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Business › Re: Dysfunction Management: 7 Steps For Getting Things Done In A Difficult Society by naijacutee(mod): 6:48am On Jul 21, 2014

BizBloke: [color=#000033]
[b]@highlighted, they are very true and it's a sad and heart-wrenching experience if after you've exerted efforts to ensure that everything fits within a time frame, some individuals who are often intoxicated with position decide to unfit something. The Nigerian business landscape needs a total overhaul.
1. I've had a hard time coming to terms with preparing to be disappointed. I don't expect perfection but then, I expect ~~perfection to a certain level~~ progression.
2. Lol at this point. I chatted with a friend last week and she complained about debtors, saying that her business is a luxury business which can't run without credit. In reply, I told her that business doesn't run on credit - in a way though. If said client doesn't have money to patronize you, he/she definitely doesn't have the money to patronize another. If he/she doesn't want to patronize you because of that, well, win-win; no hard feelings. I, for one, won't do the credit thingy ever except the business relationship has gotten to a particular level - once upon a time in 2013, I lost about $500 to 'purchase on credit'. When you don't do this, it often makes you look like an a.s.s...hole but then, I think I prefer that when it comes to this issue.
3. You didn't add, "...drinking La Casera." Lagos, Nigeria is a typical example of heavy traffic. Oftentimes, people spend as much as 5 hours and 7 hours, especially when returning home after work. I prefer working from different locations in the world and that's what I do; it makes much sense than going to same place everyday. I think that companies should look into this, too; such way, they save money in renting bigger office space(s) and stuff attached to renting bigger.
4. Mobile and internet banking, QuickTeller, ETranzact are enough for queue busting. I don't have any more in mind at the moment. When I do, I'll add up.
5. Asides saving the police number and other emergency numbers (which I really doubt their workability in Nigeria), saving specific numbers on Speed Dial is a good idea, too. Speed Dial is inbuilt as well as available as apps.
6. Great!
7. Lmao @ witchcraft hours. GTBank does same too - ditto to Zenith and UBA. In actuality, I think all banks do so, too.
8. Streamline your email activities with a software. There's Thunderbird (Mozilla) and you can view all your mails in real-time based on your settings. You can also reply all mails and immediately you connect to the internet, Thunderbird does the mail delivery job for you.
Excuse my brevity. When I have more sentences to add to the points above, I'll do so.
Your article is interesting, practical and solves problems.
Take care.[/b][/color]

Thank you of your thoughts, BizBloke. I wrote this myself, so introspective feedback like yours is like gold to me. You spoke my mind about that credit thing, because I learnt the hard way. Especially with luxury goods - why indulge people and encourage them to show off, when you and I know that they cannot afford it. It's not moral and it definitely doesn't make business sense.

Working from different locations is a tough nut to conquer, but well worth it. I think up and coming entrepreneurs should prioritise this when writing up their business plans. Can I ask what you do?

Business › Re: How Do You Retrieve Your Money From A Serial Onigbese? by naijacutee(mod): 6:37am On Jul 21, 2014

Thanks, dytbabe. I'll definitely pray about it, but faith without works is dead. What works can I do? Anymore suggestions?

Business › How Do You Retrieve Your Money From A Serial Onigbese? by naijacutee(mod): 8:27pm On Jul 20, 2014

Guys, please has anyone got smart tips on how to retrieve money from a serial onigbese?

I don't want to waste energy or resources on chasing this debt, and I would like to know what methods have worked for you guys.

Obviously, I'll never ever lend anyone again as I've learnt the hard way that the easiest solution is prevention.

Thanks in advance.

11 Likes

Business › Dysfunction Management: 7 Steps For Getting Things Done In A Difficult Society by naijacutee(mod): 8:58am On Jul 19, 2014

As part of my job, I advise Icanstock.com – a small, UK-based supplier of wholesale products to Nigeria. A key element of this business is logistics, as our main job is to send goods from the UK to our customers in Nigeria. The logistics process is the lifeblood of the organization, as customers are mostly resellers (who in turn have customers of their own), and are retained when our service delivery meets their expectations. To ensure that the service remains affordable, a self-employed clearing agent clears customers goods on arrival at the Cargo terminal of Murtala International Airport and then Icanstock uses its own (also self-employed) driver in Lagos to deliver goods to customers. So in a nutshell here’s how the business works: goods arrive at our shippers (2-3 days), and then are sent to the cargo airline who sends them to Lagos (2 days), they are then cleared through customs (5 – 7days) and are forwarded to the customer following clearing (24 hours).

