MIVA STUDY PACK — Digital Literacy & Data Privacy (English) Downloaded 2026-09-29. Free to pass on. Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 1: Your Phone and Computer as Work Tools 8 minutes read Most people in West Africa learn a phone for chatting, music and photos. At work the same phone becomes a tool: you record sales, send reports, fill forms and answer customers on it. The skills are not harder — they are just different habits. This course builds those habits. THE FOUR THINGS EMPLOYERS ASSUME YOU CAN DO - Find, name and re-find a file or photo — not lose it in a folder of 4,000 images. - Send a message or email with a clear subject and an attachment that actually opens. - Fill an online form correctly, including dates, phone numbers and spelling of your own name. - Keep the device charged, updated and with enough free storage to work. NAMING THINGS SO YOU CAN FIND THEM Name files the way you would label a physical folder: what it is, who it is for, and the date. 'Sales-report-Kadjebi-2026-09.pdf' can be found in three years. 'IMG_20260913_0042.jpg' cannot. Use one folder per topic, not one giant pile. [Storage is a work skill] A phone that is 99% full cannot download a form, install an update or take a photo of a receipt. Once a month, delete duplicate photos and unused apps. At work, a full phone looks like carelessness. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which file name will still make sense to a colleague next year? A) IMG_0042.jpg B) new new final2.docx C) Stock-count-Lagos-2026-09-13.pdf D) document Answer: C — A good name says what it is, where it came from and when. That is what makes a file findable later. 2. Why does free phone storage matter at work? A) It makes the phone more expensive B) Without it you cannot download forms, update apps or capture photos of receipts C) It improves the network signal D) It is only about music Answer: B — A full device simply stops doing work tasks — and the delay looks like your fault, not the phone's. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 2: Email, Forms and Searching Well 9 minutes read Employers, colleges and government services all run on email and online forms. Handling them correctly is a small skill with a big effect: it decides whether your application is read or thrown away. A WORK EMAIL IN FIVE LINES - A subject that says the point: 'Application — Store Assistant — Ama Mensah'. - A greeting: 'Good morning Mr. Boateng,' - Two or three short sentences saying what you want and why. - A closing: 'Thank you, Ama Mensah, 024 000 0000'. - The attachment actually attached — check before you press send. FILLING FORMS WITHOUT LOSING YOUR PLACE Before starting an online form, gather what it will ask for: ID number, dates, certificate details, a photo, a referee's phone number. Weak networks drop connections; forms that time out lose everything. Type long answers in a notes app first, then paste them in. SEARCHING LIKE A PROFESSIONAL Search with specific words, not questions: 'Ghana SSNIT employee registration 2026' beats 'how do I do my pension thing'. Then check WHO published the page. Official sites, established news organisations and known institutions are worth trusting. Random blogs and forwarded WhatsApp messages are not. BUILD A PROFESSIONAL ONLINE IDENTITY - Use your real name, a clear photo, your town, the skill you are learning, and a short description of the work you want. - On LinkedIn, create a free basic account, add your Miva certificates and skills, then follow employers and training providers. - LinkedIn is not required. In Lagos, Jobberman and trusted Facebook or WhatsApp job groups may reach more local opportunities. In Montana, MontanaWorks, tribal employment services, local Facebook groups and community-college networks may be more useful. - Review old public posts. Remove anything that exposes private information, insults people, or makes an employer doubt your judgement. - Never pay a recruiter to release a job, interview or grant. Verify the employer through an official website or a known local contact. [Use a serious email address] An address like sweetboy_ghana99@ costs you interviews. Create a plain one with your name — it takes five minutes and lasts a career. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What makes a strong subject line for a job application email? A) Hello B) Urgent!!! C) Application — Store Assistant — Ama Mensah D) No subject at all Answer: C — The reader should know the purpose and the sender before opening it. That is what gets the email sorted, not deleted. 2. You are on a weak network and a long online form is open. What is the safest approach? A) Type long answers in a notes app first, then paste them in B) Type slowly and hope C) Refresh the page often D) Leave the answers blank Answer: A — If the session times out you lose everything typed in the browser. Text saved in notes survives and can be pasted again. 3. Which statement about professional networking platforms is correct? A) Everyone must pay for LinkedIn Premium B) A free LinkedIn account can help, but trusted local job sites and community networks may be more useful C) Any WhatsApp job offer is safe D) Employers never look at public posts Answer: B — Use the free platform that reaches real opportunities in your area, maintain a professional public identity, and verify every offer. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 3: Passwords, Scams and Account Safety 9 minutes read Your accounts hold your money, your certificates and your reputation. Most people lose them not to clever hacking but to a simple trick: someone asks, and they tell. PASSWORDS THAT ACTUALLY WORK - Long beats complicated: three unrelated words plus a number, like 'okra-lantern-market-27'. - Never reuse the password of your email anywhere else — email is the master key to every other account. - Turn on two-step verification (OTP or an authenticator app) on email and mobile money. - Never share an OTP. No bank, telco or employer will ever ask for one. Anyone who does is stealing. HOW SCAMS LOOK IN REAL LIFE A message says you won a promotion and must send a small fee. A 'recruiter' offers a job but wants money for a uniform or a medical. A caller claims to be from your network and needs your PIN to 'fix' your line. An urgent WhatsApp from your boss's new number asks you to buy airtime quickly. All four are the same scam: urgency plus a request for money or a code. [The pause rule] Urgency is the scammer's only real weapon. Anything urgent that involves money or a code: stop, wait ten minutes, and verify through a number or a person you already know. Real business survives a ten-minute delay. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Someone calls saying they are from your mobile money provider and need the OTP just sent to you. What do you do? A) Read it out — they called officially B) Never share it; hang up and call the provider on the number printed on their official channels C) Send it by SMS instead D) Share only half of it Answer: B — No legitimate provider asks for an OTP. The code IS the key to your money — sharing it is handing over your wallet. 2. Which password habit protects you most? A) Using your birthday everywhere B) One strong password reused on all accounts C) A long unique passphrase on email plus two-step verification D) Writing the password on the phone case Answer: C — Email resets every other account, so it needs its own strong passphrase and a second step. Reuse means one leak opens everything. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 4: Handling Other People's Data 8 minutes read The moment you start work you will hold information about other people: customer phone numbers, patient names, salaries, ID photos, account balances. This is borrowed trust. Mishandling it can cost your job and, in some countries, break the law — Ghana's Data Protection Act and Nigeria's NDPA both set rules for how personal data is handled. FOUR RULES THAT KEEP YOU SAFE - Collect only what the task needs. A delivery does not need a customer's date of birth. - Never move work data onto your personal phone, personal WhatsApp or personal email unless your employer has said so in writing. - Never discuss a customer, patient or colleague by name outside work — including in status posts and jokes in group chats. - When a customer's document is no longer needed, delete or return it. Old data lying around is a risk with no benefit. PHOTOS AND SOCIAL MEDIA AT WORK Never post photos of customers, patients, documents, screens or the inside of a workplace without clear permission. A single background screen showing account numbers has ended careers. Assume every post is permanent and that your employer will see it. [This is a hiring advantage] Say in an interview: 'I only collect what is needed, I keep work data on work systems, and I never discuss customers outside.' Very few young applicants can say that — and employers notice immediately. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. A friend asks for a customer's phone number from your work records. What is right? A) Share it — it is only a number B) Refuse; customer data is only for the work it was collected for C) Share it if the friend promises not to tell D) Sell it Answer: B — Data belongs to the customer and the business, never to you personally. Sharing it is a breach of trust and often of law. 2. Why should you avoid posting workplace photos on social media? A) They use too much data B) Backgrounds often expose documents, screens or people who did not consent C) Photos are unprofessional in general D) There is no real reason Answer: B — Most workplace data leaks are accidental backgrounds, not deliberate theft — and they are still your responsibility. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 5: Finding Work and Networking Online 7 minutes read USING YOUR DIGITAL TOOLS TO FIND WORK Finding digital work or computer-based gigs does not always start with a big office interview. Many small business owners, market traders, and remote teams look for help on online platforms you already use every day. Your phone can become your main channel for connecting with people who need your digital skills. To get started, you do not need paid software or expensive websites. You can use free platforms like WhatsApp Business, Facebook groups, and LinkedIn to show people what you can do. 1. WHATSAPP AS YOUR FRONT DOOR In countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Togo, WhatsApp is where business happens. Changing your regular WhatsApp or setting up WhatsApp Business helps you look ready for work. - Use a clear picture of your face with good lighting instead of a cartoon or icon. - Write a clear short bio, such as: 'Data Entry & Document Formatting Specialist based in Accra.' - Use the WhatsApp Business Catalog feature to list services like typing, spreadsheet creation, or image background removal. 