Opinion: Church, Clergy & Commerce

This is a summary of an ongoing discussion I'm having on Twitter via the hashtag, #OnChurch. Please do not take what I say out of context. Kindly read the full text below.

I've worked with, been a member of and served in a number of churches in the last 25 years or so. I've been friends with and a mentee to Pastors and Ministers so the recent accusations on the commercialisation of the clergy caught my attention.

I've watched the good, the bad and the ugly ALL being reviled in a generalised group of perceived "moneyed clergy". And, the “good guys” have failed to define themselves or clarify what they stand for.

There's an assumption that “the right hand must not know what the left hand is doing” so they hold their peace. Some believe the outrage and slander are the "persecution of Satan", hence God will surely fight on their behalf. If so, they have grossly misjudged the pulse of the nation, their followers and the ominous strategies of the devil.

The rage stems from a number of factors and I shall try to elaborate:

Some clergy are seen to be rich in the midst of a poor congregation and nation.

There seems to be a huge gap between what Pastors preach (prosperity) and the reality of the lives of followers.

There is no clear indication of many Pastors' sources of income, hence the assumption that must “feed fat on offerings and tithes”.

Church structure is often obscure. To the world, it seems to be run like a sole proprietorship.

Church is not seen to live up to the cardinals of charity and societal impact unlike the old Missionaries who established hospitals, schools and other institutions.

Church is seen to have too many unregulated sources of income including tithes, offerings, seed and pledges.

Church is not seen to conform to the regulatory stipulations of their tax-exempt status both at home and abroad.

In response, I will touch on a number of important things. These are opinions meant to spur honest discussion.

First, the Nigerian context is one that demands SENSITIVITY. Our nation has been raped repeatedly by power and influence. A “rich man” on a street of poor people would be unwise and insensitive to project his affluence even if he earned it or it was given to him. To do so would be wrong timing and context or perhaps a simple case of honest bad judgment. The key is moderation and to remember that even if a thing is lawful and not bad in itself, it may not be expedient and may cause offence.

Just like a nation deserves who the people vote for, every congregation deserves who they submit to. We will achieve little by condemning the church in its entirety. I am particularly saddened when I see Christians doing so. We cannot sit on the fence pretending to be above it all. We are parts of the whole. Whatever affects a part impacts the whole. When society maligns the church, they malign YOU, the Christian. When people attack “that” church, they'll soon come after YOURS.

For those advocating for greater State regulation, I say this - When the State gets a foot in the door, it extends its tentacles. First, regulation of giving, then healing, then preaching, then publishing, then assembly.

To continue, as a congregation, we must NEVER park our intellect at the door of church. We must contribute constructively and respectfully. We must not assume that Pastors KNOW what to do. A Pastor can never know about business administration like a professional does. In the same way, a professional cannot know the intricacies of pastoring.

If you're gifted, the places to volunteer in church NOW are administration, processes and communication. Church must self-regulate NOW. The old obscure methods will no longer work.

The church must institute sustainable community development projects instead of continuing the practice of unsustainable handouts. Church must teach people to be independent, to seek God for themselves, to succeed economically to IMPACT THE WORLD. Our focus must NOT be on money but on what it CAN DO politically and socially. But church needs help and instead of murmuring, we must get to work and respectfully find ways to access leadership.

As per the 'gullible' - they remind me of a woman that keeps going back to a man who lies to her. If she were my sister, I'd speak the truth in love but acknowledge that 'deliverance' won't come overnight, especially if the grip of the man is strong. To a large extent, if the government were doing its job of providing economic opportunities, education & exposure, we'd minimise the gullible who seek 'miracles' and solutions to very real dire problems. Ultimately, deception can only thrive where there's gross darkness and paucity of information.

A major imperative is for churches to be more structured and open. Essentially, to practice what they preach. They must COMMUNICATE their social interventions to demonstrate their intentions and relevance in society. Some churches do A LOT in their communities. They are marriage counsellors, business tutors, leadership coaches and crisis managers. They run charities, benevolence outreaches, support groups for the bereaved, widows, and helpless. They should ARTICULATE this CLEARLY especially in a country lacking these basic structures.

FINALLY, I will never begrudge a Pastor's right to personal prosperity. (But I acknowledge that personality quirks complicate image issues). I'd find it odd if Pastors didn't prosper by the same principles they preached. If a Pastor helps you become better, he must progress too. We cannot "muzzle the ox", so to speak.

I don't think God has ANY ISSUE with his children being very wealthy. Where will the resources for good come from? He called different types of men: Tax collectors, business men, professionals etc. But perhaps 'Pastor Lagbaja Ministries' should be distinct from 'Lagbaja Church'. A Pastor's income from intellectual property e.g. Speaking, books, investments etc should be clearly structured separately from the church.

Ultimately Pastors are leaders with dual responsibility - To the God who called them and to the community they operate in. Times are changing and they must adapt and evolve to do more excellently the work of the Ministry.

Turning Ideas into Products People Will Buy

This is a transcript of my session on #ElevateDay, a live Twitter event @elevationng. 

#ElevateDay is an open forum for learning, sharing and impacting.

These are the key points from the session:

INTRODUCTION

In this session, product, service and company are used interchangeably.

International case studies are cited because they're easier to Goggle and research. Local examples are also provided, where possible.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

We begin with the PRINCIPLES that should guide product development. Thereafter, we’ll explore ways to ensure people PAY for your products.

Ideas hate to be wasted. If you're not in the habit of turning them into products, others will deploy the same ideas right in front of you.

Your product MUST MEET AN INTRINSIC NEED or UNCOVER A NEED. Build your product based on the APT principle: Anger, Problem, Time.

ANGER: What is the public angry about? How does your product address that anger? The angrier they are, the more willing they are to pay for a solution.

PROBLEM: What problems does your product solve? Does it make life easier for people? Does it remove a burden?

TIME: In this multitasking generation, can your product save people time? Can it help them do several things at once? This is the key to Hootsuite, for example.

Address 2 levels of need: FUNCTIONAL & ASPIRATIONAL. Louis Vuitton bags are not just carriers, they're icons and status symbols. Beyond function, what does your product ADD to the life of the consumer?

Does your business help others earn? E.g. Apple provides an ecosystem for App makers to earn income.

Build systems not just products. Apple built the product (iPod), distribution system (iTunes) and marketplace (App Store).

Own the value chain or invest along the chain so you make money at every point.  Imagine that your product system is a toll-gate.

To avoid cannibalisation, use distinct complimentary brands for different audiences but ENDORSED by the motherbrand.  For example, Ralph Lauren has a high end Purple Label brand & lower end Chaps brand. Somewhere in the middle is Polo.

