Business and Leadership Development Terms - H Series

Habits - This refers to a general or regular tendency. Things that one tends to do over and over. Habits can be good or bad deeds. It is usually the habits that one has that evolve into formulation of one's character. Always check the things you do naturally. If you can monitor them closely, then you are well positioned to monitor your own character. The things you do daily formulate the reputation attached to your name.

Hacking - this is the use of computer equipment to gain unlawful access to corporate networks and databases. Hacking is a major threat to information security. With the advent of high speed of internet access through such technologies as broadband, it has become even more necessary for corporate networks to be safeguarded data from hackers. Intruders into networks can steal information and give to competition or hold organizations at ransom. A hacker is a person not a program. Loopholes in the system can be exploited and result in the company losing millions of dollars in the process.

Handover - This is a process by which a person holding a position takes time to explain what he/she has been doing in the current job position to the new person coming to take over. This helps the new person to settle in properly without having to grope in the dark for information. Most companies insist that employees give enough notice otherwise lose all terminal benefits. Handover is linked to takeover. The persona handing over sets up the one taking over for success and speedy productivity.

Happiness - Is a state or feeling of pleasure and satisfaction. Most people are motivated to work in search for happiness through remuneration as the money can solve a number of an individual's personal issues. People are motivated to increase happiness and reduce pain and sadness. If you want extreme productivity out of your team, do those little things that make employees happy; salary raise; appreciation awards; thank you notes etc. Employees are happier in setups where their future in a company seems secure than a place full of anxiety and uncertainty whether a paycheck will be issued at all.

Hard Copy - This is the printed version of a document held on a computer. The advent of the computer has been with the intention of reducing the need to rely on printed or written material and increasing paperless offices through electronic filing, electronic mail etc. However, there remains need for hard copies from time to time as a form of backup. Many academics find it easier to proof their work using a hard copy than on the computer. It is a question of preference. While there are electronic tabloids, e-books, e-newsletters and all the electronic based media and information distribution channels, a hard copy remains essential.

Hardware - These are the physical components of a computer that you can actually touch including the internal wiring and connection. Hardware has specifications in terms of performance. The computer can be rated based on its processor speed, internal memory capacity and permanent storage (hard drive) capacity. These hardware components are critical in terms of pricing of the computer. Hardware components can be replaced or upgraded (taken out and a newer, better component put in) or repaired. You need to have an appreciation of Electronics in order to effectively repair and handle hardware.

Harvest - This is a season where a farmer gathers his produce or yield from the fields. Noone ever goes into farming to harvest exactly what they planted. The goal is always to get more that what you sowed. You however get the same in terms of identity but in terms of quantity, you do get more. Similarly in business, a harvest can be the same as Return On Investment (ROI). An entrepreneur or investor outlays some capital, energy, resources and other inputs with the hope that the business will multiply the money and bring a meaningful return. There can never be a meaningful reward (reaping) without a significant seed sowing era. You should only expect Return from a Business to the degree you have put your Investment In. It is trajic to expect miracles when you do not inject the required capital into your vision. Your harvest is linked to your level of risk.

Health - If you are an employer you need to ensure that you take care of the physical and mental health of your staff. You need them to still get you the profits you want many years from now. They need their bodies and minds to be fully functional if they are to produce anything of meaning and long term. Invest in health insurance for your staff. Educate them about the need to take care of their bodies and minds. Get them to have regular checkups with their doctors. Take care of the health of their families and soon you will just have a loyal employee. If you have a large manufacturing or mining concern, consider a resident doctor, nurses etc at your local clinic that you build and manage. This will bring you benefits you never imagined before.

Hierarchy - This is a ranking of people according to the level of authority and decisions they can make for the organization. This can be represented pictorially and it is called an organogram. Failure to spell out the authority levels in an organization is a sure way of creating confusion. People will trample over each other's toes as they will make decisions they are not supposed to make etc. Always spell this out when someone is promoted or recruited how far they can go with their creativity in decision making. A hierarchy will help solve these issues. It also shows who is reporting to who in the order all the way up to the CEO and board.

Hire Purchase - This is a process or system by which you get access to goods that you pay for in regular installments while enjoying the use of the thing. This is also refereed to as a credit line. While it helps you to manage your cash flow, there is usually interest you pay over and above the principal amount which makes you pay more than someone who paid cash on collection of the goods. It is important for a company to own its assets. Events that have happened over the years have seen people and companies lose houses, cars etc the day one starts facing financial difficulties to pay consistently. In some nations there are no credit lines especially where the economy is not stable.

Honesty - This is an essential element for every professional, employee or businessperson. It is freedom from deceit, truthfulness and sincerity. You should only do business in an honest manner. The moment everyone switches to swindling, cheating and telling lies then commotion becomes the order of the day. A lot of revenue is lost daily because some people do not find it in themselves to be truthful and shunning deceit. There are people who get into companies to strategically position themselves to swindle and take advantage of the systems. Moral bankruptcy is a major concern for business to this day.

Honor - This also means respect. Employers should respect and treat people like people not treat them like objects. The number one problem of suicide in some parts of Asia is because people are treated like machines. Honor others to the degree you are willing to also receive honor. You give honor and you reap honor. Where people cease to have respect for one another, there is total disregard of authority and a lot of rebellion takes place. Place want to be appreciated and to be considered as important ahead of the tasks being done. You need the people to feel respected and act honorably.

Hope - One of mankind's greatest assets is hope. Of all the things to keep at all times, hope is one of them. Keep hope alive all the time. It is a sense of expectation and deep desire that someday things will get better. Hope is what separates those that die fast and those that recover from the hospital bed. Hope is a "never say die" attitude which you need in business. In the midst of impossibility, obscurity, turmoil in the economy, those with hope start planting, buying companies, positioning themselves for the hour when the turnaround will come. Hope see beyond today just like faith. Keep Hope Alive Now You're Informed (K.H.A.N.Y.I). Having One Purpose Eternally (H.O.P.E)

Hospitable - This is an environment you create for when you receive customers or people visiting your business. To what degree are you friendly and offering a genuine, generous treatment. Hospitality must be natural enough not seem like it is being squeezed out of you. People will come back just because of your level of warmth and welcome.

Human Resources - This refers to the manpower and skills that an organization requires in order to meet the required business goals. Human Capital is an important asset and usually separates successful companies from "fly-by night" business. As leaders you have to respect and treat human resources with dignity. If you lose your people you have lost your grip on your goal for existence. Treat them well, they produce for you. It is a win-win situation all the time. When leaders give employees the recognition, they also receive respect and value in the eyes of the employee

Hunger - There needs to be a deep hunger for success, when there is no hunger there is no motive to cook and eat similarly if there is no inner hunger for success you do not make the plans to succeed, you can take a donkey to the stream but you can never force it to drink. Hunger...

Rabison Shumba is a young African entrepreneur who has interests in Information and Communication Technology, Agriculture and Mining. He is also a motivational speaker, trainer and author. His book, The Greatness Manual and various online articles are tools for personal and professional development. Together with 100 other Career Experts, Rabison co-authored the 101 Great Ways to Enhance your Career. Rabison has a personal vision of impacting the lives of children in marginalized communities by creating platforms for career counsel and guidance, information empowerment and capacity building through the Greatness Factory Trust, where he currently holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Acting Executive Director. He is actively involved in the organization of career enhancement and guidance colloquiums to propel and inspire both young and mature professionals to greatness. His areas of expertise include strategy, leadership, personal and professional development. Rabison is married to Jackie, and they have two daughters. They reside in Harare, Zimbabwe. http://www.greatnessmanual.com or http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/rshumba