As you can see, goods spend the most time in the hands of the Nigerian customs – the weakest link in our value chain

VALUE CHAIN
From our end, it doesn’t matter whether we employ the most dedicated drivers in Lagos, ready to pick up and deliver goods to customers, or whether we send our customers goods out 2 days earlier – if the government link in the chain, (in this case, customs) doesn’t do their jobs properly, we’re screwed.

It is to be expected that many other small businesses (respect!) operating in Nigeria encounter similar challenges. Playing your cards right nowhere near guarantees business effectiveness in a dysfunctional environment. Worse still, the market in the highly dysfunctional environment is a very demanding one. Customers expect, and are impressed by nothing less than perfection, and seem unforgiving at first if you do not understand them. Therein lies the disconnect. It’s like the man who has learnt through years of starvation, to order – whenever the opportunity arises, not just bread and butter but only the finest of meats and the choicest of wines.

While some may disagree with my military type response to the situation as one using “disproportionate force”, I would strongly disagree and point out the real problem as one of complacency. So, for those of you still with me, here is my take on managing a business process through dysfunction:

1. Be pessimistic, and prepare to be disappointed. No matter how hard you have worked, Sod’s first law states that if it can go wrong, it will. We send goods out for our customers each Friday, and the goods are put on a Lagos-bound cargo flight on Saturday morning. At worst, they arrive in Lagos on Sunday night but we give our customers a 10 – 14 day lead time for delivery. “A 2-week wait in 2014 is too long”, our customers complain, but the reality is that they often don’t have to wait that long. We have to offer this lead time because it is impossible to predict what drama the Nigerian Customs Service might decide to act next. Last year, they decided that the NAHCO sheds were going to be shut for close to 2 weeks, holding all customers goods ransom for their internal disagreements.

2. No credit, unless you’re willing to forgo the amount. If “our people” get the idea that they can owe you, prepare to go out of business. We complain that businesses are here today and gone tomorrow, and partly for this reason. People love to owe and once you let them owe once, they will beg and plead and invoke all the spirits in their fathers village to bear witness to their promise to pay. And they still won’t pay. This is coming out of a dark place (can you tell?)

3. Avoid traffic like a plague. They suck your blood and drain your life. I know someone who spends 7 hours in traffic a day. This is 2-and-a half months each year, sitting in traffic. Brothers and sisters, this is not normal. 2.5 months that could have been spent generating income, and then taking a holiday to enjoy that income is spent sitting, inhaling smoke and eating gala. (Feel free to disagree with this figure in the comments section, if you may). If you can work next door to your house, do so. If you can work from home, even better. Virtual offices such as Capital Square and Ventia Business Hub can provide you with meeting rooms and pay-as-you-go working spaces, rendering the age-old practice of travelling to and from work obsolete.

4. Avoid queues like a plague. Same argument – uneccessary time wasted. If can’t send minions to queue on your behalf, there are a few lifestyle adjustments you can make to reduce the amount of time you throw away to queues and consequentially, increase your life expectancy. Download a banking app and immediately eliminate half of the time you spend queuing in the banks. I hear that with GT Bank’s mobile app, you can pay anyone, pay your DSTV bills and purchase airtime. If you’re travelling abroad, choose an airline that allows mobile check-ins. You want to check in on your phone, show your boarding pass at the back of the queue, and get the hell out of there. If you have other queue-busting tips, share them in the comments section, and I’ll incorporate them into the article.

5. Network (Twitter is a good tool for this) and collect phone numbers. Numbers make the world go round. If you find yourself in a sticky situation in Nigeria, chances are there is a number you can call. Also save the police and emergency department numbers on your phone, because you never know when you might need them.

6. Communicate with your customers excessively. In adverse situations, too much communication is better than too little. When we had a problem with NAHCO last year, we voluntarily called affected customers each day to provide them with truthful, daily updates – even if it’s just a “nothing has happened today o”. They felt valued and informed, and they knew that we were doing what we could, even though the situation was out of our hands. This also meant that we didn’t have to dodge any calls, and we could answer phones freely

7. Scout for utilities that offer 24 hour customer service centres and call in the witchcraft hours if you need to. You will have your query responded to in record time, and by someone who is not under pressure. I learnt this when I called DiamondBank on a Sunday morning and got a 2-week old problem resolved!

http://www.mymetrong.com/dysfunction-management-how-you-can-get-more-done-in-a-society-that-makes-everything-difficult/

2 Likes 1 Share

Business › Re: How To Make LIQUID SOAP (used For Washing Dishes, Cars, Clothes, Windows Etc.)? by naijacutee(mod): 10:12pm On Jun 30, 2014

Are all the components above safe for handling by non-chemists?

