Compassion Guaranteed

Over and over again in the old testament the children of God turn their back on Him to follow their own selfish ways. And yet again and again after recognising the error of theirs ways, and pleading for forgiveness, God, in his mercy had Compassion on them.

Imagine how much more Compassionate this same God is now that Christ has died for All our sins. Today we have never-ending compassion - whether we ask for it or not.

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

Hebrews 8 vs 12

No need for anxiety about whether or not God loves you.

Through Jesus you are forever 'Beloved'

Through Jesus you are forever 'Righteous'

Let's Finish What We Started

Kitted out in khaki shorts, T shirt, baseball cap, and armed with the music on my iphone I felt more than well prepared for my walk from Oniru to Victoria Island; and in anticipation of an 8am start I left home at 7.15am.

But nothing could have prepared me for the cynical internal voices that screamed at me during my 55 minute walk to VI (about 4km).

"What's the point?! Your vote won't count anyway!"

"What if something bad happens to you on the way? It's not safe. Go back home before it's too late."

"Change?! What Change??? There can never be Change in Nigeria. Stop dreaming. The same people will still win and continue to do as they please. Just go home."

Fortunately the Christian rock music I was listening to energised and encouraged me enough to keep going.


As I chatted with people on the queue whilst waiting for accreditation, I sensed that I was about to be part of a momentous event in Nigeria's history. People had walked to that polling station from as far as Chevron (about 9km), and even Yaba (about 17km).

The determination and perseverance of my fellow brothers and sisters drew freely from the well of emotion that had built up inside me as I remembered a phrase that the Holy Spirit had given me several months ago;

"Successful Nations Are Built On The Attitude of Their People."

For the very first time I sense we're waking up to the reality  that we must play our role in rebuilding this nation.

But it isn't over. Our current assignment is not yet done. For this weekend we must Elect Our Governors.

Below are some of the Attitudes That Lead To Impoverished Nations

"I'm not going to bother because they're all the same."

"I'm not going to bother because my vote won't count"

"I'm too tired! I'll use the opportunity to just chill at home today"

"The outcome will have no bearing on my life so why bother?! All that really matters is my career, my walk with God, and my personal success."

Notice something about all the above statements?

The words 'I' and 'Me' are a major underlying current.

'I' and 'Me' have no part in the Building of A Successful Nation.

We're human, and in truth most of us want some form of personal success and glory.

But real Success and Glory lies in placing the interests of others before yours.

Let's Make Our Votes Count Peacefully, Fairly, and Transparently on Saturday, 11th April.

Let's continue to pray for Peace, Love and Unity to Reign in Nigeria.

Let's Finish What We Started

Characteristics Of Excellent Negotiators

 It's no coincidence that the best Negotiators are usually the best Sales / Business Men or Women.

The reason is that they exhibit four Key Characteristics.

1. A Willingness to Prepare
They are thorough in their preparations - enabling them to understand their customers' / opponents' history, present, and future; thereby enabling them to understand their customers / opponents wants, and the reasons for their wants.

2. High Expectations
Excellent Negotiators always Expect the Best Possible Results.

3. Patience To Listen
Information is Power. Listening enables you to get information. The best Negotiators Ask Questions, Test For Understanding, Listen some more, then  Summarise Effectively.

4. Commitment To Personal Integrity
Excellent Negotiators are reliable. They Keep their promises.

The above Habits are in fact a Culture. Such a Culture can only be cultivated through a Conscious and Very Dedicated Effort.

Sales / Negotiating Effectively Across Cultures

Those that have attended my courses will recognise the following statement;

"My People Fail For Lack of Knowledge."

Hosea 4 vs 6

I often use this biblical verse in reference to individuals' lack of knowledge / understanding of themselves.

However the same is true of our knowledge / understanding of people's Cultures / Customs.

To be able an Excellent Negotiator you must be willing to Prepare thoroughly, and be willing to Listen.

When preparing to do business with someone of a different Culture or Custom, spend some time studying so as to understand it. That way you'll be able to do two things;

1. Understand and appreciate why the person won't compromise on certain things

2. Know what you Can and Can't do.

Note - this does not mean you should assimilate, or pretend to assimilate someone's Culture / Custom. Simply understand, respect, and appreciate it.

The Best Sales Men / Women Are Excellent Negotiators

The best Sales Men / Women are Excellent Negotiators. Over the next three days we will look at three key components of Effective Negotiation;

1.Your Overall Aim

2. Cross Cultures

3. Characteristics of Excellent Negotiators.

Before negotiating it is important to ask yourself the following question;

"Do I want Repeat Business, or is this a Hit and Run?"

