Damage Control

So my first meal of cold cocoa and 4 slices of bread came by 7:30pm. 

Wifey had been on my case all day to eat something but I had a Holy Rev Father stuck in Dubai since 4am on Thursday 10 Nov and getting him out was all I cared about.

Before leaving for her office by 9:30am, she said I had done excellently well this year, this one issue cannot undo my achievements. I looked at her and all I could see from the deep dark corner of my subconscious was Donald Trump saying "I win always, I don't know how to fail. Am in this game to win".

Why did that resonate with me?

I had called my Dubai Agent, who called her PRO, who ran to the Dubai Immigration office. Time was 6am Nigerian time and by my calculations it was 9am in Dubai.

This had never happened to me since I started my entrepreneurial life. I had learnt everything learnable in my 8yrs in GTBanks Travel Desk.

That was it- GTBank "DAMAGE CONTROL".

Tunde Fawehinmi had thought me well. I had to manage my client so well so as to diffuse whatever anger was welling up in him. Make his present discomfort, somewhat bearable. 

" A Holy Reverend Father, denied entry in Dubai?" TUFIAKWA...!!!

Feedback came in by 7am. There were security issues and the Dubai Immigration were not clearing Nigerian males to enter into Dubai.

I asked myself one question! Could I have known this? If there was an issue, why was my Holy Father cleared from Lagos by airport visa screeners and the Emirates personnel?

10am Nigerian time and my Holy Father was not reachable! CHINEKE MEeeeeee! I did the maths, "no airtime, no roaming" so quickly, I recharged him with Internet Banking (damage control protocol had been deployed). It worked, he was happier. A little upset, but happier and grateful. I explained all to him and for some reason I can't understand, he smiled and said, Mr David, I understand this is not in your control, relax, let's watch how this plays out?

On and on we went till it was 4pm. Then, I blew up! My Agent got the brunt of it. Had the Visa Agency MD called my client? Had the PRO called him? Alas, I now found out that all Dubai Travel Agencies had to have a Sponsor in the Immigration.

There it was. The trigger was pulled & B-O-O-M!!!

If the Immigration sponsor could not resolve it or have the decency to call my client, then I had no business with them because (1) they lacked influence and (2) they had zero empathy and as such had no need being in the business world.

I made this clear my Agent and all she could say was "ha! These Emeraties are pompous, they won't call".

The line cut. I suspected the network felt a nuclear bomb go off from my side of the line cos all I remember was bright lights, a numbing sound, a sore throat and my staff taking cover. 10 deep breaths and my nerves were calmer.

I did not understand how pride could to take the better of a business. If the sponsor was stuck in Nigeria airport, am sure the airport officials would be recounting their ordeal. The nature of my business requires that certain airport officials are in good terms with me. So that, in times of trouble, I can leverage on their influence to get good results.

Time is 6pm (9pm in Dubai), tomorrow is Friday. They don't work on Fridays.

Faith had dealt me a cruel blow.

I could not fix this.

I had no control over this situation.

By 9pm Nigerian time, I look at the wall clock and said to myself, it 12 mid night in Dubai and my Rev Father is lying down on a metal chair. I fought the tears, but one stung me as it flowed down my cheek. 

I sent him a text asking him how he is doing and my stranded Rev Father calls me and says, "Mr David I appreciate all you have done". 

Time is 1:55am on a Friday morning and I still cannot sleep because a Holy Rev Father has been denied entry into Dubai for security reasons and he has refused to get angry.

I play back the scenarios of the day and I ask myself "how well did I do at damage control"?

Hmmmmmmm!

My Response to Dele's Matyrisation of Nnamdi Kanu

I agree with most of what Dele Momodu has said in his piece on the matyrisation of Nnamdi Kanu (quite ironic of me though). I do not support this agitation because the Igbo tribe is not being marginalized. Nigeria has a common problem and it is corruption. Our elected officials have looted our resources and it applies in each state in each region (North, East and West).

From Governors, to Senators (all elected officials). Nothing is done to develop their lands (states). They loot with no remorse and when caught, they fall sick, travel abroad and send us gloomy pictures of ill health.

I heard enough about the war of 1967, I do not want a war for 2 reasons, firstly, both sides will loose fathers, mothers and children and secondly, which is most important- I believe there is no justifiable reason to take up arms.

The Igbo's need to direct this anger to their Governors, Senators, Commissioners and state Legislators. They have plundered their resources so why are they agitating?
Besides an Easterner just ruled Nigeria in the person of Goodluck Jonathan so you just had a term. Whether he is Igbo or not is irrelevant. the same way it doesn't matter to the Igbo whether a Katsinan or Maiduguri person is president. We all in Nigeria see in primary colors of North, West and East (until governance drops on our laps, then tribal issues surface).

