I don’t know….say I ‘ll find out
No….say what I can do is
That’s not my job…say this is who can help you.
You are right-this stinks…say I understand your frustration
That’s not my fault say what can we do about this.
You need to talk to my manager..say I can help you
You want it by when…say I’ll try my best
Calm down..say I’m sorry
I’m busy right now…say I will be with you in a moment
Call me back…say I will call you back
Friday, December 22, 2006
Ten good customer services habits to develop in 2007
Be on time
Follow up on your promise
Under-promise and over-deliver
Go the extra mile
Offer your customer options
Express empathy
Treat your customer as the most important part of your job
Treat your co-workers as customers
Give the customer your name and the telephone number
Smile and use inflection on the telephone
Follow up on your promise
Under-promise and over-deliver
Go the extra mile
Offer your customer options
Express empathy
Treat your customer as the most important part of your job
Treat your co-workers as customers
Give the customer your name and the telephone number
Smile and use inflection on the telephone
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Dead lion or living Dog........Health is truely wealth
the last 8 days of my life will linger in my mind for a long time.
i was between life and death. my favourite tune became jim revves "across the brigde their is no mo sorrow"
i crossed the bridge several times. somehow i was not allowed a permanent resident permit at the other side. perharps a few friends will havve shed crocodile tears for my sake. my few assets will have been given out to charity.
today am not perfectly healthy yet. but at least am a lot better. i spent a fortune getting treatment. injections became a daily routine. then sympathisers never stoped coming to visit.
thank God am better now.
their is hope to him that is joined to the living....a live dog is better than a dead lion...ecc 9 vs 4
i was between life and death. my favourite tune became jim revves "across the brigde their is no mo sorrow"
i crossed the bridge several times. somehow i was not allowed a permanent resident permit at the other side. perharps a few friends will havve shed crocodile tears for my sake. my few assets will have been given out to charity.
today am not perfectly healthy yet. but at least am a lot better. i spent a fortune getting treatment. injections became a daily routine. then sympathisers never stoped coming to visit.
thank God am better now.
their is hope to him that is joined to the living....a live dog is better than a dead lion...ecc 9 vs 4
Friday, December 08, 2006
6 steps for handling difficult customers
1 let the customer vent their feelings. Don’t tell them to calm down-this will make things worse. Hold your tongue and do not take what they are saying personal.
2 don’t get trapped in your negative filter about a customer. Instead focus asking yourself the questions, ‘what does this person need and how can I provide it”.
3 express empathy for the customer’s situation by using empathic phrases and apologizing.
4 work to actively solve the problem. Gather the information you need by using question technique and the bridging technique.
5 double-check all the facts with the mirroring technique
6 come to a mutual agreement on the solution with the customer. Remember to under promise and over deliver.
Karen Leland & Keith Bailey
2 don’t get trapped in your negative filter about a customer. Instead focus asking yourself the questions, ‘what does this person need and how can I provide it”.
3 express empathy for the customer’s situation by using empathic phrases and apologizing.
4 work to actively solve the problem. Gather the information you need by using question technique and the bridging technique.
5 double-check all the facts with the mirroring technique
6 come to a mutual agreement on the solution with the customer. Remember to under promise and over deliver.
Karen Leland & Keith Bailey
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Challenges of the Intraprenuer
People generally know the qualities of a future leader. While other employees are not taking actions that can make them outstanding and stand them out in the future they tend to resent the intraprenuer who is taking it. As a result they may not give enough support, encouragement or helping hand to the intraprenuer.
Intraprenuers, probably have to fight against ingrained, inbred, and inept management. That is management resistance. This is probably true in some organizations but it's a matter of an organization’s culture.
Another challenge is getting commitment to non-budgeted spending. The nature of large organizations is that spending is tightly monitored. This challenge may be more rampant than the cultural problem of management resistance, being a rational response to the need to avoid fraud and irresponsible spending.
Intraprenuers, probably have to fight against ingrained, inbred, and inept management. That is management resistance. This is probably true in some organizations but it's a matter of an organization’s culture.
Another challenge is getting commitment to non-budgeted spending. The nature of large organizations is that spending is tightly monitored. This challenge may be more rampant than the cultural problem of management resistance, being a rational response to the need to avoid fraud and irresponsible spending.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
characteristics of the intraprenuer final
The number of people who get fired or eased out because they’re not liked by others is enormous. Having a human touch - sensitivity and communication skills – can be the difference between the good Intraprenuers and the great ones. They know that people have untapped reserves of performance and find ways to unlock it for the benefit of the organisation. Intraprenuers choose their association memberships and functions carefully so that they only participate in those likely to be a source of business. That makes them think creative and allows them to think out of the box in addressing issues within the organizations on their client’s behalf.
Intraprenuers always view things from the long run perspective. The long-range view over short-term expediency wins every time, particularly when it comes to searching for the ideal candidate for a high-profile position. This is one area where the intraprenuers takes the led. Taking the decision to do the right thing, rather than the expedient thing, may create some short-term pain – but ultimately the company will reap the financial and emotive long-term rewards of its good business methods
Successful intraprenuers have a sense of urgency about working their plan because they know that if they fall too far behind it will be very difficult to catch up. They stay late when they have to and ask to leave early when they are caught up. Their sense of urgency is focused and directed not just a sense of urgency about activity, any activity. In intrapreneurship: The best decision is the perfect decision and you may never have sufficient information or time to to take it. The next best decision is close enough and you can always adjust course as you go And the worst decision of all is to continue to study, or form a committee which so often translates to the "safe no” and therefore doing nothing. Do you think like an intraprenuer?
Intraprenuers always view things from the long run perspective. The long-range view over short-term expediency wins every time, particularly when it comes to searching for the ideal candidate for a high-profile position. This is one area where the intraprenuers takes the led. Taking the decision to do the right thing, rather than the expedient thing, may create some short-term pain – but ultimately the company will reap the financial and emotive long-term rewards of its good business methods
Successful intraprenuers have a sense of urgency about working their plan because they know that if they fall too far behind it will be very difficult to catch up. They stay late when they have to and ask to leave early when they are caught up. Their sense of urgency is focused and directed not just a sense of urgency about activity, any activity. In intrapreneurship: The best decision is the perfect decision and you may never have sufficient information or time to to take it. The next best decision is close enough and you can always adjust course as you go And the worst decision of all is to continue to study, or form a committee which so often translates to the "safe no” and therefore doing nothing. Do you think like an intraprenuer?
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
charactersistics of an intraprenuer Three
The spirit of entrepreneurship within an existing organization.
Intrapreneur is a person who focuses on innovation and creativity and who transforms a dream or an idea into a profitable venture, by operating within the organizational environment. Thus, Intrapreneurs are Inside entrepreneurs….
The intraprenuer knows that integrity and trust is the key to winning business. Integrity has a high value in the corporate world and genuine trust is priceless Trust is an important aspect of developing good business relationships. Building personal as well as work relationships with business colleagues can be a sure-fire way to win and retain business. Integrity and Trust Deliver Results
.
The number of people who get fired or eased out because they’re not liked by others is enormous. Having a human touch - sensitivity and communication skills – can be the difference between the good Intraprenuers and the great ones. They know that people have untapped reserves of performance and find ways to unlock it for the benefit of the organisation. Intraprenuers choose their association memberships and functions carefully so that they only participate in those likely to be a source of business. That makes them think creative and allows them to think out of the box in addressing issues within the organizations on their client’s behalf.
Intraprenuers always view things from the long run perspective. The long-range view over short-term expediency wins every time, particularly when it comes to searching for the ideal candidate for a high-profile position. This is one area where the intraprenuers takes the led. Taking the decision to do the right thing, rather than the expedient thing, may create some short-term pain – but ultimately the company will reap the financial and emotive long-term rewards of its good business methods
Intrapreneur is a person who focuses on innovation and creativity and who transforms a dream or an idea into a profitable venture, by operating within the organizational environment. Thus, Intrapreneurs are Inside entrepreneurs….
The intraprenuer knows that integrity and trust is the key to winning business. Integrity has a high value in the corporate world and genuine trust is priceless Trust is an important aspect of developing good business relationships. Building personal as well as work relationships with business colleagues can be a sure-fire way to win and retain business. Integrity and Trust Deliver Results
.
The number of people who get fired or eased out because they’re not liked by others is enormous. Having a human touch - sensitivity and communication skills – can be the difference between the good Intraprenuers and the great ones. They know that people have untapped reserves of performance and find ways to unlock it for the benefit of the organisation. Intraprenuers choose their association memberships and functions carefully so that they only participate in those likely to be a source of business. That makes them think creative and allows them to think out of the box in addressing issues within the organizations on their client’s behalf.
Intraprenuers always view things from the long run perspective. The long-range view over short-term expediency wins every time, particularly when it comes to searching for the ideal candidate for a high-profile position. This is one area where the intraprenuers takes the led. Taking the decision to do the right thing, rather than the expedient thing, may create some short-term pain – but ultimately the company will reap the financial and emotive long-term rewards of its good business methods
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Intraprenuers have mentors. Do ?
