Continue reading »]]> For the past week, I have been getting calls and emails from guys who want more out of life rather than the 8-6, Mon-Fri, work cycle; I could detect frustration and hopelessness in their voice viz-a-viz the emails. I have been in this position several times in my life while in paid employment and most times than not I end up getting more frustrated than I initially bargain especially when financial responsibility comes into the equation; it most of time appears as if I am trapped like the lab rat.

First things first, whenever there is a nudging within you that does not just seems to go away; it clearly indicates that something is wrong with your present level of operation hence a desire to move to a higher level. Most times, the people who experience this discomfort interpret it to mean their present condition and situation is not good enough and immediately passes the buck of responsibility to it. Check: this interpretation may be right but their emotional and ‘un-analytical’ response may be flawed.

The need to grow is paramount to life and whenever you stop growing; your spirit recognizes this and nudges you to keep growing. When you have mastered your work load or job function, your whole world becomes boring and the need to learn more forces you to blame your work environment; your passion starts to wane and the only compensation is your salary; you will then realize that salary cannot quench the hunger for growth but like the lab rat, you have nowhere to turn to.

On the scale of motivation, I have made an assertion in the paragraph above that “Progress” is better than financial compensation. Though this may not be apparent but the need to progress is the reason you sought for the job in the first place. If you can truly comprehend this, you would realize that half of the issue is already solved. The other half is implementing a “progress” strategy rather than an “exit” strategy; the story below may elucidate this point:

Progress is subjective in nature; it is imperative to bring your future dreams to the present and work at the pending dangers that may occur. Providing a solution to what may go wrong and implementing a personal program that could eliminate such future mishap would surely eradicate the lethargy that is derived from work place. You could add a certification to the mix (Project Management? click HERE), learn a new language, join a marketing program, stretch yourself and go beyond your comfort zone because that is the only route to growth. Have a lovely week!

Continue reading »]]> Last year, my daughter’s report card was brought to my table and I hurriedly perused it hoping to see a position. Alas! There was none. After a conscientious inquiry from the school, I was told she was 2^nd in class. The first thing that came from my mouth was; “the person that came 1^st in class does not have two heads”. The Catholic sister looked at me with amazement pointing out to me that this was her first term in the school and she did extremely well considering the contexts. I brushed her statement off promising a better grade next term.

A sense of deja vu this term around and the Catholic sister refused to tell me the position pointing out to me that my daughter made a 2% improvement in grade from 82% to 84%. I did all my best to get it out of her but she was extremely adamant. Okay, I felt bad about the whole shenanigans and I realized what the Catholic sister was trying to tell me without being rude: I was teaching my daughter a vile and dangerous value that could damage her future happiness – her success in life depends on the apparent failure of others.

No matter how ignorant I was about this vice, it was completely opposite to the kingdom values that I believed in. I should know better because according to the bible, the first “murder” on earth took place under the same circumstance. Cain was bitter about Abel’s success and he killed him. God’s warning to Cain was unequivocal; “If you did well, you would be accepted”. Cain’s acceptance was not premise on Abel’s but was based purely on his performance. God did not have any qualms about accepting both Cain and Abel’s offering but Cain believes that in order to be accepted, Abel’s offering must not be as good as his.

This is the foundation of most people’s sorrow; Shade is sad because her younger sister is married despite the fact that she has no interest in marriage at the said time. Yomi has always wanted to be a teacher and now a lecturer with a private university but he is jealous of Ade because he works with an oil company. The Abibu family just bought a Hummer and every family in the estate treats them differently. The example continues and it is made worse when our major source of excitement and entertainment premises on win/lose perspective – European Championship, FIFA World Cup, Big Brother Africa, The X Factor, etc

Can you seriously be happy if nobody knows you travelled to London for the holidays? Is the choice of the car you buy, depend on fueling the need to appear important? Why do we care so much about what people think as oppose to what is good for us? These are valid questions that must be raised if one is to dispel the competitive “put down” spirit that exist is our sin nature. The consequences of indulging in this type of behavior is well articulated in Genesis 4: 7 (NIV):

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, at sin is crouching your door; it desires to have you but you must master it”

On a final note, I would have to apologize to my daughter and let her know that daddy is not interested in her being the first in class but I am interested in her excelling in all her classwork. She should concentrate on understanding all her coursework and not use competition a crouch to achieving her goals. This same philosophy I have decided to apply in all my endeavors – striving for excellence not exceling others….

