Dino Milaye: Joker or Politician

According to reports Senator Dino Milaye, member of the Nigerian House of Senate representing Kogi west Local government area, was recently seen in a video singing to taunt his "enemies" and whistle blowers following his certificate scandal. He was even seen robed in academic gown to the senate.

And then I found  this...

Sir, with all due respect, this is not University politics. this is a matter of national Image. Please Conform!!!

EFCC Report Links Saraki, Aides & 2 Others to Alleged N19bn Fraud

A report submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has linked Senate President Bukola Saraki and at least three of his aides in the ongoing probe of the alleged diversion of N19bn from the N522.74bn Paris Club refund shared among governors, PUNCH reports.

The report claimed that Saraki, in alleged connivance with the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) laundered the said sum through private consultants.

Some of Saraki’s aides  probed include Obiora Amobi, Gbenga Makanjuola, Kolawole Shittu and Oladapo Idowu.

Also under probe is Kathleen Erhimu, Saraki’s Relationship Manager at Access Bank.

Robert Mbonu of Melrose General Services Company was also indicted in the report. Mbonu was a former Managing Director of the defunct Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, owned by Saraki’s family.

Product-and-Brand-Ready

A client of mine got interviewed by a TV station and at that point when she was called upon she was ready, Product-and-Brand-Ready; Yes I had Branded her business, and her product, Awesome. So you know how the story goes, She nailed it, of course(branding wins again). Branding her business helped her to stand out from the crowd. Having a good product is no guarantee that you will be perceived rightly even when presented wrong. Someone may think you're just overpriced and wonder whats the big deal; Thats just one of the many ways it could go in the customers head. But having a good product is indeed a good start; and a right step in the right direction. This is what I like to call "Product-ready". 

A step ahead of the herd is being "Brand - Ready". This is the presentation and Image of a product or service in a way that appeals to the branding needs and senses of the consumer. Now when a product is Product and Brand ready, with the right marketing, that product becomes unstoppable. Branding gives you control and power over what your image is saying, and trust me you image always has something to say (whether you like it or not) so why not control it. 

Are you "Product-and-Brand-Ready"?

Always a Good Job

Hey Alana troopers!!! So I went out today and on my way home I decided to stop by at the nearest Boli sellers stand in my area to buy the famous Port Harcourt lunch Boli and, fish with pepper sauce.

My expectations were over the roof because I had previously patronized that same vendor with good result. But today was different. On getting home I noticed that the sauce wasn't well prepared and worse the  Boli/plantain was over ripe and soggy.

I can tell you that my expectation was not met, I mean not even close. I was displeased and angry put together, and then it happened, I vowed never to buy from her again.

How often do we do this in business? how often do we do a bad job? How many times do they decide not to buy from you again. I know I wont be buying from that lady for a very loooooong time.

Just when you think your business is doing so well, and all seems normal, ask yourself, can my client and customer's say its always a good job with me. You should go beyond normal to extraordinary. Customers like to be able to predict the goods and services they get from you. You can call this expectation. Consistence is key!!!

You have to meet their expectation 100% of the time(except in the event of unforeseen circumstances) to get to the point of "Always a GOOD JOB"!!! Every business that wants to succeed must get to this point in the customers psychology and in reality. Be Consistent!!!

Premium Brand, Premium Price

Hey Alana troopers!!!When you walk into a mall, you buy stuff  but don't bother to haggle or as many Nigerians would say "price am".. But when you go to the lady by the road side you pick an item but you don't fail to haggle the life out of it. Your mind is set on getting a good bargain,get the most value for your money.

Why!!! this lady is, as a matter of fact, trying to make a "living" while the mall is just after profit.The Mall may decide to review their prices upward and you would still but without haggling.
What makes the difference? BRANDING and PACKAGING.

A major advantage of branding is that it puts you in a position where you can demand a premium price for your goods and services. Isn't that great. So no more haggling. Problem solved.

Let me know your thoughts and concerns by leaving it in the comment section . Thanks guys.

Mr. Mac Roc; and Yes He Rocks

 Our Personality of the week, Efeoghene MacDonald Idu, popularly known as Mac Roc is a talented Music Producer, Media Consultant, ICT professional, Actor and Model.

Born in the City of Lagos, he learned to hone his skills at an early age. He had his early education in Lagos,Yola,and Benin. Had his Secondary school education at the Uniben Demonstration Secondary School, BeninCity and then went on to graduate from Benson Idahosa University with a Bsc degree in Computer Science.