What mentors do 5 things
Build Confidence
Are a resource
Develop knowledge and skills
Challenge and question
Are a role model
5 qualities of a mentor
Effective communication skills
experienced
Knowledgeable
Approachable
enthusiastic
Build Confidence
Are a resource
Develop knowledge and skills
Challenge and question
Are a role model
5 qualities of a mentor
Effective communication skills
experienced
Knowledgeable
Approachable
enthusiastic
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Characteristics of an intraprenuer Two
Intraprenuers are anti-hierarchical, creative people who are obsessed with the organizations business. They are also a fountain of ideas, but often need others to help make them happen. They are aware that life is not black and white, so they don’t get bogged down in endless analysis of data to reach a factually considered conclusion –they follow their instincts because often they are absolutely right. They know they are responsibility to set the right tone whatever position they occupy, to live the values the company espouses, and to really lead by example. They don’t just talk, they take action.. Instincts Te Self-Reliant Leader
Intraprenuers listens because they know it is a vital skill in the business world; it enables them to understand what another person is really thinking and wanting so they don't monopolize conversations by doing all the talking by them self.
Intraprenuers exhumes confidence. They are aware that there is a link between their action and that of other employees. They know that if a person appears to lack confidence, other people can wrongly assume they are lacking in competence too. Therefore it is important to project confidence at all times
Intraprenuers listens because they know it is a vital skill in the business world; it enables them to understand what another person is really thinking and wanting so they don't monopolize conversations by doing all the talking by them self.
Intraprenuers exhumes confidence. They are aware that there is a link between their action and that of other employees. They know that if a person appears to lack confidence, other people can wrongly assume they are lacking in competence too. Therefore it is important to project confidence at all times
Monday, November 27, 2006
Characteristics of an intraprenuer 1
Intraprenuers get noticed and become a sought after resource by their superiors. More duties are entrusted into their care. They get to solve more problems and as a result attract higher remuneration and get rapid promotion. Intraprenuers create value where value didn’t exist before at some risk; intraprenuerial thinking creates value with less risk. They think out of the box and are visionary.
They always seek continuous improvement of processes in their work environment. They are aware that there is more than one right way to achieving an objective. They possess strong interdisciplinary awareness and abilities in other words they are cross-functional.
They always find a way to meet the needs of the customer/client i.e. they are customer focused. Intraprenuers are willing to take personal risk. They put themselves on the line. They are creative and innovative with solving problems. Intraprenuers are in search of the opportunity for growth rather than stability. They know that if you’re willing to hustle, great gains await you.
They always seek continuous improvement of processes in their work environment. They are aware that there is more than one right way to achieving an objective. They possess strong interdisciplinary awareness and abilities in other words they are cross-functional.
They always find a way to meet the needs of the customer/client i.e. they are customer focused. Intraprenuers are willing to take personal risk. They put themselves on the line. They are creative and innovative with solving problems. Intraprenuers are in search of the opportunity for growth rather than stability. They know that if you’re willing to hustle, great gains await you.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
THE DNA OF AN INTREPRENUER
Ownership makes you go the extra mile to see that the project is completed even at a personal cost to you. The owner of a project or company has the capacity to endure, persevere and persist until the goal or objective is accomplished. what are the motivation of an owner; it may include a] the desire to be rich, b] the desire to be independent c] the desire to leave a legacy behind.
What is the desire of the average employee? Is To collect salary at the end of the month? Is it to get a better job? Is it to learn enough business tricks and then go out and set up a company? This questions needs to be answered.
As an individual do you work only on instructions? Are you seeking only to please the boss and not the clients or customers? Can you actually write new businesses? Do you look forward to closing time? Do you initiate working extended hours to meet clients need? Answers to these questions will indicate the stuff you are made off.
Are you an intraprenuer? If you are, then you are one individual organizations will be fighting to keep. Intraprenuers are the equivalents of entrepreneurs but with the key difference that they work in large organizations.
What is the desire of the average employee? Is To collect salary at the end of the month? Is it to get a better job? Is it to learn enough business tricks and then go out and set up a company? This questions needs to be answered.
As an individual do you work only on instructions? Are you seeking only to please the boss and not the clients or customers? Can you actually write new businesses? Do you look forward to closing time? Do you initiate working extended hours to meet clients need? Answers to these questions will indicate the stuff you are made off.
Are you an intraprenuer? If you are, then you are one individual organizations will be fighting to keep. Intraprenuers are the equivalents of entrepreneurs but with the key difference that they work in large organizations.
The Intraprenuers 10 commandments
1. Build your team, intrapreneuring is not a solo activity
2. Share credit widely
3. Ask for advice before you ask for resources
4. Underpromise and overdeliver—publicity triggers the corporate immune system
5. Do any job needed to make your dream work, regardless of your job description
6. Remember it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission
7. Keep the best interests of the company and its customers in mind, especially when you have bend the rules or circumvent the bureaucracy
8. Come to work each day willing to be fired
9. Be true to your goals, but be realistic about how to achieve them
10. Honour and educate your sponsors.
Gifford Pinchot
1. Build your team, intrapreneuring is not a solo activity
2. Share credit widely
3. Ask for advice before you ask for resources
4. Underpromise and overdeliver—publicity triggers the corporate immune system
5. Do any job needed to make your dream work, regardless of your job description
6. Remember it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission
7. Keep the best interests of the company and its customers in mind, especially when you have bend the rules or circumvent the bureaucracy
8. Come to work each day willing to be fired
9. Be true to your goals, but be realistic about how to achieve them
10. Honour and educate your sponsors.
Gifford Pinchot
Sunday, November 12, 2006
HORSEPOWER...MANPOWER ....ICT POWER
The last twenty years has seen a dramatic growth in information and communication technology in Nigeria. Sprouting ICT service private companies, growing import of computers, introduction to the Internet, recognition of government of the fundamental roles of information and communications technology there by proposing a national information and communication development plan and the national information policy, the ongoing phased liberalization of telecommunications and the energy sector, establishment of computer science unit and information science school are some of the promising activities. Despite these developments, the impact of information and communication technologies on the productivity of the human resources in Nigerian remains minimum.
The technology has not yet diffused to the social fiber of the society [According to an excellent account by Manuel Castells•, the impact of information and communication technology and development in information society cannot be achieved by rotheric statements. It is important to create enabling environment for the information and communication technologies to diffuse into the social fiber of the society. The "industrial society, by educating citizens and by gradually organizing the economy around knowledge and information, prepared the ground for the empowering of the human mind when new information technology become available." Woefully, developing nations continued to grapple with low productivity, poverty, population explosion, etc. The irony is that least developing nations such as Nigeria are those that acutely need the organization of their people around knowledge and information to break away from debt, destabilization, drought, desertification, demographic problems and dependency] A number of obstacles are still on the road in making information technology useful to the society.
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The technology has not yet diffused to the social fiber of the society [According to an excellent account by Manuel Castells•, the impact of information and communication technology and development in information society cannot be achieved by rotheric statements. It is important to create enabling environment for the information and communication technologies to diffuse into the social fiber of the society. The "industrial society, by educating citizens and by gradually organizing the economy around knowledge and information, prepared the ground for the empowering of the human mind when new information technology become available." Woefully, developing nations continued to grapple with low productivity, poverty, population explosion, etc. The irony is that least developing nations such as Nigeria are those that acutely need the organization of their people around knowledge and information to break away from debt, destabilization, drought, desertification, demographic problems and dependency] A number of obstacles are still on the road in making information technology useful to the society.
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Monday, November 06, 2006
we can do more with our present ICT resources
Despite banks general appreciation of the benefits of information technology a huge volume of tasks are done manually. This translates to a low level of service delivery and computer adoption. This has been largely caused by resistance to change, inadequate manpower, poor telecommunication, infrastructures and epileptic power supply of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN} and extra costs to bank expenses in maintaining a generating set.
According to Bill Gates, “Very few companies are using technology for new processes that radically improve how they function that give them the full benefit of all their employees capabilities, and give them the speed of response they will need to compete in the emerging high-speed business world. Most companies don’t realize that the tools to accomplish these changes are now available to everyone. Though at heart most business problems are information problems, almost no one is using information well”. This statement is applicable to a large extent in Nigeria even today. Human resource productivity is actually being limited by ineffective deployment of ICT infrastructure. In essence, higher levels of productivity can be attained even with the available resources.
CONCLUSION
Since the major aim of the banking operations of FBN Plc is based on the need to provide the best financial services possible; and these must be done profitably, then the employees must be productive. The benefits of computerization cannot be overemphasized. To the customers, computerization has provided quality and prompt services while to the management they now have an improved internal control system. Also management efficiency is improved with provision of better, prompt and accurate reports. Appreciate cost of savings have been achieved through the introduction of electronic banking. The profit of the shareholders and FBN Plc has increased appreciably.
The spreading nature of information technology has empowered banks to introduce new products and services such as automated teller machine (ATM). It has also enabled the bank to use labour more effectively and extensively, ensure more efficient bank office operation and better delivery of services. Information communication technology has improved management efficiency; increase customer base and deposit mobilization.
