What can you do?

“What can you do? How many times have you been asked that question? But you never gave it any serious thought going by your usual answer: “Well, I am good with figures, and the computer especially, Word Perfect and Excel. Good answer, but how result oriented is it?

If you were in a job interview offering this answer, you are off target. You have not told a good short story of what you can do. Those assessing your suitability for the project or job may simply stare at you, or shake their heads mildly, no nodding. And this is clearly a non verbal indication that they are not satisfied with your answer.

They asked that question to determine the application and benefits of your training, strength, experience, talent and skills. But you were not affirmative in your answer. They wanted to know, what you can do, how you can do it, and the results you can achieve. Instead of stressing what you can do and the results you can achieve, you were dwelling on who you are.

Consumers, regulatory bodies, and various publics are asking: “What can you do? How can you solve our problems? They are asking because they want solutions to challenges and obstacles, some of them, threatening. And you are still telling them, we are a blue chip company quoted on the stock exchange, our balance sheet is solid, and we are doing an initial public offer of 50 million shares @ 50 cents each at the stock market.. Your corporate story is that proceeds from this offer will be used to upgrade our information technology and expand branch network.

Good thinking, but can it yield a good product. This is the refrain you hear from banks in Nigeria shopping for funds from the capital market. It is as if they are all singing from the same hymn sheet. But the congregation of customers and other publics are becoming restless. The corporate songs they are hearing may be melodious, but their pains and problems still persist. They want less stories of who I am, and more of, what can you do? That is the challenge in the marketplace now.

Go to churches that command large congregations, what do you see? Thousands of followers and faithfuls seeking solutions to their problems. The pull for them is the move of God in those churches, the miracles and demonstration of God’s power there.

Today, an increasing number of citizens are becoming overwhelmed by mounting socio-economic problems. They care less now with what you know, what you have, or what is inside you? What matters to them now is what you can do with what you have or know?

There lies the challenge for many professionals, and that is; how to translate their abilities, skills, and resources into applications, benefits and solutions for their clients and customers. The real challenge for many of us is to step ahead of our potentials into applications. Physics experts call it from potential to kinetic energy.

For many professionals, turning our potentials into profitable applications is a tall order. A good number who are well educated and trained do not really know who they are, let alone know what they can do. They have not taken time out to take stock of their abilities, strength and weaknesses.

Do you blame them? In school, they were trained to pass examinations, acquire certificates, and after graduation, to look for jobs. Only then would you they think of the application and benefits of what they have. They were never trained to tell stories of what they can do, and do them. They were trained to think like employees not as entrepreneurs.

There is a difference. Employees have this mindset. “I am a qualified engineer, film director. I need a job, an opportunity to perform.” That is a tall order. We all think that way. Ask the engineer, can you execute a project to control erosion that is threatening many communities, or can you produce a  film documentary on child prostitution, he will hesitate before answering: “Well, I am good at producing soap operas or constructing buildings, but quickly adds; you see I am getting married and my wife will not really be pleased if I cut short our honeymoon to do this job.”

This is the mindset of an employee that is job/career oriented, not task or project oriented. But what does the marketplace need now? Is it those who want jobs or those who create jobs? This is where entrepreneurs have the advantage. Their story is: “I can do this; I know the pains of my clients, my customers. Despite the odds, I will take action to offer solutions. This is the language of entrepreneurs.

The difference is clear. The entrepreneur creates solutions and offers them in the marketplace for his customers. Their story is “can do,” not “I am.” It may not be easy; disappointments and setbacks stand in the way. But they think more of their assets/abilities than their liabilities/inabilities. What can you do?

Not so for the employee. He waits for others to create solutions, then he desperately tries to adapt and adopt. The market needs the two classes of professionals, but the question is; who do we need more? Entrepreneurs who create jobs, or employees who clamour for jobs. What is your story in the job market? “I need a job, or I can create jobs.” And so what can you do? There is always a story in what you can do, and you are willing to do it. And if you don’t have any, then you are not in business. You need “can do” story, to propel you in your career or business. What is your “can do” story?

“I am a medical doctor.” That is not specific. “I can cure AIDS.” This one is a winner because you will have a long line of patients waiting for your consultation.

And so, dear professional, what is your story in the marketplace now? I am, or I can do. Begin to change your story from what I am, to what I can do. When you do that, your marketplace story will change to: “I can, and I will.”