2. JOINING LOCAL JOB AND SKILL GROUPS Many small job opportunities are posted inside local WhatsApp and Telegram groups, or Facebook community pages. Search for groups focused on small businesses, tech hubs, or freelance work in your town or state. When you join a group, do not just post 'I need a job' every day. That gets ignored. Instead, reply to people who ask questions about basic tech problems. If someone asks how to convert a PDF to Word, explain it clearly in a short message. Showing your knowledge builds trust quickly. 3. SETTING UP A BASIC LINKEDIN PROFILE LinkedIn is a free global network for workers and companies. You do not need a paid account to get noticed. A basic profile works well if you fill it out properly. - Headline: State your main skill clearly (e.g., 'Virtual Assistant | Spreadsheet Management'). - About section: Write 3 short paragraphs explaining what tools you use (Excel, Google Docs, Canva) and how you help people stay organized. - Experience: List any past projects, volunteer work, or informal jobs where you used digital tools. [Beware of Pay-to-Work Scams] Never pay money to get hired or assigned a digital task. Real employers pay you for your labor; they do not ask you to purchase 'application forms,' pay for 'portal fees,' or buy crypto to unlock tasks. [Try this today] Update your WhatsApp bio today. Change it from a short quote to a clear sentence stating one digital skill you have and how you use it to help people. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the best way to introduce yourself in a local business group on WhatsApp or Facebook? A) Post 'Give me any job' ten times a day until someone replies. B) Share helpful tips when members ask tech questions to show your skills. C) Send private messages to every member asking for money. D) Post angry messages about how hard it is to get work. Answer: B — Answering questions and giving helpful advice builds trust and shows members that you actually know how to use digital tools. 2. What should you do if an online employer asks you to pay a fee before starting a remote job? A) Pay the fee quickly before the spot is taken. B) Borrow money from a friend to cover the portal fee. C) Stop communicating immediately because real jobs do not charge you to work. D) Send half the fee and ask for a discount. Answer: C — Legitimate jobs pay you for your work. Any offer requiring you to pay an entry fee, form fee, or training fee first is a scam. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 6: Building Your Proof of Skill 8 minutes read WHY PROOF MATTERS MORE THAN A CV When someone wants to hire you for a digital task like organizing a inventory list, typing a contract, or cleaning up data, they care about one main thing: Can you actually do the work? A paper resume or CV says what you studied, but a sample of your work proves what you can do today. Even if you have never had a official paid job, you can build a collection of sample work—often called a portfolio—to show future clients or employers. CREATING PRACTICE SAMPLES You do not need real clients to make your first samples. You can create practice files using everyday situations. - Data Entry Sample: Create a Google Sheet or Excel file for a imaginary grocery store listing 20 products, prices in Naira or Cedis, stock quantities, and total value formulas. - Document Formatting Sample: Type a 2-page report with neat headings, bullet points, a title page, and consistent font sizes. Save it as a PDF. - Presentation Sample: Build a 5-slide Google Slides presentation introducing a local business, using clean layouts and clear pictures. ORGANIZING YOUR CLOUD PORTFOLIO FOLDER Once you have 3 to 5 clean sample files, store them online so you can share them quickly from your phone whenever an opportunity comes up. Create a folder on Google Drive or OneDrive called 'My Work Samples'. Store your clean PDF files and spreadsheets inside. Set the folder permission to 'Anyone with the link can view' so clients do not get blocked by access errors when they open your link. GETTING RECOMMENDATIONS AND REFERENCES If you do a small computer job for a relative, a church member, or a local shop owner, ask them for a short written recommendation. A single message on WhatsApp saying 'They formatted my business menu quickly and accurately' is powerful proof. [Try this today] Create a Google Drive folder named 'Portfolio - [Your Name]'. Put one clean PDF or spreadsheet sample inside it, copy the shareable link, and send it to your own WhatsApp to test if the link opens properly. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why is a portfolio useful even if you have never had a formal full-time job? A) It replaces the need to ever talk to a client. B) It proves you have practical skills by showing actual sample files you created. C) It forces clients to pay you double your normal rate. D) It guarantees you get hired by large international corporations. Answer: B — A portfolio shows real evidence of your ability to format documents, clean data, or use software, build confidence in potential clients. 2. How should you set the sharing permissions on your Google Drive portfolio folder? A) Restricted so nobody can see it. B) Anyone with the link can view. C) Anyone with the link can edit and delete files. D) Public edit access for everyone on the internet. Answer: B — 'Anyone with the link can view' lets clients see your work clearly without letting them accidentally edit or delete your sample files. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 7: Pricing Your Work and Avoiding Payment Scams 8 minutes read UNDERSTANDING HOW TO PRICE DIGITAL WORK One of the hardest parts of doing freelance digital work is deciding how much to charge. If your price is too high, small local businesses might turn away. If your price is too low, you will spend your internet data, electricity, and hours without earning enough to support yourself. To set a realistic price, you must calculate your basic costs first. CALCULATING YOUR MINIMUM COST - Data Costs: How many megabytes or gigabytes of internet data will you use for this job? - Power Costs: Do you need to pay for generator power or charge your phone/laptop at a commercial kiosk? - Time: How many hours will this task actually take you to finish from start to end? Add your direct costs together, then add your target fee for the hours spent. For example, if data and charging cost 1,000 Naira and the work takes 3 hours, charging 1,200 Naira total means you only made 200 Naira for 3 hours of labor. Learn to value your time realistically. UPFRONT PAYMENTS AND MILESTONE RULES When working with a new client for the first time, never do 100% of the work without receiving a deposit or clear commitment. A standard practice for digital tasks is asking for a 30% to 50% upfront deposit before starting. This proves the client is serious and covers your initial data costs. Once you complete the task, send a preview (like a screenshot or watermarked PDF), and require the remaining balance before sending the final editable file. [Avoid Fake Payment Receipts] Never rely only on an SMS notification or a screenshot sent by a buyer claiming they paid. Log into your own mobile banking app or check your account balance directly to confirm funds have landed before releasing completed work. [Try this today] Calculate your total cost for 1 gigabyte of data and 2 hours of device charging in your local currency (Naira, Cedis, or CFA). Keep this number in mind as your absolute baseline cost. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is a safe practice when working with a brand-new freelance client? A) Do all the work first and hope they pay you next month. B) Ask for a 30% to 50% deposit before starting the job. C) Send them all your original raw files before discussing price. D) Offer to work for free for the first 5 projects. Answer: B — Asking for a partial deposit protects you from losing your time and data expenses if a client vanishes or cancels suddenly. 2. How should you verify that a client has paid you money into your bank account? A) Trust a screenshot of a transfer receipt sent on WhatsApp. B) Believe an SMS text message sent from a regular phone number. C) Log into your official banking app to confirm the money is in your balance. D) Assume the money will arrive in a few days and send the final files. Answer: C — Fake payment receipts and fake SMS alerts are common scams. Always check your actual bank account balance directly. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 8: Success Habits for Your First Digital Job 7 minutes read BUILDING TRUST IN YOUR FIRST MONTH Getting hired for your first digital role—whether remote or in a local office—is a big step. But keeping the job and getting hired again depends on your work habits. Small digital tasks require strong discipline, clear communication, and neat file handling. 1. COMMUNICATE BEFORE YOU ARE ASKED In digital roles, supervisors cannot see you sitting at a desk. If you are silent, people assume you are not working or that you are confused. Send short, regular status updates over WhatsApp, Slack, or email. A quick daily message like: 'Good morning, I have completed 15 out of 30 data rows. I am on track to finish by 3 PM today' gives your manager huge peace of mind. 2. PRACTICE CLEAN FILE MANAGEMENT Messy file organization wastes time and causes mistakes. Never name your files `document1.docx`, `final2.xlsx`, or `untitled.pdf`. - Use clear, organized file names: `ClientName_SalesData_March2024_v1.xlsx`. - Keep your phone or computer storage clean by organizing files into folder structures by client name or month. - Always make a backup copy of original files before you start editing them. 3. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET STUCK Getting stuck on a formula, software glitch, or instruction happens to everyone. The wrong reaction is staying silent for two days because you are embarrassed. The right reaction is searching for an answer online first (on Google or YouTube), and if you still cannot fix it after 20 minutes, message your supervisor. Explain what you tried and ask a specific question: 'I tried using the VLOOKUP formula in cell D4, but it returns an error. Should I use an IF statement instead?' This shows you are active and proactive. [Try this today] Look at the files on your phone or computer right now. Pick 3 files with confusing names like 'IMG_4901' or 'Document 1' and rename them properly using the format: `ProjectName_Description_Date`. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the best way to handle a task when you get stuck on a technical problem? A) Ignore the work completely and hope the boss forgets. B) Try searching for a solution online for a short time, then ask your supervisor with details on what you tried. C) Wait until the deadline day to tell your boss you could not do it. D) Delete the project file and start over without telling anyone. Answer: B — Trying to solve it yourself first shows initiative, and asking for help promptly prevents missed deadlines. 2. Which file name follows good professional digital organization principles? A) doc_new_final_FINAL2.docx B) Untitled1.xlsx C) KofiStore_InventoryReport_April2024.xlsx D) stuff.pdf Answer: C — A good file name includes the client/project name, the document description, and the date or version number so anyone can identify it immediately. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 9: Build Your Professional Profile 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Set up a simple, honest professional presence online so employers and customers can find and trust you. Before someone hires you or buys from you, they often look you up. A professional profile is simply a clean, honest page that answers three questions: who are you, what can you do, and how can someone reach you? You do not need to be famous or have a computer. A phone and one good photo are enough to start. START WITH WHAT IS FREE - WhatsApp Business — free app. Add your trade, working hours, location and a short catalogue of your work or services. Many customers in West Africa will find you here first. - Google Business Profile — free. If you have a shop, workshop or stall, this puts you on Google Maps so people nearby can find you. - LinkedIn (free Basic account) — useful if you want office, NGO or company work. Add a clear photo, your trade or skill, and two or three lines about what you have done. - Local job and trade groups — Facebook and WhatsApp groups for your town or trade are where many real opportunities are shared first. You do not need all four on day one. Pick the one where your customers or employers actually are. A tailor or caterer may get more from WhatsApp Business and local groups; an IT support learner may need LinkedIn first. Add the others over time. WHAT MAKES A PROFILE TRUSTWORTHY - A real photo of you — face visible, plain background, neat clothing. No sunglasses, no filters. - Your real name, written the same way everywhere. - One honest sentence about what you do: 'I install and repair solar home systems in Hohoe.' - Proof: photos of finished work, a certificate, or a short quote from a happy customer. - A phone number or WhatsApp link that actually works. [Protect yourself] Never pay anyone who promises to 'verify' your profile or guarantee you a job for a fee. Real platforms like LinkedIn, WhatsApp Business and Google Business Profile are free to set up. Anyone asking for money to list you is likely a scammer. [Try this today] Write your one honest sentence — who you are and what you do — and save it in your notes. You will reuse it in every profile, CV and introduction from now on. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which of these is free to set up and puts your workshop on Google Maps? A) A paid business directory B) Google Business Profile C) A printed flyer D) A website you pay a developer for Answer: B — Google Business Profile is free and places your business on Google Maps and Search, so people nearby can find you. You only need a phone and your business details. 2. What is the most important quality of a professional profile photo? A) It was taken by a professional photographer B) It uses an attractive filter C) Your face is clearly visible and you look neat D) It shows you with expensive items Answer: C — Employers and customers want to see a real, trustworthy person. A clear, neat photo with a plain background builds more trust than any filter or expensive backdrop. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 10: Write Your Goals and Plan for Obstacles 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Turn a wish into a written goal, review it weekly, and use if-then plans to handle the obstacles that usually stop you. A goal that stays in your head is a wish. A goal written down, with a date and a next step, is a plan. Research on how people actually change their behaviour keeps finding the same thing: people who write their goals down, check them regularly, and decide in advance what to do when things go wrong are far more likely to finish what they start. WRITE IT DOWN, THE PRACTICAL WAY - One goal at a time. 'Finish the solar course by 30 November' beats five vague wishes. - Make it checkable. You should be able to say 'done' or 'not done' — not 'I tried my best'. - Give it a date. A goal without a date quietly becomes 'someday'. - Write the very next small step. Not 'get a job' but 'message two hardware shops on Saturday morning'. - Keep it where you will see it — a notebook, a note on your phone, or paper on the wall. THE WEEKLY REVIEW — 15 MINUTES THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING Pick one fixed moment each week — Sunday evening works well for many people. Ask yourself three questions: What did I finish this week? What got in my way? What is my next step for the coming week? Write the answers down. This small habit catches problems while they are still small, and it reminds you that you are moving, even when progress feels slow. IF-THEN PLANS: DECIDE BEFORE THE OBSTACLE ARRIVES Most plans fail at the same predictable moments: the data bundle runs out, a friend invites you out on study night, rain cancels the job