While the immediate effect of this technological growth in the Nigerian financial sector may be seen in employment reduction, the long-term effect is to entrench innovative skills, retrain staff and expand employment in more lucrative and less labour-intensive operations- the aim of boosting productivity in the long term. Therefore ICT should be seen as a vital and important tool in the delivery of effective services of any banking industry and financial services as a whole.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The deployment of Information and Communication Technology has altered the landscape of Nigeria’s banking industry and has become a strategic resource for achieving competitive advantage in the 21st century digital economy. But some banks are still faced with the problems of ICT adoption.
It is important to invest in human capital for a long-term development and the accumulation of required technologies capabilities to use. This can be done when banks contract with ICT firms to hire their staff to manage and maintain their ICT. During the contract period the banks ICT staff will understudy the ICT firm staff and eventually take over the management of ICT facilities at the expiration of the contract.
With the new global order of liberalization and privatization, private sector initiatives should be fully promoted by the state while it concentrates on providing basic infrastructure and a conducive macro-economic environment. This is to suggest that PHCN has to be privatized as a solution to the problem of epileptic power supply. The ongoing process of privatizing NITEL must be concluded to improve the efficiency of the company. Also more telecommunication outfits should be given license to increase the degree of competition and quality of services available in the economy. This will allow the full capabilities of ICT to be realized; thus giving room for more effective computerization of banking functions.
Further, with Nigeria’s large and growing market, a national ICT policy must aim at establishing parts-and-components manufacturing sector in the medium and long term. There is the considerable dissatisfaction with the quality and timely availability of components and parts while this can be met with imports in the near term. A more strategic solution will be the establishment of an indigenous component sector.
For greater impact of information technology to be felt in the banking industry, the large segment of our banking population still on the fringes of a high technology should begin the full application of information technology into their products and services so that banks can influence the perception of their customers.
It therefore becomes imperative to add here that all stakeholders in the banking industry must capitalize on information communication technology to reinforce the volume and speed of efficient service delivery in the banking industry. Alcino Rodrigues de Assuncao says, “It is better to take a proactive stand. Technology threatens us if we sit back and let someone use it. It helps us if we use it to move quickly to design services where the bank becomes the value added intermediary to our customers”. Today employees must take a cue from this by learning and embracing ICT skills and exploiting it for their career development to ensure they remain relevant today and tomorrow.
According to Bill Gates, “Very few companies are using technology for new processes that radically improve how they function that give them the full benefit of all their employees capabilities, and give them the speed of response they will need to compete in the emerging high-speed business world. Most companies don’t realize that the tools to accomplish these changes are now available to everyone. Though at heart most business problems are information problems, almost no one is using information well”. This statement is applicable to a large extent in Nigeria even today. Human resource productivity is actually being limited by ineffective deployment of ICT infrastructure. In essence, higher levels of productivity can be attained even with the available resources.
CONCLUSION
Since the major aim of the banking operations of FBN Plc is based on the need to provide the best financial services possible; and these must be done profitably, then the employees must be productive. The benefits of computerization cannot be overemphasized. To the customers, computerization has provided quality and prompt services while to the management they now have an improved internal control system. Also management efficiency is improved with provision of better, prompt and accurate reports. Appreciate cost of savings have been achieved through the introduction of electronic banking. The profit of the shareholders and FBN Plc has increased appreciably.
The spreading nature of information technology has empowered banks to introduce new products and services such as automated teller machine (ATM). It has also enabled the bank to use labour more effectively and extensively, ensure more efficient bank office operation and better delivery of services. Information communication technology has improved management efficiency; increase customer base and deposit mobilization.
While the immediate effect of this technological growth in the Nigerian financial sector may be seen in employment reduction, the long-term effect is to entrench innovative skills, retrain staff and expand employment in more lucrative and less labour-intensive operations- the aim of boosting productivity in the long term. Therefore ICT should be seen as a vital and important tool in the delivery of effective services of any banking industry and financial services as a whole.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The deployment of Information and Communication Technology has altered the landscape of Nigeria’s banking industry and has become a strategic resource for achieving competitive advantage in the 21st century digital economy. But some banks are still faced with the problems of ICT adoption.
It is important to invest in human capital for a long-term development and the accumulation of required technologies capabilities to use. This can be done when banks contract with ICT firms to hire their staff to manage and maintain their ICT. During the contract period the banks ICT staff will understudy the ICT firm staff and eventually take over the management of ICT facilities at the expiration of the contract.
With the new global order of liberalization and privatization, private sector initiatives should be fully promoted by the state while it concentrates on providing basic infrastructure and a conducive macro-economic environment. This is to suggest that PHCN has to be privatized as a solution to the problem of epileptic power supply. The ongoing process of privatizing NITEL must be concluded to improve the efficiency of the company. Also more telecommunication outfits should be given license to increase the degree of competition and quality of services available in the economy. This will allow the full capabilities of ICT to be realized; thus giving room for more effective computerization of banking functions.
Further, with Nigeria’s large and growing market, a national ICT policy must aim at establishing parts-and-components manufacturing sector in the medium and long term. There is the considerable dissatisfaction with the quality and timely availability of components and parts while this can be met with imports in the near term. A more strategic solution will be the establishment of an indigenous component sector.
For greater impact of information technology to be felt in the banking industry, the large segment of our banking population still on the fringes of a high technology should begin the full application of information technology into their products and services so that banks can influence the perception of their customers.
It therefore becomes imperative to add here that all stakeholders in the banking industry must capitalize on information communication technology to reinforce the volume and speed of efficient service delivery in the banking industry. Alcino Rodrigues de Assuncao says, “It is better to take a proactive stand. Technology threatens us if we sit back and let someone use it. It helps us if we use it to move quickly to design services where the bank becomes the value added intermediary to our customers”. Today employees must take a cue from this by learning and embracing ICT skills and exploiting it for their career development to ensure they remain relevant today and tomorrow.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
EFFECTS OF ICT ON EMPLOYEES IN GENERAL
Personal Computers are meant for productivity applications, network and electronics mail (E-mail) for communication based business application. They are used for business analysis, allowing knowledge workers to be shifted into high-level thinking work about products, service and profitability.
Groups of people are using electronic tools to act together almost as fast as a single person could act, but with the insights of the entire team. ICT allow you have faster access to information about sales, our partners, and customers. We are able to react faster to problems and opportunities. It allows for accuracy, immediacy and richness of the information it brings to knowledge workers the insight and collaboration made, possible by the information. It helps to stimulate a concerted response by employees to develop and implement a business strategy.
ICT enhances knowledge sharing and helps to build on each other’s ideas in real time. You need a fast flow of good information to streamline processes, raise quality and improve business execution. ICT helps you achieve this. ICT give you access to data that leads to insight into your business.
ICT allows you to automate routine processes and allow employees do thinking work, not manual work. ICT helps to cut research from hours to minutes.
ICT also enhance work style flexibility. For instance, a web work style also makes it easier for people who have good skill sets but who can’t or choose not to work full-time. With the use of Internet such people can find work and opportunities and yet work from remote locations. Many knowledge workers will live where they want to live and structure the work the way they want it and still make major contribution to the business they work for or with.
ICT enables an organization to empower its employees. It makes workers to pursue life-learning skills, which will ultimately boost their productivity. This could be through training or even getting higher degrees online, we can develop our most valuable asset there is our brains and increase our intelligences. ICT according to Gates extend the capabilities of our mind.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
EFFECTS OF ICT ON EMPLOYEES IN NIGERIAN BANKING INDUSTRY
ICT has become a major tool for rendering or providing competitive advantages for companies most especially banking industries, in terms of the number of computers in use and the level of telecommunications infrastructure.
ICT is progressively reducing the significance of other factors of production. Through ICT it is now possible for countries to trade without border restriction. Therefore, as a result of anchoring their operations on ICT based delivery system, the banks with IT services have become more profitable.
Though the advantages and opportunities that ICT offers are very great, but this is not without some challenges. Fraud can likely occur more seriously in financial industry (banking) since large amount may be easier to perpetrate electronically than the manual operation. Fraudster can beat various security codes. Though fraud can be greatly minimized, but there could still be some element of dishonest act.
Moreover, another area in which the adoption of information technology has negatively affected the banking sector is the threat it poses for the employees in the sector. According to Jaffer (1968), he ascertained that “unemployment is cyclical phenomenon; technological progress may make for short-run problems of unemployment, which require time for adjustment because of immobility of capital and labour”. According to an official of National Union of Banks, Insurance Financial Institution Employees (NUBIFIE) , one of the greatest achievements of the group before the adoption of Information Technology in banks was the security and guarantee of employment for it members. In the words of Ibrahim (1998), he stated that ICT was adopted in bank without any notice, without any plan for the future existence of the displaced employees, without adequate rehabilitation plan and benefits.
As firms embrace ICT some employees in companies tend to be understandably nervous about the implications. They assume that if that if their company chooses to restructure itself around web technologies, their jobs may disappear. Gates strongly disagrees with this opinion he said “not so unless “restructuring” is just a fancy term to mask layoffs”. He goes on to add, “When a company downsizes, jobs are lost, when a company out sources, job move”. He opines that by and large the changes in organization structure will empower good employees.
