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.