Continue reading »]]> Francis Bacon describes knowledge as “Power” but this is very wrong in so many contexts because knowledge that is not personally applied over a period of time is simply a hypothesis. However, Applied Knowledge (aka Experience) actually breeds insight (or understanding) – a commodity worth it salt but is quite limited when compared to wisdom (unequivocally knowing how, when and where to apply knowledge). Hence knowledge is the seed to insight and ultimately to wisdom.

When taking an investment risk, its common sense to look at the ultimate yield if the investment goes positive or negative. Knowledge acquisition and application is the only investment that does not produce any known negative outcome hence the only “safe” investment in the world. The knowledge of “six-sigma” sets you apart from your peers and ultimately guarantees your economic freedom. The global recession is set to be with us for the next few years, and one sector, more than any other is set to be in great demand – Six Sigma Improvement professionals.

Businesses need to remove costs from their operations to remain viable. They need to increase profitability and productivity, remove waste and variation from their processes in order to stay in business. Hence certified six-sigma skills are in great demand. In a 2010 survey by Quality Progress magazine in America, self-employed Six Sigma consultants reported average income of $114,654, with a median income of $86,000. Those who earned income from both Six Sigma employment and Six Sigma consulting earned an average total income of $138,907, with a median income of $127,000.

Companies like J.M.Gemini are practically seducing certified six-sigma professionals to a manufacturing nation like China and assuring a salary of 300, 000 RMB for starters in a country with a relatively low-cost of living. It gets better for folks in countries like UK with most recruitment companies averaging 60, 000 Pounds for a six sigma position.

However, to gain this knowledge, we are offering a FREE training to the second cycle certification option called the green belt valued at 120K. Those that attend our PMP training in the month of May would have completely FREE access to this knowledge that has the power to change your life. Unfortunately, there are few seats remaining for our May class and you can get more details of our May class by clicking HERE.

Have a lovely day!

Continue reading »]]> Playing a big part in someone achieving his or her dreams is actually priceless. Remember the first walk of your first child – the smile that radiates on your face truly comes from the heart. All the money in the world cannot buy such gift. This is the feeling I get when I get a call from our Project Management graduate telling me they have passed their PMP exam – you could almost hear the relief in their voices.

The PMP exam is a 4-hour, 200-question based exam that truly tests your endurance and insight into PMI Project Management best practices. From personal observation, about 70% of those attempting the exam at first try actually fail it. It’s more about the preparation than the difficulty of the exam – most Nigerians do not posses the discipline to cope with such preparation hence the introduction of PMwithDipo.

This is our second year of operation with outstanding results and appraisal from 350 graduates so far producing 42 PMP certified individuals at first try attempt at the exam. We have decided to extend our reach from Lagos to other cities. We are starting from Abeokuta, which happens to be my hometown. We will be liaising with YANI Solutions International – A social enterprise under Youth Arise Network International.

It will be a one-time training for 25 individuals at a highly discounted price. It will kick off from June 2^nd, 3^rd, 9^th and 10^th at the Basic Trust International Center, Oke-Ilewo Abeokuta. Further information would be passed across to interested personnel living in Abeokuta. If you are interested in participating, please, kindly fill the form for the Abeokuta PMP Training by click HERE to contact me.

In the mean while, you can read the review below of some of our graduates that passed the PMP exams:

“I attempted the PMP exam 5 days after studying with PMwithDipo and passed”

- OSHIOMHA IRUMHEKHA, PMP – Junior Program Manager, NNPC SAP Implementation Program

“Dipo’s PMtutor was very effective in passing the PMP exams – the 80% benchmark forced me to read deeper than usual. Great work Dipo!” – Iheanyi Eke, PMP- Diamond Bank

“I used only the materials that Dipo recommended and I aced the PMP exams”-Onyinye Onuma, PMP – Seismic Engineer, Schlumberger

“PMwithDipo is very great! Thank God I found out about this course.”

