After this, what next?

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wither thou goes. Eccl 9:10 KJV

As I made way to my vehicle by 5am on Monday 20Feb, 2012. The awkward sound of my car engine left me in no doubt that ''I definately wouldn't be driving to the office in my Rover''. Well, my mind went immediately to work - how do I get to work? I couldn't go with Paulo (he leaves by 5am). Time now was 5:45am. Hmmm!!!

Next on my mind was the best travel logistics to my Lekki work station. I hit the road hard, to a bike to the bus stop, boarded the famous BRT to CMS and joined the Ajah bus. I had not settled into my "passenger-compressed-seat" when my stunning trousers was riped open by an un-observed metalic protrussion in the bus. "Now this was not the way to start a Monday" (I thought to myself). This was why I detested boarding buses.

My Teusday was a little different. I just made up my mind to stop living the low life. So I flagged down a taxi and arrived the office in style (come to think of it, I think I need a cheurffor).

You see, I have 7yrs of work experience and in the last 2yrs I have managed to save some sizeable monies for my dream project (thanks to my brilliant spouse).
However, with the restructuring of the company I work in,and with my new job functions, the stress level I had to deal with was on record high. The thought of changing jobs had come to me, but at an after-thought I asked myself if I would be willing to get another "YES Sir" job. I remunerated over this during one of my weekends and the only phrase that repeatedly screemed out of the recess of my heart was -NO MORE. The next question that lingered in my subconcious was- "after this, what next"?

You see! There must be a time when you say "enough of this". Refuse to be enslaved. Years ago, a good friend of mind said "first get the money, then fulfill your dreams". I have made up my mind to start training in the thing I love to do. Gbola was right, if I put the same passion which I put in my job into my own business, I will be a big shot. And she is right (where are my manners, Gbola is the latest addition to my team).

My advise is this, as you go about your paid employment, ask yourself this same question - after this what next? Will you retire into redundance or will you finish strong? Then prepare yourself for the next big thing (fulfilling your own dreams).

Till we meet again, keep winning.

David Chiaka
Twitter: MrChiaka

Thoughts on #occupynigeria protests

Whether subsidy is removed or not, the cost of living will keep rising; that is a constant. This the best time to plan for the future. While some are out shouting and generally loafing, others are observing the needs of the people, meeting it and getting richer. There will always be two sides to a story. Turning a situation round for your good or being a victim.

Light can be brought out of darkness, the choice is yours. Make the best of today because tomorrow is dependent on it. They say the best time to plant a tree is ten years ago, the next best time is today.

Who are the real victims? PHCN has refused to give electricity, fuel stations are not selling fuel but touts come out at night to sell 10 litres for N2,000. Those that asked us to stay at home are making thier money even now. They have uninterrupted supply of electricity. The government is not affected by the strike but there are people that survive on thier daily income. Who are the real victims?

May God grant you and yours wisdom to rise above these times. Not the wisdom of the world because it is designed to fail but the wisdom of God which is the word of God


Pastor Moji

System Thinking

''Preserve capital and be ready to move fast. Whatever you do in 2012, I hope it's profitable'' Richard Quest


The year 2012 has begun and the question now is what do you intend to achieve this year? Beyond the new year resolutions which you may have decided to implement, there is need to take a moment to reflect on what your business goals are, and what your vision for the next five years will be.

Many times we have one big idea and we make a sudden change from the current course of our lives and take a wild plunge into the un-known. It is good to take a chance but it is better to make and followed through on an informed decision. In February 2009, Nigeria experienced a historic stock market melt down. It was so huge that it shook the very economic foundation of the nation, everyone was affected in one way or the other. I never invested in the stock market because I had a gut feeling not to. Besides, there was something wrong with the whole process and I just couldn't place my hands on it.

I tried very hard to understand the dynamics of the buy and sell process but my ''spider senses kept tingling''. My dad on the other hand invested a larger portion of his retirement benefits (against my repeated warnings) and almost suffered a stroke when the markets crashed.

You see, there is need to understand what it is you are about to engage in, because that business venture or project must be able to meet a need. Your profits are guaranteed when you find a need and reach out to meet that need. In essence, you must understand the dynamics of the market you are about to venture into.

Secondly, you must have long term goals for your business dreams. Its not enough to have an idea. Your dreams are as big as you can visualize it. I once worked for an Entrepreneur (an Architect). His entire business structure centered around him. He is a very shrewd and intelligent business man but his flaw is that his dream is small. He refused to expand, the recruitement process was based on sentiments, salary remitances were dolled out as cash and so on.

In my mind, things could be done better. He needed and accountant and an Admin Manager. I believed he needed to expand his vision. Its 7 years now and its still the same process that he runs. Major corporations have been born since then and grown to be billion dollar corporations while, this shrewd intelligent business man still maintains his little sole proprietorship.

