MY FIRST DAY IN SHELL

HELLO everybody, it's been along time sicne you aqll heard from me. well i have been alittle busy offline but i got good NEWSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS FOR YOU ALL.
I HAVE JUST BEEN EMPLOYED BY SHELL as a Data Base Analyst (Big english) my job na to copy and paste. oops
i resumed yesterday 20th october 2008 and i met with my supervisor and good team members (Kayode, stella and bRidget.)
i am ecxcited and happy

Basola A. Victor
Master Data Team Warri

Shell

Life After Graduation, What To Do When The Job Is Not There

SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
LIFE AFTER GRADUATION; WHAT TO DO WHEN THE JOB IS NOT THERE
Basola A. Victor

A student’s dream and aspiration is to graduate with Good Grades and Get a Good/Dream Job that will put an end to all their life’s problems. Whenever they are asked about their life ambition, they are quick to answer “To Graduate, Get a good JOB and raise a family. Their definition of a Good JOB is one that pays them around 50,000-100,000 for a start and they will take nothing less even though they do not possess the equivalent expertise to justify the salaries they Crave for.
Amazingly, their Definition of a Good Job becomes a Mirage as the few available spaces are occupied and the GOVERNMENT minimum wage is a far cry from their Dream Salary. The lazy ones sit at home; blaming the Government and circumstances; but the dogged and tough take advantage of the situation and they forge Ahead. Do you fit into the picture above; are you a fresh graduate in need of a good job that’s eluding you? Then follow through, use the information that you need, discard the ones you do not need and do not forget to contact me when you are done.
“He who knows why will get a job, he who knows how will be his Boss”.

(A) LOOK INWARD

The reason most of us are Jobless after high school is probably because we went into school to study a course that was foisted on us either by our parents, JAMB, PRE-DEGREE or CIRCUMSTANCE. We did not really study what we like and will like to work with. Hence our certificates are mere “Rubber Stamps”. The real you is inside. The needed skills, gifts, talents and endowments needed to succeed are in you waiting for discovery. “If you can discover what you are naturally good for and stay there; you stop struggling. You just wake up daily and be your normal self?

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING?

This is a question I often ask my clients and the answer provided often signifies the hidden wealth in them. Just imagine yourself doing that thing you love and people are paying you for it. You stop working; you start Enjoying Yourself and people pay you for Enjoying Yourself.
WHAT ARE YOUR NATURALL SKILLS
It’s almost natural for your inborn skills and abilities (which makes us distinct) to be in line with what you love. No matter how crude or insignificant or unsellable you think those skills are just get a sheet of paper and list them out. It could be Singing, Playing an instrument, Talking, Organizing of parties, Reading, acting, sports, Playing video games, Hair plaiting, Barbing and a host others. All we need to do is

POLISH THEM

If you have seen Raw Gold before, with your untrained eyes, you probably would have mistaken it for dirt or stones. Nothing is appealing and market worthy in its raw form. Those skills need HORNING. Yours could be Selling/Marketing. You’d probably need to work on your Grammar/speaking skills, people skills and learn some simple marketing tips that could help you. Yours could be to become a stand up comedian like Basket mouth; you don’t expect Nigerians to pay you now what they pay him. The difference between the two of you is Knowledge, Exposure, Development and Time.
You do not necessarily have to go to school before you polish your skills you can school yourself by getting yourself Mentors (People who have achieved what you want to achieve and are willing to help you), Good Books, Good Tapes, Watch other Good Comedians and learn everything you think you need.
“You will be the same person now and 20 years later save for the people you associate with and the books you read”.
Before you go on, I will suggest you put that your skill or ability of interest though what I call The ACID TEST.

CAN YOU DO IT WITHOUT MONEY?

If money is your primary aim of choosing your line of business then I bet you that business will not out live you. Your primary aim should be an inborn passion to express your gifts and talents to the world. Among Your Favourite pastimes there are some which you love doing and can happily continue doing even without pay for the rest of your life.
That’s the click, and amazingly, that’s where your Real Hidden money is; DOING WHAT YOU LOVE.

