Category Archives: Farm Biz

3 Forms In Which Cassava Can Be Profitably Fed to Livestock (and 1 Danger to Guard Against)

February 25, 2014 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Cassava can be fed to virtually any kind of livestock. Research reports indicate it can prove especially economical in feeding pigs and poultry – IF properly balanced with proteins and vitamins, which it is deficient in. This article discusses 3 forms in which Cassava can be profitably fed to livestock.

Today, rising feeding costs make it imperative that smallholder farmers explore practical ways to extract benefits from every feed ingredient. Cassava occurs in various forms, and offers potentially useful benefits to those willing to put it to use.

I argue that profit focussed smallholder farmers looking to maximise output, while reducing costs, can intelligently explore use of Cassava in its various forms.

Below, I discuss a few examples…and end by offering suggestions you can use.

1. Cassava Peels:

Pigs love Cassava peels. Many homestead farmers make ready use of cassava peels to feed their small stock.

Cattle, sheep and goats also respond well to feeing with cassava roots (cooked or raw). But not as well as pigs.

A client who runs an integrated farm regularly feeds his pigs with uncooked cassava peels, and they relish it. This has been the major feed, in addition to Moringa leaves and branches, with which the pigs are fed. And they’ve shown consistent improvement in growth and reproductive rates.

Sadly, due to absence of daily production records relating quantity/type of feed, with weight increases, and litter sizes etc, it’s not easy to accurately establish the impact of this approach.

2. Gari (Cassava Flour):

Research studies confirm that Gari (Cassava flour) – which is made from peeled Cassava roots – is a valuable, yet cheap source of carbohydrates for man and livestock. This makes it a useful energy source for livestock ration formulation.

It would however appear that some farmers are thinking of smarter ways to use it…

For instance, last year, I spoke on phone (while conducting a questionnaire survey for my international agribusiness research paper) with an enterprising farm owner, who is making interesting use of Gari on his fish farm.

He told me he successfully formulates rations for his Catfish using 40% Gari.

And he asserts that performance has never been better. According to him, the farm turns out about 25,000 catfish fingerlings and 5,000 table sized adults monthly!

The result he reported was surprisingly similar to one that I’d read about….

A study by V.A. Oyenuga found that up to 40% inclusion of raw cassava, in the diet of young pigs produces better results, than when conventional grains based carbohydrate sources are used.

Above that threshold however, negative returns set in.

It is worthy of note that this farmer emphasized to me, that he diligently conducts laboratory analyses of feed ingredients bi-monthly. This enables him get the nutrients balancing right during formulation.

When one considers that Gari has much lower protein, oils, and crude fibre contents, taking such an important precaution cannot be over emphasized.

NB: I feel a need to note here that this farmer’s attitude of paying close attention to details, and exploring use of alternative low cost ingredients on a micro scale, is what I’m advocating more smallholder farmers adopt!

3. Cassava Based Factory Wastes:

Cassava based factories generate waste (e.g. from starch production), and may welcome farmers willing to pick up such waste at low to zero cost, for feeding their livestock.

As is obvious from the earlier mentioned examples, Cassava can be used in different forms for livestock.

However, considering the economic importance of the Cassava roots to man, for food, smallholder farmers may find it most worthwhile to focus on maximizing their use of Cassava waste products e.g. peels and leaves…

[NB: In contrast to the Gari – which is produced from the root – studies have shown that Cassava leaves are quite rich in oil, ash, ascorbic acid and proteins – with moderate carbohydrate content. This has led to suggestions that the leaves may be potentially useful as “protein supplement” for ruminants.]

Cassava waste can be used for direct feeding, or in compounded rations.

However, for definite best practice benefits to be derived, I believe farmers who choose to use it, will need to adopt proper data recording routines.

This will enable them – over time – measure and analyze the performance of the animals in relation to what they are fed.

What they learn can guide them in making needed modifications etc.

A Potential Danger to Watch Out For

The attraction of Cassava is based on the fact that it is a cheap carbohydrate source.

However, all who plan to use it must always keep in mind the fact that it contains anti-nutritional factors and toxins that can harm livestock if not properly handled.

For instance, its juice contains a cynanogenetic glycoside, called Linamarin which when acted upon by an enzyme called Linase, breaks down into – poisonous – Hydrocyanic acid (i.e. HCN – a cyanide).

This HCN, when consumed, can result in death of livestock (and even humans).

The two-stage fermentation process to which Cassava is subjected in making Gari eliminates this toxic HCN acid.

That’s why improperly processed Gari may pose dangers to both man and livestock.

So, when Gari is to be used in formulating rations for Catfish (as one farm owner mentioned above does), it would always be wise to check and ensure it is of the right quality.

Final Words

Research studies indicate Cassava peels contain a higher content of HCN acid than the roots(from which Gari is made).

Interestingly, here in Africa, homestead pigs, goats, sheet are regularly fed cassava peels with no apparent side effects.

Whether or not this affects the animals negatively in any specific way, is however hard to say.

Only a proper study of the performance of production focussed stocks will yield conclusive findings.

Once again, it is my considered opinion, that farmers are probably best placed to investigate this on their farms. Rather than wait for researchers whose priorities may lie elsewhere.

Automate Your Farm Record Keeping and Accounts to Succeed Profitably

February 22, 2014 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

In this article, I explain the importance of establishing and maintaining reliable farm records keeping/accounting systems as it is a crucial requirement for successful planning & profitable management of your farm business.

A popular saying goes thus: “If you do not record it you cannot measure it. And if you do not measure it, you cannot control it.”

Which is the same thing as saying you cannot plan for it. In essence, I am saying that keeping detailed and accurate farm records and accounts is a crucial requirement for effective and profitable farm planning.

Your Farm NEEDS Diligently Kept Records/Accounts

One thing lacking in most agricultural entreprises out here is detailed and accurate records of activities that take place as operations are carried out.

For peasant farmers who are usually illiterate, it can possibly be considered pardonable if they can’t say what inputs (herbicide types, quantities etc) they used the past year.

But for the growing population of literate farmers, there cannot be any excuse.

Then again literate or otherwise, every farm owner who wishes to enjoy reasonably predictable profits MUST as a matter of priority keep and analyse detailed farm records.

Without detailed and accurate records, farm business planning and management effectively becomes a game of guestimations!

And we all know that unguided assumptions which rarely produce desired results with consistency.

To effectively manage a farm, the farmer needs to have ready access to extensive information concerning past costs and returns, input use, production levels, existing financial situation, including the physical conditions of the farm. S/he also has to know about likely future costs, future returns of production etc. This information can be acquired from farm records and accounts, as well as from all farm sources like research/experimental stations, demonstration plots, universities etc.

In essence, the farmer needs to have records of what has happened before, is happening now and what is likely to happen in future.

What Exactly Can Farmers Do With Farm Records/Accounts?

The following are specific BENEFICIAL uses farmers will readily find for diligently kept farm records and accounts:

1. Farm Planning & Budgetting:

The most realistic way to plan farm production and prepare accompanying budgets is to refer to estimates based on historical data available from past periods of operation. If it’s a new farm, then other sources will be referred to.

2. Farm Performance Evaluation:

Without accurate physical and corresponding accounting records, it will be practically impossible to accurately establish how well a farm entreprise has performed over a defined period.

With accurate physical records and corresponding records, evaluation of the farm performance is easy, simple and a matter of routine, PLUS one is sure of progress of the farm business over a time period.

Specifically, accurate records and accounts show how, within a period of time, labour costs or feed costs for example have either been increasing or decreasing, and how revenue from various entreprises has been increasing or decreasing either because of price changes or changes in physical production.

3. Daily Farm Decision Making:

Farm records and accounts are essential for day to day decision making especially because they show the strong and weak points in management.

A farm entreprise may not be doing well because of a particular factor of production, but such a factor may be difficult to identify/isolate in the abscence of good records and accounts.

For instance in pig farming, it is reported that good farm performance depends on large and frequent litters, economical use of feed, mortality rate, marketing the pigs at the right weight etc.

Without accurate records and accounts therefore, it would be dificult to identify which of these factors is contributing to low profits for instance. The records will show which areas need improving upon.

