In today's global economy, the possibilities for growth and expansion are truly limitless. Goods, services, and ideas no longer move within narrow, regional boundaries. As a market expansion consultant and The Elevation Coach specialising in purpose discovery, branding and legacy building, I’ve focused on creating bridges for business between Africa and the Caribbean. However, it has become clear that trade isn’t just about the physical exchange of products—it’s about expanding mindsets. To fully embrace the growing conversation around Afri-Caribbean trade, a shift in thinking is crucial, not only for business but for addressing pressing issues like unemployment.
A Mindset Exchange Across Borders
Through my interactions with individuals across various regions, I have noticed a strong drive to succeed in many people. Some are recognized for their ability to seize opportunities, whether by managing multiple jobs or mastering diverse skills. However, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone has fully embraced this mindset, and many are still on the journey to fully utilize their gifts and talents to achieve sustainable success. This boldness and resilience are traits that entrepreneurs across Africa and the Caribbean can adopt to unlock their full potential and thrive.
Growing up, many of us were taught that success followed a linear path: securing secondary school certificates, earning a university degree, getting a job, buying a house, and starting a family. While these milestones have value, they often ignore our full potential. Globalization demands a new mindset—one that empowers us to embrace all our talents and skills, confident that the world is ready for what we have to offer.
This mindset shift, which refuses to settle for less, involves using every skill and ability to create wealth and opportunities for ourselves and our communities. It’s not just about cultural exchange between Africa and the Caribbean; it’s about a mindset exchange—learning from the relentless pursuit of success and applying that same energy toward building a future full of opportunities.
Mindset Shift to Solve Unemployment: Insights from Ofon Emmanuel
The mindset shift is also crucial in addressing the unemployment crisis that many countries, including Nigeria and the Caribbean, face. On a recent segment of News Central, Ofon Emmanuel, a Digital Communications & Marketing Manager and seasoned mentor, shared valuable insights on the challenges young professionals encounter in today’s competitive job market. According to Ofon, one of the main issues contributing to high unemployment rates is the disconnect between what universities teach and what the labour market requires.
Many young graduates enter the workforce without the necessary skills to thrive, making it difficult for them to find employment. Ofon pointed out that while educational institutions must update curricula and resources, graduates themselves must take responsibility for their career development. She emphasized the need for self-directed learning, encouraging young professionals to cultivate their skills throughout their undergraduate years rather than waiting until after graduation.
“It’s about planning your career from the early stages,” Ofon noted. “You need to be proactive and identify the skills you’ll need to thrive in your chosen field. Waiting until graduation to prepare for the job market can be too late.”
In addition, Ofon stressed the importance of personal branding. She advised young professionals to leverage platforms like LinkedIn to showcase their skills and build a strong online presence. “Personal branding is about being authentic and ensuring that the image you project online aligns with your true capabilities,” she explained. “Employers are looking for people who can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.”
Her insights highlight a crucial point: to solve the unemployment crisis in Nigeria—and the Caribbean—there needs to be a collective shift in mindset, one that encourages individuals to look beyond traditional means of earning income and explore the global job market.
Why Mindset Matters for Trade and Business
Trade is not just about moving goods—it’s about exchanging skills, talents, and expertise. Expanding our mindset opens the door to possibilities we may have never considered. The Caribbean, for example, has a wealth of talent, but too often, individuals limit themselves to one job or career. Yet, the reality is that the skills and expertise within the region can be exported—not only in goods and services but in creative talents and intellectual capital.
This shift is necessary across sectors, from agriculture to tourism and renewable energy. By embracing a purpose-driven mindset, we can create business exchanges that transcend borders, fostering collaboration with African nations and unlocking new markets for our products, services, and human capital.
Recently, Barbados' own Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, acknowledged the growing recognition of multiple income streams and entrepreneurship. She stated:
“The notion that people who are working should not be able to also have businesses is an outdated notion... We need to develop capacity and empower our people to build and grow businesses and, in turn, build and grow wealth. When they have done so, we must help them create generational wealth.”
This statement aligns with the Mindset Exchange—moving beyond traditional work paradigms and embracing every talent and skill within us.
The University Graduate Dilemma
This mindset shift is particularly crucial for university graduates in the Caribbean and Nigeria, where many young professionals leave university only to discover that the job market is already saturated. This is a price we have had to pay even in Barbados, where the aim is to ensure that every single home of the over 280,000 population has at least one graduate. The issue is not just the lack of jobs but also a mismatch between the education provided and the skills required in the marketplace.
Many graduates believe that simply obtaining a degree will secure their future, but the reality is far more complex. Success today requires adaptability, creativity, and a readiness to build one’s own opportunities. Graduates need to think beyond traditional roles and focus on identifying gaps in the market where they can apply their skills in innovative ways. My personal story of translating for the New York Times Magazine and conducting market research in the Caribbean for Verizon is an example of how exploring global opportunities can open doors that might not exist within your immediate environment.
Reflecting on Purpose and Global Impact: Insights From Recent Events
The recent LinkedIn Masterclass, Discover Your Purpose: Unlock the Undiscovered Global Impact Within You, held on October 19, 2024, was a profound journey into understanding and embracing purpose. We explored how identifying your unique purpose can push you to break barriers, go beyond immediate environments, and unlock a vast potential for global impact. The event offered actionable insights to help participants take bold steps toward their goals—just as I’ve done in my journey of global market expansion. It was an inspiring experience, and I am grateful for everyone who attended and shared in the mission to uncover untapped potential.
Following the masterclass, on November 9, 2024, I had the honour of hosting a powerful panel discussion featuring four accomplished Nigerian women who have transformed their careers and lives by embracing their gifts fully. These exceptional women have defied conventional boundaries, each pursuing multiple ventures and initiatives outside their primary careers. Their stories embody the very mindset we set out to illuminate—pursuing purpose and impacting diverse areas meaningfully. Through their journeys, they’ve shown that true fulfilment and change come from fully embracing our potential and applying it across different fields.
These events have reinforced my commitment as an Elevation Coach to inspire others to explore their unique gifts and reach beyond limitations. Thank you to everyone who participated, and stay tuned for more insights and events on embracing purpose and expanding global impact.
The Time for Expansion is Now!
The time has come for the people of the Caribbean and Africa to unlock their hidden talents, skills, and abilities. Through a mindset shift, we can overcome the barriers that have historically held us back. We are diverse, talented, and innovative people, and it’s time we recognize the global opportunities waiting for us.
By addressing unemployment through a combination of purpose discovery, monetization of skills and talents, self-directed learning, personal branding, and an openness to global opportunities, we can create solutions that benefit both the Caribbean and Africa. The unemployment crisis is not insurmountable—it requires a change in how we approach our careers, talents, and global possibilities.
Dr. Vicki L. Otaruyina is a Market Expansion Consultant with Ruyina Global and The Elevation Coach. She specializes in helping entrepreneurs and businesses unlock their full potential by expanding their reach across borders, particularly between Africa and the Caribbean. With a passion for purpose-driven leadership, Dr. Vicki empowers individuals to tap into their talents, skills, and divine purpose to create multiple streams of income and global impact.