Press release?

Interesting article in the Fridays newspaper. It seems Mr. Arthur Chukwuka is just trying to sell his trucks, but at the same time, it's a business plan worth considering - To anyone who is looking for a business to invest in. Why not check out the haulage business? As for me, I think I'll have to write a similar press release on my products... Hmmm That could work... :-)

Here's the article for anyone who's interested :

FOR people who understand the operation, transport business is a lucrative job. Its returns can be predictably instantaneous and abundant. Those in the business of transporting bulk materials testify that it is a money-spinner, if you master the skill well.
Currently, the business is taking the operators to the neighboring West African countries like Togo, Ghana Benin Republic, Senegal and Gambia.

E x p e r t s attribute the trend to the increase in the production capacity of companies operating in Nigeria.

According to Alhaji.Mohammed Nasiru, an Lagos-based truck owner, “With one or two sound trailers, you can find yourself in the millionaire club.” Recalling what he took into the business about two years ago, he says, “Do you know that I started with only N200,000? And I am now worth more than N60m.” But he says this is not automatic. “You have to be fully involved in the business, even if you employ drivers for your truck. They need to be constantly monitored, although you have to convince them too that you are genuinely concerned about their welfare. You have to keep the vehicles in perfect condition.” Nasiru says that it is much better to invest in it when you are ready to enough funds to plough into it. This will guarantee good profits and returns on investment.

To start the business, he says, “The first thing that anyone who wants to go into the business must do is to secure an open space. This will provide the parking for trucks before and after every trip.

“The space can also serve as the maintenance y a r d .

Maintenance yard, apart from the open space is vital for the cleaning and maintenance of the vehicles.

Office space can also be carved out of the open space, which is necessary, as you would have to deal with individual and corporate clients.

Nasiru also gives other things that are required for the business to thrive. He says, “The next most important thing you need to do if you are to succeed in the business is to get capable hands, with rich experience in the haulage business, using trucks and trailers.

“This, you can begin by recruiting a manager.

The manager must have a lot of experience, because he is the one that will assist you to recruit qualified and responsible drivers who are the next most important players in the haulage business.” The transporter says it will cost about N6-8m to have a functional truck. However, he adds that you may not pay the whole amount at once.

You can work out an arrangement with the importers of the vehicles, local dealers and some financiers. But he warns against rushing into any deal without fully understanding the conditions. he urges you to consult any trusted experts before signing any agreement.

Other experts note that some local dealers may not have the patience to wait for about one or years for the repayment.

The banks can also assist in making facilities available for the purchase of the trucks or trailers, when they are convinced about the viability of the investment.

Nasiru explains that a truck or trailer can make up to four to five trips a month to various parts of the country, especially from the southern part of the country to the northern part. Trips to neighboring countries are also picking up.

Corroborating the position of Nasiru on the profitability of the haulage business, Mr.

Yakubu Isyaku, an executive with a Lagosbased Izu Chukwu Transport says that it is possible for a truck to rake in more than N1m or in a month He says, “There are many companies that want to carry goods from one part of the country to the other. These include cement, flour, iron rod and other imported goods.

“A hard working driver can make up to four or five trips a month, and each of those trips can not be less than N300,000.” He says, despite the fact that a lot of the money is spent on the maintenance of the vehicle, the driver and his conductor, the company will still have a good portion of the money as profit at the end of the month, when accounts are reconciled, and salaries are paid.

“Indeed, the haulage business has never seen a better time than now, in terms of profitability,” says Arthur Chukwuka, a dealer and importer of new and used trucks in Lagos.

He adds, “Look at Alhaji Aliko Dangote, in spite of his numerous trailers and trucks running across the roads of Nigeria and West Africa, he still hires trucks to move his other products that his trucks can not carry.

Whichever way one looks at it, the business of haulage is expanding, and it is only wise investors that can invest in it.

Chikuka advises anybody going into the business to reserve some money for advertising and networking to get the right clients and sustain their interest.

Frustrations

It's increasingly annoying that I'm finding it difficult - Very difficult to concentrate. I've been awake at the library for 8 hours straight now, but I don't know what I've achieved. When I came here at 8pm, I had a list of aims to meet before 6am. One of them includes creating a questionnaire on attitude management - I know nothing about this, and therefore have had to read a book. It has taken me 7 hours plus and I still am no wiser. I'm very upset at this stage and I don't know what to do. I have to get this questionnaire ready for 10am this morning. I simply MUST. I'm so upset right now, and I have to leave the library at 6am or I'll get a parking ticket from the ever-so-diligent, ever-so-early ticket inspector who will ensure he comes to work on time in order to catch people. I need help. I just don't know what to do.

