Fhayte:
Hi please I just got this invite. What was yours about. I'm working already tho but I want to know if I should still try my luck there

I also got the same but for a secretary position ...please, how much do they pay there

[quote author=IRWNigeria post=77981256]Dear Entrepreneur,

Last week, Dotun was at the verge of depression, because his business was not doing so good but then he got a job offer running into Millions of Naira (This was going to be his biggest sales so far). He bargained with the client but they reached a stalemate on pricing. If he agrees to all their terms and price, he will barely make 1% margin on the job. Despite the fact that he really needs it, he had to turn them down, that was the easy part. The hard part was living with that decision. He beat himself up to the verge of depression. Mercifully, Ope came to visit and they started to discuss about the struggles and challenges they face as entrepreneurs. Dotun shared his predicament, Ope laughed and told Dotun he had made the right decision citing many examples from his own experiences and those of others he knows.

Dotun started to feel the sun shine on his face again and then he received a call from the client saying they had changed their terms, “we found out that what we proposed won't work after working with another vendor.” He got the job though a smaller portion of it and it was still his biggest sales. There will be many dark times in your entrepreneurial journey, where it seems like the sun won’t come out, you must not give up but above all you must have a network of people who are in the same space, who have walked that path to help you through the journey before the morning comes. We humans are social beings, it is easier for us to go through things knowing that it is common to all.

Being part of a community is of the essence. A community of entrepreneurs where you can compare prices, share experiences, grow together, maximise each other's networks, and learn together and so on. It will save one both time and effort because you are employing the power of synergy. You will get things done faster within the community. You have to be deliberate in choosing this community, look for entrepreneurs who believe in the same thing you do, whose core values align with yours, who are in it for the long haul (There is no need starting if you are just there to see how it goes). You can build this support system by attending networking meeting, reaching out to them directly via any social media platform, attending events centered on entrepreneurship. You have to give value to the community, be an active part and the community will take care of you. There is no free lunch in Freetown, you must also be a person that gives value.

Dotun was saved from depression at that time because he confided in Ope, largely due to the fact that entrepreneurs do not bottle things up, rather they share it with a trusted member of the community, because it is in talking about it that will open your eyes to the solutions that abound.[/quote
Great content...good job

[quote author=IRWNigeria post=77592336]”Employees are a company's greatest asset - they're your competitive advantage. You want to attract and retain the best; provide them with encouragement, stimulus, and make them feel that they are an integral part of the company's mission.” - Anne M. Mulcahy

In recent times, it has become a cliché amongst Organizations to say “Our employees are our most valuable assets”. However a lot of organizations only seem to be paying lip service to this because they want to be recognized as one of the organizations who have embraced this line of thought since it is world’s best practice but in real terms they are far away from recognizing their employees as their most valuable assets.

Whilst some organizations don’t intend to just pay lip service to this they are clueless as to how they can achieve it. It can be achieved by being deliberate in creating an enabling environment that shows clearly that Employees are their most valuable asset. An environment that allows employees to express their thoughts and concerns without fear of expression or victimization of any sort.

An employee who worked for over 13 years in a company was asked why he thinks he was laid off, he said “I guess because I made poor quality shoes but in the thirteen years not once was I allowed to express my thought on how I can get the job done better. Not once.” This is a great loss for both the employee and the organization.

What is an enabling environment?

An Enabling environment is one which encourages constant communication across board, which allows for employees to air their thoughts and opinions about how they can increase productivity. It is one which allow a degree of failure, knowing it is a step to success. Where everybody is treated with respect and dignity, it allows people take ownership of Organizational processes.

How to create an enabling environment
• Treat employees with respect.
• Put up proper reporting lines in place were needs and concerns can be shared and addressed.
• Processes are easy and free of any known or perceived bottle necks
• Value the opinion of employees
• Be value driven
• Give them a sense of meaning

Employees will experience more job satisfaction and engagement in an enabling environment which will ultimately increase profitability for the Organization. Organizations stay productive and relevant by created an enabling and supportive environment that fuel innovation and increases productivity.

Written by Funmi Adedipe

Guest Writer for IRW
[/quote

Very educative...Good job