The good news for investors and entrepreneurs is that investment in egg processing plants, which can process egg powder, could earn a revenue of up to $1billion per annum. Currently, less than 5% of the country’s egg powder demand is met by local production.

Nigeria is the largest producer of eggs in Africa, with 10.3 billion eggs produced annually, data from the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) shows. But the poultry farmers in the country are yet to fully take advantage of the large production capacity by processing eggs into powdery forms.

Nigerian poultry farmers usually experience a glut between February and May every year, largely because people tend to consume less eggs during this period of the year and there is a short shelf life for eggs. This situation results in wastage of eggs, as eggs are mostly consumed during the rainy season. But if we are able to process excess eggs into powder especially for use in the food and beverage industry like other advanced countries do, then we would save the country $1billion used to import egg powder every year,” according to the report from Nigeria’s Poultry Association.

CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE: https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/egg-powder-can-generate-1billion-annually-for-nigerian-poultry-farmers/

The wide financing gaps in all sectors of the economy has increased the relevance of leasing to capital formation in the economy, accounting for growth in the sector. A recent report released by the Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria, ELAN shows a 14.5% increase in leasing volume to N1.44trillion in 2017, up from N1.26trillion in 2016.

According to the report, the reasons for the continued upward trend witnessed in the industry during the period under review include: increasing lease demand, new entrants into the leasing industry and increased value of assets, due to the depreciation of the Naira.

Analysis of the volume by sector revealed that the Oil and Gas sector is leading with N449billion, representing 28 percent of the total portfolio, while transportation followed closely with N355billion, and representing 20 percent. Manufacturing moved to N217billion from N180billion in 2016, while Agriculture, Government, Telecommunications and other sectors (education, healthcare, construction and consumer sectors) recorded considerable growth.

CLICK THE LINK TO SEE FULL STORY: https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/huge-growth-in-the-leasing-industry-presents-opportunities/

On Friday, April 27, 2018, Nigeria announced that it had entered into a currency swap deal with China.

Here are Top 7 facts every Nigerian importer doing business with China should know about the Nigeria-China currency deal.

#1: The Adoption of Yuan As Bilateral trading Currency:

In 2016, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari led a Nigerian delegation to China. The outcome of that trip opened negotiations between the financial authorities of both countries on adoption of the Yuan as the bilateral trading currency. This deal is a culmination of that negotiation.

Before the Chinese government started taking steps to make the RMB a globally traded currency, international business owners routinely paid Chinese partners in their domestic currency, because it was the only legal option available.

“For decades, if [a foreign small business] was doing business in China, chances are they were making payments in the U.S. dollar because the Chinese government did not allow businesses to be paid in the Renminbi,” says Alfred Nader, Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development at Western Union Business Solutions.

#2: Improved Economic Co-operation Between Nigeria and China:

China is one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners, with trading volumes between both countries totaling $12.3bn in 2017. This agreement will help to further improve economic cooperation between the two countries.

CLICK TO READ FULL STORY: https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-facts-about-the-nigeria-china-currency-deal/

The internet has grown to become one of the most important and powerful business tools at our disposal today. Setting up a website for your business means that it can be viewed and accessed worldwide, and the web presents one of the most affordable and accessible ways to present your business to the world – whether locally or on a global scale. And it’s not just enough to have a website, it must be updated regularly.

So if your business doesn’t have a functional and up-to-date website, here are Top 7 good reasons to build one now:

#1: It is the Cheapest Means To Publicize Your Business
Building a website for your business could be a one-off investment that you do not necessarily have to repeat ever again. You can get by simply by upgrading it periodically at a small cost. And you often do not need more than just internet access to update the information on the site.

There is a misconception that owning and running a business website can put a financial drain on your business resources but, in reality, you can set up and run your own business website very inexpensively. Why not try it and see if it could help enhance your business? You have nothing to lose!

CLICK THE LINK TO VIEW FULL STORY: https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-reasons-why-your-business-needs-a-functioning-and-up-to-date-website/

Now that the UEFA champions league is finally over and the World cup is less than a month away, you are sure to be waiting for the big event with bated breath. However, not all may be good especially when it comes to the class player Christiano Ronaldo. He isn’t particularly fond of playing alongside Neymar, it seems, and we will take a look at more of the story below.

What’s Cooking In Spain?
While forward player Ronaldo and the president of Real Madrid are trying to make their contract work, the Club’s plan of bringing Neymar in has increased the distance between the two.

CLICK THE LINK TO READ FULL STORY
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/real-madrids-pursuit-of-neymar-frustates-christano-ronaldo/

Cocoyam, which is a traditional staple, tuber food in the country and regarded as ‘poor man’s food’ in many rural communities, is about to become a cash crop and create wealth for many local farmers, as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) says it has discovered that the tuber can be used as an alternative to sorghum in factories producing beer and other beverages.

The President of MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs, who stated this through the Association’s Director, Corporate Communications, MAN, Mr. Ambrose Oruche, noted that this discovery came out of the collaborations that the body had with indigenous researchers while on the quest to increase local sourcing of raw materials.

He said the recent experience of manufacturers with foreign exchange scarcity had made it necessary to collaborate with the Research and Development institutions in search of local raw materials.