4. Securing Credit/Loan Support:

There is probably no bank which will not require a farm business to produce adequate physical records with the corresponding accounting records and the overall farm plan, before it can give credit/loan support.

Incidentally, this requirement helps both parties: the bank uses it to know the current state of the farm as well as offers advice. The farmer on the other hand will work to achieve his/her goals in order to fulfill his/her obligation to pay back the extended credit.

Banks need to be convinced that money given out will be used for what is being asked for, and that can only be done by presenting records of what one has already been doing.

5. Taxation & Insurance Purposes:

To avoid over or underpaying taxes, good records and accounts are essential.

Insurance on relevant farm assets can only be done properly if records are available and accurate.

Summary

a. By keeping farm records and accounts, you, the farmer will be equipped to periodically evaluate your overall farm performance using three (3) simple but powerful ratios which I describe in full detail in my customisable on-demand talks on Best Practice Farm Performance Measurement and Improvement (Call +229-66-122-136 or +234-803-302-1263…or email tayo at tksola dot com, for details).

b. You will know where to place emphasis (using the 80:20 Pareto principle), and will be able see dangerous trends earlier and take needed evasive action.

c. Diligently kept farm records and accounts will help you determine where and/or when you are under (or over) estimating your farm costs (or sales/gains).

d. Good farm records and accounts help reliably measure the impact of unexpected market changes on the farm business’ bottom line e.g. policy and price changes announced by government.

In relation to the above last part, the use of custom software automation for records keeping would enable you punch in the new input prices and quickly see how badly it affects your planned/projected production and/or sales margins – as well as other key performance indicators.

Final Words: Do you own – or plan to own – a farm business?

Consider automating your farm records keeping and accounting using custom Excel-VB driven workbook applications (like those that I build for my clients).

You will be able to cost-effectively and efficiently realise all the benefits outlined above in the body of this article.

Call me on +229-66-122-136 or +234-803-302-1263 (or email tayo at tksola dot com).

Visit http://www.excelheaven.tayosolagbade.com to learn more about my custom Excel-VB driven software development service.

This article is an educational commercial about an aspect of the Best Operating Process Management System (BOPMS™) that SDAc’s CB Solutions can help you setup for your farm business.

In the BOPMS™, major emphasis is placed on the need to streamline operations(via best practice initiatives) in a manner that allows easy integration of PC automation to reduce time, effort and resources needed PLUS increase output and accuracy in the entire farming process, so that the business becomes MORE profitable. Click
here to learn more.

NB: This article was first published online on 7th Feb 2008, on this static html page of Tayo Solagbade’s Cost-Saving Farm Business Ideas website.

Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, My DN Travel News

Feed Formulation Software Will Not Guarantee Livestock Farming Success (Here’s Why…)

February 18, 2014 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

“Hi Tayo. I’m Eugene from Malawi and have been following you on and off for quite a while now…”(Full email below).

Eugene asked if my Ration Formulator™ could be used for ruminants (e.g Beef/Dairy Cattle, Goats, Sheeps) and Ducks etc. The short answer: YES. But I wrote him this long one…

==Email Starts==

Hi Eugene,

Thanks for your message.

It’s nice to know you’ve found my work of interest/potential use.

To your question…

Since 2004, when I began selling my Feed Formulation Handbook and the Ration Formulator, I’d say over 90% of my buyers, have been owners of Poultry and/or Fish Farms.

My app uses an improved version of the Pearson Square Computation Technique, to do weighted average ration formulation. And it has proven to be quite accurate in the results it turns out for those two groups of animals.

BUT, the farmer MUST ensure s/he gets “accurate” and preferably reasonable updated nutrient analyses done for the key ingredients used in rations fed to animals. Without this, anything you “formulate” would be a potential waste of time.

Now, in the last 2 years an interesting trend has developed in which MORE enquiries have been coming in from owners of Dairy/Beef Cattle Farms, and others that rear commercial Sheep, Goat and other ruminant operations.

For instance, a Canadian farm project manager who bought it wrote back to say he’d found it quite useful for his work. And he has poultry, ducks and other animals like those you mentioned in his stock.

What I’ve learnt over the past 20 years is that when it comes to feed formulation, it’s best to stick with the basics.

Feed formulation AND compounding are VERY practical activities.

One need not complicate them unnecessarily.

Ruminants (which you listed) for instance, happen to be more effective in making use of what they are fed, than other animals, because of their “enhanced digestive systems.

So, one would aim to achieve least cost ration formulation as often and consistently as possible. And the animals would do the rest.

For least cost formulation, you must actively identify and use locally available and cheaper alternatives to complement (or if possible replace) conventional but expensive feed ingredients.

You must also continually look for ways to combine ingredients most cost-effectively, to yield balanced rations at the lowest possible cost.

Apart from the above, the only other thing to pay attention to is the NUTRIENT REQUIREMENT of the target animal in question.

It’s good you mentioned the animals you wish to formulate rations for.

The question is: Do you know the specifics of their nutrient requirements? Especially their protein, minerals and energy needs?

These three are crucial elements for proper ration formulation. There are of course others – like fibre content, calcium etc.

I’d however say that from what I’ve seen with different animals reared, and what I’ve read about different farms, for most smallholder farmers, chasing those other finer parameters can be needless overkill.

And many won’t have the resources to do a proper job of it anyway. What’s more, quite often the difference in animal performance is often not noticeable.

On a final note, I’m currently working on an improved version of my app, which aims to allow elaborate amino acid balancing.

This is to meet the needs, mainly of farmers who rear animals like pigs and rabbits, which demonstrate noticeable performance sensitivity to amino-acids balancing in their rations.

I’m still testing that version to be sure it does what I want.

But since you’ve not mentioned (that) you have pigs on your farm, I can say my existing app will competently handle ration formulation for the animals you mentioned.

All that’s required is that you have a sound understanding of the science of feed formulation.

AND also ensure you obtain the correct/complete data on nutrient requirements for EACH of the animal groups you want to formulate rations for.

I believe it also goes without saying that you must check that what you obtain agrees with the breed/strain of animal you actually have to work with.

You cannot, for instance, simply adopt data from a generic nutrient requirement published for “Dairy Cows” for instance.

Hope this helps…and sorry about the “lecture”…I sometimes get carried away ;-))))

With kindest regards,

Tayo

PS: Given the kinds of animals you mentionend you rear, I feel the linked article below will prove informative/educational for you:

http://www.livestockkenya.com/index.php/cattle/214-formulating-home-made-rations-for-dairy-cattle

==Email ends===

I’m Not Into The Business of Selling At All Cost!

No I’m not.

You see I want people to only buy what will be useful to them. I also try to properly “inform and educate” them, so they can make the best use of what they buy.

I do this based on a 10 item code of ethics that guides me in ALL my dealings. Click here to read it.

If you notice, I did not just zoom in and tell him how well the software would work for the purposes he’d asked about.

No pushy salesmanship in this “space”

I want people to come to a firm conclusion that the solution I offer is actually what they need.

When people are convinced YOU are the one that can help them, they will trust you to help them get the results they want.

And that’s often when it will be a pleasure to do business with them!

Getting a software app for feed formulation is just one part of what it takes to get your animals to perform.

Other considerations – mentioned above – carry just as much weight.

That’s why I make a point of telling those who connect with me that important truth. If they go on to buy the solution I offer – GREAT. If not, I’d have at least added value to them in one or more ways.

And that would be a great feeling!

Final Words: The Power of a Web Marketing System

Let me end by saying this:

I love periodically sharing real life correspondence I have with enquiriers and clients via my website for 2 main reasons:

a. I believe they provide excellent medium for communicating valuable practical information. The above email is a good example.

b. Another reason I share them is to demonstrate the power that using a Web Marketing System like I do, can give you, in terms of your business promotion.

Using a WMS makes pre-qualified sales prospects (i.e people looking for what you offer) come to you, on their own. They will often be already pre-sold on the usefulness of YOUR solution.

Most times you’d simply have to provide payment details and they just go ahead and buy. This happens to me all the time!

If you want me to help you develop and implement a Web Marketing System for your business, click here to send me a message.

