‘A Negative brand equity is a death sentence’; the Goodluck Jonathan Government should have been listening to Mark Ritson. More rightly put, it can lead to suicide. The #OccupyNigeria train hit Nigeria like a thunderstorm bringing to bear what Nigeria’s foremost humanright’s lawyer, Femi Falana calls Nigeria’s most powerfully organised protest. The #OccupyNigeria protests, which is the simultaneous response of the Nigerian people against arbitrary increase in fuel pump price and #Governmentwaste, is a similitude of the Egyptian and Tunisian protests but named after ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protests. It has been a “deregulated protest” spanning Nigeria’s major Cities, Embassies and High Commissions around the world.
What trend is the #occupynigeria depicting for brands?

1. The other edge of Social Media Marketing has been officially activated

With so much talk about social media marketing and its impact to reaching out to social customers, little attention has been given to social media advocacy.If your business/boss has not been taking social media serious, the impact of social media advocacy will jolt you into action. There is no doubt that the ongoing social media revolution will have an enormous impact not only on the way consumers and brands communicate with each other but also the impact of consumer-consumer communication. For this reason, social media engagement and relationship management strategies are no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a ‘must have’ for marketers.
But marketing via social media channels is not as simple as it is through other channels because of its two-edged effects:
a. Consumers can publicise negative experiences and ideas very widely in a matter of minutes;
b. They can also publicise positive experiences and ideas very widely in a matter of minutes.

The impact of social media as a rallying platform for #occupynigeria cannot be over emphasised. The announcement of the venue of the Lagos rally which cascadingly gathered close to 2 million people in its third day was announced though social media platforms (Blackberry, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and other instant messaging platforms).
The ‘unlike President Jonathan day’ (featured on CNN) and ‘the most cursed president’ (ranked on Google) campaign was widely impressive with CNN and Google helping to hype its veracity. With the tools to quickly rally people around a cause readily available, its time to watch it!
The days of poor customer service and treating clients/customers like thrash are counting.

2. Never Violate Trust – It’s the Currency of Brands not Prices

Brand Equity (the strength of a brand) is derived from the goodwill and recognition a brand has garnered over time as a result of fufilling its brand promise. This translates into higher sales volume and profit margins against competing brands. This is the reason why some brands command high patronage even if they charge premium for their products – it is the intangible asset of all promotional efforts.
In an unprecedented manner, the docile and unconcerned Nigerian populace have been jolted alive – thanks to access to information. The total breakdown of trust between the Nigerian people who ‘massively’ voted for the Jonathan Government can be attributed to the widely spread information available on Government’s spending habits, budgetary allocation and money politicking among its high ranking officials.
It is an important lesson to learn that you cannot gain equity by increasing product cost before improving its funtional attributes.

3. Be Ready to Cope with Impersonation

Especially if your business has no officially identified presence in the digital and social media space, or your boss is one who thinks Blackberry is a popular fruit; you now need to prepare for uncertainties, impersonations, rumors and ‘company leaks’.
Some organisations had spent considerable time and enegy refuting claims that they ”ordered people to resume or face sack” during the Nationwide strike declared during the #OccupyNigeria protests. Brands with extensive and original Twitter and Facebook pages quickly responded while traditional businesses looked for avenues to calm misconceptions. The official Twitter handle and Facebook page of the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala came alive in response to claims that she had threatened to resign from office if Nigerians eventually win the battle of the reversal.
Brands now have to think of ways to guide employees’s social relationships, have a policy and chief responsibility officer in preparation for crisis, and consistently stamp their voice online to crowd out impersonating pages and conflicting handles.

4. Social Media can no longer be left to that junior staff

Brands now know they need more than the ability to read and write to assign social media engagement to anyone. Whether to outsource to a social media agency or assign an employee to handle the platforms. The Social Media Manager is not necessarily for the Senior Manager; the appointment into this position requires a new way of thought. It is important to appoint someone with a natural flair for meandering and communicating through different platforms; someone with tact, intelligent, temprate and intelligent enough to engage a wide and varied number of issues and tempraments.
Improper handling of these platforms can backfire and the ripple effects cannot be directly measured until it impacts on the bottomline. The story of how a Fan Page moderator became intolerant when people began to complain on its Facebook about the use of non-renewable palm oil in their production is already a global case study on how not to speak on Facebook.

