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#93 Pathways to Success w/ Ben Mutimba
19 Plays16 days ago
Ben is the co-founder of Mutimba Consulting, dedicated to helping immigrants thrive in the Canadian job market. With a strong project management background in the pharmaceutical and tech industries, including roles at the National Research Council of Canada and Novo Nordisk, Benedict leverages his expertise to guide newcomers in navigating job searches, optimizing resumes, and enhancing LinkedIn profiles. An immigrant from Zimbabwe, he is passionate about empowering others to succeed professionally in Canada. Fluent in English and advanced in French, Benedict brings a multicultural perspective to his work, fostering confidence and readiness among his clients.
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Transcript
Introduction to Ben Mutimba and His Work
00:00:32
Find A Way Podcast
Welcome everyone, this is episode 93, Pathway to Success, and today our guest is Ben Mutimba. Ben is the co-founder of Mutimba Consulting, dedicated to helping immigrants thrive in the Canadian job market.
00:00:45
Find A Way Podcast
With a strong project management background in the pharmaceutical and tech industries, including roles at the National Research Council of Canada and Novo Nordisk, Benedict leverages his experience to guide newcomers in navigating job searches, optimizing resumes and enhancing LinkedIn profiles. As an immigrant from Zimbabwe, he is passionate about empowering others to succeed professionally in Canada.
00:01:10
Find A Way Podcast
Fluent in English and Advance in French, Ben brings the multicultural perspective to his work, fostering confidence and readiness among his clients. Welcome, Ben.
00:01:20
Ben Mutimba
Thank you, thank you. Such a pleasure to be here, ingredient beer.
00:01:25
Ingrid
So before we get started, can you share more about your business?
Founding Mutimba Consulting: Why and How?
00:01:29
Ben Mutimba
Thank you. So the business is Mutimva Consulting. And the whole idea came to me because, as we said, I'm an immigrant. And before I relocated to Canada, I was based in Denmark. And being a project manager, it's within me that I plan everything I had, like six months ahead.
00:01:49
Ben Mutimba
so i I thought about planning on how was I going to go to kind to Canada. I started applying for jobs, etc. And when I landed here, I discovered that actually many people who were facing challenges, you know, trying to adapt to the Canadian job market. So that's where the idea of my timber consulting came through. And then during the beginning of this year, I went through the whole process of setting up a business plan, trying to see what what I can do to help immigrants be better suited for the Canadian job market. and Now, I i do calls with clients and we discuss their career path, what are their motivations, they want to pivot and focusing usually on their resume resumes or CVs, you know, and also on their LinkedIn profiles. And sometimes we just do have a chat, just a one hour chat on life in Canada, how is the workspace and all. So that is a multiple consulting in a nutshell.
00:02:45
Find A Way Podcast
That's so exciting.
Ben's Multinational Life Journey
00:02:46
Find A Way Podcast
um I am so interested in your story, Ben, because you are originally from Zimbabwe.
00:02:53
Ben Mutimba
Yes,
00:02:53
Find A Way Podcast
You lived in multiple countries, including Algeria, France, Germany, Italy, and you immigrated to Canada from Denmark. So can you share more about this you know multi all over the place living that you've had your experience and your takeaways from each place you've lived abroad?
00:03:01
Ben Mutimba
yes,
00:03:14
Ben Mutimba
Yeah, no, that's that's that's good. You know, I think when I write a book, which I think I should, I think I'll just call it Jenny to the North. Because if you look at the map, Zimbabwe is down at the south, like we are north of South Africa, right? And when I was 19, I got a scholarship to go and study in Algeria. So Algeria is actually North Africa. So that was my first move from Zimbabwe to Algeria. I got to Algeria. I did my bachelor's degree in pharmacy, which was quite nice because Algeria was the first place, I think, where?
00:03:43
Ben Mutimba
I got challenged in my views, my views about, you know, religion, because I'm a Christian, you know, as Zimbabwe identifies the Christian country. Algeria is Muslim. And, you know, it was all different for me. And I was 19. So I spent six years there. By the time I left Algeria, I was 25. I was, you know, I was, I was a man. I was dating and all that stuff. And I went back to Zimbabwe and I, you know, had a girlfriend.
00:04:07
Ben Mutimba
When I went back they didn't work out very well and within a few months I said you know what I'm gonna go back to France so I had a place in France to do my and my master's degree so I have a master's in a drug design so dick I'm kind of like a public scuba but in the in the drug industry So then I went to France to do a master's degree and my master's degree was one of those international master's degree where you do one semester in a different university, right? So I was in Strasbourg the first semester and then the second semester I was in Italy in Milano, which I think I love Italy. I try to go there every year.
