ARTICLE TITLE:   DEALING WITH CHANGE

            Change is a new development in a trend or series, a sector or industry, e.t.c. Change could be positive or negative to individuals most especially businesses. What makes most blue-chip companies still relevant in today’s business-world is their ability to anticipate or predict a future change and being able to adequately plan and deal with such change when it actually comes.

            As a business person new in the industry, how do you intend to dominate the market without being a loser due to new products or services introduced by your competitors most especially the “the big players” or already known monopolies.

No matter the resource constraint you have got, always try your best to get the most qualified individuals to your organization. Improve your leadership style to be more democratic and participatory, your performance appraisal and reward system should be fair, your control and reporting system should be as flexible as possible as your workers should be free enough to approach you or your management for their needs and also provide new ideas or concepts for your organization.

Creativity and initiative should be increased regularly, learn to engage everyone’s thoughts, ideas and feelings about forming a new business product or service, concept or brand, e.t.c –OR- expanding the business horizon in an already existing one. Therefore you as a boss should never be intimidating at all, all manner of pride and social-prejudice (like social-class existence, e.t.c) should be excluded; everyone should be seen as equal and the feeling of oneness or unity must truly exist between all business members (whether top-management, middle-managers/supervisors and the lower-level staffs).

You just wouldn’t know if the next big idea or concept for your firm could come from even your most unrecognized staff.

Apart from this, always compare your company’s performance with that of others or the latest industry’s index or standard; it makes you know while other companies are thick and special in the heart of their customers (either in their dividend pay-out, products, pricing or sales promotion, staff motivation, welfare and development, e.t.c) and your business not. It also makes you to be able to detect your weaknesses or failures, and to set-up your next line of action for update on the use of your information technology tools, machines and softwares in your company. Business tools and softwares like Peach-Tree, Sage Business, Paladium, Quick-Books, Business-In-a-Box, e.t.c must be regularly used and updated at all times in your business.

And do not be surprised if your expected outcome or your predicted event doesn’t turnout the very way you think it would, that’s why it’s good to have a PLAN B, a second route to the top and an accurate path to your company’s success.

Be careful of intruders or actors used by your competitors to survey your business in order to get your trade-secrets; if this is blown out in the open then you are simply dead for it. Protect your image wisely and deal with your staffs and agents properly, make sure you truly attend to their needs and that they duly represent your business positively and professionally. 

(COMMENTS: fabschoolsnigeria@yahoo.com).

ARTICLE TITLE:   YOUR BRAND IMAGE IS YOUR SUCCESS IMAGE

To brand a product or service entails more than packaging the product; it includes giving the product or service an identity to hold unto in today’s market.

Now just try and figure out how branding of a person’s personality would be like. Personality branding encourages a boost of confidence in one and it entails giving yourself a distinct definition and identity in today’s world.

For example, the queen of England’s personal image is more recognized than even some other queens; while? it’s simply due to personal branding and not just the wealth she carries. The same goes to other powerful and most respected people in the world.

“The way you dress is the way you will be addressed”. That’s true but for only first impressions and encounters which could be retained or discarded from another person’s mind. What registers you, your product, service or your company in the public’s heart even after the first impression or advertisement encounter is the quality or standard you or your brand carries plus the originality and uniqueness in your brand and your style.

Remember I said “originality”- that is being me even when others aren’t around –and- “Uniqueness”- being special and known for something distinct in character, style, confidence, hardwork, leadership traits, skills, e.t.c. Uniqueness comes with creativity and this is what stands you out and certainly carves out a niche for you.

Your brand should truly speak volume of who you are within and without, it’s not about faking it or trying to act like someone else, it’s simply being matured and truthful. Pleasing others even at the expense of setting a goodwill or positive image about the brand you represent would lead to your downfall.

