Be True

More than a few people have asked me recently whether or not I'll be writing another political piece soon. Indeed when I received a message from a good friend of mine yesterday evening asking me why there hasn't been a political article from my end recently I was mightily tempted to plough straight into one. But alas, my spirit directed me to do something else - just for you.

I don't usually watch The X Factor (way too scripted and formulated for me), but I thank God I watched last Sunday's final. Three of the guest singers / bands on the show were Rod Stewart - still so marvellously successful in his 70s, Adele - who continues to soar to unimaginable heights of popularity and achievement (heavens me she has a voice!), and Cold Play - in my opinion Britain's most authentic and successful band of the past decade.

All of them - Rod Stewart, Adele, and Chris Martin (Cold Play) were separately asked to offer the two finalists some career advice.

They all gave exactly the same advice;

"Always be true to yourself."

In a world wherein we're constantly told how we should look, talk, walk, and what we should be doing (career wise) the temptation to copy others, or simply adhere to societal norms and general expectations is often overpowering. As a result too many dreams are drowned, too many passions suffocated, and way too much authenticity diluted to the point of decimation.

As my good friend Lanre Olusola said to me a while back;

"One of the biggest problems that exists in Nigeria today is that of the Copy-cat Syndrome."

Too many people spend far too much time and energy trying to be like others. The fact of the matter is that the only person that can be a great Mr. Johnson is Mr. Johnson. So why copy him when you already have so much power, talent, and uniqueness inside you to be a great YOU?!

As we approach the end of 2015 I want to encourage you to do two very important things that will not only enable you to have a fulfilled 2016, but also positively change your life forever.

1. Identify who You are

And

2. Identify what You're passionate about

Once you've done the above, map out an effective plan to actualise your true goals - based on your findings.

I'm sure you've heard successful / famous people say "I'm living the dream". What they actually mean is that they're fulfilling what they were created to do.

There are five keys to actualising your dream;

1. Courage
The courage to not only make a start, but to keep going when everything and everyone around you is telling you that it can't be done.

2. Passion
It's your passion that will keep you going when things get tough.

3. Hard work
There's no substitute for hard work. You've got to put in those hours of building Knowledge and Expertise.

4. Focus
Focus on three things.
- who you are
- how you add value
- how to continuously build and develop

5. Dedication and Perseverance
Your success won't come overnight. There will be moments of doubts, failure, and discouragement. But so long as you know and believe in where you're going, never ever give up. The difference between success and failure is not giving up.

There are thousands of people waiting for you to start being who you were created to be. Their needs are fully reliant on your courageous acceptance and embrace of who you are.

Be True To Yourself.


I've just completed the next five editions of my children's book, so the writing side of my brain is about to implode.lol... As such I'll be off air until the second week of January.

What will I be doing?

Probably watching The Force Awakens as many times as is possible.

In the meantime kindly permit me to wish you and your family the very Safest, Best, and most Happy Christmas and New Year.

Happy Happy Happy

In the most acute of shocks, and the grimmest of all horrors I looked on as that Republican candidate - what's his name again? Donald something or other I think (the fact that he's loaded doesn't mean one automatically remembers his name) - anyway I watched on pain of torture as that Donald something or other openly told the world that as president he would ban Muslims from entering the US.

Is this guy for real? So it's now okay for so called leaders of the free world to openly display hatred and animosity towards certain ethnic groups and faiths?  Is this what the world has come to? Has Hitler been reborn? Am I dreaming? - just a few of the questions that plagued my mind as I gawped with eyes and mouth wide open.

But this morning I feel elated. For not only is Donald whatever's desire nigh impossible to implement, but the idiot has played right into the hands of the Democrats; making it so much easier for the colossus that is Hilary Clinton to waltz into her destiny - First Female President of The United States of America. I look forward to her swearing in; and I thank Donald whatever his name is for making her journey to the White House that much easier.

There are two other reasons for my oh-so very happy feeling.

1. Arsenal!!!
What a come-back!! Admittedly I didn't watch the match, as I've discovered during the past year or so that when I don't watch my beloved Arsenal they tend to win - 90% of the time anyway. So as my older brother watched his beloved Chelsea in his sitting room on a cold winter's night I watched Marvel's Agents of Shield season 2 in the family room. But I couldn't help venturing into the sitting room every 10 minutes or so to not only check the Chelsea score but more importantly assess his mood. Such a loving brother is he that he wanted Arsenal to win as much as I did. The big grin on his face every time I sauntered in enabled me to enjoy Marvel's Agents of Shield so much more.
Three nil to the Arsenal. An awesome night.

And finally - do I really need to say this one???

It's been Three Years! Waiting for Three Whole Years!!!

Three years of desperately  trawling the Internet for previews, rumours, gossip, and even the faintest of plot summaries.