There is need to see your business grow beyond your lifetime. Dream big. Open your eyes and see, then strategise on growth. Set financial return on investments. Reduce waste and save save save. Save your inflows or incomes.

As this year begins, remember to be prepared. opportunities will come and you need to be well informed to recognize these opportunities. And when they come, be bold (especially when you understand what it is you are doing) and take that chance. Double your income whenever you can. Money in the bank may be safe but it sure cant double itself.

Now, if you are working and you have a dream burning on your inside, then the first step you should take is to register your business, then get information about what you intend to do and lastly save a portion of your current income. Have a financial target and move only when you have achieved your target, put structures in place and you are convinced your product has a ready market.

In summary, dream, strategise for growth, set financial targets and study the market. Till we meet again, keep winning.

David Chiaka
Follow me on twitter @MrChiaka

The Power of A Gift

A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
Proverbs 18:15-17





It's that time of the year again. Many companies are winding down for the Christmas hollidays, work is slowly grinding to a halt and the decorations are on full swing.

In most offices, you are definately going to be greeted with a lot of smiles, greeting cards and sweets. This is one season where gifts are exchanged in large volumes. You get to see cars stuffed with hampers racing through streets to be delivered.

I did take my time to think about this unique phenomenon and it occured to me that the concept of giving gifts is a very deep and value tool for retaining customer loyalty and etablishing patronage in the coming year.

Whatever you do, don't under estimate the power of ''thank you''. The power of ''thank you'' goes beyond words. It should be backed by an act, because, it is an act of appreciation. Guess what, words can become common. You can barely count the number of "thank you's" you get a day. If you don't believe this, then sit back, take a pen and write the number of "thank you's" you got last week.

You see, people want to be appreciated. They feel special when they get a birthday card on thier birthday. They feel loved when you throw them a supprise party on thier birthdays or wedding anniversaries. Trust me, your client will never forget when you send  him/her a Christmas card, a cake, pen or a gift pack (no matter how small). They will remember one thing - ''that company or person thought of me''.

So, in the spirit of Christmas, write out the names of your key clients, family members, friends et al, get a gift wrapped and send it along with a card because that gift is definately going to am make a way for you in 2012. Its not a waste, it is an investment in the new year.

Till we meet again, keep winning.

David Chiaka

Twitter: @MrChiaka

The Will To Succeed

"Life is not a race. It is not a 100 meters race, it is a journey" Pastor Moji Isaacs





A long time ago, I worked with an Uncle of mine in 1994 (I had to spend 2years at home as I awaited my NYSC call-up). I remember clearly as I left the office and reached the famous Mushin bus stop. I remember how I stood still and watched the mad  rush that characterizes this mega city called Lagos.


The rush was unbelievable. People maneuvering through ice cream sellers, on coming buses and other people. I just smiled to myself as I strolled to the bus park.


I have often wondered why people rush so much in this city. The Bus drivers rush, the cab men rush, everyone rush-rush. Well, I have always said this to myself, "nobody drives home and takes the road with him".

It really isn't how far but how well. To succeed in life, there is a place for patience. You must have a teachable spirit. What I mean is, you must have an attitude to learn. Learn from those who have succeeded. Ask yourself - "how did he/she do it?" Do not be in a hurry to join the rat race.

Who says you have to put in 10 years of active service to be the next best thing? If you learn from those who have gone ahead of you, it means your success rate doesn't have to take that long.

You may also have to learn those things you have a silent passion for (acquire a skill or improve yourself academically). Did you know that the late Steve Jobs (The Apple founder) had a passion for Calligraphy? He actually took time to study this, and this was part of the secret recipe for the Apple I phones.

Did you also now that The Late Steve Jobs was also sacked as CEO of the Apple corporation? Well The Board hired him again and he took the company to new hieghts.

I say this, the will to succeed is in you. Failure is not an option.
Learn from the best, improve yourself by acquiring or pursuing your secret passions and never fall down and out. Until you bring out the best in you, never let go. Keep going, find what you love doing and keep going to you get it right and till you are perfect in it.

Till we meet again, remember this, failure is not an option.

David Chiaka

Genie In A Bottle

“When a man wants to do something, he finds a way. When he doesn’t, he finds an excuse.” David Chiaka

The concept of the genie in the bottle is derived from Arabic folklore. In summary, it is about people who are privileged to have a deity trapped in a lamp. Whoever is in possession of the lamp has power over this deity such that upon the release of this deity, the person is granted a certain number of wishes. In some vein, we need such genies in the office place or as special advisers to political office holders. These genies make things happen.

I am from a country with a lot of challenges. Nigeria is said to be one of Africa’s giant continent. With a population hitting over 165million citizens, very rich in ‘black gold’ (crude oil), and various material resources, one would expect that the emerging intellectual class would steer the nation from an age of darkness (economic waste and corruption) into an era of light (infrastructural & economical development).