(B) LOOK AROUND

What is the basic need of your immediate environment, if your skill and talent is going to fetch you money, then it must solve people’s problems; it must create value. Wealth flows in the direction of value. Men will happily pay you if you solve their problem and meet their needs. So your Talent/skill must be centered on a need of your environment and I bet you if you can find out that BASIC NEED that naturally suits your skills, then you are on your way to WEALTH. If you can find a need and meet it customers will knock down your Door.
Probably or possibly, person’s or companies have been meeting those needs before it is now left for you to identify what the people Crave for that those existing companies are not giving them.

HOW CAN YOU DO IT BETTER

There is no fun in going into an existing line of business and doing it the same way. It is going to be boring and less profitable. People crave for new ways of doing things. There is no entirely new idea, only a Rebranding and Repackaging of old ones.

(C) GET A BUSINESS NAME

Your business name should not be organized or gotten in a hurry. Your Business name should be meticulously thought out for it will make customers want to know more if well crafted. Your Business name must create a stir or raise a gossip. A business name gives you class, it becomes your Brand. If a customer is provided with two options Okere Community bank and Eagle Flight Micro Finance Bank, two banks, same services, different names; your guess of his choice is as good as mine. It is not a must that your Business name must be your name and that of your wife or Brother. Think of something exquisite, something sizzling that connotes class and your name will soon become a song on your customer’s lips. If you are going into the clothing line instead of Madam Comfort Boutique how about DRESS RITE or SEW TO FIT; you know names that will sell your idea immediately.

(D) REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS NAME

It’s cheaper now to register your Business name with corporate affairs commission than ever, it’s now 5,000 naira to do a business name registration and this enables you to open a corporate account in your business name and makes you a recognized corporate body by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

(E) PACKAGE YOUR CORRESPONDENCE

Ø Your Office.
Ø Advert Banners/ T.V Jingle/Newspaper Averts.
Ø Complementary Card.
Ø Flyer and Handbills.
Ø Bill Boards etc.
Don’t be scarred or frightened about the big things you just saw. I know the question on your mind. How do I get the money to do all that, yes I know you are a young graduate.
“The most important thing you need on that list for now is your Complimentary Card”.
Try as much as possible to print a Complimentary Card that will provoke enquires. It must not necessarily be expensive but it should be a Complimentary card not a complimentary handbill, simple, precise and beautiful.
Talking about on office what I will advice you to do is;

CONVERT YOUR DWELLING PLACE IN A PROFITABLE ASSET

You already have an office just separate your house, put a table and chair some where and hang a Notice inscribed “OFFICE” with your business name attached. Weird you might think but most of the great brands you see today stated likewise until you grow enough to rent a befitting and well located Business premises.
(F) SHOUT IT LOUD
If you have extra money after printing your complimentary cards, you could afford to;
Ø
DIRTS KILL
Let us kill’em before they do

CORPORATE LAUNDRY

07035121346

Corporate laundry@yahoo.com

# Suite 001 Elshaddai House, Abraka
Business Advice to arrest their Interest
Your Business Name [in another Colour]
Phone No
E-mail
Office AddressPRINT small Banners with your business Name, an advice and your Business INFO, you can have something like this;







Then HANG IT AROUND TOWN; at busy Junctions popular spots etc.
Ø
I HAVE KILLED MY DIRTS

“Thanks to”

(CORPORATE LAUNDRY)

07035121346 / corporate laundry@yahoo.com
Boldly InscribedPRINT car sticker and Give to your customers as they patronize you; something like.




Ø Print your Name on you best shirts and wear them when ever you are going out for business.
Ø Always carry your publicity materials wherever you go;
You never can tell where you’d meet your clients so always arm yourselves with your mobile sales men (your publicity materials).
They can travel far you know.