NB: You can read my 3 part series titled “Why You Need a Web Marketing System” – HERE.

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News

Convert Your Excel Reporting Workbooks to Secure (& Even Money Making!) EXE Files

February 13, 2014 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Below is a screenshot of the 2014 upgrade version of my popular Excel-VB driven Ration Formulator sofware. Do you notice it’s actually an EXE (executable) file, and NOT an Excel workbook…even though it’s in Excel?! Users need not enable macros. Plus, it works on any Excel version (for Windows or Mac). All past buyers get it FREE!

Not many MS Excel experts, talk less users, will know how I converted (actually “compiled” is the word) my Excel-VB driven workbook into an EXE file.

I’ve read on many forums that it’s even impossible. :-))

Some of those who said this are respected, knowledgeable experts in the use of the MS Excel application, for software development.

A few referred to the use of Visual Basic 6 COM tools. But that’s too much hard work…or manual labour.

I own a copy of the Professional Excel Programming manual, and know what using VB6 to create EXE apps involves. Right from the first day I read it, I knew it was not something I’d readily settle for.

So I kept searching. Especially online.

You see, I always knew I would need to be able to convert my automated workbook applications to EXE versions. Mainly to secure my code (knowledgeable developers will tell you VBA password security is a joke. It can be cracked within seconds), and also deploy my apps more professionally.

The only reason I waited was that I wanted to have enough user feedback to incorporate as many valuable features into my software as possible.

Since 2004, I’ve been doing that with my Ration Formulator. Today I have had buyers from across Nigeria, and outside Nigeria/Africa. Some have been so forthcoming with feedback that they have helped improve the app’s functionality greatly!

Last Friday, a prospective buyer of the Ration Formulator who’d called me on phone, sent an email asking:

“Does the software work with a Mac laptop?”

I responded as follows:

“As long as you have a fully functional installation of MS Excel on your PS, my Excel apps will work on it without problems.”

(NB: I sent this response with every sense of responsibility. I’d done my homework by reviewing the features of MS Excel 2011 for Macintosh.)

He promptly sent this response:

“Ok. I’ll let you know when I make payment.”

And he did that the next day.

24 hours later, I sent him the latest (2013) upgrade version of the app.

The next day he sent me a screenshot showing a compile error, that popped up when the app was opening in MS Excel on his laptop.

After thinking about it a while, I recalled that I’d introduced the use of API calls in the 2013 upgrade of the app, to enable use of modeless forms. It was the only change I’d made without considering the MS Excel 2011 for Mac, that I did to the application.

Here’s the reply I sent to him(with the above screenshot image of the new EXE version of the Ration Formulator):

He wrote back to say “thanks”. (And tonight, I’ll be sending him the promised modified version to see if it will run OK.)

Your (or Your Company’s) Important MS Excel Workbooks Can Be Converted to Secure, & Even Income Generating EXE Versions!

I’ve seen various ways companies put spreadsheets to use. From my time in paid employment (over 7 years), as well as the ten years I’ve been a spreadsheet solutions developer for client companies.

Many of those workbooks contain years of hard work from collaborative efforts of highly skilled persons.

They build complex formulas to generate valuable performance indicators for reliable decision making. Most times off-the-shelf apps that can offer similar customized reporting output are impossible to find.

And that’s why it makes great sense for such individuals/businesses to protect them as EXE files!

One example…

Back in 2009, I was contacted by the expatriate regional project manager for a well known petroleum exploration company.

He’d found my Excel-VB Solutions Development website, while “Googling” online for an Excel expert in Nigeria. I was still based in Lagos, Nigeria, at the time.

After a face to face meeting in Ikeja, he eventually invited me to their Freeman house office on Lagos Island, for a meeting with the head of the finance section, and his assistant.

They proceeded to show me a massive, and complex, tax computation workbook application.

It was about 45MB in size!

They wanted me to rebuild for easy comprehension by less Excel-competent users. The person who’d built it had left.

Long story short, I told them what needed to be done, and how I proposed we proceed. The next day they called to inform me they were pleased and wanted me to start work.

But I never did go on to do that project…because we could not agree on when my first payment would happen.

I wanted a one-third advance retainer. They wanted to pay me from the third week after I’d started work.

The point I’m however making is that if they had in-house Excel-VB programming expertise, they would have been better off.

Coupled with the know-how to convert the modified app to EXE version, they could even have made a product that could even be licensed to other companies. Especially considering it was a tax computation workbook!

But then again this is an oil service company we’re talking about. They probably did not need the money!

Having said that, I believe they would still have appreciated the extra security of having such a sensitive workbook in EXE form.

It would be impossible to illegally view the formulas or copy them or the code in it.

But they would still be able to post data, and save changes made to the data, in the EXE version!

If you’re a financial consultant, tax expert, or a professional who builds complex workbooks (E.g. quantity surveyor) for your work, this should interest you.

If you’d like to learn more about how to convert useful MS Excel workbooks you built, into such EXE versions that you can even sell…

Like REAL professional software, complete with installation routines, contact me for details….

I’ll send you details of the amazing features and functions you can get!

You probably already have a specially built workbook you use to quickly compute personal income taxes for client employees.

Or to generate payslips, or to compute company taxes, profit and loss reports etc.

The solution I refer to can help you convert your workbook into an EXE version you can sell to clients, or other consultants, and earn even more money!

Get in touch for details of how to begin today.

Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, Public Speaking, Writing/Blogging

No. 128: Using Location Independent Multipreneuring to Achieve Public Speaking Success

February 10, 2014 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

I began my “Location Independent Multiprenuring Travels” across West Africa, on 1st April 2013 – about 10 months ago. The amazing successes I’m achieving (some described below) convince me one MUST be willing to take greater risks, to move to higher levels of achievement.

If I’d remained in Nigeria, I doubt I’d have achieved this much by now! (Want to know why I chose to relocate to Benin Republic? Click here).

This is why I share my experiences on my website. I want people to learn (from reading about how I use myself as a “guinea pig” of sorts) what they can do to advance towards their goals in life.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ FULL ISSUE

Home | Subscribe | About | Contact

Publication: Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Newsletter

Date: Monday 10th February 2014

No:128

Title: Using Location Independent Multipreneuring to Achieve Public Speaking Success

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.

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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

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No. 128: Using Location Independent Multipreneuring to Achieve Public Speaking Success

If I’d remained in Nigeria, I doubt I’d have achieved this much by now! (Want to know why I chose to relocate to Benin Republic? Click here).

This is why I share my experiences on my website. I want people to learn (from reading about how I use myself as a “guinea pig” of sorts) what they can do to advance towards their goals in life.

Thanks to a New Facebook Friend for Asking Me a Question

This issue of my newsletter is an update of sorts about my Location Independent Multipreneuring, which is taking me “slowly” across West Africa.

If not for a new Facebook friend that I’ll simply call D.M, I’ll probably not have gotten round to writing it. She sent me a Facebook message asking:

“So, are you still travelling across Africa?? What are you up to?”

Her enquiry, as I told her, came in as I was contemplating writing an update on my blog about my travels. So I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone…by writing to answer her, and at the same time end up with a new article update to publish under the “My DN Travels” category on my blog.

Yes I Am Still Travelling…Across West Africa…But Slowly…

I’m working to deliberately achieve name recognition and promote my products/services to more members of my target audience, in West Africa, who may not yet be so web friendly.

And they are many – especially business owners (for some strange reason) – who are like that.

My strategy is to use what I call my Public Speaking for Business Marketing System (PSBM)™ – which I conceived/began using in Nigeria back in 2002 – to get their attention and interest at zero cost.

I’m actively creating awareness about what I can do to help groups and organisations. And I’m doing it in a way that, over time, MOVES them to invite me to contact me.

From there, as has happened in the past, some may engage me to do deliver my products and services.

Here are some of the activities I’m focussed on…

1. Zero Cost Book Publishing Information & Education for Writers

For instance, I’m trying to get the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) in Ghana, to bring me in to speak to/coach their members.

This is with respect to using web based Print On Demand Publishing to get their physical books published and delivered to a global paying audience at zero cost.

