Silence means consent, goes an English saying and I don’t know if this applies to the followers of the SMEs corner. Sometimes I am thrown into a quagmire of thoughts on whether the SMEs corner commands a large following or not.
I took my suit to Lusaka dry cleaners and laundry for cleaning and the workers recognised me as one who did a write up on the family legacy of the Ranchod family behind the running of Lusaka dry cleaning and laundry business. They were so happy to see me and praised the write-up.
The write-up which was entrenched in a picture frame and hanged on the wall attracted a middle-aged man who took a closer look and then turned to me and asked if  I was the one in the picture.
When I agreed, he then told me that I looked different. He went on to tell me that he was very impressed on the writing that looked at the business risks.
The middle-aged man, who is a lecturer at one of the private accountancy colleges here in Lusaka, told me that he had made several cuttings of the article on the business risks and had handed them out to each student in one of the business classes.
And when I was returning to the office, I met one prominent business entrepreneur and as he looked at me, he burst out laughing and I was perplexed at his laughter and when I asked the reason for it, he told me that he was very impressed with the article on business risks and when I inquired if he follows the column, he told me that he does not miss it.
Pastor Simwanza, a friend of  mine looked at me and said that I looked impressive and further asked me whether the looks were due to the articles I was writing.
He told me that the article that appeared on partnership made sensible reading and was an eye opener to the taxi drivers who would want to own cars.
And when I entered an internet café, a young man asked me how much the Times of Zambia pays me for such educative articles and when I asked him if he followed the articles, he told me that every Wednesday was very important to him.
And when I opened my e-mail box, a reader from Chisokone Market in Kitwe wrote to tell me that his business is never the same because of education on record keeping.
Then I received a call from a top official from Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) inviting me to visit ZDA and share insights on entrepreneurship in the country.
My son, who is at a technical college pursuing a course in auto electrical engineering, phoned me and wanted to know the advantages of the Government setting up ZDA and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) as part of an assignment given to the class on entrepreneurship.
I told him to do a research using the book I have written, “Succesful ways of running a business”, as it carries extensive writings on CEEC and apparently it is in the college library. But he told me that it was difficult to get hold of the book because it is highly sought after by every student.
And now this brings me to a sad note. In October 2012, I submitted a copy of my book to the Ministry of  Youth and Sport through the office of the permanent secretary hoping that the ministry could adopt it for the entrepreneur projects it is carrying out for youth projects.
This is in line with the Government programme for youth empowerment funds it continually provides to the youth to set up businesses in order to create employment for themselves among others.
The book contains approved information on statutory obligations from Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), Patents and Registration Agency (PACRA), National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA), Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) and requirements of local government authorities on businesses operating within their boundaries,
As most of you are aware any business that is registered in the Republic of Zambia, whether by the youth or not, must adhere to the requirements of these statutory bodies because this is stipulated by law.
The book was looked at by the principal of King George College of Kabwe who highly recommended it for possible adoption by the ministry to be used in their youth centres but up to now no decision has been made on it.
I hope a decision will be made soon.
Lastly, I would like to thank the high response to the column by the readers and assure them that their support gives me an appetite to even write more on this subject.
For any comments contact 0950458228 or e-mail wklpublications699@gmail.com