He kicked off his career as a church boy playing the keyboard, then started to play at gigs till he worked his way to become a Music Producer and the CEO of Mac Roc productions . He has become well known for his production of Extraordinary music Covers for which I officially dub him the Naija-Cover-King. He has worked with the likes of Samsong, Eben, Dunnie, Ola pearl, Roland Rickeets, Rubunu to mention just a few.

What drives him to do more? His passion for excellence and in his words "I'm never Comfortable... I just want to explore the next phase.... I'm very adventurous and I don't like  being confined in my comfort zone, I like to aspire more...so I can help people"

He had this to say to up coming Music producers and I quote "Be humble, study in your field,build a good team, have a good network,be friends with the media".

Awesome personality, this one. See you at the top.

Zero Loan Business: Bootstrapping

There's a way to start your business without taking a "giant" loan or any form of loan whatsoever. This is called Bootstrapping. I want to share with you Five ways you can bootstrap and still get your dream business up and running

#1 Embrace Imperfection
 It must not be perfect when you start but still, Start. If you're waiting for it to be perfect then you might never start.

#2 Practice Incremental Upgrade
Work your way up. Start small then Scale. Work with expansion and improvement in mind.Starting small doesn't mean you should stay small.

#3 Invest in things that bring Clients and Money first
This is a wise thing to do so that your business can start to yield profits before you grow weary. Trust me its easy to get weary when the money is not coming so please do shorten that phase by investing in things that bring Clients and Money.

#4 Work within your means
  Use your money you've saved up from a previous job or gig (Or you can ask family especially parents for Support) Budget in other areas, cut back funds where less needed and put them where they are most needed.

#5 Swing Into action
  Act! Act! Act! Move it!!! This is the only way to get ahead. The only way to start is to Start. Time waits for No one. Use what you have in your hand to get as far as possible

Those are my Five Tips for bootstrapping. Much love to my Alana readers

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie makes Fortune Magazine’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” List

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has done it again

Fortune has released its annual list of World’s 50 Greatest Leaders and she is on it.

According to the Magazine, “In business, government, philanthropy and the arts, and all over the globe, these men and women are transforming the world and inspiring others to do the same.”

The prize-winning Nigerian writer has won admirers with her prose and a pair of viral TED Talks (one of which was famously sampled by Beyoncé). But Adichie has been most powerful in challenging her audiences to think differently and more expansively about Africa, identity, race, and gender. Many in the ­English-speaking world have embraced the invitation, and she has emerged as a feminist icon—she tells girls to get over being liked—and a fearless political and cultural critic.

Leaders on the list include “Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos (5), U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen (17), basketball great LeBron James (11), Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė (45), the ‘Iron Lady’ who has dared to call out Vladimir Putin for his misdeeds, and bioengineer Rebecca Richards-Kortum (32), whose Institute for Global Health is finding innovative ways to save babies.”

Others on the list include: Jack Ma (2) of Alibaba Group, Pope Francis (3), Melinda Gates (4) of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Strive Masiyiwa (33), CEO of Econet Wireless Group, Frank Mugisha, Executive Director, Sexual Minorities Uganda, Ava DuVernay (6), Film Director (Selma) and Screenwriter, former U.S Vice President Joe Biden (23), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (10), Taiwan’s first female President Tsai Ing-Wen (8), Elon Musk (30) of Tesla and SpaceX, Chance the Rapper (46), and Shakira (27).

Nigeria Suicide Hotlines

Following the incident earlier this week where a doctor committed suicide in Lagos (by jumping into the Lagoon for unknown reasons) the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Initiative has released their Hot lines to the public for those who ever need it. Help is not far.

Hello Weekend!!!

The weekend is here and and as always the fun is soon to begin. Count down to close of Work. Our weekend look for the classy Business woman, we chose this casual-elegant ensemble. This can be worn to the Movies, an outing with friends; and taking the jacket out of the picture, this can also be worn to the beach. So have fun ladies

Money is the name, Business is the Game

Hello Alana Readers. I want to share a thought provoking idea. Warning: If you're not business minded then this post might not be for you; but if you are, please by all means, take it all in. *Wink*

Most of us are taught from an early age that the essence of Education is to Graduate and GET A JOB. there is a saying that true education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.