I’ve been selling physical copies of my own flagship Self-Development manual, using web based zero cost Print On Demand publishing, since 2005 – when I met with the PAWA president during a 2 week stay in Accra.

He’d been quite excited by the idea of not needing to pay hefty fees to traditional publishers to get books in print, for sale locally or abroad.

But he wanted me to send a physical copy of my book which I’d shown him online. A few months later, I sent a copy through a friend that I stayed with in Accra, who worked with a bank.

I never heard back from him, but I mentally resolved that I’d follow up at the right time. I believe that time is now here.

See my self development bible which is physically shipped worldwide on sale www.lulu.com/sdaproducts.

2 months ago (December 2013), I also got paid for writing a 4,000 word agribusiness research paper for an international organisation. Apart from visiting Nigeria to conduct a questionnaire survey, I only had to sit down and write based on what I knew!

A few days ago, I got email notification that my 500 word short story titled “The Deadly High School Students Street Fight” did NOT get selected for phase 2 of an international competition I entered it for.

I sent in my submission from the competition website on the night of the very last day for entries – 31st December 2013 (while others were watching movies).

Many such online (free-to-enter) writing contests exist. A Google search will yield useful links to follow.

I argue that any writer, who feels s/he is good, and lacks “funds”, can start by entering for such contests.

There are cash prizes (up to $3,000 USD) to be won by finalists. If/when you win, you can channel such earnings to boost your writing career.

Why not? It’s better than sitting at home moaning about how no publisher will give you a chance!!

Many writers across Africa don’t know it’s possible. Even today. Yet most complain of “lack of money” to get their book ideas published/sold, or to support their writing dreams.

I aim to help them out through their organisations.

2. Farm CEOs Benefit From Connecting With Me Too!

I also use variants of the above approach to promote other solutions I offer to farm business owners (e.g. my popular Feed Formulation Handbook and Ration Formulator Software).

To get my foot in the door, I aim to visit and become familiar with the different cultures in each country. [NB: I’ve visited some in the past (e.g. Ghana and Cameroon), and I’ll be exploiting contacts made back then to achieve my goals.]

Then based on unique insights I gain from my interactions and observations, I use my writing to offer them new ideas, information and education.

Lots of real life story telling about experiences I had in places like Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, and here in Benin Republic, is done, to “sell myself” as credible and authentic, AND therefore worthy of trust.

Over time, this and other approaches, make business owners and organisational decision makers discover me, and they often go on to connect with me.

It IS a slow process. But it works. And it Has a Very Long Lasting Marketing Reach and Impact

For instance since starting my travels on 1st April 2013, by coming to Benin Republic, I’ve had many more prospects readily make enquiries (and sometimes purchases) of my Ration Formulator software from in and out of Africa. E.g. Tanzania, Cameroon, S/Africa, Kenya, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Canada, USA.

It’s been amazing to see how writing about what I do DAILY, on my blog, with periodic reference to my travel experiences is making more people connect with me.

I’ve had buyers from all over Nigeria (east, west, north and south).

Just yesterday I fulfilled another N12,500 order for my feed formulation software.

The buyer called my Nigeria mobile line just as I boarded a bus headed to the Benin Republic border, from Lagos (where I’d gone to attend my Dad’s 80th birthday anniversary celebration).

The best part is however that I now get email and phone requests from Nigerians in Diaspora

They often request my advice (often making it clear they’re ready to pay or offer “ownership”) on market opportunities in Nigeria/West Africa, for business ideas they’re considering investing in e.g. fish farming, milk importation etc.

A few days ago, I made a recommendation to one such group that contacted me via Facebook. If they adopt it, and choose to have me implement it, I may be going across W/African markets to conduct a survey of imported milk products, towards writing a feasibility study for the decision makers to consider.

3. Farm Products Based Micro Scale Business Development Coaching

Then locally here in Benin, I’ve developed a pineapple peel based drink and cakes range, which has gotten me noticed at the Nigerian embassy here in Cotonou.

For instance, see www.tayosolagbade.com – where my on-demand talk about using peels from pineapples (and 9 other fruits) to make drinks that can be sold.

The subject interests people here, because pineapple is a national product, sold and consumed everywhere – daily. The tonnes of peels/rinds get thrown away.

What I have done proves it can be recycled. That has significant income generation and job creation potentials/implications.

I aim to get support to travel the region giving my flagship talk and training to interested groups.

A Beninese professor was at the Nigerian embassy, when I showed the bottled drinks to a top officer back in September.

He insisted on driving me to his home (hours away) in Kasato, outside Cotonou, to meet his entire family.

After I gave a brief overview of how I began making drinks using the peels, he scolded the kids who were students in the university saying: “This man only got here a few months ago, and look what he’s already doing in our country! Why can’t you do the same?”

Later I was treated to a sumptuous meal. And when he dropped me off that night, he told me he would want me to come give talks to his students at the national language centre.

This year, I believe we’ll be able to make something happen in that regard.

The Chamber of Commerce Administrator for a certain Francophone nation here in Cotonou, has been one of my most fervent advocates.

After eating the 50% pineapple peel cakes I took to his office in December (he’d tasted the drinks 2 months before) he told me to send him all my promotional materials in French.

I’ll get around to that soon. I’d proposed going to their country to give talks on the subject.

4. Public Speaking for Business Marketing (PSBM) & Web Marketing Coaching

I’m using 1 to 3 described above, to build up to THIS number activity…

Back in June 2013, I developed (and have since begun selling on CDROM) Part 1 of a Quick & Dirty Guide to English Language for French Speakers…and to French Language for English Speakers. There are 9 other chapters planned.

I’m now convinced that I can offer live “English public/speaking conversation practise sessions” for people at the brew pub I plan to open. Sales of my language guide, and the practice sessions would attract patrons to events I organise in my pub.

Like I said, things (including ideas) just seem to fall in place over time…:-))

My various activities have led a Cameroonian (web marketing) client, who is part-owner of a Private University here, to request that I deliver talks to students in the institution.

Hopefully we’ll be able to agree terms etc.

My key offering, as a I travel, is however a “Talk on How to Use Public Speaking – & Web Marketing Systems – for Zero Cost Business Marketing”.

With the successes I now have under my belt, I’m certain this aspect of my plans will take off in 2014.

Final Words: What You Can Take Away…

That sums up the latest update on where I am in my work/travels, and what the near future looks like ;-))

But here’s something I’d like you to take away from all this…

You see, I did not start out knowing what the future held for me.

Yet I took the step to begin the journey, after realizing I needed to change my “environment” to succeed better.

Then I made sure that I never let a single day pass, without taking firm action to progress my plans.

What I found, over time, was that other things I needed began falling in place. I just had to proceed with faith and persistence.

Some Would Say I lead a Charmed Life. That I was/am lucky.

The truth is however that I have paid (and continue to PAY) my dues!

If you think doing any of the above the way I do them is easy, think again.

But I LOVE what I do, so it comes easy to me.

Find what YOU love to do, and apply a similar approach to the above – with faith/persistence. You’ll eventually find yourself succeeding, seemingly effortlessly, no matter what anyone says or does!

Get Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring
for Africa Based Experts(PDF…Click!)

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.

He 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).

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.

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

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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).

———————–

Click here to contact Tayo…

SD Nuggets Blog™	New posts from last week that may interest you! *
Public Speaking[Monday]:	No. 127: Master FEAR, and You’ll Achieve Mastery In Any Field
General[Tuesday]:	Happy 80th Birthday to our SUPER DAD!
Self-Development [Wednesday]:	Proof That Poverty Cannot Make People Steal…If They Don’t Want To (A True Story)
Career Development [Thursday]:	Do We Really Become More Prone to “Forgetting” As We Grow Older?
Parenting [Friday]:	Why Your Child May Need a Liberal Arts Education to Succeed
General[Saturday]:	You Can Agree to Disagree and Still LOVE (Tribute to my father at 80!)
Writing/Blogging [Sunday]:	The Deadly High School Students Street Fight (A True Short Story I Submitted to the 2013 GKBCinc Short Story Competition) Achieve Writing Success by Reading More Frequently and Deliberately
Want me to write for you? Click here…

Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring

for Africa Based Experts(PDF…Click!)