- OLADEHINDE SAMUEL, PMP – Etisalat Nigeria

“I kept hearing how tough the exam was but Dipo made passing the exam look like ABC.” – Simpa Oyanna, PMP – Project Manager, Reinvent Technologies Ltd

“PMwithDipo was very helpful in passing the PMP exam – It highlighted my weak areas and made me focus and intensify my study on passing the exam at a whole”

- YETUNDE OMOLOLA ONIFADE, PMP – IT, Seedvest Ltd

“At the end of the class, participants can virtually sit for the exam because obvious required attention has been given to the respective areas as appropriate. The goal of the class is not just to communicate PM knowledge which they do very well but to coach you till you pass the PMP exam.”

- AKINTOYE OYEKUNLE, PMP – Consultant, PriceWaterHouseCoopers

“With no other materials, just PMwithDipo and I was able to ace the exam”

-  SEYE SHOBOYEJO, PMP – IT, Christland School

“Thank you for PMwithDipo – it helped me so much. I have cleared the PMP exam. Keep it up! You offer a nice service to the body of project management. I appreciate your efforts. Thank you”

- OBINNA AGANIKE, PMP - Project Engineer, International Corrosion Control Ltd, PH

“For me, I’m impressed. And you can ask me! I have attended quite a few training within and outside Nigeria. I also like the dash of professional touch thrown into it all. Keep it up!”

- BEN OJUMU, PMP – Civil Servant, Kogi State Civil Service.

“PMwithDipo is a fantastic training outfit and very detailed. Yosola has a passion for what she is doing and Dipo is very generous with the training cost and interested in others acquiring knowledge.”

- OLUBUSOLA SHITTA-BEY, PMP – Builder, LSDPC

“Impressive and Deep!”

- YOSOLA ABIODU-ADIGUN, PMP – Project Manager, Multilinks Telkom

“Good Interaction, “comeradie” & stimulating discussions with students. Provide a good introduction to PMP exam. It is cheap for the value provided and opportunity to network.”

- AKINWALIRE OLUWATOBI, PMP – IT, UAC Of Nigeria PLC.

“A very wonderful concept and mind transforming; it is really an experience”

– VICTOR NNATUANYA, PMP - IT, Broadband Technologies Ltd

“It is a program to be reckoned with: Very cheap and full of substance – It is a place you get more than what you paid for – It is an unforgettable experience”.

– OLUYOMI OLUFEMI OLUGEBENGA, PMP – Telecoms Engineer, Globacom Nigeria Ltd.

“The training program is beyond what I expected; with the training and materials provided, anybody can pass PMP on the first try.”

– IHEDIMMA KAWEKWUNE, PMP - Banker, Diamond Bank.

“Personally, it’s been a wonderful experience, a lot of hands in, in-depth analysis of Project Management, different from the way I have always viewed it. The class has been lively and the examples thorough. I am glad I made the class! PMwithDipo is a deal bigger than the value; we all got much more than we bargained for. Keep it up Dipo, the society needs more people like you.”

- AJIBOLA OLANIPEKUN, PMP – Engineering, Gravity Solutions

“Definitely worth more than the cost.”

 - ABEJOYE ADEMOLA, PMP – Architect, Articon Nigeria Ltd.

“Very insightful and loaded with a lot of information and lovely package – relationship building, course materials, excellent presentation delivery, very good coordination, nice food and conducive venue”

- ADELANA OLUWASEUN DAMILOLA, PMP – Travel Consultant, Aventura

“Behind every successful man is a woman but I am bold to say behind my PMP certification, there is nothing but PMwithDipo. The quality of the training, the serenity of the environment and the top-notch materials received there was my lifelines to becoming PMP. You think of becoming PMP and your best bet is PMwithDipo.”

- BOLA ADESOPE, PMP – IT Project, Ultima Ltd (Producers of Project Fame and WWTBAM)

Continue reading »]]> It’s very easy to participate and win.  I remember an adage that said the numbers of friends you have determine your wealth but this adage does not really pan out in reality, as most wealthy people are loners without friends. However, I can tweak the adage a bit to make sense in reality; “the number of influence you have determine your wealth”.  Hence, influence is the key factor that is directly proportional to success.