Never design a product from your perspective.  Ask what the customer wants.

INSIGHTS FOR SELLING YOUR PRODUCT

Never position your product in a way that people think their doing you a FAVOUR. Have self esteem.

Sell your product from the perspective of the customers’ needs. Have you found out what they need?

Identify with your prospective customer. Truly get to know them. Speak their language.  For example, you can’t successfully sell to a technology company if you don’t “get” technology.

Speak the language of service not profit. Customers can tell if you're just pushing a product or if you’re there to help.
Be enthusiastic. Your product is the best thing since sliced bread.

Tell STORIES. Build a legend around your product. The market likes inspirational stories with a sense of history.  I cannot emphasise this enough. TELL A STORY. Sell drama, aspiration & inspiration. Make people FEEL.  Make them WANT your product .

Your product must have character and personality. If it were a person, what would it look like? How would it talk?

Use cultural contexts to your advantage.  In Nigeria, use the bandwagon effect. Sell first to the influencers in a group.

Identify the power structures in a company.  Focus the thrust of your product presentation for decision makers.

Place your product for free with people & companies with high visibility & following. They are your brand ambassadors. Use their testimonials for marketing.  For example, if you’re in the fashion industry, place your product on the body of a Nollywood star on the red carpet.  If you're in technology, give a top company  a free trial.

Make industry insiders your sales agents. They understand the market and have the respect of their peers.

If your product is novel, EDUCATE THE MARKET. Do short demo videos or speak at events. Position yourself as an industry expert.

If you're an ideas person but shy, partner with a business developer who loves proposals, pitches and sales.

Do a test-run of your product first. Sell it to friends or in an online store to get feedback before full deployment.

Build critical networks: School associations, professional bodies, church etc. They are your first customers. Demo your product & speak at their meetings.

Be consistent in marketing.

STRUCTURES REQUIRED TO RETAIN PRODUCT LEADERSHIP

Don't launch a product without the structures for consistent supply. Do not create demand without supply.

Never offer more than you have the capacity for. It will hurt your reliability & integrity.

To keep your promises when you’re overextended, explore short term collaborative partnerships.

Remember every idea that isn't sold is inventory and cost. Focus on sales.

Package your product very well & lay massive claim to it. If a usurper develops a copy, everyone knows they're the fake while you're the original.

If your expenses consistently outstrip your revenue, your product will fail (we'll talk about loss leaders some other day).

Ask: Who will bear this cost? The customer? The investor? A grant? You must pass on your costs to someone.

Always value ALL costs, including the time you spend thinking and planning.  Even when you get supplies free, add it to your costs to get a REALISTIC idea of the cost price of your product.

Be careful about pumping money into a rave of the moment idea. Let an objective outsider with a financial mindset advise you.

Ask: Where will the cashflow come from to sustain the company while I work on this idea? How will I pay salaries? Sort out cashflow FIRST.

See Allan Sloan's article in the Nov 5 edition of Fortune for a good case note on how a great idea can still fail.

If you co-develop a product with others, do the legal paperwork BEFORE it becomes successful. Partners sometimes forget agreements in the midst of prosperity.

Any product that has significant public following has a potential for profit e.g Facebook. Ask: How can I consistently harness my followers to create value?

CASE STUDY – Phlemin Global

Our case study Phlemin Global (http://phleminglobal.com/) provides inverters & power solutions.

Firstly, the name may not immediately suggest what the company sells.  However, it would be suitable as the name of a HOLDING COMPANY.  The current products may be domiciled within a division called Phlemin Power. This is the brand name that should be marketed.  Flemin Power may also be easier to pronounce, spell and remember than Phlemin with a “P”.

Every business requires backup power in Nigeria, so Phlemin meets a need and solves a vexing problem. Instead of a one-size-fits-all-approach, Phlemin may create solutions (with customised proposals) for homes, small businesses and corporates. The proposals should display empathy & identification.

Phlemin should identify very well known SMEs and corporate businesses and offer to do a complimentary power audit plus free product trial for a month.  Companies with significant power needs should be targeted e.g. those that close late or work on weekends.  After the trial period, the testimonial becomes a reference and some may be converted to paying clients.  Phlemin may also target new homes that are being built in residential estates, partnering with respected realtors/builders.

These are general principles that can be adopted by any company.

SELECTED QUESTIONS

Q:  How do you sell your product to a wider audience?  How do you reach decision makers and industry insiders?

A: There are 2 ways to sell a product successfully: The market LOOKS FOR YOU or you GO LOOKING FOR THE MARKET.

The first strategy is to position yourself as an expert in your field supplying the best possible product or service.  You can begin a blog on issues in your sector, voluntarily speak at events or write magazine columns.  Be active on Twitter and comment when issues are being discussed by leading global thinkers in your field. Be part of the discussion.  Over time, customers will seek you out because they recognise you know what you're talking about.

In the second option, you become active in networks. Decision makers value people of value. Volunteer on a committee of a high level professional, school or church group. The Board Members of such committees are usually business decision makers. Let them notice you through HARD WORK.  Deploy the product you want to sell for free on the committee. You’ll get to market your work ethic, product AND meet the decision makers.

CLOSING REMARKS

A new edition of #ElevateDay holds every Tuesday at 6pm @elevationng on Twitter.

Thoughts on Divorce

I've studied all the 'Christian arguments' about divorce. This is my submission and personal opinion.

If Jesus truly likens 'divorce' to the 'sin' of adultery, then ironically, he says the same thing about looking lustfully at a woman or man! He forgives both. Move on.

If Jesus readily forgives you of 'lookery', why do you have a hard time 'forgiving' those who divorce? Are you in any position to judge?

Jesus is concerned about attitude; people treating marriage as a revolving door that can be conveniently entered in and out.

He seeks to protect people from being used. He recognises the hardness of the human heart. That's why Moses gave a less than ideal 'way out'.

It's interesting that Jesus seemed to be advocating more for women to be treated justly than anything else. He was concerned about people being used & abused.

(Extends to men too). It is amazing how people prefer to sentence others to a life of misery because of a mistake by advocating for no remarriage after divorce.

No one comes out of a divorce without scars. Love teaches that we should tend the scars first before having difficult conversations.

For every assumed 'public' sin, God highlights a 'private' equivalent to shut up self-righteous people. So those who call abortion murder for e.g, should think of the times they've committed murder in their hearts by hating others.

Ultimately, no human being can set himself up as judge and jury over another's life. Look to your own life and the people under your own authority.

