Please choose on town that you can start with. You can then expand into the adjoining towns with time. But at the moment your best bet is to concentrate on one town preferably the one you reside in.

permit me to also state here that if you choose Onitsha you have to be prepared to work very hard and you must have some financial muscle because of the Onitsha wholesale market. It would be so sad for you to start this journey, invest so much in creating a market and then loose it to some trader who decides to undercut your efforts by making overtures directly to the company. I assure you that all your effort would be in vain. Those in Onitsha, Aba, and Kano should take this more seriously.

Again, this is my opinion drawn from experience.

As for obstacles for (you are bound to encounter them many times over) I leave you with the words of Alfred Camus as excerpted from his work ‘The stranger’;

My dear,

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.

In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.

In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.

I realized, through it all, that…

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy.

For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.




Truly yours

Albert Camus,
The Stranger

This year I have created a new thread that will be dedicated to helping a few serious people with some capital to start a small snacks distributorship and grow it into a major force within specific boundaries.

Other sales people will benefit from this thread too. We will identify the products together and negotiate for the distributorship and then commence the sales very gradually but steadily.

Meanwhile I want to encourage a few people that have implemented my very humble suggestions in the last one years and have benefitted in one form or another.

Thanks for your emails and chat messages. I am only privileged to have provided some support but the real kudos goes to you for taking ACTION and more importantly for sustaining the required momentum.

For everyone else, I wish you strength for that is all you need to overcome. The ideas and opportunities are legion. All you need is to identify one and dedicate all your resources both material and mental towards the attainment of the goal. Dedication admixed with determination and laser quality focus.

Why do you feel entitled to a job? Is it because you are a graduate?

How are attractive are you to the potential employer at least perception wise?

How do you compete with other candidates(real and imagined) who are hustling for the same position?

Your experiences will come into play here. It will be nice if you can objectively recount them in detail and without bias.

Sometimes, little mistakes that come in the form of the wrong things being said or done which speaks volumes to the potential employer.

By far the biggest culprit in denying jobs is the fact that applicants in most cases are terribly careless with their curriculum vitae.
Some resumes and C.Vs are just a big shame. It is that bad. It will surprise you that some resumes are so badly put together that there indications of the fact that the cv was just replicated in a business center. Nothing is more pathetic than the fact that you sit before a panel and admit that there is an error on your profile and to worsen matters you then try to push the blame on the typist or business center operator.

Very pathetic.

So let us start objectively!

Review your life really seriously and objectively, and then answer the following questions;

By concentrating on selling more products with increased efficiency and effectiveness.

Definitely, more snacks will be demanded for and since there will be an increase in purchasing power it simply means that there will be more sales.

And naturally the direct locations where these products are being implemented will experience a surge in the local demand for everything. It is imperative to note that critical infrastructural development is usually a long term plan and its implementation which is done in phases spans many years.

Think back to your experience when a road, bridge, rail track was being built in your neighbourhood and you will find put that in that area people will always sell more volume than previously.

From accommodation(landlords/Agents) to Producers (Bottled and Sachet Water/soft drinks/meat roll/ chin-chin/Various chips) and vendors (hawkers/shop owners).

Go through the list of projects that the Fed Govt. is targeting for 2017 and position yourself accordingly.

This thread has come up as a result of my experience in the jobs/vacancies on Nairaland and also my personal day to day experiencing on the streets.

Please do not be carried away by the topic. This is not just going to be an academic or theoretical analysis but a very practical process that will lead you to a higher level of self confidence and then sufficiency before you blossom into justifiable circumstances that will present the dream job on a platter of gold or at least silver.

My entire posts will be reflective of my personal experiences and the anecdotes that I will present will be verifiable and related to the issue of discourse only. I have ben a job seeker at many stages in my life, I have worked in HR for many years and interviewed several thousands of candidates at different levels(Entry, Mid and Management) whether in Administration, the Sciences, Engineering and other specialized areas. I have also been an employer of labour for a while now.

I can tell you upfront and without equivocation that not all that will read this thread will land their dream job but some will and it will be resultant at least in part from what they draw from here.

Happy reading.

This is no sprint job but a long term perspective. Certain predicates will be established before we embark on the very first step.

There will be no e-book please and of course no monies paid to me.

This is just a personal contribution that I am making towards our development as individuals and an opportunity for me to also learn from the experiences of others.

This is going to be a bright year.

Ignore naysayers.

We are going to start no matter how small. Our target is to start earning money as early in the year as possible. I intend that the serious ones among us should earn at least 200,000.00 consistently every month latest October 2017.

So lets set the ball rolling.

I want comments on the thread. Serious comments.

I also would like interested participants to begin to identify their locations (towns and States) so that we can begin to create an all encompassing plan.