CLICK TO READ FULL STORY.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/cocoyam-is-the-new-cash-crop/

A good number of us get bitten by the entrepreneurial bug while working as employees in a 9-5 job, and we get that zeal to start a business venture of our own.

The entrepreneurial journey may have its rewards, but it is also a risky venture Here are a few important steps to consider before taking the plunge.

#1: Prepare for the Realities of Entrepreneurship
While it may be exciting to consider the prospects of becoming an entrepreneur, keep in mind that it may not necessarily be a jolly ride. For one, many more entrepreneurial ventures fail than those that succeed. Even the entrepreneurs that eventually succeed have to go through a lot of challenges to eventually make it in the end Also, most of the successful entrepreneurs of today have had to deal with a lot of setbacks sometimes becoming broke in the process, coming to the brink of failure, or even eventually failing and having to pick up the pieces and get back up multiple times. Entrepreneurship is definitely not for the fainthearted and as rewarding as it can be, it can also be hard and extremely tasking.

#2: Learn everything you can about the line of business or service
Every business has its tricks. Until you actually get in you might not know exactly how certain things really work. That is why it helps to try and find out as much as you can about the line of business, service or product you want to deal in. Ask questions, carry out discrete investigations, read up all you can. You might even want to go as far as serving an internship or apprenticeship, before you finally decide to take the plunge

#3: Prepare a Business Plan
A business plan is like a road map that guides you along the way, especially during the early stages of the entrepreneurial journey. It shows the viability of the venture, and is therefore very useful if you need to raise capital.

CLICK TO READ FULL STORY.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-things-to-note-before-launching-out-as-an-entrepreneur/

Below are the Top 7 provisions of the law that protects your rights as an Electricity consumer in Nigeria:

#1: You are entitled to a 14-Day Grace Period To Pay Your Bills

By law, you are entitled to at least 14 days between the date you receive your Electricity bill and the date when you are to pay that bill.

#2: You Are Entitled To A Written Prior Notice of Disconnection

By law, your Electricity Distribution Company must give you a written notice of disconnection before it can disconnect you for non-payment of your bill

#3: You Have a 90-Day Grace Period Before Disconnection
CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE[b][/b]

[/b]
When making a first impression, most worry about having aged or discoloured teeth, which can send a signal that you don’t really care about yourself. This is not always right. You may brush your teeth daily but it may never become white. Regardless, there are tricks for you to whiten your teeth to help you improve your oral and dental hygiene. Jumia, the online shop you can trust shares these tricks.

[b]Stay away from coffee and other teeth-staining foods

Coffee, tea, soda, fruit juice and red wine all easily stain teeth. Avoid exposure to these drinks in your efforts to keep your teeth white, especially after a whitening treatment.

Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits

Eating healthy vegetables and fruit can also keep your teeth white. Foods such as carrots, celery and apples provide plenty of vitamin C, which can trigger extra saliva production. Saliva washes away debris from your teeth, keeping them clean and sparkling.


CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW FULL STORY.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/ways-to-keep-your-teeth-sparkling-white/

Packaging bags will be in high demand in those companies, in addition to opportunities to supply various items and to provide sundry other services.

The federal government is to revive 12 moribund fertilizer blending plants to bring to 23 the total number of plants that will partake in 2018 Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), an official says.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this at a media briefing in Lagos said 11 moribund plants with a combined capacity of over two million metric tonnes (MT) had been revived.

He said fertilizer production in Nigeria has been a success story with the setting up of the PPI in December 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

CLICK TO READ FULL STORY.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/nigerian-govt-to-revive-12-moribund-fertilizer-plants/

He said the PFI was set up to deliver commercially significant quantities of affordable and high quality fertilizer at the right time to the Nigerian farmer.

“The PFI has turned out to be a magic wand in fertilizer production.

“Recall that the agricultural sector and the country’s food production were negatively impacted in 2016, as farmers became exposed to high and rising prices for key agric inputs.

Many modern-day moms face a pressing need to stay home and take full responsibility of those adorable little ones without having to worry about the dangers they are exposed to and also give them all the love they deserve. Yet they would not mind doing some business from home, to augment the family income

Here are Top 7 home-based business ideas to help pay the bills.

#1: Run A Blog

If you have always had an interest for getting your stories out there and because of your busy schedule at your last job it hasn’t been possible, starting your own blog is an opportunity to pursue that dream.

This is definitely not a get-rich-quick scheme but it could go a long way in keeping your mind busy and earning you some cash. This would help you interact with others and get exposed to their opinions which staying at home without engagement wouldn’t give you.

In order to make your blog more professional, you can take free online classes on web writing and content creation.

#2: Start A Wig Making Business

Are you passionate about weave-ons and love to get creative with making them into wigs to help people look good? Then start a wig business.

With over 50% of women passionate about looking elegant in varieties of weaves you can carve a niche for yourself by making homemade long lasting wigs and satisfying that need.

Wig making has been made easy for all as you can get videos on YouTube and professional articles on Google showing countless procedures and the materials needed for beginners.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO READ FULL STORY.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-business-startup-ideas-for-stay-at-home-moms/

Maurice and Roch Hennessy arrive Nigeria to mark anniversary[i][/i]

Today marks the 200th anniversary of Hennessy VSOP, one of the leading products from the stable of the Cognac native brand. To commemorate the milestone celebration two descendants of the progenitor of the brand, Maurice and Roch Hennessy, fifth & eighth generation descendants respectively, are in Nigeria on a three day visit to participate in a series of events showcasing Hennessy’s rich heritage and its affiliation with the Nigerian people. The two men were introduced in a press conference held at Wheatbaker Hotel in Lagos.

