The imagination revolution

Imagine a world without people. Imagine people are without imagination. That’s absolute blackness, don’t you think?

Every technological, political or social breakthrough is a product of someone’s fantasy and action. A fantasy can change a million realities. That Walt Disney fiddled with the idea of a huge amusement park with colourful displays based on his films- created Disneyland in America, Europe and Asia. Each centre hosts millions of tourists annually. The massive transformation of the hitherto filthy Lagos environment through the Mega City Project by the Governor, Babatunde Fasola, is another product of imagination.

Albert Einstein says, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Knowledge is the seed of imagination. Imagination causes revolution. Let it develop the wings of the eagle in your mind. Dream. Do. Achieve.

Brands that create stories that spark customers’ imagination will always win. The Information Age will not last as long as the previous. The next wave- the Imagination Age, is already upon us. Brands’ pay-offs now convey messages like Rule your World (Glo), It’s in you (Peak Milk), One day, cars will drive themselves (Bank PhB) and There’s a drop of greatness in every man (Guinness).

Consumer brands are now moving us into the Imagination Age, developing brand concepts that introduce us to who we are or who we can be. This adds emotional and psychological value to us through the power of imagination- and it works! We buy the products because we want to get that emotional or psychological value.

Your idea doesn’t have to be as big as Disney’s or Fashola’s, do it your way. Big things were once small. Start small.


Pix: Microsoft office images

What advice would you give a sacked banker?

Let’s have a discussion on the current issue in our labour market.

What would you advise a friend who just lost his job to the current wave of massive job loss? 5,000 bank jobs were lost last December alone, that’s over 15,000 Nigerians deprived of their daily bread as a result of organisational restructuring and global recession, or what do you feel?

I have a few thoughts…and I guess you’ve got yours too.

 Develop latent talents- I’d advise my friend to look inwards. Inside every individual are resources that have the potential of creating wealth. He needs to list his talents and develop 1 or 2 into marketable skills. Creativity for fashion, humour for stand-up comedy, organising for events management… talents abound that can be developed into money-making ventures.

 Make network work- he should leverage on his wealth of contacts garnered through years of experience in the banking industry. Goodwill is the intangible currency money can’t buy.

 Above all, I’d tell him to see his job loss as an opportunity in disguise. People never know how high they can jump until a lion chases them. Creativity is birthed when one’s mental faculties are effectively engaged. This crisis should create an avenue for new ideas/opportunities.

Okay now, have I given some sound advice? Oh, you feel he should scout for another job? That’s if you’d give him one. If you still have your job, this is also for you.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for
those who fear, too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.”
–Henry Van Dyke

Life is incomplete without its ups and downs, lows and highs and you must not lose sight of the benefits in every storm that you experience. Understand that life’s tribulations are not common to you alone. Giants always look around you, waiting to wreck havoc on things you cherish such as your health, money, jobs, career, family or academics.

In this recession, if you have lost anything, God is the reason you didn’t lose everything. Look around you for the friendly winds that have been pushing you towards destiny’s path.

A wounded lion has its life to be grateful for. Focus on what you have and not on what you have lost. The outgoing year may have been dotted by job losses, uncertainty, fear and economic turbulence but be thankful to God and be hopeful about the future. See a better day ahead.


NB
In view of the massive job loss in the banking sector last week, I’ll request that you re-read my previous blog posts:
• Of Recession & Redemption
• This Recession is for You
• Bail Out or Bail Options
• The Anatomy of Change
• Mind Your Business 1-5
Next blog post, I’ll attempt to proffer solutions to those affected by the storm.

GRAB YOUR LEVER!

People readily give very fluent and well-thought-through answers to celebrate their weaknesses. They overly emphasise on what they are incapable of doing, or what they had been unable to achieve in the past. Friendship with an inglorious past is a threat to a bright future. You cannot possess the future, driving on the reverse gear.

So, make up your mind.

Decide to focus on your strength areas and not on your weaknesses. Focus on the bog possibilities around you and not on the despondent environment. Reflect on the big breaks that can come your way if you decide to develop the latent talents in you. Think about your network of friends, your knowledge base and your experiences; you surely have something like a lever, something to lift you up to the next level you desire. So, why should you continue to subsist and grope in darkness? Light up your world and shine the light.