It is imperative also that producers and manufacturers of F.M.C.G also come on the platform to display their goods. This will thus be the place to showcase your products, negotiate with the participants who will arrange for your products to get to your target, the final consumer.

I am sure that over the years (at least weeks for some people) what we have experienced is our desire pushing us into planning and then the review of the planning and then a further review of the plans. This seems to become a merrygoround and at the end of the day nothing seems to happen. Wed are going to put a stop to that this year. Another Sanskrit saying may be useful here. This is one of my favourites;

‘The spring is past,
Summer is gone and Winter is here,
And the song that I meant to sing remains unsung,
For I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument’.

many of us in times past have read several books and articles on how to get up and get going but have never really taken action. All we have been doing so far is to prepare mentally and by this I mean reading about other accomplished business people and some of us even go as far as writing out a plan and then adjusting/modifying it from time to time.

This thread is going to provide the bridge between PLANNING and ACTUALIZATION.

I intend to provide guidance for those who are interested in starting the sales of F.M.C.G products in their locality with whatever they have as capital. In the first week we are going to create a plan. This will be a realistic plan and I intend to provide as much guidance as I can at an individual level via email and eventually by whatsapp for the serious participants.

Before embarking on this effort I have discussed at length with two very special people who have very significant experience in sales administration and marketing and business development. They will back me up when I am unable to provide the right answers. This will be a very practical thread and I assure you that if we follow it to the letter we should all have testimonies at the end. My prayer at this point will be drawn from a Sanskrit verse;

'May the learning illuminate us both, the teacher and the taught'.

Yes, it is indeed true that the Federal Government intends to inject that money into critical infrastructure.

So, in our minds eye some of the money will be stolen by corrupt public officers while the balance of the money will be given to Julius Berger, MCC, Arab Contractors, CCC etc.

Please note that this is indeed how it will be.

I would like however to point out one thing that is very fundamental which is that over 70 per cent of that money will be spent within this country.

Now, the big question is; how much of that money can we trap into our own pockets. This should be food for thought.

While my personal opinion is that the loan will not end the recession in its entirety, I can say that some people who have positioned themselves appropriately will benefit massively from this largess.

I intend to position myself to glean from this windfall. How do I intend to do that?

This thread is created as a response to several requests that I have received from many followers to create a step by step guide for potential F.M.C.G distributors who reside outside Lagos.

The core objective of the thread is to discuss the F.M.C.G sector of the economy with particular emphasis on;

1. The nature of the consumer market in various parts of Nigeria.

2. What can sell in different parts of the country. The local peculiarities as it impacts on the selling of specific F.M.C.G goods.

3. How to grow from an incognito distributorship into a mega distributorship status that blue chip companies will be seeking out.

4. How to benefit from a guided synergy that can only bring benefits for the participants.

5. How to start with very little capital and grow into monthly profitability of 200,000 in less than 12 months.

In the coming year, there is a very strong likelihood that this government will succeed in getting parliamentary approval to borrow 29 Billion Dollars that will be injected into the economy.

Some of us are aware of this very glaring information already. How have we seen this piece of news? How does it affect us?

What amazes me is the fact that middle aged parents who themselves have been through this unemployment experience are still training their wards using the same approach. For Goodness sake, if you don’t change the way you have been doing things you are only bound to get the same results you have been getting all the while.

An Uncle in law retired as a renowned plumber in Lagos. He started his vocation over 40 years ago, and worked with G. Cappa before resigning to set up his own private practice.

His first son trained as an Economist and has a Masters degree. He worked in some boring places and was very unfilled. One day he just resigned and joined his Dad as an apprentice. Yes, you heard me well an apprentice, yes even with his M.Sc. He learnt the trade and today apart from being a world class Plumber, they are importers and distributors of various brands of plumbing and sanitary stuff in Orile.

We just must make a change (positive please) in our approach to issues. Too many graduates (mostly half-baked are being turned out these days from our universities. Too few jobs are being created every year but new opportunities are arising day by day as our population expands.

I also noticed (and this is a personal opinion) that we have spoilt ourselves silly.

We are a very lethargic people, demonstrating a mental and physical laziness that could be so laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic.

On listening to a particular online presentation on the TED talks platform, I realised that we were lunging in great leaps towards the precipice. So many ad hoc decisions are now being taken and they have very far reaching consequences.

In the immediate post colonial era, our curriculum was designed to enable our universities provide middle level manpower for the bludgeoning post colonial administration. Various courses were acceptable then to boost the local bureaucracy. Even people that studied Classics. History, Philosophy etc were already offered jobs immediately on graduation. Unfortunately that perception still drives our education today. This is very sad indeed.

Here on Nairaland one ios permitted the opportunity of reading the most terrible posts about people complaining about their prolonged unemployment. The jobs/vacancies section I suppose has the highest traffic so far.