Three years of longing for the release of what is for me without doubt the most eagerly anticipated movie all time.

Now fairly familiar with the Knights of Ren, like every other star wars junkie I'm still wondering why Luke Skywalker hasn't featured in any of the trailers. Could he possibly be the founder / head of the Knights of Ren? Or head of the new (First) order maybe?

18th December means just one thing - The Force Awakens.

Thank God for Star Wars

Thank God for the Arsenal

And thank God for that Donald whatever his name is.

Closing Deals

You can be the greatest presenter, communicator, or relationship builder in the galaxy, but if you can't close deals you won't get Sales.‎

Before teaching you this simple technique I need to point out two key pre requisites.

1. Be Confident in who you are, and your product/service's ability to add value.

2. Be very Courageous


There are two stages to closing deals;

1. The Testing Ground

and

2. Slam and Silence

1. The Testing Ground
Before going for the kill you need to confirm whether or not the prospect is serious or not.
There are two questions you can ask that will enable you to know whether someone is serious or not.

A. Ask them what their budget is.
If they have no idea what their budget is, or are strangely reluctant to even give you an estimate then it's fairly likely the prospect is merely dabbling in possibilities, as against making a decision.

B. Ask the prospect when she wants the service to commence.
The serious prospects usually know exactly when they want something to commence.

If the above two questions yield positive results then seal the deal with a 'Slam and Silence'.

Slam
- Re-emphasise the three main benefits to the prospect. Keep this short, simple, and precise.
- Then tell her the price / fee

Silence
Wait for her answer. Do not say another word. Just wait for her answer.

Increase Your Sales In 2016

At this time of year we usually plan for the coming year - drawing up sales plans and strategies that we believe will yield positive results.

But to ensure more success in 2016 try something a little different.

1. Get in touch with previously positive leads / prospects that ended up not yielding the desired results (failed sales) and ask them why they said no.

This will do two things for you:

A. Enable you to better understand their needs and thereby empower you to improve your service offering.‎

B. Enable you to positively engage with them; thereby laying the foundation for more authentic relationships. Remember - a good relationship will always lead to business.

"The difference between a great salesperson and a good salesperson is a great salesperson asks great questions and engages the prospect, while a good salesperson is great at presenting to a prospect."

Sean Burke, CEO, KiteDesk

What Really Matters?

Were you created to be like that seemingly perfect man /woman you see at church every week - or the one that lives across the road - or even the one you see on TV?

Were you created to be super wealthy with many plush properties and luxury cars?
You may very well have been. But it's also possible that you weren't.

We're bombarded by subliminal messages on a daily basis  - more or less telling us that the key to happiness and fulfillment lies in the millions / billions / trillions in our bank accounts.

But what happens when you don't get those millions?

Frustration, anger, resentment, and depression set in.

The irony is the root of your frustration is not so much the missing millions but the simple fact that you're on the wrong path - not doing what you were created to do.

Let's get one thing absolutely clear.

When you're using the talents that God bestowed on you to serve and to add value to the lives of others, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll become a multi millionaire. But be rest assured that God will provide for all your needs.

1. Serving others doesn't mean doing things for free. It means using your talents to provide a service in exchange for fair compensation /remuneration.

2.  People are always willing to pay for Value.

A few days ago someone told me something that made the whole of the past three years so very worthwhile. She said;
‎
"I've just finished reading Home. Wow!! It really made me see God in a different light. And I can't wait to get to heaven. Not that I'm goiing to speed it up or anything, but I now realise this life on earth is nothing compared to an eternity of God's love, joy, and peace."

Whilst writing Home the Lord told me he wanted to use it to enable people to see Him in his true light - a God of Pure and Unconditional Love.

At that very moment, when my friend told me what the book did for her, I felt more happy and fulfilled than ever before.

So what am I saying?
1. Figure out what you were created to do.
2. Draw up a step by step plan of how you're going to do it.
3. Start now

‎
Still wondering what your talents are?
1. List five moments in your life when you achieved something you're very proud of.
2. Identify the talents you used to achieve each one.
‎
Then to confirm, call three close friends or family members that know you well, and ask them what they believe your biggest strengths are.

You weren't created to be like everyone else.
You were created to be you - with specific talents for a specific purpose.
It's time to start being the real you. ‎

How To Overcome A Sales Funk

You haven't sealed a deal for several months. Previously optimistic prospects are telling you there's nothing they can do for now; and your sales pipeline is more or less non existent. In-fact you just can't seem to even buy a sale.

You're in the dreaded Sales Funk.

Ask any successful salesman /woman what he or she strives on and they'll tell you it's 'Confidence' - in who they are, what's they're doing, what they're selling, and their ability to add value.

The first thing to disappear during a Sales Funk is confidence. You need to get your confidence back asap.