It is always good to check the weight of your influence amongst your friends, colleagues, family members, etc. Always put this in mind – because someone enjoys your company does not necessarily mean you have any level of influence over the person. It’s time to check how influential you are by following the steps below to win cash and washing machines continuously:

1. Visit www.pmtutor.org by clicking HERE
2. Click Register at the top-right
3. Fill out the form with your correct data
4. Successfully submit the correct info
5. Send username to cash@pmtutor.org
6. You will automatically get an email.
7. Enjoy making money continuously…

Who says dreams don’t come true? Enjoy!!!!!!

Continue reading »]]> If you are seriously looking for a corporate job, there are some important things to note:

1. Despite insinuations and perceptions, there are job vacancies everywhere but lack of “right” personnel to fill in the job.
2. Employers are more eager to get the “right” person for the job than employees.
3. Employers go all the way to UK or USA to find “right” talents to fill positions that they perceive Nigerians cannot fill.
4. If you are “right” for the job, employers are more desperate to get you working for them than your apparent desperation.
5. To become a “right” candidate, you need to sacrifice your time, effort and money to personally develop yourself.

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Solution to becoming the “right” personnel

1. Stop complaining and running around attending any recruiting exercise that appears juicy. Focus on developing yourself!
2. Even if you get the job, you are still required to maintain the job so personally developing yourself is not an option.
3. You need the “right” tool to be the “right” personnel

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JOBFinder Manual – the perfect tool

1.  Aptitude Test Questions and Answers for Oil, Banks, Telecoms, Consulting, FMCG like Mobil, Shell, Chevron, Total, Schlumberger, PriceWaterHouse Coopers, Access Bank, KPMG, Cadbury, etc.

2. Interview Questions with exhaustive and robust strategies to answering them.

3. CV writing solutions, templates and insight into companys’ preferences.

4. IQ and Personality Testing to check fit for a particular job type.

5. Tricks to solving different types of Aptitude Test.

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Testimonies

We have sold more than 1, 700 copies of the JOBFinder Manual till date with myriads of testimonies.

Femi works with Nigerian Breweries

Odigwe works with Mobil

Yewande works with PWC in Texas

Ugo works with Diamond Bank

Tobi works with UAC

Rotimi worked with Accenture

Femi works with Shell

Akin works with PWC in Lagos

Ugo works with Zenith Bank

And Lots more…………

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How to get the book

There are two options to getting:

1. You can get the online version completely FREE
2. Or simply buy online version or the hard copy!

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How to get it FREE!!!

1. Register at www.pmtutor.org – registration is FREE.
2. Invite two friends to register using the “click and send” link at the dashboard after login in.
3. When the two friends register, send an email stating your username and the usernames of the two friends to “jobfinder[at]pmtutor.org”
4. After verification, you will gain access into our JOBFinder online class.

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How to buy it!

Online Version – N2, 000

1. Visit www.pmtutor.org and click on “Courses/Enrol” at the header menu
2. You can pay either through the payment gateway or pay to the bank.
3. Bank is Access Bank 0006551542 Poet Solvers Ltd or UBA 1005870878 Poet Solvers Ventures
4. If you pay through the payment gateway, you will get instant access to the course.
5. If you pay to the bank, kindly send an email to “jobfinder [at] pmtutor.org”, stating your teller number, bank and branch.

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Hard Copy Version – N4, 000

1. Kindly, fill the form on the contact page by clicking HERE
2. Delivery within Lagos is N1, 000 but for out of Lagos is N3, 000 courier charge.
3. All payments are made to the bank.
4. Bank is Access Bank 0006551542 Poet Solvers Ltd or UBA 1005870878 Poet Solvers Ventures
5.  If you pay to the bank, kindly send an email to “jobfinder [at] pmtutor.org”, stating your teller number, bank and branch.
6. Delivery is 24hrs within Lagos and 48hrs outside Lagos.

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Remember, if you work hard then you can play hard…. Have a nice life!

