If we had a world cup for Entrepreneurs, what would it look like? Would we get a bunch of high tech graduates from MIT, Yale or Oxford all showing off their new mobile apps or flying quadchoppers with micro spy equipment? Or would be see a bunch of people in white coats with microscope slides detailing the latest in GMO foods or grow-in-a-lab babies? Or the latest in financial investment schemes where your $1 could be turned into $5 by the end of the week.

Where would Africa feature? Would any of our team make the grade to play in the finals? Would the people who are faced with a daily experience of having to fix things themselves, using only what they have, some innovation and imagination, make the team?

Entrepreneurship in Africa is not on the big stage. Yes, we have our handful of inventions, but we can’t yet compete with the big innovation hubs at the business schools. Most Entrepreneurs in Africa operate as survivalists not finalists. Each day is a battle fought against red tape, government corruption, poor laws, uncooperative banks and non-paying customers. This daily battle just to keep your business open for another day is sometimes the only goal that entrepreneurs have.

This compared to the incubators, schools and Angel funds that offer fast tracking of any viable idea through the stages of development to sustainability, partnered with experienced coaches, professors and investors. Raising money for ideas seems to be a bit easier elsewhere in the world, than here in Africa.

I can count on my hand the number of high quality investments made to entrepreneurs here in South Africa. Some of these will never make it to IPO. We just do not have the foundation and backing of solid organisations or governments willing to put money and effort into the right people with ideas. Money and effort is always directed at political gain targets, trying to buy votes rather than sustainable job creation.

If we showed up at the Entrepreneurs World Cup, we would win first prize for innovative ideas and survival creativity, but be knocked out in the first round for lack of support, poor coaching and not enough funds to buy team jerseys.

Sad but true.

It was not that long ago when I still believed, like so many men that if things had to be done right, it was up to me and me alone to get it done. No one else could possibly know what I needed done and it was too much hassle to try explaining it to them. And even if I could, they would stuff it up; so alone I traveled, doing everything myself. Guess what, it all came tumbling down around me.

As entrepreneurs we cannot afford to work alone. It is only through the power of collaboration and leverage that our ideas and businesses will flourish. We instill a habit in our clients of not to do the things they cannot do. To carry around a Do Not Do list is as important as the To Do list. Whenever you do something that you do not do well, it just makes you look stupid and incompetent. So why do it? Learning to build a team through collaboration, allowing others to do what they do well and finding your sweet spot is essential to the progress of both you and your business.

Take time today to list the things you do that either you are not competent at or that make you emotionally unhappy and find others to do these tasks. You will be amazed at how others just love to do the things on this list, for them it is their sweet spot. When you light another candle with yours, it does not make your flame half the size, it just makes the room twice as bright.

Not being prepared for an opportunity as a business owner has to be one of the major sins of entrepreneurship. Yet every time I go to a networking meeting or conference I find people who have not got business cards, flyers or even their contact detail on them. When asked to introduce themselves they Basically ummm and ahhh their way through a bunch of made up facts that tell us nothing more than this guy is just not prepared and not able to promote his business at all.

Other people I chat to who are looking for opportunities seem to have this sit back and wait philosophy. They want to wait for something to come along and present itself to their office door. As if the approved tender is being hand delivered to them even when they did not bother to put in an application. The same goes for people looking for jobs, each week I chat to a group of people who insist that just reading the day old Cape Times job column will be enough to secure employment.

Convergence of opportunity is a short time based window that comes and goes and often never repeats itself. Becoming and being a successful entrepreneur is being able to appear always on always ready for any opportunity that may present itself, no matter how short this window remains open. Always have at least 3 elevator pitches rehearsed and ready to go. Always carry business cards or brochures. Have your web and social media sites ready and waiting with auto responders and active landing pages. Your cell and land line answering messages should encourage dialogue and represent you and your brand when you do not answer. Opportunity is lost when not prepared overrides convergence. Where are you?