Living life on a subsistence level of just sleeping, waking, working, eating and then sleeping would not endure for long, most especially in an economic recession. It is either change meets you lying low or you create a change around you before it beckons. In a hurricane-prone country like China, civil engineers have learnt to construct weather-friendly buildings that withstand hurricane turbulence. Is your building weather-friendly?

How?

What do people say you do so well? Or what do you do so well that make other people grin with envy? Or what do you do so instinctively that make others cheer you? You really need to ask personal questions.

Leverage on your strengths, not on your weaknesses. You will excel by maximising your strengths, not by emphasising on your weaknesses; though weaknesses must be effectively managed. Stop going about complaining about what the government, your parents or your boss has not given you, rather leverage on the little stuff you already have. Marcus Buckingham says strength is “a consistent, near-perfect performance in an activity.” You need to grow your strengths with practice or training and find a role that draws on these strengths daily.

Push yourself to a higher level of existence by leveraging on what you know, the people you know, your talents, your personality (introvert or extrovert) , your character, your skills or training or knowledge or experience. You may also leverage on your culture, ethnicity or nationality, religious inclination, your looks, the places you have been to, worked or schooled (alumni/trade associations) or your power of imagination… The list is endless.

Now, the question is: what do you have that can legitimately get you to where you desire? There is certainly a lever around you with the potential to lift you up the ladder of success. It sits dormant, unused, dusty, rusty, neglected and weather-beaten. Its rusted, lacklustre fulcrum cries for lubrication. Around you and in you lie loads of untapped potentials and opportunities that are tossed to the wind because of your comfort zone. What happens to you if your nest is ruffled by a turbulent wind? You will excel by maximising your strengths, not by emphasising your weaknesses; though weaknesses must be well managed.

Rise up and light up the fire around you. Drive away the chill of mediocrity, slumber, casualness, lethargy, ignorance and fear. Grab your lever, ascend to a new level.


GREAT QUOTES

• Leverage is the ability to do more with less. - Robert Kiyosaki
• If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don’t hoard it. Don’t dole it out like a miser. Spend lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke. -Brendan Francis
• Men take only their needs into consideration, never their abilities. -Napoleon Bonaparte
• We’re limited, not by our abilities, but by our faith in our abilities. -Dr Ubah Maxwell

· You may email your reactions, questions via this email link: motivation.today@yahoo.com
· Current and past editions of this e-newsletter are available on my blog-
www.tundehundeyin.blogspot.com . You may also post your reactions on the website.
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BAIL OUT OR BAIL OPTIONS?

Motivation Today E-zine, Issue 03, June 2009

Right on time, the yellow cab pulled over by my office gate. I hopped in, exchanged pleasantries with the cabbie and off I was driven along Ahmadu Bello way. There was a traffic snarl as usual, due to a police checkpoint after Bonny Camp.
“All these police people, dem go allow person burn all im fuel for inside traffic. Dem no know say petrol no dey?” The cabbie, who gave his name as Taiye finally breaks the silence, and my reverie.

“That place is an illegal checkpoint.” I blurted. “I don’t know why the police authorities should condone this act?” I continued.

“Ah, those ones, dem dey chop for the money too!” Taiye replied, revealing his strong Ibadan accent. “Everybody, na chop make I chop we dey do. If to say dem take me for Police College, I for don chop up now.”

I laughed heartily. I talked to him about how absurd it was for us to promote greed above national development and patriotism. He told me how despondent he felt about the nation. And he had good reasons: a few years ago, his father was laid off from the Railway Corporation without any severance pay after 27 years of service. He had to work as a cobbler while in the polytechnic in order to send his siblings to school. His university graduate twin brother managed to secure a blue-collar job in a manufacturing firm after 3 years of unemployment. According to him, he has had to work as a cabbie for 5 years, since it seemed white collar jobs were not available for polytechnic products. His was a sad story.

He drove along Adeniji Adele and we headed towards the 3rd Mainland Bridge. He said in mixed English and pidgin:

“With this economic meltdown, Kehinde, my twin, is not even sure if he’ll still have his job. You know, the manufacturing industry no even do well from before before. They say his company is folding up, some are saying it is only moving to Ghana. Person no even know whether dem go carry dem go Ghana.”