5. Listening to these Social Media ‘rants’ is now critical

Citizen’s blog posts , comments, social media and Blacberry discussion trends . . it is no more enough to hear about them, it’s time to listen. The emotional and connectedness between brands and their teeming customers can quickly translate into hate and social media mass action if you are not listening early enough and reponding appropriately.
Sustaining Brand equity is a valuable asset which companies invest huge amounts of money to develop; social media listening is now an avenue to maintain and sustain that social reputation.
The web is awash with various tools to help brands listen and respnd appropriately. Brand equity refers to the intangible value that accrues to a company as a result of its successful efforts to establish a strong brand

6. Despite its uncertainties; there lies the power to raise a tribe

SApart for an avenue to execute a highly targetted online marketing campaign; social media is established as a veritable tool for building brand loyalty.
The best way is to think of it as a party. The same wisdom that applies to any social situation also works with social media: Just be yourself and talk to people. Anyone following your brand is also following his or her family members, friends and colleagues. If your brand fits in with a customer’s personal social network, there is great potential for that person to build an emotional attachment and loyalty for your brand the same way they would for a friend. And when a customer thinks of you as a friend, you have a loyal customer.

There is no doubt that the ongoing and fast-developing social media revolution is having an enormous impact not only on the way consumers can communicate with other consumers, but also on the ways in which consumers and brands communicate with each other. For this reason, social media engagement and relationship management strategies are no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a ‘must have’ for marketers.

However, if you’re looking at taking a huge chunk of the youth market and emerging young professionals, then you need to take a shot at using social media strategy to jump start your business.

Startups are not that easy, they are lean, they are hungry for success and they need to catch up with clients and keep a close eye on their industry. Many more internet startups are dying faster than traditional businesses and it is important to get to know what had been consistent thnigs that the few successful one did.

This infographic by some great guys at Udemy helps to summarise how social media can be used by startups to get off the ground.

by Column Five Media via

Social media in particular has become an epidemic that is transforming every business and economic sector. The impact of these new technologies and systems throw up new challenges and opens up opportunities to most professional especially  Public Relations professionals and those who are in the business of promoting brands on the Internet. For people and individuals seeking resources and websites, I have decided to post this comprehensive list provides by Bschool, an online resource for business professionals on interesting websites and posts on Social Media and PR.

1. PR Daily: Provides the latest PR news stories through this great tech-focused blog. Recommended post: “Report: PR pro is the second-most stressful job.”
2. PR Newser: If you’d like to see what other companies are putting out in press releases, this site is the place to do it. Recommended post: “The Ten Myths of Creating Web Content.”
3. Prnewspros: Check out this blog to find news geared especially towards those who are trying to build a career in the PR field. Recommended post: “Your PR Career: What Your College Coursework Doesn’t Teach You About Succeeding in the Workplace.”
4. PRSay: The Public Relations Society of America maintains this blog, chock full of the latest news and views on everything PR-related. Recommended post: “The Nine Lives Of Public Relations?“
5. PR News: From advising you on how to make business calls to providing the latest news on business, this PR blog has it all. Recommended post: “PR News’ Going Green: Outstanding Green Business Practices.”
6. Everything PR: Follow the public relations field as a whole when you read this blog and learn a bit more about global news and pop culture that can help your business. Recommended post: “100 Media Monitoring Tools for PR.”
7. PR Fuel: This blog will teach you about the power of a press release and offers up some ideas on how to get the most out of online press release sites. Recommended post: “30 PR Experts You Should Follow on Twitter.”

For PR Pros

These blogs will help to educate you on things you’ll need to know to get ahead as a professional working in the field of public relations.