Cockroach Death

God will probably not forgive me if I die a cockroach death

You know how you unceremoniously squash a cockroach & then move on? That's how insignificant a cockroach death is.

Cockroach deaths abound in Nigeria. For example, getting hit by a commuter bus (Danfo) while crossing the road or a random motorbike (Okada).

Such deaths are entirely preventable yet they occur with astonishing regularity in our dear country. I was reading the other day that the number of deaths by motor vehicle may outstrip those by malaria! Conspiracy theorists say the Government's trying to exterminate us but I have no proof.

And so cockroach deaths happen in our sleep when our houses are overrun with floods. They find us in the air as planes inexplicably drop from the sky. They locate us in our offices when terrorists ram through laden with explosives.

Cockroach deaths are in our hospitals when the doctor finds an artery instead of a vein or when there's no blood. Why is there always no blood when it's your turn?

To avoid cockroach deaths, Nigerians have evolved several ingenious means of survival.

The favourite by far is prayers. There is no form of potential death that prayers cannot save you from in Nigeria.

Whether you're being pursued in your dreams by family in the village or you need to make it to Ibadan safely; prayers are deemed particularly effective against cockroach deaths.

Then there's the option of amassing enough wealth to fund your own militia. They'll protect you from Boko Haram terrorists, who have a bomb with your name on it.

You also need your own armoured jeep for stray police bullets and four phones so you are assured of network availability when dialing for help should armed robbers pay you a late night visit. And, you need a relative in the Police Force for when you're erroneously arrested for wandering.

Cockroach death by fake drugs is another kind invented by those who don't think you should recover from the sickness that ails you.

Whatever you do, please try as much as possible to avoid a cockroach death. Remember, God may probably not forgive you.

On Dreams

This is another twitter summary from @subomiplumptre, using the hashtag #ShoSpeaks.

If you find yourself pregnant with dreams, the following may happen:

Your dreams may be born healthy; they may be stillborn or they may be defective.

Your dreams may be born but the dreamer may die; both the dream and the dreamer may die.

It behoves you to do whatever you can to carry your dreams to full term and to ensure you're alive to enjoy them.

Giving birth to a dream is not enough. You must develop it to maturity.

Every dream has an expiration date. For a dream cannot remain a dream forever.

I am tempted to think that if one does not delve into the realm of the controversial, one has not begun to dream or attain innovation.

You must get uncomfortable in a place that's too predictable or calm. It means there's nothing exceptional going on.

A strong sense of self means you can conceptualise incredible things. But pride stifles new ideas, especially collaborative ideas of geometric proportion.

Cross functional teams generate well-rounded ideas.

Perhaps you should forgo idea sessions, if there's no designated executor in your midst. Dreams are good. Execution much better.

You must execute ideas with a strong sense of certainty and boldness. You'll make mistakes, yes. But you'll learn.

And when you choose to bounce ideas off another, choose someone smarter than you. One completely trustworthy and discreet.

Project Management for Growing Businesses

This is a summary of a Twebinar held on Thursday, November 1 using my Twitter handle, @subomiplumptre and hashtag, #PMNG.

During the Twebinar, 3 Project Management (PM) issues were discussed: STRUCTURAL, PEOPLE and POLITICAL.

STRUCTURAL

The CEO of a growing business plays the dual role of PM and Executive. He is ultimately responsible for quality assurance and execution.

Define what success looks like BEFORE embarking on a project, so you can recognize when you get there. Review EVERY milestone against this picture.

Execution is everything! But strategy is the non-negotiable starting point. Where's your strategy document?

Availability is key in PM. You must be accessible across several platforms: Email, phone, chat etc. Your clients should NEVER chase you with money.

Keep extensive project notes and contact details. NEVER leave a project's history in the head of a team member.

Choose simple PM platforms or archive systems like Google Drive or Prowork.Me for ALL collaborative documents.

You don't want to spend all your time searching for stuff. Use simple naming conventions for documents.

Set up simple GROUP communication tools e.g. Skype Groups, Google Hangouts, Whatsapp Groups, Email Lists etc.

It saves a lot of time when project team members' contacts are appropriately grouped for streamlined communication.

Instead of detailed document format specifications, provide simple templates everyone can use.

Your project MUST have a calendar and task list with CLEAR responsibilities and job owners.

Follow up constantly with periodic check- ins. Reserve meetings for high level reviews or strategic decisions.

If deliverables aren't explicitly spelled out AND agreed beforehand, your project will be afflicted by a creeping expansion of brief.

Measure everything!

Know when to bring in professionals for project scalability and sustainability. If you can't afford to retain them, use short contracts at key junctures.

The quality of resources invested in a project is a pointer to its relative importance to your organisation. You can always tell which projects will fail.

Some projects sell themselves with just a brief. Abstract tech based projects usually require a demo.

NEVER give custom to an unstructured/immature/emotional company. If u must; pay a little more to install a PM who'll GUARANTEE delivery.

Breaking up procurement may save money but for critical projects, seek end-to-end solutions & guarantees from companies with brand names to protect.

If you can't handle a small project well, you'll fail spectacularly as you scale up. Be qualitative and thorough NOW. Have integrity NOW.

Don't be achievement greedy. You can't do everything. Keep a few goals in sight.

Don't stretch yourself beyond the level of your capacity or HR. You'll end up with half-baked project results.

Read all you can about your project. Insight comes from unlikely sources. Sometimes all you need is an idea for the project to take off.

Use visualisations to help you 'see' a project: A logo, screensaver, chart etc. Let the project come to life.

PEOPLE

When choosing a team, welcome ALL volunteers but ensure you identify likely drivers BEFORE you begin.

Identify those on your team with initiative. Let them LEAD tasks and groups. NEVER TRUST THE FATE OF YOUR COMPANY TO AN UNTRUSTED HAND.

You can't run an exceptional project if it isn't constantly in your heart or on your mind. It must consume you.

You'll pick up useful lessons EVERYWHERE that can be applied to your project when it’s constantly on the front burner of your heart and mind.

The best ideas often come from the most unusual places. Actively seek solutions from the arts. You are selling to people with emotions.

Frame the issues for your team in a simple concept paper or brief. Make sure they understand and buy in to the overall objective.

Ensure team understanding through preliminary readings, review meetings & calls. Let everyone state what they understand or don't.

Get to know the people working on the project through one-on-one discussions, chats or group hang outs.

Plan for romantic realities especially for long intense projects. People WILL get together. Manage it when they do.

You may desire a project but it won't 'take' if there's no personal passion, sacrifice or commitment of resources.

Regulate your emotions and strength as a PM. You need them to manage others. Don't 'leak' emotions.

