Nairobi, June 28 -- In the world, according to Philip Karanja, cars and golf are not just the way to a man's heart but to his mind too - and, potentially, his bank account. He is, after all, the money guy; the Finance Director, Samsung Electronics East Africa.

Money gets you anything, which is why it is everything. He knows this to be true. But a raise at work won't raise your children; it makes it easier, but not easy.

"I am a friend to my children, but not their best friend," he says. This is important, knowing when to put an arm on their shoulder, or when they need a firm hand, especially in the tumultuous teenage years. In his Parenting 101, he is the chairman of his little chaebol, mediating disputes, keeping his eye on trouble spo...