8. Wired PR Works: Barbara Rozgonyi offers her expertise on getting your business noticed, finding new clients and building a better business community here. Recommended post: “3 YouTube and Video Marketing Tricks You Should Not Miss.”
9. ComPRehension: Explore the field of PR with some experts in the Public Relations Society of America through this blog. Recommended post: “Annual Grunig Lecture: Remembering The “Relationship” In PR.”
10. Strategic Public Relations: Learn a bit more about public relations strategies both online and off from this blog. Recommended post: “Starbucks’ In-Store Wifi Leveraged Into Branded Media Network.”
11. The Publicity Hound’s Blog: Looking for some publicity for your company or clients? Then check out this blog for some tips, tricks and tools that can help you get all eyes on your business. Recommended post: “9 ways to spy on your competitors online.”
12. 6 A.M.: This PR firm shares their business strategy and some great PR pointers, a great read for anyone interested in establishing their own business or trying to get ahead in their field. Recommended post: “A Word to the Wise.”
13. POP! PR Jots: Jeremy Pepper, the author of this blog, works in PR and communications. Through this site, he shares his own commentary on the biz and offers some great insights to newbies and seasoned vets alike. Recommended post: “PR Pitching and Blacklists.”
14. A PR Guy’s Musings: Stuart Bruce’s blog touches on a wide range of PR topics, from social media to business basics to politics. Recommended post: “Public relations is about reputation, not SEO.”
15. The Flack: Through this blog written by Peter Himler, you’ll be able to learn how PR impacts fields like politics, pop culture, business, entertainment and more. Recommended post: “Long Live PR (and the Press Release Too).”
16. National Public Relations Examiner: Valerie Merahn Simon, Senior Vice President at BurrellesLuce media monitoring and measurement, maintains this blog that is the perfect place to learn about some of the biggest issues in PR today. Recommended post: “What are the major differences between B2B and B2C social marketing?“
17. Murphy’s Law: Blogger and PR guy Tom Murphy shares his thoughts on a wide range of topics related to PR, social media and CSR on this site. Recommended post: “PR + CSR = Just Good Business.”
18. Valley PR Blog: This blog from a PR firm is maintained by several experts in the field who comment on topics like social media, marketing, the world of PR and current events. Recommended post: “The REALITY of publicity.”
19. PR at Sunrise: From working with difficult clients to navigating the strange new world of social media, you’ll find a wealth of advice for PR pros here. Recommended post: “Top 10 Signs You Are The Official Social Media Nerd Of Your Company.”

Communication

Whether it’s with clients or with the general public, there’s no doubt that communication is a key component of public relations. These blogs will give you an idea of how to improve your communication skills and be a savvier PR pro.

20. SteDavies: This PR blog is a great resource for professionals hoping to learn a bit more about the role of communications in PR and find some fun and engaging articles about everything from business to finance. Recommended post: “10 Trends of 20-Somethings.”
21. PR Communications: Learn more about marketing, social media and the internet on this blog from marketer John Cass. Recommended post: “Corporate Blogs in the Fortune 500.”
22. Public Relations Matters: Dr. Barbara B. Nixon posts to this blog about a number of public relations and communications issues. Recommended post: “Five Ways to Keep Current in Public Relations News & Trends.”

New Media Marketing and PR

These blogs are focused on using the latest technology to get the word out about brands, campaigns and businesses.

23. A Shel of My Former Self: Focused on communication and technology, this blog by Shel Holtz is a great read for any PR expert looking to take their business digital. Recommended post: “Business-produced content could fill the sharable-content gap created by paywalls.”
24. The Future Buzz: Find commentary on media, marketing and PR from Adam Singer on this blog. Recommended post: “19 Reasons You Should Blog And Not Just Tweet.”
25. aimClear: This blog offers up some great articles that can help you promote your brand or business through search engine optimization. Recommended post: “Blog Optimization, Post Title SEO & Deadeye Targeting.”
26. 360 Days in Our Circle: With several contributing bloggers in the PR business, this blog offers some multifaceted insights into PR in the digital age. Recommended post: “Email and Social Media- A Match Made in Marketing Heaven?“
27. ProPR: CEO of firms Thornley Fallis and 76Design Joseph Thornley writes this blog. Check it out to learn more about building strong client relationships, implementing creative designs and latching onto the power of the internet for PR. Recommended post: “Six keys to success in social media.”
28. What’s Next? Blog: B.L. Ochman is an expert on new media marketing, and she shares some of that expertise, as well as her commentary, though this blog. Recommended post: “Five Reasons Why Companies Should Not Block Employee Access to Social Networks.”
29. Deirdre Breakenridge: From using Facebook to cyberbranding, Deirdre Breakenridge shares her thoughts on all things PR 2.0 on this blog. Recommended post: “PR 2.0 Sharing With Your Competition.”
30. Diva Marketing Blog: Get some tips and tools for better marketing your brand, especially using digital media, on this site. Recommended post: “RSS Beyond Blogs.”
31. Media Culpa: These Swedish bloggers follow media and public relations on their site, posting about topics like Twitter, blogging, branding and much more. Recommended post: “Flickr reaches 5 billion photos.”

