Defining your Future
Posted by: January on: February 3, 2010
I attended a meeting over the weekend. I had the opportunity of being addressed by a senior colleague, who I consider a friend and mentor. She’s simply amazing. Here are the excerpts of the address and hope it motivates you to define your own future.
- Have a vision – continually ask yourself what your vision is. Write it down and stick it in a conspicous place, where you can put your mind to it.
- See what you are prepared to see. If you focus on the negative, be prepared for the worst.
- Seize the day and fulfill your dream or goals to achieve success in life.
- Look within you; what do you feel? There’s never a particular age for excellence. YOU CAN CHANGE THE GAME.
- Have an inner dream (ignite your fire).
- Look behind you, what have you learnt?
- Leadership is not definite within a particular stage.
- Define what’s important and what’s not.
- Struggle to be part of the top 20 (I mean acheivers).
- Integrity is what and who you are.
- Develop yourself (dont’wait for your employer- this is the biggest calling of leadership).
Finally, I leave you with this chinese proverb:
“If you want to plan for a year, grow rice; If you want to plan for 10 years, grow trees; If you want to plan for a decade, grow men” .
The Nigerian Charity
Posted by: January on: January 24, 2010
It started with all the news on CNN about the massive earthqauke that occurred in Haiti. Then I woke up last week to read in the national dailies, that our leaders decided to donate $1 million dollars to the Haitian people. Soon, it was followed by the report that Governor Fashola, was donating same sum to the Haitian government.
I thought that was the end of it, but recently, while reading through some blogs (Bellanaija, Ladybrille and Facebook status updates of my friends), the Haitian tragedy has come up consistently. The above mentioned blogs have even suggested that our celebrities, fashion designers and other well meaning Nigerians should rise up by donating to the Haitian cause. Call me selfish or whatever, I simply do not care at the moment. I’m simply appalled that our government could easily shell out $1 million dollars to Haiti, while we have a simmering pot of religious crisis happening at our backyard in Jos.
Why are we advocates of unwarranted sensationalism? I emphatise with the Haitian people. Who would want to experience such things? I certainly don’t but I do not agree with all these calls for donations. The U.S. government and the rest of the developed world have already done enough for Haiti. Correct me if I am wrong, but, I’m yet to see any other African country donating as much as we are. We have misplaced priorities. We have people who have been displaced by the recent crisis in Jos. These people need shelter, water, food and clothing, yet, someone is asking that our fashion designers send clothes to Haiti. So gross, when I begin to count the number of orphanages, street children, physically disadvantaged people within our country who need this money to improve their lot in life. I support charity but let us commence our charity work from home.
Let us encourage and motivate individuals who are running this centres selflessly with the little they are getting from individuals and corporate organisations. If we can donate $1 million dollars to foriegners, we should do same for our own citizens. Yes, you might say it’s a natural disaster. I agree, but what we have within our country is a more greater disaster waiting to happen. This is why youth restiveness, unemployment, kidnappings and religious crisis can never come to an end with the kind of profligate attitude we have. For those of you out there (well meaning Nigerians), who also are thinking of donating to the Haitian cause, please do so…but before you click that pay button, your $1 or $10 dollar donation could have provided books for a Nigerian child out there.
Please take a moment and support the ‘Change A Life‘ organisation, being managed by the amiable Ms. Funmi Iyanda. I’m not her spokesperson, but I have seen what she has done within the past 10 years and I am confident that, with your able support and monthly donation of N5,000, we can keep our children off the streets and provide a better tomorrow. Í’m also supporting this organisation with my own widows mite throughout this year. This is part of the reason I’ve been gloomy for some days. I’m much lighter, now that i’ve gotten this off my chest. Have a splendid week ahead.
May the Wind be to your Back
Posted by: January on: January 20, 2010
I have been out of sorts this morning. I’m usually like this when I do something I shouldn’t have done. I get all moody and withdrawn. So, this morning, I’m shaking all the blues away and concentrating on happy thoughts. The power of the mind….absolutely limitless. Yesterday was my birthday and I spent the day at work all through. Sad, isn’t it? I think more employers of labour should give employees the day off on their birthdays. Just my thoughts.
