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Steve Jobs is dead; 10 Golden lessons from an iconic brand

deola — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:24:04 +0000

Apple has lost its creative and visionary leader Steve Jobs. Even if you never knew him he has influenced humanity. His brilliance approached in develop Apple brand of products remain the keystone of Apple’s success story. It is still hard to imagine Apple without him.

300

deola — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:30:51 +0000

2011 is not an ordinary year; it will be the first year after our fiftieth year; it will mark the beginning of our next fifty years and in that same year, the nation will be determining the direction we will go – whether we do something or we don’t. The temperature of the political space is changing rapidly and we cannot afford to be spectators. Our group and several others have been rally around a common cause – 2011 must not be business as usual, especially if we choose to do things differently. We will not remain spectators in the unfolding revelation of a great nation, or a failed one – we have our chance and we will not be busy sighing.

We have dissipated our time and energies in coordinating our communal efforts to develop our nation –we have gone to orphanages and convalescent homes to help others, we have supported the work of inept governments when we repaired our damaged roads, but we can only do so much. We have taken to the streets when we have been pushed, deprived and beaten to the wall – only to say enough is enough. How many people die when hospitals shut down because of strikes? How many people meet untimely death simply because the person in charge feels some other personal agenda needs to be serviced? We cannot afford to sigh.

If all we do is to succeed in spite of the system, we may be paying a heavy price for negligence of the fate of others and the society. If we can afford to buy good cars for bad roads and generators for candle electricity; we cannot build refineries to supply fuel for our cars and generators, or can we then raise our kids in body armour? Some go to school with kids who have no idea what tomorrow holds for them. It is time we rolled our sleeves and got working. If one conscientious leader becomes your Local Government Chairman, Governor, even President then our lives will be fuller, safer and richer. Everyone who desires the interest of Nigerians must not be spectators; we must be part of the solutions. Our sighs must be a reward of our committed labour.

Where am I going? We need 300 people. Will our members everywhere, those interested in the rallying around a cause strong enough to push Nigeria forward come together? If we were to look back in 15, 20 and 30 years from now, if our children asked us the single moment for would have loved to change, will it be now, when we have a chance, not only to vote, but to vote for results that matter. I don’t want to join the company of people who will look back and sigh to ourselves – we could have done better!. God, give us great leaders, give us great men!

D.E.T.A.I.L.S – it can save your life

deola — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:24:23 +0000

I was used to hating details. They are just simply boring; being a creative person, I prefer to let someone else take care of the finicky part of work while I develop them. While I am calm and adaptable to complicated people and situations, I am totally impatient with facts. I get to re-arrange my bedroom at least thrice every year. When blogging on a topic, I get to develop the topic and idea in minutes and I could spend the next a week proofreading. Anything I can’t picture in 3D is ‘work’… While these issues might not affect the daily details of your life, one day a demand may be placed on you that will require your exactness. Over four months ago I began to walk the path of developing an eye for details. (My quick test for checking if you have an eye for details? if by now you’ve not noticed that the ‘S’ in the header doesn’t have a dot behind it, you need to work on your detailing).

Though life is calibrated and measured in years and accomplishments, the outcome of those times will depend on the little details of our lives – in days, hours, minutes and seconds. The key to success in life is getting to do little things correctly, all the time, every time, so that the summation of our actions will yield a balanced, structured end result which is a brand of impeccable and sound quality.

Even in my work, where I demonstrate a passion for work and idea generation, I have come to appreciate that commitment to quality and relentless attention to details are essential hallmarks of excellence. Attentions to details save organisations a lot of time, frustration and money. Most organizations and people that have enjoyed the greatest success understanding that it takes hundreds of small, seemingly insignificant details repeated day in and day out to create an unforgettably excellent experience.

Lesson #1: Train your brain, but back it up

Some clichés become so common they often lose their significance like it is often said that the shortest pen remembers better than the shortest memory. I have thus learnt to carry notebooks about wherever I go. I have notebooks for my work plan, personal projects and ideas, meditations and church notes- and I use them.

It’s not that the devil is in the details, but that every detail we forget contain a seed that can potentially make the difference between success and failure. If the benefits of your work, prayers and efforts will be reaped, attention to detail is an absolute necessity.

Lesson #2: Write your life

Even when you have a notebook, make sure you put things down- the stupid, necessary and the critical. Most time we can’t track our progress because we don’t care to measure it by writing it down ab initio. It doesn’t matter the information, put it down (and keep sensitive details secure!). The reason why the history of global development is western is that Africans propagate history by word of mouth which eventually gets lost in transmission.

Lesson #3: Order

Anyway you look at it; they’re going to be times within your job or life where your attention to details will save you. One of the key issues to being exact is orderliness. Having an organized desk, room or life may seem minor, but when the outcome of a circumstance clean and organized desk it’s easy to find papers quickly. And just like your desk, the rest of your job should be organized and neatly projected that so that little things like going over budget don’t get by you.