(G) BE THE BEST
Your company should never stop learning, improving growing and innovating. You need constant growth and improvement to be the best in your field and Remain tops. Remember, the higher the quality, the higher the demand and this means that your sales will sky rocket if you step on your quality.
Till we meet again, go practice these simple steps and do not forget to write me, your questions will be answered and published.
Go be the solution to your world.
Basola A. V

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Basola A. victor is the CEO of BASH CONCEPTS international, a Business solutions firm dedicated to becoming a one stop source for Overall Business development
Phone No: +234 (0) 7035-121-346, 0807-8957-783
E-mail: bashconcepts@yahoo.com
Website: www.basolavictor.blogspot.com

TEN RULES FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

TEN RULES FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS
BASOLA A. VICTOR

1. Find a human need and meet it. It is the surest path to wealth. Meeting that need should fall in line with your passion. Only passion, true passion can give you the needed drive to overcome the hurdles on your path to wealth and success.

2. Always Sharpen your Axe (Increase your ability to earn). You will be paid in proportion to how much you know and the application of what you know to solving people’s problems.

3. Learn everything you need to set sail in your business. It saves time and money

4. Value and always SATISFY your Customer, without them you have no business.

5. Have a Business Plan no matter how small you intend to start. Only a Mud House is built without a Plan and I believe that’s not the kind of Business you are grooming.

6. Always give good and quality goods and services to your customers; else they won’t come back and they will tell people who will tell more people about your low quality products and Vice versa. Quality speaks volumes and your customers will become your mobile adverts.

7. You don’t wan to start with credit facilities that will tie down your capital and cripple you from the outset.

8. Shout it loud and tell more people about your business. Marketing can never be too much for your business.

9. Seek new ways to improve your business idea. Men needs new ways of doing things, Fascinate them and they will keep coming.
10.Do not use your business to keep unskilled family members engaged; else they will turn your business into family meeting.
Till we meet again, Go be the solution to your World.

About The Author

Basola A. Victor is a Marketing Expert and a Business Consultant. He is the CEO of BASH Concepts International, a Business Solutions Firm dedicated to becoming a one stop source for overall Business Development.

For your Questions and Enquiries Contact;
Phone +234 (0)703521346, 08078957783
Email bashconcepts@yahoo.com

HOW TO WRITE A WINNING BUSINESS PLAN

HOW TO WRITE A WINNING BUSINESS PLAN
BASOLA A. VICTOR

If you fail to plan, you are on your sure path to failure……
Before you start any Business of whatsoever magnitude, no matter how small/big it might seem, you have to get it right from the first brick, else you are setting up an already collapsed building. Only a mud house is built without plan and I believe that’s not the kind of Business you are grooming.

A Business plan is a working plan that describes the fundamentals of your Business Idea and provides the fundamentals of your Business idea and provides financial data to show that you will make “good money”. Whether you are trying to attract investors or you are creating a blue print for your own use. Your business plan must be workable and appealing.
A winning business plan follows (but not limited to) the following procedure;

1. A statement of the purpose of the business (mission and Vision statement)

2. A detailed description of how the business will work; including what your product or service will be; whether you will have employees, who will supply the necessary raw materials and where you will best be located.

3. An analysis of your market, that is who your customers will be and a description of your Marketing Strategy (How your Business will reach plenty of customers) and fend off possible competitors.

4. An evaluation of your main Competitors and your competitive profile. Stress the advantage of price, quality, warranties, service and distribution. Include your Operational and Management strength.

5. A Resume setting forth your personal Accomplishment or that of your management team.

In the eyes of the investors, the quality of the management team often determines the potential success of the company or success. Consequently, this section should cover career highlights, accomplishments and positions held, with an emphasis on good performance records. Describe how the ream has worked together in the past and include their resume.

6. A detailed financial information including your best estimates of your startup cost, revenue, expenses and above all, your “ABILITY TO MAKE PROFIT”.

7. A persuasive request for funds (if you need external aid)

Finally, every part of your Business plan should reveal the beauty of your business idea. You want to show potential lenders, investors or people you want to work with that you have hit upon a product or service that customers really want.
Never you “Start a Business Without A Business Plan.
Till we meet again, Go be the solution to your world.