Michael Dell characterizes the direct business today as “different combination of face-to-face, ear-to-ear and keyboard –to-keyboard. Each has its place. Internet doesn’t replace people. It makes them more efficient. By moving router interaction to the web and enabling customers to do mere things for themselves, we freed up our sales people to do more meaningful things with customers” .
ICT is progressively reducing the significance of other factors of production. Through ICT it is now possible for countries to trade without border restriction. Therefore, as a result of anchoring their operations on ICT based delivery system, the banks with IT services have become more profitable.
Though the advantages and opportunities that ICT offers are very great, but this is not without some challenges. Fraud can likely occur more seriously in financial industry (banking) since large amount may be easier to perpetrate electronically than the manual operation. Fraudster can beat various security codes. Though fraud can be greatly minimized, but there could still be some element of dishonest act.
Moreover, another area in which the adoption of information technology has negatively affected the banking sector is the threat it poses for the employees in the sector. According to Jaffer (1968), he ascertained that “unemployment is cyclical phenomenon; technological progress may make for short-run problems of unemployment, which require time for adjustment because of immobility of capital and labour”. According to an official of National Union of Banks, Insurance Financial Institution Employees (NUBIFIE) , one of the greatest achievements of the group before the adoption of Information Technology in banks was the security and guarantee of employment for it members. In the words of Ibrahim (1998), he stated that ICT was adopted in bank without any notice, without any plan for the future existence of the displaced employees, without adequate rehabilitation plan and benefits.
As firms embrace ICT some employees in companies tend to be understandably nervous about the implications. They assume that if that if their company chooses to restructure itself around web technologies, their jobs may disappear. Gates strongly disagrees with this opinion he said “not so unless “restructuring” is just a fancy term to mask layoffs”. He goes on to add, “When a company downsizes, jobs are lost, when a company out sources, job move”. He opines that by and large the changes in organization structure will empower good employees.
Michael Dell characterizes the direct business today as “different combination of face-to-face, ear-to-ear and keyboard –to-keyboard. Each has its place. Internet doesn’t replace people. It makes them more efficient. By moving router interaction to the web and enabling customers to do mere things for themselves, we freed up our sales people to do more meaningful things with customers” .
EFFECTS OF ICT ON EMPLOYEES IN GENERAL
Personal Computers are meant for productivity applications, network and electronics mail (E-mail) for communication based business application. They are used for business analysis, allowing knowledge workers to be shifted into high-level thinking work about products, service and profitability.
Groups of people are using electronic tools to act together almost as fast as a single person could act, but with the insights of the entire team. ICT allow you have faster access to information about sales, our partners, and customers. We are able to react faster to problems and opportunities. It allows for accuracy, immediacy and richness of the information it brings to knowledge workers the insight and collaboration made, possible by the information. It helps to stimulate a concerted response by employees to develop and implement a business strategy.
ICT enhances knowledge sharing and helps to build on each other’s ideas in real time. You need a fast flow of good information to streamline processes, raise quality and improve business execution. ICT helps you achieve this. ICT give you access to data that leads to insight into your business.
ICT allows you to automate routine processes and allow employees do thinking work, not manual work. ICT helps to cut research from hours to minutes.
ICT also enhance work style flexibility. For instance, a web work style also makes it easier for people who have good skill sets but who can’t or choose not to work full-time. With the use of Internet such people can find work and opportunities and yet work from remote locations. Many knowledge workers will live where they want to live and structure the work the way they want it and still make major contribution to the business they work for or with.
ICT enables an organization to empower its employees. It makes workers to pursue life-learning skills, which will ultimately boost their productivity. This could be through training or even getting higher degrees online, we can develop our most valuable asset there is our brains and increase our intelligences. ICT according to Gates extend the capabilities of our mind.
Groups of people are using electronic tools to act together almost as fast as a single person could act, but with the insights of the entire team. ICT allow you have faster access to information about sales, our partners, and customers. We are able to react faster to problems and opportunities. It allows for accuracy, immediacy and richness of the information it brings to knowledge workers the insight and collaboration made, possible by the information. It helps to stimulate a concerted response by employees to develop and implement a business strategy.
ICT enhances knowledge sharing and helps to build on each other’s ideas in real time. You need a fast flow of good information to streamline processes, raise quality and improve business execution. ICT helps you achieve this. ICT give you access to data that leads to insight into your business.
ICT allows you to automate routine processes and allow employees do thinking work, not manual work. ICT helps to cut research from hours to minutes.
ICT also enhance work style flexibility. For instance, a web work style also makes it easier for people who have good skill sets but who can’t or choose not to work full-time. With the use of Internet such people can find work and opportunities and yet work from remote locations. Many knowledge workers will live where they want to live and structure the work the way they want it and still make major contribution to the business they work for or with.
ICT enables an organization to empower its employees. It makes workers to pursue life-learning skills, which will ultimately boost their productivity. This could be through training or even getting higher degrees online, we can develop our most valuable asset there is our brains and increase our intelligences. ICT according to Gates extend the capabilities of our mind.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Intellectual capital, Africa's path to poverty alleviation, says Emeagwali
DR Philip Emeagwali, U.S.-based Nigerian computer Scientist, says intellectual capital was needed to produce products and services that will lead Africa to the path of poverty alleviation.
Emeagwali made the observation in a lecture Entitled: "Ideas, not Money, Alleviate Poverty", which he delivered at the University of Alberta, U.S., recently.
The computer scientist said that intellectual capital, which comprised the collective knowledge of people, was what increases productivity.
"Productivity by driving economic growth alleviates poverty, always and everywhere, even in Africa. Productivity is the engine that drives global economic growth.
"The power of intellectual capital is the ability to breed ideas that ignite value,'' he stressed.
Emeagwali added that the quote was a clarion call to African leaders to shift purposefully and deliberately from a focus on things to a focus on information.
"From exporting natural resources to exporting knowledge and ideas and from being a consumer of technology to becoming a producer of technology,'' he said.
He said that poverty in Africa would be reduced when intellectual capital was increased and leveraged to export knowledge and ideas.
He pointed out that Africa's primary strategy for poverty alleviation was to gain debt relief assistance and investment from western nations.
"On the contrary our strategy for poverty alleviation should mean looking beyond 100 per cent literacy and aiming for 100 per cent numeracy, the pre-requisite for increasing our technological intellectual capital,'' he explained.
Emeagwali said it was sad that in this age when poverty alleviation should result in producing valuable products for global market and competing with Asia, the U.S and Europe, "shamefully, diamonds found in Africa are polished in Europe and re-sold to Africa''.
Emeagwali made the observation in a lecture Entitled: "Ideas, not Money, Alleviate Poverty", which he delivered at the University of Alberta, U.S., recently.
The computer scientist said that intellectual capital, which comprised the collective knowledge of people, was what increases productivity.
"Productivity by driving economic growth alleviates poverty, always and everywhere, even in Africa. Productivity is the engine that drives global economic growth.
"The power of intellectual capital is the ability to breed ideas that ignite value,'' he stressed.
Emeagwali added that the quote was a clarion call to African leaders to shift purposefully and deliberately from a focus on things to a focus on information.
"From exporting natural resources to exporting knowledge and ideas and from being a consumer of technology to becoming a producer of technology,'' he said.
He said that poverty in Africa would be reduced when intellectual capital was increased and leveraged to export knowledge and ideas.
He pointed out that Africa's primary strategy for poverty alleviation was to gain debt relief assistance and investment from western nations.
"On the contrary our strategy for poverty alleviation should mean looking beyond 100 per cent literacy and aiming for 100 per cent numeracy, the pre-requisite for increasing our technological intellectual capital,'' he explained.
Emeagwali said it was sad that in this age when poverty alleviation should result in producing valuable products for global market and competing with Asia, the U.S and Europe, "shamefully, diamonds found in Africa are polished in Europe and re-sold to Africa''.
ICT EFFECT ON HUMAN RESOURCES
Alan Greenspan, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, explained in Washington in 1993 that a new synergy of hardware and software may finally be showing through a significant increase in labour productivity’ .
The banks and Insurance companies will become more ruthless or realistic in hiring employees, “there has been a tremendous reversal of complacency”, said Stephen Roach, an economist at Morgan Stanley who had frequently criticised computer spending. John skeritt, managing partner of Andersen Consulting in the US, reckoned that “Technologies like image processing, voice recognition, telephone banking, expert system for doing loan evaluations, will continue to cause massive layoffs”.
As personal computers became more integrated into office organisation they lost much of their idealistic appeal of the previous decade, as the liberators of young people from bureaucracies and officialdom. They were still thrilling instruments for loners including writers, dealers and designers. But inside companies they were becoming part of the power-structures, associated with central whom rather than liberation, they were linked up to central networks and databanks which could provide abodes with mechanical all-seeing eyes, showing them how to make ants, enabling them to check on salesmen’s performances, to bypass middle-managers and replace them. Decisions taken through computers as Norbert Wiener had warned forty years earlier were overtaking human decisions. Know-how was prevailing over know-what and the spread of computers was speeding up the most ruthless purge of company men since the depression of the thirties.