00:04:42
Ben Mutimba
Italy was amazing. i think I think I, in a way, I identify as Italian. I like the warmness, the food. Also, the dressing. I think Italian men are the most handsome men ever. I like their suits. I can tell you, you need to go to Milan specifically. I've been to Rome. yeah Really, it's nice, but not that. I spent three, four months in Italy, and then I moved to France, where I did my fourth semester. I was working at Sanofi. I graduated with my master's in Paris. Then I got a PhD in Germany, so I took the train across the border.
00:05:13
Ben Mutimba
I went to Germany. Germany was fun because I think Germany for me was kind of like what I call my beer manifestation because in Germany is the capital of beer and I didn't drink then but I started you know exploring different kind of beers. Germans are really lovely people. I also feel like I identify with them a lot because Germans are process-oriented and I am as a project manager. So I was in Germany there. I was doing my PhD for one year and then I got got headhunted to work in a company, a pharmaceutical company, BIA, BIA Pharmaceuticals. I think everybody knows BIA for aspirin. So basically the guys who gave us aspirin. And I started working there as an IT project manager. That was 2017. I love Germany. And once I was in Germany, that's where I met my wife. Okay, I met my wife before in France, but we started dating officially when I was in Germany.
Moving to Canada and COVID-19 Challenges
00:06:03
Ben Mutimba
She was living in Denmark in Copenhagen and I was in Cologne so we had a long distance like for one year You know, but we used to see each other every week. That's why Europe is a small place So it was like a 45 minute flight and then we dated and then after one year I relocated to Denmark and we I got engaged got married in Denmark and then I started working at Novo Nordisk and And not going to disco is fun, you know the Danish culture is also different. Everybody is on their bikes, their feet, everybody is healthy. I used to run to work 11km, such a different lifestyle. right And when we were in Denmark, but we decided, you know what, we need to find somewhere where it's kind of like, because I am for the warm weather, I love warm weather, so I wanted to go to Sydney, Australia.
00:06:47
Ben Mutimba
But my wife was like, I don't know. She is a sister here in in in Canada. She has two sisters. One is in Canada and one is in Australia. So we looked at the different parts and Canada was the, I think, the simpler and more straightforward part. And then so we applied to do express entry to come to Canada. We did the paperwork and then COVID it happened.
00:07:05
Ben Mutimba
borders we shut and then so we were stuck in Denmark for two years or two and a half years by the time the borders opened you know we were ready to relocate to Canada and we came here December 2022 so as you can see I've all just been going further up north up north up north and I think I've kind of like reached the north now I need to go back down south you know instead again the process so yeah so that's that's that's me you know in like the chapters of my life you know
00:07:36
Ingrid
You know what? That's incredible. um There's so much to un impact there, but ah like you've moved around so much and I can't imagine like really any such different cultures too. Like we're talking, you know, even like Denmark to Canada and then like everything that you did. That's incredible. I would love to hear, and it could be something funny or interesting, but like, what were the biggest challenges you faced as an immigrant?
The 'Canadian Experience' Hurdle
00:07:58
Ingrid
You know, entering the Canadian market.
00:08:01
Ingrid
in how those experiences shaped your approach to helping others, but also with such a plethora of cultures. Like, did you have ah like a culture shock when you entered the Canadian market? Like, how was that for you?
00:08:12
Ben Mutimba
Yeah, there was a shock. I think the first one which every immigrant encounters is, do you have Canadian experience? So I was like, hey, what is Canadian experience? How is it different from Danish experience, from German experience? They were like, but have you ever worked in a Canadian company? I was like,
00:08:29
Ben Mutimba
Excuse me? What is different in Canada that's different in Novo, Nordisk or Bayer, right? And I think that question, it unsettles a little bit because it makes you question like, did I miss something? Like, did did did did I, you know? So I think for me, that was a cultural shock because When I spoke to recruiters, they said, well, you know, we just need to know if you are well-adapted working in the Canadian environment. I was like, I don't know if if if my experience counted. to end up But then, because when I came here, the job market was not as bad as it is right now. Companies were really willing to hire, so it was easy. But right now, I can tell you when I work with some of my clients,
00:09:08
Ben Mutimba
it's something actually that they feel like they need to create an experience just to show the Canadian experience on their CV and it is such a sad thing though but it it was a cultural shock but a positive one was that when I when I go to the airport and i my friend came to collect me as we were walking through the car park I saw the the first time I also saw in it in F-150 truck like the the big truck i am six foot two that truck was my height i'm coming from europe european cars are like tiny images like this you know like they are the i'm still in all of the trucks now that i'm used to them visually but i feel like the the the big trucks they are so huge i and and i can never get over the one you know so yeah
00:09:55
Ingrid
Um, I love hearing what you said, just so adding before being jumped into the next question. So first there was a stat that came out just for the listeners. I don't know that a new immigrant to Canada takes about 10 years to get in Canada, to get to the same position as they were in their country. But more interesting than that is saying like you had Danish experience like because sometimes there is a prejudice for people that come from Latin in America, or like if you're, most of your work experience had been in other, like in, in Africa. Right. Um, but it's interesting that you experienced that even with.
