Testimony Time- When one door closes, another will open!!!

Certain things happen in our lives, they either shape us up or destroy our confidence. We may not be able to stop these things from happening, but, we have the ability to choose how we react. Last week Sunday, my maid, Eno, told me she had to leave urgently... that her mum was ill and on her death bed. This news was not strange to me. For many people who have maids in Nigeria, when most of them want to leave, they always have a compelling story. What baffles me most is how they use serious issues like illness and death to make up their stories.

Eno started working with me earlier this year. When she arrived I discovered that she had a bad case of gastritis so I paid for a health plan for her. Her other benefits included weekly airtime to call her family, toiletries, free feeding and accommodation, salon visits once in three weeks apart from her monthly salary. Then the health plan... I think I treated her like a DIVA... my friends cringed when they heard about how much I paid for her maintenance... but hey, I was just trying to make my maid feel comfortable and motivate her to work hard...

I was not surprised at all, considering the fact that she had been acting strange for a few weeks prior to her announcement. Eno, is indeed a 'drama queen'. The manner in which she announced her 'Mums' illness was nollywood worthy. I had just returned from an evening stroll with my husband and I met her in the kitchen looking downcast, sweating profusely. 'Aunty, my mummy no well, and dem call me from village say she say she wan see me' she said followed by a heavy sigh... 'My sister wan talk to you, she say she go call my phone now now' she continued. 'Eiyah, sorry dear, what exactly is wrong with her'? I asked. 'I no know oh, them say she neva open eye, or talk since wednesday' Eno responded. So we waited for her sister's call.

Five minutes later, Eno barged into my room handing the phone over to me... I overlooked her apparent lack of manners and collected the phone from her... ' Hello, this na Eno sister, sorry oh, but our mama dey very sick, and she dey cry say she wan see Eno' She blurted... Trying to supress the sarcasm in me, I replied " Sorry oh, eno has already told me. But I thought she said she has been unable to talk and move for the past three days' I asked, mustering all the calmness I could find... 'Ehn! as she dey weak like dat, na only Eno name she dey call... please just release her for 5 days, I promise you she will come back before weekend'! Eno's sister responded. I had probably rolled my eyes like 100 times in my head to this Eno's story but I was quick to ask one more question, ' Have you taken her to the hospital?' I asked... 'Yes Ma. Doctor say na STROKE and DIABETES dey worry her, and she dey COMA. Infact we don carry her from Uyo to bayelsa and dem dey treat her for bayelsa now'. Eno's sister replied... Oh wow!!! 'Sorry, God go heal her, make una take am easy, Eno will come as soon as possible'...

So I walked over to Eno, and asked her calmly, ' Would you like to leave first thing tomorrow morning'?...  You should have seen the dread on Eno's face...'Ehm... Aunty, make I go on Tuesday, I neva wash my cloth' Eno replied... 'Wash ke, your Mother is sick and you are thinking of washing??? I will drop you off at the park first thing tomorrow morning Eno'. I said turning away...' No aunty, make I wash my cloth, wash the children cloth before I travel' Eno blurted... Somewhere in Eno's mind, I don't think she expected our drama to go in that direction. I guess she was deceived by my innocent face... 

Tuesday morning, she was off to the park with her baggage, my children told Eno goodbye. And me... I just patiently waited for the agent I contacted the day before to bring the new maid.  Its been 8 days since Eno left, she has not called and I have not bothered her... God brought me a new person who works even harder and shows more gratitude than Eno ever did... A friend of mine encouraged me saying " Just believe that you will always get a better deal and pray in that direction" .. I did just that and I am a pretty happy woman...

I want to encourage someone who has just faced a bout or series of disappointments... Hold on, believe that you will get the best, trust in God to take care of you and lead you in the right path...DO NOT GIVE UP!

I will jist you more soon...

Becoming your own boss through franchising (2013-08-15 08:42:24)

Hello there!!!

This article was posted on a local newspaper about 6 years ago, I just stumbled on it on a chinese blog!!! And yours truly (ME :) ) was featured...

(http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_60dd00c90101ca4j.html ) It is quite enlightening... enjoy!

Picture Credit: Entrepreneur

Franchise is considered a smart alternative to starting a business on your own. ADEMOLA ALAWIYE highlights reasons why it is seen as a better option.

For entrepreneurs seeking to invest in a business with a higher probability for success, it is no surprise that buying a franchise with a proven business model and ongoing management support is so attractive.

When starting a business, there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration. According to experts, the types of product or service, source of financing, the location where the business will be operated among other factors are key considerations. They, however, say when it comes to the business model, it is important to decide whether a new model should be designed or an existing model should be adopted. This is where the option of franchising can be clearly considered.

The Regional Development Director, WSI West African, Mrs. Karibo Ekeopara describes a franchise as an authorisation to sell a company’s goods or services in a particular place. Put differently, a franchise is a business established or operated under an authorisation to sell or distribute a company’s goods or services in a particular area for a defined period.