Social Media

Social media plays a huge role in most businesses marketing and PR work these days. Learn more about how you can better implement it in your own work through these blogs.

32. PRSarah Evans: For advice and information on getting your business rolling with social networking and online media, check out this site. Recommended post: “STUDY: The Future of Content.”
33. Dave Fleet: This blog, by PR professional Dave Fleet, discusses communications, PR and social media. Recommended Post: “57 Social Media Policy Examples and Resouces.”
34. PR Squared: Learn more about social media and marketing from blogger and public relations expert Todd Defren on this site. Recommended post: “Facebook Marketing: Success Factors.”
35. Danny Brown: Need some help understanding what role social media and online marketing should play in your business? This expert may be able to help. Recommended post: “52 Cool Facts About Social Media.”
36. Chris Abraham: Chris Abraham, the president and COO of a social media marketing firm, shares his insights into using online tools for business promotion here. Recommended post: “Best Practices of Social Media Marketing.”
37. The Proactive Report: Help your business stay ahead of the curve by reading this blog written by Sally Falkow. It focuses on social media, but also contains general advice about online PR. Recommended post: “Are Your Customers Too Old for Social Media — Not a Chance!“
38. Fresh Influence: Learn more about social media and word of mouth marketing from this 360 Digital Influence blog. Recommended post: “10 Stunning (And Useful) Stats About Twitter.”
39. Convince and Convert: Here, Jay Baer shares information on using social media and online content in PR marketing. Recommended post: “Develop a Social Media Strategy in 7 Steps.”
40. prTini: If you’ve got an interest in better utilizing social media to promote your business or product, give this blog by Heather Whaling a read. Recommended post: “The 5 Cs of Blogger Relations.”
41. Peter Shankman: Social media entrepreneur and consultant Peter Shankman offers some business advice on using social media to its fullest on this blog– much of which can be quite useful to PR professionals. Recommended post: “Is your social media expert really an expert?“
42. Communications Conversations: Get a leg up in the social media marketing world by reading some of the tips Arik Hanson has to offer here. Recommended post: “5 LinkedIn groups for PR pros.”

Niche

From tracking your stats to learning from the mistakes of others, these blogs focus on some niche areas of PR.

43. Brian Solis: Want to learn more about new media and how it’s affecting those who use it? This blog from research firm professional Brian Solis is a must-read. Recommended post: “The Rise of Social Commerce.”
44. Young PR: PR isn’t just for businesses. Learn a great deal about using social media, technology and marketing to help a non-profit through this blog. Recommended post: “PdF Audio: Using Social Media for Non-Profit Fundraising.”
45. SpinSucks: PR has a bad reputation for being manipulative and dishonest. This blogger shares some ways that PR professionals can get out of this mindset as well as posting about topics like social media, communications, advertising and more. Recommended post: “Five Signs A Social Media Star’s Reputation Is Spin.”
46. Bad Pitch Blog: Read this blog to see bad PR pitches get called out and to learn what you shouldn’t do in your own work. Recommended post: “PR People: Stop Being Bad at Stuff and Read This.”
47. PR Measurement Blog: Learn how to more effectively monitor the impact of your online marketing, public relations, internal communications and more with the help of this blog. Recommended post: “The originial HITS = How Idiots Track Success Speech.”
48. Spinning Around: This blog is a fun place to see some creative marketing campaigns for other brands. You may just be inspired to come up with your own. Recommended post: “The UK’s Top Marketing Weblogs.”
49. PR Disasters.com: Want to see some PR campaigns gone wrong and big PR snafus? This blog is the place to do it. Whether they make you laugh or cringe, you’ll get an idea of what not to do while you’re on the job. Recommended post: “Five lessons from Nestle’s Facebook PR disaster.”
50. Personal PR: While you’re sure to find some great PR tips here, this blog also offers up some ideas on how to be more productive and get ahead in your career. Recommended post: “27 Secrets to Linking LIke a Master Networker.”

Have a clear social media strategy

Going online has gone far beyond the era of just developing a beautiful website. The evolving demand for online media marketing and social media engagement requires clear policies, guidelines and experienced staff that will involve employees in every aspect of your business operations – Human Resource, Customer Service, Branding and Marketing.

It also involves profiling your target audience before pouring resources into Facebook. Several PR tools will be useful in this regard. Don’t be busy spending money on ads if your audience is busy in traffic or with their phones.