As for the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the Federal Government of Nigeria are in order to have arrested him. Let us not be biased  in our assessment of the situation on ground. Inciting violent separatist movement is an act of treason anywhere in the world. Asking for guns at the World Igbo Congress is on another level.

How would the world perceive the non-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu? They cannot be perceived to be weak and let him walk around Nigeria upon arrival. I would have expected that the Government would have issued an extradition notice to the UK Government but alas, I understand we the Nigerian people are not there yet. A northern President forcefully repatriating an Easterner? (I shudder at the thought).

I ask one question, how would the British or US government have handled violent separatist radio broadcasts? Would they have waited till the broadcaster was home sick and returned of his own volition or would they have tracked the radio signals, block it then pull out his dossier and air his dirty laundry (financial and personal) to discredit him? Dear Dele, it is possible to track and block these signals, if you do not know, please visit CC Hub in Yaba, Lagos. It will amaze you what the much discredited Nigerian Youths are doing with the internet.

When you align yourself with gerontocrats, you get old and redundant ways of doing things.

To ask for a referendum will not cut it. Its a chance even I would not dare request. Not at this point where Biafra sympathizers have increased enormously. I recall the plight of the children of Israel who asked for a King and Samuel cried saying they do not know what they are asking for. I ask most agitators, "who will lead you"? Is it Ikedi Ohakim who looted billions of Imo funds, is it Orji Uzor Kalu who plundered Abia state with vengeance or Peter Obi who was supposed to carry the Igbo peoples mandate under APGA but preferred the pot of PDP gold?

Who is credible enough to lead? Wait, don't tell me it is Nnamdi Kanu? Lets not go there.

I believe the Biafra movement should be towards economic development of Igbo land and it starts with DEMANDING accountability from its elected officials.

What did they do with the security vote allocations because I do not see lights and CCTV cameras.
What did they do with the allocations for road because the roads I visit every year is in deplorable condition.
How have they harnessed the tourism potential of their states or Agriculture or I.T. or health care. Which will I ask and which wil I leave? We need figures (naira and kobo).

As for Nnamdi Kanu's arrest, lest I be libeled a Judas by my kinsmen, for political reasons, the Government may need to convene a meeting with him and key Igbo leaders and ask what the grievance is? To release him back to the system will be a dire mistake. Listen to him along side MOSSOB, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and other Igbo groups, once the left and right wing opinions align, chances are the Government will have a balanced view of the Igbo grieviances, after which resolutions can be made and this volatile Biafra situation averted.

This is my honest opinion on how to handle this crisis. Talk now because if war starts, we will still talk to quell things down. I do not want any widows or Kwashiokor pictures of children making the headlines on CNN or BBC.

I want peace talks now.

My Mountain Climbing Excursion To Ado Awaye Mountain

We had an awesome time over the weekend (28 - 29 November). We went on a mountain hiking expedition.

We left Lagos by 6:30am and escaped the environmental Sanitation enforcers by whiskers.

Arriving Ibadan by 10:30am, we had breakfast, picked up other tourists making a total of 20 of us.

The kids had a different agenda so we drop them off at the "A3 Hotel" opposite the leisure mall, then off we went on a 2 hour journey to Ado Awaye Mountain.

Upon arrival and settling with the entrance marshal, our tour guide led the way.

With over 350 muscle wrenching steps separating us from half way to the top, we had to stop mid way. Legs were trembling and continuation was only true motivation and out stretched arms.

This was not just a tour expedition, it was a pilgrimage. A journey into self discovery.

After the steps led us into the heavenly elements of the angry sun, some knew better than to offend the gods. To them, they had conquered a level for themselves but for the over achievers, they dared the elements of the sun and winds. Staring them in the face, they marched up brazenly.

The tough were rewarded with the sight of the enchanted "suspended lake of Ado Awaye".

Legend has it that the lake sustained its inhabitants during several wars.
To the 2 oyibo (foreign) Geologist who sought a scientific explanation to the source and sustenance of the lake, well they are yet to surface and give us their findings.

And to the smart diver that had his ankle chained so he could be pulled out in the event of an emergency, well the remains of his cut chains can be given to anyone who needs to ask the inhabitants of the lake why its visitors are not allowed to return.

Our tour took us to the tree that chose to be an elephant and we were even told of the castle high up in the mountain.

Time was 2:30pm and wisdom had the better of us. It was a long way down and we had 2 more hours to our hotel lodging.

Maybe next time, we will arrive earlier with champions to take on the castle. But for now, we must sheave our swords and return to the land of the living.