I shook my head in pity and groped for words. “I…I…I would like to advise that…” He cuts in:

“Uncle, our government wicked. They should give them bail out or what do they call it, like Obama do in America. If they do that, everybody will happy. They should even increase their salary sef because pepper don cost for market. Yes, everything don cost!”

“Taiye, you see, the government itself is confused. Economists and policy makers are not finding it funny. Nobody has ever encountered what we’re currently facing, so the best advice that I can give anybody now is to look inwards. Examine the different options at your disposal. Be your own economist, write your own script.” I suggested. “Don’t wait for any bail out from anywhere. Be busy strategising your way out of the mess. If it comes, fine. If it doesn’t, don’t blame anybody. You can’t really blame the government. The price of crude oil, I mean the petrol wey we dey sell to dem oyinbo, the price don fall. Even sef, we no fit produce am again becos of the oil war, the gbingin wey dey sele for Niger Delta now. So, government is making less and less money than before. With this Niger Delta oil war, maybe no revenue will be derived from crude oil anymore. Who knows?”

Taiye breathed a heavy sigh, kept quiet for a minute or two and questioned, “Uncle, but aren’t civil servants are asking for more salary?”

“Yes, you see, the government will dribble them. They have promised to pay the N52,000 minimum wage they are demanding but the agreement will not be implemented. If it is implemented, then Yar’adua will increase our tax. So, the point is, you entrepreneurs have an upper hand. If government increases tax, it won’t affect you much because your income tax is not deducted before you’re paid. Infact, it’s the other way round.”

“Hmmh, oga. Hmmh, I dey feel you well, well.”

“So tell your twin to keep his job, find small, small business to do by the side- from where he can earn some passive income. He’ll make more money, make his untaxable income high and still keep his tax liabilities affordable. Even if he loses his job, he can fall back on his business.”

The cabbie was very grateful. He dropped me at my destination, we exchanged phone numbers and I wished his family well.

Every man is an architect of his decisions. Do not wait for others to determine your fate. Liberate yourself from the shackles of indecision, lethargy and inertia. The angel of your dreams is the image you see in the mirror.


GREAT QUOTES
Ø Solve the problem yourself or accept a fate you may not like...from this perspective, the ethic of personal responsibility gains appeal. - Noel M. Tichy
Ø There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation has a rendezvous with destiny. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Ø Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. -Mark Twain


You may email your reactions, questions via this email link: motivation.today@yahoo.com
Current and past editions of this e-zine are available on my blog- http://www.tundehundeyin.blogspot.com/ . You may also post your reactions on the website.
To register a friend, send “Subscribe” with the e-mail address to motivation.today@yahoo.com
To be removed from this e-mail list, send “Unsubscribe” to motivation.today@yahoo.com

THIS RECESSION IS FOR YOU!

Motivation Today E-zine, Issue 02, May 2009

“When written in Chinese, the word, ‘crisis’ is composed of
two
characters. One represents danger and the other represents
opportunity.”
- John F. Kennedy

There are two sides to every coin. What you see becomes your reality: head or tail. Your mind is going to play a major role during this economic crisis. Like the rudder that controls a ship, it is going to determine the course of your life. How do you perceive the concept of ‘crisis’? Do you see it as a danger or as an opportunity?

Crisis means unexpected change. Meaning that, if you organise a party for 20 people, then 50 people turn up; it will result in a food crisis. But the reverse would be the case if less than 20 people show up. A crisis introduces new problems. Problems are not walls of limitation but pedestals to new opportunities. What do you see? It is wise to keep your mind on things you want and off the things you do not want.

Why Is This Recession For You?
1. Redistribution of Wealth
Many wealthy people have held on to wealth for too long that they are so greedy not to establish businesses that will create jobs and opportunities for the poor. They stash it away on Wall Street and in Swiss accounts. Some of it is already changing hands. People with vision who harness their potentials by selling products or providing services are inevitably provided with the opportunities to trap some of this wealth. This recession is providing opportunities for those who can see the movement of money. Salaried jobs would not provide this opportunity though. Have you realised that Mike Adenuga, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola- the wealthiest men in this nation fall within the same age group? This is because they seized the opportunities that showed up at a certain season of their lives; sometime in the 90s. They chose to stand out of the crowd. The new millionaires and billionaires of the next decade are emerging during this recession. Same goes for the new have-nots. The world is in a very delicate season.