Human Resource productivity is a result of so many factors such as health are, nutrition, motivation, remuneration, education and training, division of labour, effective administration and the quality of tools at the employees disposal including ICT tools. In recent years ICT has been playing a non dominant role in determining the productivity of the employees. It is argued that even the relatively rich economies seeking to capture some of the key industries of the next century, will need to create the conditions and environment necessary for creativity and innovation essential for moving into and being competitive in the knowledge-based industries which will provide the highest value-added for economies
The banks and Insurance companies will become more ruthless or realistic in hiring employees, “there has been a tremendous reversal of complacency”, said Stephen Roach, an economist at Morgan Stanley who had frequently criticised computer spending. John skeritt, managing partner of Andersen Consulting in the US, reckoned that “Technologies like image processing, voice recognition, telephone banking, expert system for doing loan evaluations, will continue to cause massive layoffs”.
As personal computers became more integrated into office organisation they lost much of their idealistic appeal of the previous decade, as the liberators of young people from bureaucracies and officialdom. They were still thrilling instruments for loners including writers, dealers and designers. But inside companies they were becoming part of the power-structures, associated with central whom rather than liberation, they were linked up to central networks and databanks which could provide abodes with mechanical all-seeing eyes, showing them how to make ants, enabling them to check on salesmen’s performances, to bypass middle-managers and replace them. Decisions taken through computers as Norbert Wiener had warned forty years earlier were overtaking human decisions. Know-how was prevailing over know-what and the spread of computers was speeding up the most ruthless purge of company men since the depression of the thirties.
Human Resource productivity is a result of so many factors such as health are, nutrition, motivation, remuneration, education and training, division of labour, effective administration and the quality of tools at the employees disposal including ICT tools. In recent years ICT has been playing a non dominant role in determining the productivity of the employees. It is argued that even the relatively rich economies seeking to capture some of the key industries of the next century, will need to create the conditions and environment necessary for creativity and innovation essential for moving into and being competitive in the knowledge-based industries which will provide the highest value-added for economies
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Human Resources Development
Fredric Harbison (1973,pg 3) defined human resources as the energies, skills and knowledge of people which are, or which potentially can or should be applied to the production of goods and services. Tobias (1969) defined manpower as people, humanity, and society with all its aspirations, needs and capacities.
From an enterprise, organization, or institutional point of view, human resource development (HRD) could be described as the integrated use of personnel training and development, organization development and career development to improve individual group, and enterprises organizational Institutional effectiveness to fulfill the vision of the institution. The basic purpose of HRD in the institution will be to develop a good fit between the institution, its job practices, activities and environment. It focuses on an organized effort to improve the current and future performance of the personnel in the institutional setting. The HRD program is expected to be a vehicle for developing personnel competencies, skills, and understandings to enable the organization to achieve its mission and goals. This can be achieved through three major ways:
• HRD is concerned with clearing strategies that continuously improve the performance of the organization of human resources both individually and in groups.
• HRD is concerned with the needs of people to be productive contributors to the organizations’ vision and society’s mandates.
• HRD involves learning about affective approaches to the following areas and the return on investment to the organization from such activities:
i) Strategic human resource planning
ii) Alternative methods for improving performance (training, education, career and organization development).
iii) Technology transfer of leaving
iv) Performance evaluation (Basket Carnes, Groff, and Sample, 1994).
From the above it implies that from an economy-wide point of view human resources development is the process of increasing the knowledge, the skills, and the capacities of all the people in a society. In economic terms, it could be described as the accumulation of human capital and its effective investment in the development of an economy. In political terms, human resources development prepares people for adult participation in political process, particularly as citizens in a democracy. From the social and cultural points of view, the development of human resources helps people to lead fitter and richer lives, less bound by tradition (de Silva 1997 ). In short, the processes of human resources development could be described as unlocking the door to modernization. According to De Silva (1997), the importance of HRD is obvious when one considers that in any economic activity it is the human element that commands, directs, organizes, controls, maximizes the factors of production. This implies that the quality of people appropriate to the particular level and complexities of the activity determines how well or poorly, these tasks are accomplished. The implication is that a poorly accomplished task implies poor and weak economic performance (low or negative growth rate) and a well-accomplished task implies strong economic performance (high growth rate).
From an enterprise, organization, or institutional point of view, human resource development (HRD) could be described as the integrated use of personnel training and development, organization development and career development to improve individual group, and enterprises organizational Institutional effectiveness to fulfill the vision of the institution. The basic purpose of HRD in the institution will be to develop a good fit between the institution, its job practices, activities and environment. It focuses on an organized effort to improve the current and future performance of the personnel in the institutional setting. The HRD program is expected to be a vehicle for developing personnel competencies, skills, and understandings to enable the organization to achieve its mission and goals. This can be achieved through three major ways:
• HRD is concerned with clearing strategies that continuously improve the performance of the organization of human resources both individually and in groups.
• HRD is concerned with the needs of people to be productive contributors to the organizations’ vision and society’s mandates.
• HRD involves learning about affective approaches to the following areas and the return on investment to the organization from such activities:
i) Strategic human resource planning
ii) Alternative methods for improving performance (training, education, career and organization development).
iii) Technology transfer of leaving
iv) Performance evaluation (Basket Carnes, Groff, and Sample, 1994).
From the above it implies that from an economy-wide point of view human resources development is the process of increasing the knowledge, the skills, and the capacities of all the people in a society. In economic terms, it could be described as the accumulation of human capital and its effective investment in the development of an economy. In political terms, human resources development prepares people for adult participation in political process, particularly as citizens in a democracy. From the social and cultural points of view, the development of human resources helps people to lead fitter and richer lives, less bound by tradition (de Silva 1997 ). In short, the processes of human resources development could be described as unlocking the door to modernization. According to De Silva (1997), the importance of HRD is obvious when one considers that in any economic activity it is the human element that commands, directs, organizes, controls, maximizes the factors of production. This implies that the quality of people appropriate to the particular level and complexities of the activity determines how well or poorly, these tasks are accomplished. The implication is that a poorly accomplished task implies poor and weak economic performance (low or negative growth rate) and a well-accomplished task implies strong economic performance (high growth rate).
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Human Resource productivity...& ...ICT
Human Resource productivity is a result of so many factors such as health are, nutrition, motivation, remuneration, education and training, division of labour, effective administration and the quality of tools at the employees disposal including ICT tools. In recent years ICT has been playing a non dominant role in determining the productivity of the employees. It is argued that even the relatively rich economies seeking to capture some of the key industries of the next century, will need to create the conditions and environment necessary for creativity and innovation essential for moving into and being competitive in the knowledge-based industries which will provide the highest value-added for economies. Perhaps, this was what led Drucker (1992:25) to emphasis that “we now know that the source of wealth is something specifically human knowledge. If we apply knowledge to tasks we already know how to do, we call it “productivity”. If we apply knowledge to task that are new and different, we call it” innovation. Only knowledge allows us to achieve these two goals.
It is argued that the emergence of knowledge and application is the main determinants of competitiveness and the major driver of this is ICT. High productivity depends on the quality of human capital (and on how human resources are used) a lesson to be learnt from the developed countries. As contended by Drucker (1992), productivity is arguably the most important social event in the development of countries in the past hundred years. Education, management and training shorten the time-span within which a country with low wage costs can achieve higher productivity. Although with high productivity wages are expected to rise there has been a steady decline in the importance of other research input such as natural resources in creating national wealth. Information and advances in other technology have increased the demand for intelligent workers who can extract the most out of technology, as well as for people at higher levels to create and adopt technology to new uses.
It is argued that HRD has played a significant role in the quick and rapid industrialization and general development of such countries as Singapore, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, China, and earlier in Japan (World Bank, 1993a) . The World Bank studies of East Asian development has identified investment in human capital as one important factor contributing to the rapid development of the East Asian countries enabling it to periodically upgrade labour skills and the economy (Birdsall and Sabot 1993) . The Asian experience gives a direct account of how HRD could easily lead to higher economic growth.
For example, by 1990, raw materials after adjusting for inflation, were approximately 40% less than they were in 1970 (International monetary fund privy commodities: market development and outlook, July 1990:26).
PRODUCTIVITY
Perhaps it is fair to state that the biggest problem faced by any person who is put in charge of the management of any resources is the problem of how to raise productivity. The utilization of resources often raises the problem of economic use. For a venture or an activity to be regarded as productive the ratio between input and output must be positive.
It is argued that the emergence of knowledge and application is the main determinants of competitiveness and the major driver of this is ICT. High productivity depends on the quality of human capital (and on how human resources are used) a lesson to be learnt from the developed countries. As contended by Drucker (1992), productivity is arguably the most important social event in the development of countries in the past hundred years. Education, management and training shorten the time-span within which a country with low wage costs can achieve higher productivity. Although with high productivity wages are expected to rise there has been a steady decline in the importance of other research input such as natural resources in creating national wealth. Information and advances in other technology have increased the demand for intelligent workers who can extract the most out of technology, as well as for people at higher levels to create and adopt technology to new uses.