A3 hotel was spectacular. We recommend it. But, if you want to party with your crew, come with your own drinks because Ibadan people don't want your money after 10pm. They will lock up the fridge and switch of the TV from the head office, then sleep off.

Our journey commenced by 10am on Sunday after we had slept off our fatigue and broken our fast.

We visited University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, then went to Agodi park to paddle away.

Was the trip worth it? TOTALLY.
We thank the brave Champions from the city of Lagos who came, saw and conquered different levels of the great mountain of Ado Awaye in Oyo State, South West of Nigeria.

Thanks,

We will yet do this and much more

Follow Me on twitter - @MrChiaka

And get live picture updates on Instagram - cloudsurferstours

The Fixer PT2

The first call came by 8pm on Wednesday 2nd December. I had spent the entire day battling the infamous Lagos gridlock in search of 10 Limousines for a client. Ajah is not my favorite of places.

My caller needed a fare from Bangkok to Abuja. I was just too tired as I entered my apartment by 11 midnight.

Then the rain of calls came in from 12:25 midnight. A client from Total Nigeria had been told of "The Fixer". His brother was about to be whisked away into the gallows of a Bangkok cell for reasons unknown. He was not ready to have his little brothers head cut off over a bogus drug charge so all he wanted was to get him out of Bangkok to Lagos as fast as possible.

With one hand searching through my reservation portal and another hand holding my phone to my ear and calming my albeit agitated client, we did it.

Itinerary was sent to the distressed traveler in Bangkok to reassure the immigration that help was here. He had just been dispossessed of all his FX (remind me to be extra careful with Thai Authorities).

In 5mins, funds were transferred, tickets were issued and I had to check the stranded traveler in (after sales service + insurance that all was well at my end).

The Bangkok authorities did not know what hit them. Bragging rights had been earned by my once distressed traveler because some " fixer guy" had made his quick exit pretty easy.

By 1:20am my "Total client" called to ask me what my name was?

I smiled, and in my James Bond voice, I said "CHIAKA... David Chiaka" but you can call me "The Fixer".

True event... Have a pleasant day people and s
tay relevant.

Till we meet again, keep winning.

Twitter: @MrChiaka

Entrepreneurship Basic Class 101: Part 2 - INNOVATE

"Innovate: Whatever it is you are doing, someone else is doing it. So find ways of doing it better." -David Chiaka, culled from the interview on Pinpointmag.net

I spend a lot of my time studying great people. I do not believe I have to make mistakes on the job. I should be able to learn from others who have gone ahead of me so I can avoid similar mistakes they made.

The likes of Steve Jobs (late founder of Apple), Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Donald Trump, Tayo Aderinokun (late MD of GTBank Plc) et al, have intrigued me as great and successful business men, leaders and innovators.

There is a common phrase that has driven me in this direction, and its from the Bible - "follow them who through FAITH & PATIENCE have inherited the promise". That's vision and persistence,

I study the bible. I love to learn from successful people in the bible and also from real life. Why should I go around making mistakes when I can learn from those ahead of me?
Why should I make mistakes that I may not recover from?

There is a common trait among "The Great" and that trait is innovation.
There once was a time when we had to travel hundreds of miles for meetings now you can Skype straight from your office Pc, Laptop or even your mobile phone. Why would you spend 5 hours of your day stuck in traffic when a video chat can solve this?

There once was a time when marketing was done in the market place, on buses, in crowded places etc. Yes, organizations still adopt this marketing model but guess what, I would rather identify my target market and market online.

Facebook offers adverts that push your product into the faces of a specified target market and guess what, Nigerians love Facebook. Same as twitter and other social media channels. Identify what mediums your market use to communicate and express themselves, then interrupt them with your products. Get them to look at it and you will be shocked at how effective this is.

Listen, marketing your products is not a one size fits all.
If I have a N250k travel product, I wont waste my time marketing in a public bus!

No! that's not my market. My market are graduate trainees in Banks, Blue chip companies, Energy firms etc. The fast rising middle class and they drive fairly used cars.

They are the ones that want to take selfies and post on Facebook.
They want opinions from Twitter.
They want to show their friends what they have been doing on Instagram and so on.

If you do not sit down to identify your target market, then find ways of reaching them, trust me; YOU WILL NOT GROW B-I-G!
These thoughts will keep you up late at night. It will keep you very busy at your office and it will help you position a great team that is critical in thinking and strategic in marketing.

Ask yourself, what more can I do? What more products can you perfect?
How can you make it better in my product and make it more attractive?

If you continuously do things the old way, you will wake up one day with a negative balance sheet.
You must know when an email will suffice and when an actual physical visit is required.