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

You Can Agree to Disagree and Still LOVE (Tribute to my father at 80!)

February 8, 2014 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

Photo: My father – Ezekiel Oluwajimi (E.O) Solagbade – cuts his 80th birthday anniversary cake on Tuesday 4th Feb. 2014, with my mom (his wife for 43 years now). Dad is a Civil and Structural Engineer by profession. I absolutely LOVED the cake, because it was beautifully decorated to depict technical drawing tools he uses!

A little history: Before starting his consulting outfit, Dad supervised the construction of some major roads across the country, while with the Ministry of Works – in the 60’s. This meant he had to travel a lot – with my mother.

It was during one of those periods “on the road” that I was born, on 6th July 1970 in a place called New Bussa.

New Bussa used to be in Kwara State, but following the redefinition of state boundaries some years ago, it now falls into Niger State.

(NB: I still have my ORIGINAL birth certificate issued back then. The paper is all brown now, but still very legible.)

Deciding to Visit my “Place of Birth” During my NYSC Service Year (1992/93)

As a student, I’d always filled “New Bussa” in forms while trying to imagine what the place looked like. So, when the time came to go for my one year of mandatory service as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), I wrote a letter requesting the NYSC directorate to send me to Niger state.

This was in 1992/93 (I’d completed my degree course at the University of Ibadan, in Oyo state, in 1992)

They were glad to approve my request since the scheme had always been intended to promote regional integration. Here was this Tayo Solagbade, Yoruba guy, asking to be posted to Niger state in the middle belt area of the country.

It was perfect…for them…and for me (or so I thought…LOL).

So I Got Deployed to Spend My Service Year in Niger State…In a REAL VILLAGE!

But my place of primary assignment, much as I’d hoped it would be, was NOT New Bussa.

Instead it was a remote Vatsa village (Yes, “THE late”General Vatsa’s village), on the outskirts of the state.

At the time, they were NOT connected to the National Grid!

For a guy raised in the city, this would turn out to be a perfect introduction to REAL village life…and I fell in LOVE with it!

Newspapers typically arrived 3 days late. Yep. And they didn’t always come…LOL!.

Plus, if you were still there by 5 to 6p.m, you would most likely NOT find any commercial transportation to leave…till the next day!

Sitting Out The June 12 Presidential Election Riots

You may recall the June 12 crisis happened during that service year(?)

Well, 4 fellow NYSC members and I were stuck in that village all through that crisis period!

We only heard the little news that filtered in about the elections and the riots that followed.

Then, we began to see lorries carrying the belongings of Igbos who were fleeing from their Northern bases back to their homes in the East.

The Niger State NYSC director would later come around to visit us.

I recall him telling us we were safer where we were(in the village), than we would be if we tried making it back to our various homes in the south.

Well, back then, it turned out he was right.

None of us got harrassed or disturbed by anyone.

We lived amongst the people – who were mostly farm-loving Gwaris.

I made many great friends amongs them – teachers, and students alike. We made friends with Mohammed Vatsa…the late general’s son.

He was the ONLY person (if I recall correctly) who owned a generator (albeit small – the “I pass my neighbour” type) in the entire village at the time. So we used to spend time with him watching films…poor Corpers we were…LOL!

Demonstration of REAL LOVE from a father!

However, I tell this story to paint a picture of what life was like back then, for youth corpers.

Danger was certainly not something that bothered us.

Unlike today when serving outside your region can pose real dangers – for you…sadly.

During that June 12 crisis, my father kept sending messages through a cousin of ours who owned/ran his business in Abuja (Gwagwalada was just about one hour’s drive from the village).

His Experience of the Kano riots in his younger days, made him believe I was in danger. So he kept sending messages, refusing to accept my replies that I was safe and well, until I agreed to move into my cousin’s house in Abuja.

I stayed there for about 2 weeks.

My Dad scolded me when he finally got to speak with me on the phone.

He said “Look anything can happen. You need to take precautions and protect yourself from danger.”

We all (i.e. my siblings and I) enjoyed such protective gestures from him (and my mother).

Nothing compares to it!

Final Words: We (i.e. Dad and I) Do NOT, of Course, Get Along All The Time…

That’s a fact of life.

No two people ever do.

We’ll always have our differences!

Indeed there was a time when Dad and I argued – sometimes quarrelled(!)- quite a bit 😉

But even those interactions have made me better as a person.

I’ve learnt to appreciate that people will periodically hold divergent, uncompromising views from mine…and to be OKAY with it.

The truth is we CAN always agree to disagree!

Here’s wishing my SUPER DAD, many more prosperous years filled with joy, good health, happiness, and MORE grandchildren!!!!

PS: In next Friday’s post on parenting, I’ll share a story about how he found out I was secretly keeping a baby turtle in our home – and gave me a thorough thrashing…LOL!

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

Happy 80th Birthday to our SUPER DAD!

February 4, 2014 Tayo Solagbade 1 Comment

By the time you read this, I’ll be in Lagos with my siblings and the rest of the “Luwaji Solagbade family” to join in celebrating with my father, on his 80th birthday anniversary, at the University of Lagos. [Update (12th Feb 2014): Dad’s 80th anniversary celebration went perfectly! Click here to read about/view photos :-))]

Wow….80 years. We’ve come a long way as a family.

I’m going to share a story in my next post about how he found out I was secretly keeping a tortoise in our home – and gave me a thorough thrashing…LOL!

PS: By the way…I’m typing this post at 3.32p.m from here in Cotonou, to auto-schedule it to appear 12 noon tomorrow(that’s TODAY…for YOU, reading it now). You can therefore imagine just how much work I’ll have to do to make up to my siblings/family for arriving soooo late. Pictures will follow….

Happy 80th Birthday to our Super Dad!

One more thing: Big thanks go to www.mydelightfuldesigns.com for the Super Hero designs I customized above for use with Baba’s photo…LOL!

Farm Biz, My DN Travel News

Potentially Useful Books, Website URLs, Software and Ebooks on Broiler Farming and Feed Formulation for Poultry Farmers

January 29, 2014 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

It happened about 2 hours after I sent out issue 126 of my Weekly Public Speaking Ideas newsletter on Monday. The title was “True Story – Public Speaking on the Road(Why You Must Always Be Prepared!)“. I got a call from a gentleman based in Portharcourt, Nigeria, who excitedly told me he’d been (as he put it) “enjoying” my emails for over a year.

He then said “after reading your newsletter today, I decided I had to speak with you and find out how I can get some of your farm business products.“

Monday (that’s his first name) said he found my approach to farm business communication quite appropriate for Nigeria’s mostly smallholder farming population.

Then he asked “So how do we get started? I’m thinking of starting with Poultry.”

I promised to get back to him, as I had to get down to the bank to get some cash.

At the bank, I discovered a long queue, and slow connection problem. So I sent him an SMS asking for his email address, so I could send him links to some web pages from my Blackberry in the meantime.

He promptly responded, and I sent the email. By this time, it was well past 6p.m, so I decdied to call him the next morning.

At 11a.m the next day, we spoke for about 10 minutes during which time I asked him key questions to ascertain what his needs were. Using what I learnt, I promised to send him an email with recommendations on purchases he could make from me, and other resources he could get elsewhere.

The next day (Tuesday i.e. yesterday p.m) I sent him the promised email, with a 3 page PDF attached.

Below: Screenshot of The First Page of the PDF I Sent to Him (Followed By 2 Pages of Compiled Information)

After sending the email, I dispatched a bulk SMS message to his mobile alerting him that I’d sent it, and briefly stating the email’s highlights…

Hi Monday,

I’ve just emailed you the promised document with information and my recommendations based on answers you gave to the key questions I asked to ascertain your exact needs and interests.

2 highlights:

a. I advised that you find and purchase a copy of “Poultry Production in Warm Wet Climates (Paperback)” by Prof. J.A Oluyemi. I’ve owned a copy since 1989. It’s a classic.

b. I supplied the download link to a PDF “Broiler Management Guide” PDF published online, that you can download and study.

