Career Skills Enhancement

𝐈'𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐠 4 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦. A partner shared with me, "Technical skills is still far more important than soft skills." That was in 2014. Fast forward to today, the same firm just asked us at Influence Solutions to expand our 𝐅.𝐈.𝐑.𝐒.𝐓. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, with Strategic Thinking, Innovation, Navigating Paradoxes & Leading for Change skills. Over the years, we've seen a marked increase in commitment from participants too. Since I started my career in a Big 4 firm nearly 30 years ago, the 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 has changed. 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚: Technical Skills = Job Security 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: (Technical Skills × Business Acumen) + Leadership = Career Success KPMG Singapore’s Managing Partner Sze Yeng Lee recently shared that “creative thinking is the new accounting competency.” Accountants are fast evolving to become “creative designers of businesses” who have to embody the tenets of design thinking & innovation. Data from 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 (𝐀𝐖𝐑𝐂) also reveals: ⚡68% of accounting professionals now say career growth depends more on 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 than technical skills ⚡Top 10% of 𝐡𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝-𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝  professionals earn 40-60% more than peers ⚡Demand for 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 is growing 3x faster than traditional roles 𝐒𝐨 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐠 4 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫: ✅ 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐬 who can pivot audit teams into advisory roles ✅ 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 equally fluent in delivery & people strategy ✅ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 who inspire teams to thrive on change Reflecting on how my career has evolved - from assurance, consulting, fashion, not-for-profit & organisational transformation, I realise these are 3 actions that helped: 1️⃣ 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐩 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 (𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐭' 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞) Sharpening the axe will get you further faster, while working less. 2️⃣ 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞. Helping victims of sexual trafficking in Amsterdam & saying yes to public speaking transformed my life 3️⃣ 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Instead of "The numbers show..." , try "What this means for your strategy is..." If you have more ideas on how to navigate the future, do share! PS: Love this evolving profession: Here's a #throwback pic when I spoke on 'The Attitude Advantage' at a European Conference of a Big 4 Firm.

Cheat Sheet for Young Professionals: Copy and Paste into Action I recently facilitated a workshop on 'Being Proactive' for young professionals at India's leargest electronics manufacturing company, focusing on developing a growth mindset and taking initiative. What stood out for me was the 'Structural Innovation Challenge'- now I have run this several times, however, with this team it debriefed into very nuanced learnings which provided several valuable insights. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you apply these lessons in your own career: 1. Embrace Constraints as Catalysts for Innovation Constraints often drive creativity. When faced with limitations, approach them as opportunities to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions. Adopt a “Day 1” mindset, as Jeff Bezos suggests—treat each challenge as a fresh chance to learn and create. 2. Harness the Power of Team Collaboration Leadership is at every level, it is not a designation. Effective leadership involves leveraging the diverse skills and perspectives of your team. Focus on fostering a collaborative environment where open communication and collective effort lead to successful outcomes. 3. Build Resilience and Flexibility View setbacks as opportunities for growth and adaptation. Having the experience of overcoming a challenge today will equip you for bigger challenges tomorrow. A growth mindset allows you to pivot and adjust strategies when faced with challenges, ensuring you stay agile and capable of overcoming obstacles. 4. Ownership Mentality Own it- if you don't move, movement will not happen. Being proactive can set the pace for your team and inspire others. Don’t wait for others to take the lead—step up, propose new ideas, and take the first move to drive progress. 5. Cultivate Creative Thinking Think creatively and challenge conventional approaches- ask why and keep peeling the onion. Innovation often arises from exploring unconventional methods and pushing the boundaries of traditional thinking. Wherever there is risk, there are chances of a favourable outcome. The sis one of the activities that I ran during this workshop, however, I was happy to witness the learnings that came out of it- very simple yet significant. This cohort of young professionals is very promising, and I am truly excited to see them bloom. #CareerGrowth #Leadership #Innovation #ProfessionalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #Teamwork #TakingInitiative