As a person, never settle for less, look at the resources you have and try to make something good out of it to look up to standard; for your product or service, always strive to obtain quality tools, raw-materials or goods; inferior materials must be excluded. This would then increase your good image, customer patronage or people’s compliment and increase your success in life.

Also, do more research into how to make your brand better; if you are a motivational speaker for instance, you could take a few classes on presentation and etiquette skills, attend seminars in different fields, meet with other experts or successful people in different fields, e.t.c.

You must also have a mentor or guardian to look up to or study and put you through different branding styles or strategies fit for you, your business, product or service. All of these plus many more only helps your brand image to be your success image.

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: fabschoolsnigeria@yahoo.com.

Okonjo-Iweala defends budget of N43million to fumigate Ministry of Finance

 

The Ministry of Finance has risen to defend its 2013 budget which included a plan to fumigate the Ministry at the cost of  N43,381,673 , claiming the proposed budget is “prudent and reasonable.”

 

Despite the widespread condemnation that greeted the planned fumigation of the Ministry with N43 million, the Ministry in a statement on Monday stated that “the proposed annual budget for cleaning and fumigating the premises of the ministry at N43,381,673 is certainly within the parameters of industry standards.”

The statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr Paul C Nwabuikwu, noted that “it is also important to keep in mind that the ministry is facing serious structural and environment challenges which have made these services very necessary” as he seeks to explain the need for the fumigation.

The Ministry has faced a massive outcry following a breakdown of the 2013 budget that revealed that the nation’s treasury will be spending that much on fumigation.

Responding to the backlash, the Ministry claimed it total budget proposal of N5,599,576,180, “represents 0.11% of the entire budget estimates”, while “the budget for the Ministry together with its agencies is N14,759,952,111.”

“This comes to 0.30% of the total budget” it explained, adding that “the provisions made for personnel, overheads, sitting allowances and travels, training and so on are modest and justifiable.”

The statement listed the agencies as Debt Management Office, Budget Office of the Federation, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Investment and Securities Tribunal and the National Insurance Commission.

The statement from the Ministry, urged Nigerians to “keep in mind that the ministry pays for a lot of studies and investigations done for other parts of government in various areas of economic reform, including pensions, public service reforms, housing and mortgage etc.”

“It also hosts experts from within and outside the country in technical sessions and meetings in line with its mandate” Mr Nwabuikwu stated.

The statement concluded that the Ministry under the leadership of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is “very conscious of its key role and will continue to lead by example in areas under its mandate.”

“The focus as always is on managing the finances of the country in a manner that protects and enhances the interests of the country” it concluded.

SOURCE: www.channelstv.com.

2013 Budget: FG to spend N33.5m on newspapers

The Federal Government has earmarked the sum of N33, 538, 541. 00 for newspapers and magazines in 2013 fiscal year. Also, the sum of N1,035,319,145 would be used for international travels in next year.

 

Out of the budgeted amount, the State House will spend N14,471,035,290, while organisations under the presidency will share the balance of N21,074,538,012.

Details of the budget presented to the joint sitting of the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan showed that the Aso Rock would spend N1,510,196,766 on personnel; N7,476,942,490 on overhead and N8,987,139,260 as recurrent expenditure.

In 2013, N7,476,942 would be spent on local travels, transport and training; N1,035,319,145 on international travels while N783,893,950 would be spent on foodstuff and refreshment. Also, N133,175,453 was proposed for purchase and maintenance of generating sets; N19,250,000 on books; N2,879,000,000 on repair and renovation of buildings; N95,890,530 on computer software and N148,105,373 on electricity charges.

For organisations under the presidency, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) would get N435,576,907; Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), N2,969,674,599; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), N9,328,135,023; NEITI, N953,889,454; National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), N1,302,722,111; Boundary Commission, N796,972,338, while the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission would receive N2,776,896,310.

It will be recalled that President Jonathan, while presenting the 2013 budget, christened: “Fiscal Consolidation with Inclusive Growth,” said the goal was to help attain government’s vision of making Nigeria one of the top 20 economies in the world by 2020.