You must know when its okay to receive cash and when a simple bank transfer is perfect.
These decisions matter.
These innovative ideas must translate to decisions that will alter the face of your business.

Hope this piece has been helpful?
Please share your thoughts and innovative experiences.

Till we meet again, keep winning.

David Chiaka
Follow me on twitter - @MrChiaka

Entrepreneurship Basic Class 101: Part 1

I was recently featured as Entrepreneur For The Month on Pinpoint Magazine and I shared entrepreneurial tips for start ups.

I will be expounding on what I shared and I do hope, this will be helpful to someone reading this:

 Set policies as you go. It will help reduce risk of loss and position you for success

There is common phrase that necessity is the mot
her of invention.
This saying is quite true.

In my early days of entrepreneurship, I was contracted to coordinate a birthday event in a particular location. I deployed staff to comb that location for a cost effective and exotic location and we got 20 hotels and event centers.

After all inspections were completed, we scaled it down to 5, then we picked the best event center based on price and aesthetic.

I prepared a bill complete with pictures of the location, catering, parking etc.

That was it, the client stopped calling. 
So I called to find out what happened and she says "I know the place". Implication was, she did not need my services any longer.

I licked my wounds and came up with a policy of restricting the amount of information I give to clients until I have a financial commitment from them.

Irrespective of how many MBA's you might have or maybe you have an uncountable number of PHDs, what you have learnt in class is useless unless you apply that bit of knowledge in real life scenarios, deduce your own conclusions, then evolve.

I cannot emphasize this enough - the Nigerian business scene is a tough one. The business terrain has disproved many a theory.
We are a unique people and if you must survive as a business person in Nigeria, you may have to be humble enough to unlearn most of th;e things that you learned in school.

As you do business in Nigeria and as academic principles are disproved, make new laws (policies). Let these policies guide you. Remember why you made these policies and carefully do not break them.

Reasons why you must never break your policies are:
(i) It is a bad precedence for your staff. They will not take your laws any serious.
(ii) Let these laws stop you from making the same mistake again, albeit with larger funds.
Many business have gone under because they allowed history to repeat itself.

Hope this tip has been helpful?
Please share your personal experiences and how it has led you to come up with your guiding principle and policy.

Till with meet again, keep winning.

Mr David Chiaka
@MrChiaka

Understanding Nigerians Along Sentimental Lines

"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything "- Alexander Hamilton



Nigeria is a unique place. We are a nation with 250 ethnic groups. We are governed by sentiments. Religious sentiments, ethnic sentiments, family sentiments etc. These sentiments affect our perceptions and subsequent actions and in-actions in politics, work & justice.

In politics, the average Nigerian will vote along ethnic and religious lines. Do not be deceived by the approximately 6.5 million internet savvy Nigerian's on social media. With a population of 170 million, we have not scratched the surface of actual political perceptions and the non internet savvy populace that will influence the outcome of political events.


At work, we all want to employ our  relatives irrespective of their attitudes, educational qualifications etc. We cover up for inefficiencies due bias, and if you kick against it, your family comes after you.


Justice; this is where sentiments has caused the must damage. Justice is denied simply because the thought of locking up a child or relative is unfathomable. Irrespective of the crime, we deny justice along the lines of bias.

These sentiments are the cradle of corruption. By whatever means necessary we protect the wrong people at the expense of the qualified. Do you know money is spent (on bribes) to deny Justice? Do you know Politicians influence the employment and promotion of wrong individuals into the force, government institutions etc? If employment was done via the proper selection process, the best of the rest would emerge & we Nigerians would be better of.

These bias translates into high level corruption. Thieves walk away, militants & terrorists are compensated with cash rewards & justice is denied the Nigerian people.

To get things right, we must be on the side of Justice and Objectivity. Religions speak of Justice so uphold it. If your child steals, let Justice be served so they can be better of. What use is a community filled with thieves and criminals? They still destroy the fabric of society and are of zero economic impact to the community. Roads remain bad, water does not flow & the schools are still dilapidated. Yet we have Senators that have done 3 terms with zero impact in their constituents but still want more tenures (Senator for life).

We must wake up.
These sentiments destroy corporate culture and the lack of justice is the reason why the international community have reservations doing business in and with Nigerians. We need a para-dime shift in mindset. We are either Nigerians or we are not. We cannot identify with the Nigerian nation but fight ourselves internally. 

Can true federalism prevail?

There must be justice for the oppressed and respect for human life.
We must hold leaders accountable after their tenures in political office. Leave no room for sentiments. There is no such thing as "its our time to chop". Its either all or nothing. 

Change starts with you. It starts in your mind. Change your mindset, change the world.

Till we meet again, keep winning.

David Chiaka
Twitter: @MrChiaka