Have your team's back. Be loyal. Never side with a client against your team outside. Chew your team in private.

Lead by hard work. Take on project tasks first before delegating to others.

POLITICAL

If it's not documented, it doesn't exist in the public sector. Document everything. Leave a VERY long paper trail.

If a project has little buy in from management, don't begin immediately. Spend a few weeks selling the “idea”.

Identify the hold-outs in Management. Meet with them. Ask for their input and “try” to align to what they'd be willing to approve.

Deploy emotional IQ. Understand the power structures in a project. Who has influence? Approval authority? Design the project with that person in mind.

Always give the 'power centres' a heads up first. They should NEVER find out about an issue in the general meeting alongside everyone else.

Before a project begins, do the requisite courtesy calls to pay respect. The approval authorities like that sort of thing.

For clients that are guilty of serial delays, build in the cost of delayed payments into your invoice BEFOREHAND.

There are some sad projects where the process is more important to the organisation than the result. Don't feel bad. Such is life. Make sure you get paid nonetheless.

Find out what’s important to your client and structure your project accordingly. You may think it's your product. For them, it may just be for show. Such is life.

You can always assess the level of management support by their level of availability.

Ultimately, you learn as much from failure as success.

Church Musings

We sometimes forget that being a Pastor is not just a calling but also a 'job'. A Pastor dedicates focus and time to his responsibilities to achieve mastery.

Should lay people dedicate any less time to THEIR job? If a Pastor spends 16hrs "pastoring" while you spend 8hrs on your work and 8hrs in church, guess who'll end up being mediocre?  Internal conflict arises when you get caught in the God vs. Mammon debate. You keep spending more time in church to please God and to prove you care more about him than your "worldly" pursuits. And, as long as you don't see your work as service to God, you'll remain conflicted.

I'm reminded of a scripture that says: "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men", the key word being "whatever". I believe the crucial thing is to discover what God has called you to and then you can channel your energy and time appropriately. I acknowledge that some people are called to church-based ministry. Others are terrific at multitasking. But for some, God needs them primarily in the marketplace or in Government. And above all, he needs them in their families.  You can tell a person's priority when he/she chooses a church function over spending time with a loved one. If God needs you in the marketplace, yet you spend all your time in church, how will you achieve mastery? If your work doesn't give you purpose; if you don't feel like you serve God through it and you need to make up for your guilty conscience through church activities, then perhaps you should take another look at what you do.

I'm all for volunteerism, but not at the expense of calling. That's tantamount to leaving your place of purpose. If God has called you to Government, you'll be leaving your place to go sweep in church.  You will achieve more for the kingdom by developing sound policies for the nation than keeping church chairs clean. If God wants you to get an MBA, but instead of reading on Saturdays, you prefer to attend choir practice, you're just kidding around. When you fail, you turn around to ask what happened to the 'favour of the Lord'? You deserve a resounding knock on the head.

The principle of Love Languages applies to God. You have to first understand him then love him the way HE wants not how YOU prefer.  What has HE called you to do? Where has HE placed you? Once you understand this, you'll stop feeling guilty about church activities.  And really, church cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time. They cannot want the benefit of my tithe or brain on committees yet mock the time and effort it requires to acquire same. If I spent all my time at choir practice, there'll be no tithe.  Let the fruits of your calling serve you in church and the community. Whether it's your training, pedigree, hard work, time or money. That's your treasure.  Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.

The God Chronicles Part 5: God, the Healer

I first got an inkling that something was wrong with me, after a troubling romantic episode. My theory was a build up of stress, capped by an overload of negative emotions broke down my typically strong bodily constitution.

A colleague noticed I had a lump in my neck and asked that I check it out. Thus began a 2 year process of injections and drugs. So much so, I would eventually have to teach a colleague how to administer the injections for when work required us to travel out-of-station. And I got a doctor's note to travel with packets of tablets when going out of the country. But, this blog post isn't about me. It's also not about having to deal with a dad who suffered a broken leg, then hypertension then a stroke. It's really about what happened 2 years later.

My mom, the solid rock and Amazon, became afflicted with a strange illness. For some reason, it robbed her of the ability to talk, move much or respond to external stimuli. Doctors proffered disparate diagnosis and a subsequent litany of drug prescriptions. Now, as anyone knows, when you're on a diet of drugs without a clear diagnosis; in their trial-and-error fashion, the drugs begin to wreck havoc to your body and mind.

As you can imagine, confusion, trepidation and uncertainty gripped my family. Should she be hospitalised? Should a resident nurse be hired, as 24hr care was required? Would my dad be able to handle the pressure as he was also dealing with serious health issues? How would we handle the financial pressure of a condition that seemed to have no time frame?

In the midst of the uncertainty, my family chose to appeal to God, the Healer. I think at some point in everyone's life, we come face-to-face with God's promises and take the frightening step of attempting to believe them. It isn't everyone who grows up with a natural faith in God. Some develop a personal relationship with him late in life and take tentative steps to develop trust in his word.

In trusting God to heal my mum, my family came together to fast and pray. I've never been the type to fast. But, I've come to understand that beyond being a symbol of humility (and for some, a way to impose serenity on fleshy passions), fasting can also be a seed.

Sowing is self-imposed deprivation towards a cause. So when you fast, you deprive yourself of culinary treats as a function of humility and demonstration of faith (an expectation of something you're believing in). I may be wrong, but when you have nothing else to give, fasting can become a seed. (This is my opinion).

My family fasted and prayed. (Afterall what else could we do and who else could we turn to?) Coming together to pray binds a family in a common cause. (However, I still dislike the routine morning and evening prayers families engage in. Growing up in a religious family turned me off them for life).

We trusted God because we had taken a pledge to give our lives to him and so, we expected him to take care of us and intervene in our troubling circumstances.

2 weeks later, I witnessed a bona fide miracle on Christmas day. My mom who wasn't talking or moving much, was up, dressed in finery, made up and sitting in the parlour waiting to go to church. In the following weeks, she would rally and make a remarkable recovery. Needless to say, i now believe in miracles.

As i look back on The God Chronicles, i am amazed by how far God has brought me and how much he longs to develop a relationship with humanity; how much he desires to be involved in our daily lives & thoughts and how much he wants to direct us to achieve his purpose.

The purpose of the Chronicles was to try to capture in some measure the little i've come to know about God and to express my heart to him and the people around me. I hope it's provided you with a glimpse.

As always, i would love to hear from you. I'm @subomiplumptre on Twitter or you can send a mail to subomiplumptre@yahoo.com. You can also join the conversation at #ShoSpeaks.

The God Chronicles Part 4: God, the Saviour

[The following essay represents a personal conviction which i reserve the right to express publicly].