I’m rambling cos there’s loads of issues to discuss but my thoughts are scattered today. I’ll leave you all with this quote, ” To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its’ best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.” ….E. E. Cummings. That about sums up my present situation. I’m still fighting.
2010
Posted by: January on: January 7, 2010
Welcome to 2010. I pray that our goals and objectives be met in the year. I have the following mantra for you ” I believe, I can achieve what I believe”. So, when you are stuck in a rut and things don’t seem to be working out according to your laid out plans, reflect on this mantra, and a solution will come forth.
Last year, amongst one of my goals was to consistently maintain my current weight and size. This I successfully did by adopting Pilates as my own form of exercise three times weekly. If you’re in search of an exercise format that will tone and sculpt your muscles without the attendant stress of a gym, i’ll recommend Pilates anytime anyday.
Secondly, we live in a tropical environment, and most women are unaware about the benefits of slathering on facial creams, with sunscreen components before rushing out for the day’s chores. Applying sunscreen regularly prevents rapid skin aging and fine lines around the face. If you’re considering using one, i’d like to recommend ‘Pond’s Flawless Radiance Day & Night Cream’. You can obtain both at Tejuoso, Yaba. It’s a new product from Unilever - South Africa. If you need a combo that can reduce acne spots and give your skin a flawlessly radiant look, this is the cream to use. I’ve been using it for the past six months and the results have been amazing.
Formulated with VAO-B3, Vitamin E, Allantoin, and Optics Power Niacinaminate (B3) complex, PONDS flawless radiant has been specifically developed to deliver flawless radiant skin. It reduces dark spots and helps give you toned flawless skin in 7days (depending on your skin type and severity of sun damage). Wishing you all a prosperous 2010.
Terror Attacks
Posted by: January on: December 30, 2009
When I stated that Faoruk Abdulmuttallab must have been a lonely youth and starved of parental attention, I was not trying to be trivial. According to foreign media, recent press releases have revealed his postings on Facebook and other social media platforms. Apparently, he had been pouring out his inner thoughts.
A posting from January 2005, when he was attending boarding school, read, “I have no one to speak to. No one to consult, no one to support me and I feel depressed and lonely. I do not know what to do. And then I think this loneliness leads me to other problems”.
As parents, we need to monitor our children and also be their closest confidants. Here, I rest my case.
Impressionable!
Posted by: January on: December 28, 2009
I would like to start by wishing readers of this blog ‘Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year’. I would also like to doff my hats to the hardworking men of the Lagos State Fire Service and Governor Fashola. As I was leaving for Ibadan yesterday, along Ikorodu Road, Obanikoro to be precise, a commuter bus caught fire, and you needed to have seen these fire fighting officers, battling to put out the fire. For the very first time, I saw a fully equipped fire force and water, oh yes! WATER was gushing out with full force, enough to extinguish the near disaster that could have occurred.
Events like this keeps my hope alive for a better Nigeria. No one can save this country except we all join forces and decide to put a stop to the madness that occurs around us on a daily basis.
It’s bad enough that we’re rated as a nation of fraudsters but adding terrorists to our ever growing list of negative perceptions is just appalling. I finally settled down to read the news about that Nigeria young man who decided to blow up a plane heading to Detroit. For the first time, I saw his picture. I mean, he’s so young, innocent, naive and can’t be more than 20years from what I saw.
How did he become involved in things like terrorism? What the heck was he thinking? A shot at 5minute fame or a chance at PlayStation reality game show? I wonder how a promising young man could have allowed himself to be used for something sinister. If you’re thinking his motive was money, it was not cos according to newspaper reports, he’s from a wealthy family and attended some of the best schools in Africa. Learnt his father is the chairman of First Bank of Nigeria.
We live in an information age where there is free access to all kinds of information (beneficial and non-beneficial). As parents, we need to be more involved in our childrens lives so that we can impart the right information. In today’s world, I’m not a big supporter of sending children to boarding schools where they can be influenced by wrong elements. This type of outlandish behaviour did not erupt suddenly, it started way back in school. If his parents had taken enough care to monitor him, they would have nipped it in the bud before this national disgrace happened. From experience, money is not everything.
Love, care and proper attention are what our children require to become responsible and law abiding citizens of any nation. It’s so sad and it simply breaks my heart cos I believe he was trying to get the attention of his parents but he chose the wrong route.