Maurice and Roch visited South Africa and Kenya before coming to Nigeria as part of a tour of selected African markets. Nigeria is an important market to Hennessy.

Click the link below to read full story.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/hennessy-vsop-marks-200th-anniversary/

Under a new law (Administration of Criminal Justice Law) in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Delta, Edo and other States, there are certain human rights protections for all Nigerians whenever they face arrest by security agencies.

Here are the Top 7 of these Human Rights protections:

#1: You Are Entitled to a Telephone Call

Anyone who is arrested must be given a telephone to contact one person of his choice. This is fundamental to the integrity of the investigation process. The arresting officer must be able to prove that he informed the suspect of his right to a telephone call. Any suspect kept incommunicado can thereafter question the entire process as lacking in legality.

Click to read full article.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-human-rights-protections-you-have-when-youre-facing-arrest/

There is a new law (Administration of Criminal Justice Law) in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Delta, Edo and other States which protects the human rights of all Nigerians whenever anyone is arrested by security agencies.

Among other things, it is now compulsory that:

1. Anyone who is arrested must be given a telephone to contact one person of his choice. This is fundamental to the integrity of the investigation process. The arresting officer must be able to prove that he informed the suspect of his right to a telephone call. Any suspect kept incommunicado can thereafter question the entire process as lacking in legality.

2. No interview, interrogation or questioning should take place unless the suspect is represented by a Lawyer. So, the Police must henceforth not interview any suspect unless a lawyer is present.

Click the link to read more.

https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/highlights-of-the-administration-of-criminal-justice-law/

The re-constituted Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held its maiden meeting, the 260th meeting of the Committee, and its first in 2018, on April 3-4, 2018.

Below are the Top 7 take-aways from that meeting, extracted from the communiqué issued afterwards:

 #1: Background

The Committee assessed the developments in the global and domestic economic environments during the first quarter of 2018, including the risks to price stability, financial stability, and economic growth in the short-to-medium term.

Nine members of the Committee attended the meeting.

#2: Global Economic Developments

The strong headwinds which confronted the global economy in 2017 showed signs of moderation, giving way to prospects for stronger growth in 2018.

With the sustained recovery in oil prices, aggregate demand is expected to continue to firm up. Growth in the advanced economies is projected at 2.3 per cent in 2018, and 4.9 per cent for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

 #3: Domestic Output Developments

The economy grew overall by 0.83 per cent in 2017. The main drivers of real GDP growth were agriculture (1.08%), industry (0.56%) and trade (0.35%). Non-oil real GDP grew by 1.45 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with a contraction of 0.76 per cent in third quarter of 2017, indicating that the economy is gradually returning to a path of sustainable positive growth.

To read full story click on the link below.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-key-learnings-from-the-central-banks-mpc-meeting/

Some Nigerian airlines are in the habit of not informing passengers about flight delays until the last minute. They leave them in limbo that they have to decide if the flight has been delayed or not. This will definitely infuriate them. However, this doesn't have to be you. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, highlights how to know if your Nigerian flight has been delayed.

Boarding hasn't started

You arrive the airport hours before the flight and you settle down waiting to board the plane. However, the time for the scheduled flight has come and gone but boarding has not started. This is an obvious sign that something is amidst.

Airline stops selling flight tickets

When you visit the website of some airlines, they usually provide information on whether the flight is fully booked or not. But, if you notice that the airline has stopped selling tickets and at the same time, the flight is not fully booked, your flight has probably been delayed.

Click the link below to read the full story.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/interesting-ways-to-know-if-your-nigerian-flight-has-been-delayed/

In its effort to diversify the economy away from over dependence on oil, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the Non-Oil Export Stimulation Facility (NESF) to engender growth in the non-oil export sector of the economy, as well as, ensure growth of the nation’s foreign reserve.

The Facility will help redress the declining export financing and reposition the sector to increase its contribution to economic development.

Here are the Top 7 facts you should know about NESF:

Eligibility Criteria
Exporter must have business duly incorporated in Nigeria under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA)
Has verifiable export off take contract(s).
Satisfactory credit reports from at least two licensed indigenous Credit Bureau in line with the provisions of CBN Circular BSD/DIR/GEN/ClR/O4/014 dated April 30, 2010.
Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs)
Deposit Money Banks (DMBS), i.e. Commercial banks

Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), e.g. Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture etc.

Features of the NESF
Lending Limit
Term loans under the Facility shall not exceed 70% of verifiable total cost of the project subject to a maximum of N5, 000,000,000.00

https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-facts-exporters-should-know-about-cbns-non-oil-export-stimulation-facility/

As important and beneficial as health insurance is, it is sad to find that the level of penetration in Nigeria is still less than 5%. It appears that the major reason for this is ignorance. Many Nigerians have never heard about health insurance, have no idea how it works – let alone its benefits – and therefore have not made any attempt to purchase it for themselves or their families.