I do recall someone mentioning some years ago that the Guardian Newspaper as sold and published on Tuesdays was the sustaining factor for the tabloid for many years until job search became a predominantly technologically driven pursuit.

In the course of the year, I lost some dear ones and gained some great friends.

Nairaland exposed me to the intelligence of the people of this inhabiting this homogeneous entity labelled Nigeria.

I saw the failings of our governments both present and past and ignored them for they (the public officers) are just products of our society and a people can only get the leadership they throw up.

While some were crying about the recession I observed that some people went ahead doing their business making their regular profit whereas some people retooled, re-positioned and took advantage of the recession turning the tide in their favour. Examples abound even in our immediate environment.

All you have to do is look beyond your nose and you will see several success stories.

Hello all,

Its been a great year.

2016 was the bomb.

So many lessons assailed us from different angles and under varied guises.

My prayer is that I hope we were able in all humility to learn a thing or two rather than dwell on the matter trying to play victim or victor.

The underlying lessons in any experience is the most important factor.

As an individual I learnt so much myself this year. Some of the lessons were directly for my own consumption, others I may decide to share.

I also learnt from other people’s experiences.

I read a lot of books, subscribed to a lot of newsletters and channels.

I did as much as I could to improve myself.

Now, whether the benefits are showing immediately or not I cannot tell but I am rest assured that I have benefited immensely at the subliminal level and that is most important.

Summarily, my experiencing has been greatly enriched.

Forward your c.v to my mailbox. No promises.

osenidvdg:


i reside at agbado lagos very close to agege

osenidvdg:
I am a Chartered accountant with B.sc in accounting planning to start my M.sc in accounting am presently working in a paint manufacturing company as internal auditor. I need a job that will make me more responsible to my immediate family.please can i send my cv

Where is your residence, Agege, Lagos or Rumibekwe Port Harcourt or Fate, Ilorin?

Itzblessing:




Okay dear. Good afternoon I will forward it to your mail ASAP, please feel free to correct me on my CV probably an area you think I didn't get right. God bless you

I honestly couldn't review it. Time related constraints.

I have replied your mail though.

oduz:
If this is how you have been marketing yourself since 2011 ...

Then don't be surprised if you are still unemployed by 2020

On what basis are you seeking employment .... ?

What are you bringing to the table .... ? (Nobody is totally Useless)

You did not even mention your location

Pick up any introductory book on Marketing, then use any of the basic Principles to market yourself .....
(Or try a Google search)


The Land is Green ......

Gbam!!!!!!

You just said it as it is.

Wonders will never cease.

Creating and sustaining a pity party never helped anyone.

Mackin:
@Allstrasse, u posted on 25 of August wit dis the same jobs.
I Quote: I got dis vacancy alert 4rm one of job sites.can anyone identity the company in question? I do.dis company in to confectionery products after omolara/Olowo isheri bus stop toward yakoyo b/s.
My questions is dat , is it the same job sites u got doz jobs concern dis firm? or do u work wit this company Abi u recruit for dem ?? lookin 4ward 4 ur upcoming positive reply thsnks

No he does not work for the firm. I do however have a few young people around me seeking jobs especially at entry level so sometimes I do get information about available jobs. I forwarded the job listing to him

Yes, the adverts appear similar, but I really don't know the company and yes now that you mentioned it i did a random check and confirmed that the advert/alerts were from the same recruitment firm; Adroit Ltd.

There is a possibility that the previous positions were not filled and that is why they were re-advertised. This is very open to conjecture as I really cannot say if this is the case or not. For all we know the adverts may have been scripted by the same person but for different companies in the same axis.

Just my thoughts please.

Itzblessing:
@karin00l, good afternoon and happy Christmas.
I must commend your response or better still your reply.
It ws matured, impressive and educative.
Thanks for that insight.
Am so in need of a job, please can i also send my Cv.

Yes please. You may also send.But remember that I make no promises. I will only forward it to someone I think can help out.

You really haven't sold yourself properly. All I see here is a young lady who has a first degree and a sense of entitlement. Just because you have acquired a university education doesn't mean that you must be given a job on a platter of gold.

Your approach should rather be an attempt at selling your strongest points and comparative advantage. Even the statement 'nothing is too small' could actually be expressed in a less desperate manner. This is only a recipe for disaster.

Anyway, I know someone who can help you. Send me your c.v immediately and I will forward it to him. I think you could land a customer care position. You will need some guarantors as huge sums of money may be involved. Should I convince him to employ you kindly remember in all your actions and in-actions that you landed the job through someone who doesn't know you but stuck out her neck for you.

Kindly let this guide your decisions.

Take care.

Send c.v to karinebinne@gmail.com as son as possible.

kingmukolu:

[i]Karin001:
Any observations about the Christmas season and its commercial benefits?

Yeah. market places are now beehive of activities.
So much money changing hands.
I know one guy who's not bothered by cashless ATMS.
Dropping deposits to banks even till today like no man's business.
Despite the recession, our markets still dey look like crusade grounds!!!