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝟰, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲-𝗮𝗱𝗱. As a quick recap, Level 1 means that you’re meeting your job description. Your boss tells you what they want you to do, how to do it, and you get it done. That’s a good starting point. At Level 2, you are trustworthy. You’re a resource for others. The boss has something they need done. They come to you and explain the problem. You take ownership and handle it. At level Level 3, you are influential. You’re initiating the discussions, sharing your own advice and insights. And you're helping others in tangible ways. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 4. At the fourth level, your influence becomes culturally embedded. You’re not just coming to others with useful advice. They’re coming to you to get your thoughts. It’s simply expected that people will get your opinion before they decide how to proceed on some project. Or how to address some problem. You typically won’t be part of the formal approval channel. But those with the formal authority will expect that you have been consulted and your opinions have been incorporated. This moves beyond the useful insights from your audit work. Sure, they still appreciate that. But, people are now coming to you to get your thoughts about issues that have nothing to do with an ongoing audit. They aren’t coming to you as the auditor. They are coming to you as the expert about something that’s strategically important. And even though (or, maybe because) you are an internal auditor, you can provide valuable thoughts, insights, and options 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱. That allows you to remain objective in the future. You’re pointing people the right direction, not telling them how to proceed. Level 4 is where you start getting the invitation to the planning meetings because they actually want you there. 𝘓𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 4 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦. So, develop your expertise in whatever topic is both fascinating to you and valuable to those around you. Freely share your expertise. People will appreciate it. And, very soon, they will not only be listening to your advice, they’ll be openly soliciting your opinion. You have become 𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡. High value, indeed. That’s Level 4. And internal audit is a great path to get there.

Post #18: Training the Next Generation of Aquaculture Farmers With 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, empowering youth with the skills and knowledge to succeed in aquaculture is essential for ensuring food security, creating jobs, and driving economic development. We must be intentional in training the next generation of African fish farmers—the young, energetic individuals who will lead Africa’s blue economy in the future. How can we achieve this? 1. Youth-Focused Capacity Building Initiatives: Government initiatives are critical for equipping young people with aquaculture skills. However, many current efforts focus on training master’s and PhD holders for academic or research jobs. What’s needed is an expansion of vocational and technical training institutions dedicated to practical aquaculture skills, targeting the youth who will directly shape the industry. 2. Building Practical Skills: Access to practical training is often one of the biggest hurdles for aspiring fish farmers. Hands-on courses in fish farming techniques, feed formulation, hatchery management, and water quality monitoring are fundamental for any young commercial fish farmer. Practical experience is key to enabling youth to succeed in real-world farm environments. 3. Linking Training with Market Opportunities: For training to have lasting impact, it must connect young farmers to real market opportunities. Training programs that integrate business skills—like navigating the market, negotiating prices, and accessing new customer bases—will empower young farmers to not only grow fish but also build successful enterprises. 4. Gender Inclusion in Training Programs: It’s equally important that training programs are inclusive, ensuring young women are not left behind. Providing women with the tools and knowledge to lead their own fish farms or cooperatives will have a ripple effect, improving household food security and increasing incomes. With women often serving as primary caregivers, empowering them through aquaculture can elevate entire communities. Training programs that prioritize practical skills, digital learning, market connections, and inclusivity are key to nurturing the next generation of African aquaculture farmers. By investing in youth, Africa can build a skilled workforce ready to lead the continent’s rapidly growing aquaculture industry, ensuring food security, job creation, and economic transformation. What role do you think training will play in Africa’s aquaculture future? Let’s discuss in the comments! #Aquaculture #YouthEmpowerment #Africa #CapacityBuilding #SustainableFarming #FoodSecurity #DigitalLearning #GenderInclusion #EconomicGrowth #NextGenerationFarmers