Be prepared

Dealing with social media attacks require a robust crisis plan. Brand haters exist but unlike the past, a coordinated attack can easily be organized against a brand. Consider the Boycott British Airways campaign organized by the Nigerian Village Square and Respect Nigeria Coalition when officials of the UK Police forcefully ejected Ayodeji Omotade and about 136 other Nigerians from a Lagos bound flight from the UK. Thousands of online signatures were collated which later saw British Airways apologizing for its misbehavior.

When opening your brand to social media, you relinquish ownership of the brand, so before the case ever comes up you need to be sure if your agency has a community management expertise to avert or mitigate a social media crisis? Have a set of best practices been established? Think again.

Classify mud-slings and don’t fight dirty
Ok the deed is done and you have a crisis in your hands, what do you do? The next step is not to have a hurried response to your online audience. The next step is to determine the type of response necessary. It doesn’t matter the kind of crisis, one rule is critical – stay positive. Being bitter and negative about comments is the easiest way to expose your brand to bashing.
Some problems or complaints direct you to a particular challenge your customers are facing with your product/service, nicely thank them for bringing it to your notice and deal with it. If the comments are as a result of customers not understanding your methods and policies, you score a bigger point. Simply thank them and explain why you do it that way. You won’t take all suggestions, but be careful to win their loyalty and trust by being appreciative. But then some mudslings are downright dirty, they are designed to draw or bait you into an unnecessary I-am-right-get-lost fight thereby exposing you as inept and leaving your organization at the mercy of a community of angry comments and future readers of the page. Nescafe (international) will never forget this lesson when they multiplied their challenges by mishandling Facebook attacks during protests by members of Greenpeace.
Finally, in going social, always remember a Facebook page isn’t a social media strategy. Using social media engagement strategies includes identifying your brand personality, profiling your target audience and going to engage them. If your brand is hoping to leverage on social media, it should be ready to create new teams to proactively listen, learn and engage your customers in real time. Cheers

I delivered the message titled “My letter to Idris – 10 lessons to an undergraduate”. I spoke extensively on these lessons as they relate to life, leadership, academics and relationships. I enjoyed myself while sharing personal examples and principles that I learnt the hard way, the easy way and the ones I learnt after the fact. I intend to post the presentation once I finish sorting out the technical issues involving my website.

But going through the Ife – Lagos highway, I could literally point out potholes before we got there even after not being on that road close to a year. I thought about the numerous accidents I saw, the countless number of lives lost and families in grief because some people refused to execute their responsibilities. I thought about our challenges of power supply which have defied all possible approaches. When people rise into leadership in Nigeria, do they become helpless or conscienceless?

We need men in power, men and women with courage and a conscience; people who have come to understand leadership as a call to destiny and not one of the necessary rites of life. When the right people don’t show up by election day, people will vote for the ones available, and if we don’t show up to vote, some people will vote on your behalf. Will the next president please show up early enough?

We don’t have to vote for experienced incompetence.

I would really just want to know how you felt, what went through your mind, how you currently feel about the value system in Nigeria and how you intend to further tackle the issue of wrong values. I look forward to reading ur reply.

Thank you.

Sincere regards

xyz xyz”

As I read his mail, many things came into my mind. I remember the unending bad publicity about the double standards and scandals that have continued to rock most of the respected leaders in the society. From of Tiger Woods, Juanita Bynum, T D Jakes and Paula White to Nigeria’s respected leaders both in the political and religious sectors of the polity, we are fast losing role models to scandals- from sex to money.

So many thoughts have ran through my head as news and rumours have managed to form an odd mixture that continually batters the conscience of people who once believed in the few leaders who have managed to stand up to what is true. Why are these leaders failing?  Are there still true mentors? Here are my thoughts

Role models didn’t choose themselves – we chose them.

Mentoring is defined by someone whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others. We choose them, we make them celebrities, we form our opinions of them through the things they have achieved, their pedigree, credentials and we develop and form an opinion of the code of life they should follow and when they intimately cannot follow them, we get disappointed and blame them for not being up to the standards.Role models are not necessarily mentors- we chose them because of what we heard, read and our opinions of them, then we can’t blame them for our idolizing them.

