Always Take Calculated Risks

Risks are unavoidable in business and in life too, of course.
It is always wise for anyone with a desire to venture into business to prepare mentally, right from the onset of their entrepreneurial journey, for this eventuality or a catastrophic possibility.

The wisdom of carefully assessing a risk, which always includes consulting those more knowledgeable than yourself on a situation before deciding on the most appropriate action, again yielded a happy outcome for me this week.

While travelling from Keetmanshoop to Lüderitz, reports started appearing on social media on the perilous situation on the road between the southern town of Aus and my destination.

It was a potentially hazardous situation brought about by a rapid change in weather conditions along Namibia’s coast.

Seeing what appeared from a distance to be a fog-like cloud of sand, I decided to exercise caution.
I stopped over at Aus for over three hours.

But the stopover was not a waste of time.

I immediately started contacting friends at Lüderitz to ask if they knew of anyone who had travelled the road earlier, who could provide a situation update.

The immediate feedback, followed by further updates, caused me to stay put.

Wisely so, judging from photos subsequently posted on social media showing vehicles stuck in the sand.

As time marched on, it became clear that I would have to change my travel plans, cancel meetings at Lüderitz, and overnight at Aus.

Then, as good fortune would have it, by chance I bumped into an Oranjemund-based entrepreneur and friend, Jason Amutenya.

Having lived in the southwestern corner of Namibia for most of his life, Amutenya is not only familiar with the whims of local weather conditions, but also knows how best to manage risk and make calculated decisions with regards to travelling.

As he had decided to continue his journey, we immediately entered into a pact – Amutenya would monitor road conditions and guide me on the most appropriate action upon his arrival at Lüderitz.

The rest is history.
Once at Lüderitz, Amutenya gave me the thumbs-up, and I took the window of opportunity provided by improved weather to safely travel to Lüderitz.

This is why business networking is so important.

The benefits from entrepreneurs working together and supporting each other are diverse and immense.

Every entrepreneur will at some point face challenges, problems, and potential calamities. It is just a matter of when.
And the outcome, be it success or failure, will be dictated by how well the entrepreneur is prepared.

The state of readiness starts with mental preparation and responsiveness, but also hinges on what reserves one sets aside to fund corrective measures.
And seeking guidance from experts is not negotiable.

If you are new to the business arena, or an entrepreneur with years of experience, never forget there will be risks, and that identifying those risks and anticipating decisional outcomes also mean listening to your gut.

Above all: Avoid recklessness, as being in business is not the same as gambling or taking chances – it is serious business.

• Danny Meyer is reachable at danny@smecompete.com

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.