How?

1. Sales is extremely psychological - for prospects, clients, and the seller.
‎Mentally revisit previous Sales Successes - how you achieved them, and how you felt. This will do two things;

A. Remind you that you are indeed a good salesman / woman.

B. Remind you of strategies that work, as well as enable you to come up with new or refined ones.

2. Visit clients to ask them how they're doing, as well as how the product / service you sold them is doing. Then simply listen to them.This will renew your belief in your product /s‎ervice, as well as your ability to add value.

How To Get Quick Sales

 

There are two key reasons why you should always focus on doing your very best to exceed customers expectations. 

1. When you exceed expectations by adding even more value than your prospects / customers expect, it ensures a business relationship built to last, as against a hit and run that has no real substance.

2. By exceeding expectations you earn the right and confidence to ask your customers for referrals. Referrals are the easiest and surest way of getting new business. 

Remember - it's not just about the sale. It's so much more than that. It's about building lasting, value adding relationships. This is why Sales is and will always be the first line of Customer Service.

Referrals are vital; especially during this challenging economic period. 

Don't just satisfy your customers. 

Wow them. 

Sales and Dating

Let's look at another similarity between Sales and Dating.

When you meet someone you're attracted to, despite an initial excitement there is usually a trial period wherein you assess the other party's characteristics, in order ascertain whether or not you're a good match. 

It's usually after the initial excitement that two parties get to really know each other; once the pressure of you like me /I like you is out of the way.

Similar fashion -  in business / sales most prospects are looking for someone that doesn't threaten them in any way; that they feel at ease with; that they can trust. 

What keeps prospects constantly on a nervous edge is the thought that you are about to ask them to spend money.

The best way to remove their suspicion is to visit them every now and again and discuss anything other than business - politics, economics, football, tennis, Nigeria, the world and her dog. Anything at all. Just not business!

It is during such conversations that the few remaining walls of suspicion are levelled to the ground, as friendship and trust grows.

And there is no better time in the year to do that than now.

SexHarassment Seminar In Pictures

Sexual Harassment in Sales: Is the Nigerian Sales / Business Environment Conducive For Female Professionals? The panel moderator, Uju is the Managing Director of Chapel Hill Denham Management Limited, is an experienced Investment Management professional with over 20 years in Personal Banking and Wealth Management gained from managing clients in some of Nigeria's leading commercial banks, Discount House and Independent Investment Banking Firms such as FBN Capital and Standard Chartered Bank Limited.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (English and Literature) degree from the University of Benin and an MBA from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- ife. She is also a Member of the institute of Directors (IoD).

A Financial Planning expert, she is a highly sought after Conference speaker with a dedicated Personal Wealth Column in This Day Newspapers, Nigeria

I Feel Like Crying

I've shed tears at some point during every day of this week. 

Today I cry for 15 more innocent lives in Yola; lost to the evil menace that is Boko Haram. As I do so I'm reminded of the thousands of lives that have been mercilessly cut short in the name of religion. 

Is it really religion? 

Or is it merely a mixture of angst, resentment, hopelessness, and a selfish lust for power and relevance disguised in the name of religion??

Can one man justly kill another in the name of God? For what exactly? 

I cry for the 129 lives that were cruelly snatched from their families; parents mourning their children; loved ones inconsolable as the bitter reality of life without their better half dawns on them. 

And let's not forget the 224 lives decimated by last week's horrific airline explosion. 

I cry tears of fearful concern regarding the likely increase of fascist voices within Europe - calling for a closure of borders and encouraging all around them to look upon foreigners with suspicion and disdain; precisely what the terrorists want - mutual suspicion, fragmentation,bewilderment, hatred, and fear. 

My tears free fall as I wonder how on earth we can ever defeat an ideology so blinded by evil that it shamelessly spouts the absurd notion that the reward for taking another man's life is the warm embrace of 70 virgins in the afterlife. 

Serving the interests of God or Satan???

Boy would I love to see the look on their faces when they get to whatever their afterlife is and realise their reward is something not only completely different but altogether undesirable.

I cry also for the mess we humans have made of this our planet earth. We had everything. We still have everything. But we continue to destroy it - bit by it, chunk by chunk,limb by limb,  life by life. 

And don't you dare blame God!

He gave us free will - the choice to choose whether to do good or bad. Would you rather your son /daughter loves you as a result of his or her desire to do so, or because he or she is forced to??

Too many of us have chosen bad - war over peace; money and power over love; cheating and stealing over service; evil over good. 

Mankind's depraved hunger was taken to new and incredible heights by Nigeria's former NSA chief, who syphoned millions of dollars that were supposed to fight Boko Haram; and as result indirectly caused the death of thousands of innocent men, women, and children. 