Continue reading »]]> I woke up this morning (7th March, 2012) to a myriad of BirthDay wishes in my Facebook inbox. Thank you for being so kind. God has truly blessed me and has given me XX years life on earth. If anybody can accurately guess my age, I will give the person a Brand New Jumbo Washing Machine. Kindly use the comment box to guess and note that random selection will take place for multiple accurate guesses. Thank you Jesus!

Method of Choice

Out of 86 input to the “Guess My Age” competition on my birthday from both the comment box of my blog “www.dipotepede.org” and my facebook “dipotepede”, 9 people guessed correctly and My wife randomly picked the winner from the 9 names after placing their names in a sheet of paper and squeezing it.

WINNER: Abi Badejo from my blog comment box.

The winner must pick up the washing machine at our office: 254 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba beside Zenith bank on Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 4pm exact. International Passport is a preferred form of authentication but other forms are allowed.

Continue reading »]]> “To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” E.E. Cummings

Its easy to blame it on peer pressure and even simpler to blame it on the environment or another person but it is very difficult to blame it on ourselves. Can we for once take responsibility for whatever happens to us?

What about when something is beyond your control? Like a force majeure? Like theft? Like stray bullets? Like …….? This simply points you to the direction of your maker; He sees all; He knows all and if you have a personal fellowship with Him; there will not be anything beyond your control.

You are not called to be a doctor, a Chevron staff or an actress. You are called to be yourself. You can only know and function as yourself when you are one with your maker. To be one with your maker is simply doing what Mary did as oppose to Martha – Luke 10: 38 – 42.

He that walks with the wise shall himself be wise.. Proverbs 13:20

Continue reading »]]> The secret to contentment is gratitude; the word contentment does not connote giving up and embracing a static position but totally embracing your present position with a goal in mind. I realize that majority of pain comes from “keeping up with the joneses” syndrome – It just so difficult to see your peer progress while one remains in the same position. It becomes even more unbearable when “comparison” is put in the mix.

For one to truly progress, pressure must come from within not without – every motivation driven from an outward pressure results in hopelessness but an inspiration from within always makes the heart happy. If only people could understand that there are not really competing against anybody but themselves and the vision and purpose that was given to them from the foundation of the world. We live to become all we are called to be…

Continue reading »]]> Kindly look at the picture above; I want you to focus on this picture for a while before proceeding to read this article. What do you see? If after looking at this picture, you do not see yourself then you are really doing what you do every day – ignoring your true calling. Apart from the sadness and pains associated with seeing this picture, I realize how this picture depicts our everyday existence: In order to get to the destination we see (success); we hurry; we step on our fellow brothers and follow the same medium of transportation (jobs, school, etc) albeit the cheapest.

Molue is the cheapest means of transportation in Lagos State; I do not know if they exist anymore but I used to take them. In the Molue, you will witness hustling at its best – I actually enjoyed the sales pitch for one form of medicine or the other, more people were standing than sitting, it was always dirty but the motivation for me then was the cheap fare. Looking back at those days, I realized how much economics played a huge role in the lives of Molue takers: Saving money was more important than the human life and dignity.

Just like in my Molue-taking days, we somehow sell our destiny for a morsel of porridge – anything for the money; we compete, we lie, we cheat, we defraud, we socialize, we politicize, etc. I remember when I decided to stop taking Molue – it was as if I was hit by lightening; it was more of a mindset thing than a change in economical situation. I looked in the mirror and I told myself that I would never take Molue again. It took a lot of economic sacrifice but with this sacrifice, came a positive change in my economic situation (not the reverse – wait for a positive change in my economic state before making a decision).

I realized that in order to change my economic situation, I needed to make sacrifices; the bottom of the economic strata is too crowded because people fail to make sacrifices. I hear working class executives complain everyday about their salary and the question I pose to them is; “what are you sacrificing to get you out of this present predicament?” and the answers are always the same and funny to me; “I do not have enough money and time for the sacrifice”. It’s called a sacrifice, my dear, because you do not have enough (lol).

I remember a budding entrepreneur needed “something” and told me how much the “thing” will change his business. His presentation was so beautiful that I was moved to give him my heartfelt advice; “why not sell your car?” His look alone told me all I needed to know; “he wanted another person to sacrifice in his stead”.  I try my best not preach what I do not practice. Please, note that you are in the same level because you are not giving-up something; it’s not for me to categorically tell you what to give-up; it’s for you to know by seeking the face of God (Well, it’s not that complex, just look within you).