It doesn't help that I do not have time to spare. I have to submit this project in approximately 8 weeks and I have gone nowhere with it so far. To make matters worse, I have an exam on Monday which I only just found out about this Monday. Plus I HAVE to create and send out a products list for the next 2 months to meet my target. And also send off the materials for flyers to the graphic designer who I'll be working with. As if that's not enough, EMS Lagos has still refused to release my parcel, as my supplier in China was apparently lying about changing the adressee details with EMS...And he has refused to fax me the change of addressee documents... I simply have to get that parcel off them. I don't know how but I want it so bad I've even dreamt that I stole it from them...

Sorry it's not an interesting or inspiring post today. I do not mean to rant but I'm very very frustrated at this stage.

Now now now....

Now now now, christmas has come and gone... Now now now, we'll be in 2008...

I hope everyone's had a good christmas...For me, I've had a busy one.. I went to my aunts house for christmas and also to help with the babysitting over this period as we hosted a big christmas party...You know what Naija parties are like now... I'm sure if it wasn't so cold outside they would have set on eor two small canopies in front of the house... Well, on getting home lo, and behold another "aunty" had arrived from Nigeria with 2 extra children. This brought the total number of children aged 4 and below to a grand total of 5. 5 strong, healthy, active, vicious, energetic children, including a 1 year old with a very powerful voice... Let's just say I lost a lot of weight this christmas...

Busineswise, I'm also losing weight... There's a Chinese company I usually order from, for my eBay runnings. Since their products were such good quality, I decided to use them for my new business venture which I'm thinking of starting in Nigeria come 2008. Theory being "If it's good enough for the UK, it's good enough for Nigeria abi?". Needless to say, their goods are good quality, and their prices are quite reasonable. Besides, one of their products the exact product I need to focus on, as it's easily affordable by the average Nigerian.

Well, I placed a test order of a 150 products and asked for them to be sent to my contact in Nigeria. The representative, whom I've ALWAYS transacted business with gave me a quote, I paid without arguments. Goods were shipped by air freight. One week later, goods were delivered in Nigeria, but in my name. I "wasn't in", so they were sent back.... Problem is, I live in the UK and it's going to be a bit tricky getting me down to Lagos to collect the parcel. I've asked for my rep to change the addressee again and again but Lagos says they haven't received any such instruction. Now I don't know what to do... Suggestions are very very welcome!!!

While you're still thinking of that guys, have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It's a pulse!!

Just to confirm that I'm still alive! It's only 10,000 word disertation plus some reserch that's standing between me and my blog!!! But there are plenty new going-ons around! I will be back once I get a little breathing space!

It's been a long day/week/month! It's amazing how quickly time flies... Now now now, it was 1st January and I was wishing a Happy new year to all my long-losts and promising to keep in touch more often, as it is not a fight... Now now now, it's October the 20th, we're more than 3/4ths into the new year and I haven't really been too good in that area =( It doesn't help that I now work 7 days a week - 40 hours unpaid and 16 hours paid. My unpaid hours are at the hospital, and are mandatory as part of my course, while my paid hours are in a lovely ethical shop. I've been studying their business model and modes of operation... Very educative indeed! I so would love to implement a few of their methods when I relocate and settle in Nigeria.

In my last post, I promised to review the Time Management book. Well, the book turned out not to be by Anthony Robbins. (Stupid ******re!) Instead though, I got a book by Brian Tracy on Time management and it was excellent. He gave some very sound advice, and advises one to always prioritise tasks, with the most important tasks at the top. It seems like just plain old common sense, but one would be surprised how easy it is to just decide to do "just this little thing" and then it ends up taking ALL of ones time (e.g chatting on web messenger.) Brian advises, not to cut things like that out altogether, but to do the most importatnt tasks, earlier on and then use the "saved" time for less important tasks, or for relaxing purposes. I was able to find some a transcribed version of this book, one with all the main points, and it anyone is interested, they can look at it here.

I giess that will have to be it for the time being. Oh, and by the way, I'm looking for a graphic designer to help me create a small newspaper advert. If anyone knows anyone who would be willing to deliver in about 24-48 hours, can you please let me know? I do know graphic artists, but these are big people/services. Mine is just a small, one-off project. Thanks guys, and thank you to all those who have been putting up with my erratic posts. (Catwalq, Big head and "imbre" Nyemoni) - Thanks!!

So far so good...