About The Author
Basola A. Victor is a Marketing Expert and a Business Consultant. He is the CEO of BASH Concepts International, a Business Solutions Firm dedicated to becoming a one stop source for overall Business Development.
For your Questions and Enquiries Contact;
Phone +234 (0)703521346, 08078957783
Email bashconcepts@yahoo.com

WHY MOST NIGERIAN BUSINESSES FAIL

WHY MOST NIGERIAN BUSINESSES FAIL

Basola A. Victor

Good day readers, I hope you have been enjoying this column and you are most importantly applying the principles that pertain to your growth and success.
Today we will be looking at a very pressing issue; Why most Nigerian Businesses Fail. Why are most Entrepreneurs and companies folding up, what is it that they are not doing right?
No one actually starts a Business to fail. Successes is just a matter of doing the right thing at the right time and if your Business is not going as well as you probably want, you will want to run through these reasons and make amends where necessary.

1. LACK OF VISION

Most young and aspiring Entrepreneurs do not see beyond their nose. They are probably concerned about the now the profit they are making now. A Vision is your Dream, Goal and Plan for your Business for a span of 10, 20, to 50 years.
Are you building a Business that will outlive you or are you building a Sole Proprietorship. As we all know, sole proprietorships die after the demise of the Proprietor.
A good and exciting Vision for your company will bring you to the drawing board to plan ahead. Like I always tell my Clients, Only a Mud House is Built without a Business Plan. People do not buy neither do they inherit mud houses, they are usually demolished when the owner is no more. I believe we have dealt with How to Write a Business Plan in previous editions of this column but you can contact me if you need help.

2. LOW QUALITY PRODUCTS

The quality of your product or service will speak for you long after the price is forgotten. If you try to compromise the quality of your product or service because of profit r quick cash, you are only succeeding in BURNING THE BRIDGE between you and your customers. If your product is good, your customers will sell them for you, but if is bad your same customers will spread the message and you will be out of business in no time.

3. POOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

The customer is the Boss; he can decide to Fire everyone including you by simply taking his Money elsewhere. Without the customer, you are out of business already. Never you get so proud as to think that you are doing your customer a favour by opening for Business. Make it a policy in your firm and hang it everywhere in your workplace that the customer is King. Any of your Staff that compromises this Policy shouldn’t be your Staff in the first place.
Whenever you are designing your product or service, it will do you a lot of good if you can sit down and find out what the customer really wants faster than your competition.
Amazingly, they can even help you provide the answer. Just give them a Survey Slip to fill when they patronize you.
An example is seen above. Pamper and spoil your customer, they are the life lines of any successful Business.

4. POOR MANAGEMENT AND SATFF POLICY

As an Entrepreneur, hire the best hands, though expensive, it pays off on the long run. Do not Hire Wheelbarrows who will need pushing all the time and will not move whenever you are not there.
Another thing you should endeavour to put in your Staff Policy is the Training and Retraining of your Staff to increase their competencies. Trainings on Customer Relations, Relationship management, Public Relations e.t.c must be made compulsory for all your Staff from your management staff to your Driver and even the Factory worker. Always hold Management Retreats with them and constantly SHARE WITH THEM THE VISION of your Company. See your Staff as Investors and Partners not as mere tools for achieving your goals.
As for Salaries, please and please Pay your Staff adequately well as the Budget permits. A wise man once said If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Remember, a satisfied Customer is a sign of a happy staff. That means Customer satisfaction begins with Staff satisfaction, how amazing.
Finally, do not use your Business to keep unskilled family members and Relatives busy else they will turn your Business into a Family Meeting.

