By Ian Ortega
One of the biggest challenges we face is pricing our services appropriately. For those who come asking me for jobs, one of the questions I must ask is: “How much salary/facilitation do you expect?” I always ask this because I want to know 2 things: How much the individual attaches to his/her value; and whether my budget is likely to meet his/her expectations. But believe me, many candidates always answer: “I will take anything you give me.” Anything?
Have you ever volunteered and along the way you felt like you should charge a fee after finding that you underrated the effort needed? Now we are on the same page. ‘HOW TO VALUE AND PRICE OUR SERVICES’ is the theme for the coming AUTHORS’ FORUM scheduled for Wednesday 2nd July, 5:30pm, at the National Theatre. We shall be honoured to host two people whose stories and principles of life should take us to another level. Even before I tell you who they are, note that there are few tickets left, so you may want to first call 0704666851 (Leah) or 0774107287 (Winnie) or 0414691595 (office) and secure yours TODAY. Each ticket goes for only 40,000 UGX and it qualifies you to also get a free book written by our inspirational speaker of the day or any other book or DVD of your choice.
Back to the speakers, the first one is a woman that many of you could have heard of or read about for a long, long time, but finally she is here. WANJA ODHIAMBO is a UK-based Kenyan businesswoman who runs a powerful African-themed restaurant in Gloucestershire, England. She also runs an internationally acclaimed women organization called ‘Women Arise’ that organizes life-changing events for women groups. She has two great books to her name, the most popular being: ‘INSPIRATION, THE BIG ISSUE’. We shall be offering a free copy of this book to whoever buys a ticket to this Authors’ Forum. A graduate of DayStar University, Odhiambo is indeed shinning her light of inspiration across the globe and 2nd July is our day for Uganda to bask in that sunshine of inspiration.
In the Celeb Interview, we shall host a member of the Authors’ Forum who, in my view, has registered extraordinary results. I met DISMUS BYAMUKAMA while he was still a student and encouraged him to attend the Authors’ Forum, which he did. It was not easy for him to save 20,000 UGX (the price of the ticket then), but he kept sacrificing a lot and attending. He applied the principles he learnt to begin investing his little savings, starting with a small drugshop which has now grown into a pharmacy. And recently, he entered his house that he managed to pay 150 million shillings for. We are not talking of 10 years or even 5 years; he has achieved this plus a lot more successes in record time. The question on everyone’s mind is: How has he managed to do it? So what has been happening in between is going to be his message to us in the Celeb Interview as Simon Kasyate engages him.
This episode is expected to elevate our expectations and aspirations, but also action that makes us greatly earn from our knowledge, talents, skills and ideas. If you can sing, if you can advise, run, design, write, act or teach… that can make you a millionaire, if you know how to value, price and market your services. After this event, there will be no more fearing to name your price; you will be confident enough to value your service and attach a figure to it without any shame or fear. For those who attended the last Authors’ Forum you must have heard one of the speakers mention charging 500 dollars for each hour of consultation! And you also heard how the other speaker started by carrying sacks of herbs on his head, with worn out shoes, but now has built a 10 billion business out of it, in 1 decade. Why not you?
Let me not even delay you: call any of those numbers and order for your ticket NOW because missing is not an option. The ticket will be delivered right where you are. For those who wish to pay up your subscription (250,000 UGX) and become full members, I am waiting for your email on [email protected]om or phonecall on 0704666851 / 0712868424. Today, in a special way, whoever pays the entire amount, I will contribute for you 30,000 UGX. On 2nd July, you will see one of the big benefits of membership as 6 students graduate from our ACTION PLANNING course and receive their certificates right in front of you.
Till then, stay blessed and inspired!