There is no such thing as a static existence. You might sometimes feel like your life is going nowhere, but you are always moving towards something and away from something else. This is why I advise working executives to upgrade their knowledge base; sacrifice the money and time they have to increase their knowledge portfolio. These are my reasons:

1.) The world changes and only those that move with the change reap the fruits.

2) To move from one level to another, you need to acquire a different knowledge from what you are used to.

3)In order to get out of rat race, you need to continuously invest in a liquefiable asset and education is one of the lowest risk investment in the world.

4) Competition is real and only those who are ahead of competition survive.

5) In the event of crisis leading to job loss, nothing keeps you employable than a higher knowledge.

I highly recommend Project Management training for working class executives and entrepreneurs. Our next class takes place in March and we offer qualitative friendly-price program. Registration is going on now and our class is always sold-out (we only accommodate 25 people). The picture above is a group picture of our 2010 November class.  Click HERE for more details on our Project Management Class. Have a lovely week!

Continue reading »]]> In 1979, the election was between Awolowo and Shagari – Nigerians voted Shagari (an unknown grade 2 teacher hyped by the cabals of the day). 22years later, the same Nigerians learnt nothing from history  – I would have been expecting people who have been voting recently since 1999 (after years of military rule) to be more “open and fair” when choosing their leader but I guess my views are insane and unpopular as I watched with tears people jubilating and popping champagne over the win of GEJ.

As a good loser, I congratulated my opponents and sucked it in – the win was just too awesome as the numbers were clear whom Nigerians wanted. 7 months later, I am surprised at peoples’ complains – “Boko Haram Bombings, Fuel Subsidy Removal, ASUU strike, Incessant Power Supply, etc”. How can one make a choice and be complaining about it? The choice in itself was beyond comprehension – imagine you own a company and you wanted to select a General Manager between two candidates.

Candidate A Profile

I am a Christian from the South of the country like you and I believe in God’s favor over my life. I have been acting in the capacity of the General Manager for 1 year now though I was the Deputy General Manager for two years. Before the getting to the position of Deputy, I was the Manager of the Sales Department; I became the Manager because the other Manager was accused of fraud. During all my appointments, which came through Luck, I have achieved nothing in fact; sales dropped drastically when I was managing the Sales Department. However, I am a likeable person and no body in my region has ever been the General Manager. Your company will be better if I am giving the chance to serve as your GM.

Candidate B Profile

Unlike you, I am a Muslim from the North. I have been in the position of a General Manager 17yrs earlier. As the General Manager, I implemented quality processes which where pivotal to company’s bottom line and employee motivation. I protected the company’s brand and improved it amongst all stakeholders like suppliers and customers. Please, check company records for references. Though the General Manager’s position was taking from me, I humbly took the position of the Project Manager for Diesel Supply some years later, where I not only saved the company millions of Naira, I initiated and implemented an Education Trust Fund for the wards of the employees. I know that I am strict which is not a likeable characteristics but I believe more in company progress than human sentiments.

If you truly own this company and you want to leave a legacy for your children’s children to the 10^th generation, would you have chosen candidate A? If you are privy to a Pilot’s record which shows abysmal and reckless handling of his simulation testing and he wants to fly for the first time and you are to be the passenger; would you agree even if he is a likeable person from your tribe and religion? If in our everyday decision, we demand excellence amidst sentiments, why do we trivialize the most important job vacancy – leadership – since everything rises and falls with it?

It is important to note that I am not anti-GEJ or blaming him for anything; the truth is that I actually like him. However, he cannot do beyond what he is equipped to do; please, cross-reference the parable of the talent in the bible. All responsibility goes to the citizens that complain especially the ones that voted him in – why blame another for what you caused? No matter the debate, forum discussions, arguments, tantrums, etc, the way forward is that we work with him as the President…

Continue reading »]]> Africans may be myopic in recognizing the most difficult issue facing them– the general agreement is that HIV is the number one killer but I disagree because Bad Leadership takes precedence and ranks higher in priority. While HIV infects in an Arithmetic Progression, Bad Leadership attacks in a Geometric Progression. Before HIV can attack a whole country, it will take years but with Bad Leadership, a week is enough to destroy millions of people and the initial target populace for the two syndromes is those in the low-income bracket.