Welcome back to Uni, all my fellow bloggers who have had their summer holidays abruptly cut short by the necessity we have thrust on ourselves called University. So far, so good... I'm now a final year student (hurray!) and it's saddening the amount by which our Cohort shrunk this year. The lecturers were absolutely merciless when it came to marking.. Well, I can only Thank God that I was one of the lucky ones who made it into final year. It's not harder work, but it's more work. If I had 2 essays to write before, now I have 6. I have rapidly graduated from writing 1,500-word essays to instantly manufacturing 10,000 words.

On the other side, business has been very challenging. I'm still working on a new idea, and I've pondered on whether it's worth taking on. At the last minute, I decided "You know what, let's take this on as one lives only once". It's a big risk because it's a previously unexplored area in Nigeria but Nigeria is just the best place for this venture. So I spoke to Remi from Punch and he asked me to write an article on some my ideas and he'll cover them and even pass them on to other local newspapers - Free publicity!!! :-) (Handy especially as my advertising budget is so tight)

I'm currently developing this article and I never realised there would be so much research involved! Coupled with my project and debates and essays plus placement starting Monday, I'm clueless as to how I will fit it all in. I guess I'll have to think carefully about how I would allocate the time slots I have free in the day... While I'm doing that, I'll listen to this audiobook I downloaded - Time Management by Anthony Robins. I'll sum it up in my next post , so you guys know whether or not it's worth investing in.

Thoughts....

I think I need professional help. I have a problem - A gift or a curse, you can look at it either way. The problem is my head. No there is nothing physically wrong with the head, and I’m not mentally challenged but, the thoughts inside are driving me crazy. Even when I try to get some rest, I’m constantly thinking and I can’t help it. Idea after idea flows into this head of mine, some of them make it into my mind but they ones still up there are all jumbled up together, and need unscrambling. I feel like I have no credit on my phone and someone has put me in a room full of top-up vouchers, but each or them are tightly and painfully scrunched up … (Hmm, this kind 2007 analogy sef…). I feel like I’m hungry, and have made my way to the kitchen, but the rice is still in the bag, the tomatoes are still in the shopping basket and the maggi is still on the shelf. I feel like I’m chatting on MSN, Nepa takes light, I have 15minutes of power left in the UPS and there’s petrol in the generator.

Petrol in the generator. Is that my only alternative to Nepa? So the light goes off, and I don’t have a generator - Do my options end there? What else can I do? Should I start inventing something new to replace a generator? What if I haven’t studied Engineering-or-some-similar-fantastic-course? And how about those who have studied Engineering-or some-similar-fantastic-course? Why don’t they think of ways we can replace “The Generator”? No resources? No government support? Etc? I guess we’re all too familiar with the situation.

So, is it absolutely, and totally impossible produce a solution to a problem without the almighty government getting involved? Is it ok to just sit back and drop an idea, just because you lack support? Is it ok to stop thinking, just because “Nothing has ever come out of it in the past?”. Is it ok to not to top-up my phone in this room of plenty, just because my nails are too short (I agree with you, this analogy is horrible). Is it ok to remain hungry, just because my mortar is broken and I can’t grind anything? Make una helep me oo…

See me see wahala o...

For some reason, it's just not my day. The firms I deal with are really putting me to ttest. I'm trying the best I can, but I feel like all my efforts are being worn down by their incompetence, and this is reflecting on me. I don't want to be just another "Well, what do you expect from Naija businesses" person.... I believe that there are still Nigerian businesses that are capable of delivering high standards of customer service, and I want to be one of them. Ok, I'll stop ranting now - Here's the gist of what happened :-

May '07 - First week of business, I sat at my desk/screen, looking at the phone, phone was looking at me. Everything was ready, I had distributed a thousand flyers around Lagos, met up with about 50 people in 2 weeks, passed business cards around, recited and revved my sales pitch until I could have explained to someone who had flung my room door open in the middle of my nap. Yes, I was ready. And yet when the phone finally rang, I was still shaky. Needless to say, I had my first order and man, it was bigger than I expected.

I jumped up quick-quick-fast-fast and got everything ready. I called up my suppliers and kpa kpa kpa all my products landed quicker than lightening. All except for one. The major one. I had spoken this guy earlier and when it was itching him to sell, he gave me fantastic prices I couldn't disagree with. Now, I was ready to buy, and even urgently, 17.5% VAT jumped out of nowhere. VAT which I had earlier assumed was included in the advertised price. If I didn't have a customer to impress, I would have just fashied the guy and asked him to go and eat his stock. However, there was no room for shakara in this case. I just paid for the stock, full of bitterness in my heart and nicely asked him to ship them down immediately. 1 week and like 5 phone calls later, the goods came. He didn't even have the courtesy to let me know he was spending the week at his warehouse or wherever until I asked... Meanwhile, I kept having to make long-distance calls to my customer to re-assure her that I hadn't played 419.....