Thanks, but there is a much deeper impression that I seek in the above question. I am looking for a corollary that will implicitly indicate where we currently are and where we can be should we take certain steps. Apparently, you are quite impressed with the chap that is smiling to the banks even during the cash crunch experienced during this extended holiday. I suppose that you wouldn't mind wearing those shoes at this point!

So the big question then is; how can you create this circumstances by this time next year?

Believe it or not, the same scenario is going to play out all over again. On which side of the fence would you like to be?

Consider and carefully too.

Any observations about the Christmas season and its commercial benefits?

The volumes I seek will be quite high and only a properly set up company will be able to partner with me.

For a proper take-off in January 2017, I will like to attract some partners who live within certain towns. I am in Port Harcourt and I can take a bus load every week. I now seek a few people who can buy just 100 bags a week of the 50.00 sachets and yet to be decided quantities of the larger packs to sell in their respective towns.

The preferred partners must be resident in any of these towns; Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ore, Benin, Agbor, Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, Sapele, Onitsha, Ihiala, Owerri and Ahoada.

I feel very excited about the possibilities already.

Those of you living in and around Ikeja and environs, you may wish to visit a small stand inside Mobil Fuel station by Guinness at the end of Oba Akran and see what the people there are doing. You will be amazed at the volume of sales they are making there in just selling different pack sizes of chin-chin, plantain chips and other snacks.

Can somebody residing in Lagos be kind enough to post a picture of this stall here on the thread? Please !!!!!!

Check it out and be inspired. People are simply making it. Just imagine you had a stall just under the bridge at Maryland (around where they sell bamboo products and you had someone selling chin-chin and plantain chips in large pack sizes, you would have made a lot of money.

Just consider the patronage you would receive from hamper makers this season who come to buy hamper baskets from that vicinity. And what about you offering to supply the major supermarkets the large sized chin-chin and plantain chips packs and making for yourself 200 profit per pack?

Even your church, mosque members can constitute your first line of customers.

Let us wake up in 2017 and act.

I intend to expand the chin-chin offer cater for the smaller but more profitable band of the economy by adding two more pack sizes. I will order for the 100, 200 and 500 packs.

The larger pack size give us the sellers some larger margin. If in moving around for a whole month, one can sell only 1000 packs of the 500 pack and the margin is just 100 per pack then one would have made an additional 100,000 for that month. This pack will be sold through supermarkets, corner-shops and offices.

As a precautionary note may I advise that should you be interested in selling larger pack sizes of any snack product please request and insist on having territorial exclusivity. It is imperative. You really must insist on this. Too much work goes into creating a market for these kinds of products only to have your business upstaged by usurpers.

This reminds me of a lady I encountered while in Lagos. We became friendly and one day she followed me on a visit to the factory where I buy my products.

On arrival there she saw someone paying for plantain chips(yes they also make plantain chips). Smart girl, she immediately requested to see the Sales manager and ordered for plantain chips in jars. She started out with just 20 packs and was selling in her jchurch on Sundays. Each jar was given to her for 700 while she resold at 1000. By the time I left Lagos she was already doing about 100 jars a week.

When we last chatted she had even gone beyond that as she now loads her car with chips and sells on a daily basis to parents at school car parks and even offices. The difference for her is that for each sale she actually makes a significant profit so selling one by one is worthwhile. her target now is selling 100 jars a week.

I just advised her during the week and that advice I have adopted and will share on this thread later today.

Tomorrow, I will spend some time showing how I intend to achieve this. This is meant to be a guide for how you can jumpstart your business in snacks and indeed any other sales business.

I will take the liberty of advising that you take action as soon as possible. Unfolding events and circumstances may seriously impede your take-off in the future. Take my lead and act fast. I have sent emails to some snacks producers on this forum and i await their responses.

Gala and other sausage rolls may soon price themselves out of the market. We need to provide alternatives as people will always snack. Unfortunately, the bracket of the population we are targeting has either consciously or unconsciously fixed a price ceiling they are unwilling to cross so we have to act in this recognition.

Believe me, if we as much as set our minds to it, we will achieve it.

I am now poised to take the sales of chin-chin to another level. I have a brand I am selling now and I am interested in taking either that one to a higher level or any other one that is better and consistent.
As stated earlier, I also intend to add other products to my current portfolio such that I will end up selling a multiple of brands. I am currently doing an average monthly turnover of two Million Naira (during school sessions)and about 1.5 Million during holidays. I intend to double that by December 2017. I intend to achieve a monthly turnover of 5 Million during peak and 3.5 Million during off peak. the only snag I can perceive at the moment is if my family has to make another move. That will only occur if hubby is transferred. (There are rumors of an impending restructuring and total re-organisation of the directorate where he works)