#16: Embracing Human-Centeredness and Spotlighting Keza Africa.
...because the world could use a sprinkle of empathy ✨
Embracing a Human-Centered Approach in Life & Work.
What does it really mean to be human?
As I reflect on what it means to be human, I am filled with a sense of wonder and amazement. To be human is to love, to live, to give, to take, to laugh, to cry, to mourn, to celebrate, to create, to destroy, and ultimately, to be. Emotions and experiences are at the core of what it means to be human, and they often interplay in intricate ways that shape who we are.
Each emotion I have felt, and each experience I have had has shaped me into the person I am today. My perceptions, beliefs, and values have been consciously or unconsciously influenced by these emotions and experiences, and this is what allows me to make connections between them. The beauty of being human lies in the intricate web of emotions and experiences that make up each person's unique identity. Isn’t that amazing?
As I look at various facets of life, I am reminded that we all interact with other humans, whether we like it or not. This is why we must talk to the cashier at the grocery store, the barista at the coffee shop, our co-workers or deal with our family members, no matter how annoying they may be. t the heart of it all, we all yearn for the same things – to be loved, to be cared for, to be listened to, and to feel valued. We desire connections, a voice of our own, and bonds that bring positive emotions. This is why we seek out romantic partners, value our familial and platonic relationships, and why the concept of human-centeredness is so important.
But what does it mean to be human-centered?
In its essence, human-centeredness is about placing the humanity of others at the forefront of decision-making. It means being compassionate, recognizing that our actions and decisions affect others, and choosing to make decisions that bring about positive outcomes for those around us. In our personal relationships, it means being empathetic and compassionate, and considering the effects of our actions on those we love. This approach shows itself in our ability to listen actively, empathize, and resolve conflicts with grace.
In our work, taking a human-centered approach means remembering that we are serving humans, whether it be through sales, engineering, design, marketing, or any other field. It means asking ourselves, "How can I design this product in a way that shows that I care about the people using it?" As a salesperson, it means engaging with leads in a meaningful and humane way, focusing on their problems rather than just trying to make a sale. As a marketer, it means finding a way to connect with the target audience and show that we genuinely care about their needs.
Taking a human-centered approach to problem-solving can be a huge game-changer. It forces you to look beyond the technical or theoretical aspects of a problem and instead, consider the needs, values, and perspectives of those affected by it. By approaching problems in this way, we can find solutions that are not only technically sound, but are also meaningful, relevant, and successful in the long run.
However, it is important to note that being human-centered is not an invitation to be a pushover or people pleaser, nor is it an invitation to take on the emotions of others. It requires self-confidence, a firm demeanor, the ability to call others out in a graceful manner, and the wisdom to focus on what we can control—our own emotions, behaviors, and actions.
I can go on and on about this, but all I’m trying to say is that a little human-centeredness can go a long way. I urge you to embrace human-centeredness, not as a means to an end, but as an end in itself. True human-centeredness stems from a genuine desire to care for others, rather than just trying to achieve a particular outcome. When we make a conscious effort to be humane, we genuinely care for others and create a world that is more thoughtful and compassionate.
The world would be a better place, if we were all more humane.
Admittedly, not all individuals embody the principles of human-centeredness, and there will be challenges along the way. Some may test your patience and push you to your limits, but if you make a conscious effort to prioritize humaneness in your interactions, you'll not only pay it forward but also reap its benefits in the long run. So, as you navigate through your daily routine, take a moment to reflect on how you can approach your interactions with others and your work with more empathy and kindness.
If you haven’t read January’s Deep Dive, be sure to check it out here.
Product Spotlight
I am so excited to share a fantastic new find with you all today. As someone who's always on the lookout for smart and innovative solutions to everyday problems, I was really intrigued when I first heard about Keza Africa. This product is a smartphone-focused Buy Now Pay Later [BNPL] product & one I believe has the potential to be a huge game-changer. Let’s get to it!
Profile
Name: Keza Africa
Website: https://keza.africa/
Countries Served: Nigeria
Product Space: Fintech [Buy Now Pay Later]
Product Released: 2022
Founder: Aisha Hussaini
In their own words:
Mission: We're here to make smartphones more affordable and accessible to people in Africa by providing access to a flexible payment plan.
Keza is a platform that allows you to buy a smartphone and pay in installments, conveniently.
Keza Africa was founded with the goal of making smartphones easily affordable and accessible for people in Africa. We make it easy to buy a smartphone and pay for it over time with our installment plan, so you can get the phone you want without breaking the bank.
How does Keza work? You fill a short application form on the website and provide the required documents, we’ll perform our necessary credit checks and if you’re eligible, you would make a 30% down-payment, and you can spread the cost over a minimum duration of 1 month and a maximum duration of 6 months. You can apply online via our website, it takes two minutes to fill the application form.
Vibe Check:
As we all know, saving for big purchases, especially gadgets, has become increasingly challenging with the rising cost of living and fluctuating exchange rates. With the devaluation of the Naira in Nigeria, it's becoming increasingly difficult for people to wait for the right time to buy what they need. This is why I believe solutions like Keza Africa are so important.
I mean, think about it—who hasn't been in a situation where they really need a new laptop or camera for work or leisure but just can't afford to fork out the full amount upfront? With Keza, you don't have to worry about putting aside a large sum of money upfront. You can just make a down payment and spread the rest of the cost over three or six months. This is a game-changer for people who want to upgrade their gadgets but struggle with the cost.
One thing that's particularly interesting to me is the impact Keza could have on the creator and gig economy in Africa. With Keza, people who previously couldn't afford to upgrade their gadgets for content creation or freelancing services can now do so. This is a great opportunity for these individuals to tap into the gig economy, whether it be ride-sharing, food delivery, or other online services.
From a business perspective, I can't help but wonder about Keza's future plans. Will they diversify their offerings to include other big purchases like computers, professional-grade cameras, or even home appliances? I think that would certainly broaden their target market and provide a more comprehensive solution to the problem of high-cost purchases. Only time will tell, but I am excited about the idea behind this product and eager to see where it will go.
What do you think about Keza Africa?
On an unrelated note:
Here are three of my favourite reads this week:
Bowing out:
Can you believe it’s February already? Time flies, doesn't it? I hope you enjoyed this week's newsletter and found it informative and engaging.
If you liked what you read, make sure to spread the word and share it with your friends. And if you haven't already, hit the subscribe button so, you don't miss out on any of the fun.
And speaking of fun, if you have a product that you want to share with the world, I'd love to feature it in my newsletter. Just shoot me a message on Twitter [@LongLiveDumi] or drop me an email at dumss@vizible.africa. I'm always open to hearing about new and exciting products.
Now, if you have any questions or just want to chat, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to hear from you, and I'm looking forward to meeting more people from this wonderful community.
And lastly, if there's anything I can do to make the newsletter even better, please let me know. I'm always looking for ways to improve and make your experience even more enjoyable. So, don't be shy, send us your feedback and let's make this newsletter the best it can be.
I hope the rest of your week goes great! See you in the next issue!
Yours in Product Discovery,
Dumss.
Been seeing posts about Keza Africa and it’s such a cool idea especially in a place like Nigeria where we haven’t really gotten into split payment plans as a culture . I am excited to see what happens and I just sent my sister a link as well ( she’s planning to change her phone ).