The best of men are still men at their very best

No matter how great a mentor or role model is, he/she is till man/woman at his very best. I was conducting an interview for someone two weeks ago and he made a profound statement. If there were no checks and balances, even a holy man can fail. I personally don’t idolise people and my Pastor totally abhors it. I’m pastored by Tunde Bakare and though I’ve been ministered to by him for over ten years, I still have a room for him to fail. The only problem we have is usually that we have equated some people to the nature of Christ himself. We listen and respect and learn from men, but ultimately we follow God. If your CEO, Pastor, Role Model falls, we don’t have to fall with them, pick up yourself and follow Christ Though as we move in life, we tend to focus less on the things we shouldn’t do and to focus on the things we should do; we still need to give men room for the frailty of the human nature. Broken promises, backstabbing, heart breaks are all a result of putting too much trust in the infallibility of the human nature.

Most times role modeling can be addictive.

When you’re a role model, the primary focus is on you- I mean people can’t have enough of you. You speak here and there and you suddenly think having moments in front of the large audience and microphone and are tempted daily to present the polished and structured part of their lives. But when you become a mentor, the primary focus is on your protégés. The time commitment of role modeling is simply the life you lead, with everyone free to observe. Your actions continually speak and everyone can consciously predict where you stand even when you have not spoken. The time commitment of mentoring is a personal involvement in the lives of a select group of protégés. As a role model, you say: “Here’s a way to live that you might want to emulate.” As a mentor, you say: “Here’s a way to live that you might want to emulate…and let me share the details of my journey.”

Role Models must mentor

While a role model is “someone whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others” a mentor is a mentor is “a trusted counselor, guide, tutor or coach”. Mentoring is a progression of role modeling. Most times we chose mentors we do not have an idea of why they do the things they do, we only see them at their best- giving speeches, smiling on red carpets and well scripted books they probably never wrote a line of it. If role models communicate, they become mentors. Role models must share from their heart the things that have influenced their lives, how they have navigated the difficult choices of their lives (not only the ones that yielded results). People are not tending to find role models among the people they relate directly with and those who have the opportunity to influence their lives.

Finally we must communicate. Since our mentor-deprived generation is desperately searching for one, we hardly encourage peer communication as we even navigate our own challenges and even churches can be very guilty of this. Most times we talk about every thing except the things that matter to us. Look and search for a mentor, they may not have time, but create it. We need them, we need friends.

Selah.

This I am thankful for.

Today is my birthday and I’m alive. It is a luxury that if I had all the resources of the presidency, I still can’t buy it. This I am Thankful for.

I studied Microbiology in school. After deciding hospitals and test-tubes were not the way to go, all hell broke loose. Today, I do something I enjoy and I have no regrets. This I am thankful for.

At the height of all hell breaking loose, I sat down under a tree depressed.  two ladies approached me and thanked me for talking to them in JSS2 six years ago. It was one moment I’ll never forget. I was re-fired to continue to do well. This I am thankful for

I made many decisions last year. For every door I dared to knock last year, they opened. When not qualified, I outclassed. Even ones I bungled I got a second chance. It’s a good feeling, God can we do this again? This I am thankful for.

I had traveled to Benin for a meeting but was running late. The bus broke down around 11pm on Benin-Ore expressway. We slept in the rain praying we won’t be preyed upon by thieves. We got another bus and got to Benin. This I am thankful for

Thank you for giving me Damilola. Relationships require smart work and a balance of love, passion and commitment. I didn’t need to be sweating in hard labour to build this one. Over the years I thank you. This I am thankful for

One thing I have never lacked in my entire journey- The support of people who believed and encouraged me, especially at those times when I found it hard to believe in my self. I have in turn helped many to find encouragement on their pathways in life. This I am thankful for

Last Sunday, I couldn’t drive to Church so I took a bike. 15 minutes later, the bike man skidded under a 911 truck while I stood watching. I later saved the bike man from being crushed by the vehicle. I later went on my way. This I am thankful for

This coming year is starting and I know I have to begin to thank God for successes I have recorded in it. When I thank God the earth and everything will respond to me. This I am thankful for

Thank you to everyone who made last year a glorious one. I have been embarassed by text messages, wall posts,  cals , thanks all…. this I am thankful for

Pens up!