There are four knotty issues I contended with when I accepted Jesus Christ as a "Lord and Saviour" (a.k.a getting "Born Again":)).

1. That I was separated from God and he considered me a sinner because of something some guy and his wife did almost 2,000 years ago in a garden of indeterminate location

2. The existence of a "Trinity" - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit

3. The concept of Jesus Christ as the "Son of God"

4. The process of "Salvation" which seemed to require so little

I spent considerable time musing on these issues, trying to resolve them or at least come to a place of quiet conviction. I eventually "accepted" them as fundamentally true even before I began to "understand" them. Perhaps this is what people call "Faith". The heart does recognise infallible truth when it comes in contact with it.

The first concept becomes easy when you relate it to "authority". For example, an evil President can condemn a population of 140m people to multi-generational poverty, hopelessness, terror and international scorn by his actions or inactions. Conversely, a good President can figuratively save an entire nation.

In the same vein, one man, Adam was placed in a position of authority over mankind. He disobeyed God and screwed the whole of mankind over. And so another 'man' needed to step in (one without sin), in a representative capacity to redeem man. Hence, the need for God the Son to be born into the world as a man. It never ceases to amaze me how we believe in fantastical tales of science fiction and mythology but stumble at the concept of God the Son being born into the world as a man in the person of Jesus Christ. When he shed his blood, he paid the price for our sins and created a way for us to be reconnected to God our Father. When God raised him from the dead, he did so, so he could defeat eternal death once and for all. It doesn't mean we no longer sin. But now we can appeal to the redemptive work of Jesus and gain forgiveness when we do.

The second concept - The Trinity - requires a better mind than mine to explain. But I do know that God tries to explain incredibly difficult concepts to us using human typologies. Hence, the closest I've come to understanding the Trinity is to consider that man is a Spirit who has a Soul and lives in a Body.

God is our eternal Father. His Son, Jesus Christ is his Word, his ultimate representative and the only one we can look upon. The Holy Spirit is a quickening regenerative Spirit. The Three are One.

The third concept - the Sonship of Jesus Christ - is where a number of people sometimes get stumped. Again, it goes back to the principle of designated authority. God does not procreate and does not have a wife. Sonship is a title not a biological designation. It describes perfect manifestation; someone who has authority to act. Sonship on earth tries to mirror this but I submit that God is the First Father while Jesus is the First Son.

The fourth concept - the process of salvation - requires simple belief and incredible humility. It requires an acknowledgement that our own works can never save us and that we require the grace and mercy of God.

A man/woman comes to a place where he recognises his limitations and the fact that he's a sinner. Sometimes, he doesn't even know what his heart is searching for. He just knows he needs something/someone. In the words of the song, I'm With You by Avril Lavigne, he recognises "It's a damn cold night. Trying to figure out this life. Take me by the hand, take me somewhere new. I don't know who you are but I'm with you".

The process of salvation may be "simple" but it is profound. A man arrives at the point of submission, acknowledges God's Lordship, Jesus' Sonship and ability to save and accepts it. It's not necessarily about speech or the words we say out loud, or else the vocally challenged can't be saved. But confession is prescribed because words are significant. Saying it out loud is a declaration of a decision.

A simple prayer of salvation would go thus: God, I need you. I messed up. I can't save myself. I believe Jesus your Son can, cause he gave his life for mine. You also raised him from the dead so I can defeat eternal death too. Please save me. Amen.

I believe salvation is not an end in itslef. It has very little to do with going to a heaven of indeterminate location, though that's a plus. Rather, it's much more about building a relationship with God, knowing him and unlocking a lifetime of fulfilling purpose and having a positive impact on the world.

I've tried to summarise the little I personally know of salvation. It would be my pleasure to continue this conversation. Feedback is always welcome.

(Buzz me @subomiplumptre, subomiplumptre@yahoo.com or join the conversation at #MakingGodFamous,#ShoSpeaks)

The God Chronicles Part 3: God, the Intelligent

I can’t tell you when I fell in love with God’s Word. As a child, I attended Sunday School and read Bible stories like anyone else. And they were just that, stories. I can’t tell you exactly when the word of God became essential to my being; when I began to look forward to reading it every day; when it became essential to me.

Perhaps, it was when the words began to impact me specifically and not generally. I would study the Word and it would be relevant to my circumstances and challenges. It became an active and responsive thing. And no, it wasn’t some variation of lotto where I’d drop the Bible on the bed and take the first random thing that opened up as gospel truth! After all, the Word of God is not a diviner’s stone. But, in my daily readings, God began to speak to me.

The subject didn’t matter – Relationships, work, family, sadness – there was always a word for me. I remember I used to muse in difficult times, “If only I can spend some time listening to God and reading the Word, I’ll find the answer”. And so, the Word of God became my comfort, direction and instruction (this part I resisted:)). It began to shape my character and worldview; opening up my mind. My brain virtually became prised open as ideas, intellect and inspiration poured in. It is assumed that I am intelligent, but very few people know I became more intelligent and discerning because of a consistent consumption of the Word of God. Nothing else has impacted my life like it.

Funny thing about the Word of God – being open-minded and reading other things enhances your understanding of it.

If you read poetry, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Psalms. If you learn about the nomadic habits of shepherds, you’ll appreciate some of the factors that shaped King David’s youth. If you understand science, you’ll better appreciate Moses’ and Apostle Paul’s references to cosmology.

The Proverbs exhort us to “buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight”. You wouldn’t need to buy it, if it were free or could easily be downloaded from the internet. The most specialised courses, schools, research material etc. often need to be paid for or at the very least worked for. You must exchange something for it – time, effort, sacrifice or money. Wisdom is very precious and at a certain level the Word of God builds both your intellect and wisdom. Yes, the Holy Spirit gives insight and understanding, but it’s hard to communicate concepts and contexts that you don’t have any reference for. Don’t get me wrong. You’ll still be personally blessed by the Word, but your application of it in wider contexts e.g. Business, politics etc. will be severely limited. You’ll become one of those Christians that don’t make sense and can’t effectively function outside of Church.

If you cannot read and interpret the Word, then you are at the mercy of the one doing the reading to your hearing. Even when the Holy Spirit reveals a word to you, you will not have the intellectual base to effectively implement it. “In all thy getting, get understanding”.

One of the main reasons why I remain a born again Christian is because of an abiding love for God’s Word. I’m not a theologian and can’t tell you the specifics of how the Word became flesh, but I can testify of its life transforming power."

I leave you with Apostle Paul's prayer: "I ask — ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him — endless energy, boundless strength!

