Greatness, Usefulness, Youthfulness and Steeze (GUYS)
Hi GUYS, innovativeness is my own definition of steeze (the entrepreneurial mindset). Individuals and organizations that practice qualitative (innovative) entrepreneurship are the real definition of ‘GUY’ and steeze.
Steeze is youthfulness and youthfulness is steeze. Traditionally, the youth have been idolised as the pinnacle of vitality, innovation, and adaptability. However, it is important to note that these perceptions are not only limiting but also misleading.
Contrary to the age myth, innovation is not confined to youth. Many groundbreaking inventions and ideas have come from individuals well beyond their 30s. For instance, Colonel Harland Sanders founded KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) at the age of 62, and Ray Kroc began the McDonald’s franchise at 52, (Olujide, 2008). These examples underscore that creativity and entrepreneurial spirit do not diminish with age.
Age is just a number. One can achieve anything at any age, whether old or young. Even if it is a startup or an established organization, the ability to apply creative solutions to problems and to opportunities to enhance and to enrich people’s lives is not a function of age, rather a product of youthfulness.
Youthfulness is a mindset and a critical asset necessary for possibility thinking. It is the ability to see and seize an opportunity – that’ssteeze! What an entrepreneur sees (worldview) is his mindset and steeze. It’ssteeze O’clock, see it and seize it.
I know a lot of ‘GUYS’ whose possibility thinking ability has not only helped shape the world but also influenced many to be visionary innovators. I know ‘Steeze Jobs’, I have read about ‘Steeze Branson’, what about ‘Steeze Gates’? Have you heard of ‘Steeze Dangote’? Let me introduce to you ‘Steeze Zuckerberg’ as well as ‘Steeze Page’ – again, age is just a number and steeze is just a tip of the iceberg.
Steeze Soyinka Is My ‘Guy’ – Wole Soyinka (born July 13, 1934, Abeokuta, Nigeria) is a Nigerian playwright and political activist, who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. Happy birthday to a great achiever.
‘GUYS’ steezeisn’t gender biased – Do you know ‘Steeze Winfrey’? I know ‘SteezeNgoziOkonjo-Iweala. What about ‘Steeze Susan Wojcicki’?
Susan Wojcicki
Susan Wojcicki is a famous female entrepreneur in the tech world, most recognized for her leadership as the former CEO of YouTube (2014-2023). Her journey to success is inter-woven with the rise of Google and YouTube itself. Wojcicki played a crucial role in Google’s early days, renting out her garage to serve as the company’s first office space in 1998, and later became Google’s 16th employee. She played a key role in building Google’s advertising business, including AdSense and Google Analytics, and her understanding of user behaviour was instrumental in making these platforms what they are today.
Wojcicki also recognised the potential of YouTube and played a crucial role in Google’s acquisition of the platform in 2006 for $1.65 billion a deal that proved highly successful. As YouTube’s CEO, Wojcicki oversaw a period of significant expansion, making it a dominant platform for online video content. Her leadership at YouTube transformed it into a global phenomenon, fostering a creative environment for content creators while establishing revenue streams. She implemented strategies to attract creators, monetise content, and navigate various content moderation challenges. Susan Wojcicki’s influence on the tech industry is undeniable. Her contributions to Google and YouTube’s success solidify her position as one of the most impactful women entrepreneurs in the history of tech.
GUYS, Steeze O’clock is Youth O’clock – removing the age barrier and raising the bar in the global village.
This write-up was inspired by a paper titled Youth O’clock and delivered by the former Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Chief Sunday Akinlabi DARE, at the 17th annual anniversary lecture of Splash FM and 85th Birthday Celebration of Oba Murtala Adebayo Akande, MFR.
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