3 Likes

Business › Re: Please Oga Seun And Nairaland Dont Kill My Motivation! by naijacutee(mod): 12:27am On Jan 11, 2014

Hi, sorry about the ban but if you think you have been banned unfairly, just report the thread to the moderator (there's a complaint thread stickied on thread. The moderator is also quite easy to contact). Many people have done this, and the moderator releases the thread after establishing that it is more informative than promotional in nature.

Spam is a HUGE problem on this board, and while the spambot is being trained to recognise and classify spam threads, it is inevitable that non-spam threads will follow. I only ask that you be patient with the bot, and contact the mod if you think it has made an error. I'm a human being and will not ignore your message.

Business › Re: Badagry Beach Generates N11 Million In 2013, Saysmanager by naijacutee(mod): 5:14pm On Jan 10, 2014*

This is nothing to write home about. There are no trained lifeguards on the beach responding to the fact that alcohol is sold on the beach, and there is a high incidence of drowning - especially at peak seasons. I was traumatised a couple of years ago when I witnessed a young girl (pushed playfully by her friends into the water) drowning. Some kind young men jumped in, got her out, but there was not a single trained lifeguard on the beach to help her! I happened to be the only person there who knew CPR, and I started trying to resuscitate the girl, while bystanders just watched. It was a terrible helpless moment, because no one seemed to know what to do. I had to start asking people to use Google to find the nearest hospital or taxi, and call them to get this girl to hospital. I think she died in the end. The beach had nothing in place to save her, and the helpfulness of those around wasn't enough.

Business › Re: What Online Payment Methods Do Nigerian's Use The Most? by naijacutee(mod): 7:02pm On Jan 08, 2014

I think in the true spirit of Nigerian inefficiencies, most online retailers tend to offer various payment options, as well as cash on delivery, just in case. This fits in with our societal attitudes to most other things: most people have multiple phone networks/bank accounts/a back up generator because no one system can be trusted 100%

1 Like

Business › Re: Who Manages Money Better: Men Or Women? by naijacutee(mod): 6:58pm On Jan 08, 2014

bandex: men with foresight save money better than any woman because they know the consequences of been broke

By this logic , I'd say women because they know the consequences of being with a broke man - the burden falls on them cheesy

Business › Re: Tilapia Fisheries by naijacutee(mod): 12:43am On Jan 08, 2014

gbagudara: christianity
Only eat fish with scales and fins. Old testament. Read Exodus. Christian Bible. KJV (king james version)

And if you continue on to the New Testament, in Acts 10:

Peter’s Vision

9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Adverts › Re: Wholesale Imports From The UK For Any Business Size - Feedback/complaints/orders by naijacutee(mod): 9:17pm On Jan 07, 2014*

kachiz: how long does it take you to deliver?? i mean the shipping time?

All the items featured on this post are readily available, and delivery takes 2 - 3 days. For custom orders, or items out of stock, delivery takes 7 - 10 days to get to your door (Lagos) or 10 - 14 days if you're outside of Lagos.

Adverts › Re: Wholesale Imports From The UK For Any Business Size - Feedback/complaints/orders by naijacutee(mod): 9:15pm On Jan 07, 2014

Newborn baby starter sets. N14,000 each or N10,000 each for 5 sets and above.

Each set contains:-
1. Hauck baby carrier bag containing a free changing mat worth N10,000.
2. Mothercare newborn baby set ( Contains 2 x Mothercare white sleepsuits (0-3 months), 1 short-sleeve bodysuit, 2 pairs of scratch mitts, 1 hat, 1xsleeveless vest, 1 bib)
3. Antiseptic Nappy rash cream
4. Disney Brush and Comb set
5. Simple Baby wash (hypoallergenic)

- See more at: http://www.icanstock.com/?wpsc-product=brand-new-newborn-baby-starter-set#sthash.5b3AOar7.dpuf

Business › Re: Where Can I Exchange Krone To Naira Or Dollars by naijacutee(mod): 1:24am On Jan 07, 2014

First of all, what are your rates like? E-mail asterix8701@hotmail.com. Luckily, I've got someone who can check out the money and pay you in Naira.