But is he more evil than nations and leaders who act in their selfish interests of oil and arms?

I recently heard the sad story of a man and woman at war over the custody of their five year old son. The man relates that he and his ex wife were so focussed on their bitter and frenzied thirst for revenge that they lost sight of the importance of the well-being of their child. It took a frightening dream in which the child completely disappeared as he and his ex continued their bitter duel for the man to realise he had lost focus on what really matters; not him, not his ex, but their five year old son. He swallowed his pride, and allowed his ex to have her way - for the sake of their son's wellbeing. 

I judge no-one. We are all at fault. 

But amongst my tears of anguish and grief are tears of hope. For where there is love there is hope.

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear. There is love in us all. 

We just need to let go and allow it to roam freely within us. 

How?

By recognising what is important.

Life, not money

Peace, not war

Humility, not pride

Forgiveness, not angst and bitterness

Unity, not segregation

Selflessness, not 'me'

Service, not fame and power

Selfless Love, not self interest. 

The media has a part to play.

Every Faith has a part to play. 

Governments have a part to play.

But it begins with you and I.

Sexual Harassment: Is the Nigerian Sales / Business Environment Conducive For Female Professionals?

A forum for discussions with professional women providing them a platform to interact and share their experiences, survival tactics in a very demanding world and to provide support for vulnerable professional ladies.

Our vision is to champion the cause of all people who may be going through this challenge in order to increase awareness and reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment in the society.

The objectives of the session are to:

• Identify solutions as to how women can avoid such scenarios

• Find out whether some institutions actually encourage sex for reward

• Enable women understand that they are equal with men and have the same rights

• Encourage women to speak up and get this topic addressed conclusively

 

The event will feature:

• Panel Discussions

• Shared Experiences 

• A theatrical piece

• Networking opportunities for attendees

Date: Friday, November 20, 2015


For more information:
Email: segun.akande@thesba-group.com
Phone: +234 1 4535541 / +234 703 669 5005

Hopeful

 

It is with great excitement and fervent glee that I write this week's State of The Nation article. 

The reason for my gleeful optimism is threefold.

1. Nigeria finally has a cabinet of ministers with actual portfolios!!!

2. A genuine consensus for change is most apparent in their opening remarks to various parastatals. 

3. Fashola is in charge of three vitally important ministries.

Let's begin with Fashola.

I may be incredibly naive and way too confident in this man's ability to perform, but the mere fact that he's been tasked with resolving our nation's systemic power failures is not only a great relief, but also makes me believe that a much much brighter future lies ahead - not only for the Power sector but as a consequence small and medium sized businesses, national productivity, and improved health for all. 

Doubting the basis of my optimism? 

Simply look at the transformation of Lagos State during his eight year tenure - Roads, Security, Transportation, Commerce, Beautification of previous eye-soars - the list goes on and on. 

I recall having to go to Ikorodu Town earlier this year on a mystery shopping assignment for one of my clients. I hadn't been there for yonks; indeed the last time I went to Ikorodu Town was during the initial stages of chasing a most delectable and pleasant ex girlfriend whose parents have a gorgeous house there - over a decade ago!!

I kept postponing my trip because of my dread of the traffic and horrendously awful roads. 

Boy was I pleasantly shocked when I finally went?!! 

The roads were absolutely amazing - so smooth, so well planned; bus stops also well planned - almost as though one was in a developing country (not quite the level of 'developed' yet but I have no doubt we'll get there sooner rather than later). 

If this ardent professional can achieve even half of what he achieved in Lagos then Nigeria is in for a treat. 

One more thing on Mr. Fash - is he being groomed to be the next President of Nigeria (2023)? It certainly seems that way to me. What better way is there to prepare someone for governing a nation than to give him three crucial and very complex portfolios to manage?!!

Sir, I will remember you every day in my prayers. I have no doubt that God is with you, and that you shall most certainly take Works, Housing, and Power to unimaginable heights of excellence and progress.

Judging from the statements made by several ministers to their parastatals, there seems to be a general consensus that;

1. PMB has made it very clear he wants quick, effective,  and lasting positive results.

2. We have a Cabinet that is focussed on positively changing this nation.

So yes, though things are still extremely rough and tough for the majority of us, I'm excited by what I see. 

At the beginning of this year I felt a strong desire to play my own part in changing this country by stirring up your desire to vote for a new and better Nigeria; to oust a corrupt and incompetent regime in favour of a regime of discipline and vision. Now that we have a fully fledged administion in place it's time for me to focus my attention on my two passions - Sales and Purpose. 

Hence, unless something happens that particularly irks me, there will be fewer political/economic articles going forward. Friday's articles will mostly be on Purpose from January 2016. Until then, who knows which way these winds may blow.

And as for the current State of Our Nation?

Hopeful. Very Very Hopeful.