Here are the Top 7 reasons why you should have health insurance:

#1: You’re Protected When You Need Urgent And Unexpected Medical Attention
Sickness and injuries do not always give advance notice. With a health insurance policy in place it is comforting to know that you can have access to good quality medical care when you fall ill unexpectedly, or when you’re injured in an accident and require urgent medical attention. Especially if this happens at a time when you’re not financially buoyant or in a position to be able to pay your hospital bill from your pocket.

#2: You Have Access To Better Quality Health Service
With a health insurance policy in place, you are exposed to a wide range of options of care providers (medical facilities) to choose from. You can decide to choose an upscale provider (depending on your particular plan) which you might ordinarily not be able to afford on a pay-as-you-go basis.

https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-reasons-why-you-should-have-health-insurance/

Your freezer is a great tool for preserving and ensuring that foods do not get spoilt. With this in the mind of many, they keep every food in the freezer. This is actually wrong. There are certain foods that shouldn't be kept in the freezer as this can lead to the growth of bacteria or even health risks. Jumia Food, Nigeria's no 1 food ordering platform, highlights some of the foods you should not keep in your freezer.

Potatoes
Potatoes have a high water content, so after being stored in the freezer, you could be left with a mushy, soft potato. Potatoes are best kept in a cool, dry place. If you really want to freeze them, you should try cooking them first.

Fried foods
Foods that were fried will lose their crunchy taste if you put the leftovers in the freezer. The best advice is to eat all of your fried food in one go or fry the ones you can eat.

Click on the link below to read full story.

https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/foods-you-shouldnt-keep-in-your-freezer/

Below are Top 7 funds that are available for Nigerian SMEs this year. The general criterion for accessing these funds is the capacity to present a bankable and viable business plan. The entrepreneur should be clear on where he wants to be in the near future, and must also be able to describe the market for his or her products. These are the seven Funds:

#1. BoI Funds

If there is anywhere Nigerian entrepreneurs can get cheap or single-digit funds (often at nine percent lending rate), it’s from the Bank of Industry (BoI).

This development finance institution (DFI) has been rated by many local and international agencies as one of the best managed banks in the world.

Click the link below to see the full story;
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-funds-available-for-nigerian-smes-in-2018/
The BoI has a number of funds that entrepreneurs of all levels can access. First is the Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF), which is meant for serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Candidates are allowed to submit their business ideas, which are then reviewed by a team of experts. The NYSC members whose ideas are marketable and bankable are then selected, trained for four weeks and then given between N500,000 and N2 million.

There are also the Cottage Agro Processing (CAP) Fund for small and medium agro processors; Nolly Fund for players in the Nollywood industry, as well as Fashion Fund for designers and other players in the fashion value chain.

In fact, the bank has other matching and managed funds, including a fund for the automotive industry. Through 122 business development experts, entrepreneurs can access funds easily. It is also easy to access some of the bank’s products through its website.

The bank has a N5 billion fund from Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote to finance SMEs at a single digit rate.

“We want to continue to create opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs and support the industrialization efforts of the government,” said Waheed Olagunju, acting CEO and MD of BoI, at a forum in Lagos in 2016.

#2. Tony Elumelu Fund

Tony Elumelu Foundation has earmarked $100 million for 10,000 African entrepreneurs, broken into tranches of $10 million for 1,000 entrepreneurs every year for ten years. This will continue to be available for another seven to eight years. If you are in agriculture, fashion and design, light manufacturing, ICT, and solid minerals, among others, then apply for the on-going Tony Elumemu Fund. You may be lucky to be one of 1,000 entrepreneurs to be shortlisted.

#3. GroFin Fund

GroFin, a development financier, has committed over $500 million to funding Nigerian micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs) across the country.

The firm has five different types of funds: the Aspire Nigeria Fund, the Growth Africa Fund, the Small Growing Business Fund, the Aspire Small Business Fund and the Aspire Growth Fund.

The Aspire Nigeria Fund, the Growth Africa Fund and the Small Growing Business Fund cater for all parts of Nigeria except the Niger Delta.

The Aspire Small Business Fund provides a minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $1.5 million to SMEs in Nigeria.

The Aspire Small Business Fund and the Aspire Growth Fund cater for the Niger Delta.

The Aspire Small Business Fund provides between $10,000 and $100,000 to small business owners in the oil-rich region, while the Aspire Growth Fund frees between $100,000 and $3 million to businesses to stimulate growth in the area. GroFin provides its funds mostly for a maximum of six years.

#1: Research the Company

You must do a thorough background research on the company interviewing you for a possible job position.

Google is your friend!

The company executives on the panel are always happy to know that you have taken time to find out as much as you can about their company. Indeed, in many situations, this is considered an important part of the interview.

#2: Work on Your Communication Skills

Show confidence, talk about yourself in a way that ‘sells ‘ you, your skills and your work experience (if you have any). It would be a very good idea to have a few practice sessions before-hand to prepare you properly.

#3: Be Mindful of Your Body Language.

Sometimes your body language speaks louder than your words. Avoid fidgety actions and mannerisms. Do not engage n habitual actions like wringing your hands or knocking your fingers. Chewing gum is an absolute no-no and a big put off!

Click the link to read more;
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/top-7-guides-for-a-successful-job-interview/

#1. Growth is inevitable, Nigeria has unmatched economic potentials, but what becomes of those potentials depends on the choices you make as Nigeria’s leaders

#2. The most important choice you can make is to maximize your greatest resource, the Nigerian people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive.

