Renowned businessmen spoke at a JCI Botswana Business Forum on the importance of hard work and commitment for business success. They advised entrepreneurs to have passion for their work, continuously learn, and persevere despite challenges. Managing director of Phakalane Estate emphasized the need to read business-related material rather than novels and gave his family business' struggles to secure financing as an example of persevering to achieve dreams.

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Mmegi Business Hard Work Gateway To Success, JCI Told
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Renowned businessmen gave these words of wisdom at the third
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Botswana Business Forum
held at the Gaborone Sun under the theme: "Active Citizenship."
Ramachandran Ottappathu of Choppies, Joseph Lisindi of LCM
Management, and Business Development Consultants, Arjun
Parameswaran of Exelle and Lesang Magang of Phakalane Estate
equipped young entrepreneurs with business skills on how to be
successful in business, building personal portfolio, franchising
and the inner being.
Giving a motivational talk on how to be successful in business
and any undertaking one intends to do, Choppies co­founder and
chief executive officer (CEO) Ottappathu said that passion is the
driving force of every individual who wants to grow in business.
"You have to enjoy what you are doing, be the best in what you
are doing," noted Ottappathu, adding that even reading many
business­related books helps a lot. Travelling around the world
to learn and copy from others, according to Ottappathu ,is very
important in ensuring that the business prospers. He said this
also would give them the courage and commitment to stick to
their set goals.
JCI is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs
with nearly a quarter of a million members and million of
alumni. It is an organisation in which leaders meet, learn and
grow.
The organisation is currently present in Gaborone and Jwaneng,
with plans to establish new chapters in Francistown and Palapye
this year.
Managing director of Phakalane Estate, Lesang Magang shared
Ram's sentiments saying that for one to succeed, he or she
should "read for intellectual success, not for bar talk".
He urged entrepreneurs to desist from "wasting their time
reading novels", which cannot help them business wise. "If you
are still reading novels, please change your act," said Magang,
adding that the country is faced with financial challenges due to
the current global economic downturn.
He said that this is time when committed entrepreneurs are
badly needed to rescue the country. He told entrepreneurs to
persevere despite the challenges. Magang gave his family
business as an example, saying "we struggled to secure finance
from the local banks, but we did not give up because we
believed that it was a dream that would come true".
Joseph Lisindi challenged entrepreneurs to ask themselves
questions that will help them judge if they are ready for the
business they want to undertake. He said it is important for
Hard Work Gateway To Success, JCI Told
Batswana young entrepreneurs have been told to work hard and be totally
committed to their businesses if they are to succeed.
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individuals to see if they have what it takes to be like the most
successful business people in the country.
Meanwhile, JCI will on September 24­27 host its 13th national
convention at Mmopane.
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