It is argued that HRD has played a significant role in the quick and rapid industrialization and general development of such countries as Singapore, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, China, and earlier in Japan (World Bank, 1993a) . The World Bank studies of East Asian development has identified investment in human capital as one important factor contributing to the rapid development of the East Asian countries enabling it to periodically upgrade labour skills and the economy (Birdsall and Sabot 1993) . The Asian experience gives a direct account of how HRD could easily lead to higher economic growth.
For example, by 1990, raw materials after adjusting for inflation, were approximately 40% less than they were in 1970 (International monetary fund privy commodities: market development and outlook, July 1990:26).
PRODUCTIVITY
Perhaps it is fair to state that the biggest problem faced by any person who is put in charge of the management of any resources is the problem of how to raise productivity. The utilization of resources often raises the problem of economic use. For a venture or an activity to be regarded as productive the ratio between input and output must be positive.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
ICT AND HUMAN RESOURCE PRODUCTIVITY
The last twenty years has seen a dramatic growth in information and communication technology in Nigeria. Sprouting ICT service private companies, growing import of computers, introduction to the Internet, recognition of government of the fundamental roles of information and communications technology there by proposing a national information and communication development plan and the national information policy, the ongoing phased liberalization of telecommunications and the energy sector, establishment of computer science unit and information science school are some of the promising activities. Despite these developments, the impact of information and communication technologies on the productivity of the human resources in Nigerians remains minimum. The technology has not yet diffused to the social fiber of the society [According to an excellent account by Manuel Castells, the impact of information and communication technology and development in information society cannot be achieved by rotheric statements. It is important to create enabling environment for the information and communication technologies to diffuse into the social fiber of the society. The "industrial society, by educating citizens and by gradually organizing the economy around knowledge and information, prepared the ground for the empowering of the human mind when new information technology become available." Woefully, developing nations continued to grapple with low productivity, poverty, population explosion, etc. The irony is that least developing nations such as Nigeria are those that acutely need the organization of their people around knowledge and information to break away from debt, destabilization, drought, desertification, demographic problems and dependency]. A number of obstacles are still on the road in making information technology useful to the society. I BELIEVE that the information and communication sector could be fostered to achieve economic gains especially in the area of human resource productivity. Emphasizing the growth of information and communication technology would not only lead to a new robust industry of its own but also is a basis for improving productivity and output of the average Nigerian..
Friday, October 20, 2006
...A RIGHT TO SUCCEED...
We all want to achieve great feats in our life. Greatness is achieved when we handle seemingly mundane tasks with special care. Doing small task in a great way brings out greatness in you. Greatness like success can be elusive. If all you are out for is greatness then you will discover that it is abstract. Greatness is therefore the resultant effect of doing our very best in our area of interest and bringing sunshine into the life’s of others.
Paraphrasing what Viktor frankl, the great Austrian psychiatrist, said ‘greatness, like happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue….as the unintended side effect of ones personal dedication to a cause greater than one self’ .Commitment to Radical ideas is a major way to attain greatness. Pursue those ideas of yours that has not gotten a hearing elsewhere. I understand that it may not be easy. Yet greatness can spring forth from your present lack and pain.
I want you to know that greatness is inherent within you. Yanni the legendary jazz musician said ‘greatness is not in money, power or possession but in truth, kindness, simplicity, compassion and creativity. If you have this understanding then you will realize that you are not disadvantage. Greatness is accessible to all and sundry
Greatness however is not without a price. You must be willing to give up something to become your best. You must be willing to be patient. Give your dreams realistic time frames. You must be willing to say no even when it hurts. You must embrace self denial.
Rick Jorner said ‘everyone who has had a positive impact on human history has given more importance to the product or purpose than to personal fulfillment’. He adds that you must have a focus upon something beyond yourself. The reason is because something that is greater than yourself has the power to turn even the mundane into a powerful vehicle for human advancement.
Greatness does not result from wanting to be great, but by the determination to take something out of ourselves to greater heights. When we help people to rise, we will never be low. We can only do this when we understand people, love them and help them to believe in themselves.
Read what Jesus said in the following scriptures: Matt 18 vs. 4 therefore who ever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5 vs. 19b but whoever does and teaches my commandment, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matt20vs.27 and whoever desires to be great among you let him be your servant. Just as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom to many. From the statements of Jesus it’s obvious that you become great not by what is done for you but by what you do for others.
Copyright ADEOSUN OLUYEMI THEOPHILUS
Paraphrasing what Viktor frankl, the great Austrian psychiatrist, said ‘greatness, like happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue….as the unintended side effect of ones personal dedication to a cause greater than one self’ .Commitment to Radical ideas is a major way to attain greatness. Pursue those ideas of yours that has not gotten a hearing elsewhere. I understand that it may not be easy. Yet greatness can spring forth from your present lack and pain.
I want you to know that greatness is inherent within you. Yanni the legendary jazz musician said ‘greatness is not in money, power or possession but in truth, kindness, simplicity, compassion and creativity. If you have this understanding then you will realize that you are not disadvantage. Greatness is accessible to all and sundry
Greatness however is not without a price. You must be willing to give up something to become your best. You must be willing to be patient. Give your dreams realistic time frames. You must be willing to say no even when it hurts. You must embrace self denial.
Rick Jorner said ‘everyone who has had a positive impact on human history has given more importance to the product or purpose than to personal fulfillment’. He adds that you must have a focus upon something beyond yourself. The reason is because something that is greater than yourself has the power to turn even the mundane into a powerful vehicle for human advancement.
Greatness does not result from wanting to be great, but by the determination to take something out of ourselves to greater heights. When we help people to rise, we will never be low. We can only do this when we understand people, love them and help them to believe in themselves.
Read what Jesus said in the following scriptures: Matt 18 vs. 4 therefore who ever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5 vs. 19b but whoever does and teaches my commandment, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matt20vs.27 and whoever desires to be great among you let him be your servant. Just as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom to many. From the statements of Jesus it’s obvious that you become great not by what is done for you but by what you do for others.
Copyright ADEOSUN OLUYEMI THEOPHILUS
Thursday, October 19, 2006
JUST BEFORE YOU GIVE YOUR VERDICT
In the average individual is a jury presided over by a chief justice. Our mouth has the mandate of reading the verdict. It seems as if with little information at our disposal out jury is good to go and we are ready to pronounce judgment. We judge the actions of others be it our subordinate, colleagues or even our superiors. We are too quick to pass a comment. Our investigation is usually fast and shallow. One thing that amazes me is how we hack our elected officials. When you are condemning them we are simply exposing how inferior our decision-making is for selecting them in the first place.
In judgement just like in life, perspectives differ we usually have incomplete information. In case even where we have all the facts we may not be able to feel the heat of the moment. For instance its envy for someone who studied in the 60’s to be criticizing someone who is schooling in the 90’s. A lot of things have changed. The ratio of student to teacher as changed its true you’ve attended school but not in a time like this. We need to seat down and consider carefully the situation surrounding the person in question; we need to get to the root of the matter. We just have to avoid been presumptions. In the process of making nasty statements we tend to miss out on some vital information we need to listen carefully to all sides of the story. You will have to be patient. Gives the policy time to prove or show its worth. At least for a moment pause and think. Ask yourself how can this policy possibly be of benefit to us? What opportunities exist or can accrue from this change?
Many times people are wrong at least their actions are wrong (intentions may be right) but could you just refrain from castigating the culprit? On a good day the fellow is aware he is wrong. The fellow is already feeling bond so you can keep quiet. I am sure the person will feel grateful to you from within. Even where the person is unapologetic when wrong. You need not trade words with him. Just quietly and respectably leave the scene. I want you to know that there is strength in quietness and confidence. Finally remember that you have not always been right yourself. So why throw a stone in the first place? My lord temper judgement with mercy what i am saying in essence is that we should create a non-judgemental climate.
In judgement just like in life, perspectives differ we usually have incomplete information. In case even where we have all the facts we may not be able to feel the heat of the moment. For instance its envy for someone who studied in the 60’s to be criticizing someone who is schooling in the 90’s. A lot of things have changed. The ratio of student to teacher as changed its true you’ve attended school but not in a time like this. We need to seat down and consider carefully the situation surrounding the person in question; we need to get to the root of the matter. We just have to avoid been presumptions. In the process of making nasty statements we tend to miss out on some vital information we need to listen carefully to all sides of the story. You will have to be patient. Gives the policy time to prove or show its worth. At least for a moment pause and think. Ask yourself how can this policy possibly be of benefit to us? What opportunities exist or can accrue from this change?
Many times people are wrong at least their actions are wrong (intentions may be right) but could you just refrain from castigating the culprit? On a good day the fellow is aware he is wrong. The fellow is already feeling bond so you can keep quiet. I am sure the person will feel grateful to you from within. Even where the person is unapologetic when wrong. You need not trade words with him. Just quietly and respectably leave the scene. I want you to know that there is strength in quietness and confidence. Finally remember that you have not always been right yourself. So why throw a stone in the first place? My lord temper judgement with mercy what i am saying in essence is that we should create a non-judgemental climate.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
DWINDLING FORTUNES!!!
