10 things we learnt from Mark Zuckerberg during his visit to Lagos this afternoon (photos)!

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is at the CoCreation Hub, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria at this very moment.

He arrived this afternoon and is meeting with a few key players in the Nigerian tech world to discuss how Facebook can be improved in Nigeria, and how it can support tech development in Africa.

Here are 10 things we learnt from the Billionaire  Business Guru's Question and Answer session with the key payers in the tech world.

1. “Move fast and break things. Unless you are breaking stuff, you are not moving fast enough.”

No, he is not encouraging those with a penchant for breaking stuff in the anger to carry on doing so as if it is normal behaviour. It is not! He is basically saying, challenge the norm; don’t acknowledge limitations or in Naija lingo Never ever stay in your lane. Forge new tracks for your own lane.

2. “The question I ask myself like almost every day is, ‘Am I doing the most important thing I could be doing?'”

Valid question. Are you? No, not Mark Zuckerberg; we know he’s pretty much figured that out. Are you dear reader, doing the most important thing you could be doing with your life, your abilities, your passions for yourself and society? Wait. Don’t answer just yet- think on these things.

3. “People don’t care about what you say; they care about what you build.”

He said it, not I. Actions speak louder than words. You cannot keep mouthing off with no evidence to show for it. Take time to build; invest in the foundation of your building, your systems, your relationships. A house built upon the sand will crumble.

4. “The biggest risk is not taking any risk.”

There is nothing else to add. Res ipsa loquitur

5. “Simply put: we don’t build services to make money; we make money to build better services.”

Perspective. Perspective. Perspective. Think, why do you do what you do?  Why are you in business? To make profit, to solve problems, make a difference, what?  Let your motive be right.

6. “I think a simple rule of business is, if you do the things that are easier first, then you can actually make a lot of progress.”

Thank you, O Wise One. People, when a dozen projects are dropped in your lap with an impossible timeline, MZ says start with what’s easier.  If you begin a Start-up, and a million things are calling for your attention at the same time, the trick: do what’s easier first.

7. “The Hacker Way is an approach to building that involves continuous improvement and iteration. Hackers believe that something can always be better, and that nothing is ever complete.”

Innovate. Create. Try new things. Stay ahead of the curve. Stay ahead of the competition. That’s how electricity was discovered. It’s how the internet came to be.  It’s how drones and other new technology were made. Believe in your crazy ideas.

8. “We look for people who are passionate about something. In a way, it almost doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about.”

Passion is the fuel that drives the mission. Find your passion and plug it into something.

9. “You are better off trying something and having it not work and learning from that than not doing anything at all.”

Loose the fear of failure. It’s a noose around your neck. Do it afraid.