He said the 2013 budget was also built on the efforts to improve on how government’s businesses were being done. To achieve the task of providing jobs for Nigerians and boost development of infrastructure, the budget provided more funding in the priority sectors, which included power, transportation, water, agriculture and security.

Other key allocations in the budget under reference are: works, N183.5 billion; power, N74.26 billion; education, N426.53 billion; health, N279.23 billion; defence, N348.91 billion; police, N319.65 billion, while and agriculture and rural development would take N81.41 billion.

SOURCE: www.channelstv.com.

Why police could not save the UNIPORT students – IGP

Police officers were chased away with stones by the mob that attacked and killed the four students of the University of Port Harcourt, in Aluu, Rivers state, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar has revealed.

 

The IGP in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, explained that the chasing away of the police officers was why the police failed to save the four students who were gruesomely killed by the mob in Aluu. 

 

The Police boss explained that his men were chased away with stones by the mob attacking the boys. He said when a reinforced team of policemen returned to the scene, the boys had been killed and burnt by the mob.

“On 5th October, 2012 at about 0700Hrs, based on a distress call that some armed robbers were arrested at Omukiri-Aluu area in Ikwerre LGA, a patrol team of four Policemen from Isiokpo Divisional Police Headquarters was dispatched to the area, a distance of about 10kms. The Police on getting to the scene met a mob attack on four victims who were supposedly the suspected armed robbers. Attempt made by the Police Patrol Team to take over the suspects were met with stiff opposition from the mob who chased the team with stones” the statement read.

“Consequently, the Patrol Team called for reinforcements, but unfortunately, upon the arrival of the reinforcements, the alleged armed robbery suspects have been stoned and burnt to death, while the mob immediately took to their heels.”

“The corpses were recovered by the Police who by then have been joined by members of the Joint Task Force (JTF)” the statement added.

The students killed were: Ugunna Obuzor- aged 18 Years; 200 Level Geology student; Lloyd Toku- aged 19 Years; 200 Level Civil Engineering student; Tekena Elkanah- aged 20 Years, a Diploma Technical student and  Chiadaka Odinga- aged 20 Years, 200 Level Theatre Arts student.

The Inspector General’s statements confirmed criticisms by witnesses that the police simply abandoned the students to their fate when they got to the scene of lynching.

A relation of one of the victims actually accused the police of encouraging the mob to kill the boys. Mr Abubakar said the Police immediately launched an investigation leading to the arrest (based on information) of Alhaji Hassan Welewa, the Traditional Ruler of Omukiri Community, Aluu where the heinous incident took place and 18 others, some of whom are members of the vigilante group of the community.

According to the police “intelligence report implicated Alhaji Hassan Welewa, as being the person who incited the mob to unleash terror on the victims.” “Further investigation conducted by the police indicates that four (4) suspects, namely: Felemo Solomon; Cynthia Chinwo; Ozioma Abajuo and Chigozie Samuel Evans have been closely linked to this barbarous act.”

Mr Abubakar gave the assurance that the perpetrators of the Aluu massacre will be made to face the law, saying “may I assure Nigerians that the Police Force will do everything legitimate, within its capacity, to ensure that perpetrators of these dastardly acts at Aluu in Rivers State are identified and made to face the law”

Explaining the reason that lead to the boys visit to Aluu, the statement revealed that “the victims had gone to the area where they met their unfortunate death earlier that morning to demand for money allegedly owed to them by Coxson Lelebori Lucky, alias ‘Bright’, who raised a false alarm that the victims were armed robbers.”

“Although, Coxson has gone underground, Detectives are on his trail” the statement added. Abubakar said the police have in the meantime made a  massive deployment of Policemen  to the area, including detectives to assist the State Police Command, adding that “investigation is ongoing with efforts being intensified to track down others who are involved in the incident. Those who are found culpable shall be prosecuted.”