See your email for more…

With kindest regards,

Tayo K. Solagbade

===End of Bulk SMS message====

Below: A Web Version of Potentially Useful Resources I Compiled for Him on the PDF

1. Book: Poultry Production in Warm Wet Climates (Paperback)

I’ve owned a copy of this book since my days in the University of Ibadan, as a student of Agricultural Extension Services. I graduated in 1992. Over 20 years later, that SAME copy of the book remains with me.

A little worn on the outside, I’ve held the covers together with cello tape, but the insides remain well preserved. That should tell you just how much value I place on its contents.

Take it from me, NO OTHER publication I have come across since buying this one, comes close to offering the same quality of information and education.

I assure you it contains probably the most practically and theoretically ready-to-use information you need as a poultry farmer – and it covers all major classes of poultry – layers, broilers etc.

www.walahi.com below offers to deliver the book to the buyer’s doorstep.

http://walahi.com/product_info.php?products_id=1016&3dCsid=rklnpvsh

WARNING: I have no experience of buying from them, so I cannot confirm that they deliver on their promise. In other words, do NOT take my listing of the website here as an endorsement of its services. It is NOT! Do the necessary due diligence in relating to them and transacting with them.

ANOTHER WEBSITE OFFERS ACCESS TO THE BOOK:

http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/19811410413.html;jsessionid=434EB05B5F8A00B7C3FA84CFE3C87827

In Nigeria, you may find it useful contacting the library in the University of Ibadan bookshop to see if they have physical copies you can pick up. I’d also suggest checking with the University of Agriculture Abeokuta – at least the name suggests it would be a good place to find such useful publications – possibly in their library.

Just a thought. Good luck!

2. Website: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/

The name is self-explanatory. This website is a gold mine of information. Any Poultry Farm owner will find it a valuable resource. Be sure to register to join their mailing list so you can receive new content updates. But also bookmark the website itself, so you can pay repeat visits to explore the massive library of content it offers.

The only concern I have is that a lot of the information offered is not necessarily directly applicable to the situations prevailing in the tropical climate/region, in which African farm owners have to operate.

That concern was what led the authors of the book mentioned in 1. above, to author it. Managing livestock under different climatic conditions often requires application of different systems/practices. The realities faced by farm owners can often be very unique – with respect to feeding etc.

Keep the above in mind as you read the contents of this site and others like it.

Sections on the website, that owners of Broiler Farms may find of immediate interest:

a. Broilers – The Poultry Site

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/categories/13/broilers

b. Harvest Broilers Without Catching

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/poultrynews/30156/harvest-broilers-without-catching (copy and paste link into your browser…do NOT click: link is broken!)

c. Breeding Broilers for a Sustainable Future – The Poultry Site

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/poultrynews/31141/breeding-broilers-for-a-sustainable-future (copy and paste link into your browser…do NOT click: link is broken!)

d. Broilers Articles from ThePoultrySite

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/cat13/broilers

3. Products/Services on Feed Formulation

During my conversation with you today, you expressed interest in learning about:

(a) Practical feed formulation for poultry

*Products/Services You Can Order Now…

i. Feed Formulation Handbook (PDF) – N8,000.00

ii. Excel-VB Driven Ration Formulator spreadsheet software (N12,500.00)

iii. Practical Feed Formulation Training (N35,000).

Some Farm CEOs travel to meet me in Lagos for 4 hour training on Practical Feed Formulation.

Such persons get a physical copy of my Feed Formulation Handbook FREE (i.e. they do NOT pay N8,000.00 for the handbook. It comes FREE).

They also get – on a CDROM – the PDF copy of the handbook, and also a PDF version of my Annotated Pictorial Introduction to Feed Ingredients report.

A Purchase Entitles You to 40% Lifetime Discount on Future Purchases

See the email I sent you yesterday for more on this

Joining my Farm Business Ideas club (by paying making an N8,000 or more purchase), gets you a lifetime 40% discount on ALL my products and services.

(b) broiler production and marketing: You also told me you wanted information on broiler production. See the PDF(Hubbard – Broiler Management Guide.pdf) attached to this email.

You’ll find some of the information in it useful.

Note however that it’s based on broiler production in the temperate climate.

That’s why the book “Poultry Production in Warm Wet Climate” by Prof. Oluyemi is one I strongly recommend you focus on acquiring and studying.

(c) Preparing Farm Records/Accounts

You can purchase the less expensive mini version of my Poultry Farm Manager Software. I’ve almost finished testing it – following requests from Farm CEOs from Cameroon, South Africa, USA, Canada, Nigeria etc. Price is N25,000.00.

See video of original Poultry Farm Manager at:

http://spontaneousdevelopment.com/pfmgr.html

(d) Ideas for recycling poultry waste to reduce effort, time and money expended in disposing it:

We’ll discuss later on when you’ve joined the club.

That’s it Monday.

I hope the information supplied comes of some use to you.

If you wish to take this further by making the recommended purchases, get in touch with me.

Tayo

Final Words: Serving Farm Business Owners is Something I absolutely LOVE doing!

I believe todays farmers needs best practice support to run their operations more productively and profitabley. One key ingredient for makign that happen will be smart Extension Services provided via intelligent use of PC and Internet technology.

This is why I use the web the way I do.

But it would be a mistake to assume I’m not familiar with what happens offline, because I use the web so much!

Farm CEOs who interact with me often discover I’m very much in touch with what’s happening in the industry offline…especially on real life farms. Apart from keeping in regular contact with farm CEOs, I also do my own share of research on ideas for improving farm practices and operatrions.

In the process I discover areas where gaps exist, and sometimes I’m able to develop solutions to fill those gaps. Examples are the items available today on my website e.g my Feed Formulation Handbook, the Ration Formulator software(that accompanies the handbook), my Pictorial Introduction to Feed Ingredients (that every handbook buyer gets free), my new Poultry Farm Manager software etc.

When a Farm Business Owner or enthusiasts contacts me, I feel over joyed.

For me, it’s often an opportunity to help one more person make smarter progress towards achieving his/her dreeam of running a profitable farm business entreprise. And that implies adding to the food generation capacity of the community, and ultimately, the nation.

The idea that I’m a part of such a good thing makes me feel fulfilled.

So, if you’re a farm business enthusiast, and need help or information, do NOT hesitate to contact me.

It would be my pleasure to help – just like I did for Monday above…

And it will NOT matter if you never buy anything from me ;-))

PS: I’m getting serious levels of attention from Farm Business Owners within and outside Africa, using my writing.

It’s been amazing. And yet, I must say that I did not decide to adopt writing as a marketing strategy all on my own.

It was an article written by Burt Dubin that opened my eyes to the wisdom of doing so!

That article is titled “Why and How to Get Published“. And it is one of the main reasons I’ve gotten where I am today in terms of the name recognition and credibility I enjoy as an expert in my field of interest. Every serious minded business owner should read that article and apply the ideas Burt advocates in it. The results you get, will make you very glad you did!

Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, My DN Travel News

Do You Want a Trial Version of my Excel-VB Driven Poultry Farm Manager Software?

January 21, 2014 Tayo Solagbade Leave a comment

I returned to Cotonou from Lagos, this past Saturday (18th January 2014). While holidaying with my family, I’d continued writing and coding 😉 It’s been hard work, but I’m now almost done building the pocket-friendly mini version of my increasingly popular Poultry Farm Manager Application.

In light of the number of broiler farm owners contacting me, I’ve decided to build in an interface for posting broiler farm data separately, from the layers. That way, a farm owner who has either or both groups of birds can make use of the same application.

Like I said it’s been hard work. But I continue to be inspired by the growing number of enquiries I’m getting for this new application. I never expected (even though I sensed people would find it potentially useful), that it would attract this much interest this quickly.

Just this morning, two new enquiries came into my mail box. One was made via the contact form on this blog. It was from the CEO of a farm in Canada.

The other came in via the web form on the page hosting the videos of my Poultry Layer Farm Manager and an explanation of my Best Operating Process Management System (BOPMS) ™ for Profitable Farm Management Mind Map.

This second enquiry (from a US based farm business owner) is what prompted me to write this article:

She specifically asked if I had a trial version of my app that she could try, and also wanted to know how much the app cost in US dollars.

