Leadership lessons from Coke #shapeafrica

Earlier, I attended a leadership panel run by Coca-Cola in conjunction with the Global Shapers Community in Cape Town. Today is also the 127th birthday of Coke! I have had maybe 3 coke cans to celebrate this. I also re-posted a blog post I wrote about Coke a number of years ago.

The panel featured 3 panelists from Coca-Cola, one of which was William Egbe. There were a lot of great learnings and insights shared. I was live-tweeting some of them. And now we have a blog post :-)

When you're making a decision, no matter how risky, make sure you know the potential implications and can handle them all. #wefafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

"You can't be too special when it comes to integrity. Everyone must follow the values"- Coca-Cola leadership panel @ #WEFAfrica #shapeafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

"Take the vision (however boring it is) & repeat it over & over again inpractical ways".- Coca-Cola leadership panel @ #shapeafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

"Create value for not only your shareholders but your stakeholders". - Coca - Cola leadership panel @ #shapeafrica.
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Being entreprising within a company is being a leader in various sections of the company. Run with projects. #leadership #shapeafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

The spirit of optimism must exist in times of crisis, the leader must show paths out of it & make people believe. #leadership #shapeafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

A leader should build a team that complements his or her strengths and skills. Teammates must fills gaps. #leadership #shapeafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Make choiceful decisions to pick out compliments and use reactions to drive what you want to achieve. #leadership #shapeafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Coca-Cola does really well in Africa because it shares n revels in the traits of optimism, happiness and fun. #leadership #shapeafrica
— Ato Ulzen-Appiah (@Abocco) May 8, 2013

Coke is probably the most popular brand in the world. This week, I have grown to learn more about how it has built a brand that remains relevant and keeps on making it marketable, fresh and wanted. It's become a part of people's lives and livelihoods. It's not just about sales and pleasing shareholders, it's sharing value with stakeholders - suppliers, vendors, distributors and sellers. Down to the seller who sells Coke in an ice chest, moves on to kiosk, a shop and then a supermarket.

Open happiness :-)