“Normalcy has been restored in the area, while the situation in the area, especially in the University and other tertiary institutions are being closely monitored with a view to forestalling any untoward reactions. “Efforts are being intensified to establish the motive(s) behind this crime, arrest all who may be directly or indirectly connected with the crime and eventually bring all indicted persons to book.” “I wish to use this medium to advice and appeal to Nigerians to see it as their civic obligation in the fight against crime and criminality, to assist security agencies in the discharge of their responsibility. Security is everybody’s responsibility and so, should not be abandoned in the hands of security agencies alone. The maximum cooperation of the public is needed to ensure that Nigeria is safe for all” the Police boss appealed to all Nigerians.

He called on Nigerians to discourage the vigilante mentality saying “Nigerians are further reminded to avoid taking laws into their hands, as two wrongs can never make a right.  More so, it is criminal and against the laws of the land and those that do so will surely be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

The IGP also appealed to citizens who might have information touching on this and other on-going Police investigation not to hesitate in turning over such information to the Nigeria Police Force.

SOURCE: www.channelstv.com.

JUNGLE JUSTICE VERSUS MODERN CIVILISATION: Which turn is Nigeria taking?

 

The case of the recent death and killings of four University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) Nigeria students by an angry mob on Friday the 5^th of October, 2012 in Omuokiri Aluu community in Ikwere local government area of Rivers state, Nigeria under allegations that these men were robbers just echoes the thoughts and feelings of civilized people (including the international community) who are truly upset about such inhumane treatment given on these undergraduates.

Are we still living in ancient times where war and violence amongst communities were seen as the major issue that took place? or are we living in the 21^st century era? What are we saying then, that we do not exist in a democratic setting? or that we don’t have the police or other individuals, entities or agencies that can assist in solving crimes and disputes. This is rather uncalled for and really depressing. It is also rather shameful to note that true-born Nigerians would kill their fellow brother.

Where is this heading to anyway? This action simply shows that even in modern times there is still no respect (by some people) for the rule of law; rather than taking matters into one’s hands, dialogue and proper understanding and cooperation should have occurred amongst the conflicting parties.

Now see, the dreams and aspirations of these four men have just being washed away, their families are being damaged and hurt by such act and the healing process would definitely not be a short one. I canvass for peace in this region and in this troubled time and I send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. To lose these men to the hands of callous and vicious hunters of death is simply a shock and indictment on the name of this great nation.

Who knows if we have killed the NEXT BIG THING that would have come out of Nigeria, maybe Africa or the one person that would have taken this world by storm?; instead some insensitive and wicked people have burnt these men to ashes, this is simply a cruel and animalistic behavior shown by those Nigerians.

We are not beastly in nature, so why must we exhibit otherwise? As patriotic and genuine nationals and ambassadors, we should not be seen to even hurt a fly talk less of killing and roasting men alive in flames, this is truly tragic. The educational sector has lost great minds amongst these four I am sure of that and this act is not the first of its kind in this country. Whatever the case maybe, whether it’s rape, mob-killings, religious crisis, bombings and the rest that is occurring in this nation, all of it has to stop.

Let us think of the damage this is having on Nigeria, the bereaved families and the young children, what message and inspiration are we passing to our young generation?; what do we want them to remember us for?; do we want to be praised for being a peaceful and united state or a divided and confused nation?; the decision is entirely left in our hands.

If we truly want Nigeria to change then we must change our ways, our attitudes, character, thoughts and actions, words and conversations; all of these must be positive, ethical, civil and morally right. Never must we be an object of shame or ridicule or an object used to hurt others; in the long run, you would truly realize that hurting others is like hurting oneself. Stop violence, channel your anger and energy into transformational and positive things; let’s learn to do a good deed to other members of the society, violence and chaos is never the best and matured option or approach to issues and indeed not the real solution; so who loses at the end of it all- It’s US, NIGERIA.

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