For any project whether profit oriented or not from any corporation whether business, religion or education including government agencies, the single primary objective is to succeed. Sadly, every tom, dick and harry now surround themselves with the cliché shade ‘nothing succeed like success’.
True, nothing succeeds like success. I like success. I simply love and want to be successful. However, the recent happenings in the society have created a ‘dark vacuum’. A vacuum where no individual is interested in ascertaining the ‘genuiness’ of an individual success.
Success comes in different forms, sizes and shapes. But the one true most celebrated and lasting success is the success that comes with INTEGRITY.
After struggling for three years to keep my business alive, I resolve to the – ‘no matter the condition or personality involved, I cannot compromise on my personal and business integrity’ decision in the last quarter of 2013. The truth remain that my unbiased decision which to many, considering the business terrain in Nigeria and the globe has earned for me an inner peace and unspeakable joy. Say whatever you feel or want. Every individual is entitled to his / her own opinion so also am I.
Before crucifying me for sounding too religious as a saint, it will interest you to know that I am not the too ‘religious’ individual according to my peers. A little un-judgmental digressing. Once a pool is to be drawn from the Christian community irrespective of the denomination, you and I will be amazed at the outcome. Let say five Christians are randomly picked from the Christian community pool, I stand to be corrected that ‘if’ the five are not found guilty, only but one will stand clean of any accusation of dis-integrity if there is any word like that. I want to believe that I have beyond every reasonable doubt put to rest my integrity issue from the Christianity angle.
It has become a norm and custom that every January 1st of any year, almost 99% of individuals who are privilege not because of who, where and what they are or have to see that year either verbally or written makes ‘new year resolution’. I am not against it neither am I in support of it.
I want to ask – as the new-year resolutions directly or indirectly have become a tradition, how many ‘new-year resolutioners’ have ever resolute to become a person of INTEGRITY?
A school of thought suddenly mocks at individuals who devote their time in making new-year resolutions. According to the school of thought, the new-year resolution last but the first quarter of the year and only but 1% keep their new-year resolution up to the first half of the year.
Like I said earlier, ever since I stood my ground in the last quarter of 2013 on this ignored character – INTEGRITY, I have inner peace and joy unspeakable. Often times, I am confronted with irresistible offers that are contrary to business ethics and my INTEGRITY decision. As an entrepreneur with admirable respect for business ethics, I have always ensured in making my words my bond. How do I then survive? Am I not a Nigerian? I should stop pretending? This is my honest answer to you all – ‘the universe in its magnificent abundance have its own way of rewarding persons and businesses that practice INTEGRITY’
This subject INTEGRITY will be incomplete without talking about my passion – Advertising. Advertising is fun any day anytime and anywhere. But certain culprits have made the advertising business very rotten. I stand to be corrected. How many Ad agencies can boast of genuinely practicing INTEGRITY? Even the regulatory body themselves are near worst.
The media section of BusinessDay Newspaper of Tuesday March 4th, 2014 page 21 has this – ‘transparency by media planning agencies is solution to media debt’ as its caption. Reading the story following the caption, it was quiet impressive. Kudos to Tayo Oyedeji of Media Perspective as I hope it is not one of the many ‘lip service talks’ or should I say ‘empty promises’. Tayo Oyedeji concludes his very informative interview chat with Daniel Obi of BusinessDay Newspaper with ‘…the more we create transparent processes and disciplined operations, the easier it would be to resolve the debt issue’.
Another interest area I am also passionate that I must also talk about is Books. Many years ago precisely in 2007 at Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. I was blessed to be among the creamé de la crème in literature. Among young authors, we began discussing general interest topics before narrowing it down to literature upon the arrival of a very young author by name Peter Uche Umez whose literary work have been nominated for three categories of awards. It did not take long before another author from the other side of town made a comment that broke the camel’s back. He said – give out currency notes to certain individuals especially the judges so that you could win the award for any or all the categories. Not quite an impressive comment. In reply to his ugly suggestion, Peter Uche Umez said ‘if my books are not good enough to win me the awards, so be it but I will be the very last person to give any fellow money so as to win an award’. It’s been seven years but the statement is very fresh in my memory. I salute the young Peter’s courage and tenacity. Did he win? No, but he left the award arena fulfilled. I learnt that an international institution selected his work among works to be produced as a series. I told you the universe has its own way of rewarding INTEGRITY.
Truly, I will be very partial to ignore SMEs. It is no longer news that of the five SMEs that open their doors for business die within the first 3years of being in business that is if they survive the 2years before making it to the third year. But come to think of it, why SMEs barely survive the early years of business operation? Talk with say five SME owners now of their challenge(s) in business and without missing words, they will be quick to tell you that their ONE big challenge is ‘funding’. Without thinking of answers, it’s the truth. Funding is one among the many challenges confronting SME owners. Also, you will be shock to know that most of these SMEs crying for funding once they get these funds either from grants, bank loan or investors’ contribution, proper and adequate accountability on the funds become an issue.
As a fellow SME owner, I want to stop here. I don’t want to too expose the dirt of SMEs if it has not been exposed already.
Dropping my weapon for mass enlightenment and empowerment, I want to awake your curiosity towards SMEs as national economy drivers. Here this, dare to thrive your nation’s economy successfully, then invest and re-invest in SMEs.
Thank you.