Business › Re: Where Can I Exchange Krone To Naira Or Dollars by naijacutee(mod): 6:44pm On Jan 06, 2014

Cash? Norwegian, Swedish or Danish? I might be able to help.

Adverts › Re: Wholesale Imports From The UK For Any Business Size - Feedback/complaints/orders by naijacutee(mod): 1:37pm On Jan 06, 2014

Espirit compact makeup powders available wholesale. Minimum quantity 5 pcs. N450 per piece (resell at N1,000 each)

Celebrities › Re: Glo Subscribers Warning To Globacom About Basket Mouth by naijacutee(f): 12:40pm On Jan 06, 2014

jude33084: I dont think that your generation will ever achieve what the young and dynamic guy has achieved. A guy that fought all his way from the bottom to the top of Naija entertainment industry,.....A gentle man that we all saw grow up
Take your frustration elsewhere girl

He fought so much to achieve this, yet was foolish enough to speak carelessly on social media?

1 Like

Celebrities › Re: Basketmouth Under Fire For Molest Joke On Twitter by naijacutee(f): 12:38pm On Jan 06, 2014

candy: Why are people calling on Globacom to terminate BM's contract over this? I think it's a lil' unfair! Personally, I find the joke dry, but I believe he shouldn't be punished for this particular joke, especially after he had apologized!
Why take food from another man's mouth? We don't need it jor. Our ogas at the top are looting the treasury, let us divert all the hate towards them and call for their resignation instead.

kedikenet: we knw he did sumtn bad bt hey the guy is even humble enough to apologise gosh if man were to be God jst a harmless joke see hw pple are takn it and wait let me ask if glo or whicheva brand he's representn jst drp him or said dey wnt wnt him u guys will be happy right for u pples mind it will be a drserved justice right hm God hav mercy on u pple .

It is not a harmless joke, and people do not have a vendetta against him. It is not "bad belle" either. The real reason people are asking for his contract to be terminated is that as a brand ambassador, he is a role model and is being paid for people to promote the brand in a positive light. By making such a crass joke, he is insinuating that he is justifying rape in certain circumstances (we know that this may not be the case as he has a mother and a sister), but as a public figure, this is not the correct message to be sending.

1 Like

Celebrities › Re: Basketmouth Under Fire For Molest Joke On Twitter by naijacutee(f): 12:18pm On Jan 06, 2014

toprealman: It will be very funny when your mum, sister or loved one is raped.

This thread proves that the class of human beings on Nairaland are very different from those on Twitter. Nigerians truly do not want change. The fact that he has been making jokes like this and getting away with it does not mean they are right. Some people are even justifying the joke by saying "foreign comedians also joke about rape". This is beyond ridiculous, and proves that Nigerians deserve what is happening in their country. How can anything change, when people are comfortable with crap? You can't even speak out for what is wrong, because it is more important to "feel among".

In more progressive societies, they SACK public figures who make light of serious issues like rape, racism to at least send the message that such attitudes are not acceptable (even though it doesn't completely eliminate the problems - it sends a message).

See examples:

1. UK : This guy covered his face and rapped about rape in a jocular way - he got sacked http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/aug/20/coronation-street-chris-fountain-sacked

2. Australia: This judge made a joke about rape victims and they called for him to get sacked : http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-22/court-urged-to-sack-judge-who-made-rape-joke/4477222

3. United States: This nightclub tried to make a rape joke while advertising its prices, it lost customers : http://www.kansascity.com/2013/12/31/4723653/rape-joke-a-big-fail-for-nightclub.html

It's not about trying to pull people down. It's about sending a message. Come back here and tell us whether or not this is a message that needs to be sent if your mother/daughter/sister gets raped.

3 Likes

Health › Re: Help A Dying Brother Please by naijacutee(f): 10:45pm On Jan 04, 2014

Can you post a picture (without your face?). Does this apply to your symptoms? http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1085530-overview

Business › Re: Nekede Zoo-exploitation In Broad Daylight! by naijacutee(mod): 8:31pm On Jan 04, 2014*

What should they have done to make your experience better for N800 (was this for the both of you)? Would you have been happy to pay more for a better experience? We might be able to learn something from this.

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