00:10:25
Ingrid
European experiences, um that it's such a prominent thing. And one thing that I like to punch some things and in the podcast, but one thing here is like, it doesn't matter how many skilled immigrants we bring in, if the Canadian companies are not prepared to hire them. um And it's sad because like someone like you that had the creditable experience and having that difficulty. So I just wanted to add that and the stats in case ah someone listening to the episode didn't know that.
00:10:50
Ben Mutimba
Thanks, that's good to know.
00:10:51
Find A Way Podcast
and
00:10:51
Ben Mutimba
That is good to know indeed.
00:10:53
Find A Way Podcast
And even to add on top of that what Ingrid said, it's not just being the companies being prepared to hire them, but also to properly integrate them. And that's what I love about what you're doing, Ben, because I am in a similar ah position doing with Smart Goose Academy where we tackle not only the individuals and preparing them with the self-confidence, but also um organizations, you know, entities that are taking on newcomers and immigrants with equipping them with like cross-cultural trainees for them to understand
00:11:24
Find A Way Podcast
how the different cultures different backgrounds they translate into their behavior the way they act the way they you know how they work and how to better extract those talents within the organization which is crucial and sometimes many leadership positions they don't know.
00:11:39
Find A Way Podcast
how to deal with ah such a multicultural background. And it has to be, um they have to you know be
Cultural Understanding in Workforce Integration
00:11:46
Find A Way Podcast
educated on that front. So what I don't like to use the word educate, but they like they have to be empowered on that front too. And it only reflects some positive outcomes for the company. So thanks for stressing that Ingrid, and thank you for mentioning that, Ben.
00:11:58
Ben Mutimba
No, you're welcome. Yes.
00:12:00
Find A Way Podcast
um As you can see, we like to point out many things that we whether we don't agree with or we want to create the change.
00:12:02
Ben Mutimba
Yes. nothing
00:12:08
Ben Mutimba
Yeah.
00:12:08
Find A Way Podcast
We're giving so the example here and giving the facts.
00:12:11
Ben Mutimba
and and to And to bonus with you just to to add to that, i think I think probably, and this is my two cents, and I think every time I i look it from the advantage of being a nomad like me is every time I look things from within outside perspective, because I'm always saying like I'm looking from the outside,
00:12:28
Ben Mutimba
I think the the idea of immigrants is a very brilliant one because they bring you know what you call diversity of thought but I also believe there's a disconnect between the government policies and what companies need right so because everybody who comes here under the express and you are evaluated so you they say oh we need your skill set we need project managers we need um you know I don't know doctors and nurses but then when you land the companies are saying well you don't have the experience we need so then my question is like why didn't you tell me before I did my visa work why didn't you tell me Ben without your kind of experience you cannot get a job right and I think this disconnect has to be fixed because I think if I'm good enough for you to
00:13:10
Ben Mutimba
ah Validate me and land then I'm definitely good enough to do the job and and to one is with you I awake a lot. I'm not waking the government a So I see a lot of immigrants in the excellent and I have hired co-op students.
00:13:23
Ben Mutimba
Mostly they're excellent So I don't really get the part where The Canadian experience might be needed, do you know that kind of thing. But anyway um Yeah Yeah
00:13:33
Find A Way Podcast
ay I understand and and completely agree with you. Okay. One thing I'm curious, ah how has your background in project management and within the pharmaceutical and tech industry influenced your services and what you offer at Matimba Consulting?
00:13:40
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:13:51
Ben Mutimba
That's a very good
Structured Services at Mutimba Consulting
00:13:52
Ben Mutimba
question and I think it's a it's It's a good thing, but also I think sometimes it holds me back because as a project manager you are tasked, we are given a We need you to deliver this ah output it's at this cost in this given time. So you've got the three metrics, right? And for me, I treat everything in my life like a project which my wife sometimes she gets angry about says why don't you be spontaneous no because for me then everything has to be structured what is the goal what is the goal of this conversation like what is it like what what is that you want to achieve it this good you know so that's I also bring to my clients right like so when I set up my company when I build the website the CRM system and everything
00:14:36
Ben Mutimba
everything had to be you know done properly which then at the end of the day I think sometimes when I don't I would want to call myself a perfectionist but in the quest to have everything right sometimes you miss out on opportunities right so I think the project manager in me he lives in me I think there's ah there's a lot of positivity because I live a very structured life. At the beginning of the week, I know which days I'm going out for after-awake networking, which days you know you need to put date night on the calendar. Otherwise, your wife is going to leave you. you know you know So everything needs everything needs to be structured. But at the same time, also, you kind of miss out on some spontaneity. you know So yeah, that's that's the heavy presence of project management in my life.
00:15:21
Ben Mutimba
you
00:15:22
Ingrid
I love that and to make you feel a little bit more normal with your date calendar date. in the calendar. Everyone is shocked, and they never shared this on podcast, but I actually have meeting ah weekly reveals with my husband booked for Sundays.