The role of industry in nurturing young agricultural graduates .... 🌾 Role of Industry in Nurturing Young Agri Graduates 1. Bridging the Skill Gap Industries can align practical training with real-world requirements, helping graduates move beyond theoretical knowledge. Exposure to modern farm technologies, data-driven decision tools, and agribusiness operations enhances employability. 2. Internship and Apprenticeship Programs Structured internships provide first-hand experience in seed production, farm management, input marketing, or R&D. Mentorship from industry professionals helps students understand commercial realities and problem-solving approaches. 3. Capacity Building & Continuous Learning Organizing workshops, skill-development modules, and digital learning courses on emerging fields like precision agriculture, biotechnology, and agri-finance. Collaboration with universities to update curricula based on market trends. 4. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Industry-led incubators and start-up platforms can guide young graduates in developing agri-tech innovations. Providing funding, mentoring, and access to pilot projects promotes entrepreneurship. 5. Research Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing Joint research projects between academia and industry help graduates gain exposure to applied research and new technologies. Industry-sponsored chairs and fellowships can motivate young scientists to focus on problem-oriented research. 6. Employment and Career Pathways By offering transparent career opportunities, competitive compensation, and growth environments, industries can attract and retain young talent in agriculture. Creating roles in sustainability, digital farming, supply chain, and extension services can broaden career prospects. 7. Social Responsibility and Rural Engagement Industries can integrate graduates into rural development and farmer training programs, strengthening both community and professional skills. Encouraging young professionals to act as “change agents” between farmers and technology. 🌱 Conclusion The agri-industry’s role extends beyond providing jobs — it must nurture curiosity, competence, and commitment among young graduates. A collaborative ecosystem of academia–industry–farmers ensures the next generation of agricultural professionals are innovative, ethical, and future-ready.

Kamrul stood in the middle of his field, feeling the weight of another poor harvest. No matter how hard he worked or how many hours he put in, the pests were relentless, and his yields were shrinking. But what Kamrul didn’t know was that the key to turning things around wasn’t more labor—it was knowledge. Education and training could unlock the full potential of his land and his future. Farmers like Kamrul are the backbone of Bangladesh’s agriculture sector, yet they face ever-growing challenges—pest infestations, changing weather patterns, and shrinking margins. While traditional methods have guided them for generations, the new reality demands modern solutions, and that’s where education and training become vital. Few Multinational companies are playing a pivotal role in bridging this gap. Through various programs, they’re helping farmers understand the latest techniques in pesticide application, soil health management, and sustainable farming practices. For Kamrul, this kind of knowledge is transformative. With proper training, he learned not only when and how to apply pesticides, but also how to protect his land for future generations. One of the most impactful ways to empower farmers is through field-based training programs. Very few multinational companies have introduced initiatives like Farmer's School, where farmers are trained on how to identify pest infestations early, use pesticides effectively, and implement crop management techniques that improve yield while minimizing costs. Kamrul attended one of these sessions after struggling with repeated pest attacks. The training opened his eyes to simple yet effective changes he could make. He learned how to monitor his crops more closely and apply pesticide at the right time. The result? His next harvest saw a significant improvement—not just in terms of yield, but in quality too. For Kamrul, this was more than a good season—it was hope for the future. MNCs are now stepping up to offer more than just products. They’re creating farmer resource centers, where farmers can access not only seeds and pesticides but also technical advice on how to use them most effectively. These companies are partnering with local communities to ensure farmers like Kamrul have the training and knowledge needed to face the challenges of modern farming. Empowering farmers through education doesn’t just benefit individual farmers like Kamrul. The impact spreads across entire communities. As farmers become more knowledgeable, they share what they’ve learned with neighbors, creating a ripple effect that lifts whole villages. With access to modern techniques and continuous learning, farmers are no longer just following the footsteps of their ancestors—they are becoming innovators themselves. They’re making informed decisions that improve their crops, their livelihoods, and the sustainability of agriculture in Bangladesh. When we empower farmers, we empower the entire nation to grow.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of teaching a class on Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship at MIT (Course 15.369). For young professionals aspiring to drive innovation in large organizations, here are my top insights from years in the field: 1. Develop an Iron Will: Entrepreneurship and corporate innovation are challenging paths requiring resilience. Expect technical, strategic, and emotional hurdles—innovation demands strength and perseverance. 2. Master Your Domain: Always be prepared to answer questions at least two levels deeper than your audience expects. Credibility is key when advocating for disruptive solutions that inherently carry perceived risk. 3. Be Ready to Bet on Yourself: Successful innovation often involves taking significant, career-defining risks. Playing it safe rarely leads to breakthrough results; embrace bold projects that have the potential to redefine markets. 4. Dream Without Constraints, Solve With Discipline: Begin with a visionary idea, then systematically identify and address the barriers preventing its realization. Most of your effort should focus on overcoming these specific constraints. 5. Balance Boldness and Pragmatism: Corporate innovation is a delicate balance—similar to the myth of Icarus—requiring you to be bold enough to challenge norms but strategic enough to ensure organizational support and buy-in. 6. Prioritize Shareholder Value: Your ultimate goal must be to enhance shareholder value. This principle is your strongest ally when navigating internal politics and resistance. 7. Leverage Your Strengths: Identify what you excel at—be it product development, technology, problem-solving, quantitative analysis, or another skill—and double down on it. Great innovations rely on exceptional talents.