For quite sometime I have been observing a trend. What I have noticed is that in some families where there are many children the first set usually excel compared to the lower class. In all the family settings I studied over the period of time. I have been able to notice the presence of a common ‘virtue’ or its absence. In fact this virtue is the mother of all others and it’s called discipline.
When couples are young they tent to be stricter with the children they are bringing up. I also notice that in some cases the income of the couple is usually at a low level as of this time. As the couples grow older and more comfortable, these children of their old age are usually pampered and spoilt. Financially, they are obviously better off. The rules are gradually relaxed. The children of old age do wrong things and get away with them.
This child is over protected. He lacks nothing that he desires all he knows is instant gratification. He does not know how to wait for what he deserves. The older chap paid his due. He was punished for almost every misdeed or misconduct; he had to wait a couple of times. Did he have a choice? No he didn’t because money was not available immediately to meet the need as at when due.
To the older chap, all the hardship has now turned into an asset. As he matures and enters into the real world nothing takes him by surprise. He has been adequately trained and fortified for the journey he is now undertaking. He is accustomed to asking several times before his desires become his possession that is what real life is al about. To keep knocking until the door is opened.
Could somebody tell the younger generation that life is not a bed of roses? Tell them that even roses have thorns. We need to embrace discipline. It’s an integral part of our development process. The youth, need to know that “discipline is not synonymous with loss of fun but that could be its short term consequence. The initial rules that produced the desired results have to be revisited. The rules of life must just be fully obeyed.The truth is that we need to imbibe discipline even at the national level. Indiscipline is responsible for dwindling fortune over the years we need to obey the rules.
When couples are young they tent to be stricter with the children they are bringing up. I also notice that in some cases the income of the couple is usually at a low level as of this time. As the couples grow older and more comfortable, these children of their old age are usually pampered and spoilt. Financially, they are obviously better off. The rules are gradually relaxed. The children of old age do wrong things and get away with them.
This child is over protected. He lacks nothing that he desires all he knows is instant gratification. He does not know how to wait for what he deserves. The older chap paid his due. He was punished for almost every misdeed or misconduct; he had to wait a couple of times. Did he have a choice? No he didn’t because money was not available immediately to meet the need as at when due.
To the older chap, all the hardship has now turned into an asset. As he matures and enters into the real world nothing takes him by surprise. He has been adequately trained and fortified for the journey he is now undertaking. He is accustomed to asking several times before his desires become his possession that is what real life is al about. To keep knocking until the door is opened.
Could somebody tell the younger generation that life is not a bed of roses? Tell them that even roses have thorns. We need to embrace discipline. It’s an integral part of our development process. The youth, need to know that “discipline is not synonymous with loss of fun but that could be its short term consequence. The initial rules that produced the desired results have to be revisited. The rules of life must just be fully obeyed.The truth is that we need to imbibe discipline even at the national level. Indiscipline is responsible for dwindling fortune over the years we need to obey the rules.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO FAIL?
This is a question a young man asked a friend he was trying to encourage. The friend had just suffered a major set back. He was failing his pre-clinical exams again for the second time. The resultant consequence was immediate withdrawal from the department of medicine and surgery. The person that came to console Harry was representing an organization. Just imagine the first statement he uttered was ‘how does it feel to fail’?
Harry ended up feeling more devastated than he was before his friend showed up to counsel him. To Harry’s dismay words from the other members of the same organization were not any better. He was told that a major reason responsible for his failure was his ‘over commitment’ to the organization. Harry was devastated “why were they just making this observation now”? Why now when it is too late to make amends.
They came to comfort him but they appeared to be enemies. At least that is what their speech connotes. Can you identify with Harry’s story? Have you ever-needed encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen and instead what you get is just the opposite? I have come to discover that the average individual does not know how to express appropriate words to comfort a friend. Their words misrepresent the compassion they have at heart for you. I know it hurts but you have to forgive them. I can tell because I have been there.
On the other hand, how do you treat those that are hurting around you? How do you relate with hurting people? If you do visit such people, rather be quiet than say the wrong things. A warm embrace or a pat on the shoulder can convey your heartfelt compassion. It’s not time to ask questions either. If you must talk, make it brief and pregnant with hope. Use words and phrases that will infuse hope and courage in the heart of you friends. Visit the person more frequently but let each visit be brief. Call the person, mail the person or drop short notes for the person. On each visit let you countenance be cheerful.
This is a question a young man asked a friend he was trying to encourage. The friend had just suffered a major set back. He was failing his pre-clinical exams again for the second time. The resultant consequence was immediate withdrawal from the department of medicine and surgery. The person that came to console Harry was representing an organization. Just imagine the first statement he uttered was ‘how does it feel to fail’?
Harry ended up feeling more devastated than he was before his friend showed up to counsel him. To Harry’s dismay words from the other members of the same organization were not any better. He was told that a major reason responsible for his failure was his ‘over commitment’ to the organization. Harry was devastated “why were they just making this observation now”? Why now when it is too late to make amends.
They came to comfort him but they appeared to be enemies. At least that is what their speech connotes. Can you identify with Harry’s story? Have you ever-needed encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen and instead what you get is just the opposite? I have come to discover that the average individual does not know how to express appropriate words to comfort a friend. Their words misrepresent the compassion they have at heart for you. I know it hurts but you have to forgive them. I can tell because I have been there.
On the other hand, how do you treat those that are hurting around you? How do you relate with hurting people? If you do visit such people, rather be quiet than say the wrong things. A warm embrace or a pat on the shoulder can convey your heartfelt compassion. It’s not time to ask questions either. If you must talk, make it brief and pregnant with hope. Use words and phrases that will infuse hope and courage in the heart of you friends. Visit the person more frequently but let each visit be brief. Call the person, mail the person or drop short notes for the person. On each visit let you countenance be cheerful.
Monday, October 16, 2006
FRAGILE: HANDLE WITH CARE
We don’t know what we are missing until we have ‘it’. We do not know the value of what we have until we lose it. What do you think about those two statements? If we have been missing something before we got it, why then should we have to lose it be fore we start valuing it? Some of us can go to any length to get a woman to be our wife but what happens after you are married? You can discipline yourself to get a job but what happens afterwards? Perhaps you can read like “mad” to gain admission into a higher institution and then relax when you get in. Taking someone for granted simply means acting as though the other person does not have options.
The truth is that it requires at least the same amount of input to sustain a process to initialize it. In relationships we tend to be eager and willing to please the person we are courting his or her attention. The subsequent reduction or with drawal of attention and affection usually have far reaching effects. On our part it’s not that we don’t like the person anymore but somehow we take the person for granted. I want you to realize that indifference or non-challant attitude could be approximated to dislike. Your apparent lack of concern for your spouse will become a major concern to her. Don’t allow your love to wax cold by your inaction.
Passion doesn’t just grow or goes by itself. It is activated or deactivated. Don’t tell me you don’t know how you became indifferent to you job. Can you remember when you were chasing the job in the first place? You had expectations. You had dreams to accomplish then. Now do you still have expectation when you go to work? If it was just the remuneration that attracted you in the first place then quit the job. Money cannot replace the happiness derived from enjoying the work you do. That’s why your work must be an area of your interest. Your goal should be taking the profession to a higher level than you met it.
If you do not want to lose your prized possession to those who are courting it with dedicated attention then your must start chasing it again. Remember the flowers, cards, gifts and meals out or the indept study, Internet browsing and seminars you used to attend to keep abreast of development. Get back to it
We don’t know what we are missing until we have ‘it’. We do not know the value of what we have until we lose it. What do you think about those two statements? If we have been missing something before we got it, why then should we have to lose it be fore we start valuing it? Some of us can go to any length to get a woman to be our wife but what happens after you are married? You can discipline yourself to get a job but what happens afterwards? Perhaps you can read like “mad” to gain admission into a higher institution and then relax when you get in. Taking someone for granted simply means acting as though the other person does not have options.
The truth is that it requires at least the same amount of input to sustain a process to initialize it. In relationships we tend to be eager and willing to please the person we are courting his or her attention. The subsequent reduction or with drawal of attention and affection usually have far reaching effects. On our part it’s not that we don’t like the person anymore but somehow we take the person for granted. I want you to realize that indifference or non-challant attitude could be approximated to dislike. Your apparent lack of concern for your spouse will become a major concern to her. Don’t allow your love to wax cold by your inaction.
Passion doesn’t just grow or goes by itself. It is activated or deactivated. Don’t tell me you don’t know how you became indifferent to you job. Can you remember when you were chasing the job in the first place? You had expectations. You had dreams to accomplish then. Now do you still have expectation when you go to work? If it was just the remuneration that attracted you in the first place then quit the job. Money cannot replace the happiness derived from enjoying the work you do. That’s why your work must be an area of your interest. Your goal should be taking the profession to a higher level than you met it.
