The Jim Bouman Experience

Jim Bouman

The Jim Bouman Experience is where people wanting to make a difference in the world come to find that final piece needed to make it happen. Need some motivation? We got you covered. Don't know how to start? Check. Capable of doing things by yourself, but now you want to grow? We got that too. Still can't find what you're looking for? Or need some more personalized assistance for you or your company? Send us a message at jimbouman.com and let's change the world together. read less
BusinessBusiness

Episodes

The Power of Asking the Right Questions – Jim Bouman - TEDxAwaji 2022
Feb 6 2023
The Power of Asking the Right Questions – Jim Bouman - TEDxAwaji 2022
On Sunday December 18, 2022 I was invited to speak at TEDxAwaji 2022. The theme was “Ikigai,” a Japanese word meaning “purpose in life” or “raison d’être.”My talk “The Power of Asking the Right Questions” covers my 8.5-year journey from early 2014 to late 2022 (age 22 to 30), from my first job to going solo and uncovering my calling. I tell stories to connect my life experiences and give you many useful life lessons.I won’t spoil it for you. I think it’s worth your time. I condensed 10 years of ups and downs, various personal transformations and lessons I still benefit from today into a 17.5 minute rollercoaster ride.But as a teaser I talk about:How I dealt with the toughest situation in my lifeWhy I moved to the other side of the worldHow I improved my relationshipsThe various ways I learnt to manage, control and change my emotions… at willHow I went from culturally oblivious to being well-likedAll the ways in which I failed to find my “ikigai” (aka “purpose in life)…and the way with which I found itHow I went from being a productive “robot”… to a procrastinator… to a productive “human”The ways I’ve found to continuously increase my happiness, fulfilment and effectiveness… week after weekThe 1 question that has changed my perspective on life, love and successIf any of this resonates, it’s worth a listen. Even if it doesn’t resonate, I think it’s worth a listen.Full transcript (English and Japanese): https://jimbouman.com/tedxawaji-the-power-of-asking-the-right-questions/My daily newsletter: https://letters.jimbouman.com/Website: https://jimbouman.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimbouman/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjpbouman
Doing Business In West Africa As A Foreigner | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 7
Aug 23 2020
Doing Business In West Africa As A Foreigner | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 7
Want to do business in West Africa but don’t know where to start?Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this series that dives into the ins and outs of doing business in West Africa.Entrepreneurs, small business owners, CEOs of large conglomerates: we’ve got something for all of you.In today’s episode of Business in West Africa, David Kpondehou, CEO of Africa Samurai Consulting, explains to me how to most effectively find a partner to work with, how the negotiation process works and what the customs are like before, during and after meetings.Some bonus tips for foreigners looking to do business in West Africa are mentioned towards the end of the video._______________ (00:00) Introduction and recap of previous episode(00:22) How to approach a potential partner company in West Africa(02:59) Benefits of being the person connecting two companies in West Africa(05:47) What does a second meeting with a partner company look like(07:24) How many meetings are needed to get to an agreement with a partner company in West Africa(08:30) Verbal agreement or signed contract(08:59) Payment structure with a partner company(10:13) Business meeting customs in West Africa(12:20) Advice for foreigners trying to do business in Benin and West Africa(15:42) Summary(16:10) Bonus tip(18:10) Wrap-up_______________ Get in touchJim BoumanWebsite | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTubeDavid Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai ConsultingWebsite | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan
Hiring People In West Africa | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 5
Aug 21 2020
Hiring People In West Africa | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 5
Want to do business in West Africa but don’t know where to start?Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this series that dives into the ins and outs of doing business in West Africa.Entrepreneurs, small business owners, CEOs of large conglomerates: we’ve got something for all of you.In today’s episode of Business in West Africa, David Kpondehou, CEO of Africa Samurai Consulting, explains to me what a normal employment process looks like, which management style people are used to and what type of employment contracts and benefits are common in West Africa.Book mentioned:The One Minute Manager: https://www.amzn.com/dp/B00MMG19OG/_______________ (00:00) Introduction and recap of previous episode(00:30) How do you manage an employee in West Africa(01:38) What to do on day 1 with a new employee in West Africa(03:11) Common management styles in West Africa(04:21) How often do managers talk with and give feedback to their employees in West Africa(06:50) Top-down or bottom-up approach in West Africa(08:24) Evaluating employees in Benin(10:45) How to give negative feedback in Benin(13:01) What does an employment contract in Benin look like(15:49) Common compensation structure in Benin(17:00) Paid leave and public holidays in Benin(17:27) Secondary benefits for employees in Benin(18:55) Wrap-up_______________ Get in touchJim BoumanWebsite | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTubeDavid Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai ConsultingWebsite | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan
Hiring And Working In West Africa | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 4
Aug 20 2020