Now half the job was done and the goods were finally sent. I called to find out if she had received them and she had. Only that they had charged her extra - Fees which no one earlier mentioned. Apparently the office in UK had not communicated my payment to the other end therefore they wouldn't release the goods without collecting payment.

September '07. About 15 calls later, the office still hasn't relayed the message, I've had to refund my customer out of my pocket and I'm also about to wear shokoto and sort this matter out one and for all. In their defence, they keep apologising and saying, "Oh, we'll look into it, there's no need to come all the way down..." but nothing dey happen literally.... I'm just not a happy bunny right now...

Now you see me... Now you see me again :-)

It it with great embarrassment that I type this entry, more than a month after I promised to be more regular on my postings. I do apologise to anyone who requires my heartfelt apologies, and to my dear old blog , for starving it for so long.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had to move house twice, as I decided to take up a summer letting in town. (Student tenancies last only 10 months around here, so one would have to rent afresh, deposit and all, for the 2 months of summer - Stupid idea, and wasteful to the landlords if you ask me). I stayed back in town was to enable myself concentrate on my business-related stuff and for once, be able to to control what I do during this period.

Has it paid off? Well, so far, to my amazement, one of my old ideas has jumped out of my “To do later” pile and has demanded attention before I regret it and wish I’d done something earlier. In a frenzy, I have written out a marketing strategy, business plan, estimated cost outlay, advert templates, advertising strategy and what-else-have-you. I have presented my ideas to investors (That’s another story) and finally, to my father who has decided to support me financially. I’ve spoken to people at Punch Newspaper, Success Digest and I’m currently pursuing The Guardian for publicity. I’ve booked a consultancy slot with an eperienced team of business advisors, to whom I’ll pitch my idea to solicit advice in any areas where I might be going wrong. I’ve bought a domain name and website and I’m just waiting for the gunshot before I start running. That’s my problem. Once I get hold of something new that appeals to me, I grab it by the neck and pursue it into the ground, milk it dry of every potential, if, maybe and but and not let go until I reach emotional satisfaction. Whether this is a good or bad thing, I do not know - Especially as this behaviour of mine extends into other areas of my life. The other day, I was at Dorothy Perkins and Woe Betide this beautiful top that I set my eyes on that day. I hurriedly grabbed it, tried it on, paid for it at the counter, went back to the changing room, put it back on….. before I could breathe normally again and continue my shopping….

The things that keep us going

I'm back from my AWOL, and I can tell you that it was totally unavoidable. I had to go away into London for a placement programme as part of my course.. But fear not, people.. I'm back! And I've swiftly got myself back in gear for my dear old business...

On Thursday, I attended a seminar, organised by the Business Startup Community and I can say it was excellent, at the very least. There were three speakers at the event - Mortton Patterson, who spoke on descision making in business. He stressed the importance of being able to differentiate between 'Wants' and 'Needs' when making decisions. In his own terms, "Wants are Wishes and Needs are Necessities", and he went on to give practical steps to help in making sound decisions.

Next up was Jill Durdin from the UK Intellectual Property Office. I particularly needed this lecture as I had been considering acquiring a copywright/trademark in the future but I was clueless as to at what point I would need them, how to go about getting them or even what they were !(I previously never associated trademarks with IP!). Jill laid out all the terms and briefly explained them accordingly.

- Trademarks protect reputation/goodwill

- Patents protect ideas ( as well as Technological innovations)

- Copywrights protect creative work

The last but not the least was a short but explosive talk given by The Can Can Man, Ben Kench. He started by charging the atmosphere for the first couple of minutes with a few "Who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire" themed questions, before passionately delivering his lecture themed "Small Business, Big Future." The sheer passion with which he delivered his message directly communicated his point across. He stressed the importance having passion for what you do - So much passion that you pass some along to your potential customer and get them caught up in the frenzy! I cannot fully convey the amount of motivation Ben transferred to me through this 2-dimensional medium but you can take a look at one of his videos, and see what I'm talking about. Plus he was very very open, welcoming and very ready to give advice to anyone who as much as e-mailed him - He offered to e-mail everyone the lecture powerpoint slides of the day. That I'd say is someone who's truly passionate about the job!

Well folks, thanks for visiting and I'll update you guys more regularly from now on!

On a different note, I just realised Angelique Kidjo is performing at the Barbican in Sepetember - Ooh

**Edit** I was just re-reading this post for errors, when my news generator came up with this interesting New York Times News Article on Electricity in Africa (which I hurriedly grabbed!)