11 OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

Even though COVID-19 has caused a lot of deep and irreparable troubles to lives and properties, we can also look at opportunities it has opened our eyes to. In this article, I seek to discuss some possible areas we can all benefit from with or without COVID-19. I chanced upon a YouTube video presentation on 7 Businesses That Will Boom After This Pandemic. I took inspiration from some of them and added to it to compile a list of 11 areas of opportunity for anyone desirous to grow. 

The first area we can take advantage of is taking online courses. I have done a lot of online courses virtually for free in Christian ministry and theology. You can also take some relevant courses to add value to yourself and your profession.

#2. Apps

Amazingly, there are many mobile apps floating around to help us advance in almost everything. Search for the right ones, install and use them. The other day, I got an app to help me do my fitness exercises at home. There are apps for languages, writing, investing, news, books and many more. Find them and use them.

Social media in particular has come to give a new phase to old media forms. Virtually every old media like TV and radio are synced with social media now. I know many small businesses doing so well using free advertisement on Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter and others. 

Today, you can start many businesses on your phone with the internet to reach people from all over the world. Is there something you feel you have a solution to that can help people? Start with your phone if possible. 

At first, before anyone could get more money, they would have to work more hours, be the CEO, own the business or travel abroad. Just like Friedman said the world is flat, you can get more money doing businesses without your physical presence. Find them and do them. 

This is an area that I personally want to explore and take advantage of. Just imagine that you have a breakthrough idea or product or service and you sell to other people, it will make you fortunes. It is not every idea that you have to do yourself. Just sell or partner with someone and get some cash and influence under your belt. 

Through online courses, social media and blogging, you can connect with diverse groups of people from other parts of the world. Through consistent blogging I found some people who have become part of my life. Build a solid network of people. 

There are opportunities for selling products on your social media platforms. The other day, I discovered an advertising firm that helps people to get money by advertising on their WhatsApp status. All you have to do is to get more than 50 views and the cash will start flowing. 

You can also market products and services which otherwise you should have paid lots of money for radio and TV. Take advantage of new media to publicize your products or services to the world. 

You can turn your expertise into a teaching business to help people find their feet in life. After I resumed blogging, I have had a couple of people coming to me to ask me to help them to blog. My friend Bernard Kelvin Clive has turned his expertise in blogging, podcasting and publishing into online training courses.

There is no limit to what you can do except the one you have placed on yourself. My reading and studying of the Bible inspired me to start an annual Bible Reading and Bible Studying WhatsApp groups to help believers read, study and apply the word to their lives. The more you read in a certain area, the more you can get insights and ideas to start something.

These 11 areas of opportunities are just a drop in the ocean of what you can do to advance your life and achieve your dreams. Use them as guidelines to help you get more workable ideas. Don't just stop at the ideas stage. Begin and finish something.