00:15:36
Ingrid
And it's actually on the calendar, and we do weekly reveals.
00:15:36
Ben Mutimba
See?
00:15:39
Ingrid
What did it go well? What did our next week look like? It's a timed matter, and we can't bring any issues during the week because it stresses both of us out. So it's like it's a very, very project manager of me.
00:15:50
Ingrid
And he's not in the business world, so it took him a little bit to understand it, but I get it. um So we were talking and we're jumping back and forth here, but we're talking a little bit about your experience in you know and the difficulty that is for times for immigrants to find a job with their skills in Canada.
00:16:07
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:16:08
Ingrid
What are some of the strategies that you use or you recommend for immigrants trying to align their skills with the Canadian job market, knowing that we're not talking that like they don't have the skills because we know that they do, but to be able to get that first Canadian experience?
00:16:21
Ben Mutimba
Yeah, I think one of the things which I noticed with my with my clients is that mostly these are highly qualified people and some of them are set in their ways. So the challenge always comes to say how flexible are you, right, to take on something using what I call transferable skills, you know, because they will say I was a program director back home, I need director roles. I'm like I get you but I don't know if you're going to go there but you know what because in a way
00:16:54
Ben Mutimba
When you move, no matter how much you like it, you might have to take some steps back. Fortunately, I didn't, but I think many people, you have to like, so, you know, like maybe do a a role one or two less just because you just want to get to understand the lay of the land. So I always talk about if you don't have maybe the skills that are being looked for, I encourage my clients to do a training, and for example, on data analytics, online training, just to enhance your skills so that you appear competitive on the job market.
00:17:28
Ben Mutimba
And and in in in the one thing also which actually most of my clients do not have is just that the LinkedIn profile, people don't understand that if LinkedIn doesn't know who you are, nobody knows who you are, you might have, I don't know, written 10 books, but if LinkedIn doesn't say you did this and you have it properly articulated, then you might as well have never done it. And then go like, who cares about LinkedIn? And that's a mentality change, right? Especially most of my clients, they come from sub-Saharan Africa or, you know, they'll be like,
00:17:56
Ben Mutimba
spends time on LinkedIn as long as my CV is okay I'm good I'm like no bruv your CV is not good you need to take your CV you need to put those skills on LinkedIn because that's how recruiters find you that's how people reach out to you and say hey I can see you have this skill set so it's a it's a cultural shift that I have to do to say to people where you are now your life basically is a digital you know like if you get a promotion today a few days later if you go have to go and update your LinkedIn because that's where you know you're you're kept up to date so those are the the tips I give them make sure you you try to use a transferable skills to something that's on the market so that you can find something very quick secondly make sure what's on your CV is also the same and the another thing which actually people don't do they don't ask for
00:18:44
Ben Mutimba
references, like on so on LinkedIn you can go and ask for your former employees to say, hey, if you go to mine, I have like 20, I have as well, like, please send me this, you know, so people would write and then that adds also weight to the person that you are. So probably you might have worked not in Canada, but if if a recruiter has to go through and and see what other people have said about you, that gives a sense of assurance into and the person that you are, you know, kind of like it it vouches for you and it's publicly there.
00:19:13
Find A Way Podcast
Thank you for that. And I hope people took notes, whoever's listening to the our episode.
00:19:17
Ben Mutimba
Yeah.
00:19:19
Find A Way Podcast
um One of the things that we also mentioned as much as we can, and I love to have your insights on it. I know we've had in one of our first episodes, one of our colleagues, entrepreneur, he mentioned that in his first events ah here, are networking events in in Canada, he would you be always with the full cup of coffee because if someone was approaching him, he would start sipping his coffee because he wasn't confident with the language or he just was very awkward into engaging in conversations.
Networking Tips: Quality Over Quantity
00:19:48
Find A Way Podcast
So so it can be daunting for many newcomers um in Canada or wherever they are. ah What practical tips do you have for building meaningful ah meaningful and professional connections in a new country?
00:20:02
Ben Mutimba
So I am a serial networker. I think I can level myself that because in a week I go to a networking event because first of all, I like people. I like talking to people. ah But I think when it comes to creating meaningful connections, the advice I always give my clients is when you go to an event, it's not about um the quantity, but it's about the quality. Find somebody who is generally interested in knowing your story. It's better for you to talk to two people Rather than to talk to 10 people and whenever you send follow-up emails, nobody replies So for me when I get to an event and I'm that kind of person who I can stick with you the whole event because I like our vibe but And and we're enjoying chatting and I you want to know my story. I genuinely want to know your story So it's it's and because I know when you go to when when people meet people you get overwhelmed They want to talk to everybody they want to talk to the speaker and all that stuff. That is nice But usually the speaker is already 15 people waiting to talk to them and you know so so i always say why quality is more important fine two three and actually the good thing is like i actually pick out introverts so for me i think also because my wife is an introvert it's easier to talk to introverts because introverts you just you know you slowly warm them up in and then and actually they are not even introverts they're extravents just like they'll be just they just need to be warmed up a little bit and because they're introverts they will stay with you rather than go
00:21:25
Ben Mutimba
Hoping to next person. So those are the kind of things that are like I identify people I also maybe might be struggling see to them warm them up and then just chat and then you know at the end of the evening I would have to make two quality ah Connections that I can pull up and we can have coffee again in the other stuff
00:21:42
Ingrid
I love that tip because I think people get, um and I wrote a whole article about this, people get so focused on the transaction mentality. Like I want to talk to this person because I want this and they can give me that. And the best connections that I've ever made were people that were like, not sometimes not even in my industry, but they introduced me later to someone that was super pivotal for me, a mentor, right? So ah being open about connecting with all people, like sometimes I review attendee lists and I make a list of people that would like to connect.