2. The Law of Recognition
Many times, you do not realise an opportunity until you lose one. Sharpen your inner sight; your insight. This is the time to process correctly, the information you glean from the mass media, seminars, fora and via word-of-mouth. Success is said to be 10% information and 90% perception. Interpret what you hear, see and read, and convert same to income.

3. Risks
Increase your risk appetite, with every opportunity comes risks. Do not be afraid to take calculated risks in trying new things/ideas. Do not sit on the fence or get stuck to your rut. The fear of death should discourage people from air travel but the aviation industry is still thriving. The fear of stillbirth should have stopped your mother from having you, but she still tried anyway. Close your eyes, confront your fears and act. It is better to die trying than not even making an effort to try.

4. Creativity and Innovation
New products and services are usually products of problems. Every problem-solver requires creative and innovative solutions in combating challenges. Leke Alder opines that, “when you mix your dreams with your skills and your problems and the problems of others you’re concerned about, you have a business idea cooking.” Develop your problem-solving skills. Do not chicken-out at the sight of walls, face them head-long. If they do not fall, try another solution. You cannot solve new problems with old methods.

5. The Law of Attraction
You attract to yourself whatever you think about. You will always attract to yourself your most dominating thoughts and obsessions. If you think wealth in recession, you will attract opportunities that will create it. If you think scarcity, then you will attract it. So, what do you think?

6. World Advancement
Because of new problems that are being created during this economic downturn, new products and services will emerge that will move the world further. This is the time for young professionals to embrace responsibility. Many rigid-thinking companies will fold up and there will emerge companies of the future. Are you thinking glocally?

7. Giving
“Don’t get all you can, can all you get and sit on the can”, goes an old saying. One of the causes of the meltdown is greed, so avoid the path. Give to those less privileged than you are. Give opportunities, give hope, give information, give money, give jobs, give service and give what you have free. There would never be a better yesterday for givers.

This recession is for you. If you believe and break free from your comfort zone, from fear, distrust, greed, rigidity, despair, ignorance, trauma and retrogressive mindsets, you will indeed reap the benefits hidden in it. Register your dream company, market a product or service, find opportunities, be ready to change, network and collaborate with stronger people. Finding nothing to do is not an option. Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime moment in history.

Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin II

GREAT QUOTES
Ø “The optimist sees the rose and not the thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose” - Kahlil Gibran
Ø “You can never solve a problem at the level it was created.” - Myles Monroe

• You may email your reactions, questions via this email link: motivation.today@yahoo.com
  Current and past editions of this e-zine are available on my blog- http://www.tundehundeyin.blogspot.com/ . You may also post your reactions on the website.
  To register a friend, send “Subscribe” with the e-mail address to motivation.today@yahoo.com
  To be removed from this e-mail list, send “Unsubscribe” to motivation.today@yahoo.com
  

OF RECESSION AND REDEMPTION

MOTIVATION TODAY E-zine Issue 01, May 2009

Your employer, using an anonymous company name, is already advertising your job for half your salary. Are you aware?

The global economic meltdown has forced many governmental organisations, corporations, small businesses and individuals to take absolute measures in reducing spending. Many companies have had to slash their event sponsorship budgets; others have had to reduce their marketing communication expenses. It is no longer news to see firms giving up minor projects, specifically corporate social responsibility (CSR) tasks. The workforce is not spared- many people have lost their jobs to this gargantuan monster. In the United States alone, job losses have been climbing up from 598,000 in January 2009 to 651,000 in February, and 663,000 by the end of the 1st quarter. Given an average household size of 5, that is about 3.3m people deprived of their sources of living! For a moment, imagine a scenario where a couple both lose their jobs, temper is bound to rise. Little wonder a couple in Arkansas killed each other and their four kids last December. Job loss data are however unavailable in Nigeria- so one is unable to accurately ascertain the extent of the negative impact on our labour market.