Our mentality in this part of the world has been so tailored that we now associate success to the job title we are given. We sometimes mistake "who we are" for "what we do".

Jobs now define (and restrict) people. Let me state here Clearly that a JOB does not define you. Now let me puzzle you a bit....

Do you ever think you can become richer than the owners of the company you work for?

Your guess is as good as mine. Don't get me wrong, jobs are a good way to get experience but then comes the next Question...

What is your exit strategy?

Have a lovely day guys...

Breaking: Prices are set to crash as Naira records BIG gain against Foreign Currency

The Nigerian Naira , on wednesday, gained 20 points against the Dollar and Pound and 15 points against Euro at parallel market. According to reports

Naira now trades at 410 per dollar, 510 per pound , and 435 per Euro. All things being equal , this should lead to a massive drop in prices of goods and services nationwide.

Word for the week

Hello Guys!!! I know the week may be going in so many stressful kinda ways;like mine, so I want to leave you with these words to keep you refreshed and going
                   
                      " When Hard work meets Potential, you cannot hide Greatness"
                                                         - Imade Osaghae

So keep pushing because when it happens it will not hide. Your Hard Work is not in vain. Have a great day lovelies.

Lovely Ensemble

My favorite anytime is a Blazer. It gives this classy look to anything and anyone. The Skinny jeans and the heels put the finishing touches to make a WoW outfit. Score, 10/10.
What do you think.

Endless Opportunities

People today are often quick to say that the current economic situation does not encourage businesses. But in reality they just have toxic business habits, one of which is Lazy eyes for spotting business opportunities. Theres a saying that, A pessimist complains about the wind, an optimist expects it to change, but a realist adjusts the SAILS...
Which do you choose to do. Complain About the wind, Expect it to change or (my personal favorite) adjust the SAILS?
I must point out that todays business is for  the Realist.YES! The Realist.The current economic condition, laden with its many obstacles and hardship, also has numerous opportunities. All you have to do is open your eyes to these opportunities .Don't just Look, but See!!!
Your Million Dollar idea might just be staring you in the face.

Once you train the eyes of your mind to see opportunities you will find that there is an endless pool of them. You will begin to see opportunities in everything, even in nothing.

Have a great day and don't forget to leave your Questions in the comment box and I will get back to you as soon as possible. And to all my Readers. Much Love.

Its all about IMAGE

How your business looks is as important as how you look in todays business terrain. When you open your wardrobe to dress up in the morning you often take care to choose wisely what to wear while being guided by certain criteria, Right? So it should be also for Business Identity. Your Identity should Speak Positive Volume. As a business consultant I often advise that Branding Should be done no matter how small your business is because image can either bring customers, keep them,or send them running into the arms of your Competitors. Why do companies spend so much on Logo designs, complementary cards, Smart and beautifully tailored uniforms,fancy pansy billboards with pictures of super stars. Have you ever wondered? Well let me tell you why. Its because they want to look good to their target audience. This is called Branding.

 Having a quality brand is much like having a good reputation. When your Customers look at you and your business what do they see. What image Are you projecting. Do they see a Professional, responsible and efficient company, or do they see a scruffy, disorganized, and probably inefficient one.  I Often tell clients that whether you realize or acknowledge it or not you have a Brand and you are Making or Marring it Knowingly or Unknowingly.They say "dress the way you want to be addressed" , I say "Brand the way you want to Stand out"

Have a great Day and don't forget to leave your comments and Questions on the comments section and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Three Questions To Ask

Hey Guys. In my last post I talked about the three core questions to ask before venturing into business. they are What, Why, and How.

What to SELL....Hmmm we should be careful when choosing this because what the customer wants/needs is of utmost importance. you cant decide to sell shoes when your target Audience needs clothes. You will run at a loss if you do that. look around you, empathize. Ask yourself ,if I was in my customers shoes what would I want.  find out what is lacking.find a gap and fill the gap.

Why to sell....For many of us the driving force is Money...Yes Money but this should not always be the case. Passion should drive you. This is why human resource experts advise that you do a job/business that you enjoy. If possible find what you're good at and you enjoy and make a business out of it. Find a business where customer needs meets job satisfaction.

How to sell... this is where most people get it wrong. They see others and they want to do it like every other person is doing it without searching for their competitive advantage.Find your selling point and ride on it.