Let’s be real, early in your career, being technically correct feels like the whole game. You follow the rules, meet the deadlines, and triple-check the details. And hey, that matters a lot. But eventually… the game changes. 👀👀👀 If you are a leader in an advisory firm, you’ve likely seen it: Team members who are technically sharp, efficient, and accurate, but struggle to connect with clients. Here’s the truth - Billable ≠ Valuable. 💡 Clients expect you to be good at your job. What do they want? 👉 Someone who sees the big picture 👉 Someone who listens, not just replies 👉 Someone who brings ideas, not just answers That’s the shift—from technician to advisor. Making that shift doesn’t take a title or years of experience. You can do it now. Ask better questions, share your perspective, and make it about them, not just the task. The professionals who get this early are the ones clients ask for by name—and the ones who grow fastest—those who have clients at the top of the value ladder. 📢 How do you get your team to think beyond the checklist? What are your clients asking for? That’s where real value lives. #Rainmaker #Growth #Trustedadvisor #ClientRelationships #AdvisoryMindset #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment https://lnkd.in/ev5qNYk8

For decades, farming has been viewed as a survival sector rather than a wealth-building industry in Africa. Many see it as hard labor with little financial reward. But what if agriculture became the pathway to creating millionaires and billionaires? That shift is already happening. Instead of relying on outdated methods... A new generation of farmers uses knowledge, technology, and business strategies to turn agriculture into a profitable enterprise. Here’s how education and training are transforming farming into a high-income industry: a) Precision farming techniques improve yield and reduce waste b) Agribusiness training helps farmers build profitable enterprises c) Technology like drones, AI, and data analytics maximizes efficiency d) Direct market access cuts out middlemen, increasing farmer profits The impact is undeniable: ● Farmers using climate-smart techniques see up to 300% higher yields ● Digital platforms increase market prices for produce by up to 40% ● Agripreneurs investing in value-added products earn 5-10x more than raw producers ● Export-oriented farmers generate millions in revenue annually There is also a growing shift in perception: ● More young entrepreneurs entering agribusiness ● Increased investment in sustainable and organic farming ● Governments and private investors funding agricultural innovation What was once seen as outdated… Is now one of the most promising industries for wealth creation. The future of farming belongs to those who innovate, adapt, and invest in knowledge. From struggling farmers… To agriculture millionaires and billionaires. The opportunity is here. Will the next generation seize it?

"But shouldn't the creative process be ... a little messy?" This is the pushback I often hear when I talk about implementing rigorous processes in brand development. There's a myth that creative work thrives in chaos, that structure somehow stifles innovation. Here's the truth: A solid process doesn't restrict creativity; it empowers it. Think about it. When you're not constantly reinventing how you work, you can focus your energy on what matters most: the creative output itself. It's like having a well-organized kitchen before cooking a complex meal. You're not wasting time hunting for ingredients; you're focusing on perfecting the dish. Let me break down what a proven brand development process looks like. First, we build the foundation. This means defining mission, vision and values, then crafting positioning and messaging frameworks. This isn't just paperwork; it's your brand's DNA. Next comes identity development. We're talking visual and verbal components working in harmony. But here's the key: We're not just making pretty designs. We're creating a system that can scale. Finally, we activate. This includes templates, campaigns and ongoing creative, all flowing from that strong foundation. Not every brand needs every piece of this puzzle, but the most successful brands I've worked with aren't the ones with the biggest budgets or the wildest ideas. They're the ones that respect the process, then unleash their creativity within it. Simply put, process doesn't kill creativity. It sets it free.