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From Struggle to Stability: The Journey of a Startup

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  From Struggle to Stability: The Journey of a Startup 🌱 From Struggle to Stability: The Journey of a Startup by Desalegn Terecha Introduction Starting a business feels like planting a seed deep in the ground. At first, it demands daylight attention—constant nurturing, resources, and belief—even while all you see above soil may be silence. This budding venture often faces negative cash flow , where expenses outweigh income and each month feels like a gamble. Stage 1: The Early Struggle Why Cash Flow Can Be Negative New businesses invest heavily at launch—equipment, marketing, salaries—while revenue trickles in slowly. This stage is a dance on the edge of survival. Common Pitfalls Poor product–market fit Too much team overhead too soon Lack of customer validation Authors like Lak Ananth (“ Anticipate Failure ”) and Tom Eisenmann (“ Why Startups Fail ”) remind us that most startups collapse not from lack of ...

The Nest Isn’t Always Safe: A Career Lesson from Nature

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  The Nest Isn’t Always Safe: A Career Lesson from Nature The Nest Isn’t Always Safe: A Career Lesson from Nature By Desalegn Terecha | Economist, Sociologist & Human Development Specialist A Peaceful Scene... or a Warning? Imagine a tranquil image: two small birds resting on a fresh green branch, gentle rain falling around them. Beneath them lies a perfectly crafted nest—symbol of home, safety, and purpose. But inside, coiled in silence, is a snake. What was meant to be a cradle of life has become a place of hidden danger. And in this image lies a powerful metaphor for our careers. Sometimes, the Workplace Is the Snake's Nest Many of us enter new jobs with hope. The company looks great on the surface. The onboarding feels smooth. Managers smile. The office coffee is good. But sometimes, beneath that welcoming exterior lies disarray—poor leadership, internal politics, or burnout culture. What you thought would protect your future might ...

Explore why sustainable peace cannot be achieved by ignoring major issues in conflict resolution. Discover practical examples

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  In Conflict Resolution, Ignoring the Giant in the Room Won't Bring Sustainable Peace In Conflict Resolution, Ignoring the Giant in the Room Won't Bring Sustainable Peace Introduction: Why We Must Address the Obvious In the world of conflict resolution, there’s a popular metaphor — “the elephant in the room.” It refers to an obvious issue that everyone knows but no one wants to talk about. Yet, sustainable peace is never built on avoidance. If key grievances and injustices are swept under the rug, peace agreements risk crumbling like sandcastles under a rising tide. The Nature of Conflict: More Than Just Clashes Conflicts, whether personal, communal, or international, are layered. Beneath the visible tension often lie deeply rooted issues — historical injustices, identity suppression, marginalization, or resource inequality. Ignoring these foundational causes is akin to treating pneumonia with a cough drop. Case in Point: South Sudan ...

A deep reflection on life's impermanence, the wisdom of humility, and the transformative power of kindness.

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  Everything Changes: Embracing Life’s Shifting Nature with Humility and Grace Everything Changes: Embracing Life’s Shifting Nature with Humility and Grace The Unchanging Truth About Change Everything in life is transient. Seasons shift, fortunes fluctuate, and even the strongest eventually bend to time. Understanding the impermanence of our condition is key to developing humility and compassion. This blog explores the timeless wisdom that reminds us: we are no better than anyone else . Symbolism of Life’s Turning Wheel Alive, the Bird Eats Ants When alive, the bird rules the sky. It consumes the ants below without a second thought, a symbol of dominance. Yet this dominance is fleeting. Dead, the Ants Devour the Bird In death, the mighty fall. The very ants that once cowered beneath the bird now feast upon it. This reversal illustrates that life’s roles are never fixed. What is high may fall; what is low may rise. Time: The Ultimate L...

Explore the deeper meaning of life beyond the self. Discover how connection, purpose, and compassion enrich our lives and the world around us

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  Life Is So Much Bigger Than Self | Desalegn Terecha Life Is So Much Bigger Than Self By Desalegn Terecha Introduction: The Illusion of the Self-Centered Life We live in a time where self-optimization is a buzzword, individualism is often celebrated, and personal achievements are held up as the pinnacle of success. But in chasing personal ambitions, it’s easy to lose sight of a deeper truth: life is so much bigger than self . Beyond our own experiences lies a vast web of interconnected lives, stories, and impacts. Why We’re Wired for Connection The Science of Human Interdependence Studies in psychology and neuroscience show that humans are biologically wired for connection. From mirror neurons that enable empathy to hormones like oxytocin that bond us to others, our brains are designed t...

How to Become SMART with Lean Six Sigma Global

  How to Become SMART with Lean Six Sigma Global: A Transformational Guide SEO Meta-Description: Discover how Lean Six Sigma Global's SMART model cultivates self-confidence, mental mastery, resilience, responsibility, and time-conscious living for personal and professional growth. How to Become SMART with Lean Six Sigma Global Introduction: The SMART Philosophy Redefined In today’s high-pressure world, success requires more than just intelligence or talent. At Lean Six Sigma Global, becoming SMART involves a deep transformation across five crucial attributes: Self-confidence, Mastering the Mind, Ability, Responsibility, and Time-based living. This guide explores how to cultivate each quality to unlock your highest potential. S: Self-Confidence Understanding Self-Confidence Beyond Ego True self-confidence comes from inner acknowledgment of your strengths, not from arrogance. At Lean Six Sigma Global, we embrace our qualities with humility and aspire to greatness without fea...

Discover the top 10 financial missteps commonly made in early adulthood. Learn how to avoid these pitfalls and secure your financial future

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  Top 10 Most Regretted Financial Decisions People Make in Their 20s and 30s Top 10 Most Regretted Financial Decisions People Make in Their 20s and 30s Introduction Making financial decisions in your 20s and 30s can feel like navigating a maze. Some paths lead to prosperity, while others bring regret. This article explores 10 common money mistakes and lessons to help you avoid them. 1. Missing Out on the COVID-19 Market Dip When markets plummeted in early 2020, many froze instead of buying low. As stocks rebounded, regret set in for those who missed the chance. "In April 2025, individual investors took advantage of market dips, buying stocks while professionals remained cautious." – MarketWatch 2. Not Investing in Gold or Sovereign Gold Bonds Gold has historically offered stability. SGBs add interest income and tax-free capital gains—missed by many who ignored these low-risk options. ...