you planned. An if-then plan is a decision you make now, so a hard moment does not require willpower later. The format is simple: 'IF [obstacle happens], THEN I will [specific action].' - IF my data finishes, THEN I will study from my downloaded offline lessons instead. - IF it rains on the day I planned to visit shops, THEN I will call them instead and visit the next day. - IF I feel too tired to study at night, THEN I will do just 10 minutes — starting is the hard part. - IF a customer delays payment, THEN I will send one polite reminder after three days, not argue. [A note on visualisation] Imagining your goal can help — but picture the steps, not just the reward. Instead of only dreaming about the certificate on your wall, picture yourself opening the lesson, answering the quiz, and messaging the customer. Picturing the process prepares you; picturing only the prize can actually relax you into doing nothing. [Try this today] Write one goal with a date, then write two if-then plans for the obstacles most likely to stop you. Keep them somewhere you will see this week. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What makes a goal 'checkable'? A) It is written in English B) You can clearly say whether it is done or not done C) Other people approve of it D) It is ambitious enough to impress people Answer: B — A checkable goal has a clear finish line: 'finish 8 lessons by Friday' can be marked done or not done. 'Do my best' cannot — and vague goals are easy to quietly abandon. 2. Your study night arrives and your data bundle has run out. What does a good if-then plan do? A) It forces you to buy more data immediately B) It tells you to skip studying until next week C) It gives you a decision you made in advance, like switching to your downloaded offline lessons D) It punishes you for not planning better Answer: C — An if-then plan removes the need for willpower in the moment: you decided earlier that IF data runs out, THEN you study offline. The decision is already made, so you just follow it. ---------------------------------------- Digital Literacy & Data Privacy — Lesson 11: Introduce Yourself in 30 Seconds 8 min read OBJECTIVE: Prepare and practise a short, confident self-introduction you can use with employers, customers and new contacts. Many capable people miss opportunities because they freeze when someone asks 'So, what do you do?' A self-introduction is a short, prepared answer — about 30 seconds — that you have practised until it feels natural. It is not showing off. It is simply making it easy for people to understand how you can help them. THE THREE-PART SCRIPT - Who you are: your name and your trade or skill. 'My name is Amina. I am a trained pharmacy assistant.' - What you can do: one or two concrete things, with proof if you have it. 'I have completed training in dispensing support and stock management, and I helped in a busy pharmacy for three months.' - What you are looking for: say it clearly. 'I am looking for a position in a pharmacy or clinic in this area.' or 'I take catering orders for events of up to 100 people.' Put together, it sounds like this: 'Good morning, my name is Kofi. I am a solar technician — I have finished certified training in home solar installation, and I have already installed systems for three families in this town. I am looking for more customers, and I also do repairs and maintenance. Here is my number.' Thirty seconds, and the listener knows exactly what you offer. MAKE IT YOURS - Adjust the ending for the listener: a customer hears what you sell; an employer hears what job you want; a contact hears how they can help you. - Practise out loud, not in your head — say it to a friend, a mirror, or your phone's voice recorder, five times. - Keep it honest. A small true claim beats a big exaggerated one that falls apart at the first question. - End with a way to reach you: your number, your WhatsApp, or where your shop is. [For shy learners] Feeling nervous is normal and does not mean you are bad at this. Preparation is the cure: a practised script means you never have to invent sentences while nervous. Start by using it in low-pressure moments — with a neighbour, then a shopkeeper — before the big interview or the important customer. [Try this today] Write your three-part introduction in your notes, then say it out loud three times. Use it once this week with a real person. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What are the three parts of a good 30-second introduction? A) Your family background, your education, your hobbies B) Who you are, what you can do, what you are looking for C) Your salary expectation, your location, your age D) Your problems, your needs, your complaints Answer: B — The script answers the three questions every listener has: who is this person, what can they do for me, and what do they want? Keep it short, honest and practised. 2. What is the best way to prepare your introduction? A) Memorise a long speech about your whole life B) Wait for inspiration in the moment C) Practise a short script out loud several times before you need it D) Copy someone else's introduction word for word Answer: C — Saying it out loud — to a friend, mirror or voice recorder — is what makes it feel natural under pressure. A short, honest, practised script beats both improvisation and a long memorised speech. ---------------------------------------- Get the full app: https://miva-skillsnav.lovable.app