steve Jobs? Steve Jobs for me is one of the best things to have happened to entrepreneurship in this century. Steve Jobs’ ingenuity as a business leader has revolutionalised the 21st century. Are you aware that Steve Job’s App Store created a new industry overnight? By June 2011 Apple had paid out $2.5 billion to app developers and over 500,000 apps had been developed for Apple alone.
If I am to counsel any young man today on whom to learn entrepreneurship from, my first response would be Jobs, and maybe perhaps throw in Phil Knight or a Masiyiwa. But, this is not to discourage the young man in my village who may look up to a successful local business leader.
Mtago Voldoune: What sets this book apart from your other publications? I have had the opportunity to go through the draft manuscript. Tell us a little bit about the content especially drawing on Steve Jobs and an applicable law.
G. K. Sarpong: Let me attempt to answer the second question first. First of all, anybody who has closely followed very successful entrepreneurs as I have will come to a certain conclusion and here Steve Jobs clearly fits into such narrative. Steve Jobs was a 100 percent product person and this is very evident in all of his products beginning with the first Mac. His love for every aspect of the product design meant that he was very much involved in the creative process of all his products focusing on functionality, affordability and usability.
This brings me to the Law of Procedure which operates by the principle that to every problem, there is a process by which it must be best resolved using today’s limited know-how. The entrepreneur who is able to provide solutions by applying the most innovative business strategy will be positioned to make the most profit. Now, here is why Steve Jobs is considered among certain great entrepreneurs like Thomas Edison, Andrew Carnegie, James Watt etc. He was the product over profit kind of entrepreneur placing his motivation directly in line with consumer interests. This is why I chose to focus on Steve Jobs; his obsession with coming up with great products and secondly, his commitment to delivering the best.
Now, back to the first question, this book by its design is very simple to digest and easy to apply. Because it is specifically designed for young entrepreneurs or businessmen, the language is very simple with focus on practical experiences drawing from varied successful entrepreneurs in Africa and also other parts of the world. So at the end of the day, there is always an African touch to my publications. [Laughter]
Mtago Voldoune: It is interesting to see you included some local entrepreneuring heroes in the book. I only know Dr Michael Agyekum. Please mention one of these heroes that you admire very much. What is his or her story?
G. K. Sarpong: A few successful entrepreneurs readily come to mind but Sir Sam Jonah stands tall because his story has lot similarities with Phil Knight, whom I have come to appreciate a lot. Sir Sam Jonah is a former CEO of Anglo Gold Ashanti, who began his professional career as a shovel- boy in the Ashanti mines at the age of 19 and rose through the ranks to become the Chief Executive Officer. His story is particularly fascinating to me because despite encountering a major roadblock to becoming an engineer from his own mother at a young age, he was able to hold on to his passion and make his dream a reality. Sir Jonah now holds several international directorships as well as profitable investments around the world.
I have come to admire and appreciate Sir. Sam Jonah a lot for what he stands for and his contribution to development of entrepreneurship.
Mtago Voldoune: How do you assess the situation of entrepreneurship in Africa at this time?
G. K. Sarpong: I will tell you this Mtago. Africa by default is an entrepreneurial continent. Almost every young adult in Africa is running his or her own business or intends to do so at a point in time, but there is a major challenge for entrepreneurs across the continent. Lending rates on the continent makes access to capital a major challenge for many entrepreneurs in Africa. The lending rate for South Africa at the close of 2016 was around 11% whereas Nigeria averaged 16% in 2016. Ghana averaged 28% compared to United States and some other OECD countries where lending rates are below 3%. So these are some major challenges affecting the continent. That is why the focus now has been on encouraging partnerships and joint-enterprises. I am hopeful that things will get better as the necessary pressure is continuously mounted on the economic managers.
Mtago Voldoune: I am glad you have made time for this interview. Finally, when should we expect the book to be out and perhaps for how much?
G. K. Sarpong: I expect it to be out before the close of April or early May and it will be available in my Amazon store, hard copy and soft copy. I am yet to meet with my team to agree on a price but it will be something affordable, that I can assure you. [Big smile on his face]
Mtago Voldoune: Thank you very much Mr. Sarpong and all the best in your future endeavors.
G. K. Sarpong: Thank you too Mtago.