Do not be quick to forget the drastic plummeting of the prices of equities in our stock market. Also, the rise of the value of the dollar in exchange for the naira and its attendant effects on household expenditure, small and medium scale organisations- SMEs, and prices of goods and services; Nigeria being principally an import-dependent country. The cost per barrel of crude oil, which is our major income source, has fallen drastically from over $110 per barrel below $50pb in the wake of this economic crisis. This means that our government’s income has fallen and investment in the maintenance and building of new infrastructure is likely to decrease. Development in a nation like ours is also threatened because the flow of foreign aid is dipping and the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, by 2015 has been undercut by the recession.

Friends, things are happening fast. This is said to be the worst global economic downturn, after The Great Depression of the 1930s. Please understand that this is not to scare you, you need to understand what is upon us- in order to effectively manage it.

There is so much fear and uncertainty in the air. But you need not allow these cripple your mind. This is the time to think fast and act as occasion demands. This is not the time to stay fixed on plans that are not, or no longer working. You need to change with change. Situations that will require sound decisions will constantly confront you during this recession. No one knows how long it would last- 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 years? But within this continuum of time there would be seasons to sow, seasons of harvest, seasons of hunger, seasons to save, seasons to invest, seasons of marketplace combats, seasons of tough decisions etc.

There are so many untruths in the land. Government has been feeding us lies about the nature and impact of this meltdown. Late 2008, Central Bank Governor, Charles Soludo told the nation that Nigeria was insulated against its impact and that only developed nations were at risk. But we are seeing the impact already- while some banks are reducing staff strength, others are cutting salaries by as much as 50%. Other corporations are affected too. The truth is that top government officials and policy makers are confused and clueless themselves. The issue at hand is new to everybody in this generation. Everyone would have to discover pragmatic solutions to his/her own problems.

Survival Strategies
1. Expect unexpected change: in any and every area. While you pray that evil should not be your lot, you need to anticipate changes to things you have been used to. Anticipation here is hinged on “probability” (i.e. maybe or maybe not). This will help you in preparing for changes before they hit you. Make change control plans. You may have to relocate your family to a more affordable environment, you may have to start a business, you may have to buy some real estate, foreign currency (dollars in particular), gem stones (or other assets) with the loose funds you currently have. You may have to shed some liabilities and commitments as well; these include luxury, credit, expensive vacations etc. Think: less expenses and more income.

2. The key to succeeding under this economic climate is personal change or self development. This meltdown will bring a lot of changes from what you have always known. Therefore, you need to constantly alter your false preconceived notions, attitudes, desires and thoughts. Old beliefs will not lead to new possibilities. Spencer Johnson says, “The greatest inhibitor to change lies within yourself, nothing gets better until you change.” People who engage in stereotypic, one-way-traffic thinking will be drowned in the flood of the recession. The thirst for knowledge and pragmatic solutions will see you through this period. Research the internet, read books, journals and magazines, learn more about your industry, hone your skills, learn new things/vocations etc.

3. Do not stand alone. Our people say “chop alone, die alone”. Let others know what you know. Belong to a community of problem solvers. Two (good) heads are better than one. Promote cohesion. Financial expert, Robert Kiyosaki says, “The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work.” You surely know somebody that knows somebody that knows the person who has your solution. Connect. Find a mentor. Form a discussion/investment group with like-minds. Share it on blogspot.com, facebook.com and other channels. Synergy is strong.

4. Put your mind to work. This is the time to increase your net worth. Net worth is what you are worth after the deduction of your expenses. You will need to increase the cash flow into your income column and reduce your expenses. Cut off frivolous spending. Buy more needs than wants. Needs are necessary for survival, wants are leisure-related. Think about how to increase the zeros on your income sheet. Recession promotes wealth transfer. The rich will lose some wealth, the poor but wise will tap some wealth. Think and grow rich.

5. Take one day at time. There is so much uncertainty around. Many long-term plans will fail; take each day as it comes. Apply wisdom to tackle each day’s challenges. Grab current opportunities, though they may first look deceptive. Tomorrow’s opportunities will spring from today’s.

6. Avoid consumer credit, except to start or grow your business/investment. Invest only in things that go up in value. Sacrifice, choose delayed gratification.
Now, back to your employer. He knows that you desire a pay raise but he is unprepared for that, for obvious reasons. He is therefore poaching for cheap labour in your stead. This is the time to watch your back, work harder, put your ears to the ground, watch out for the handwriting on the wall, be calculated, be loyal and be strong. The deep calls to the deep.


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