If you want Repeat Business then you should always focus on Negotiating for a Win Win Solution. In other words a solution that both parties are happy with.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to do a big Hit and Run, but you should always bear in mind that the money will run out one day; and when it does you'll most likely need to come back into play.

When negotiating it is always best to find Win Win solutions.

Nigeria 2015 Election: The Awakening

The year 2015 will be firmly embedded in the memory of Nigerians for many years to come.

It is the year the people of Nigeria recognised and embraced the power that has been lying dormant in their hands for so so long. 

2015 is the year the people sent the following message to politicians and future governments;

"If You Don't Perform We'll Kick You Out."

As I drove to work yesterday morning, feeling rather run down as a result of the incredible tension of the past few days, I couldn't help but beam with pride. The world, his mother and her dog were sure this would be the year in which Nigeria finally degenerates into a 'Failed State'.

But there I was yesterday morning, driving to work in an environment of peace; almost as though the elections had never taken place. 

For this, we must thank three people.

1. God

He is sovereign, and it is only through Him that we have peace.

2. President Goodluck Jonathan

Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man!

When the time came, he confirmed to me once and for all what I had always suspected; that he is a good man. By conceding defeat before the final count he wrote his name not only in gold but in the hearts of every Nigerian - present and future.

3. Professor Attahiru Jega, Chairman of Inec

What can I say about this man that hasn't already been said?!  

"We thank you Sir - for your Patriotism, Love, Courage, and Amazing Ability to remain Calm at all times. You are someone to be proud of, and someone to be cherished. "

Below are 7 things we learned from Nigeria 2015. 

1. The ethnic divisions that existed in Nigeria before, during, and immediately after the civil war are still very much alive.  Way too many people voted according to their ethnic origin. I must confess to being a little shocked by this at first, as I had wrongly assumed that today's generation would be a lot more objective. A genuine process of Reconciliation is vital in order to repair the State of Our Union.

2. The majority of us really don't care whether a candidate is christian, Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist - or Igbo, Yoruba, or Hausa. All we care about is that a leader does right by his or her people. 

3. President Jonathan is by and large a good man. But he was surrounded by callous self-serving sycophants. 

4. Real power lies with the electorate. 

5. When a large number of people turn out to vote it means the nation is tired of the status quo. 

6. Channels is a damn good news station. Like many of us, I hardly ever watch local news stations. Hence I was more than a touch surprised by Channels' coverage of the election - good analysis, reliable information (although one sensed at times that the news was a little bias towards the PDP), and fairly entertaining. 

7. Fanny Kayode's embarrassing antics has resulted in a need for those of us that studied in the UK to seriously tone down our British accents.

2015 signalled the Awakening of the Nigerian Electorate.

2015 witnessed the resurrection of Nigeria

2015 commenced the rise of the African continent

Finally, General Buhari tried and failed three times to be president - 2003, 2007, and 2011. After his 3rd failed attempt, most if not all his party members abandoned him; telling him to get real and forget his dream. But he never gave up. He held on to his vision. 

His victory is a lesson for us all. The fact that something is your destiny doesn't mean there won't be pitfalls and disappointments. 

Keep your eyes on your Vision and keep going. 

Never give up on your dream. It is never too late.

He actualised the first part of his vision on 31st March 2015. Let's pray for him as he prepares to actualise the second part - setting our nation firmly on the path of Unity, Discipline, Accountability, and Prosperity.

Follow-up Calls

The golden rule about Following up is 'Strike Whilst The Iron Is Hot'. In other words once you've been given an Introduction / Referral, follow up immediately; ensure you push as hard as you can as quickly as possible.

Remember - High Profile People lead extremely busy lives. So it's very unlikely that your particular area of business / expertise will stay in his or her mind for too long. When you are given a window of opportunity, act quickly and precisely.

But what do you do if after the first time you speak with the High Profile Person, he or she doesn't answer your next couple of calls?

Ask yourself the following question; 'Is my product / service really likely to add value to this person?

If the answer is 'yes' then you must persist in the following manner:

1. Call once every couple of days (preferably Tuesday and Thursday). Note - one should be a daytime phone call, and the other an early evening one (between 5pm and 7pm). This should not be done more than twice (2 calls only).

If he or she still doesn't answer, then send a text - stating who you are, reminding him or her of your previous chat, and that you will call them again in a few days.

If there is no reply, then leave it for a couple of weeks.

Likely Reasons Are;

1. He or She is not interested in your product / service

2. He or She is going through a very busy period.

3. He or She is interested but simply isn't ready yet.

You have to make a judgment call.

The reality is most High Profile people are where they are because they are brutally decisive and hard-nosed. Therefore it is fairly likely that if He or She is not interested in you Product / Service you would have been informed from the get go.

So in most cases it is either points 2 or 3.

Therefore you must persist. But do so Wisely and Strategically.