Lesson #4: Do things immediately

One of the reasons we lose details is usually the ‘I will do it later’ syndrome. The idea that there is a convenient time to do things always makes us rely on our memories to keep us up to speed.

Putting off tasks till later is half leaving things undone.

Lesson #5: Learn how to do things right the first time

No matter what business or personal activities you are involved in, you will be confronted with greater challenges that could have been prevented if you had paid closer attention to the details in the first instance.

Lesson #6: these things are a reflection of your leadership and personality

I was told of someone applying for the post of a financial analyst who was called to an interview. The man was astute in his presentation and was heavy on pedigree, but he forgot his CV and credentials at the venue of the interview when he left.

Excellence in any endeavor is a production in which every little detail tells a story about one’s personality, commitment, and character. Pay attention to the small stuff. Consistent attention to details produces excellence and that’s why every detail counts!

“The magic behind every outstanding performance is always found in the smallest of details.”

Of Mentors and Role Models

deola — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:20:55 +0000

The weekend has everything I was hoping to have, beautiful time to rest and get major things done. I used to feature a role model every month where I will read a personality profile and draw life lessons from them. Then a while ago, I received this mail from a friend in Sydney. “Hello Deola, My name is xyz xyz (I hid the name to protect his privacy). I am currently studying in Sydney. I recently came across an article you wrote on role models on your blog adeolakayode.com. In the article you started with Mr Erastus Akingbola. I saw all you documented about him. I am writing to ask how you felt when the recent happenings took place. I am sure you were disappointed have had my fair share of disappointments too.

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.

And this I am thankful for

deola — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:23:41 +0000

Its past twelve and I couldn’t sleep. I lay on my back watching the long hand of my wall clock sneak pat the twelfth digit that marks the beginning of my birthday. It’s been a long one year for me and God has been good. Most times we look at what we have to accomplish ahead and forget to thank God for the little and the big leaps he has been giving us as we navigate the bends and the turns of life. Ok so I decided to begin listing…

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 lifestyle of the Poor

deola — Mon, 18 May 2009 05:10:54 +0000

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.

The many letters of the Ekiti re-run

deola — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:03:10 +0000

free video poker how to play backgammon no deposit bonus online casino 888 no download casino play roulette craps game black jack download american roulette play video poker baccarat free casino game no download online casino free money on line casino wagering roulette online online casino betting free online casino slots free craps best casino roulette gambling internet casino gambling uk best casino online full pay video poker no deposit casino code best craps game black jack tournament best online casino site craps online game newest online casino free slots no download play blackjack online free dueces wild video poker black jack gambling online video poker game free casino cash no deposit video poker tutorial play free video poker how to win at black jack casino roulette casino guide how to win at roulette rules of craps casino game online real money backgammon baccarat casino online free video poker game play free video poker video poker odds video poker tournaments The events of the past few weeks in the polity are enough to make any patriotic Nigerian lose sleep. More noticeably is the palpable anger with which Nigerians are giving up on the direction, in which the nation is going especially when in 4 months time; we would be hitting the 50th anniversary of our nation.

Ekiti people have proven once again they are the fountain of knowledge, (I jokingly call it – state of emergency). I see the dramatic events of those days being a message written to every other state, the electorates, contestants and particularly for the coming 2011 elections for which so many governors had previously abandoned governance to campaign for.

I would like to share lessons in form of messages, which the Ekiti re-run has taught us all.

Insights from Slum dog Millionaire

deola — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:33:43 +0000

One confession: after the euphoria of the Indian movie revolution in the early eighties, when we were kids; watching the “Shole”, “Shakti”, “MARD”, “Yer van dera”e.t.c. I lost the Indian movie appeal. American movies top my collection list now, forget those Nigerian movies- never a fan. Especially when I have a multimedia project to work on, I love a movie playing in the background, as a result of this, there’s hardly any series movie I’ve not watched.

The staggering accumulation of 6 Oscar awards by the film, Slum Dog Millionaire caught my attention. It was about the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who was one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” When the show took a break from the episode, the anchor got the police to was promptly arrested arrested and interrogated on why a boy from the slums was so “brilliant” as to be able to answer the most difficult ones but could not answer the basic simple questions posed to him on the hot seat.

Jamil takes his interrogators through the maze of his live, from living and playing in the midst of the squalor where he lived along with his mother and brother, and how his various experiences exposed him to the solutions coincidentally being asked on the hot seat. The plot gradually unfolded itself into a story of love and betrayal, which included his brother and Latika, the young girl he loved and lost at various stages of his life.