00:22:08
Ingrid
But more than that, it's just like being truly open of connecting with different people can give you so much more perspective and networking than just focusing on. And we, ah me and Bia had experiences together that we, I'll give you one example that was funny. So we're at a conference and a friend of ours was on stage and he spoke. And then after that, we were sitting, the three of us just chatting and someone came to talk directly to him, ignored the two of us until they realized we were also on stage that day.
00:22:36
Ingrid
Uh, and then they gave us attention. So like that transactional mindset, we can see through it.
00:22:38
Ben Mutimba
oh
00:22:40
Ingrid
Right. And then like, how does that build a genuine? Cause the three of us, we were like, and they immediately went for a friend and like, they didn't just start talking.
00:22:45
Ben Mutimba
Yeah. Yeah.
00:22:48
Ingrid
Right. So it's a finding a way to balance that. Um, and I appreciate what you're saying.
00:22:52
Ben Mutimba
Yeah.
00:22:53
Ingrid
Cause I really agree with it. So I would, I would jump back to the job market.
00:22:55
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:22:57
Ingrid
Cause we were talking about networking as well and how people find, uh, find the job market.
00:23:00
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:23:02
Ingrid
What are common misconceptions now do immigrants have about the Canadian job market and how do they overcome their barriers? So I think one thing that you said was important about their CV and their LinkedIn. I do feel that lot a lot of countries, I don't know about yours, but my country, people tend to say, we can't brag about our
Showcasing Achievements in Job Applications
00:23:18
Ingrid
achievements.
00:23:18
Ben Mutimba
yes
00:23:19
Ingrid
And they're like, oh, my work is going to show itself. And in Canada, people, it's not that they're bragging, but they talk about their achievements more often. So this is something that I always try to break down even with entrepreneurs.
00:23:25
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:23:27
Ingrid
What are some of those things that you think that there are misconceptions about?
00:23:33
Ben Mutimba
so thank you about that because that was actually what I was going to talk about it's um how do you call it and I think it's it's it's only not America where you write your resume and you say I implemented this framework which led to a 20 increase in sales you know never in the world like I look for jobs in Europe if the moment you write that word I did this you already classified not a team player so the thing is When you're moving from the rest of the world, you need to I think the misconception is you need to show that you are a team player, you're open to things. So they keep their CVs so general. goal They put attributes like um was part of a team that led the marketing campaign. But then the recruiters asking, what did you do in this marketing campaign? Why were you holding the pens? you know So now they have to shift that mindset to metrics.
00:24:30
Ben Mutimba
Because the job marketing works on metrics. When we hire you, Ben, what impact are you going to have on our organization? Are you going to solve our backlog list? Are you going to reduce conflicts in the organization, right? So then when I talk to my clients, they say, how can I quantify my work? I don't even know.
00:24:50
Ben Mutimba
But then i then I walked them through the process that, okay, did you win an award? They say, yeah, but do I have to mention that I won an award? I'm like, yeah, you need to tell you were the best employee in November, December, and overall. you know so So there is that, I think it it doesn't come naturally to us, any anybody from the rest of the world, except in North America. Because I think in North America, I told you can be whatever you want to be, you can be a billionaire. you know like it is a very hyping and environment whereas back home you know you are more of you know stay under the radar don't bring light to yourself whatever you did is because of the community you cannot go around self-praising right and you can see it even in the leadership right you can see Tom says i did this i'm the big boss right and people like that they go like that that's a man that's a guy who solves problems right but there's a different conversation did he though did he you know that kind of thing but that's the thing i always try to deal with my clients to say
00:25:45
Ben Mutimba
Do not be shy, because at the end of the day, you did the work. You just need to rewrite it in a way that shows. And and for sure, you know after that, you know you should prove it. and It's not just saying things that then you don't you go there end and you underperform. That's not good, right? Because then you should just go and work the talk.
00:26:05
Find A Way Podcast
I love that.
00:26:06
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:26:07
Find A Way Podcast
Entering
Adapting to Cultural Expectations in Job Markets
00:26:08
Find A Way Podcast
the topic that we keep going back and forth to it in terms of cultural adaptation.