#3.. If you invest in their health, education, and opportunities – the human capital we are talking about today – then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.

#4. More than half of rural Nigerian children can’t adequately read and write. The conclusion is inescapable, Nigeria’s economy tomorrow depends on improving its schools today.

Click the link below to read full story.
https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/8-things-bill-gates-said-to-nigerias-leaders-when-he-addressed-the-expanded-national-economic-council-on-thursday-march-22-2018/

In light of the mushrooming ICT evolution and innovation experienced across the digital world in the past few years, as the New Year approaches, it is clear that 12 months of great possibility and opportunity lie ahead of us. Instead of trying to make precise predictions about our incredibly dynamic industry, I've listed my top trends to watch during the coming year.

1. Betting on online

Nigeria is still picking up pace in terms of individuals and businesses moving online. The rate of adoption has increased in the last few years but 2016 is going to see the barriers falling away and many more Nigerians flooding online. As this consumer shift happens, more businesses will look to retain their previously offline customers and reach this bigger market. Businesses both large and small will turn to search marketing to drive new traffic to their websites, as online advertising becomes the lifeblood of those trying to get ahead in the digital economy.

2. Offline events will drive online search


Advertisers will take advantage of the direct link between offline events and the subsequent surge in online search. People immediately search the internet for news, insights and video relating to major offline events. From sports to politics and natural disasters, offline events provide savvy and fast-acting advertisers the opportunity to make the most out of rising online search activity surrounding each event. The reverse is also true: If customers can't find you online to make an evaluation then you're missing a substantial portion of the market straight away.

3. Data beats opinion


Every day, hundreds of millions of people search on Google - we are able to see trends emerge in real time. Access to search trend information is available to everyone through Google Trends. For example the Xenophobic attacks in South Africa was one of the most popular searches in Nigeria in 2015. This year we expect to see an increase in the use of search trend data in structuring online marketing campaigns. This new level of insight into the trending online searches will empower advertisers to move away from relative guesswork and work from an informed point of reference. Marketing and Brand Managers are also able to make comparisons with their competitors using Google Trends.

4. Websites get better and better

More web users are starting to make use of the readily available free and easy-to-use tools to improve the usability and functionality of their websites. You can use advanced tools to turn your website into a more effective sales tool by understanding how visitors use your website. For example, Google Analytics allows you to track user browsing behaviour on your site (which pages they visit, what point they leave the site, how much time they spend) and Google Website Optimizer can suggest ways to improve the layout and format of your website to make it more user friendly.

5. Going mobile, Going big


More than 80% of Google's mobile search queries come from outside the U.S., and Nigeria has shown growth in mobile search traffic. More people do business on their mobile phones than on their laptops because mobile search gives users instant, contextually relevant access to information anytime, anywhere. Nigeria’s mobile penetration massively exceeds the broadband penetration, and even with the expected rise in broadband access in 2016, it isn't going to catch mobile. So, it is important for Nigeria’s advertisers to think mobile as they head into the New Year.

Read more at: http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/10-tech-trends-for-2016/

An organized and clutter free desk and work space is a trait of most top CEOs and leaders.

Here are some great tips I found.

1. Designate a Physical Inbox – We all have too many email inboxes, yet many people no longer have a physical one on their desk. You need one place for incoming papers to reside. Otherwise, they will scatter all over the existing documents on your desk.

2. Have a Trash Can Within Reach – If you have to get up from your desk to reach the trash, then it is too far away. (Nor do you want to be playing trashcan paper toss…) Make sure that you can easily and quickly reach the trash from your chair.

3 a. Minimize Incoming Paper – Stop that incoming paper flood, or at least minimize it to the extent possible. Eliminate unnecessary subscriptions, reduce the number of paper reports and memos. If you don’t need something in hard copy, then stop it from coming to your desk.

3b. Get Rid of Unnecessary Clutter – Do note, if you are not using it, move it off your desk.

4. Schedule Regular Cleaning Time – If you have not cleaned your desk in a month, it could take you a few hours to tidy it up. However, if you do it daily, it should only take a few moments. Avoid compounding your organizing time by scheduling a designated time each day.

5. Never Put Trash Down – Whether it is a piece of paper or a food wrapper, never set trash down. Get in the habit of holding it in your hand until you can reach your trash can.

6. Take a Picture – Do you have items on your desk that are simply for reference? A battery or ink cartridge that you need to replace? Or a clipping or article? Instead of leaving these items on your desk, take a picture with your smartphone. You will be more likely to have your phone with you when you need to reference the item.

7. When in Doubt, Throw It Out – You will never need 99% of the papers that you are saving. When in doubt, throw it out. If you truly need a hard copy, make sure you have a filing system to put it where you will know where to locate it.

8. Scan It- Is the price of a scanner worth the peace and organization it will bring? Yes! Clear that paper clutter, by scanning it into soft copy or PDF. Or take a photo of it.

9. Clean It Before You Leave It – One of the best times to clean your desk is the end of the day. It brings closure to your work day and sets you up for a clean start tomorrow.

Read more on:
http://timemanagementninja.com/2014/02/10-tips-to-keep-your-desk-clean-organized-productive/

Lastly- iPad saver. I personally save most of my notes on my iPad, which has auto back up in the cloud! So all your notes and paper work are with you wherever you go.

Have a clutter free desk… And life!

