Jeph Abu's Journey: From Community Manager to Entrepreneur
Jephtah Abu, better known as Jeph, is the visionary behind Talentpoel, a global network designed to match non-technical African talent with tech firms in the US and Europe. Prior to founding Talentpoel, Jeph amassed an impressive career, honing his skills as a Social Media and Community Manager for BuyPower.ng, Community Manager for Amberfi, a Web3 company in New York, and later as the Product Community Manager for AhoyConnect.
In addition to his professional roles, he's an accomplished author, having penned three books. One is a foray into fiction, while the other two serve as professional development guides for community managers. A staunch advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the tech space, he's lent his voice and insights to over 50 events.
Beyond his professional accolades, Jeph is an anime enthusiast, mentor, and self-proclaimed foodie. His diverse interests underscore his multifaceted personality, which has significantly contributed to his success.
The Genesis of Talentpoel
Recognizing a gap in the market, Jeph decided to leverage his extensive experience in community management and launched Talentpoel. His platform caters to the unique challenges faced by non-technical professionals, offering them access to job opportunities and professional development. Talentpoel's primary goal is to elevate lives and empower the African community by creating a robust network of talented professionals, ensuring fair compensation and career growth.
The Intersection of Entrepreneurship and Community Management
Reflecting on his journey, Jeph identifies numerous parallels between his roles as a community manager and an entrepreneur.
His arsenal of skills, including empathy, networking, and strategic management, have played pivotal roles in his entrepreneurial journey. He believes that entrepreneurship, much like community management, necessitates understanding and responding to stakeholders' needs.
Entrepreneurship as a Platform for Change
Jeph holds a deep-seated belief that entrepreneurship can be a powerful agent for change. If you're driven by a vision for positive transformation, entrepreneurship offers the platform to realize this vision on a larger scale.
The Role of Proactivity in Talent Selection
For Jeph, proactivity is a critical characteristic to look for when hiring talent. It suggests the candidate's ability to take initiative and solve problems independently. He believes this trait to be essential for individual and organizational success.
Embracing Challenges as a Digital Marketer
Jeph highlights the importance of adopting a growth mindset to navigate the challenges of digital marketing effectively. He emphasizes Talentpoel's village model, which goes beyond mere recruitment to fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Fostering Empathy and Relationship Building
Jeph underscores the importance of cultivating empathy and nurturing relationships within the workforce. He advocates for creating a mindful, cohesive work environment and understands the role of empathy in supporting employees, facilitating regular check-ins, and promoting mutual accountability.
Whether it's his entrepreneurial journey or his love for anime and food, Jeph’s multifaceted approach to life continues to inspire community professionals, potential entrepreneurs, and his global network of non-technical African talent.
Connect with Jephtah Abu
Inspired by Jephtah Abu's journey and vision? To learn more about his work or to connect directly with him, you can visit Talentpoel or reach out via his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jephtahabu/. It's a fantastic opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, share ideas, or potentially collaborate on exciting projects.
Explore Talent Strategy with Clocktower Advisors
If Jephtah's approach to talent strategy resonates with you, and you're looking to replicate such success within your own community, consider seeking professional guidance. Clocktower Advisors specialize in helping organizations like yours develop and implement effective community talent strategies. For a no-obligation discussion on how we can assist you, schedule a 30-minute call with us at https://calendly.com/clocktower-advisors/30min. Let's work together to unlock the full potential of your community.
Show Notes
4:25: Jeph launches into his story around his past career leading up to creating Talentpoel. Todd asks Jeph about the transfer of skills from community manager to entrepreneur, which includes quite a bit of overlap.
11:00: In the six months Jeph has been running his company, he explains situations to consider for anyone who is thinking about entrepreneurship. Talentpoel is making an impact and changing lives, however there is still an underlying need to make money to live.
22:44: Todd asks Jeph about his current clientele, which includes mostly African Americans and companies in health tech. Community managers, digital marketers, and virtual assistants are among the popular roles companies are currently hiring for.
28:11: Thinking of talent communities, Todd discusses bringing consideration to management of both employees and perspective employees. Jeph lists accountability and empathy with checkins for his employees as an extension of his company.
33:01: Jeph discusses what’s next, having plenty of ideas around initiatives. He mentions next steps including a Talentpoel Cohort and the end goal of the talent matching within the online platform.