Your background does not mean your back must be on the ground

Anyone pricing Jamil like the child traffickers did when they caught him, his brother and Latika, are sure to under price him. Anyone looking at another’s past and judging him is sure to look foolish unless the person accepts their verdict. You may not have control of your past; your place of birth, your parents, your siblings, the kind of education you received, but then, the future has no right to catch you by surprise. It was important to note the persistence of Jamil and his brother. They made do with what they had, lived on what they could glean, and took every opportunity available for them to change their fortunes.

Though the road was tough, their condition never became the verdict.

Love may not be well dressed

Who could have thought they were going to be together after years of incidences that threw them apart. Even from when they were about four and in the midst of abject poverty and an uncertain future, they never hid their friendly love. Most of us have checklists for whom we want and how we want them to look, so if the packaging of the person is not right we won’t go for it. The best opportunities in life might come in work clothes. They may not look too nice today. The job might be frustrating, but be patient.

The pains of today might be pregnant with tomorrow’s joy.

God is the scriptwriter, we are the actors

As if he was being deliberately prepared for the moment, all things were working for him. It was almost unbelievable how his life experiences prepared him for the questions that were being asked on the show. Just like that, our lives are weaved around our personal experiences and challenges such that, how we responded to those challenges may be our saving grace tomorrow. I’ve seen great achievers tell their stories and they seem like they were in a movie. Some truth, God is the scriptwriter; we are the actors.

I remember the sign-off of the Nigerian movie super story, Super Story- we are but pencils in the hand of the creator.

Whatever you are doing today, pay day comes.

It is wrong to write anyone off, it’s wrong to maltreat others because there’s always a pay day. The people who love writing people off are cheaply escorted out of the game of life. What happens if the boy you maltreated yesterday is now in a position to determine your fate? Life cannot just be life without repercussions. Our life is divided into two faces, one consisting our sowing, the other is to receive the benefits or punishments for what we did in the first half.

In all the film was good, considering most Oscar winning awards can barely be classified as entertaining.

Deola Kayode goes to Orange

deola — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:56:47 +0000

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.

How to raise finances for your business

deola — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:30:33 +0000

Most times, the common complain with people who have ideas is the problem of finances. Most peoples’ dreams eventually die because they are waiting for and expecting one big money to land on their laps so that they can pursue their passions- that only happens in movies.

There are numerous ways by which you can raise funds for your business, if you are hungry enough to pursue it. But firstly, you need to have a plan; the month of April will be dedicated to developing a business plan.

1. SELF FINANCING:

I call this self financing as a way to raising funds for your business on the premise that you understand you are different from the business. What happens when you bring money out of your savings or save money towards starting your business is that you are borrowing the business some money or investing in the business to start.

To self finance, you could deternmine when you want to leave paid employment, i.e. if you have a job or when you want to start and then begin to save gradually towards it. Self financing is the most common methods, but then lots of people get into trouble when using this system because the feel they own the business and the money and as soon as the first signs of money begins to roll in, they eat it up. But it remains the safest method.

2. INVESTMENT: sales & liabilities

This is like the first where you sell what you have to secure what you want to achieve. There are times when money may not be available but we have investmens or liabilities stored somewhere. If you are truly passionate about your dreams, one of the things that will test your commitment is what you are willing to give up for it. I know people who went into businesses and gave up cars, lands, which could be an asset or a liability depending on the expense and cost. But if you see farther ahead of the present assets and enjoyment, nothing will be too small to give up for the business.

3. PARTNERSHIP :

This occurs when you usually realise the dream may be bigger than your funding which is usually the case. But then a note of warning; sharing your idea exposes it to duplication or poaching, but then if you want your vision to grow, you’ve got to share it. Partnership is the coming together under agreed terms on the various issues; roles and functions, funding and profit sharing.

When your dream is bigger than you, or your interests, partnership might be the next thing on your mind. You might want to engane the services of a stronger company, or some one with a lot more cash than you presently have.

But then like I said, be careful of sharing your ideas with poachers, in further editions we will be discussing protecting your intellectual property.

4. FRIENDS & FAMILY:

Another avenue is to leverage on family leanings and relationships to develop the amount you need to start your business. This is using other people’s money (OPM) to finane your ideas. There are friends and family members who have the cash you need to start your business. if your plan is convinding enough, and very viable, it is sure to receive the amount of resources needed.

5. HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUALS

This is using other people’s money (OPM) to finane your ideas. There are high net worth individuals who have the money and are looking for people who have ideas and need funding. These people are willing to look at your ideas and help you fund it, some may seek to partner with you on the business, while some have funding companies as part of their own ways to giving back to their communities.

6. INSTITUTIONAL SPONSORS

This includes investment banks, venture capital companies, SME funding organizations and Microfinance Institutions. There are numerous institutions, even supported by the Federal Government that have been empowered to support growing businesses at reasonable interest rates that even banks will naturally not want to provide. There are lists of microfinance banks and SME companies on the internet and in the press.

In all, the gratrest asset asset for your business is yourself. what you need to do immediately about your business,make your business suceed. All the best.