It would be my honour to tell you a little bit more about God, the intelligent one-on-one. Let’s begin a conversation: subomiplumptre@yahoo.com.

(Follow me @subomiplumptre or join the conversation at #MakingGodFamous,#ShoSpeaks)

The God Chronicles Part 2: Not Afraid to Ask Why

It is assumed that if we bring God down to “our level” or demystify him, people will either take him for granted or fail to accord him the reverence he deserves. They may even deign to treat the things that are holy as carnal. Thus, Christianity has evolved into this abstract, irrelevant, and sectarian club.

Perhaps we failed to understand that very few human beings can relate to abstract concepts. And so, a student may read a voluminous textbook prior to an exam because he can readily relate the work required to the desired outcome. It’s clear-cut. But, ask the same student to read his bible cover-to-cover with the same intensity and dedication and he honestly can’t understand why. He’s not being lazy or unserious as some Christians would accuse. His dedication to other pursuits disproves this. His love hasn’t “waxed cold” (when in truth, it was never properly forged, in the first place). He just hasn’t been brought to a place of understanding, where he sees the desired outcome of Christianity in real terms, beyond the snake oil skin merchants of prosperity or deliverance.

I am not advocating that we containerise God so our mortal minds can understand him or that we belittle exalted things. But I ask that we actively reveal those aspects of him that will help people truly relate to him. Jesus called himself friend, brother and son. God revealed himself as healer, deliverer and the one who is ever present. God consistently stoops to conquer. In the same vein, as Christians, we must be willing to address thorny questions and answer people’s queries about Christianity when they ask. We must stop shutting people up, condescending to them or patronising them. A simple “I don’t know” will suffice if in truth we don't, and we must then point them in the direction of someone who does know.

We mustn’t seek to have the last word in every discussion about our Father. Like Socrates, we must be willing to dissect issues, whittling them to their core essence. We must shake off every facade of piety and refrain from keeping up appearances of strength when we are most frail. Instead, we should acknowledge that we are saved by the kind grace of God.

I cannot claim to be God’s personal best friend or to comprehensively love him (for if the measure of love is obedience, then I fall short). But, I’m trying to get to know him; to build a personal, elemental relationship with him and to live for his purposes. That journey began with many questions and will grow through a desire to know and be known.

And so, I dare to call him by what i personally know about him; what has been revealed to me. I call him God, the Intelligent.

(Follow me @subomiplumptre or join the conversation at #MakingGodFamous,#ShoSpeaks)

The God Chronicles Part 1: This is My Story

I've decided to do a blog series about my journey of discovery with God.

About 15 years after I first got to know him, I'd had enough of 2nd hand Christianity. You know the kind where God is referred to in reported speech or patiently explained to you by third parties. I no longer wanted to know the God in church, books or choruses. I needed to know him for myself, talk to him, ask him questions, relate with him. I wanted to be the author of those books and choruses - telling my own experiential stories of what God had done and who he was.

You see, I became bored with the routine church going (though I was still enamoured by the Word). Perhaps because I never really knew why we went to church in the first place or why it had the structure it did. (I knew the scripted reason, but didn't really 'get' it. And anyway, school church was so much more fun and real.)

So began my journey of discovery. I would soon realise that my deepest epiphanies would occur during periods of great crisis.

This blog series will seek to share those personal insights. In some places, the actors will be referred to obliquely (as I'm not sure they'd like their names in the social media space).

Kindly follow me as I share. This is My Story. This is My Song...

(Follow me @subomiplumptre or join the conversation at #MakingGodFamous, #ShoSpeaks)

25 Entrepreneurial Lessons

1. Integrity matters. Build goodwill capital. You’ll need it to attract finance for business expansion or a crucial job recommendation.

2. Focus. Become very skilled at and known for something. It will generate referrals and significantly reduce your cost of marketing.

3. Read. Study. Be exposed. Your business can't rise above the level of your thinking and life concept.

4. Gain international perspectives and use international benchmarks which can be sourced from magazines, blogs etc. If you can, engage international interns.

5. Gain generational perspective: Hire young people.

6. Sometimes, you need to ignore industry chatter. Especially when you're cooking a breakthrough model.

7. Control your HR costs. Hire staff who can play BOTH professional and admin roles. This also creates a sense of ownership.

8. Corpers with potential are cost-efficient hires. To retain them, adopt an incentive program with the following features: Mission, responsibility, exposure, access, reduced cost of living & bonuses.

9. An entrepreneur cannot afford to NOT pay for performance. Include a trial period in your hiring process.

10. Identify protégées. They are your future managers. Pour yourself into them. Someday you won't have the energy to work at your current pace.

11. Adopt financial discipline. Constantly review actual figures not estimates. Never underbid or under price. Always cover your admin expenses.

12. Delicately manage 3 sources of income: Cash flow for operations, bulk capital for major purchases & project finance for expansion.

13. Proactively manage your culture. Use family meetings, life sessions & time outs. Create a company legend or story.

14. Institute annual strategy or review sessions. Review the numbers and lessons. Set goals and achieve them.

15. Hold monthly financial meetings. They provide an early warning signal when your company is in trouble.

16. Weekly management meetings are essential. It's a time to set goals for the week and review those for the previous week. It's also a great HR performance tracker.

17. Provide your staff with a periodic measure of progress. It helps you to identify those that are just coasting or who are lost within the system.

18. Documentation will save you. It professionalises you, increases your brand profile and provides hard evidence in times of trouble.

19. A CEO must serve & put the needs of others first. He must be accountable and relinquish the day to day financials after putting in place adequate controls.

20. Structure is key. Put in place requisite regulatory, legal, accounting & HR structures as you move from a Stage 1 to Stage 2 enterprise.

21. You need staff that can represent the company when the CEO is not around. The brand must become independent of the CEO.

22. Craft an expansion strategy for the future. It shows vision. When it's time, co-opt people in your network as strategic advisors.

23. Family matters. Staff can't work when there's trouble at home or their spouses oppose them. Develop programmes to help them understand the company. Programmes include bring-your-child to-work-day, annual family picnic, food & welfare packs for junior staff etc.

24. Review suggestions from your staff on how to make work better. But filter what they say for 'freebie' tendencies and presumption.

25. If you’re lucky, your company will attain institutional positioning. It will become the industry leader and set the standard.

Lessons from a CS Lewis Tweet

I subscribe to @CSLewisDaily on twitter. A while ago, a tweet caught my eye which I meditated on this morning: "God cannot give you happiness outside of himself".

If he could, he would. The nature of God's kindness is such that he would do almost anything to ensure his beloved are happy. However, the limitation of our human design is that we cannot attain it outside of a relationship and constant fellowship with him. It's written in our DNA.

The best way I can describe it is to use marriage as an analogy. In marriage, you make a conscious decision to entrust the provision of your deepest emotional needs to your spouse. That's the way marriage is designed. If for instance, a woman's emotional need is conversation, a husband could choose to ignore it due to his punishing schedule. He could say: I can't adjust my habits and personality for my wife. After all she knew who I was before she married me". The decision not to change effectively sentences the wife to a lifetime of unhappiness. The man suffers too, for as every good man knows, when his wife is not happy, he isn't as well.

It's the same thing with a relationship with God. We could ask: Why did you enter a relationship with Him, if you weren't willing to accept the parameters"? If you choose not to change and make time for him, you sentence yourself to a lifetime of misery and hurt him too.

Try a little experiment. Spend 5 minutes each morning for a week, just talking to him - Letting him know what you think of him, what confuses you about him. Tell him your fears, challenges, hopes and dreams. I'd like to know how it goes. Tell me in a week.

Shosho's Incomplete Guide to Personal Development

I’ve been meaning to develop a personal development guide for some time now. (Personal development in this context means random and useful information). But, I’ve been busy and quite honestly lazy; which means I probably need my own advice.

While I’m no expert on the subject, I regularly meet hugely talented people who struggle with entrepreneurship, career or life projects unnecessarily. Many times, the only thing standing in the way of success is information, exposure, and the willingness to accept new knowledge while ditching existing paradigms. They need access to the right information, some support and the humility to change. What complicates matters is that having access to the right information at the right time is not guaranteed. Sometimes it’s simply an act of God’s kindness. (There is such a thing as ignorant bliss!)

First Thing’s First, Google it!

We live in the era of Social Enlightenment where access to knowledge is at unprecedented levels. Therefore, one of the most important tools in any personal development quest is Google. Many solutions can literally be found at the click of a mouse. But, if you hate to read or sift through data, there’s not much Google can do for you. The magnitude of information on the web and the limited nature of time are such that the ability to separate relevant information from worthless junk is a key requirement for the effective use of Google. The world is very unforgiving to those who need to be spoon-fed.

Study Popular Culture

You must be aware of and in tune with popular culture if you plan to sell anything to this (or the next generation). While time-held principles remain relevant; their application, presentation and communication change from generation to generation. It will be difficult to successfully sell a product to an audience you do not understand or you have a high level of disdain for. They will sense your patronizing attitude. And, they hate hypocrisy.

To bring yourself up to speed on popular culture, I recommend the following: Use “generational communication tools”. There are cultural mindsets that you’ll never understand if you don’t chat, have a data-enabled phone and Facebook & Twitter accounts. Access to instantaneous and multiple streams of information is very much a hallmark of this generation.

Subscribe to relevant RSS feeds from informational websites. That way, 10 minutes after you long on to the internet, you’ll have read bite-size highlights of what’s going on in the world and in the sectors you’re most interested in.

To ensure proper online representation (especially if you’re a public figure or plan to be one), develop a combination of the following: A structured Linked In Page, Wikipedia Page, Blog, Website, Facebook Page and Twitter Page. When people meet you, they’re more than likely to Google you immediately after. When they do, the first page that comes up should be your “official” web presence not random chatter on Twitter! You may consider professional portraits for your online pages or something creative. But, please do not use a grainy passport photo!

Try to log into Social Networks e.g. Twitter at least once a day (preferably in the morning) to “listen” to generational chatter and to feel the pulse of the middle class. It’ll give you insight into what topics are hot as well as popular lingo. Also pay attention to media, in general. The media is the voice of this generation.

For music, online sites like Billboard.com and the iTunes Charts tell you what’s happening on the global scene, while Notjustok.com (and any number of other entertainment aggregators) curate Nigerian music. Listening to local radio stations keeps you up-to-date, particularly drive-time shows. Buying music on a regular basis helps you to assess shifts in musical styles, as generational tastes morph very quickly. A hot single may not give you the full experience; you’ve got to listen to the entire album. Finally, at least 1 hour of music videos on a contemporary music station once or twice a week should give you a good feel of visual pop culture. Try Soundcity, MTV Base or Trace Urban.

For all things youth, subscribe to magazines like Ynaija. (You may also browse the online version). To gain a “feel” for popular fashion, spend some time observing people at the Mall. Just visit every now and then; sit and watch young people pass by. You’ll learn a lot about this generation from the way they walk, gesture, talk and dress.

For more refined fashion tastes, you may subscribe to British GQ (Not the American edition), Vogue and Vanity Fair. Read the articles; don’t just look at the pretty pictures. I especially like the way foreign magazines imprint certain standards of quality in your subconscious. After a while, you instinctively develop an aversion to things that are tacky or razz.

For the business minded, Fast Company is a must-read. Few other magazines write about the business world in popular language or emphasise business innovation. Reading the Economist and Fortune regularly for at least a year will teach you the fine art of business communication and writing. They will help you to develop structured and logical presentation which are invaluable for business correspondence. They are tedious to read, but subconsciously develop your vocabulary.

I encourage you to also watch movies, preferably at the cinema. It’s a lifestyle, not a waste of money.

Travel as Much as You Are Able to

Whenever you can afford it, travel. I heartily recommend a visit to all the geopolitical zones in Nigeria. It will greatly broaden your understanding of your fellow citizens. A trip to the hinterland will transform your thinking about what it means to be a Nigerian. Traveling to exotic international locales is all well and good, however, if you’ve never ventured beyond our shores before, I recommend Ghana as your first stop and then perhaps the UK and US! Travelling to Yankee or Jand will hopefully cure you of the fear of visa applications and the excitement of “travelling abroad”. There’s something in Nigerians that idolizes travelling abroad. You might as well do it and get it over with.

Learning the basic protocols of travelling will come in handy for years to come. For example, the seemingly little things like buying a sim card at the airport; changing only a small amount of Forex there because you get better rates in town, dealing with immigration and requisite travel documentation, understanding a city’s transportation system and route maps, learning which cities allow you to drive with a Nigerian license, knowing how to open a non-resident bank account so you have a backup debit card to your Nigerian one, using travel sites like Trip Advisor to check hotel reviews etc.

One thing about travelling though – the cultural exposure matters, not just shopping. Sometimes, it pays to pre-book tours BEFORE you leave for your trip or else the slots may be filled for days by the time you get there. Do not depend on your host to show you around. Many residents have never taken a tour of the cities they live in. Almost every country or city has an official tour company, e.g. Arabian Adventures for Dubai. Ideally, your first 2 days should be dedicated to tours. On the first day, try a city bus tour or a walking tour. It’s best to go in a group, especially if you’re travelling alone. It’s a wonderful way to meet new people while minimizing the risks of exploring alone. Nowadays, you can do almost anything you want to in a foreign country via a tour. There are even pre-packaged tours for a night out on the town.

When you return, you’ll find you’ve gained a better understanding of and tolerance for human differences. Your heart and mind will expand. Don’t ask me how; they just do.

The Language of International Business

If you’re thinking of expanding your business globally and do not wish to retain the services of an interpreter, you may need to brush up on our lingua franca, English or a foreign language. Your proposals shouldn’t be liberally sprinkled with dangerous artillery.

There are many organisations and tools that can help you with spoken and written business communication. Use them.

First Impressions

If you are hopeless with fashion and you’ll like someone to help you to design your own personal style and look, kindly contact a personal shopper or lifestyle consultant. There are many affordable ones. You don’t even need a professional. You may have a colleague or sibling who loves to shop and has a great sense of taste. Give them your shopping money and a little extra to cover their transportation costs and they’ll gladly shop for you. Trust me, they know where all the bargains are.

Sometimes it helps if you go online to identify the kind of things you like to make their shopping easier or to familiarize yourself with what’s available. Everybody looks good in Nigerian fabric and nowadays you can make contemporary stuff that’s suitable for both formal and informal occasions. Clothing made from understated high quality fabric is acceptable at almost any formal event in Nigeria. Simply add a dash of personal style.

Guys, please learn how to knot a tie and open a bottle of wine. And learn how to drive competently. For some reason, women associate competent driving with competence in “certain other areas that will go unmentioned”. Ladies, do learn how to cook the major food groups . Even if you hate cooking, there’s no point to prove. It’s just nice to not look lost in a kitchen.

If you need help determining what hair style or cut suits you, go to any highly recommended salon or barber and ASK them to advise on what looks good on you. Please do not go on a weekend if you require personalized attention. It’s usually a mad rush. Women can learn how to apply makeup or buy appropriate skin care products from any notable makeup artist. (Basic tip – Avoid lining eyebrows or applying layers of foundation. They make women look angry. Also replace soap with a cream cleanser for your face).

Choose perfume or cologne that’s attractive to the opposite sex and not just one you personally like. Whenever a woman hugs a guy and unconsciously snuggles or goes, “you smell nice”, that’s his perfect scent. He should stick with it.

A manicure and pedicure never hurt anyone. And the spa’s perfect for those who don’t know how to destress and need it beaten out of them (a.k.a Massage).

Try having drinks in a hotel bar or if you can afford it, do dinner. It helps you “escape” Nigeria for a while. You’ll observe people from different countries and absorb interesting habits. Importantly, you’ll become familiar with formal place setting (the correct positioning of cutlery). Like we all learnt from the movie, Pretty Woman, when dining formally, you use your cutlery from the outside-in; beginning with those furthest away from your plate and working your way in from course to course (Appetizer to Dessert). Sometimes, the dessert spoon may be placed above the plate and your wine/juice glass is different from your water glass.

Eating Right and Exercising

If you can’t go to the gym religiously, check out online sites for simple exercise plans you can do at home and tips on what not to eat. The basic rules are drink at least a litre of water a day, eat fruits everyday, cut out starches and increase your lean protein intake. Stop skipping breakfast but keep it light (e.g. Cereal and fruit), exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times a week and oh…one more thing…everything that tastes good is bad for you.

Buying Gifts

If you’re terrible at picking gifts, let others do it for you. Or if you have a creative gift concept you’d like to bring to life, let others execute it for you. Try Konnektors as a starting point. Also, if you’re not sure about what to buy for someone, try talking to their sibling or someone who’s close to them to get the inside scoop on what they truly desire right now.

And of Course Sex Matters

If you missed your integrated science class in Form 1, you really need to begin with the book, Every Woman, just to know where all the equipment is and their functions. (I personally find it amusing when guys mix up ovulation and menstruation). There are many professionally written books about sex like The Magic of Sex by Mariam Stoppard. Popular fiction (novels) will provide an overview of popular sexual terminology - It helps to know what the popular names for fellatio or cunninlingus are.

Birth control or family planning options abound and speaking to a professional is advised. I suggest you personally Google and research everything you’re told by your Doctor, as many myths abound. Personally, birth control options that don’t mess with a woman’s hormones or those 5 glorious days of ovulation are preferred.

Coming Home

Home should be a haven and sanctuary. Simply put, you are affected by what you consistently surround yourself with and it’s hard to truly relax when you live in the midst of chaos. It’s better to leave a room bare than to stock it with junk. Serenity and comfort are hallmarks of a great home. Even if you live with others, your room or personal space should reflect the quality of your mind and soul. Your living space and the inside of your car send a strong signal about the level of disorder you’re willing to tolerate. Also, stop wearing rags at home. A mentor once told me to dress in such a way that when a visitor comes, you don’t have to change first before opening the door.

There are companies who’ll do affordable interior decorating consultations. Speak to one if you need to.

Catching up on all You’ve Missed

If you’d like to catch up on popular culture, try Time Magazine’s The All Time Best 100 (http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1662224,00.html). There are many other online resources:

For movies: http://www.slashfilm.com/yahoos-100-movies-to-see-before-you-die/

For music: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/mar/20/1 (Click on the full list to view).

You can buy in stores or download at “you-know-where”.

For books: http://tinyurl.com/myreadinglist

If you read a new book every month or two, you’ll gradually become more knowledgeable and your worldview will expand.

For travel: http://www.tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i17106-100_places_to_see_before_I_die.html

Finally, who you know still matters

In business, who you know doesn’t necessarily determine your trajectory but it helps. People are comfortable doing business with people they know or have a trusted reference for. It impacts access, clout and influence. This is even more important in a business climate like Nigeria’s, where a lot of business is done informally.

You really don’t need to join a club to “belong”. There are several social, professional and business networks that will suffice. Try volunteering on the event organizing committee of a network like Wimbiz for example, or your school’s Old Boy’s/Girl’s Association. You’ll be amazed how many people will feel predisposed to listening to your business idea, when they’ve witnessed first-hand how committed and dedicated you are to a cause. And if you can’t serve on the committee, give something.

There are several entrepreneurial networks who meet regularly and have become a family of sorts.

If you’re an up and coming business person and you’re on the outside looking in, join a network fast and stop relying solely on “mentors” to help you.

Conclusion

It will be nice if people can share links and resources that may prove helpful to others. Feel free to post those links under comments.

Thank you for reading.