The only prevention we seem to have against these viral infections is how we choose to exercise our choices. One of the most difficult things to control, as humans is our emotion; somehow, our emotions fool us and we cannot make an informed decision when the moment comes. However, I will keep saying the obvious; “Prevention is cheaper and an easier solution than cure” but when you are already infected with the syndrome, you just wait while millions die because as you proffer solutions, puns must also die.

Continue reading »]]> For most forward thinkers, this season forces them to reflect and cast new visions for the New Year. For those sane people who would set new standards and avoid undergoing the same dysfunctional process day-in, day-out, I wish them well as they would need courage to achieve such dreams. The truth is that I am one of such people – I will be setting new standards for my life. Although I may not be able to share all but I will major on two public areas of my life – Blogging and Project Management Coaching.

Blogging –

The little fame and fortune I have been able to garner has been through blogging. I started blogging in 2005 to improve my writing skills that was abysmal at that time. In 2006, I saw it as a platform to share my insights and provoke readers to living above average. In 2007, I gave up a lucrative career in Globacom, to major on it full time. In 2008 and 2009, I started writing very long quality articles that really got me a tribe of followers. In 2010, I could not sustain such momentum because I had to think of the economics of family and focus more on trading.

I was no more consistent – I use to churn out one quality article per week but now I find it difficult to churn out 1 quality article in 2 months. I tried my best to maintain the momentum in 2011 but other lucrative ventures came to stay. The painful part is that God gives me wisdom constantly to share on this blog but I neglect it due to other activities that seem to crowd my thoughts. It was until I saw Seth Godin’s blog that I realized what I needed to do – from 2012, I will start blogging frequently not once a week but like minimum of 3 times a week.

The articles may not be long (this may be the last longest article you may receive from me on this blog) but it will be quality, timely and by God’s grace, it will impactful. Kindly watch this space. Instead of creating long articles, I will start creating FREE reports of about 8-10pages on experiential and researched skills and knowledge. However, there is the downside especially those that receive my blog post as a newsletter – your mail box may be crammed from my posts; if this does not go down with you, please, feel free to unsubscribe – you can simply come here and check for the latest post (well, that’s if you can always remember!).

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Project Management Coaching –

We started the Project Management Class in September 2010 and it has been successful till date producing 295 graduates at every alternate month. When we started, our vision was simple – To produce 50 Project Management Professionals (PMP) in one single calendar year. We were able to produce 30 PMPs out of our graduates. First, it is difficult to get our graduates to take their PMP exams and for those that decide to take it, most do not follow our laid down regimen given us a 90.9% success rate.

We realize that the issue was with the vision – we were interested in the quantity of PMPs not with their personal development. If we can successfully change their mindset during training, we will not find it difficult to get them certified – focus on the quality of the process and the product is guaranteed. In view of this, from January 2012, we will be introducing a tough regiment during the training period that will ensure that every single graduate we produce will be able to write the PMP exam and succeed at first try.

As oppose to waiting for 8 week of rigorous studying after the training to write the exam, everyone that graduates from the training can write the exam the next day and pass. This will be a 3-weekend training incorporated with 2 weeks supervised online training. This regiment we have proffered will eliminate laziness, increase effectiveness and renew mindsets. We know change is not easy but the prize is worth the effort. Thus, we are no more interested in the quantity of PMPs we produce but in the quality of PMP.

Our Project Management vision is now; “Empowering Excellence”. To solidify this vision, all our impending graduate, in addition to receiving the quality training leading to PMP certification, have access to FREE Microsoft Project Training – ensuring that their knowledge is not just theoretical but practical. We are going beyond the ordinary to provide quality value, which comes at a huge cost. To this end, we will be increasing the Training Fee for our Project Management Class from March 2012, which means we will be given a window of opportunity to those attending the January class to experience our new regiment at our regular price.

Interested in our Project Management Training, click HERE

Happy New Year in advance!