Sadly, I Do Not Offer a Trial Version of My Excel-VB Driven Apps

That was not the first time I was getting that request. And each time I’ve had to say I offer no trial version – for now.

I wish I could oblige people who ask. But the realities make it impossible. At least for now.

The platform of Excel-Visual Basic is not secure enough to allow that. In truth, the averagely savvy Excel user, who knows how to follow instructions freely available on Excel support solutions sites, can find ready-to-use information, even code, to hack into any app.

In other words, someone like me who creates a new breed of customizable apps could easily have others basically hacking into it, and modifying it to suit their own purposes, which would most likely include selling it, without my being aware of it, or getting any benefits whatsoever.

My apologies. But my experiences in my part of the world make it necessary to operate this way..

In dealing with my international audience I’ve chosen to be cautious. I know other people sell their Excel apps and offer trials of some kind. However the type of applications I build are a bit unique – and the market I serve is quite narrow: farm business owners.

So it’s not like I have crowds of prospective buyers from which I can reap volume based profits even after I let a few “pirates” get in the door

Once, while still based in Nigeria, I had a hotel client engage people he assumed to be competent experts, from Lagos’ Ikeja Computer village, to try hacking into the hotel management app I built for him.

He did this to try avoiding paying me the required fees to make changes he wanted.

Unfortunately for him, those he brought in were just typical CD pirates/vendors who take installation CDs/DVDs for different software programs and mass duplicate them for sale.

They did not understand how to deal with an Excel Workbook that had controlling code in a VBA interface.

When it became obvious they could not give him what he wanted, he sent for me. I only got to know the details of what transpired because a “bird” among his staff, whispered it to me after I arrived

But that incident reinforced my belief that I must do my best to protect myself and my work from exploitation. In doing so, I also protect the investment of sincere others who choose to buy from me.

Think about it. If you paid me the required fee (e.g. N12,500 for my Ration Formulator), and later found that your friend simply copied it off your PC and easily made changes to use it for his own farm PC, would you not feel like you wasted your money? You most likely would!

Over the years I’ve developed code, designs, and procedures for my work and my apps, to minimize chances of my apps being exploited in that manner.

I realize, of course, that an intending hacker can come to buy directly from me, pretending to be a farm owner.

Indeed a real life farm owner could choose to buy from me. Then after confirming that it works well, s/he could choose to invest time and effort in hacking it, so as to sell it for profit by him/herself.

In my part of the world I have no doubt that this has crossed the minds of some people. They could even be doing it already. I would not know. And even if I did know, I would not be able to stop them.

But for buyers who stay with me, I plan to reward them with lifetime FREE upgrades and other benefits

Buyers of my Excel-VB Ration formulator will confirm that I’ve always sent them the latest upgrades. I am driven by a continuous improvement focus. In January 2013, I sent out an upgrade version.

Before getting my international agribusiness research paper (which featured my Ration Formulator) published, I’d begun working on a new version.

It will do least cost feed formulation and handle multiple amino acids balancing, to make it suitable for use by farmers who rear pigs, rabbits and other animals with more sensitive amino acid balancing needs. Each past buyer of the Ration Formulator will, again, get this new version free.

Instead of Trial Versions, What I Offer are Video Demonstrations and Very Detailed PDF Screenshot User-guides

Many of the sales of my Excel-VB driven Ration Formulator have happened after the buyer watched the video demonstration on my Youtube channel.

I’m keen to connect with as many farm owners as possible.

They will be my partners, and by using my application and giving me feedback, they will enable me refine the software solutions I create. In that way, I’d be able to get the apps to a point where they would have most, if not all features and functions that make them potentially useful for farms in any part of the world.

By then I would convert the app to an EXE application. This would be the safest way to offer a trial, that hackers would be least successful with.

If you buy my app and want changes or modifications made, we can talk about it.

My apps will work as shown in my demo videos, or I give you your money back. That’s one thing you can be sure of. So if what you’ve seen in the video is what you need, then have no fears…make payment for the real thing and get started using it. If you experience any issues, I WILL ALWAYS be availble to support you, till you get happily up and running :-)).

The fact that many of my past buyers remain on phone and email “speaking” terms with me today, even though we’ve never met, I believe indicates that I deliver what I promise.

I’ve Been Using Video Demos to Sell My Ration Formulator for Years

I began that journey in 2004. Since then many buyers and users within and outside Nigeria/Africa have provided me feedback and also made enquiries, which have helped me improve it.

Soon, I believe I’ll be ready to launch the full fledged EXE app. But the Excel-VB driven version will also remain available.

I’m using the same approach for evolving my Poultry Farm Manager app.

Experience has taught me that the farm owners will help to identify relevant improvements the app needs to make it meet their important needs.

My vision is therefore to have a base of buyers/users that will be part of my Farm Business Ideas club.

By using my app, farmers will accumulate farm operations data from which they will derive various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Eventually, we would be able to produce industry level KPIs, which would enable us compare farm performance across farms and markets internally (within a country, state, region) or externally (across countries or continents).

That way, a farmer will know what the trending industry standard is, compared to what he’s getting on his farm, at a point in time. This will guide him/her to make needed adjustments to get better results.

For those considering my Poultry Farm Manager or any other apps I build, the above is what I promise…

That is, to support you by customizing my apps to meet the needs you specify.

Once you buy one or more of my apps, you automatically become a member of my Farm Business Ideas club. and get a lifetime 40% discount on ALL other products and services I offer.

If you believe above benefits make up for NOT offering a trial version, I look forward to hearing from you.

Contact me, to make your enquiry or request.

Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, My DN Travel News

A Pocket-Friendly Poultry Farm Manager Software for Profit Conscious Farm Business Owners

January 14, 2014 Tayo Solagbade 4 Comments

A growing number of smallholder poultry farmers are impressing me with their drive to achieve best practice improvement in their farm businesses. The increasing rate at which they contact me about purchasing my Excel-VB driven Poultry Farm Management app, is how I know.

That’s Why I Deliberately Bear The Cost of Calling Them on Phone – Both Locally and Internationally!

Yep. That’s what I do. I now make up to 2 calls per week on the average, in response to web based enquiries from farm business owners about that app.

Every time I’ve done it, the Farm CEO has often been taken by surprise.

It never ceases to amaze them, that I can readily make such an expense of effort, time and money, even when I’m not sure any sale will come of it.

Like I’ve told each and every one of them, I do this because I have a vision I want to accomplish.

Smallholder farmers in many countries tend to be limited in terms of resources they can access to really take their businesses to the next level. One key area has always been the dearth of customizable software well suited to the unique needs of the respective farms.

As a result, most have had to improvise using conventional solutions existing in the market.

My vision is to establish trusting relationships with willing smallholder farmers, to equip them to use low cost PC and Internet technology, for running their farm businesses more productively and profitably.

The more they are able to plan for and manage their farm operations in a way that minimises setbacks and delays, the better their fortunes will be.

By proving that I have ability and resources to help them achieve the foregoing, serious minded farm CEOs are likely to regard me as a potentially useful solution provider, to keep around for the long term.

The first step of course, is to get them to give me a chance to show what I can do.

Those who are already members of my Farm Business Ideas Club, have seen that I can truly help them. A good number purchased my Feed Formulation Handbook, and the accompanying Ration Formulation Software.

Most have never met with me in person, yet they have continued as subscribers to my newsletter for over 3 years. Some have become good friends, with whom I share great phone conversations regularly.

But like I said, most of those I have in my network have come based on their interest in finding feed formulation solutions.

Recently, a new group of Farm CEO enquirers has begun to demand my attention

In the past, their enquiries were very few and far between.

This group is interested in my Best Operating Process Management System(BOPMS)™, which advocates use of low cost customizable software applications for proactive farm operations performance monitoring and control.

In several past articles, and also on the Mind Map I created for the BOPMS™, I refer to such applications as Enterprise Information Systems (EIS).

These new group often watch the video presentations I’ve recently put up on my website, and also on Youtube. Then just as I anticipated would happen, the attractive benefits of the featured software solutions and Best Practice System make them submit the web contact form provided on the page.

Up till that point, everything goes according to my projections.