00:26:13
Ben Mutimba
yes
00:26:14
Find A Way Podcast
I'm a big fan of, you know, learning. It's just like a genuine interest from myself and in learning more about people, understanding how they're wired, you know, what are their values, how they behave.
00:26:25
Find A Way Podcast
But how important is cultural ah understanding when applying for jobs? And what's your point of view and how do you help your clients navigate this aspect?
00:26:37
Ben Mutimba
For me, when I talk to my clients, I think it's it's a matter of making them understand that maybe, not like maybe, it's gonna be different, right? And there is definitely, if it's in the corporate world, there's a cutthroat mentality. So, as we said, not everybody's your friend, and also you need to know when when and what not to share, right? it's it's it's it's it's it's in It is what it is. yeah You can't just borrow oversharing and doing stuff, right?
00:27:05
Ben Mutimba
So I think for ah it's hard if you have never worked in there. I have worked in Europe, and I think you kind of like know the lines. When you work with Germans and Danish people, they separate work life and professional life. These are two different entities. I have worked with colleagues. I didn't even know where they married their kids. You never know a single thing. Every day you ask them, how was the weekend? It was nice. They would just say, we went hunting.
00:27:30
Ben Mutimba
Who is we? who who you You know that they stick to that but for me I would be sharing details my wife and I and my cousin and I so, you know It's it's those the kind of things that you you have to also be careful on what to share and what not to share Then of course, there is also um topics that back home are normal or in the rest of the world are normal to be discussed in the workplace things like religion you know just like oh we went to church it was Easter and everything right and probably here you might not by those are not things that you might share so when I spoke to my clients I always say to them and and unless if it's something that has been
00:28:08
Ben Mutimba
like somebody's asked you, then you can go into it. Because it's a learning process. Remember, you are the yeah the new one, the rest of the environment is is kind of like that. So you kind of like start to figure out, okay, how is the environment here? Then then you you you you can you can be yourself.
00:28:25
Find A Way Podcast
Yeah, I love that you're mentioning that. Sometimes I always, ah when also sharing my experience within this landscape of, you know, dealing and navigating through different cultures and backgrounds and being in Canada with, you know, the Canadian background, the multicultural background, all of that.
00:28:33
Ben Mutimba
Yeah.
00:28:44
Find A Way Podcast
I always tell people that sometimes they're also too caught up. I don't know what your vision is on this, but sometimes they're so caught up on the social norms as well that they forget their their authenticity at home.
00:28:55
Find A Way Podcast
So they forget who they are, and they're just like acting on what other people are expecting them. And they forget their home there all all of their essence.
00:29:03
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:29:03
Find A Way Podcast
So I always say, of course, you have to be you know be mindful.
00:29:06
Ben Mutimba
True.
00:29:07
Find A Way Podcast
Try listening to what people are saying so you're not oversharing or anything. But be yourself. Be authentic, right? Because you're going to end up attracting whether they're clients, if you're an entrepreneur, whether you're, um you know, ah job opportunities, whatever it is, you're going to attract that to you that appreciate your essence, the way you show up your authenticity as well in the process, right?
00:29:27
Find A Way Podcast
So ah from we are nodding, I see you agree with it, but I left.
00:29:30
Ben Mutimba
yes yes yes yes
00:29:32
Ingrid
Yeah.
00:29:32
Find A Way Podcast
I don't know if he wants to compliment something too.
00:29:32
Ben Mutimba
no
00:29:34
Ingrid
I was just going to add, and I agree with you, Bia, and I say it's a very fine balance, especially when you're like beginning at your career here. And it's like, it's why you said like I, me and Bia are from the same culture, we're Brazilian.
00:29:45
Ben Mutimba
yes
00:29:46
Ingrid
Brazilian people, even in business meetings, you tend to talk about your family as a way to bond. Like you bond first and then you do business, right?
00:29:50
Ben Mutimba
yeah
00:29:52
Ingrid
Like creating that trust. And at the same time that, um, like it's hard because sometimes we, as immigrants, we feel like we have to put on a mask and act a certain way.
00:29:55
Ben Mutimba
Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes. No.
00:30:02
Ingrid
I think that there are situations there also like I was in a conference last week in LA that I was able to bond with people because I start talking about my personal life and they start talking about theirs. So it's always a mix but I also understand.
00:30:12
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:30:14
Ingrid
I understand both sides because they say that like in the position that we are in now and when at the three of us there certain privilege of being known having the network. and all of that it allows us to be a little bit more authentic that I think then people that are just beginning and depending on which industry their work if it's a more traditional industry right.
