This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
Stella Makona Simiyu is the founder and Chief Operating Officer at Sentinel Africa Consulting Limited. Born to be a morning person, she wakes up at 5:30 am and gets out of bed 15 minutes later.
By 7 am, she's out of the house and makes it to the office by 7:45 am, just in time for early morning operational meetings. These meetings set the tone for the week, reviewing what was achieved the previous week and setting goals for the upcoming week.
As Chief Operating Officer, Makona manages project delivery end-to-end, scheduling consultants, managing delivery milestones, and client relationship management.
Five years ago, her days were focused on specific project deliverables, writing reports, and client engagements. However, as the company has matured, she now spends most of her time on relationship management, lending her expertise to translate customer visions into actionable solutions.
Her favorite part of the day is 3 pm, when she can indulge in overpriced coffee and recalibrate. She gets most of her work done late in the afternoon and into the night, often working on multiple projects simultaneously.
One of her most career-affirming experiences was as a business continuity professional, preparing organizations for disruptions and disasters. She recalls an emotional and fulfilling experience during the Dusit terror attack, where her client relied heavily on her team's work for continuity.
Makona's advice to others is to 'fail fast and fail forward,' learning from failures and not getting stuck in them. She also emphasizes the importance of showing up, participating, and giving one's best all the time.
Outside of work, Makona prioritizes family time, often having dinner with her husband and son. She's currently reading 'The Art of War for Women,' which has been an eye-opener in terms of managing her team and resources.
She acknowledges the challenge of achieving a balance between work and life, but is focused on involving herself with groups focused on women in business to learn better time management skills.
Source: Sunday Magazine, published on September 2, 2019.