Alas, this is not so. I have always had a solution oriented mindset towards any issue (call me a genie). This is seen in the type of company I keep and the way I do my work. So it is very annoying when I see the inability of The Government of this great nation to resolve certain basic issues that affect the citizens of the country called Nigeria.

Let’s look at security. Since the emergence of the present democratic regime, the celebration of his victory saw an increase in sectional killings in the northern part of Nigeria such that a militant group emerged. This group has brought chaos and fear like none other in the history of this great country. The question is not whether the Federal government can restore order. I believe they can. I however am lost as to if they want to restore order or if vested interests are resisting such efforts.

With the launch of Nigeria’s successful second satellite, we need to ask if this satellite can be deployed for security use amongst other things. There comes a time when physical strength is not enough to win a fight. There is also a place for wit and intellect. That is where technology comes to play.

There is a need for a new crop of information technology personnel in the police force. Their task is simple, track, identify and provide evidence to convict offenders and bring crime and terror to the barest minimum. These IT personnel of the police should be deployed to regional offices around Nigeria. There is great need to embrace technology. CCTv’s should be deployed on streets, satellites should also be used to track and the data base of Nigerians should be in the possession of this team for the identification of criminals.

So the question now is, who do people call in times of emergencies? Simple, call centers should be set up in every state along with emergency telephone numbers through which citizens can call in and report ‘crime in progress’. Above all, the police need shooting ranges for target practice (in police stations). We don’t need 10 cowardly police men with big machine guns, we need 1 efficient police man with a pistol who knows what to shoot, where and when. The project looks big, but considering the amount of billions being wasted, we must ask ourselves if we want to solve Nigeria’s security challenges or not.

Nothing is impossible, if you will only believe. In the same vein, in whatsoever we find ourselves doing, minimize the excuses for failure and look out of ways to get the job done. Ask questions, and listen to the remarks of your critics. Many times, the voice of your critic is the answer to your greatest challenge. Above all, don’t be afraid to do the right thing especially when you know you have been wrong.

I do hope we can learn from all that has been said. Till we meet again, keep winning.

David Chiaka

Zebra Crossing

The most sensible people to be met with in society are men of business and of the world, who argue from what they see and know, instead of spinning cobweb distinctions of what things ought to be.

- William Hazlitt

 
I was privileged to host some of my colleagues from Siera Leone over the weekend and they amused me as I drove through the famous city of Lagos, Nigeria. They were either clutching firmly to their sit or clapping enthusiastically as I meandered through buses, road intersections and traffic. They asked me why everyone drives so ferociously in this West African mega city and I had to explain things to them.

You see, the majority of Lagos drivers feel cheated that's why we drive ruthlessly. The streets and roads of Lagos are guarded by the "Lagos State Traffic Management Agency" aka LASTMA, well these guys are supposed to be arrest traffic offenders but the worst of these traffic offenders (bus drivers) have been in existence long before their creation. Thus they seem above the Law. It is painful when you have to queue up in line only for a bus driver to drive past a long queue to the very beginning and get waved through by the same LASTMA official(s) that is supposed to arrest a traffic offender. So you see? The Lagos driver has evolved to beat the system. Its more like saying, if you can't beat them, join them.

However, this is not an advisable approach to life. We must learn to stop at Zebra crossings for people to cross over. Do you know people look at you as strange when you do this in Lagos? Drivers have become callous as to zoom past "the red light" on intersections. It is only when there is some form of authority to enforce compliance that drivers obey. Some habits are destined to fail. Have you ever wondered why with all the rush these bus drivers do, they never seem to have attained anything in life? Have you ever wondered what the networth of a driver will be or ought to be? Think!

There is a place for discipline in self actualization. If you want to be a million dollar business man, you have to be very disciplined. You must stand for something. Your word must be your bond. You must have core values that define you. It must be that when your name comes up in a discussion, people can say something like- "that guy is dependable" (and sight examples to substantiate this).

Those that have chosen the path of indiscipline and corruption have left behind legacies of shame and disdain. We have a history of corrupt leaders in the past that have left billions of ill gotten wealth and a family in dis array. Their names are now associated with shame. However, successful people are known for particular lifestyles. They wake up at certain times, they dress is a particular way, read particular books, keep to time etc take time to watch them.

I encourage you to stand for something. When you go to a friend and family member to give you a loan to do business, let it be that they know at the back of their minds that you will be disciplined enough to see that business through and repay their loan. Do not be known as a defaulter.

Maybe you can get a group of friends together and assess each other by writing out traits that you are known for. At the end of such an exercise you can work on the bad things you are known for. Take this as an O.T.I. ie "opportunity to improve" . Refuse to follow the crowd. Be somebody different. 

 

Till we meet again, believe in yourself, stand for something positive and keep winning.

David Chiaka