00:30:33
Ben Mutimba
Yeah, and and and I agree with what you say to say to bring yourself because I think most of the job that I was hired for I was hired because of my bubbly nature like the moment I get into an interview I think there are a few interviews that I've never because the moment I I'm in an interview I myself I just keep talking so but and the feedback I received was we felt like we could work with you every day you understand and i I know protocol require me to be so straightforward and in answer the questions of project. and But for me, I'm just like, you know what, this this is me and this is how you get. And because of my bubbly nature, and I say like, I'm a networker, when I go to work, the first thing I do, even when I'm in a job is,
00:31:16
Ben Mutimba
Is there a friday after work thing? Are we doing drinks on friday? So every time I go to an organization i'm the one who's organizing friday drinks, right? Which actually makes many a times i've brought colleagues who had never spoken to each other sometimes Into a friday drink setup because ben is inviting ben is and I will call the restaurant a after work drinks You know that kind of thing. So I think whenever is in as immigrants we have that capability to actually, because we're born with it, for me that i don't it doesn't feel like a job, it doesn't feel like I'm putting up a charade, because I'm genuinely happy to see people and talk to them, so I think that is our strength.
00:31:53
Ben Mutimba
and and the sooner you identify your strength the better actually plays for you because then for me whenever i went to an environment i'm just you know hakuna matata you know you know it is what it is you know and then and then people just you know because life on its own is very hard right so nobody wants to be meeting somebody who's just stack up and everything so i think the moment you identify your um your strength and and you know it it brings that kind of like diversity you know which which which people talk about like you know the diversity in terms of personalities so yeah but that's good you need to bring your true self but still not interfere with other people that i wouldn't go around saying to people so tell me you know asking them uncomfortable questions and i kind of find find the fine balance there between nice and but not too much
00:32:40
Ben Mutimba
you know, intruding into people's lives also. so
00:32:45
Find A Way Podcast
Thank you for sharing that. So yes, people, bring your authentic self. As soon as you know your power, use it to to your you know your advantage. um
00:32:54
Ben Mutimba
Definitely.
00:32:55
Find A Way Podcast
o We have a thing here in our podcast, Ben, that we asked our previous guests to leave a question for the next guest.
00:33:03
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:33:03
Find A Way Podcast
So the question that was left for you is, ah how does your cultural how did your cultural background inspire your business in Canada? And what is it? like What is it that inspired you exactly?
00:33:16
Ben Mutimba
Um, I I that's a very good question.
Community Focus Inspired by Zimbabwean Roots
00:33:19
Ben Mutimba
First of all, yes, uh My business like when I tell people even like like when I help people with their resumes in linden I charge 200 canadian dollars, right? But I always say to people that amount is actually so way less than the value i'm bringing But i'm not doing it for the money So I am from Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe are banned to people, you know, we've got the whole ubuntu ubuntu is it's it means you know like when you say So the there is an expression that says you are who you are because of us. So, you know, like you you you belong to your community. So um the thing that i I hold well is that I genuinely like helping people. I genuinely like like sometimes, you know, like people say to me, oh, I can't afford it. I'm like, you know what? I'm just going to give you a 50 percent discount. Pay me 100.
00:34:07
Ben Mutimba
Canadian dollars, right? Because it's not about the money, it's the fact that I want to see a success story. And it's nice, like I had a client of mine, he thought, oh, then I got a job. you know I was over them. I think I was more excited for her job than I did because I was like, this is somebody who has moved from point A to point B.
00:34:25
Ben Mutimba
So I think that part of my culture of just helping and it's not even my mom she's busy feeding the whole village like I have a business with my mom she raises chickens like eggs with layers and let's so she she she she has got um you know like layers of eggs Sometimes I say to my mom, I can't see a profit match. She's like, ah, I gave away some eggs to the neighbors. I'm like, you know, you do understand you run a business, right? She's like, she's just busy giving out things for free. And I'm like, what is this? But you see, it is where you come from. You cannot deprive somebody because they cannot afford, right? At the end of the day, there is always a way that the universe pays you back. And I generally believe this. Like sometimes I look at my life, I'm like, this was some way just the universe was just like kind of like settling the accounts and and in doing it. so
00:35:09
Ben Mutimba
that's That's the thing that i actually driven my business. It's really more about giving back than actually about making me the next Elon Musk or Bill Gates. no
00:35:21
Ingrid
That's all good. i I love what you said. i like it's it's a it's It's a big shift in mentality and being able to work with all the like all the odds and like supporting people in in getting their next job.
00:35:35
Ingrid
And I think that shows how passionate you are about what you're doing. um So a question, if you could answer like one phrase, what is success to you?
00:35:43
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:35:47
Ben Mutimba
Success will be freedom to do whatever I want, you know. but That will be it.
00:35:56
Find A Way Podcast
I love that. And if you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?
00:36:05
Ben Mutimba
funny enough to read people's minds. You know, human beings fascinate me. So sometimes I look at them like, what are you thinking? You know, like I always look so like, ah you know, like that I'm fascinated by human beings. So I think if that was the superpower, I just want to, it could be overwhelming just to be reading people's minds. But I think from my mind, I think that would be fun.
