IT'S not what immediately leaps to mind when searching for the key to business success.

But Southampton marketing man Nicholas Gow, pictured inset, reckons the ancient people of Africa can teach him how to propel his company WorksUnit on to the next level.

The 44-year-old managing director and half owner of the Queens Terrace marketing and communications company is travelling to Kenya to meet with the legendary warriors of the Maasai Mara.

Famous for their ferocity as well as a fondness for stretching their earlobes and a love of brightly coloured beads, the Maasai's ancient way of life is now being held up as a business template.

Nicholas, who employs ten people and has plans to expand to a staff of 16, will spend a fortnight travelling the country and studying the way the tribe operates.

He hopes to draw lessons from the way the ancient people each know their role within the group and are able to focus on it clearly.

"I think people should keep an open mind and not just look at the West," he said. "We can learn a lot from people who, within their own environment, are being very successful.

"At WorksUnit we are into working as an organic whole and I want to align my team with a clear vision of where we are going. I am going to observe the Maasai and bring to bear what I have learnt on the team and work on the clarity we already have."