Source: http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/how-top-c-e-os-keep-their-desks-clutter-free/

It is quite unfortunate that nowadays, it has become the responsibility of the teeming population of youths to create jobs for themselves. They graduate from school, unsure of what the future holds for them in terms of gainful employment. In recent times, it is not uncommon to meet a graduate who has been searching for paid employment for as long as seven years post university graduation.

In quite a lot of cases, those who are fortunate enough to secure a job receive below-average wages. Out of desperation, some have had to engage in jobs they are overqualified for. A majority of the people are in irregular employment, most likely in the informal sector. This is in line with a report released recently by the International Labour Organisation, which reveals that youth unemployment in most countries, especially the developing ones, is close to its crisis peak.

To steer clear of the obvious negative implications of the above development, more and more Nigerian youths are getting wiser – they are getting off the queue of those depending on the government or private employers for the few available jobs. And the good news is that Nigeria is a land of great opportunities, especially for those who are willing to take the plunge. This class of youth are embracing one line of business or the other, and they are making a decent living out of it.

However, a good number of others are very much at loss as to what to do, how to do it and where to get the funds from, considering the fact that raising capital from Nigerian Banks for small businesses is a tough task. Here on Bizwatchnigeria, we present some few sure startup business ideas that do not require bank-breaking capital and are easy to start.

Website Designing

Due to technological advancement and the fact that many organizations are trying to be ahead of competition, Website Designers have become so much needed by corporate organizations, government agencies and NGOs, which are willing to pay quite much to get their websites designed. Some are also looking for website developers because of the need to constantly keep their sites updated and functional.

A website designing course can take a week or two, and you can get trained for as low as N20, 000. Then, if you are well grounded in internet activities, you can further the training yourself by looking up online for free software that can guide you better. You can charge an upward of N10, 000 for designing a website, depending on the type of website and who your client is.

internet browser

Recharge Card Vouchers Printing and Selling

With a population of over 174 million people and mobile telephone subscription of over 120 million active lines, recharge cards have become one of the fastest selling products in Nigeria. This makes any business bordering on mobile telephony a lucrative one. The good news is that you can start your own recharge card printing business. The printer costs about N38, 000, and you can start printing with Pins from N20, 000, and sell for all networks. That way, you will never run out of recharge cards or experience scarcity.

recharge card

Computer Class Instructors

It is no longer news that computers and computer-based systems have become part of everyone’s life, not only at the workplace, but in the home as well. They are part of our jobs and also part of our entertainment. Everyone now needs some sort of computer training. You can build a business around that. You can even start computer classes that can be offered at home to those who are in need of your services, whether they are old or young. You could start with two fairly-used computers that are in good conditions. Setting up all these should not cost you more than N50, 000, and you can be sure of expansion as time goes on.


Event and Party Planning

If you have been complimented so many times on your parties, you may just be good enough to be a party planner. This is a business that cannot fail if you are good at it because it is a well-known fact that Nigerians love parties. All you need do is get some training and equipment, depending on how large you want the venture to be. Once you start, you can charge from N15, 000 to N200, 000, depending on the size of the party. If you do at least two parties in a month, you will be making a comfortable living.

event-setting


Poultry Farming

Poultry farming has become one of the most lucrative types of livestock farming because of the great business opportunities that lie in it for entrepreneurs. As a matter of fact, it is increasingly providing employment for many job-seeking citizens. Chicken is one of the major sources of animal meat in the country. With as little as N20, 000, you can start the business. All you need to do is to get a good location, buy healthy birds and get them good feed and vaccination. This is a lucrative business because you gain in two ways: you sell the eggs as well as the meat. A full crate of eggs sells for about N500, while the chicken itself could be sold for between N1, 500 to N2, 000. You could even try quail farming, which is even cheaper, easier and more lucrative.

Poultry-farm-chicken-412


Party Equipment Rentals

Renting party equipment has become big business in Nigeria, as canopies, chairs, stage platforms, ice blocks and drums, cooking utensils, table cloths and other party equipment are in hot demand by party organizers. There is hardly a weekend without a party in most cities in Nigeria. All you need do is find out the fees charged for items and for how long. Then you should investigate the cost of making or buying some of these items. How much you make depends on the number of customers you have. A dozen of plastic chairs is currently being rented out at the rate of between N300 to N400 per dozen, while double canopies go for about N800.

party

Bead and Wireworks Making

Beads and wireworks are jewelries that are trending now, as so many women, including socialites, now tend to prefer them to other types of jewelries. As a result, many discerning ladies are venturing into the business, churning out adorable designs and making good returns from the business. A two-month training for this craft costs about N20, 000. After the training, you can start raking in money, depending on the type of beads you do. For example, there are beads of N1, 000, while there are those of even N80, 000 and above. The amount you make depends on your expertise, creativity, the types of beads you use and your customers.

beads

Office Supply

There are many people who work in offices and find it difficult to go out to the market to buy things like Wrist Watches, Shirts, Ties, and Perfumes. You can help them do the shopping and deliver it to them. If you are honest with your business and charge reasonably, you may even get much bigger contracts from there. About N50, 000 will do well in this type of small business in Nigeria and you will smile at the brisk business you will be making.