00:36:26
Ben Mutimba
ah a
00:36:29
Ingrid
I love that.
00:36:29
Ben Mutimba
Yeah.
00:36:30
Ingrid
So we're going to jump in into some rapid fire questions where we we give you two options and then you choose the one that you like the most.
00:36:36
Ben Mutimba
Oh, okay.
00:36:36
Ingrid
um So books or movies?
00:36:41
Ben Mutimba
Movies.
00:36:43
Find A Way Podcast
Sweet or savory?
00:36:45
Ben Mutimba
Sweet.
00:36:47
Ingrid
Early riser or sleep in?
00:36:48
Ben Mutimba
Elie Reiser.
00:36:51
Find A Way Podcast
Dancing or singing?
00:36:53
Ben Mutimba
Dancing.
00:36:55
Ingrid
That's awesome. So I know that you said you prefer movies, but we'd like to do the thing. I see some books on your background here, and we'd like to do the thing where people give us book recommendations.
00:37:01
Ben Mutimba
Yes.
00:37:04
Ingrid
It's more, honestly, it's for listeners, but also me and Bia. Our list keeps getting longer and we love it. So what are some of the books? It doesn't have to be it can necessarily about business, but some of the books that you really love and you want to share.
00:37:16
Ben Mutimba
Well, I had it here because I'm going to ask. so it's it's It's a book i just I'm still reading. It's called AI-Driven Project Management. As I said, I'm a project manager at the core. so It's AI-Driven Project Management. and The reason why I actually love this book right now is that um AI is here and it is here to stay and I feel like if you don't embrace it You're gonna be a dinosaur. So the if I can tell you my chat GBT is is very competing very close with my wife one who is my favorite person here because my chat GBT is like I Give it you know, like the moment you ask that you must ah prompt engineering it's ah It's it's it's it's a game changer. It's a game changer. So for me, I think
00:38:01
Ben Mutimba
be it entrepreneur, be it even about recipe, workouts. I don't know anything. I was asking the other day about, ah so I'm going to Zivao in February and I want to also go to Mozambique. So I said, give me a five day. I turn, like everything is my personal assistant. So I think it's important. The same way people not to use Excel is the same way people should know how to do prompt engineering in AI. For me,
00:38:26
Ben Mutimba
If you know how to do this, never will you ever pay a consultant a single dollar in your life. All you have to pay is the subscription to charge GPT.
00:38:34
Find A Way Podcast
I love that.
00:38:35
Ben Mutimba
Yeah,
00:38:36
Find A Way Podcast
Perfect.
00:38:36
Ben Mutimba
so
00:38:37
Find A Way Podcast
So AI-driven project management book. Thank you for sharing.
00:38:39
Ben Mutimba
yeah by chris Christian Bainey. It's a new one, actually, and it's quite good and very relevant, you know? And he's a project manager, so there's a bias there, but, you know.
00:38:46
Find A Way Podcast
i mean Thank you for sharing, Ben. And before we close the episode, what question would you like to leave to our next guest?
00:38:51
Ben Mutimba
yeah
00:38:56
Ben Mutimba
Yes, I thought about this one. So for the next guest, the question is, if not Canada, where? So as in if they didn't, if if not Canada, where?
00:39:06
Ben Mutimba
Where would they go?
00:39:07
Find A Way Podcast
I love that.
00:39:07
Ben Mutimba
Where would they be? Exactly. So for me, I knew it was Australia, but I want to know for them, like, where where would they go if not Canada?
00:39:14
Find A Way Podcast
I love that. Thank you so much for telling your story and for your time, Ben.
00:39:16
Ben Mutimba
yeah Yes.
00:39:18
Find A Way Podcast
This has been lovely, and I feel we could go on for hours, but we we do have a time to stick by. So is there anything you'd like to add before we close the episode?
00:39:25
Ben Mutimba
yes
00:39:28
Ben Mutimba
um yeah um actually i i want to thank you guys like seriously i i i i was like listening to snippets of your podcast and the exciting thing is actually you guys are also talking to people that i'm also seeing on my ling dean i think like kingsley the um kingsley but i might do exactly i
00:39:44
Find A Way Podcast
Madhu, yes.
00:39:48
Ben Mutimba
think you guys are doing an amazing job bringing up um immigrants because especially now when the immigration topic is a bit touchy but like oh my god immigrants immigrants i think this kind of platform it helps actually probably to somebody who probably see things from our eyes on probably how we see things they can have a different perspective so i'm i'm i'm grateful i'm like you know what keep up the good work i had a fun time you know talking to you and you know yeah sharing my story
00:40:15
Find A Way Podcast
Thank you. We had a great time too, Ben. Thank you so much. This was our episode number 93, Pathways to Success with Ben Wetimba. We'd like to thank all of our listeners and would like to remind you that we will be posting one episode biweekly, always with a different guest. So make sure to subscribe on your favorite streaming platform.