Continue reading »]]>  I was held down by traffic just 30 minutes to the close of my daughter’s Open Day in school; I realized how important it was that I attended such function but my thoughts were already defeated; “I can’t make it on time – what a waste of effort with those Catholic Schools and their strict regimen”. I decided to turn around but a voice in my head painted the picture of me as a quitter so I persisted watching as the clock ticked away.

Somehow, I got there before the close of the function and was able to do all I was required to do. As I was leaving the school meditating on the importance of “persistence” and how far it could take one in life, I saw a colorful hard cover children’s bible – I fell in love with it and bought it for my daughter promising her that I would read it to her every night before she goes to bed. 4 weeks after, I have neither read it once to her nor have I read it myself.

As I sat in my sofa meditating clouded by early morning darkness, it occurred to me that the most important ingredient to success is not all this stuff that we run around trying to acquire but a simple character trait called “Integrity” – just do what you promise or claim you can do (no excuses). It goes deeper than honesty or a particular moral conduct – it is aligning oneself to your core belief; a oneness of the spirit, soul and body. Your words align to your deeds.

The whole concept of “honor amongst thieves” has always piqued my curiosity – how can thieves trust each other? How can crime be organized? If the popular belief concerning criminals is true, then it is impossible to have organized crime. The success of the organized crime in the 1920s in America proved an important point about integrity – it does not matter which side of the law you are or which particular religion you adopt, success begins with integrity.

It is impossible to influence people without integrity – the ability to influence people is a key component to achieving goals (no matter how small). Due to social or economic pressure, there is always a “disconnect” between our core believes and our outward expression. When this happens, your level of authenticity starts to erode and intuitively trust issues begin. I will reference an anecdote from Acts 19: 13-15, NIV version of the Bible.

A Chief Priest, A Jew and seven sons of Sceva tried to exorcise evil spirit from a man. The evil spirit questioned their authority to do so and humiliated them. They were trying to do what they do not believe in; I can picture a Chemical Engineer working in a bank due to economic pressure; five years down the line, he/she is complaining about being stagnant. As a young man in life, I realized how common this flaw of keeping one’s integrity is disregarded and how it has shaped careers or perception of people.

Since I can remember, I have been propositioned by youths on either getting a job or getting a loan to start a business. There was this particular speaking engagement in Ibadan where a young man blamed his condition on his inability to get a loan. From his own admission, he seems to be proactive, hardworking, innovative and gregarious but his suppliers refuse to extend him credit. So I started my preaching by telling him that the word “credit” simply means trust.

The issue may not come from him but on the perception of his suppliers on extending credit – they may have a history of being burnt. I asked him what he has been doing to change this perception – “have you told them you are coming at 2pm and you reached there 10 minutes later; did you promise to buy a certain quantity of good but you reneged; do you dress in a questionable way; did you ask for a little quantity of the goods and demonstrate to them over time that you could be faithful.”

When people trust you, life becomes easy. The issue I realize is demonstrating that you can be trusted. When you ask young people looking for jobs to intern for free or volunteer, they simply find it difficult to do. Although trust is built over time, you must start with one person at a time no matter how low you regard the person. One common mistake is to assume that you are defined in life by what you posses, where you work, what you do or the personality you assume. What defines you is your integrity – a man they say is as good as his word.

Continue reading »]]>  Last month, November 2011, I had the honor of being featured in Obtainer Worldwide – the biggest MLM and direct sales magazine in Europe and the Middle East – in a close up story titled; “Multi-Level Marketing creates New Millionaires in Nigeria.” The story takes a cursory look at the MLM situation in Nigeria highlighting the possibility of Nigeria leveraging on such a powerful platform of empowerment – this puts us in a good light as regards Direct Foreign Investment.

I am so proud of this article and the opportunity for expression. Though I was the feature person for this article, I cannot take full credit for such a wonderful write-up because I had help from some Anonymous Extraordinaire like Doris Nojoroge, Junior News Editor of the Obtainer Media – she is a Kenyan based in the UAE.

To read the story, you can click HERE and turn to page 110 – 112 or download the PDF copy of the particular page by clicking HERE.

Please, kindly comment and give your honest opinion. Have a nice day!