Thanks for reading. If you have any Questions or Comments Kindly drop them on the comment section and i will answer them as soon as possible. Think of me as your online business/Brand  consultant. I wish you success in your business.

Questions to Ask before Launching a Business Idea

Before we decide to walk down the path of  a relatively new business idea there are certain questions we must ask ourselves. They are three simple questions. You use them every day but when it comes to business many don't attach importance to them. So let me cut the suspense and go right to the point. They are What, Why, and How. These are the three determining Questions to answer before venturing into any business.
What am I going to SELL?
Why am I SELLing this?
How am I going to SELL?

What to sell talks about determining what you want or have to offer that others are willing to pay for.
Why to sell reveals the reasons behind our choice of what to sell.
And the How is the game changer. this will determine whether you will do it like the rest or do it no one else can. Read my next post to Learn more about these three determining Questions.

Business Tip

It is much easier to propose than to execute. In business, it is easy to get too busy doing nothing, going in circles like a mouse on a wheel. You must learn to match words with actions. Write down plans, tick them off as you go one by one till they are all done. Procrastination is indeed the biggest thief of time, and finally do not be scared to try new things. You may just break new grounds.even if you fail at least you would have learned a valuable lesson which will guide your next try. So go on and explore. Do have a wonderful week.

Johnny Drille Ighodaro Signed to Mavin Records

John Ighodaro popularly known as Johnny Drille got signed to Mavin Records recently.He is 26 years old an a graduate of the University of Benin, Department of English and literature, class of 2012. He is a folk/alternative singer, song writer, producer, and sound engineer. He produced "Na Only Me Dey" by Wati. He was a contestant on MTN Project Fame 6.0 but clocked out tenth.

About his recent signing to Mavins he took to Instagram and had this to say, and I quote "I was really just an ambitious young man making  music in his bedroom turned studio in Benin. I had a dream that some day the world will listen to the music I had in me......Now I,m a believer in Dreams cos mine came true."
Congrats Johnny Drille.

Osibanjo orders oil Companies to relocate HQ to Niger Delta

Acting President Osibanjo has ordered the relocation of Oil Copany Headquaters to Niger Delta. He stated this while on a visit to Uyo, Akwa Ibom ,where he asked the petroleum minister,Ibe Kachikwu, to to liase with the oil companies to ensure this is done.

Naira Gains: Forex Fraud Exposed

 It has been speculated by some that the recent appreciation of the Naira can be attributed to the Exposing of Forex Fraud by Mr. Gbadamosi who presently is said to be in DSS Custody. Still the Naira gains while DSS still detain Mr, Gbadamosi who exxposed the Government Forex Fraud Politics. The Authenticity of his is still being verified.

The Naira gains Further to the Dollar

As of  today, according to the Central bank of Nigeria, the exchange rate of Naira to the Dollar is N304.25. This improvement can be attributed to the new policy which the CBN has put in place to curb the depreciation of the Naira. Whatever they are doing, its Working.

Entrepreneur Crush: Say Joannezberg not Johannesburg

Well its no News that hard work pays. Miss Joan Uhunmwangho is the CEO of JOANNEZBERG CAKES AND CONFECTIONERY. Founded in 2009 its not been an easy road;
from early baking fiascoes to Beautifully crafted cakes as they are now known for, its indeed been quite a journey.

What Inspires her? Passion for the job and the customers satisfaction for a job well done.She had this to say to Upcoming Entrepreneurs "Set your priorities right from the beginning.You May not have a million Dollars, but Start anyway,start small. never look down on anyone because they might be your stepping stone to success".

Speaking of starting small, she started her business with less than N1000 in 2009 and now in 2017 she's one of best hands in the Nigerian Baking industry.
with all her feats in fondant, I hereby Crown her Nigerian Queen of Fondant.

Joannezberg was her nick name at the time so it fit like a glove to the business. She is a Graduate of Economics from Ambrose Ali University.

How to Make Money while you sleep

Its very possible to make money while you sleep .Wondering how? if you're reading this  then most likely your answer is yes. Lets count down the top ten ways you can do this
10. Arbitrage- Get the contract, hire it out.
9. Invest in Stocks and shares
8. Rent out Property
7.Flip websites
6.Sell Stock Content/get Royalties e.g images, videos, music
5.Build a membership website
4.Sell information products e.g e-books
3.Build a Mobile App.
2.Start an Online Store.
1.Start a Monetized Blog.