While some people argue that starting a business from the scratch is ideal, there are strong facts that support the idea of getting a franchise. According to experts, the following include reasons why franchising should be considered:

Risk minimisation.

Starting a business is risky; Studies have shown that 90 per cent of new businesses fail within the first three years. The main reason the failure rate is so high, according to Ekeopara, is because the owners have to go through the learning curve of operating that specific type of business. However, franchising reduces that curve drastically thereby increasing chances of business success because of proven products and methods.

The selling power of a recognised brand

Instead of starting the growth curve of building a brand name, a franchise enables a new business to build on an existing brand name, automatically transferring existing privileges, which takes years to develop, to the new business. Ekeopara says, “A franchise provides an established product or service which may already enjoy widespread brand-name recognition. This gives the franchisee the benefits of a pre-sold customer base which would ordinarily take years to establish.” Generally, customers prefer to patronise an already existing brand because they already have an idea of the level of quality to expect.

Use of an established business model

For new businesses, the hassle of developing a fresh business model is greatly reduced with the acquisition of a franchise. Many elements of the model are standard operating procedures established by the franchisor. Experts say the most difficult part of a new business is its start-up, since even experienced managers lack the knowledge to set up a new business. Leveraging on the existing model of the franchisor helps the franchisee to focus on other aspects of starting the new business.

While a franchisor provides a defined, proven business format or method of operation offering a product or service that has sold successfully, an independent business may be based on both an untried idea and operation.

Clear knowledge of investment cost

Before a franchise is acquired, the franchisor makes available the costs associated with operating the new business. The franchisors representative will verify that the new business owner has sufficient assets to invest in the business and the required corporate franchise fee. The advantage of the stringent financial requirements is that clear information is available about investment costs. When starting a business from the scratch without the benefit of a franchise, the new business owner will most likely run into unexpected costs.

Initial training and ongoing support

Ekeopara points out that the franchise usually provides corporate training for the new business. She says, “Most franchises offer training in every aspect of the business including; management, marketing, bookkeeping, inventory control, security and human resources.” She adds that many franchises provide access to business consultants and mentors, generally other successful owners from within their franchise network, who can offer professional advice to assist new franchisees in the early days of their business. Some other franchises offer ongoing training and support to ensure that the brand adapts to the changing needs of their customers and operating environment.

Shorter time to start the business

Experts say with a franchise, the kick off to the business is made faster and easier because of the already set methodology and an already existing standard operating manual. This gives structure to the business even before it fully embarks on its operations.

Regional advertising campaigns

Investment expert, Mr. Kola Adebiyi, says being part of a franchise means a business is part of national or regional advertising that is managed, contracted and possibly paid for by corporate or regional headquarters. He says, “Advertising campaigns continue to increase brand awareness and drive traffic for a business. Therefore if the business decides to secure additional advertising time, the cost will be greatly reduced sharing it with other franchises in the territory.”

Fellow franchisees available to provide advice and support

Most franchises work collaboratively to ensure that the brand succeeds, this serves as a form of comfort to the new franchisee that is still learning the ropes of the business. For some franchises, they attach an already practicing franchisee to the new franchisee to act as a mentor providing valuable advice and support.

Assistance with securing funding

In some cases, it is possible to receive assistance in financing a new franchise through the franchisor, which could make an arrangement with a lending institution to lend money to a franchisee. However, the franchisee must still accept responsibility for the loan, but the franchiser’s involvement usually increases the likelihood that the loan will be approved.

Running a business from home – How to make it work.

Picture credit: www.everydayhealth.com

Launching a business from home can provide tremendous flexibility and the kind of work-life balance that we all crave however; it has its short comings. While some people advocate for the flexibility that home based businesses give, others argue that it starves their imagination as there may be more cases of isolation then interaction (This may depend on the nature of the business).

Working from home may be a good idea at the inception of the business especially when there are minimal funds available because it minimizes operating expenses like rent, utilities and transportation (at least the cost of getting to the office from home); it allows for expression of creativity etc.  Working from an office is ideal for a business because of the professional environment it creates however for those who cannot afford that luxury, here are a few tips that will help an entrepreneur who is operating from home make the most out of a home based business.