If you do not want to lose your prized possession to those who are courting it with dedicated attention then your must start chasing it again. Remember the flowers, cards, gifts and meals out or the indept study, Internet browsing and seminars you used to attend to keep abreast of development. Get back to it
Friday, October 13, 2006
OWAMBE SYNDROME
OWAMBE SYNDROME
‘I will celebrate the occasion to the extent that the world will hear and the heavens will know”. Have you ever heard such a comment? In this part of the world it is quite normal for people to want to outmatch the celebration of others. The average individual planning for wedding, burial or birthday ceremony tends to appraise all such occasions he has attended and then out do them. As a result of the capital intensiveness of such a party people tend to use their saving, sell their investments or even go a borrowing to meet the financial requirement of the occasion.
“I will dress to kill, I will call a popular musician; the reception will be at the pool side of the most expensive hotel, wine will flow like water. I will kill 25 cows”. The list can be endless. We plan as if after the Saturday there won’t be a Sunday. If you actually put together how much some people put into parties you will be dazed. While some people spend the colossal amount comfortably, many others are indebted for many months afterwards.
The main constituent of the occasion are usually not expensive the essence of a birthday is to thank God for adding another year to your life. The essence of a naming ceremony is to give the baby a name. Burial ceremony is all about committing the old man or woman to mother earth. Wedding is just to give legal consent to an intending couple to be married. In the real sense of it, you will discover that the cost for any of there occasions is not too much. All other things are peripheral. It’s just that somehow we tend to major on the minor and minor on the major.
Have you ever considered celebrating your Christmas in an orphanage or the school for the disabled? Have you ever given a thought to celebrating Christmas with prisoners in their chapel? I hope my suggestions do not look outrageous and ridiculous. Your next birthday thanksgiving may be an endowment to needy students. Whatever you do, please be modest and moderate.
Why should you suffer for many weeks because of an event of some few hours? Why should there be unnecessary conflicts in your nucluear family because you have to incur debt to finance the burial of an old man? I want you to realize that the dead man will appreciate a low decent burial without conflicts than an extravagant ceremony with inhouse fighting lasting for several decades afterwards.
Do your best with what you have. There is no point incurring debt to please people. Faultfinders can hardly be satisfied. If you can’t afford the extended family attire, don’t be ashamed to say so. If you can, fine but don’t crucify those who can’t. For once have a simple ceremony and let them say.
‘I will celebrate the occasion to the extent that the world will hear and the heavens will know”. Have you ever heard such a comment? In this part of the world it is quite normal for people to want to outmatch the celebration of others. The average individual planning for wedding, burial or birthday ceremony tends to appraise all such occasions he has attended and then out do them. As a result of the capital intensiveness of such a party people tend to use their saving, sell their investments or even go a borrowing to meet the financial requirement of the occasion.
“I will dress to kill, I will call a popular musician; the reception will be at the pool side of the most expensive hotel, wine will flow like water. I will kill 25 cows”. The list can be endless. We plan as if after the Saturday there won’t be a Sunday. If you actually put together how much some people put into parties you will be dazed. While some people spend the colossal amount comfortably, many others are indebted for many months afterwards.
The main constituent of the occasion are usually not expensive the essence of a birthday is to thank God for adding another year to your life. The essence of a naming ceremony is to give the baby a name. Burial ceremony is all about committing the old man or woman to mother earth. Wedding is just to give legal consent to an intending couple to be married. In the real sense of it, you will discover that the cost for any of there occasions is not too much. All other things are peripheral. It’s just that somehow we tend to major on the minor and minor on the major.
Have you ever considered celebrating your Christmas in an orphanage or the school for the disabled? Have you ever given a thought to celebrating Christmas with prisoners in their chapel? I hope my suggestions do not look outrageous and ridiculous. Your next birthday thanksgiving may be an endowment to needy students. Whatever you do, please be modest and moderate.
Why should you suffer for many weeks because of an event of some few hours? Why should there be unnecessary conflicts in your nucluear family because you have to incur debt to finance the burial of an old man? I want you to realize that the dead man will appreciate a low decent burial without conflicts than an extravagant ceremony with inhouse fighting lasting for several decades afterwards.
Do your best with what you have. There is no point incurring debt to please people. Faultfinders can hardly be satisfied. If you can’t afford the extended family attire, don’t be ashamed to say so. If you can, fine but don’t crucify those who can’t. For once have a simple ceremony and let them say.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Be Fruitful and Multiply
BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY
One major feature of marriages in developing nations is the presence of many children. Inspite of the impoverished condition of the people, they so ahead and have far more number of children they can nurture and cater for adequately. One old man said the chicken is blessed with many chicks, and yet they do not go hungry. He adds further that the God that caters for the hen’s chicks will cater for my eleven children.
I paused to ponder on the old man’s assertion I then decided to pose a few questions to him. Are we humans and animals endowed with the same level of intelligence? Are we supposed to take steps with out thinking if we will be able to cope with the consequence? The creator had endowed us with the ability to ‘choose’. Choice is a gift of God and we are supposed to use it with discretion.
Animals usually have heat periods or mating periods. The period when a particular species of animals can conceive is about the same. This is not so with humans. Humans generally can conceive at any period in the year. I believe nature made it so because we have been endowed with the power of choice.
Another person supports his having many children with a pass age from the holy writ. “Be fruitful and multiply”. Come to think of it, is having many children the only way to follow that scriptural instruction? Are you mentally fruitful? Can other people’s income multiply because of your creativity? The same holy writ says ‘a good father leaves inheritance for his grand children”. Try to obey this injunction too. Develop your mind to the extent that you can convert your intellectual property to physical wealth.
I personally believe that 75% of our personal problems are avoidable, 25% are unavoidable but can be solved. The avoidable 75% are more difficult to solve because they are self created. Your situation can change if only you yourself is willing to change. Focus you attention on birthing ideas that can solve problems for others and thereby create income for you. Give birth to children. But much more importantly birth solutions.
(“Many children perpetuated poverty” Yoruba Proverb)
One major feature of marriages in developing nations is the presence of many children. Inspite of the impoverished condition of the people, they so ahead and have far more number of children they can nurture and cater for adequately. One old man said the chicken is blessed with many chicks, and yet they do not go hungry. He adds further that the God that caters for the hen’s chicks will cater for my eleven children.
I paused to ponder on the old man’s assertion I then decided to pose a few questions to him. Are we humans and animals endowed with the same level of intelligence? Are we supposed to take steps with out thinking if we will be able to cope with the consequence? The creator had endowed us with the ability to ‘choose’. Choice is a gift of God and we are supposed to use it with discretion.
Animals usually have heat periods or mating periods. The period when a particular species of animals can conceive is about the same. This is not so with humans. Humans generally can conceive at any period in the year. I believe nature made it so because we have been endowed with the power of choice.
Another person supports his having many children with a pass age from the holy writ. “Be fruitful and multiply”. Come to think of it, is having many children the only way to follow that scriptural instruction? Are you mentally fruitful? Can other people’s income multiply because of your creativity? The same holy writ says ‘a good father leaves inheritance for his grand children”. Try to obey this injunction too. Develop your mind to the extent that you can convert your intellectual property to physical wealth.
I personally believe that 75% of our personal problems are avoidable, 25% are unavoidable but can be solved. The avoidable 75% are more difficult to solve because they are self created. Your situation can change if only you yourself is willing to change. Focus you attention on birthing ideas that can solve problems for others and thereby create income for you. Give birth to children. But much more importantly birth solutions.
(“Many children perpetuated poverty” Yoruba Proverb)
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
EMPOWER YOURSELF
FULL EMPLOYMENT, FULL ENJOYMENT
One of the first things I got to know in economics is that the need of man is insatiable and that his resources are limited. In this part of the world the rate of unemployment is on the high side. I began to ask myself questions. How come we have so many people unemployed in this nation? How come this quantity of human resources called labour is wasting? Human resources after all should be part of the limited resources we are supposed to judiciously manage.
Could it be that labour supply is unlimited while the use for labour is limited? It this is true, then the earlier stated belief becomes invalid come to think of it, I do believe that for us to have solutions on ground then there must be existing problems. It is our inability to match appropriately the solutions to the problems that is making it seem as if the availability of labour supply is now a problem we tag unemployment.
Labour supply is a blessing and not a curse. I realize that we can have full employment. I believe that every one that can identify his skills should go ahead and identify the problems his skills can solve. What is happening in the labour market is that problems are hiding from solution i.e. work is hiding from labour. The solution to this menace must be radical in nature. Labour cannot afford to be passive or casual in its approach to getting victory.
Labour must ensure that it focuses its attention on looking for work it can solve. Labour must resist the temptation to focus on wages instead of work that it can solve to meet immediately needs. Focusing on wages alone will not only deny us of getting full employment but also full enjoyment. Full enjoyment requires not only adequate remuneration but also job satisfaction. Yes, ensure that your job places a demand on a combination of your skills and interest.
At this intersection, you as an individual will then be at equilibrium. Do not settle for anything else or less for then you shall surely be blessed. Treat yourself with a little more respect because competing for your set of abilities is an unlimited array of needs to be met.
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