The effect of the Global Economic Crises is closing in on Nigeria gradually. A recent report predicted that 18 percent of Nigerians would further be classified as being poor in 2009. That mean the gap between the poor and the rich will get wider still. But then, it is said that if the riches of the world were shared between the rich and the poor, in 30 years, those rich would still be rich and the poor would have returned to their normal position. Apparently, the poor and the rich seem to have habits that consistently make them remain in the same position. These habits would be analysed based on assets and liabilities. What is an asset? An asset is whatever you acquire that gives you money to maintain you and your purpose on earth, while liabilities are things you have that require more money to maintain them.

Those called rich are the people whose assets are more than their liabilities, while poor people have more liabilities than assets. What do the poor do so exceptionally well?

1. Value liabilities more than assets.

If you value liabilities more than assets, it is likely you would be poor if you are not already. If all you seek or aspire to have are all liabilities instead of assets, you are most likely poor. It is notable that more students and poor people use more good looking phones than rich people. Cars, clothes, phones are all liabilities and these are things most poor people aspire to have as a status of being rich.

2. Acquire liabilities with income.

Supposing you use your hard earned cash to purchase a car, don’t doubt it- a car is a liability, if we follow our previous definition above- except if you have a mobile shop. If income is directed at obtaining liabilities which requires more money to maintain them, then you have just bought a pipe through which all your hard-earned income would be drained. The issue with rich people is that they earn faster than they spend.

3. Spend income maintaining liabilities.

Definitely once the money is spent on acquiring liabilities, you would require more money to maintain or continue to use them. Poor people spend a large part of their earning maintaining the liabilities they have. Imagine having four cars, it requires more money to maintain the four cars, while assets make more money for you.

4. Spend and try to save leftover.

The spending pattern of the poor is also evident in the fact that once they earn some money they spend them on liabilities and save the left over. After expending all the money on liabilities, the little money saved would be used to settle the debts or costs incurred on maintaining the liabilities they have bought.

5. Save to expend on liabilities.

Poor people may have excellent saving culture, but they may spend it on liabilities. Imagine spending time and life going to work, and saving only to buy a car to use to go to work. A car may not be bad when you have assets in excess of the money you earn in a year.

When saving towards anything, be sure it is towards an asset that may bring more money into your pocket, rather than a liability that would take more from you.

6. Play today, pay tomorrow.

The mindset of delaying gratification is only found in the dictionary of the rich. A poor man/woman would prefer to enjoy the pleasantries of life as soon as some cash enters into their pocket, only for them to regret those decisions in years to come.

If you find a seventy year old woman begging on the streets, what readily comes to mind is to ask what she has been doing? There are too many cases of “have beens” in the earth, who are worth nothing today.

7. Their children inherit debt.

The thirst to acquire more and more might even drive some people to take loans from banks. Other people love to admire such; flashy cars, houses, glamorous clothes and accessories only for them to die and put their children in line for paying back debts owed or for credit card abuse

This is intended to x-ray our behaviours as we position ourselves on the way to the future. We should look at our habits and choices and have no doubt where we hope to end up.

orange academy

My week is going to be very interesting. I am in the final week after going through the war room 11 of Orange Academy’s School of Brand Advertising. It’s been four weeks of fun and work excitement. I am presently working on our final presentations for the final battle with the other mock advertising agency.
The school, though two years old, is one institution that has done a lot in stamping it’s presence into the heart of Brand and Advertising Industry in Nigeria. Bespectacled Kenny Badmus, who initially struck me as a nerd is one great guy full of expressions and fun. For someone responsible for the new generation of orange diplomats in various industries, he did not fail to prove his stuff.  He took us round the world of copy, strategic planning, brand innovation and management.

The programme was structured like a practical reality show, though without hidden and spy cameras. We were organised into two advertising agencies- BAD and ACE. These two agencies have been given the task of branding a health drink which should be in the market in the next few months. I must confess, ACE agency has done a lot more talking than working; not because I’m in BAD agency, it because I know the rules of engagement. But whichever team wins on Sunday, I must say I’ve worked with a great team altogether.
Despite BAD consisting of people from different  sectors of the Nigeria industry, we did not fail to exude synergy.From our meetings at night to the groups’ mails, calls and to our brandishing of idea daggers, verbal postures and compromise, I’ve had a lot of fun. But then, the intense work before Sunday remains.
Sunday represents the final pitch day and the 2nd anniversary of the Academy. I finally decided today to be one of the presenters for my group- that means more work. So I would be one of people telling ACE where their PLACE is- at the BASE!

For a school with so much achieved at 2,

I say congratulations to the entire Orange Academy Team.