1. Separate the office area from the rest of the house: No matter how little the space maybe, it is important to clearly mark out a work space from the rest of the house. It could be an extra space in the living room, a storage room, the basement or part of the garage, really anywhere that can be converted to an office space that can accommodate a chair, table, cabinet and other work tools. This can help to stimulate a professional working environment to help the business owner concentrate on work and minimize domestic distractions. If the only available work space is in a common area of the house like the dining room or kitchen, then personal objects should be put away to help establish a professional tone for the day. A work space can always be created despite of the size of the house.  It also helps to keep work related items out of the reach of other people in the home. Make it clear to well-meaning visitors that you maintain regular business hours and that the computer and other work tools are off-limits to the kids.
2. Draw up a daily schedule: The saying that ‘one who fails to plan, plans to fail’ cannot be over emphasized. With the time flexibility available, it is very easy to get sucked into other activities. However with a drawn up plan or schedule, a guide is provided. This makes it easier to achieve ones goals.  Time should be allocated to both short-term actions and long-term goals to help run the business in a more balanced manner.  A daily planner should be drawn up with tasks and deadlines.
3. Minimize distractions: When working in an office there is a tendency to be more focused on a job because of the prying eyes of a boss and colleagues but when working from home, as your own boss, getting distracted becomes easier. For example, without a boss breathing down one’s neck, it's easy to take a phone call or two from family and friends. But when distractions like this become very common it disturbs business focus. Experts advocate that entrepreneurs working from home dedicate certain times of the day fully to work quietly and completely ignore every other thing, including phone calls and email alerts. The dedicated quiet times should be communicated to others in the house so that they know that only very urgent requests will be granted.
4. Schedule some meetings outside your home office: Your home office might not be cozy enough for the various categories of clients you may have. For some clients it is better to meet at their own site but for others, talking over lunch in a good restaurant will suffice. Whichever the case, clients should be categorized into different segments and the best and most stimulating meeting environment should be picked for each segment. Some business owners pay for external meeting rooms to meet with certain clients to provide the professional appeal that the client expects.
5. Create time for networking: Infusing social interaction helps a business grow significantly. Studies have shown that most of the important business deals are concluded over a cup of coffee our outside the office walls.  While making a daily schedule, networking should be considered as a very important element to a business operated from home. This way it is easy to hang around key decision makers in prospective companies that may just reveal information that can help the entrepreneur frame a winning proposal. Meeting with people running a similar business is also very helpful as it provides a forum for learning trends in the industry and business tricks.
6. Have a robust internet presence: When starting a business from home there are various tools that can increase a company’s visibility (no matter the size) on the internet so they are able to reach a wider audience and maintain an image that is at par with competitors that have established and professional offices. The use of a website and other social media tools are sure ways of lending credibility to a company’s image, even if it is operated from the corner of a dining room.
7. Consider acquiring a business address: Having a business address on a website and promotional materials, and having a home address will never look quite as professional as a real business location. However there are companies who offer business addresses to home based businesses: some also offer call answering services. This adds credibility and a very professional outlook to the business. So instead of having business letters/parcels delivered to the home address (which may be difficult to locate), they go straight to the business address and are received by the virtual assistant.
8. Make out time for self improvement: The good thing about working from home is the time flexibility. This means that more time can be infused into critical tasks. However the most critical task for a business is to reinvent itself so with time flexibility, more “self improvement” time can be infused into a daily schedule. Short term and long term plans should be made for self improvement. From reading materials daily to attending annual conferences or trainings, effort should be put into self advancement. This in turn provides an good avenue for innovation and creativity which can improve the output of a home based business and in turn increase its edge over competitors with a more established and professional look.

Huh!

I got an unexpected phone call from an old classmate yesterday, the last time I saw him was in 2006. So he called me from the blues and the first question he asked was "where do you work?"... after I answered his tone changed immediately and he started reeling out his success story... " I am a director in my fathers company, my father owns a marine company"... OK  I thought... While I was trying to understand the objective of the call he popped " are you in a relationship now?" ... ' oh yes, I'm married' I blurted. There was a brief pause, then his tone dropped hard, like he just received bad news. He hurriedly dropped the call.

At first I thought he called me to make himself feel good about himself, hoping that I will sound as though I haven't made any progress in the past seven years, so I giggled and shrugged off the event. Later in the evening I thought to myself that maybe I judged too quickly... Another missed opportunity to share the gospel...  

I'm Back!!!

When life throws you lemon, turn them into lemonades, sell the lemonades and use your profit to go shopping, just so your haters know... You are a WINNER!

My knees, my place of victory!

I am ever glad to be a follower of Jesus Christ, particularly because things work differently for me. The laws of the kingdom are completely different from the laws of the world, for instance, the world says save so you may have plenty but the word says give so you may have plenty. The world says love those who love you and hate those who hate you; the word says love even your enemies (which saves you from the stress of releasing those toxic hateful hormones that make you sick). The world says stand on your feet and fight; but the word compels me to fight ON MY KNEES because that secures my victory when I eventually stand.

Stop complaining and dwelling in defeat, get on your knees and watch God fight your battles for you.

Have a blissful day!

Yay! March is here!!!

 

The first quarter of 2013 is drawing to an end (duh, obviously). At the begining of the year resolutions were made, yada yada yada... Well it is not to late to take action on the points made in the first week of 2013... Better late than never, just start and trust God to uphold you... Enjoy!

N/B
Thank God its Friday :)