5. INADEQUATE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING

Nothing happens until a sale takes place says Red Motley. It is the sale that initiates the entire production process. It activates Business and factories, provides jobs for the employees, pays salaries and wages, pays taxes and dividends and determines the entire direction for your business. How then can your products be sold if people do not know about it. Shout it loud, employ every means possible, use every means possible, use cheap Publicity, be in the news always and your products will fly

6. INACCURATE RECORD KEEPING SYSTEM

This is a major flaw of most young Entrepreneurs. Poor record keeping system. I would advice every Entrepreneur to study great firms and see the level of Record Keeping being employed. From staff prospectus to customer inventory, history and most importantly your Financial Records. You must document everything. The faintest pen is sharper than the sharpest Memory. If you are seeking external Financial aid, the first record you are asked is your Financial records. They want to see your profit and loss margin; so document everything.
Again pay yourself Salary also. This helps to separate you from your Business venture and keep your hands off the accounts.
A Chinese proverb once said no matter how far you have gone on the wrong road; once you discover turn back.

Till we meet again, Go be the solution to your World.

About The Author
Basola A. Victor is a Marketing Expert and a Business Consultant. He is the CEO of BASH Concepts International, a Business Solutions Firm dedicated to becoming a one stop source for overall Business Development.
For your Questions and Enquiries Contact;
Phone +234 (0)703521346, 08078957783
Email bashconcepts@yahoo.com

Ten Steps to Organizing Your Office By BASOLA A. VICTOR

Ten Steps to Organizing Your Office By BASOLA A. VICTOR

When you walk into your office, is it neat and clean? Can you easily find anything at a moment's notice? Can you hire a new employee and within two days have him/her know how your office operates and how to wok within the boundaries of your company philosophy?

Here is an organizational system that is very simple and easy to implement. It is a logically organized process guaranteed to make your life and career run better and easier. Ten steps will get your office organized.

1. List five benefits to you for becoming organized.

This helps you go through the pain of throwing away and it helps you get back on track when you slip- and we all do. If you do not know the benefits, don't even start- it will not work.

2. Schedule the date and time for your office organization.

It can take up to eight hours just to organized your desk, in-box and one file drawer. (It would only take me four hours because I am not emotionally attached to your stuff!) If you have lots of files and file cabinets, make a decision on how much you want to get done in the initial session. Once you begin, it is important that you don't stop until you've completed what you set out to accomplish.

3. Have your supplies ready.

You'll need plenty of trash bags, and a box for all the things you'll be donating to your favorite charity or shelter. You'll also need office supplies--basic army green hanging folders, labels, adhesive dots, colored hanging folders with file folders to match, and plastic sleeves for a three-ring binder.

4. Sit at your desk and totally empty it out. Pile everything up on top of the desk. Wipe out the drawers.

5. Move into your new desk by designing the following drawers:

Mechanical drawer--for pens, pencils, scissors, paper clips, glue sticks, etc. Paper drawer-- for post-em’s, note cards, envelopes, letterhead. The 1-31 drawer-- place 31 red hanging folders in this drawer with one dated folder for each day of the month in each hanging folder. Hot Project drawer-- for the projects you are currently working on. Personal drawer-- if you do not maintain an office at home, create a drawer for gum, mints, aspirin, comb, etc.

6. Arrange the 1-31 Drawer.

These files represent each day of the month. You will file your work under the day you plan on taking action for that item. Go through your piles of papers, one piece at a time. With each item, decide whether to throw it away, delegate it to someone else, file it, or put in you 1-31 files.

7. Create an information book. This book will contain all the information an assistant (even if you don't have one yet) would need to operate your office. Our information book includes data such as how to use the daily activity log, how to assemble press kits, what supplies we purchase and from whom. Think of this book as an operating manual for your office. Using it, a new assistant can be up to speed within days.

8. Take the time to put everything back in its place, or hire someone else to do it.

In my office, I don't file anything, I have one spot where I put materials I've worked with that day, then my assistant will file them in their appropriate place.

9. Reorganize your office often. Every three months the first year, and every six months thereafter for as long as you plan to run a successful business.

10. End each day with your office clean and organized. It only takes a few minutes, and the results are worth it.

It is possible to be successful in business and be totally disorganized! It's just more difficult. If you have read to this point, you are probably not satisfied with your current organizational habits, your business progress, or your stress level!

