The Jim Bouman Experience Jim Bouman

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 success
If 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/

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Website: https://jimbouman.com/
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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 and where to find office space in West Africa, whether he recommends foreign companies to buy or rent an office space and what the general acquisition process of office space in West Africa looks like.
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(00:00) Introduction and recap of previous episode
(00:25) How and where to find office space in West Africa
(02:23) Buying vs renting office space in West Africa
(03:45) Average length of a rental agreement in West Africa
(05:29) Property insurance in West Africa
(05:50) Property managers in West Africa
(06:40) Best location to rent an office for foreign companies
(08:02) Summary
(09:10) Wrap-up
_______________ 
Get in touch
Jim Bouman
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube
David Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai Consulting
Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan

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 the state of internet access and cellular coverage in Benin and other parts of West Africa. We also discuss the WiFi options for companies, different providers and how people generally communicate with each other on their phones these days.
_______________ 
(00:00) Introduction and recap of previous episode
(00:25) Which is more common in West Africa: computer or smartphone
(01:05) Do companies provide a phone
(01:52) Smartphones or old-school flip phones
(02:28) Prepaid vs subscription
(03:32) Data vs calls vs SMS
(04:32) Communication via data vs communication via phone network
(05:21) How available is free WiFi in West Africa
(05:47) Availability of 4G in Benin
(06:37) Internet access in Benin
(07:32) Internet providers in Benin
(10:59) Stability of internet and electricity in Benin
(13:19) Summary
(14:03) Wrap-up
_______________ 
Get in touch
Jim Bouman
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube
David Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai Consulting
Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan

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 touch
Jim Bouman
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube
David Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai Consulting
Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan

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 people in Benin and other parts of West Africa view time and punctuality. We also touch on the importance of one’s job and how West Africans view work-life balance.
_______________ 
(00:00) Introduction and recap of previous episode
(00:18) Punctuality in Benin
(02:20) What to do if you’re going to be late in Benin
(03:40) Work comes first
(04:32) Working hours and respecting time in Benin
(08:40) Wrap-up
_______________ 
Get in touch
Jim Bouman
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube
David Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai Consulting
Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan

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/
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(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 touch
Jim Bouman
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube
David Kpondehou / CEO at Africa Samurai Consulting
Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Africa Diaspora Network Japan