All posts by Tayo Solagbade

Tayo K. Solagbade is a Location Independent Performance Improvement Specialist and Multipreneur (i.e. a highly versatile/multi-skilled entrepreneur), with a bias for delivering Best Practice solutions to Farm Businesses and others. Since 2002, he has earned multiple streams of income providing individuals and organisations with personal development training and coaching, custom MS Excel-VB solutions, web marketing systems, freelance writing services, and best practice extension support services (for farm business owners). Tayo is the author of the Self-Development (SD) Bible™, the popular Livestock Feed Formulation Handbook, and developer of its accompanying Excel-VB driven Ration Formulator - as well as the increasingly popular Monthly Poultry Farm Manager app. On 1st April 2013, Tayo (who reads, writes and speaks the French language) relocated to Cotonou, in the French Speaking Benin Republic on the first lap of his slow travels across the West African region. His key purpose is to deliver talks, seminars and workshops on his key areas of focus and interest to interested audiences (Email tayo at tksola dot com for details). When he's not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Daily Self-Development Nuggets blog - on which he also publishes previews of paid issues of The Farm CEO™ Newspaper (www.thefarmceo.net), in addition to his FREE Weekly Public Speaking/Web Marketing IDEAS newsletter - which he uses to promote Burt Dubin's Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts across the African continent. Visit Tayo's Flagship Performance Improvement website to download over 10 performance improvement resources to boost your personal and work related productivity. Join Tayo's international community of fans on his Flagship MS Excel Heaven Facebook page (click here). You can also connect with him via Twitter (@tksola).
Parenting

Teach Your Kids To Excel Without Apology

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I have coached people of different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds – face to face and remotely – over the past 15 years.

During this time, kids have earned a special place in my “coaching heart” because I’ve found that they are the ones most like me.

By this I mean, for instance, that they share with me a crazy tendency to believe they can do virtually anything they set their minds to (the adults tend to believe the opposite).

For instance, kids will often act with blind faith based on their beliefs. (Just like I do, to the initial annoyance – but later admiration – of many well intentioned realists I’m lucky to be sorrounded with)

Kids Are Open Minded & Impressionable

The above happens because kids are generally less conditioned by society, compared to adults.

Think about it for a moment and you’ll agree with me.

However, they also often believe more or less anything they are told by adults.

And that’s why it’s so important that we watch what we (as parents), or other adults (like teachers) say to them!

Don’t Force Your Child To Blend In!

Sadly, many adults who have kids often spend their time trying to mould their kids’ thinking and behaviour to conform to the expectations of the society they live in.

One way they do this is by repeatedly telling their child to avoid drawing attention to herself by thinking or acting too different from others.

I think that’s a big mistake that could hurt such kids’ chances of excelling later on in life.

When you make your child feel it’s wrong to be different from others, you effectively set her up to suffer emotional conflicts that will arise from having to resist following her natural instincts!

Over time, if the child remains exposed to this kind of treatment, she could grow up confused, and lacking in self-confidence.

Even worse, such a child could end up going through life without achieving her full potential, because some adults (e.g the parents), would have convinced her to be reasonable and not try to do the impossible by pursuing a dream or vision she conceives.

A Solution: My 80/20 Principle For Coaching Kids

Coaching comes quite naturally to me.I love helping willing others discover how to perpetually improve themselves to succeed better, the way I do.

If you want to help your kids excel in life, resolve today to help them nurture their self-belief EVERY day.

One tested and proven way to achieve this is by Implementing my adaptation of Pareto’s 80:20 rule in relating with your kids.

What this means, is that 80% of the time:

1. You’ll deliberately focus on telling them how unique their God given talents and abilities make them, and why they must aim to achieve their full potentials in life.

2. You’ll closely study each child, to identify her strengths and major natural interest. Then devote deliberate effort to help the child consciously develop that ability e.g by enrolling her in a vocational centre.

3. You’ll deliberately challenge your child to see mistakes she makes, setbacks she encounters (and any other forms of adversity that come her way as she chases her goal) as stepping stones to eventual success.

The above steps will enable you inculcate the right values in your children over time.

And when they become adults, they are likely to be well equipped to go through life achieving their set goals, without succumbing to pressures to be like others.

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

Pay N10,500 (instead of N18,000) And Get My Feed Formulation Handbook And Software Bundle!

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UPDATE(15th Jan 2013 at 11.57p.m Nigerian time): New price for the Feed Formulation Software (or Ration Formulator) is N12,500. The handbook remains available for N8,000!

The information below is relevant to my currently on-going year end bundled offer announced at the bottom of the following recent posts:

1. Can You Be Trusted?(Real Life Farm Business Sales Conversations With People Just Like You)

2. A World Bank Expert’s Tip On Feed Formulation

UPDATE(14th Dec. 2012 at 10.42a.m Nigerian time): Pay N10,500 and get the bundle – For 25 Buyers Only!

My attention has just been drawn to the fact that last year’s bundled offer price of N10,500 is what still appears on the FAQ/sales page here!

I have no idea what went wrong as I vividly recall updating that page before announcing this year’s N14,000 offer.

In light of the fact that many have already seen the lower offer, and as a gesture of goodwill, I’ve decided to bring the price down to N10,500.00.

This offer will however be for the first 25 persons who buy on or before midnight of 15th January 2013.

Once the offer expires the prices on that sales page will be updated to N18,000.

Send SMS with your name and email to me via 234-803-302-1263 to book your slot before all 25 are taken. You can also email your name and phone number to me via tayo at tksola dot com.

Career Development

Coach Employees To Manage Them Successfully

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As long as you have employees reporting to you, the degree of success you eventually achieve will depend on how competent you are at coaching them to function at their full potential in the workplace.

Once you start managing others, it becomes important to appreciate why succeeding by doing most things by yourself, when you have people you can involve, will not help you, or the company in the long term.

Let’s Use The Analogy Of A Soccer Team

A gifted striker who has the ability to take on entire defences and score, can choose to do that every time.

Or, he can (wisely) do so intermittently, while also exploring ways to involve other team members in creating scoring chances.

By opting for the latter strategy, he could avoid needlessly straining himself to super perform all the time.

But even more importantly, he would make it possible for the entire team to evolve greater cohesion and understanding, so that even when he does not play (e.g due to injury or suspension), the team will still put up a decent showing against any opposition.

That’s the kind of role you need to play with your workplace team.

Stop Thinking Of Doing It Yourself

You need to lead and manage your direct reports or employees to take the right steps to move the company closer to its goals.

What’s more, you must endeavour to prepare them to do it by themselves, in the event that you’re not around.

What if you get promoted or transferred at short notice for instance?

If you’ve always been doing most things yourself, by the time you try to handover, none of your subordinates may be able to take in everything in that short period.

And YOU would look bad, for failing to prepare your subordinates (at least one of them) to competently take over key aspects of your job!

If Your Staff Don’t Know How, You Must Show Them – and Persist Till They Get It!

Do not make the mistake of complaining that your subordinates are not up to learning what is needed.

That’s why YOU are there: to provide the needed coaching and direction to get them to perform at the desired level.

And you may have to be really creative and relentlessly demanding of each person, to ensure you get the results you want.

(Note that it is assumed that you operate a rigorous recruitment system that prevents mediocres from gaining entry into the workforce.

Otherwise, most of the advice offered here may likely not work, as such persons tend to hold fast to a negative mental attitude!)

Coaching and directing your subordinates will be easy for you, if you dispense with an “I’ll-do-it-myself-if-they-don’t-get-it” mentality.

Two Strategies You Can Adopt

1. Develop the habit of putting individual employees or subordinates on their toes.

You can do this by deliberately asking spontaneous questions that test actual knowledge or understanding of specific work areas or job aspects.

That will force them to develop mental alertness essential for smart decision making.

2. Employ the trial by fire strategy in exposing them to handling of important job related tasks.

Give a brief introduction of the task to be done, or role to be played.

Then have them individually put what you’ve explained to practical use in real life situations, from which you will be deliberately absent.

Watch to see who sinks and who swims.

Use what you learn to provide corrective feedback to each person – and also to identify individuals who demonstrate the greatest capacity to deliver required performance.

Repeat the process as often as needed or possible, until you are sure your team has a firm grasp of what to do, to make things work to required standards at all times.

Final Words

The success of a manager or leader in the workplace will often be determined by how well he is seen to have prepared those who worked with him, to excel on their jobs, and also take on higher responsibility.

When you work alone, it’s easy to focus on doing what you know how to do well.

You rarely have to concern yourself with whether others will be able to pick up where you left off.

But as you get promoted, you’ll have less hands-on work to do, and more responsibility for supervising those who have to do those hands-on tasks that you excelled at to earn your promotion.

Suddenly, instead of thinking and planning for yourself alone, you now have to do so for yourself, and others.

It can sometimes be a difficult mindset change to make.

But if you want to enjoy any semblance of success in your new position – and especially if you hope to climb even further up the promotion ladder – then you’ll need to make this change.

Entrepreneurship, Excel-VB Solutions, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, Self-Development, The Farm CEO

Can You Be Trusted?(Real Life Farm Business Sales Conversations With People Just Like You)

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Quick Take Away

This article recounts some entertaining but true stories, about how I’ve had to go the extra mile, many times, to earn the trust of prospective buyers of my feed formulation software and handbook over the years, to get where I am today.

The fear of getting scammed can be a real impediment to making sales to locals and foreigners, as a Nigerian living in Nigeria.

You’ll enjoy reading this, even as you gain valuable insights!

Introduction

When trust is lacking, smooth functioning of socioeconomic activities will be disrupted.

Think about the things you take for granted daily. For instance the money you save in your bank.

You do so because you “trust” that the bank’s personnel will always do their jobs right, so you never lose money.

What If A Buyer Sends Payment And It Does Not Reach You (On Time)

But we all know that things can – and do – go wrong sometimes.

This could happen when someone accidentally posts money sent to your account by a buyer into the wrong account.

You consequently find yourself telling the buyer that you have not received the alert for the payment she says she’s made.

That can be quite embarassing and disturbing, for both parties.

I should know. Something like that happened to me a few months ago.

And if you know anything about the “trust status” that prevails in the society I operate in, then I’m sure you can imagine how the man who sent the N13,000 ($80 approx), from out of state in Ibadan, to me in Lagos, must have hounded me by phone and email!

I took no offense though, because I understood. Out here, trust is a bit of a scarce commodity.

Majority of such transactions have been known to end with someone receiving requested payment and then failing to deliver the promised product or service. Or sometimes he could deliver a substandard product or service.

We’re supposed to be in the electronic age, where payment processing happens in an instant.

But I’m “fortunate” (yes – that’s how I like to see it!) to live and work in a society that’s yet to be fully integrated into that age in real time for now.

So in serving local buyers, I still have to offer mainly traditional payment options (but for international buyers I use globally accepted and more convenient online platforms).

It’s not that local electronic payment systems don’t exist. They do. However, the poor level of trust (that word again!) that persists out here makes most people wary of using anything they consider not to be tried and tested.

And can you blame them? Of course not!

The various fraud related crises that have recently rocked the stock exchange and banking sector have not helped matters in this regard, as you can imagine :-)

It Happens All Over The World, But It’s The Frequency And Scale Of Occurrence That Differs From Society To Society

Yes, it does happen everywhere.

No part of the world can lay exclusive claim to having good people.

Bad people can be found in all societies.

Even the holy books studied by the religious feature anecdotes about them.

It is however the presence of such naughty people in large numbers, and the resultant excessive frequency of their “trust destroying” activities that raises cause for concern.

One Almost Safe Medium Of Operation For Scam Artists

Once bad people discover a place exists where they can indulge without inhibition in their negative habits, they’ll naturally tend to congregate there.

And that’s why one place people can readily get “duped” or “scammed” is online, on the web.

The attributes that make the Internet such a powerful instrument for positive business and societal advancement, are the same ones that make it a potent weapon in the hands of dishonest and fraudulent people.

Therefore if you want to successfully use the web for personal or business purposes, your ability to inspire TRUST in the minds of those you relate with, matters quite a lot.

These days, so many people make false claims about personal achievements in order to sell their products and services. It’s so difficult to know who’s telling the truth.

Even in face to face situations the same problem can rear its ugly head. But it’s online that it really seems to proliferate.

My Question To YOU: Are You Worthy of The Trust of Others?

Can those you relate with take you for your words?

Do you deliver what you promise, no matter what?

Most honest people would probably feel offended by the above questions.

For them, this would amount to having their integrity questioned.

I can relate to that. I would feel the same way too.

Some True Stories About How A Lack Of Trust Can Hamper Business & Societal Progress

I had my integrity rudely and painfully called to question just this morning. It was during a phone conversation with a young man – Basambo Abdulraheem – who had visited my website.

He had asked for my feed formulation handbook in the web contact form message he originally sent in.

When we spoke on phone and I mentioned my promo offer (for past enquirers) of the handbook bundled with the software for N12,500 instead of the regular N18,000 price, he got interested.

After I told him the required terms and mode of payment, he suddenly balked, saying:

“But you know I’m in Ilorin, and you’re in Lagos. How do I get the bundle after I’ve paid into your account?”

I replied that most buyers (from various parts of the country) had received their personalised versions of the software and handbook, as email attachments.

I noted that only Ben Oshionya (who was based on the outskirts of Portharcourt) had – in 2008 – paid to have the printed and spiral bound handbook (and a CD containing the software and PDF handbook version) delivered to him by hand.

Fortunately, a young friend of mine (Ebenezer Oloyede), had been headed back to University of Portharcout that weekend.

This saved Ben from having to pay extra for courier delivery. In addition, Ebenezer was familiar with my Excel software and was able to show Ben how to use it.

Despite the above long winded explanation, Basambo was still not convinced. And he made that fact clear by saying:

“Hmm, but you know this is Nigeria now. How can I be sure you will send it?”

I felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over me.

Without mincing words and despite my efforts to supply what I considered proof, this guy was calling my integrity to question!

Initially I felt annoyed. But I soon calmed down knowing he had every right to be skeptical. Afterall he had no reliable means of verifying any of my claims.

To go ahead and pay, he would have to take what amounted to a massive leap of faith, like past buyers had done.

But not everyone can however get to that level of conviction easily. Especially if they feel the money they have to part with is substantial.

So I supplied additional information he requested via SMS, with my best wishes.

Maybe in the near future, Basambo Abdulraheem will get convinced enough to take that leap of faith :-)

Even A Cameroonian Neighbour Got Cold Feet At The Last Minute

Arnold Epanty from next door in Buea, Cameroon exchanged a series of emails with me to get payment details to buy my handbook.

We’d agreed to use Western Union. When the day came however, the poor chap got cold feet (I think).

My email follow ups yielded no responses.

Interestingly, he’s stayed subscribed to my mailing list. So who knows – maybe one day he’ll return to complete his purchase…

…just like the next gentleman I describe below did, 3 years after walking away from the same transaction!

A Prospective Buyer From Ibadan Goes Away, Then Returns Over 3 Years Later, To Buy!

Once again the problem was a severe lack of trust.

Here’s how it happened:

When Oladipo Mann first phoned me about buying my handbook and software in 2009, he was not comfortable with the fact that I told him I worked from home, when he asked where my office was located in Lagos.

You see Dipo was calling from Ibadan, in Oyo state where he lived and worked.

In asking for my office address, his purpose was to use the knowledge that I had one, to reassure himself that I ran a traceable operation.

So when I said I did not use an office, he bluntly announced that if that was the case, he could not confidently pay money into my account from Ibadan.

I assured him that I understood his fears, and advised him to go with his gut instincts, noting that I would be available if/when he chose to return.

Now, what happened next is interesting.

Persons who submit enquiries via my website are told to agree to have their email addresses added to my mailing list.

As a result of the above Dipo began receiving my monthly Self-Development Digest newsletter (which this blog replaced this year), in addition to my periodic email updates in which I announced latest articles etc.

One day, sometime in August this year, after I sent out an email broadcast announcing the latest of my guest posts published on Africabusinesscommunities.com, I got an email from Dipo asking me to send him my account details, so he could make payment for the software and handbook bundle.

When I saw his name in the email, I immediately recognised it, and wondered what had suddenly made him decide it was safe to send me money – which was now even a larger amount than we had discussed over 3 years before (I had since raised my prices for both items).

I replied his email by asking him to phone me. When we spoke, I teased him about his decision to return to make payment.

He gave what amounted to the same “excuse” that Basambo Abdulraheem gave i.e “You know anything can happen in Nigeria”!

Today, Dipo’s flattering rating and testimonial can be seen and read on the sales page for my Feed Formulation Handbook in my online store –here.

It Took A Phone Conversation With A Past Buyer To Convince This Kano Based Prospect To Make Payment

In a previous post, I mentioned that Yakubu Ibrahim (who runs a poultry feed mill in Kano state) only went on to send payment AFTER I had given him the phone number to speak with Bello Hassan, a buyer from last November, who owns a farm in Niger state.

I still recall getting Yakubu’s SMS which read:

“I talk(ed) to Bello. I will pay tomorrow by God’s grace.”

All he apparently needed was the reassurance that I could be trusted to deliver.

Now, I could have given him any other past buyer’s phone number to call.

But knowing that Bello Hassan hailed from the north, like Yakubu, and that he would probably also speak to him in Hausa language, made me choose Bello.

Without meaning to brag, the fact that Bello let me give out his mobile number to Yakubu, and then went on to take the call days later, is proof that I enjoy great trust with Bello.

To get an idea of why that is so, read the excerpts (on this BLOG)of my responses to many queries Bello sent me, after buying my software and handbook in 2011.

In my usual manner, I ensured I went the extra mile to meet his needs.

And he acknowledged my efforts by eventually writing to say:

“Thanks Tayo. I’m quite satisfied with your answers to my questions.”

Little wonder that he had no difficulty recommending me to Yakubu one year later, when I contacted him.

That’s the power of earned trust!

A Phrase That Is Reflective Of Bad Experiences Those Who Use It Have Had

I refer here to the “anything can happen” phrase used by people like Basambo when they’re scared of getting scammed…

This naturally informs their attitude towards taking the risk of sending payments on mere “trust”, resulting in a huge “trust-gap” that prevents honest business operations from taking place smoothly!

The consequent outcome of the above is stunted progress and development in the society where such a situation persists.

That’s why Nigeria currently suffers the indignity of being locked out from using online payment platforms like Paypal.

Even our banks’ Mastercard and Visa debit cards are accepted on limited websites online.

For instance, I own a GT Bank naira denominated debit Mastercard, which works well with my Resellerclub.com account for my domains and hosting reselling business.

But for renewal of the hosting for this – my flagship website – with hostgator.com, my UK based brother-in-law has to use his credit card or paypal account to effect payment.

Why? Because hostgator’s payment processor rejects my GT Bank card!

And they’ve advised me that there’s nothing they can do, as my card apparently does not meet the minimum requirements.

The trust element is greatly lacking where the self proclaimed giant of Africa is concerned!

To Boost Trust In Your Society, Start By Being Trustworthy Yourself

Sometimes it’s not dishonesty or greed that leads a person to under deliver when others choose to trust him to deliver what they send payment for.

Incompetence can cause that to happen too.

Therefore don’t offer products or services you are not competent to deliver.

And for those that you have the capacity to handle, resolve never to be found wanting.

Aim to go the extra mile where necessary (but within reason and without going overboard), to satisfy those who give you their trust by paying to get your products or services.

One example: As I type this post, I’m putting finishing touches to a specially prepared PDF userguide and video tutorial to be sent to Yakub Ibrahim – in Kano – via email.

I got him to send his own list of feed ingredients, with corresponding prices and nutrient values, so I could use them in creating those custom learning resources for him.

This is in fulfillment of the promise I made to support him till he gets used to working with the software.

Note that he made 100% payment nearly 2 weeks ago, and I already sent him the package with the generic user guide.

So it’s not like I’m looking forward to some extra payment.

And that’s the way it should be!

Lesson From A “Real Man Of Faith” Who Sent Payment From The Other End Of The World, With A Bucket Load Of Trust!

Ronald V (surname restricted for privacy), a Canadian gentleman recently purchased the Ration formulator from me, by sending the money via Paypal.

Today we’ve linked up on Google+ over 3 weeks after he sent me the payment.

And we continue to exchange emails as he puts the Ration Formulator to use for preparing feed for animals on the large farm he oversees.

Being from outside Africa, one would naturally imagine he would have had more reason to be skeptical about sending money to this end.

I have no idea what background checks Ronald conducted before calling to speak with me on phone that day.

But suffice to say that he made it clear he wanted the Ration Formulator, and that he was aware I was based in Nigeria – and knew enough about the risks involved…

“What a man of faith!”, I thought to myself at the time. (Please note that I use the word “faith” in a strictly non-religious sense here. The dictionary meaning and interpretation therefore applies.)

Imagine my surprise a few days later when in response to my query about the acronym he typed into my website request form’s field for “Company”, he revealed it to be the name of a large religious group, in which he functions as a priest!

And for effect, he signed off THAT email with “God bless you” and his official title i.e. “Father Ronald” :-)

What an interesting revelation that was. A real life priest had delivered a powerful lesson on how to trust with faith!

That’s an example worth emulating by the rest of us.

By way of interest, my recent blog post true story on how I had to battle against multiple misfortunes before I could deliver the Excel ration formulator to Ronald will probably make you laugh.

If I did not know better, I would have said some evil forces conspired to try and stop me from fulfilling that order within the 24 hours I promised. Read below, to see what I mean!

You can read it: here.

End Of Year Promo Offer

This offer will remain open until MDT of 15th January 2013.

I offer you (or others you know) my Automated MS Excel Feed Formulation software, bundled with my popular feed formulation handbook at a promotional discount. See details below:

1. Watch my video demostration for the software on my Youtube channel (click)

2. DETAILED PDF USER GUIDE FOR THE Software can be downloaded from here

3. The sofware price is N10k.

But in the Xmas spirit, if you buy on or before the deadline, I’ll send you my fully printable 70 page Feed formulation handbook PDF for N4k instead of N8k (see it on sale for $82 approx. at the online store.)

So, instead of paying N18k, you get to pay N14k to buy both the software and handbook – saving N4,000.

UPDATE(14th Dec. 2012 at 10.42a.m Nigerian time): Pay N10,500 and get the bundle!

My attention has just been drawn to the fact that last year’s bundled offer price of N10,500 is what still appears on the FAQ/sales page here!

I have no idea what went wrong as I vividly recall updating that page before announcing this year’s N14,000 offer.

In light of the fact that many have already seen the lower offer, and as a gesture of goodwill, I’ve decided to bring the price down to N10,500.00.

All you need to do is subscribe to my mailing list to qualify to pay that special price.

Follow the instructions provided on the sales page..

You can call me on 234-803-302-1263.

Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz

A World Bank Expert’s Tip On Feed Formulation

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This week, the question I’m treating from my Farm business website contact form database was sent in by “Sola Enitan” from Ikeja Central Business District in Lagos, Nigeria.

In the course of answering that question below, I share insights gained from my interesting phone conversation with a university professor who is a world bank fish farming consultant.

Here’s the question:

“Fish and Shrimp Farming: I need business plan and feasibility studies. Do you own a fish farm yourself, or are you a textbook counsellor?”

Sola’s question is a valid one, and certainly deserves an answer.

I actually called and conversed with him right after reading his email back then.

In the rest of this post, I provide information to answer that question comprehensively.

A Quick Overview Of The Unconventional But Valuable Service I Offer Farmers

As an extension professional, I support farmers to adopt and/or develop best practice systems to make their farms succeed.

In simple english I help them find better ways to get the results they want.

Most of what an extension person does involves moving around/making contacts to discover what’s new (e.g research finding, new hybrids etc), what’s working (from successful farms) and what’s not.

Then such learnings are channelled to relevant farmers who may find them useful.

Sometimes, especially in today’s world, the extension professional may take it upon herself to develop and implement solutions she identifies to be badly needed by farmers.

That’s the approach I have adopted in playing my role as a non-conventional extension service provider, by developing custom software, publishing a feed formulation handbook, helping to setup a Best Operating Farm Process Management System (BOPMS) and also offering capacity building coaching and training.

To play her role effectively, an extension service provider must have a good grasp of both theoretical and practical farming concepts and operations.

The foregoing, combined with a firm understanding of the dynamics of the environment in which the farm operates, will equip her to deliver useful solutions that will be valued by the farm business owner.

Get further details about my unconventional approach to extension service provision on my Farm Business support service website.

(NB: By way of interest, the above link will take you to the old, html version of the site which I’ve used since 2006.

I’m currently in the process of moving ALL the content from the above mentioned old site, into a new database driven WordPress version (featuring my latest articles and updates) here..

Going by the visits and responses I’ve been getting, there must be something I’m doing right.

I have gotten enquiries and had purchases from farm owners and enthusiasts from across Nigeria, many parts of Africa, and as far as Asia, North America and even Australia.

Most of these visitors and buyers found me through online search results facilitated by my elaborate web marketing system, which incorporates web content, in addition to video and audio.

Examples Of How I Operate – From Two Phone Conversations

What I just did above, was to provide a little insight into how I serve farm businesses.

I will now provide real life examples of how I operate, by sharing details of two phone conversations I recently had, through which many farm business owners (and those aspiring) can gain valuable knowledge and insight for use in their farm businesses.

Whenever that happens (as it so often does), I would have succeeded in providing extension education that such persons can put to profitable use.

Conversation 1: Root Cause Analysis Reveals “Poor Management” As Major Cause of Farm Failure

Ironically it was Sola Enitan, the “textbook counsellor question asker” that I had this conversation with!

This happened earlier today. We were speaking for only the second time since we first made contact years ago.

But no one would have been able to tell, from the way we carried on exchanging friendly jokes all through.

That’s one of the things I love about the work I do, and the way I do it :-)

My purpose for calling Sola, was to find out if he was still involved in fish farming (so I could tell him about my year end sales promo for the Ration Formulator – see bottom of this post).

He replied that he was no longer pursuing that line of interest.

But it was the reason he gave for not going ahead to start his own fish farming business as he’d planned, that provides what I consider a perfect platform on which to further answer HIS “textbook counsellor” query.

Sola explained that he contacted a sample of fish farm business owners at the time, numbering over 100.

According to him, over 70% of them were either no longer in the business, or were in the process of shutting down their operations, or at least contemplating it.

To him, that was a sign that the fish farming business was not a viable one to venture into.

In line with my “Best Practice” Root Cause Analysis instincts, I asked Sola what he thought were the main causes of the farm failures experienced by the farmers he visited.

He replied that the major problem he saw they had, was lack of good quality feed preparation processes, to ensure balanced and non-toxic feed was given to the fish.

In addition, he noted that many of the farmers seemed to have divided interests due to other businesses they were engaged in.

This limited their ability to make timely input and intervention in the daily running of their farm operations. I refer to the foregoing as the “absentee ownership” phenomenon.

At this point, I asked him if he noticed that the reasons he had identified as being responsible for the farm failures were ALL related to farm management practices employed by the owners.

He readily agreed.

I then pointed out that it would be wrong to conclude that commercial fish farming was not viable based on the failures of poorly managed farms.

To this he again agreed.

And that was when he owned up that being a real estate professional, he had actually been looking to invest in fish farming to generate a decent additional stream of income.

So he reviewed the projected set up cost for a typical high capacity commercial intensive catfish production unit, against the projected medium and long term profit margins to be made.

But the numbers were way below his expectations.

Coming from the high margin real estate market, he felt the ROI was too “lean” to justify the money, effort and resources required to run a fish farm profitably.

I could not resist teasing him about his “big money” mentality at this point.

To his credit he replied frankly saying “Look Tayo, that fish business is better for retirement. Right now I need better returns on my money. Maybe later I’ll venture into it!”

TIP: I’ve shared the above to serve as a warning, to those who may be tempted to launch fish farm businesses without doing necessary due diligence.

It’s been called a gold mine, but mining the gold takes work and time. And you must be prepared to put in the work!

Also, don’t let anyone mislead you with exaggerated claims about profits to be made.

At the risk of stating the obvious, commercial fish farming cannot yield anything close to the same profits margins as you’d reasonably expect from investing in the oil and gas or real estate businesses!

Conversation 2: World Bank Consultant Draws Attention To A Potentially Profitable, But Little Explored Feed Formulation Support Service For Farm Businesses

A day before I spoke with Seun, I had a long and interesting phone conversation, with a university professor specialising in fish nuitrition and feed formulation.

Prof. F (let’s keep his real name quiet for now) told me that while consulting for the world bank, he had developed a high performing feed formula for fish, using the Linear Programming(LP) technique.

LP is an alternative to the simpler diagramatic Pearson Square computation technique described in my feed formulation handbook, and which my Ration Formulator software is based on.

The professor explained that he now devotes his time to using his formula to produce high performing feed that farmers come to buy from him.

According to him, it’s been quite rewarding working that way. His “magic” formula is therefore kept close to his chest, despite appeals from farmers that he let them have it.

That was quite a useful bit of information for me, as it implies opportunities exist for interested persons to provide a valuable service to busy but serious farmers:

TIP: You can offer feed formulation support services, possibly combined with actual feed compounding.

Some people run feed mills and help buyers produce bagged feeds based on the customer’s supplied formula (like Yakubu Ibrahim, a recent buyer of my feed formulation software, who owns runs a feed mill in Kano).

They also produce and sell their own brands of feed for different classes of livestock, using formulas they derive by themselves.

To do the above, some use manual calculation methods based on their understanding of feed formulation techniques like that described in my popular 70 page handbook.

At some point, a few (like Yakubu) decide they want the convenience of an automated method for deriving the formulas for use by themselves and their clients.

That’s when they come online and discover solutions like my customizable Excel-VB driven Ration Formulator.

See the sales promo details at the end of this post, to discover how my handbook and software can help you carry out feed formulation for different animal types using any combination of ingredients you prefer, within seconds, at the click of a button.

Final Words: Get Competent Help To Manage Your Farm Successfully

If you run a farm business, or plan to, you likely need support with setting up your farm management operations to ensure your long term success.

Get someone with the training, expertise and exposure to help you.

You may find my Farm BOPMS development service potentially useful.

BOPMS is an acronym for a practical farm management solution I developed years ago, called “Best Operating Process Management System”.

I offer to put it in place for farm businesses, or to provide information and education on it, via learning events e.g talks, seminars and workshops.

Having a BOPMS in place for your farm can drastically minimise occurrences of unexpected crises, while ensuring more profitable and stress free running of your farm opertions on a day to day basis.

You can read more about how setting up a custom BOPMS™ for your farm can make your life as a farm business owner more productive at the page below, on my Farm Business Support Service website:

http://iff.spontaneousdevelopment.com/farm_perf_5Tools.html.

End Of Year Promo Offer

This offer will remain open until MDT of 15th January 2013.

I offer you (or others you know) my Automated MS Excel Feed Formulation software, bundled with my popular feed formulation handbook at a promotional discount. See details below:

1. Watch my video demostration for the software on my Youtube channel (click)

2. DETAILED PDF USER GUIDE FOR THE Software can be downloaded from here

3. The sofware price is N10k.

But in the Xmas spirit, if you buy on or before the deadline, I’ll send you my fully printable 70 page Feed formulation handbook PDF for N4k instead of N8k (see it on sale for $82 approx. at the online store.)

So, instead of paying N18k, you get to pay N14k to buy both the software and handbook – saving N4,000.

4. Get more details about my feed formulation handbook and software here.

You can call me on 234-803-302-1263.

Public Speaking

You Already Have ALL You Need – Part 2 of 2

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This is the second and concluding part of this issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter from last week. I narrate the story of a young man who learns the importance of never feeling inadequate in pursuing a valued goal.

My message is that you can pursue your speaking goals without waiting to have everything you “feel” you “need”. This is because many times, not having those other “things” may actually mean you do NOT need them to achieve the progress you seek!

“No enterprise would ever begin, if all obstacles were first to be overcome.” – Napoleon Hill

A Senior Colleague Warns Me To Stay Away From Her…!

As word about my relationship with Annugo gradually got out, a few colleagues began teasing me about it.

However, none came across as being resentful in anyway.

That is, until one day, when Udenihc (a senior colleague on a management grade above mine, who joined the company five years before me), took me up on the subject when he ran into me in the office shared by shift managers.

I’d gone there to reconcile manufacturing data I was collating for a report.

The following conversation ensued(in part):

Udenihc:  “Oyat, I notice you’re getting close to that new IT girl – Annogu.”

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Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter

Date: Monday 10th December 2012

No: 67

Title: You Already Have ALL You Need – Part 2 of 2

Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [234-803-302-1263]

Blog URL: http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog

Archive (For E-mail only version started 14th May 2012): Click here to view

Archive (For Blog version started 24th September 2011): Click here

Hi,

Please find below the latest issue of my weekly Public Speaking Ideas page for 2012. 

SD Nuggets Blog™

 New posts from last week that may interest you!
Public Speaking

[Monday]:

Entrepreneurship [Tuesday]: – A

Entrepreneurship [Tuesday]: – B

Self Development [Wednesday]:

Career Development [Thursday]:

Parenting [Friday]:

Writing/Blogging [Saturday]:
Want me to write for you? Click here…

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With its Money back if not delighted Guarantee hardly any are returned.

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No. 67: You Already Have ALL You Need – Part 2 of 2

****

NB: If you ever find yourself wondering what else I’ve written, some days after you’ve read THIS Speaking Ideas newsletter I send out on a Monday, here’s what you can do to find out:

Point your browser to www.sdacademy.org to read at least ONE new post added to my SD Nuggets blog on a different category from Tuesday till Saturday (sometimes even Sundays) in line with this publishing schedule :-)

****

This is the second and concluding part of this issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter from last week. I narrate the story of a young man who learns the importance of never feeling inadequate in pursuing a valued goal.

My message is that you can pursue your speaking goals without waiting to have everything you “feel” you “need”. This is because many times, not having those other “things” may actually mean you do NOT need them to achieve the progress you seek!

“No enterprise would ever begin, if all obstacles were first to be overcome. – Napoleon Hill

A Senior Colleague Warns Me To Stay Away From Her…!

As word about my relationship with Annugo gradually got out, a few colleagues began teasing me about it.

However, none came across as being resentful in anyway.

That is, until one day, when Udenihc (a senior colleague on a management grade above mine, who joined the company five years before me), took me up on the subject when he ran into me in the office shared by shift managers.

I’d gone there to reconcile manufacturing data I was collating for a report.

The following conversation ensued(in part):

Udenihc: “Oyat, I notice you’re getting close to that new IT girl – Annogu.”

Me: “So, what if I am?”

Udenihc: “Do you know she’s actually from my home town?”

Me: “How does that have anything to do with me – or indeed my interaction with her?”

Udenihc: “Oh, so you don’t get it ehn? I mean you should know it’s better for her to go with someone from her own tribe!”

Me: “I can’t believe you just said that to me. Since when did it become compulsory for girls to choose who they go out with based on tribal affiliation?”

Udenihc: “I knew you would argue about this. You’ve always been a stubborn guy. Anyway, I just want you to know I’m interested in the girl, so you leave her alone!”

Me: “Well, I think you’re wasting your time talking to me about that. Just go to her, and let her know how you feel. I’m sure if she feels the same way she’ll come to you, and stop coming to me!”

Just as I said that, another manager walked in and Udenihc gave me one last look and walked out. I still recall looking after him and shaking my head in mock pity at how comical he had made himself look before me – “a mere trainee” – over a girl.

When Annogu came visiting some days later, I mentioned my encounter with Udenihc, and she instantly burst out laughing.

Before I could ask her why, she explained that he had called her that morning on the company’s internal phone line to her department, and told her the same thing.

She added that she had simply told him she had a right to choose who she spent her time with.

So, as it turned out, I did not even have to exert myself to have the matter resolved in my favour!

A Valuable Life Lesson

I think about things a lot. It’s an instinct that’s always served me well. I seem to be driven to extract useful and relevant meaning from everything that happens to me, or that I observe.

Doing so has often enabled me become a better and more competent person.

For that reason, I always encourage those I coach to cultivate and nurture a similar habit, if they wish to make faster and more rewarding progress.

After reflecting on what had happened, it occurred to me that by being myself, I had let Annogu see who I really was, and she apparently had decided she liked what she saw.

This was enough to make her decline invitations from others who, apart from ranking higher than I did at work, were also financially and materially more endowed than I was.

It was a great eye opening lesson for me at the time, and made me resolve to continue being true to myself at all times, no matter what.

How Can This Help YOU As A Speaker?

I suggest you use the above narrative, as a reminder that you will often already have the most important things you need, to win over your client or target audience.

Instead of running around trying to acquire other tiny extras you feel will help you make a better impression, why not focus on letting those you approach see the authentic you, and make up their minds?

This way, you increase your chances of getting chosen by a prospective client whose values actually resonate with yours.

And when that happens, you’ll have a much better chance of enjoying emotionally rewarding, and profitable relationships with your clients – and audiences.

And it would have cost you much less in effort, time and money, compared to a situation in which you may have tried to win them over by trying to present yourself as having more to offer than you really do.

Too many times I have seen people obsess themselves with what, in my honest opinion, amounts to “over preparation”.

That ultimately keeps them from ever feeling ready to go out and do the necessary “pavement pounding” – literally, and figuratively speaking!

No One Wants To Buy The Box. They Want What’s INSIDE The Box!

My message in concluding this 2 part issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter, is therefore that it can be counter productive, to focus on the material possessions, or personal attributes you lack.

You can achieve more useful progress as a speaker (or one aspiring), by emphasising and building on what you already have, to get where you want to go.

Simply accept that you have to start where you are with what you have.

So many highly accomplished people became notable authentic successes by doing just that.

Many times all you really need to do is show up: make that call, send that email, visit that CEO or meeting planner. In other words, TAKE PERSONAL ACTION! (My favourite “War Cry“)

>> Who says you have to wear a designer suit to impress the board of directors as the guest speaker?

>> Do you really need to arrive driving a newer looking car, to command the attention and interest of the meeting planner?

>> Must your press kit and marketing materials be printed on painfully expensive stationary ,to convince a newspaper editor to do a feature on you?

The answer to ALL the questions listed above is ” NO”!

To Improve The Quality Of What You Have “INSIDE” Your Box: Get A Competent Coach!

Of course if you are fortunate to have the resources, then by all means go ahead and impress with your outer packaging!

However, except you operate in a market where merit and competence do not count for much, it would be naïve to expect that pretty packaging can in anyway cover for lack of tangible value in your offering.

Sometimes, even if the box is not so attractive, when people see that its contents offer useful value, they would still gladly pay a premium to get it.

I choose to see the stuff I lack as “missing” features of the box in which I offer myself to potential clients.

To enhance my chances of success, I explore creative ways to get my target audience to see what I’m really like inside. Where possible, I do what I can to “repair” the missing aspects, but I generally don’t sweat it if my efforts fall flat.

This attitude has repeatedly won me numerous opportunities to earn income and even get high profile marketing exposure in mass media (like TV and newspapers) at zero cost.

If I had let my mind dwell on what I lacked, that could qualify me to earn such rewards, I would never have plucked up the courage to go out and achieve those surprising wins like I did.

When next you’re in doubt, think about what I’ve said here!

[Psst: One of the ways I work to improve myself on the inside is by reaching out for competent support from a coach or mentor. I suggest you do the same.

To improve yourself from the inside, as a speaker, consider getting help from a tested and proven mentor of professional speakers.

As usual, I highly recommend Burt Dubin – and not just because I get rewarded for getting anyone to signup for his mentoring :-)

I recommend Burt because I KNOW from applying his ideas, and also studying others who do what he does, that he truly offers the best value for the money clients pay.

You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:

1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Have a lovely week!

Tayo K. Solagbade*

Self-Development/Performance Improvement Specialist

*Sole Agent For Burt Dubin’s Speaker Mentoring Service In Africa

Mobile: 234-803-302-1263

 

http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com

Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children.

Tayo earns multiple streams of income providing clients with performance improvement training/coaching, custom MS Excel-VB solutions, web marketing systems, freelance writing services, and best practice extension support services (for farm business owners).

When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent).

==================

Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

Here’s a tip: Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his website NOW and submit a contact form message telling him what challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like him to help you. Tell him I sent you, and you’ll get a pleasant surprise offer from him.

Comments?

What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts!

Share this issue!

Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this newsletter issue? Why not hit the forward button now, and send it to him/her with a short recommendation. You can also use share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.

View Tayos video tutorials and demonstrations on Facebook Productivity Tips, Web Marketing, and for his Custom MS Excel-VB driven software applicationsConnect with Tayo on LinkedIn.comConnect with Tayo on Facebook.comConnect with Tayo on Twitter.comConnect with Tayo on Google Plus

What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?

You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:

1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).

At least that’s how I like to think of them!

All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple :-)

So, make your choice:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) .  . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.

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Writing/Blogging

Do Short Articles Always Perform Better? Really?

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This post is probably going to be a bit controversial, because I actually end up advocating a line of action at variance with what many “recognised” blogging and article marketing experts appear to favour.

Well, I guess I just have to be true to my (contrarian) self :-)

Some Say 700 Words Maximum, Or Your Article Will Fail

Over the past six years or so, as I actively used article syndication (and more recently blogging) to promote my products and services, I have periodically come across articles and blog posts recommending that writers aim for 400 to 700 word length for their write-ups.

There are apparent benefits to be had from adhering to this rule.

For instance, the 400 to 700 word length is said to meet the needs of the typical impatient or click happy internet reader with an appetite for instant gratification.

(They say…) She does not want to read through volumes to get to the meat of your content.

(They say…) Quite often, she would have found your article via an online search. That would imply she would most likely be looking for answers to specific questions, and may have other search results to read through.

(They say…) Therefore, if your article is “too long” I.e over 700 words, she could regard the prospect of reading it as a waste of time.

Now, proponents of the above school of thought argue that following this rule will not only make readers fall in love with your writing, but that you’re also likely to have more publishers willing to syndicate your write-ups in their newsletters etc – because of the “brevity”.

I should add here, that many of those who advocate this view are regarded as experts, and recognised for their achievements as writers on the web.

But I Argue That Their Reasoning Is Not Generally Applicable

I have never questioned or quarrelled with the above mentioned line of thinking.

But I also have never accepted it, talk less of letting it influence my writing habit significantly.

And before now, I never really considered writing to share my contrarian perspective on the subject.

However, a few days ago, I came across a blog post by a highly recognised article marketing expert, and one additional reason he gave as providing justification for sticking to a maximum 700 word length article simply did not go down well with me.

He claimed anything longer would bore readers, and could over time make them lose interest in reading more writing by the guilty author.

Really?

Well, I beg to disagree.

I explain why I differ below, and propose the adoption of a more balanced perspective that will enable business writers get more beneficial rewards for the writing they do.

This Faulty Reasoning Is The Possible Result Of Tunnel Vision

We must be careful to avoid letting “expert status” make us develop tunnel vision, or “one-track” minds.

Those who insist on the 700 word limit are guilty of making the above error.

Here’s Why I Say So:

It is important to ALWAYS remember that there are different kinds of readers online.

The kind(s) that choose to read your writing may not ALL have the same needs.

And THAT (i.e their individual needs) is really what will determine how they react to the length of anything you write.

This is where, I believe, the experts I disagree with are getting it wrong.

They assume only one kind of reader exists and that her needs are unchanging.

Not so in the real online world.
I’ve given this matter a lot of thought, and I suspect that the experts who argue for the 700 word limit are viewing the issue mainly from the perspective of “readers” who are “web publishers” looking for content to republish or syndicate.

Now, if you as a business person, are writing with the primary motive of getting your stuff republished/syndicated, then of course the 700 word limit rule could hurt your prospects if you flout it.

However, many business people who write are often looking to kill as many birds with one “article writing” stone as possible.

Take me for example.

Since 2006 I’ve enjoyed the multiple benefits of having my writing republished (recently I began earning income for some of that), even as many of my articles directly led prospective clients and customers back to me, resulting in sales of my products and services.

Interestingly, less than ten of the over 200 articles I’ve written are less than 1,000 words in length.

Indeed, most of my best performing articles in terms of page views and also sales leads generation have been at least 1,500 words long!

However, if the criterion of having those articles picked up for syndication is considered, most of those same articles would be judged to have performed poorly.

But then the question I ask is:

If my article generates decent sales leads for me in line with my business goal, what do I care if more publishers fail to use it? It really does not bother me.

It could of course be argued that more syndication would translate to increased exposure, and ultimately more of the leads and sales I want.

And that would be true, to some extent.

However, I believe a business person’s primary obligation – when writing – is to her target audience of prospective clients and customers.

And not to the “middle man” content publisher whose drive to optimise space capital in his medium can result in your being unable to deliver impact-FULL content to your target reader, in a way that would make them contact you for business.

CONSIDER THIS ANALOGY: A CHILDLESS COUPLE IN SEARCH OF A MEDICAL SOLUTION

Let’s dispense with my use of a personal example.

Consider instead, the following real world relevant analogy of a childless couple desperately searching online for alternative medical solutions to their problem, after all doctors they’ve seen have told them there’s no hope.

If a Google search produced a link to a 2,000 word article about a number of new procedures touted to offer potential breakthroughs, do you think that couple would mind reading every single word in that article to learn more?

I’m sure you believe – like I do – that they would not mind at all!

And even if they were in a “hurry”, printing out the valuable article, or saving it to a flash drive (if no printer) are options the couple would readily consider – for obvious reasons.

But what if they stumbled upon a 700 word article that featured similar findings about the same new procedures described in the 2,000 word article?

Do you think they would drop the longer article in favour of the shorter one?

I doubt it.

And that’s because people looking for answers or solutions to real problems they (or those they love) are facing, are rarely fussy about learning as much as they can about what they can do to elimimate the problem!

Publishers who come across the 700 word version of the childless couple’s article are however more likely to prefer it to the 2,000 word version, because they have a different use in mind for it.

Now, consider the fact that many other couples and publishers are likely to see both article versions while searching online, and the point I’m making should become clearer to you.

In other words, individual readers will respond differently to your writing based on their “felt needs”.

Final Words: Make Your Articles As Long As They Need To Be

“Need” as used above being the operative word.

Business writers must strive to write as concisely as possible, without sacrificing completeness of their content.

The tendency to be “wordy” in my writing is one that I continually work hard to overcome.

However, the name recognition, leads generation and selling success that my writing has so far brought me, serves as a firm reminder that many (“non-publisher”) readers put QUALITY of content offered by a business writer well ahead of her ability to stay within a 700 maximum word limit.

As I have shown in this write-up, different kinds of readers, with different needs, will independently evaluate your individual articles in terms of their value adding potential.

And each reader will choose the version that she considers more useful in addressing her felt needs.

Word length is therefore unlikely to always be the over riding determinant of how readers respond to an article or how well it performs.

What’s your opinion on this?

Parenting

3 Parenting Truths You Need To Know

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If you’re reading this, you likely have kids; are expecting…or are thinking of making one.

In this article I outline 3 (potentially harsh) truths or realities you may have to contend with as a parent, offering experience-based suggestions to guide your decision making and actions.

Let me start by congratulating you, on your decision to bring lovely little versions of yourself into your life at this point in time.

Kids are great to have – and that’s why many of us go to great lengths to have them.

However, if you are someone with big dreams and ambitions you want to accomplish, the arrival (or presence) of your kids could have serious implications for your plans.

It’s crucially important, for your sake, and that of your kids that you are able to deal successfully with such realities as and when they occur.

That’s why you may wish to seriously consider each of the following points I discuss here, before you take the plunge into “Parenthood” from which there is no return…or for some people “no escape”!

And if you’re already wet in the pool, consider the points below to be friendly reminders of how to swim while keeping your kids safe and healthy – figuratively speaking of course :-)

1. Your Goals & Priorities May Have To Take The Back Seat

Think back to when you were a child growing up with your parent(s).

Did you notice how they seemed to be focussed most of the time on you?

With few exceptions (as is always the case in life), kids are often the center of their parents’ universe.

Yours are likely to be the same for you.

The challenge you may then face will be, for example, how to do all you know you need to do for them, while still pursuing your own valued life goals e.g learning a new skill, getting a new job, starting a business, studying for an important exam etc.

It can be quite difficult juggling parenting responsibilities with pursuit of big, demanding goals.

Quite often, a real conflict may occur, and to avoid being a bad parent, you may have to make a personal sacrifice, by (temporarily) giving up your goals or dreams to ensure your child gets the support she needs in her formative years.

This is why some parents (especially mothers – bless them) effectively put their lives on hold till the kids are all grown up and able to fend for themselves.

Is that something you’re ready to deal with or accept? Not everyone is. Which is why you may wish to carefully reflect on your decision to have a child now.

And if you already have one or more, this is a reminder of the reality facing you.

Deal with it competently or you could end up letting your child down, and looking like a bad parent.

Not a nice label to get stuck with!

2. You May Have To Work Overtime, All The Time, For A Long Time

I’m a work-at-home Dad, and
I can tell you there’s almost no break to be had when you’re a parent.

How tough it gets depends on the perspective one adopts.

It also may depend on the age(s) of the kid(s) in question – though I dare say kids can be a handfull at almost any age!

A person with one child may experience as much “work” attending to the needs of a child, as would another with four.

Everyday I have to manage 3 energetic boys (9, 11 and 13) and two nearly tom-boy girls (3 and 6).

When they decide to go at each other, it sometimes feels like all hell’s broken loose!

Picture me calling out to them in pairs as they argue over trivial (to me anyway) issues, and repeatedly come crying or whining, to report one another just as I’m trying to claw my way back into writing (or software coding) mode!

You could choose to spank them to get them quiet, but that is likely to last only so long before they begin again. Make a habit of spanking, and they could begin to resent you.

The reality is that you’ll need to get used to doing more work, in addition to that you used to do before deciding to make babies :-)

Believe it or not, you may have to learn to type your overdue article using only a thumb on your smartphone (like I’m doing right this moment), while using your left hand to pacify your wailing 3 year old who wants you to rock her to sleep!

Ah kids, what would we BE without them :-)

Now, if the kind of scenario I’ve painted above terrifies you, I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to bring a child into your life right now.

Of course the option of care givers could be explored, but not all aspects of parenting can be effectively “outsourced”!

The above suggestion naturally applies to persons who do not yet have kids. If you’re not ready to deal with that likely reality, don’t start making babies just yet.

And if you’re already a parent, I believe it’s reasonably safe to assume you’ve faced a bit of the reality described above.

Don’t let it get you down. You can make this work. Infact, you HAVE to make this work – for the sake of YOUR kids!

3. Your Interests May Have To Include MORE Of Your Children’s Needs & Less Of Yours For A While

Maybe you are passionate about your hobbies, vocation, job, business. Or other subjects that appeal to you or which you consider important, say for your personal growth and development.

Once kids come into the picture some of that may have to change.

Sometimes a lot.

You’ll have to develop a healthy appetite for checking and sometimes helping with your child’s “home work”.

If yours is still a toddler, getting to know vaccination dates, and many other dos and donts will have to interest you more.

If having to commit more conscious attention to anything outside your personal interests scares or upsets you, maybe you’re not quite ready to be a parent just yet.

And by the way, if you’re not keen to do all that “hard work” tending the kids, don’t expect that leaving it to a willing spouse or partner will work.

What happens for instance if her circumstances change (e.g. S/he gets – or loses – a job)?

That’s why you’ll need to think this through to be sure you’re up for it, before you get into it!

Final Words: Do What’s Best For Your Child

I realise the points raised above will vary in relevance and significance depending on societal cultures. And of course according to the gender of the parent – and possibly other factors that may not immediately come to mind.

However, one fact that remains obvious is that parenting is not an endeavour that can be embarked upon half-heartedly.

It is – at the risk of stating the obvious – a very serious undertaking which only adult persons ready to make the full commitment should take on.

We must remember, that the physical, emotional and psychological well being of a fragile human being is at stake here.

The quality of parenting provided in the child’s formative years ultimately determines, to a great extent, the kind of adult she develops into.

That’s why the truths discussed in this article are meant to be a combined warning(to persons aspiring to parenthood), and reminder or wake-up call (to those already with kids).

Comments?

What do you think of the above post? Share your thoughts in the comments – or send me an email via tayo at tksola dot com.

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Career Development

Read This Or One Day The Boss’ Presentation Could Flop Because Of You!(Part 2 of 2)

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We continue from Part 1. This is the second and concluding part.

If you are the MD/CEO of your company(or a Senior Executive that never has to do chores like this at work), this edition may not directly apply to you but it could benefit you if you passed it on to your Personal Assistant, Secretary or anyone responsible for setting up your presentations anytime you have to deliver them.

If you are not an MD/CEO, you are likely to find the lessons from this story quite instructive.

In part 1, Musa’s world is falling apart as the Powerpoint file he setup for the MD’s presentation suddenly stops working midway through the latter’s talk.

Read the rest of the story below to learn how how Musa was able – within a space of 3 minutes – to resolve the problem and get the MD’s presentation back on its PowerPoint based tract, to record a happy ending.

There are many practical lessons to be learned from this narrative of a true-life occurrence.

10. Musa suddenly remembers that while preparing for the MD’s presentation, he had taken pains to save a backup copy of the PowerPoint Presentation on his PC desktop in his office. An idea occurs to him, and he bolts from the hall and up to his office in the Training block in seconds.

11. He tries to copy the file to a flash drive, but gets an error message: “not enough disk space!” There’s no time to check what can be deleted from the disk. He curses under his breadth, checks his watch: now almost 2 minutes since the MD stopped using the PC.

12. Some more thinking leads him to recall that right-clicking on a file in Windows XP and highlighting the “Send To” shortcut menu item brings up a short cut menu item called “Compressed(zipped) folder”.

This useful feature is an alternative for when one does not have utilities like Winzip, Winrar or other file compression software on their PCs.

Typically, compression of up to 40% is achievable with this Windows XP version(Why not try using it now and see what you get?).

13. He right clicks the Power Point file, and applies the command. The resulting compressed .zip file easily copies to the flash disk. He sprints out of his office and back into the hall where everyone turns to look at him as re-enters. He avoids his boss’ glare and walks to the Laptop, heart pounding, barely hearing the MD’s voice.

14. With the PC projector lights still switched off, he copies the zipped file to the desktop and right clicks on it.

a. He then clicks on the “Extract All..” shortcut menu item to bring up a “Compressed (Zipped) files extraction Wizard” welcome screen.

b. He clicks “Next” twice and watches as the wizard copies a folder containing the powerpoint file to the desktop.

c. He clicks “finish” and the folder (by default setting) automatically opens to reveal the uncompressed PowerPoint Presentation.

15. He quickly launches the presentation and clicks through slides 1 to 3, then holding his breath clicks to continue. There is a short delay, then the 4th slide appears! He clicks again, and the 5th appears, till all 10 slides are complete.

16. Musa looks up at his boss whose piercing gaze he has felt on him all the while and nods to indicate all is well. He puts on the Projector lights to reveal the 4th slide at which the MD turns and says “Ah, looks like we can continue!“. The presentation continues smoothly to the end. Musa looks at his watch: It had taken 3 minutes!

17. After the presentation, some of Musa’s colleagues asked him what happened.

He had no answer for them as he had checked the bad copy again and again and could simply not explain what had caused it to go bad or “corrupt” at the transition to slide 3.

It could have been the power glitch during the test run he did – but he could not be certain.

He did tell them two things however:

a. First was that keeping a back up copy of the file on his PC(and close to the presentation venue) made it possible for him to replace the bad one – in time.

b. Secondly, knowing about the Windows XP file compression utility enabled him get around the twin problems of the file being too large to fit on a disk + his not having WinZip installed on his PC.

One could argue that he could have used another removable storage device, but what if he did not own one, or could not find anyone who did or even worse(and quite possible), what if it went bad or missing at that point when he needed it? Things like this have a way of happening, so one is better off considering all possibilites and preparing for them.

18. The most important message here is that you need to take time to acquire new/relevant knowledge and skills to enable you become more productive and efficient on your job.

The little things you can learn about technology available in your office to get more done in less time, will set you apart from the crowd and make you look good more often.

The quote below, in our opinion summarises it well:

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“The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read or write. They will be those who cannot learn, un-learn and re-learn” – Alain Tofle
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Tayo Solagbade‘s 113 page paper back(physical) book – “Ten Ways You Can Use Self-Development To Create The Future You Want” is available for purchase from the Self-Development Academy’s online store hosted by the following Print-On-Demand service provider:

Lulu.com (e-book and in print. Get a FREE Chapter Preview – click here)

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT COACHING: Achieve Your Goals & Resolutions, Regardless of Adversity!

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Do you want to learn how to finish anything you start, with worthwhile results to show for it?

Would you like to be able to set and achieve valued goals in your life regardless of delays, disappointments and setbacks you encounter?

If YES, then rest assured that you’re in the right place, and I CAN help you achieve the above – and a lot more.

Starting today (5th December 2012), I offer YOU access to my confidential paid coaching/consulting service.

When it comes to getting results no matter what goes wrong, under some of the most difficult and frustrating socioeconomic situations imaginable, my track record of achievements readily attest to my competence.

Reading through the experience based posts and articles on this blog for starters, will give you an idea of the depth of insight and know-how I can give you.

You need someone who knows what it takes to relentlessly climb back up after being knocked down countless times, until he reaches his goal.

That, IS me.

You need the help of a person whose unique versatility as a multipreneur equips him to appreciate issues you face from YOUR unique perspective.

Again, me.

You can make your dreams come true, if you choose the right coach to guide and support you.

I can help you, using my Spontaneous Coaching technique, developed and refined over the past fifteen years.

Your age, gender, education, country etc do NOT matter.

What matters is your interest, desire, passion, purpose and vision.

You most likely currently struggle to achieve your goals because you LACK access to information and guidance that can help you to:

(1). eliminate trial and error

(2). Identify potentially viable ways to get the results you want as quickly as possible.

With my help, you can quickly learn what to do, and how to do it.

I offer paid email and telephone based (as well as face to face) coaching/consulting that can help you take the guesswork out of what you’re trying to do.

Understand that I do NOT need to know the technicalities of your work or vocation.

My role will simply be to guide you to take needed steps as and when due, to achieve the outcomes you desire.

My past accomplishments from successfully delivering customised solutions to clients in widely differing industries (hotels, hospitals, consulting, health and fitness, manufacuring, real estate etc) prove that my multipreneurial aptitude equips me to understand, and adapt to different subject matter quite easily.

In other words, it is a valuable asset that benefits my clients.

And it will benefit you, if you choose to let me help you.

There is so much you need to know and do, in order to competently go after, and achieve, your challenging life goals.

I am a proven goal getter in my personal and work lives from my days as a student, through 7 years in paid employment and over the past 10 years as an entrepreneur.

In many cases my work speaks so well for me, that I do not need to say more. Learn more about me here.

I can show you how to achieve your own goals the way I do mine, even in the face of multiple daunting obstacles. You CAN become unstoppable!

Let me help you work out a real-world relevant ACTION plan, that provides ready-to-use remedies to setbacks and other forms of temporary defeat you are bound to encounter as you pursue your goals.

I can offer you experience based suggestions that can help you evolve smarter action plans, and ultimately make the most of the challenges you’ll have to face.

If you did not find this page yourself, it’s likely I sent you the link after you contacted me about my mentoring.

Here’s How You Get Started With Me…

In order to coach anyone, I must evaluate the quality of their drive, determination and CONVICTION by requiring them to take an initial leap of faith by sending me:

N20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira) for an initial remote telephone consultation lasting 15 to 30 minutes.

If you’re not ready to do this, stop reading now. I cannot work with anyone unwilling to take the above first step.

If you’re ready to take that leap of faith, I offer you more details:

Note that the N20k you send is 100% refundable, IF you go ahead to signup for my full coaching program.

To help you maximise value from that initial consultation with me , I always recommend sending key questions or concerns in written form at least 5 days ahead of the session.

As a gesture of goodwill, I provide for every client, written responses where relevant and approriate, to each one, and send via email as PDF and MP3 audio to you before the session date.

This will enable you ask other questions or request more details/clarification by the time you call to speak with me.

At the end of the session, you’ll likely have greater clarity about what you should be doing specifically to achieve your purpose.

Only after that will coaching become relevant.

Let me repeat myself: The initial consultation session (which I call “Situation Analysis”) will help me evaluate your needs, and based on that, I’ll then propose a custom coaching program for you, with required investment (recall you’ll be able to deduct 100% of your initial N20k consultation payment if you choose to sign up for full coaching).

So, what will you do now? I recommend you ask yourself:

“Can I afford to proceed on this important journey without RELIABLE support and guidance?”

Think about that…

To get started with me, send a request for payment details using this contact form using “Re: Spontaneous Coaching Initial Consultation request” in the subject line.