Business Perspective: The importance of being a jack of all trades in business

I went to visit my friend in Mombassa in her computer shop, and was surprised but happy that she took the initiative of being a jack of all trades- all in one shop. Despite the fact that she sells computers and accessories, she has now added a photo shop, where passport size photos are available in five minutes. She has also added a table where she has employed a lady to do all the type setting work for clients who are in need of secretarial services, printing as well as photocopy. On the far end of the shop there is a little coca cola fridge, where they sell cold sodas and water to waiting clients. In fact for the few minutes that I sat in her shop, I realized that her clients are so happy because they can also get airtime to load their phones. Well, I was very encouraged to see this young lady trying to do all these businesses in one place, so that she can earn her daily income through her various projects. Life is becoming difficult by day, with little money in circulation, some of us down there are crying day in day out, left in a situation of; from hand to mouth. People like Da Vinci realized this a long time ago and decided that the only way to prosper in life is to be a jack of all trades. Many people know Da Vinci as a onetime world class painter, but few know that he was also an engineer and a scientist all at the same time. All these trades he did, not only as a matter of satisfaction, but also to supplement his income. The good thing with being a jack of all trades in business is that a person maximizes their number of peak experiences in business life and learns to also enjoy the pursuit of excellence unrelated to material gain, but to experience; all the while finding something they enjoy to do, of which they were not aware. In this time and era, nobody should imprison themselves in only trade or one dimension only, because you never know which of the trade might give you the peak in life that you were waiting for. For example if a person is a fashion designer, can as well double up in retailing ready made clothes and shoes, or even handbags; all these can complement their designs and also add a penny to their coins. No more fear, everybody is doubling up the businesses they are doing by trying to be jacks of all trades, for as long as the business is legal. As one friend tried to put it, life gives you a hand, but you should try and give yourself an arm!Anybody who is currently focusing their business in only one area, this should be the perfect time to consider branching out to be a jack of all trades so as to venture into other revenue streams to supplement your income. kayitesius@yahoo.com