Read more at: http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/dear-enterprising-youth-with-any-of-these-10-sure-start-up-business-ideas-you-can-be-successful/

After a long year of hard work, you deserve a treat and you don’t have to go as far as Dubai or London for it. For your enjoyment, we at Jovago.com have put together some fabulous vacation spots in Lagos you should consider visiting this festive period. Whether for fun, food, shopping or just relaxation, we got it all covered right here. Read on!

The Beach
The festive atmosphere dictates relaxation and the beach side is a perfect place for this. Around Christmas to New Year day, the beaches in Nigeria become the favourite destination for family picnics and fun time. The feeling of the sand beneath your feet and the chilly air will set your mind at ease as you relish in the warmth of the sun. Some of the popular beaches on Lagos Island include: Elegushi Beach, Bar Beach, Alpha Beach, Oniru Beach and Eleko Beach. You can take advantage of Christmas hotel discounts to book beach hotels in Lagos.

Ikeja City Mall
The mall hosts about 100 stores with over 25 popular brands, among which are Shoprite, Mr Price, KFC, Silverbird Cinemas, Apple, Nike and Slot – just to mention a few. You will find a lot of fun things to feed your eyes with, and you may spend hours window-shopping and buying without even realizing you had spent so much time.

The most visited part of the mall is definitely Shoprite, you will often find shopping carts being hurriedly pushed into waiting vehicles and a lot of other shoppers carrying “the yellow” shopping bags, along the walkway. Note however that the mall usually witness a high influx of people during this period.

Lekki Conservation Centre
Ever thought of going on a challenging feat that may leave you sweaty and jittery? For adventure seekers, the Canopy Walkway at the Conservation Center may pose a new rewarding challenge for you to experience nature at its peak and exercise. The Canopy walkway currently boasts as the longest in Africa and the second largest in the world, measuring 401m long and 22.5m high at its peak. It is currently a challenge most people have embarked upon only to return midway – it is not a journey for the faint hearted or Acrophobic! The centre also houses a high number of birds of different kinds and animals that you may not find at a regular place.

Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island
Radisson Blu is a top hotel in Victoria Island, situated at 1A Ozumba Mbadiwe Ave. The rooms, overlooking the City skyline and Lagos Lagoon are fashioned in urban and ocean styles giving visitors stunning scenery. For lovers of seafood and all sorts of local/intercontinental dishes, the buffet session which holds daily at Voyage Restaurant in Radisson Blu Hotel provides one of the best culinary experiences. It is advisable to empty your stomach well before the buffet session so you can fill it up with arrays of sumptuous dishes as there is no room for take away.

The specs of the conference rooms and facilities have also made it one of the most sought after hotels in Lagos by organisations for seminars and workshops. Radisson Blu Hotel is close to City Mall and Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), a center for large and major events in Lagos like ‘Experience’.

Terra Kulture
Terra kulture is a cultural centre in Victoria Island that promotes the richness and diversity of Nigerian culture, arts and languages. Paintings and sculptures by talented Nigerian artistes are beautifully displayed in the centre. At the bookshop and library, you can buy different books by African writers. There is a theatre where stage drama and musicals are performed from time to time. Also visit the Art Gallery and Craft shop to see beautiful works of art. The Food Lounge serves assorted and traditional meals like Efo Riro and Pounded Yam.

What are you waiting for? Come on! Don’t Dull! Go have some swell time!

And, Merry Christmas in advance


Source: http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/5-vacation-spots-in-lagos-for-this-season/

Using a taxi requires some level of consciousness, especially when you need to move around at night during this end of year season. ‘Safety first!’ Nigeria’s foremost taxi app company, Easy Taxi Nigeria brings you five things to look out for when commuting- taxis especially at night. Are you one of those who insist seat belts are not meant for those in the back-seat? Whoever you are and whatever you do, not pushing your luck is wisdom.

Bags and valuables are not meant for taxi seats

Requesting to keep bags and valuables in the trunk gives you the opportunity to assess the boot as much as it saves you from property theft commonly encountered along the rough paths of our congested roads and streets. I heard about a young man who took a taxi to the airport with his bags inside the car, only to discover a severed human head in the trunk – at a security checkpoint. Who knows? He could have been picked up for his own head as well. Only ask: “Do you mind if I have my backpack in the boot?” and I bet you will get a warm response

I advise you keep gemstones and jewelries in your bag and wear them at your destination, else risk horrible laceration as a result of hoodlums forcefully dragging them off, if you had not rolled up your window.

Record vehicle plate number (Snap them if you have camera phone)

We know you were headed for Badagry in a yellow 2008 Toyota Corolla, but in the news a motor vehicle of the same type, skidded over a bridge along Mile 2; how do your relations/ friends back home know you are not in it? This and many other questions point to the need to always take note of plate numbers – or even check if the vehicle has one at all. You can send it to primary contact back home ASAP. It can even help track lost items you forget anything in the cab from the taxi park association. A better option is a screenshot of the driver’s details – that shows his picture, plate no. and type of car –, if you booked your ride over a taxi-hailing mobile application like Easy Taxi

Use seat belts Always

Use rear or front seat belts to keep you guarded in case of collisions (side, rear-end or head-on). Night vision are most drivers’ nightmare and it is far worse if your driver gets blinded by the light coming from an approaching motor vehicle. So it will be wise to let the belt do its job anytime especially at night.