Hiring And Working In West Africa | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 4
Want to do business in West Africa but don’t know where to start?Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this series that dives into the ins and outs of doing business in West Africa.Entrepreneurs, small business owners, CEOs of large conglomerates: we’ve got something for all of you.In today’s episode of Business in West Africa, David Kpondehou, CEO of Africa Samurai Consulting, explains to me how companies can find people with the right skills and interests in West-Africa. He also goes into detail on how students and fresh graduates in West Africa can find their first job or internship.And for the entrepreneurs among us: during the second half of the video we share some interesting business ideas in the HR / Recruiting sector that you can pursue in West Africa.Job platforms in Benin mentioned:EmploiBenin: https://www.emploibenin.com/Government Initiative: https://psie.bj/_______________ (00:00) Introduction and recap of previous episode(00:31) How to find the right people for your business in West Africa(03:07) Online job boards and recruitment agencies in Benin(04:39) How to find IT professionals in West Africa(06:23) How to find an Accountant or Finance professional in West Africa(06:40) How to find the right people for manufacturing or agricultural jobs in West Africa(08:37) Recruiting online in West Africa(10:27) How to find your first job in West Africa(12:22) Do universities in West Africa support students to find a job or internship(15:22) What does a standard recruitment process look like in West Africa(17:08) Summary(18:28) Business opportunity in Africa(18:57) Wrap-up_______________ Get in touchJim BoumanWebsite | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTubeDavid Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai ConsultingWebsite | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan
How To Enter West Africa As A Foreign Company | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 3
Aug 19 2020
How To Enter West Africa As A Foreign Company | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 3
Want to do business in West Africa but don’t know where to start?Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this series that dives into the ins and outs of doing business in West Africa.Entrepreneurs, small business owners, CEOs of large conglomerates: we’ve got something for all of you.In today’s episode of Business in West Africa, David Kpondehou, CEO of Africa Samurai Consulting, explains to me how a foreign company can successfully enter the West African market. There are tips here for both B2B and B2C companies as well as some cultural lessons about how businesses earn trust in West Africa._______________ (00:00) Introduction and recap of previous episode(00:34) How to enter the West-African market(02:42) Deciding between setting up a Joint Venture and subsidiary(04:09) What kind of relationship should you establish with a local partner in West Africa(05:11) Share structure in a Joint Venture with an African partner(06:54) Do companies in West Africa trust foreign companies or domestic companies more?(08:35) How to establish trust with a company in West Africa(10:19) Trust in foreign companies(13:02) Selling your product or service in West Africa as a foreign B2C company(14:51) Tips for foreign B2C companies trying to sell their product in West Africa(16:21) Where to find information about doing business in West Africa(17:15) Wrap-up_______________ Get in touchJim BoumanWebsite | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTubeDavid Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai ConsultingWebsite | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan
Doing Business In Japan And Africa | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 1
Aug 17 2020
Doing Business In Japan And Africa | David Kpondehou | Business in West Africa 1
In this first episode of Business in West Africa, I interview David Kpondehou, founder and CEO of Africa Samurai Consulting.From the day I met David I could feel his drive and passion in connecting Japan with West Africa, all to make West Africa and the entire African continent great (again). Coming to a country so far away from home isn’t easy, even more so when you don’t know anybody there and don’t speak the language.In this episode we discuss how he got to where he is today, how he founded Africa Samurai Consulting and he shares some valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, business owners and anyone looking to do business internationally. Book mentioned:The Third Door: https://www.amzn.com/dp/B076NS2JSW/_______________ (00:00) Introducing David Kpondehou(01:19) Difference between Ivory Coast and Benin(02:25) Why leave Ivory Coast and move to Benin(02:58) Building connections in Benin when you have none(04:21) What made David want to serve people(06:18) Life after graduating university(09:18) Moving to Japan and joining Awaji Youth Federation(13:15) Arrival in Japan(16:02) How to network in Japan when you don’t speak Japanese(22:15) Investing in yourself is what kept David going(24:27) David’s philosophy on sleep(25:45) Starting African Samurai Consulting(28:36) David’s goals during his second year in Japan(32:00) Connecting Japan and West-Africa(33:46) David at TICAD 2019(36:12) Finding the right people for your network(37:33 How to manage a growing network(38:52) Give first, ask later(40:49) What is Africa Samurai Consulting(44:30) Key lessons about life and business in Japan(48:55) David’s Japanese language ability(50:08) Joining an event when you’re not invited by using the Third Door(53:13) Summary(55:05) David’s Japanese language ability part 2(55:32) David’s regrets from his time in Japan(57:07) Wrap-up_______________ Get in touchJim BoumanWebsite | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTubeDavid Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai ConsultingWebsite | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan