Category Archives: My DN Travel News

Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, My DN Travel News

Always Be a Dignified Professional (Especially When a Client Is In a Hurry and/or Demands Lower Fees!)

December 10, 2013 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

A South African poultry broiler farm business owner contacted me via my website last week. And he was in a BIG hurry:

“Hi, Could you please send me the Excel trial Version of Broiler Chicken management software. Let me know also the price of the system please. I need this urgently. Regards, Molefe (surname removed for privacy)”.

First he sent a web contact form message from the video page for my EXCEL-VB POULTRY FARM MANAGER and BOPMS™ EXPLANATION.

Then he sent another from my Excel Heaven custom software development website.

First, I Called Him on Phone to Make Sure He Was REAL

And I always to do that at my own expense. In the past, I got a lot of phony requests. That taught me to avoid wasting energy responding to email requests from “ghosts” :-))

Recent buyers of my Excel-VB Ration Formulator™ and/or Feed Formulation handbook, got called by me (e.g. in Nigeria and Tanzania). I wanted to speak with them to ensure they understood what I was selling, and to also understand what their needs were.

Anytime I do this, and get the impression my product will not solve that person’s problem, I do not hesitate in advising him/her accordingly.

Sure it may mean no sale for me. But I prefer that to having an angry or resentful buyer afterwards.

This is why today I enjoy cordial relations with most of my past buyers. And many of them gladly helped me complete the questionnaire survey for my recently concluded agribusiness research paper.

Speaking With the South African Broiler Farm Owner

I told him my application in the video was built for a layer’s farm, and that did not have an app ready for use with a broiler farm.

If he wanted that, I would need to “have a formal question/answer session” with him. This would help me get a proper feel for his unique farm situation, to accurately determine his needs.

Only then would I be able to determine what the required investment will be.

You see, he kept hammering on the cost saying “send me the price!” That bothered me. As did his repeated insistence that he wanted the app “urgently”.

I don’t do “rush jobs” as a rule, in this area of my work i.e. farm business custom software development.

The only exception is when I already have an app built, which can be easily customized to suit the client’s need (e.g my Ration Formulator, the Poultry Layer Farm Manager or the Payslip Generator).

I told him I would do him an email once our conversation ended.

Here’s an Excerpt from the Email I Sent Him

===Email Excerpt continues===

“…My service involves developing custom applications to help smallholder farmers manage their farms more intelligently.

The video you watched is of an app I built for a large poultry layer farm in Ekiti state, South West Nigeria. In 2009, I built a similar one for a 12,000 layer farm in Ogun State, also in South West Nigeria.

The one you saw is quite sophisticated, and at a cost of N250, 000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). A scaled down and therefore less pricey version (missing some features) of it will probably be best for smaller farms.

Please note that it is NOT an accounting application.

Yes, it does income and expense recording and reports weekly, monthly and annually.

However it’s main purpose is to record daily operations data so as to auto-generate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for determining how well the animals are doing on a DAILY basis. Automated charts are plotted for KPIs like feeding rates, Hen Day Percentage, Mortality Rate; Feed to Egg conversion ration.

The trend of the charted data quickly tells you if there’s anything to worry about. And you can then take corrective action.

I call my applications of this kind “Enterprise Information Systems (EIS).

For a broiler operation, feeding rate, feed to flesh conversion ratio, mortality rate, growth rate would be the KPIs to measure.

However we still have to get a good idea of how your farm operates so we know how you’ll compile data to post into the app.

There is a paper based recording form that often gets modified for use on each different farm.

If I may offer some advice: avoid focussing on how much just yet. Slow down and think of what exactly you want software to do for you.

There’s so much you can do that can help you manage your farm with LESS EFFORT, and at less cost. That’s what I help farm owners achieve.

Here’s what I propose: I’ll send you a short questionnaire tomorrow, which you can fill and return to me. Then using your responses, I’ll give you more specific answers, including a recommendation on the kind of solution, and the required investment.

If the above agrees with you, just do me a reply saying so, and I’ll send you the questionnaire.

Thanks for your interest in my work.

===Email Excerpt Ends===

And Here’s the Response He Sent…

24 hours Later, I Sent Him This Email(Below)…and an MS Excel Workbook (Linked Below)…

Click here to download a duplicate version of the Excel based Functional Requirements Specification (FRS) and Questionnaire Workbook I sent to him.

Note (below) how I stated my delivery duration towards the bottom of the FRS.

Without getting his responses to my FRS and questionnaire, I could not know if I could deliver in less than my standard “30 working days“.

So, it was up to him to respond with the answers I requested.

I’ve not heard from him since then.

Final Words: My Main Reason for Sharing this Story

Take it from me: Letting a client or prospect hurry you in doing your work, will rarely be a smart move.

What’s more, when a prospect does not want to “pay a heck of money”, AND at the same time wants the solution delivered “urgently“, YOUR best interests, as the provider, will be in danger if you accept!

My advice: NEVER change your pricing or delivery schedule, until you have enough information from the prospective buyer to guide you. And when you do get the information, make sure you request a reward (and working conditions) consistent with the value you know you will deliver.

Otherwise, not only will you look unprofessional, but you could also shoot yourself in the foot in terms of overall profitability.

Do not let any prospect or client make you jump through hoops.

Act like a dignified professional, and you’ll always be treated with respect. PLUS, you’ll protect yourself from exploitation.

PS: I should add that the above bit of advice originated, NOT from me, but from Herman Holtz, who was widely regarded as the Consultant’s Consultant.

In his book “How to Succeed as an Independent Consultant“, he stated “Be a Dignified Professional – Always” as Rule Number 2 in “The Initial Meeting with the New Client or Prospect“.

I urge you to abide by it!

My DN Travel News, Public Speaking, Self-Development

No. 119: How to Achieve Success in Any Field (True Story)

December 9, 2013 Tayo Solagbade 4 Comments

This true story demonstrates how FAITH, persistently applied, can help you succeed in any field – including Writing, and Public Speaking. I share it not to brag, but to (hopefully) inspire others to do what I’ve done, or even better.

“Nothing in life is more wonderful than faith – the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor test in the crucible.” – Sir William Osler, British Medical Journal, 1910

On Wednesday 4th December 2013, my entrepreneurial career as a Performance Improvement Specialist, with a bias for Best Practice Farm Business Support, moved to a new – and international – level.

Click here to download the print-ready PDF ebook version and read OFFLINE…

SCROLL DOWN TO READ FULL ISSUE

Home | Subscribe | About | Contact

Publication: Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Newsletter

Date: Monday 9th December 2013

No:119

Title: How to Achieve Success in Any Field (True Story)

Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [Tel: +234-803-302-1263 (in Nigeria) or +229-66-122-136 (in Benin Republic) ]

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

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

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

Have You Downloaded Your Gifts?

As a subscriber to my mailing list, you get to access over 10 potentially useful books and reports.

Click here to view the download page:

Can’t find it? No problem. E-mail me via tayo at tksola dot com and I’ll send you another. Not yet a subscriber? Click here to signup.

**** **********

NB: This newsletter is published every Monday. Point your browser to www.tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets 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

**********

No. 119: How to Achieve Success in Any Field (True Story)

“Nothing in life is more wonderful than faith – the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor test in the crucible.” – Sir William Osler, British Medical Journal, 1910

On Wednesday 4th December 2013, my entrepreneurial career as a Performance Improvement Specialist, with a bias for Best Practice Farm Business Support, moved to a new – and international – level.

That day, I received email confirmation that my 4,000 word case study paper (advocating the use of low cost customizable Excel-VB driven software, for feed formulation by farmers) had been accepted by the international organization that commissioned me to write it.

Since 3rd October 2013 (over 2 months ago, when I announced it in issue 111 of my newsletter) until 3rd December 2013 (i.e. just few days ago), I worked many MANY MANY long hours writing that paper.

The process required traveling to Nigeria for 2 weeks to conduct questionnaire surveys with Farm CEOs.

All the while, I kept doing ALL my other work – including responding to prospects and client requests, and of course publishing at least ONE new article on my blog daily.

On Saturday 16th November 2013, I worked 13 straight hours (from 9a.m to about 10.30p.m) to finish the paper.

I then emailed it to my friend and co-author, Professor Idowu Oladele, who is Director of the School of Agricultural Sciences at South Africa’s North West University.

The final submission deadline was Sunday17th November 2013.

Over a period of about 2 hours the next morning (Sunday), we discussed and agreed modifications – on phone – mainly the arrangement. Later that day, he submitted the paper via email.

On Thursday 28th November, we got an email requesting changes. And it had to be re-submitted latest by Tuesday 3rd December 2013.

The problem? One reviewer summed it up by saying the paper was…“unreadable” due to the “chaotic organisation” of its contents.

Oops..:-)))

But it was a good sign. The paper had NOT been rejected.

Instead they wanted the content presented in a more “friendly” manner for easy comprehension, and even suggested an outline for the entire paper.

That inspired me!

I studied the reviewer’s comments further, and realized the need to not just rearrange the paper’s contents into the new structure, but to re-write it with a smarter focus.

And so, for the next 4 days I worked round the clock completely re-writing the paper in more detail, to fit into the section titles and sub-titles requested.

I recall some people making snide remarks to my face (others behind my back…but I got to hear through the grapevine…LOL) that “all that writing was a waste of time”.

Hmm…how shortsighted some people can be. Much earlier, when I’d announced in an article, that my proposal had been accepted, some said I was counting my eggs before they were hatched.

“Why not wait till the paper gets accepted before you say anything to anyone?” they queried.

They did not understand what it meant to have “absolute and unquestioning faith”.

They now (hopefully) know better: the paper has indeed been accepted!

But no one EVER does it alone!

No one. Not even Superman.

At some point we’ll all need help, no matter how strong or brilliant we are.

I’ve gotten lots of help over the years, especially from my wonderful family members, and a few great friends.

I continue to thank them all.

And I also thank YOU, my dear readers (including Farm Business CEOs who helped complete my questionnaire), for supporting me through your interest in my work :-))

Now, You May Wonder: Just How Does All This Relate to Public Speaking?

I’ll tell you.

Over ten years ago, I read Burt Dubin’s article titled “Why and How to Get Published” for the first time. It opened my eyes to the multi-faceted rewards that writing as an expert can yield.

And I do mean MULTI-FACETED!

Since 2001, I’ve diligently applied the tips in Burt’s article, adapting them to suit my unique market.

Today, not only does my writing earn me direct income in a variety of ways, it has also gotten me massive marketing exposure. What’s more, I’ve successfully used it to build powerful name recognition.

Burt noted that if opportunities in conventional media are slow in coming, you can self-publish.

I took that to heart and started writing articles on my website. Later I began article marketing via Ezinearticles.com. Then I began self-publishing my books using Print-On-Demand publishing.

I knew that if I did it right, the opportunity to get published in more formal circles would eventually come.

The signs began to appear some years back. For instance, in 2009, a university in India wrote me for permission to use my 10 item Employee Morale Gauge™ quiz article in their journal (see item 14 on sales page for journal titled “Employee Morale: Concepts And Cases”).

Later on in 2010, I discovered some college term papers published online on the subject of Emotional Intelligence, quoted from my article on Emotional Intelligence(Screen shot below was taken on 9th Dec. 2013 at 11.20a.m)

On a few occasions I ran into my article on Habitual Peak Performance translated into other languages (e.g. French etc).

More recently, I saw in Google, that a UK company had created a PDF version of my Employee Moral Gauge Quiz, and made it available for download by clients from its website. There’s an introduction in it, which explains why and how to use the quiz…and also credits me as the author of the instrument (Screen shot below was taken on 9th Dec. 2013 at 11.32a.m)

As you can see from all the above, Burt Dubin really knows his stuff.

And hundreds of successful highly paid experts-who-speak, mentored by him for well over 2 decades agree on this!

My Published International Agribusiness Case Study Paper Will Open Doors of Speaking Opportunities

By getting published internationally in a medium serving my target audience (extension specialists, policy makers in agriculture and farm business owners), my credibility as an expert-speaker in agribusiness is bound to get a boost.

Meeting planners are more likely to consider me a credible “expert-speaker” to address their members.

I’ll have to do the leg work of course. But the published paper will make it easier ;-))

Guess what? The above benefits, are just a few of those Burt Dubin promised you’ll get, if you apply the ideas in his earlier mentioned article!

NB: By the way, note – in the above screen shot – that Burt started by saying: “Why get your words and ideas published?”

So don’t forget to publish your ideas too!e

I do that all the time.

My most recent ideas have to do with my new Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…which I baked without an oven!

[They don’t look so aestetically pleasing. This was my very first try, and I improvised A LOT…including baking with NO oven. Read more here!}

Then there’s the new bottle I found for my pineapple peel based drink – which now enables me pasteurize the drink:

[NB: These are 2 different views of the fermented version of my drink – based on a new recipe.]

…and of course I have my plan to open hopefully in a couple of weeks – here in Benin Republic – a home based farm-products brew-pub, to sell my drinks and cakes from.

Read my article titled ‘When You’re Not Working, Create a Bigger Dream (Hint: New Product – My Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…Made Without an Oven!) | SD Nuggets™‘ for FULL details:-))

Final Words: Absolute and Unquestioning Faith Will Get You ANYWHERE You Want to Go – Including Public Speaking Heaven!

Here’s one truth many people seem not to know (or care to remember):

“All human beings, regardless of religious inclination, are capable of applying faith and reaping the rewards from doing so. It is NOT, and will NEVER be, the exclusive preserve of any group of people, be they religious or otherwise.” – Tayo K. Solagbade

This means, dear expert-who-speaks that you, and I, are truly capable of achieving miraculous things, if we can only have true faith!

I therefore hope my example will help YOU realize that hard work, honesty and BLIND FAITH, which recognizes NO FAILURE will bring you success.

PS: By the way, did you click to read Burt Dubin’s article yet?

If not click “Why and How to Get Published” now. That article contains tested ideas for getting everything I’ve said above to work for YOU!

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 (in Nigeria) or +229-66-122-136 (in Benin Republic)

http://www.tayosolagbade.com

Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – Tayo Solagbade – works as a multipreneurial freelance writer providing zero risk article and report writing support for website owners, while travelling slowly across West Africa as a Location Independent Multipreneur.

He’s presently based in Benin Republic, where he’s preparing an English-French Language Guide, City Travel Guides, and a Commercial Rabbit Farming Guide.

In a previous life, before leaving to become self-employed, Tayo served for seven years as a high performing manager in Guinness Nigeria. He rose from Shift Brewer, to Training & Technical Development Manager, then later acted in senior management roles as Production Manager and Technical Manager.

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).

For a limited time, Tayo is available to speak to your group or organization for a moderate fee. Send e-mail to tayo at tksola dot com. You can also visit www.tksola.com to learn more.

Connect with him on Twitter @tksola.com and Facebook.

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

Useful Resources for Speakers

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.

Get Burt’s mentoring :

[Click here]

Burt’s Flagship Album

This is the product to own if you can own only one. Why? Because in it you discover principles of platform mastership available to you nowhere else at any price.

You hear performance strategies you can emulate. You shorten your learning curve. You see ways to engage and delight audiences with both content and stories . . . plus you experience a bit of fun.

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

Find out why

Presentation Magic

A live example, including a complete audio recording of a program Burt created from scratch–on a topic he knew nothing about and never, ever presented before! See how you, guided by your personal Learning Guide, (Presentation Magic), can do this too and thrill audiences as often as you want.

Presentation Magic Manual with new pages added plus 3 audio CDs.

more information

How To Create a Great Program Manual

Discover how you can produce a precious memento of you and your program. Capture over 44 model pages you can easily adapt for your use. Engage proven principles that add value to the experience of sitting at your feet and learning from you.

This is a reprise of the historic presentation that launched the Speaking Success System.

No copy of this 2 CD program and 50 page Learning Guide has ever been returned.

more information

Download above PDF

Download above PDF

THEY WROTE…

“(Tayo Solagbade) is amazing and I think he is going to produce some impressive results online…” – click here to read full comment by Patrick Meninga (US based 6 figure income blogger who gained fame for building a $2,000 per month adsense website and selling it for $200,000).

—————————–

“Tayo, I honestly believe you are one of those who will succeed at anything he does. Your commitment and effort has been outstanding….Thanks for all your hard work since I’ve been here – you will be sorely missed. I don’t need to wish you good luck, you have the ability to make your own luck. – Andy”(R. Jones)*

*Operations Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc Benin Brewery, December 2001 (Handwritten comments in farewell/xmas cards sent to Tayo Solagbade following his resignation to start his own business).

———————–

“From:”Obadiaru, Osawemwenze” <email address deleted >

To:”Tayo Solagbade” <email address deleted >

Subject: Greetings from Benin!!!!

Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 14:27:30 +0100

Uncle (Tayo),

Greetings to you from your boy. How are you doing?…All
is well here in Benin and everybody is really been bugged again by this ISO audit thing.

All the same you have set a standard, that nobody will dare to go below. I really miss
you sir, your words of encouragement, your pressures, your drive, your humor and
every thing about you. But in consolation, I try so hard to follow your footsteps, which
I have been doing little by little, and I am sometimes amazed at the things I do.

…I look
up to you, and really desire to someday dedicate a major success in my life to you, for
the little while I spent with you has been a turning point in my life. I will always be

grateful to you.

Keep the flag flying sir. Regards

Osas

———————–

“To Mr. Tayo Solagbade.

I appreciate all your effort. It is through you I knew the difference between Schooling and Education and its also through you that I knew that mathematics as a subject can be answered in many ways. I am very grateful.” – Ifeanyi Okeke, SS3 Student, Volunteer Corps (VC) Tutoring Project: Handwritten Comment in memoirs section of VC Year Book published in 2003.

—————————-

“To Mr Tayo Solagbade…you made me understand what the world speaks.” – Adepoju Samson, SS3 Student, Volunteer Corps (VC) Tutoring Project: Handwritten Comment in memoirs section of VC Year Book published in 2003.

—————————–

“Mr Tayo Solagbade…he has educated me so that he had touched that thing in me that motivates me.” – , SS3 Student, Volunteer Corps (VC) Tutoring Project: Handwritten Comment in memoirs section of VC Year Book published in 2003.

“The speaker, Mr Solagbade, is an authority in his field. (He is) an achiever who is able to carry his audience along with him in his message/speech” – Baker A.T, Confidential Secretary, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“There’s a lot more to learn (experience wise) from the speaker(Tayo Solagbade)…Honestly, he gave so much within a short time. I learnt a lot without writing much. It’s amazing!” – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“Your (talk) encourages people not to depend on sycophancy to achieve their aims. People are also encouraged to leave the level of mediocrity. One needs to look inwards and make use of one’s potentials to reach the greatest heights. I hope this
is not the last session we will be having with you” – Ezemba C.I (Miss), Teacher, Corona Schools

————–

“The (talk) is very (useful for) those who want to up-grade themselves. The older generation who think they have come to the end of their career would find it very very useful to rejuvenate their attitude, interest and empower themselves to greater goals.” – E.C. Sarsal, Corona Schools

————–

“The Ten Ways for Self-Development would go a long way (in) improving teaching/learning situation(s).” – Cynthia Nwosu (Mrs.), Corona Schools

————–

“It was an interesting (talk), and the speaker spoke well, with a lot of experiences that (were) so educative.” – Emmanuel (Mrs.), Corona Primary School Victoria Island

————–

“Mr Tayo Solagbade is a very good motivator. I really appreciated him but the time was short.” – S.E. Atkins, Corona Schools

————–

“(The talk was) ‘very useful’ (and the speaker was) ‘excellent’…Good insight for the much needed Human Revolution to drive creativity in this nation.” – Oma Williams, Director, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“A very worthwhile exercise. The package can however be improved by making it organisation specific.” – C. I. Okeke, AD/Research Consulting, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“The speaker, to me, is quite an inspiration to the young generation” – Nwaokokoh Eddy Azuka, Confidential Secretary, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“This is a celebration of Change Management, quite an appropriate and timely presentation at CMD to Stimulate Change.” – Binuyo, Francis A. (Mr.), MDO I, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village, Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“Well this is my first seminar and I think I have gained a lot…I am on NAPEP attachment to the centre for a while, but generally speaking I think you are good and can go even above the sky. I wish I could get in touch with you for more lectures (on) Self-Development, as regards Career Development or probably Personal Development.” – Sanwo Pamela A., Unemployed Graduate, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“The presentation content and style was nice.” – Adjekophori Peter, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The training course and approach used was a good and kind of unique one, – talking about the mind map.” – Odunlami Olaitan. O. Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The practical real life experiences (made) the seminar more realistic…The seminar fuels my heart to develop myself the more.” – Kemi, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The training was a new dimension to the act of personal effectiveness, was less of theory but of tested and proven principles. Keep it up!“- Oluwakemi, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“This is an academy that will go a long way in helping to develop the youths of this country. Keep up the good work.” – Alake Oluwayemisi, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“(Tayo Solagbade) is a very good speaker who was able to communicate his (ideas) effectively without boring me and wasting no time. Within the short time he spent, he gave loaded and relevant information/(ideas) which were superb.” – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The presenter was superb. He dealt with the topic extensively, citing real life experiences that (were) personal to him.” – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The facilitator (Tayo Solagbade) has done so well, and he has made me to feel that the sky is not my limit but the start, if I can apply all the personal effectiveness principles appropriately.” – Onifade Olajide, – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“I was very impressed with the speaker (Tayo Solagbade), his integrity, method of delivery and what he had to say. This should not stop here. I personally need access to those books and if pointed in that direction will be happy. Also, I will be happy if (I can be shown) ways to apply oneself to the concept of Self Development as regards my job as a teacher, that will help me to be a better time manager.” – Teacher, Corona Primary School, Ikoyi, Lagos.

————–

“I am really impressed and I think I have to wake up.” – Teacher, Corona School Branch

————–

“It has been a very useful session which can make people or employees wake up from lethargy. It is a wake-up call for continual hope and rejuvenation for speed to higher ground to life aspiration.” – Teacher, Corona School Branch

————–

“I observed that you are a real model of a saying that when a child washes his/her hands well he/she will eat on the same table with a king.” – School Nurse, Corona School Branch

————–

“I have observed that you are sacrificing your time to help mankind explore new grounds and live a happier life. More grease to your elbows.” – Eke N. (Mrs), Corona School Branch

————–

“This talk/seminar is very good and realistic. Someone who wants to be an achiever should adopt and practice these ten ways.” – M. O. Ihonor – Head Teacher, Corona School Branch

————–

“…The Ten Ways on Self-Development inspire me to the marrow, and henceforth are going to be (the) guiding ideologies, principles and work concepts in my life.” – Oduye Olumuyiwa, Corona School

————–

“(The talk) is an eye opener and very important tool that can be used to become great. I think I buy your ideas too. Thanks a lot.” – Mrs. Atere F.O. – Secretary, Corona School

————–

“The general comment I will like to make is that I can call this seminar a vision seminar. So my comment is that you can make this vision a wider vision by having a complete textbook on it.” – Assistant Teacher, Corona School

Click here to contact Tayo…

SD Nuggets Blog™	New posts from last week that may interest you! *
Public Speaking[Monday]:	No. 118: Speak to Impact, and Your Audience Will Be Impressed
Entrepreneurship [Tuesday]:	Achieve Superior Success by Letting Your Work Speak for You
Self-Development [Wednesday]:	Being Ruthlessly Focused Does NOT Make You Callous!
Career Development [Thursday]:	Fun Strategy for Quickly Improving Language Skills
Parenting [Friday]:	Are Your Kids Ready to Succeed in Your World?
Writing/Blogging [Saturday]:	When You’re Not Working, Create a Bigger Dream (Hint: New Product – My Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…Made Without an Oven!)
Want me to write for you? Click here…

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, My Ideas for Making Nigeria Better, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

When You’re Not Working, Create a Bigger Dream (Hint: New Product – My Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…Made Without an Oven!)

December 7, 2013 Tayo Solagbade 3 Comments

When I’m not hammering away at my laptop keyboard, writing articles, reports and books…or building custom Excel-VB software, I’m likely to be found sleeping, or working to progress further towards my ultimate dream.

That dream is to own what I call a Home-Based Farm-Products-Brew-Pub.

And I’ve nursed it since 1999, when I still worked in Guinness Nigeria.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know about my Pineapple peel based drink(see photos, and a free talk offer) . Read more about it here(i.e. a presentation).

The drinks you see in the photo below, have been pasteurized using a home-based method I learnt online.

[NB: These are 2 different views of the fermented version of my drink – based on a new recipe.]

You see, I believe PATIENCE is key, in developing food based products.

It’s taken me about 3 months of searching. But I’ve found what I consider the perfect bottle for my Pineapple based drink (see above photo).

Apart from enabling me deliver the kind of product volume I want, it also has a cap that allows me pasteurize the drink inside.

It was important for me to ensure I could do that, so bottles don’t go exploding in people’s faces.

That was why I patiently kept searching for a cost-effective way, that would enable me keep the product affordable for most people.

My New Product: Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…These Ones Baked Without an Oven!

I’ve never baked anything in my life. Not cake or bread. Nothing.

But the idea of my brew-pub having its own unique food product, to go with the drink had tickled my fancy for months.

A few days ago, I decided to play around with cake and bread baking. I went online and did lots of reading, and watched many videos.

Then yesterday, I purchased baking materials from Tokpa market, and stayed indoors ALL day, using my beloved Pineapple peels, to bake home-made cakes (I’ll get around to bread baking later).

BUT, I did it all, without using an oven!

Yes. No oven. Don’t believe me? Just wait. I’ll be writing a special PDF report on that before the year runs out.

I know the cakes don’t look so aestetically pleasing, but you must understand that this was my very first try. And believe me when I say I improvised A LOT!

The most important point to note is that what I’ve done, shows I can operate this business even from a village, using locally available materials!

In the meantime, now that my trials with different processes have succeeded (the cakes taste delicious, and are almost 50% cheaper to make!), I intend to use proper equipment to offer the drinks and cakes for sale from my brew-pub.

Virtually 100% of the pineapple peels I use do NOT go to waste!

That’s true. They end up in the drinks and cake – implying massive cost-saving production potential!

But I don’t just put the peels into the products.

To get the right flavour and appearance, I have found certain processing steps need to be taken. And all are cost-effective.

I was in Calavi this afternoon, to drop off a drink bottle, with 2 cup cakes, for my friend Moumouni Toure.

He was not in, so I left them with his brother. And I also gave out some to my neighbours where I live.

But I made it clear that I will not be selling them for now.

Nope. Responding to individual orders at this stage would not be worth my time/effort and I would be unable to cope. Even worse, it would definitely affect my ability to do my other work.

When the pub opens, anyone who wants them can come over. For now, that’s what’s likely to work best for me.

With time, I’ll decide what flavours, packaging and operating procedure will be most profitable to adopt.

NB: One probable exception would be people willing to place bulk orders. I could possibly make out time to fulfill such.

For now, the next step is to get the laboratory analysis of the drinks – and cakes – done

This is so I can tell people – with confidence – what exactly they’re eating or drinking.

I’m an internationally certified brewer, with 7 years of experience working in a globally recognised brewing multinational.

Everything I do, no matter how small my plan for this project is, must reflect that.

Suffice to say, for now, that pineapple peels being the base ingredient, contains considerable amounts of useful nutrients.

Some are described in my report titled “10 Fruits You Eat That Leave Useful Peels/Skins Behind” (Click to download it).

In the next few weeks, I intend to secure bigger living quarters, with the front end functioning as the brew-pub, here in Benin Republic.

I should add that this will be a FULL family business.

Like I noted in yesterday’s article on my blog my kids already make a version of this drink, that they sell in their school in Lagos.

So when they join me here, they’ll fit in instantly.

That’s why I told my friend Moumouni, in an SMS today, that with improvements I’ve now made, this business is DESTINED TO MAKE MY KIDS RICH!

And when (NOT IF) that happens, I – along with my wonderful wife Nkechi – will be the PROUDEST parents in the world!!

My DN Travel News, Parenting

Are Your Kids Ready to Succeed in Your World?

December 6, 2013 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

A few days ago I spoke with my wife and kids in Lagos, on phone. While speaking with my 10 year old boy, he suddenly exclaimed “Tayo, we’ve started selling the pineapple peels drink in our school”! “Really? How much?” I asked. He replied “N50” (fifty naira).

By the time I hung up, I was on cloud nine: Coaching my kids was yielding more wonderful results!

It was not the money that pleased me. It was the fact that on their own, they developed a plan and acted on it, to do something productive – by themselves. That’s a sign of true empowerment!

Painful post-school experiences convinced me to nurture the creative and entrepreneurial instincts of my kids from a very early age.

If you’ve been reading my parenting articles for a while, you know I’m not a fan of the traditional schooling system. Learners get told things, and are rarely challenged to learn by discovery (i.e. by thinking for themselves).

Many parents passed through that system. That’s why most see nothing wrong with it. Those who do see its severe shortcomings are few, and many lack courage to speak out against it.

I’m an exception. That’s why I write about it.

Not surprisingly, many relatives, friends and associates fail to see it like I do.

I’m focussed on “immunizing” my kids against the damaging impact of the school system.

Tip: Watch this video of a high school student who gives his teacher a lesson on the right way to teach.

To do this, I demonstrate through my achievements, that what I’m saying is right. This is why I have a habit of letting them know about the positive and negative real world experiences I have in running my business. I share the painful stories with them and end with relevant warnings or tips.

That continually alerts them – mentally – to the realities of the outside world, while still in school.

I also involve them in creative pursuits. For instance, my 3 boys have been coached to think up original short stories by themselves.

The purpose is to encourage them to engage in imagination and creative thinking. Rather than simply attend school and read story books written by others, I challenge them to create theirs, and let me see.

So, now and then I come home and get bombarded with sheets scribbled with ramblings of all kinds. Funny enough, two years on, and one of their stories – edited for spelling, grammar and clarity, by me – is now live on this blog!

I’ve also tried to push each child in the direction of his/her natural talent that I identified.

The 10 year old has been especially forthcoming. Some weeks back, I wrote about how he used my dead laptop battery, to devise a home-made rechargeable lamp.

It was in September, that I visited home, and taught them the technique I developed, to make drinks from pineapple peels (obtained free from pineapple vendors).

They took to it instantly.

But when I tried to get them to sell it, they came back discouraged. Some people had apparently laughed at them saying the drink looked like sand mixed with water!

I told them rejection was a necessary ingredient for success. That it did not mean no one would buy. They apparently took what I said to heart, and have now found willing buyers in their school. Wow!

Interestingly, these crafty boys of mine later connived to hide the money they made from their mother!

Imagine that? They got her to buy kerosene to fuel the stove for making their drink, but hid their sales from her!

When I told her that they told me they’d been making sales, she could not believe it. “No they can’t be”! How can I buy fuel and sugar they use, and they then hide away the money made?” she exclaimed.

I promised her I would talk to the boys about it.

Pssst: The boys actually let on that they knew their mom would take the money from them, and insist on saving it for them…which they did not fancy :-))

They meant no harm, and just wanted to enjoy spending what they’d earned.

It goes without saying, of course, that they must now learn how to account for theirs costs, and also how to give back, and save.

It’s a process. They are young. They will learn.

Final Words: Your kids will enter YOUR world when they become adults – Will they be ready?

In summary, our kids need us to provide them real-world relevant guidance to succeed in adulthood.

Let’s avoid making the serious mistake of thinking formal schooling can do that adequately for them.

Another thing…

Your children will need you – more than the money or toys you can give them.

No matter how busy you get, you have a duty to help them develop the competence to function in YOUR world, just as well as you do, if not better!

Otherwise, what would be the point of the many years of experience you already have under your belt?

If you truly love them, you will make yourself available to them, as a real-life success coach!

Career Development, My DN Travel News, Self-Development

Fun Strategy for Quickly Improving Language Skills

December 5, 2013 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Learning a foreign (or new) language is not easy. I share a strategy developed from my obsession with improving my proficiency in French. It’s so simple, yet effective, that you’ll wonder why you never thought of it before! Career persons in paid employment, with interest in language learning, will find this strategy useful.

What Is This Strategy?

It’s the habit of deliberately watching movies subtitled in the language you want to learn.

But you must choose, as often as possible, movies you have already watched in a language you know.

If you do it right, you will dramatically boost your comprehension, spoken fluency and vocabulary!

Watching Movies Subtitled in French, Can Help You Learn to Speak Faster & Better

By better I mean you be able to speak it so well that competent others assume you’re a native speaker!

I touched on this in my Proven 5 Step Formula for Learning ANY Language In 3 Months or Less.

Since 1999 I’ve been obsessed with the French language. Over the years I noticed a trend.

Whenever native French speakers talked to me, I struggled to comprehend. But with Francophone Africans (e.g Beninese or Camerounian friends or acquaintances), I readily understood what they said.

When I speak to Francophone Africans, my English accent sometimes get in the way too!

I once wanted to buy a small bottle of medical alcohol. Instead of saying “alcool” (pronounced “ahl-call), I pronounced it “al-co-hol” – with the “h” sound very audible, as in English.

It took my explaining many uses of the item, before the lady understood. She then pointedly told me I’d pronounced it wrongly!

This is Why Some Foreign English Drama Series/Comedies Don’t “Click” With Nigerians

In the same way, a full blooded Briton, visiting Nigeria for the first time, might struggle to understand people speaking English with a local accent (e.g Ijebu, Egba, or Efik etc).

Seven years working with English, Welsh,Irish and Scottish expatriates, while employed in Guinness Nigeria, opened my eyes to this reality.

I found deliberately watching British/American movies helped me better comprehend what they said. Especially getting used to their speed. Over time I learnt to make myself better understood by them.

This inability to comprehend the speech/conversational mannerisims, of British and American speakers, is why some high profile sitcom/drama series from those parts, don’t “click” with Nigerians.

Moumouni Toure, a friend in Calavi, works with a boss who is from France, but runs a chain of mobile phone shops in Benin. Each time I’ve had to converse with the boss, it’s been hard making out his words. And vice versa. Most times we have to take turns explaining ourselves in the other person’s preferred language to ensure s/he fully comprehends what they other is sayng!

Moumouni on the other had does not suffer the same handicap – for obious reasons. You see, he speaks and understands both languages reasonably well.

By Watching Movies Subtitled in French, You’ll Pick Up Useful Words, and Expressions for Everyday Conversation

Whenever I want to take a break from my crazily choked work schedule, I don’t just laze around.

Usually I get myself a big bowl of Cassava flour (known locally as Gari), to which I add sugar and plenty of groundnuts. Then I sit back and watch (on my laptop) movies subtitled in French.

Like I said earlier, I choose those I’ve watched in English before. And usually, I’m familiar with many of the lines. So, it’s always a thrill to be able to hear those same lines said in French.

More importantly, you pick up some useful smart phrases you can easily put to use.

One example: Ils ont disparu (They disappeared).

Another: Ne bouge pas! (Don’t move!)

It Can Help You Continue Improving Even Without Formal Textbooks or Lessons!

Dale Carnegie noted that learning a foreign language, is similar to learning public speaking: you don’t make progressive improvements.

Quite often, your progress will come in fits and starts. There will be times when you’ll arrive at a “plateau”, where you don’t seem to be improving.

Then you’ll have a sudded growth spurt, and wonder at how you manage to progress so much.

The key is to NEVER stop working to improve – even during the “plateau” phase.

Especially then!

If you stop, you’ll end up retrogressing.

One good way I’ve found is to leave textbooks aside, and watch people making real-life conversation. I encounter useful words and expressions, said by a native (not Francophone) French speaker.

Final Words: Try It and See!

This strategy really works – and it can be applied in other ways too.

For instance, some months back I gave out rating forms to tasters of my pineapple peel based drink. In explaning what I wanted, I said “Je voudrais demander votre point du vu” (“I would like to have your opinion”) …about the drink.

A friend exclaimed “Ah Tayo, your French is really improving!”

That expression was used by a radio presenter, some days earlier. I simply adapted it for my purposes.

You too can improve your language skills by doing a similar thing, with movies and TV/radio shows

And you’d be having fun at the same time!

NB: The above may not readily apply to Nigerian Nollywood (or African) movies subtitled in French.

My DN Travel News, Self-Development

Being Ruthlessly Focused Does NOT Make You Callous!

December 4, 2013 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

[Hint: At 175 words per minute, which most adults can do, you’ll finish reading this article’s 500 words in less than 3 minutes. And you’ll be glad you did.]

People we celebrate for great achievements mostly started out believing alone in themselves. We only begin to crowd around and chase after them, when they achieve fame by doing the exceptional…or “impossible”.

Many great achievers often endured rejection – and severe criticism (even mockery!) – from those closest to them. In order to keep going, some withdrew from their friends and relatives, to maintain the positive mind set they needed.

NB: This article was inspired by the quote below (which I believe applies not just to writers, but to creative people who achieve greatness in general).

It was posted by a Facebook friend – Wajeed – today, on his wall.

Sometimes an unacceptable condition from an employer caused them to go alone

Like one who wanted an employee to forget his “dream of inventing”, and accept a promotion, so as to work on “more important things“.

That, by the way, was exactly what made Henry Ford (after consulting his wife) decide to quit his job in Thomas Edison’s company, to pursue his dream of inventing a 6 cylinder engine.

Note that his decision implied losing a source of regular income, that could have supplied badly needed funds for his new venture. But Ford knew he could not afford to stay on, so he left.

In other instances, it was due to pressures from loved ones, sometimes spouses.

People s/he expected to understand, but who rolled their eyes each time s/he started talking.

They said “why don’t you do something useful” or “get a day job so you can fulfil your responsibilities!”

People who achieve greatness are typically intolerant of such distractions.

Creative persons (inventor, writer etc), know doing mundane tasks will not be the best use of their “potentials”.

They may do them – but never at the expense of their dreams!

That’s why they readily take drastic measures to eliminate distractions (including moving out, even if to live under harsh conditions), if they find it necessary.

Napoleon Hill noted that many high level achievers he studied got accused of being “callous”, by close associates, because they did the above.

He however pointed out that what critics (wrongly) called “callousness” was in fact “RUTHLESS FOCUS” which enabled those persons “super-succeed”!

In truth, always doing what “normal” people want, cannot help you achieve EXCEPTIONAL SUCCESS.

For instance, there is (or was) nothing “normal” about Michael Jordan (or Michael Jackson).

Records abound that confirm those two men persistently subjected themselves to PUNISHING rehearsals, for consecutive weeks, while others were in bed.

They gave no close associate, or loved one, any room to make them break their routines.

No wonder they always delivered seemingly superhuman performances when it mattered most!

But not every body is prepared to “do that”. This explains why VERY few people achieve at such levels.

Question: Are you prepared to “do that” – or more – to achieve phenomenal success?

Would you continue even if it means staying alone, for prolonged periods?

If your honest answer is YES, mark my words: YOU ARE DESTINED FOR EXCEPTIONAL GREATNESS!

Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, My DN Travel News

Achieve Superior Success by Letting Your Work Speak for You

December 3, 2013 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Henry Kaiser once said: “When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt“. Many people achieve their website (sales and other) goals very quietly – everyday. They let their diligent work convince buyers, and sometimes use “success stories” to re-inforce their impact. This article discusses requirements for succeeding that way.

Many Whose Websites Succeed Noiselessly Are Not Interested In Coaching Others

It’s not that they’re selfish. They’re just not interested in coaching and training. They prefer to focus on running their businesses.

But there are some willing to make themselves available to guide others.

One example is Terry Dean, who has been around for quite a while, and is a guru of sorts in this area.

I also offer support – specifically by developing Web Marketing Systems for website owners.

But my primary targets are website owners across Africa, because I believe my approach is best suited to the unique peculiarities of that market.

Through my writing, I share ideas others can use e.g. by telling hard truths about marketing one’s products and services online, that I’ve learned over the past decade.

Here are 4 Examples of Such Important Truths About Marketing Online That Good Coaches Will Tell You:

1. It is not easy – and rarely quick to yield results.

Indeed, no marketing is easy. You have to put in the work, and rarely, if at all ever, will the results you seek come overnight. But they will come, if you keep doing the right things.

Good coaches tell you what those right things are. Of course some point, you pay to learn more or buy something that tells more. Which inspires more confidence in the mind of the prospect, since s/he realizes that is proof that they practice what they preach!

2. Many so called experts online are selling unsuspecting (and/or lazy minded) people fluff.

Those are the guys who announce a new strategy that requires little or no work, to generate tons of cash for you while you sleep. That kind of nonsensical stuff. They warn you not to take such offers seriously. And they give practical reasons that will help anyone see through such scams.

3. You need to constantly research and define your target audience profile.

Who are those likely to be interested in what you offer? Where can they be found in the largest numbers? What is their likely capacity to buy at the price you sell?

If you do not know you target audience, you will be unable to communicate effectively with them. Knowing them implies knowing what they “want”, and how they want it delivered to them. This will mean doing plenty of thinking, reading, and researching.

4. Once you identify what they want, you MUST diligently generate useful and original website content to provide it.

Your target audience will discover, and devour it. They will tell others like themselves, and make repeat visits.

This is where YOU must not rest on your oars!

Whenever they return, make sure there’s something new or different, and useful, for them to read or see.

Never let your website get stale, or give them an impression they’ve seen all you have to offer.

Convey the impression of increase to them every time, by coming up with new bits of information and education to serve as articles, reports etc.

And where appropriate, in all of that, link to the products and services you sell.

Acting Based On The Above Truths Will Make Your Website Succeed – NOISELESSLY!

Websites that attract profitable buyers are those I call smartly successful websites. They often make high volume/profit margin sales.

In addition, such websites enjoy devoted attention from serious minded people, who appreciate your work, but prefer not to draw public attention to say it.

That’s why they will often send you private messages (via your web form or email) to say so, rather than post a public blog comment.

Does that make them any less important to your success? No!

In fact, experience has taught me that such quiet feedback
providers often become your fiercest advocates (recommending your website to others).

And many times they evolve into your most enthusiastic buyers too

The truth is, noise is rarely positively correlated to results!

My DN Travel News, Public Speaking

No. 118: Speak to Impact, and Your Audience Will Be Impressed

December 2, 2013 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Your speaking success depends on making yourself understood the way you intend. I can say “Please pass me the sugar” or “Please relocate that receptacle of sweetner, into my hand”.

Both mean essentially the same thing.

But anyone – regardless of age or educational level – will easily understand the former!

SCROLL DOWN TO READ FULL ISSUE

Home | Subscribe | About | Contact

Publication: Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Newsletter

Date: Monday 2nd December 2013

No:118

Title: Speak to Impact, and Your Audience Will Be Impressed

Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [Tel: +234-803-302-1263 (in Nigeria) or +229-66-122-136 (in Benin Republic) ]

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

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

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

Have You Downloaded Your Gifts?

As a subscriber to my mailing list, you get to access over 10 potentially useful books and reports.

Click here to view the download page:

Can’t find it? No problem. E-mail me via tayo at tksola dot com and I’ll send you another. Not yet a subscriber? Click here to signup.

**** **********

NB: This newsletter is published every Monday. Point your browser to www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/sdnuggets 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

**********

No. 118: Speak to Impact, and Your Audience Will Be Impressed

Your speaking success depends on making yourself understood they way you intend. I can say “Please pass me the sugar” or “Please relocate that receptacle of sugar, into my hand”. Both mean essentially the same thing. But anyone – regardless of age or educational level – will easily understand the former!

Even When Your Audience Will Understand Complex Language, Speaking Plainly Works Better

One anecdote has it that Defrees, a friend/printer of Abraham Lincoln’s queried his intended use of the phrase “sugar-coated” in his first speech (which Defrees was to print) for congress. Defrees believed the phrase was not “dignified enough” for a paper of that importance. Lincoln wisely remarked as follows:

“Well, Defrees, if you think the time will ever come, when the people will not understand what ‘sugar-coated’ means, I’ll alter it; otherwise, I think I’ll let it go.”

Some people think using big words or complex language makes them look good. A result-focussed speaker should avoid making that mistake!

When your speech difficult to comprehend, you alienate your audience, and they will leave without the message you wanted to give them.

Why waste their time and yours? And why deny them the useful wisdom you offer by being needlessly sophisticated in your use of words?

Big Sounding Words May Sound Nice, But If Those You Address Don’t Understand, You’ve Failed!

We must make the effort to always speak with consideration for every audience member.

According to Dale Carnegie, a one time Senator of Indiana, “Beveridge” once advised speakers to identify the “least intelligent looking person” in their audience, and aim to win his/her interest.

He further recommended possibly focusing your delivery on a child attending your talk with parents. Then announce to yourself, and if you wish, the audience, that you will strive to use simple and clear language, so that the child will understand, and be able to explain what you said, after the event.

I strongly believe all serious minded speakers should take the above advice to heart.

**A Tragic Movie Scene That Illustrates The Importance of Speaking For Every Single Audience Member to Understand**

Interestingly, a movie I once watched, offers a useful lesson consistent with the above theme.

It was titled “Eastern Condor”. In a particular scene, one member of a Chinese-American military team died an avoidable death, when they parachuted into the Vietnamese jungle.

You see, when the others landed, they did a head count and noticed “Sunny” was missing. They hurriedly searched around, and soon found him lying half-dead, struggling to say “Sixteeen”.

Why Was Sunny Trying to Say Sixteen While Dying…?

Well, the 10 team members were convicts selected for a covert operation, by military top brass.

They were led by a Lieutenant Colonel, also Chinese-American, who told them they would be granted full pardon if they succeeded.

But only few had any military training. All they got were brief instructions, for instance, on how to open their parachutes while in the air.

With their aircraft at high altitude, the Lieutenant Colonel reminded each man, to “Count to 20 before you pull the cord.”

When it was Sonny’s turn, the same thing was said to him. He nodded, and jumped.

Even I did not realise the mistake the Lieutenant Colonel made at the time…

It was when Sunny was later found still struggling to say “Sixteen” that it struck me!

You see, when the men had chatted earlier in the aircraft, Sunny had tried to join in. But most times he got told to shut up, because he stammered a lot, and took too long to say whatever he had in mind.

Sunny’s speaking handicap naturally made counting out loud a major challenge for him.

Unfortunately that did not occur to anyone when the instructions about parachuting were being announced by the Colonel.

What Could Have Been Done Differently For Sunny?

Well, in asking them to “count to 20”, if the Colonel had considered Sunny’s challenge, he could have said “count mentally to 20” – looking at Sunny (and repeating that to him before he jumped).

Why? Because for Sunny, who stammered, counting out loud took much longer!

That was why the poor guy was still struggling to count “sixteen”, when he hit the trees and landed on the hard jungle floor, sustaining fatal injuries.

Few seconds after fully saying “Sixteen” he died what I consider an avoidable death.

The Lesson to Take Away…

I know it was just a movie.

But you will agree with me that such incidents could – and do – occur in real life.

So, for those of us who speak, this is a lesson worth keeping in mind:

Tailor your use of language to the comprehension needs of EVERY single member of your audience!

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 (in Nigeria) or +229-66-122-136 (in Benin Republic)

http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com

He’s presently based in Benin Republic, where he’s preparing an English-French Language Guide, City Travel Guides, and a Commercial Rabbit Farming Guide.

For a limited time, Tayo is available to speak to your group or organization for a moderate fee. Send e-mail to tayo at tksola dot com. You can also visit www.tksola.com to learn more.

Connect with him on Twitter @tksola.com and Facebook.

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

Useful Resources for Speakers

Burt Dubin’s monthly Speaking Biz Strategies Letter [Signup & get a 7-Part Email Course on “How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker“]

Get Burt’s mentoring at any of the 3 levels below:

1. Top Shelf [Click here]

2. Mid Range [Click here]

3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Publications

Burt Dubin’s latest book: “On Being a Master”

Download Chapter 1 Preview as PDF

Visit the “On Being a Master” website

177 Wow! Wow!

Showmanship Stratagems

Discover these secrets of making your programs more interesting and valuable to your clients and audiences now.

more information

Burt’s Flagship Album

This is the product to own if you can own only one. Why? Because in it you discover principles of platform mastership available to you nowhere else at any price.

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

Find out why

Presentation Magic

Presentation Magic Manual with new pages added plus 3 audio CDs.

more information

How To Create a Great Program Manual

This is a reprise of the historic presentation that launched the Speaking Success System.

No copy of this 2 CD program and 50 page Learning Guide has ever been returned.

more information

Download above PDF

Download above PDF

THEY WROTE…

Click here to contact Tayo…

SD Nuggets Blog™	New posts from last week that may interest you! *
Public Speaking[Monday]:	No. 117: Smart Speakers Build Relationships With Attendees
Entrepreneurship [Tuesday]:	How to Use Niches & Specialties to Boost Your Profits (Article & Infographic)
Self-Development [Wednesday]:	Always Wish Others Well. You’ll Succeed Better! (Incl. Lesson from an Amazing Russian Video)
Career Development [Thursday]:	3 Timeless Strategies for People Management Success
Parenting [Friday]:	The Key to Identifying People Worthy of Support
Writing/Blogging [Saturday]:	N/A (My website – www.spontaneousdevelopment.com – was down for some hours on Saturday 30th Nov. 2013)
Want me to write for you? Click here…

My DN Travel News, Parenting, Self-Development

The Key to Identifying People Worthy of Support

November 29, 2013 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

“I have long taught: if you can’t make money without money, you won’t make money with money either. And if you’re going to back somebody, pick an entrepreneur who has proven that he can survive without adequate capital” – Dan Kennedy (Millionaire Entrepreneur/Author of “How to succeed in Business by breaking all the rules”)

Do you have a passion for helping others? This is always a commendable thing to do. And it feels great when those we help go on to succeed. For that to happen, you must choose to support those most willing to use what you give them. (Hint: This article offers ideas you can teach your kids, so they KNOW how to attract unsolicited support, to achieve their valued goals in life!)

Helping People Unwilling to Take Personal Action Rarely Works

“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” – Eleanor Smith

Make the best use of what you have. Give committed and competent people your priority attention.

Why? Because when they are likely to make the most productive use of what you give them. And that is likely to benefit not just them, but others as well!

Consider this analogy:

a. John finished the same year, from the same university as Tayo, your nephew.

After a year of fruitless job searching, he started a car wash business alone, and 2 years on, has one employee.

He proposes having a strategic partnership with your company. The offer is to wash your fleet for a discount in exchange for putting his promotional stickers on your cars.

But he needs N50k to get better equipment, and more hands to cope with demand he expects to get.

b. Tayo – is your nephew – and lives with you.

He complains you’re too hard on him whenever you challenge him to start something of his own, since he’s also been unable to get a job.

A day before John came to see you, Tayo had asked you to give him N50k to start a business centre. He even had a business plan written out.

You were relieved that he seemed to be making an effort.

However, you recall that when you’ve given him money in the past, nothing came of it. Many times he even told you stories that did not add up. You wonder if this time will be different.

Question: Which of these 2 young men would you help, if all you had was N30k?

My answer: John would get my vote, even if my relatives scream to high heavens.

That’s not to say I’ll write off my nephew. No.

I’ll challenge him to convince me he’s serious, using John’s example to show what I mean.

But even John won’t get the money easily.

I’ll make him jump a few hurdles, to ascertain he knows what he’s doing, and will be committed.

Below, I share a real life example of how I introduce hurdles to assure myself a person is worth “helping”.

Identifying a Person Worthy of Support: A Real-Life Example

I offer a support service for authors (in Africa especially) who want to use Print On Demand publishing the way I do.

Many naturally get interested, when they learn their new book can be put online for purchase in physical form by buyers worldwide at zero cost.

So they contact me.

Most times, I simply supply links to articles I’ve written for them to read.

Sometimes I even give a FREE copy of my PDF report, on “Marketing Your Book at Zero Cost” to them. (Need it? E-mail me via tayo at tksola dot com)

Many return to ask for more information that’s ALREADY in the articles and report I asked them to read!

Why they find it so hard to read beats me. How can you be a competent writer if reading is such a chore for you??

Anyway, I’ve learnt to overlook that and instead make a conditional offer…

I Offer a Free 15 Minute Phone Consultation

But I deliberately introduce a hurdle, to help me decide if that individual is serious enough to get access to the offer.

So I send him/her an email message like the one below:

====Starts===

Hi (name),

During our phone chat, I will ask you certain questions and give you certain steps to follow.

You have some things to learn – and you are unlikely to get good results if you rush the process.

When (name of a past client), the CEO of an engineering company in Warri spoke with me for 1 hour on how to use web marketing, he paid N10K in advance to get my commitment to speak with him.

I’m offering you the opportunity to get some of what I said to him at no cost.

Just load credit on your phone and call me on +229-66-122-136.

Plan to be on for at least 15 minutes so we can cover the key areas.

After that you can decide how to progress.

===E-mail ends====

If s/he does what I ask in the email, I take it as a sign that s/he is worthy of further support.

Otherwise, I simply let the interaction end there.

Guess what?

99% of the time, they never make that 15 minute call!

What small thinking some people have. If your dreams really matter to you, borrow money to make that call!

If you can’t do that, why should I believe in YOU?

Final Words: And That’s How to Identify People Worthy of Your Support

It’s by testing them to see if they will go out on a limb, to achieve the goal they claim to want.

People worthy of support will readily make the personal sacrifice of time, effort, and money, to progress towards their goal.

Over the past 10 years, I have gotten others to GLADLY support me in achieving my goals, by proving myself worthy, in the manner I describe above.

That’s why I know it works!

Career Development, My DN Travel News

3 Timeless Strategies for People Management Success

November 28, 2013 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Do you want your employees/team members to work in your organisation as if it was theirs – with unrelenting passion and dedication? If yes, this article explains simple zero cost steps you can take to make that happen. Practical ideas that will enable you get better performances from them perpetually.

Preamble

In 2000, while still employed as a Shift Brewer in Guinness Nigeria, Benin Brewery (Edo state), I wrote a nine (9) page paper titled “Summary Highlights of a Proposal on Implementation of Benin Production Department’s Vision for Year 2000 and Beyond”.

Our boss, Greg, requested all team members write ideas they had.

I’d always been (and still remain) an ideas person. So, I wasted not time in sending mine in 😉

What I share in this article is based on excerpts from that paper (which I’ve kept with me till date).

1. Give Them Freedom to Succeed

You must find a way to make your people willingly take up more responsibility, for the jobs they do, without seeing it as extra work.

This is the key to getting improved productivity without having to spend more.

In order to make the above happen, it’s crucial that you create an atmosphere for creativity to flourish.

You can achieve this, by involving employees in taking crucial decisions about issues concerning the way they do their jobs.

Additionally, make constant effort to get their contributions towards solving problems affecting their jobs.

2. Thank and/or Reward Them When They Do Well

If you’re not thanking and rewarding your employees/team members, you’re hurting your business or organisation.

Even more importantly, you must ensure those who do well get recognised/rewarded accordingly!

This would stimulate further creative endeavours, and the rub off on others members.

In his book on the 100 club concept, Daniel Boyle wrote:

“…Let’s learn to say thank you to our men for:

1. Being on time always

2. Showing up at work

3. Putting in effort continually

4. Doing the jobs for which they are paid without complaining”

Bear in mind that rewards you give, will – quite often – not need to be monetary!

Countless studies have shown that most employees prefer non-monetary compensation from their employers.

In fact, some can be as simple as a commendation letter signed by a superior, or the CEO!

3. Ask Them “What Happened?” – Not “Who Did It?”

You must create an atmosphere of trust and appreciation in the organisation.

How?

By letting your members see that you’re ready to allow them make mistakes – and that you will support them to learn how to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

So, it’s not like you’re inviting people to cause anarchy by making careless mistakes. Instead you’ll be acknowledging that they are human and may periodically get things wrong. That’s why your support system will be aimed at helping them learn how to get things right more often.

You will let employees know the above, so that when anything goes wrong, those responsible will feel safe enough to own up.

They’ll thus get to learn better ways to do their work.

Consequently, recurring human errors will be eliminated, or drastically reduced, in your operations and processes!

To succeed with the above, you must habitually focus on WHAT went wrong, and WHAT DID IT, and not WHO did it!

Many employers make mistakes look like unforgivable sins.

As a result, their employees – out of fear – unconsciously learn to hide their mistakes.

In the long run, the company suffers, since those errors pile up till a catastrophy occurs!

To paraphrase Daniel Boyle, the mentality of “shooting the messenger” must be done away with. And our employees/team members must be made aware of this, so they can do their work without fear.

Final Words

The above list is not exhaustive. In my year 2000 proposal paper, I actually outlined a total of 11 points.

However, the 3 discussed above, are those I consider most critical for people management success.

They are simple, but require diligent commitment to implement.

Most workplace leaders will need to change their thinking habits about how to handle employees, to make effective use of these strategies.

Those who succeed in doing so, will have great employee performance stories to tell.

I know this because I successfully applied these same ideas in different leadership positions back in paid employment.

From when I worked as a “hard-charging” shift brewer/bottling line manager, till I became departmental head – where “softer” people management skills mattered.

Constant use of the above principles, frequently enabled me get superior results, from my team members.

As a CEO, or executive/manager in an organisation, you can improve your chances of people management success, by adopting the same strategies.