All three of these will improve drastically when you take the above ten steps. I've personally worked with clients who report doubling and even tripling their incomes as a result of this system. They redirect the time and the energy they formerly wasted digging through piles of paper. Now they focus on success. You will too. Much success to you-you deserve it!

5 Secrets of the Authentic Entrepreneur

5 Secrets of the Authentic Entrepreneur BY BASOLA A. VICTOR

In the past, words like "rebel," "driven," "controlling", "risk taker", and "Lone Ranger" were routinely used to describe entrepreneurs. These rare people who ventured out on the their own were viewed as ruthless business owners completely caught up in amassing wealth, much to the detriment of a personal life. Clearly, the image was shrouded in mystique and misperception.

Today there`s a new model of entrepreneur - an "Authentic Entrepreneur." This new breed of entrepreneur is successful because they realize that the dream of having security is simply that - a dream. They`ve discovered that real security is not financial, it is when they tap into their inner power to live purposely and to create a meaningful lifestyle, not just a business. These people are "Authentic Entrepreneurs."

Are You An authentic Entrepreneur?

Anyone can become an Authentic Entrepreneur. It`s all a matter of perspective. Here are the top five traits Authentic Entrepreneurs have in common.

Authentic Entrepreneurs are...

1. Visionary - The old entrepreneurial model was usually a rebel. These people wanted their freedom, wanted to do "it" their way, and believed they could do "it" better than anyone else. By that definition the Authentic Entrepreneur certainly is a rebel to some degree. However, Authentic Entrepreneurs are more visionary. They see the big picture, are prophetic, and have a broad view of the life and business they`re creating.

2. Creator of Destiny - Traditional entrepreneurs are creating businesses, which is a great motivator. But once the business is created, where do you go? What`s next? The Authentic Entrepreneur is moving toward a destiny. They`re inspired by something more expansive than they could possibly create on their own. They tap into their inner power and step confidently forward. They are able to keep going in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The right people, places and opportunities appear out of nowhere to help the Authentic Entrepreneur achieve their destiny.

3. Attractor - All entrepreneurs have a dream. Some have the desire to reach a clearly defined goal, while others simply want to be an entrepreneur first and foremost. They`re forcing the growth of their idea or business, orchestrating every event and creating more action steps than humanly possible to accomplish. They`re driven. On the other hand, Authentic Entrepreneurs are Attractors. They are magnetized by their strong focus toward their destiny. The right people, places and opportunities appear out of nowhere to help. When they take action, it`s inspired and efficient.

4. Fulfilled - Many traditional entrepreneurs aggressively achieve their dreams and grow very successful businesses, yet they never feel complete. Why? Because they haven`t taken the time to truly know what`s important to them and as a result, they`ve sacrificed their health, relationships, or personal needs to grow their business. The Authentic Entrepreneur creates their business from the inside out as self-aware individuals. They understand the importance of aligning core values with their beliefs and dreams to fulfill their destiny and themselves.

5. Inspirational - Many entrepreneurs choose not to have employees or associates on their payroll, working as Lone Rangers instead. Those who do usually aren`t good supervisors. They`d rather control every event and micromanage or not manage at all. The Authentic Entrepreneur knows the importance of team spirit and how to inspire people to blossom into their most creative and meaningful life expression. If the Authentic Entrepreneur isn`t adept at managing people, they know when to let go of that area of responsibility and bring in someone who has outstanding people skills. They understand that fulfilled people are more accommodating to clients and prospects, and happier in general. As a result, business blossoms.

Whether you currently are an entrepreneur or dream of becoming one, embracing the Authentic Entrepreneur traits has many advantages. You remove the traditional entrepreneurial stigmas and allow yourself more room for growth. So if you`re ready to step forward and declare that you desire to live a meaningful and wealthy life, then it`s time to make your move. Shift your perspective and become an Authentic Entrepreneur today.