Read more at: http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/five-things-toially-at-night/

[left]As important and beneficial as health insurance is, it is sad to find that the level of penetration in Nigeria is still less than 5%. It appears that the major reason for this is ignorance. Many Nigerians have never heard about health insurance, have no idea how it works – let alone its benefits – and therefore have not made any attempt to purchase it for themselves or their families.

Here are six reasons why you should have health insurance:

#1: You’re Protected When You Need Urgent And Unexpected Medical Attention

Sickness and injuries do not always give advance notice. With a health insurance policy in place it is comforting to know that you can have access to good quality medical care when you fall ill unexpectedly, or when you’re injured in an accident and require urgent medical attention. Especially if this happens at a time when you’re not financially buoyant or in a position to be able to pay your hospital bill from your pocket.

#2: You Have Access To Better Quality Health Service

With a health insurance policy in place, you are exposed to a wide range of options of care providers (medical facilities) to choose from. You can decide to choose an upscale provider (depending on your particular plan) which you might ordinarily not be able to afford on a pay-as-you-go basis.

#3: It Helps In Personal Financial Planning

Your personal financial planning is made much easier when you are able to budget in advance for (at least a significant portion) of your healthcare expenditure. Health insurance gives you this advantage.


Continue reading at: http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/6-reasons-why-you-should-have-health-insurance/

You're most welcome AvimsPS! Head on over to http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/category/main/features/ for more interesting and helpful articles.

If you’re going to succeed in business, you can’t dwell on defeat or missed opportunities, and you can’t allow them to define you. When it comes to dealing with adversity, John Maxwell describes how people deal with negative situations in his book The Difference Maker: “I’ve found that there are really only two kinds of people in this world when it comes to dealing with discouragement: splatters and bouncers. When splatters hit rock bottom, they fall apart, and they stick to the bottom like glue. On the other hand, when bouncers hit bottom, they pull together and bounce back.”

The most evolved bouncers I know hit rock bottom, methodically dissect what happened, resist the urge to allow the loss to define them, and decipher learning to refine their road map for success. Although certain personality traits are characteristic of a bouncer or a splatter, the good news is that understanding how to constructively deal with adversity is a learned skill, not something you’re born with.

The most important step to overcoming adversity and negative feelings: Don’t wallow. Instead, set a deadline for accepting what’s happened, at least emotionally. This emotional acceptance stage is crucial—and so is the deadline. This stage is defined by the amount of time it takes for you to accept your new reality. You’ll have to give yourself a deadline for getting through this period.

During this time, you’ll take these steps:

1. Replay what took place in your mind.

2. Go through emotional phases that will likely include despair, anguish, anger, and a desire to retaliate. Allow yourself to feel these emotions and try not to hold back.

3. Examine what went wrong prior to the failure or defeat and consider what signs you may have missed that might have led to failure.

4. Look at what you could do differently in the future.

Then take what you’ve learned and move on. It’s very important to set a defined deadline for yourself to move past this stage. Limiting the time that we allow things to consume us strengthens our ability to control our thoughts and actions. That’s the key to using failures to fuel your successes. Setting deadlines for dwelling on failures can play a major role in whether we succeed at our future goals, or even go after them in the first place.

Setting a deadline gives us:

– Practice for disciplined control over our minds;
– Something to look forward to;
– A sense of resolve.

Read more at: http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/steps-recover-business-set-back/

After the launch of the Google Chrome browser in 2008, the company faced several criticisms and challenges that eventually led to the creation Chrome’s now popular extensions and web apps.

The extensions which have given Google chrome an edge over counterparts -including Internet explorer, Mozilla Firefox and more- are designed to make for a smoother and faster browsing experience, as they can help you perform various functions, including tracking your site’s speed and gather information about a domain, improvements to Chrome’s UI, ad blockers, site fixes and bookmarks among others,

Currently, there are thousands of Chrome extensions available on the Chrome Web Store. Though great in number and extremely varied, not all these extensions are essential. Very few are worth the time and effort required to discover them.

If you’re a Chrome user, let Jovago.com, save you some time with this selection of 5 essential Chrome extensions. Each extension is free and can be easily installed with just one click.

Google Dictionary

The Google Dictionary is an excellent dictionary extension for the Google Chrome as it is quick, and very easy to use.

All a user needs to do to find the definition of a word is simply double-click on the word on the webpage and a small pop-up bubble will appear showing the meaning.

The option of viewing the full definition of the word or phrase via the toolbar dictionary is also available. The good thing about this extension is that room is also made for popular foreign languages.

Download Master

The perfect downloader for any google chrome user, the Download Master is excellent for downloading more than one file at a time on a webpage.

The extension picks out all hyperlinks on a webpage and gives you the option to see what links are available, enabling you to pick and choose of what you want to download and the file formats you want to download …all with a single click.

This extension saves the user the chore of separately clicking on each download link on a webpage, however, its kickbacks are that it opens up an individual download window for each file and you cannot cancel the download process once it is started.

Awesome Screenshot

A free extension for Google Chrome, Awesome Screenshot gives its users the ability to take screenshots of whatever webpage they are viewing and save it to your computer or share it online. It take the whole process one step further by offering various option which allow users to either select a selection or the entire page, crop the image, make annotations, and more.

Read more at: http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/power-up-your-browsing-experience-with-these-5-essential-extensions-for-google-chrome/