Deanne M DeVries Deanne M DeVries

Globalization? Re-globalization?

Why the sudden prevalence of reports, speeches and articles on “re-globalization”? Is globalization finished? Is it entering a new phase?

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What makes a person seem wise?

A fascinating global study shows that contrary to what most people think – myself included – people around the world associate the same two characteristics with wisdom.

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The Data Informing Job Creation Across Africa

Numbers. Statistics. Can you trust them? I tend to be skeptical of them.

Personally, I want to know how I can use them to create a better (more equitable) world.

Read on and learn how data, specifically the “Africa Youth Employment Clock”, is informing job creation across the continent of Africa.

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What Global Need is Your Smart Mind Working on?

Yesterday I learned that our careers are about 2,000 weeks long. Are we excited about the way our careers are going? The impact we are making?

Or are we like 25% of the world who think their careers are meaningless?

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4 Ways to Work With Me

Calling all businesses, educators, event planners and readers. Come find out just how, together, we can make the world a better and more curious place. 


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2024: The Year of Education

The African Union has declared 2024 the “Year of Education”. What is the quality of education and life skills countries across Africa are offering their youth to prepare them to be the innovators, the collaborators, the citizens and the leaders that not just Africa, but the world needs.

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The Fabulously Multi-Multi-Cultural World We Live and Work in

You grew up in one country, have parents from different countries and are now working in a fourth country. So, which culture are you?!

Which culture is your colleague that grew up in Nigeria but went to school in the UK. Or what about your CFO who grew up in Egypt and now works in the Middle East?

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The Power of “Why”

We could all benefit from spending time with 3 and 4 year olds to regain an appreciation for curiosity. The ease with which we access information these days has made us complacent and content to believe the first thing we read. It’s time to imitate little kids and start asking “why”.

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Are You Asking the Right Question?

In my work helping companies build thriving business across Africa and teaching masters and Exec Ed students about doing business in Africa, I’ve noticed that most of them have some very outdated images of Africa. About as outdated as my high school year book picture is of me!

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Where Do You Look for Accurate Definitions?

We are taught that dictionaries are the best place to find the meaning of a word. But to what extent are dictionaries able to encompass the influence of culture, eras or values on a word? Read on to discover the unconventional sources where I love to find my definitions.

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The Danger of a Single Story

Every person’s life is composed of many overlapping stories. Yet too often we evaluate and jump to conclusions about people in a matter of seconds. How does this affect us and our companies? Where and with whom we choose do business? Or where we choose to invest?

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How Would You Define “Effectiveness”?

When natural disasters, wars and other calamities strike, help is normally needed – and almost always given – from a variety of countries and organizations. However, it begs the question: what is effective help?

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The Humanitarian Aid Hamster Wheel is Broken

“They want us to stay dependent and helpless. We’ve been saying for twelve years we don’t want humanitarian handouts. We want development projects, we want early recovery projects, we want factories.” – Syrian doctor

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“C” IS FOR CAPITAL

Many companies are investing capital in the continent. Plenty of investors have spent a lot of money in Africa without much to show for it because capital is about more than just the money to run the business. Capital without the foresight of Appetite and Bandwidth is normally miscalculated and misallocated.

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“B” IS FOR BANDWIDTH

Doing business in Africa is as straightforward as ABC: Appetite, Bandwidth, Capital.

However, too many people I’ve worked with say “I have money and a product/service, I’m ready for Africa!” Well, I hate to break it to you, but you are not ready…except maybe ready to be disappointed.

Read on to discover the Bandwidth you need to be ready for Africa.

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If you’d like to go deeper on any of the topics I write about, would like me to speak at your next event or meet with your board or staff, please reach out!

Let’s continue the conversation….