Long before data became king, I had a penchant for keeping information. This may not have been so without my father, who taught his children the importance of good record keeping.

On a fateful day, I was confronted by Cynthia, the tallest girl in my class, “What is it you want to do with my name”? Before I could put my thoughts together in response to her question, “What do you want to do with my name” had become a chorus and a practical demonstration of the law of equilibrium. There was no better way to experience Newton’s law of motion than being pulled by near equal forces from opposite directions.

I eventually pulled some Jackie Chan stunts to get loose from my accuser’s grip and saved my explanation for my male friends who cared to listen to my account: the thought that some of my classmates would leave for secondary school from Primary 5 made me keep a record of all their names in one of my jotters.

Today, the importance of data and networking is trending and they have become synonymous with successful businesses and social media initiatives.

Many years after my experience with primary 5B girls (1998 set) at Sacred Heart Nursery and Primary School, not much has changed about ladies and the significance they attach to their social information.

Each time I board the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) to work, I carefully select who I sit next to. Before I reach my destination, I find a way to initiate a conversation and round it up with “I will like to meet you again. The next time we meet, we should not be strangers. Can I have your mobile contact, LinkedIn profile URL or your social media name?”

This approach was inspired after reading a thought-provoking article by Richard Branson where he argued that a lot of networking and business opportunities are missed when individuals stay glued to their electronic devices in transit and at events, and fail to engage the people around them. He recalled business opportunities he sealed via contacts made during flights and pointed out that the device will remain but the opportunity to meet some individuals might only come once.

On request for their contact information, 90% of ladies respond with, “don’t worry”, or “there is no need”. To one I replied, “You don’t know who I am” and she responded.... Continue reading