However, when I eventually call them up, I have noticed, consistently – but not surprisingly – that most are not prepared for what I tell them.

Apart from the deliberate profiling I do via question asking, to be sure they are the right fit for my software solution, most are not able to fit the required investment for the app, into their budget.

The Farm Business CEOs that have, so far, reached out to me regarding the Poultry Farm Manager software, include persons from Kenya (2 of them), Cameroon, USA, South Africa etc

By way of interest, one person did get across to me from Iran, but when I called him up, he said “I no speak English. Please send email.”

That was odd, considering he’d filled the web form in English to make his enquiry. Looking back however, I imagine he had a basic understanding of English, and on seeing what the app could do in the video, desired it. Then he probably used translate.google.com to word his enquiry

I should add that due to habit of checking the websites archive of past enquiries, I discovered the same chap from Iran had sent in an enquiry about my Feed Formulation Handbook in 20!0!

All of this goes to further underscore the fact that the web marketing system I use delivers powerful, and lasting/long term benefits.

Tailoring My Poultry Farm Software Solution to Meet the Budget Needs of Small Farmers

Since I really want to help these farmers, I’ve decided to offer them an alternative solution.

Yesterday I told a Cameroonian Farm Business owner who has 1,000 broilers on his farm, that I’ll build a scaled down version of my Poultry Farm Manager, for persons with limited budgets/needs.

He expressed great relief on hearing that.

I promised I would get back to him in one week. But he’s not the only one I’ll be offering this Mini-Poultry Farm Manager to.

All the other smallholder farmers who’ve reached out to me will get an special offer to buy this lower priced, less sophisticated version of my app.

Are a Profit-Conscious Poultry Farm Business Owner?

Do you desire a pocket-friendly priced and ready-to-use app to help you better manage your farm operations, proactively and profitably?

If yes, I urge you to fill/submit the form on this page.

Do so now, to get yourself served my special offer, once the mini version of my Excel-VB Driven Poultry Farm Manager Software is ready.

Believe me, you’ll be glad you did!

1. Cassava Peels:

Cattle, sheep and goats also respond well to feeing with cassava roots (cooked or raw). But not as well as pigs.

2. Gari (Cassava Flour):

A study by V.A. Oyenuga found that up to 40% inclusion of raw cassava, in the diet of young pigs produces better results, than when conventional grains based carbohydrate sources are used.

3. Cassava Based Factory Wastes:

A Potential Danger to Watch Out For

For instance, its juice contains a cynanogenetic glycoside, called Linamarin which when acted upon by an enzyme called Linase, breaks down into – poisonous – Hydrocyanic acid (i.e. HCN – a cyanide).

Final Words

Further Reading

A popular saying goes thus: “If you do not record it you cannot measure it. And if you do not measure it, you cannot control it.”

Your Farm NEEDS Diligently Kept Records/Accounts

Without detailed and accurate records, farm business planning and management effectively becomes a game of guestimations!

What Exactly Can Farmers Do With Farm Records/Accounts?

The following are specific BENEFICIAL uses farmers will readily find for diligently kept farm records and accounts:

2. Farm Performance Evaluation:

3. Daily Farm Decision Making:

4. Securing Credit/Loan Support:

5. Taxation & Insurance Purposes:

Summary

Final Words: Do you own – or plan to own – a farm business?

Visit http://www.excelheaven.tayosolagbade.com to learn more about my custom Excel-VB driven software development service.

==Email Starts==

What I’ve learnt over the past 20 years is that when it comes to feed formulation, it’s best to stick with the basics.

The question is: Do you know the specifics of their nutrient requirements? Especially their protein, minerals and energy needs?

On a final note, I’m currently working on an improved version of my app, which aims to allow elaborate amino acid balancing.

PS: Given the kinds of animals you mentionend you rear, I feel the linked article below will prove informative/educational for you:

I’m Not Into The Business of Selling At All Cost!

Final Words: The Power of a Web Marketing System

A few referred to the use of Visual Basic 6 COM tools. But that’s too much hard work…or manual labour.

Last Friday, a prospective buyer of the Ration Formulator who’d called me on phone, sent an email asking:

24 hours later, I sent him the latest (2013) upgrade version of the app.

Here’s the reply I sent to him(with the above screenshot image of the new EXE version of the Ration Formulator):

Your (or Your Company’s) Important MS Excel Workbooks Can Be Converted to Secure, & Even Income Generating EXE Versions!

And that’s why it makes great sense for such individuals/businesses to protect them as EXE files!

After a face to face meeting in Ikeja, he eventually invited me to their Freeman house office on Lagos Island, for a meeting with the head of the finance section, and his assistant.

The point I’m however making is that if they had in-house Excel-VB programming expertise, they would have been better off.

If you’re a financial consultant, tax expert, or a professional who builds complex workbooks (E.g. quantity surveyor) for your work, this should interest you.

Have You Downloaded Your Gifts?

No. 128: Using Location Independent Multipreneuring to Achieve Public Speaking Success

Thanks to a New Facebook Friend for Asking Me a Question

Yes I Am Still Travelling…Across West Africa…But Slowly…

1. Zero Cost Book Publishing Information & Education for Writers

I’ve been selling physical copies of my own flagship Self-Development manual, using web based zero cost Print On Demand publishing, since 2005 – when I met with the PAWA president during a 2 week stay in Accra.

I never heard back from him, but I mentally resolved that I’d follow up at the right time. I believe that time is now here.

A few days ago, I got email notification that my 500 word short story titled “The Deadly High School Students Street Fight” did NOT get selected for phase 2 of an international competition I entered it for.

Why not? It’s better than sitting at home moaning about how no publisher will give you a chance!!

2. Farm CEOs Benefit From Connecting With Me Too!

It IS a slow process. But it works. And it Has a Very Long Lasting Marketing Reach and Impact

I’ve had buyers from all over Nigeria (east, west, north and south).

The best part is however that I now get email and phone requests from Nigerians in Diaspora

3. Farm Products Based Micro Scale Business Development Coaching

A Beninese professor was at the Nigerian embassy, when I showed the bottled drinks to a top officer back in September.

The Chamber of Commerce Administrator for a certain Francophone nation here in Cotonou, has been one of my most fervent advocates.

4. Public Speaking for Business Marketing (PSBM) & Web Marketing Coaching

My key offering, as a I travel, is however a “Talk on How to Use Public Speaking – & Web Marketing Systems – for Zero Cost Business Marketing”.

Final Words: What You Can Take Away…

Some Would Say I lead a Charmed Life. That I was/am lucky.

Further Reading:

Get Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring for Africa Based Experts(PDF…Click!)

Useful Resources for Speakers

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

Publications

THEY WROTE…

It was during one of those periods “on the road” that I was born, on 6th July 1970 in a place called New Bussa.

Deciding to Visit my “Place of Birth” During my NYSC Service Year (1992/93)

So I Got Deployed to Spend My Service Year in Niger State…In a REAL VILLAGE!

At the time, they were NOT connected to the National Grid!

Sitting Out The June 12 Presidential Election Riots

Then, we began to see lorries carrying the belongings of Igbos who were fleeing from their Northern bases back to their homes in the East.

Demonstration of REAL LOVE from a father!

Final Words: We (i.e. Dad and I) Do NOT, of Course, Get Along All The Time…

Here’s wishing my SUPER DAD, many more prosperous years filled with joy, good health, happiness, and MORE grandchildren!!!!

He then said “after reading your newsletter today, I decided I had to speak with you and find out how I can get some of your farm business products.“

I promised to get back to him, as I had to get down to the bank to get some cash.

Below: Screenshot of The First Page of the PDF I Sent to Him (Followed By 2 Pages of Compiled Information)

After sending the email, I dispatched a bulk SMS message to his mobile alerting him that I’d sent it, and briefly stating the email’s highlights…

Below: A Web Version of Potentially Useful Resources I Compiled for Him on the PDF

Sections on the website, that owners of Broiler Farms may find of immediate interest:

A Purchase Entitles You to 40% Lifetime Discount on Future Purchases

Final Words: Serving Farm Business Owners is Something I absolutely LOVE doing!

Get Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring
for Africa Based Experts(PDF…Click!)