ABIAKUM MACBETH LEVERAGING Bible Text: Luke 1: 32-33

Introduction:

This message is premised on the last ChangeOver program which was tagged Arise.During the program, we were taught that arise which is a wake up call could also mean to step out, stand up and standout. It will therefore be very easy for anyone to step out if only he knows what to stand on with the assurance that he or she will stand out and possibly shine.

This talk will therefore be centered on how you can take advantage of existing platforms, structures institutions or situations so as to stand out and take your place in destiny.

DEFINITION: the word Leveraging come from the verb to leverage. To leverage simply means to use something to maximum advantage.

POWER: Power to influence people and get the results you want

BUSINESS:The act of using borrowed money to buy an investment or a company; to use money to get more money.

USE: To use something you already have in order to achieve something new or better.

Leveraging therefore means taking advantage of existing opportunities; or using what is available to get what you want in a positive way without hurting yourself, someone or your environments. Leveraging is about building or riding on already established platforms, structures or opportunities.

Leveraging could be summarized by this great quote from Isaac Newton “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants”.

From our bible text, we can see that even Jesus Christ Himself had to leverage on existing structures or institutions to make impact his world

1. He never built the kingdom
2. He never fought any war
3. John the Baptist was already preparing the way for Him
4. His disciples were already followers of John the Baptist
5. The synagogues were never built by Him yet He preached in them and His fame had spread all over the world with millions of followers on Facebook, twitter, snap chat Instagram just to name but a few without even a social media account.

Just as it were in the days Newton or Jesus Christ whose success was depended on the success of others, no one can make any meaning progress or achievement without leveraging on someone or something. 

This talk focuses on how you can take advantage of existing platforms or opportunities to achieve your goals. Whether you are an artisan, a market woman, a bus conductor, a graduate or a professor, you need a platform or structure to leverage on in order to succeed.

People are scared to step out if they do not know what to stand on.

Some platforms or structures you can leverage on so that we can standout?

1             Talent/Skill:Talents/skills is the craft you have learned or what you are able to do with your natural abilities. Though talent is never enough, you need it because a man’s gift maketh way for him and bring him before kings

2             Knowledge: Knowledge has to do with the information at your disposal. You need information to make the right decision and there is plenty of knowledge in Lagos where we live.

3             People: The things you will ever need for your survival or existence is in other peoples’ hands. To leverage on people, you must build good relationship with the people around you.

4             Technology: Technology is the tool that connects people, goods and services together. Technology includes the use of internet, telephone and other communication gadgets to connect people, communities, countries or markets.

5          Online Markets: Markets are platforms for ‘buyam and sellam’. Technology has provided a platform for ‘buyamsellam’ to do business right from the comfort of their homes. We will be focusing on this in the cause of the program.

6          Communities: communities refers to the groups that we are part of by associations. They include our churches, schools, neighborhood, and societies/associations. We can leverage on this to either render a service or sell our products to especially when there is a need that needs to be met.