New Lessons
Posted by: January on: December 14, 2009
What do you do when you suddenly realise you’ve got competition? How do you respond to such threat without making some costly mistakes? How do you know that your strategies for building brand loyalty amongst your target audience is the right one in the face of competition? This is where we are right now and I can tell you the answers are not easy. I am following my gut instincts by following what my intuition tells me me. This is much different from emotions. I don’t allow emotions to rule me when it comes to business. I simply do what has got to be done.
The product has given its’ first hint of monumental success based on consumer reactions to it. Yes, we now have another competitive distributor but that has not taken my gaze off my goals and objectives. I have not come this far to give up. I am trudging head on. We’ve also advised the manufacturer to obtain Standard Organisation of Nigeria’s certfication. This will help in affirming the quality of the product and it gives us the right to sell this product within Nigeria.
Apart from selling the brand through large retail chains or stores, I have also decided to engage the services of Direct Sales Agent who will be brand ambassadors and engage in one on one communication with our target audience. For our affiliate program, we have put in place an attractive sales commission for our agents. Based on our sales forecast, our agents will be making a minimum of N5,000 – N10,000 weekly. We intend to also offer more incentives as sales increase. For now, we’re taking it one step at a time. Got to go peeps.
Have a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas.
Transition Period
Posted by: January on: December 2, 2009
Hello Peeps, I have not been around for some time. I was away for a training in Lagos on ‘Account Business Competencies’. Saying I learnt a lot is an understatement. I now understand why most people who have had a successful career with multinationals become consultants. It gave me the opportunity to understand and manage large retail chains effectively.
Yesterday, I was at a retail chain in Bodija, to submit our proposal and drop a sample pack of our product. I went through the process outlined during the training. After the product presentation, I knew we had a huge chance of our product featuring within the outlet. I was told to come back today and upon arrival, I had to conduct another presentation to the outlet manager. Suffice to say, they placed an order for 48packs. On monday, we had also conducted another proposal submission at a large retail chain on the island. They placed an order for 24packs immediately.
To top it all, we’ve been receiving inquires from our target audience on where they can purchase this unique brand. We’ve also commenced home and office deliveries for large orders. The journey has been exciting and challenging but it’ll be more eventful as we encounter more success and mistakes in building brand equity amongst our target audience.
In dealing with large retail chains, I have learnt to be diplomatic, give helpful suggestions that would drive consumer demand not only for our brand but other similar brands within an outlet. I have also learnt the importance and usefulness of floor staffs within an outlet. They can make or mar acceptance of new products. Peeps, I’m off…
Wanna own a house?
Posted by: January on: November 17, 2009
Sometime ago, I spoke about investing in properties or the real estate as the sector is better known. I went in search of further information and came across the National Housing Fund. The National Housing Fund was signed into law by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1992. Basically, the objective of this Act is to provide affordable homes to Nigerians irrespective of the income class. If you earn a minimum of N7,000 monthly, you can subscribe to this fund.
How does it work?
The National Housing Fund is administered by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. If you are interested, locate the nearest FMBN branch within your state of residence and approach the officials. You’ll be required to remit 2.5% of your monthly income throughout your working life period into the NHF account. Interested applicant can pick up a form (free of charge), fill it and get your employer to sign their own respective parts. If you’re self-employed, you sign for yourself and also sign as the employer. Then you’ll be given a card which will record every payment you lodge into the NHF account.
The requirements of the NHF Act (1992) states that you can only use the fund for the following:
- Purchase a property
- Build a house
- Renovate existing property
Note that if the property you want to purchase is within your present state of residence, then it is advisable to open a mortgage account within that state. Once the loan has been approved, you’ll be responsible for the inspection and evaluation fees. It is also important that you remit 10% of the total value of the property you wish to purchase into the mortgage account you opened with respective primary mortgage institution.
Repayment Terms:
Interest on the loan is fixed at 6% per annum and to determine repayment period, deduct your present age from 60 years to know how long you will pay back.
Upon attaining 60 years, you’ll present your NHF passbook, a letter from your employer attesting that you have retired and a birth cetificate is also required which will be presented at the nearest FMBN branch where you’ll be paid back your NHF contributions over the years you were in paid or self employment. If you still need further clarification, do let me know.
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