The Excellence in Life series 2.0 is happening this Saturday

The current state of our nation leaves much to  desired. From the plunging Economy to insecurity. The masses are wailing and the rich also cry. From the constant decline of the value of the Naira to the hike in fuel prices which has catapulted inflation and taken it to an all time high, the common Nigerians have had to bear the brunt! 

It is quite convenient to heap the bulk of blame on the government as usual but truth be told the citizens are equally accountable. 

One major syndrome that has eaten deep into the fabric of our society is MEDIOCRITY and it is responsible for most of the pains we suffer today. We did not get to where we are in one day. It was a gradual process of letting mediocrity get the better of us and today it has become gangrenous thus becoming an uphill task to mitigate against. 

“I will mange it”, “It’s not so bad”, “It’s fair enough” “What more can I do” “I have tried, jare” “I can’t kill myself joorrr”… are very familiar expressions, aren’t they? We either encounter or even pronounce them ourselves regularly. What belies these otherwise insouciant and unperturbed proclamations is the syndrome called MEDIOCRITY!

Mediocrity is clearly a negative trait we should avoid like a plague. If you do not actively REJECT mediocrity, you are unwittingly choosing it over EXCELLENCE and will be running life’s relay littered with broken dreams and failed expectations and at the end of the finishing line you will be crowned with frustrations and unhappiness. 

Everywhere you go to today, across our beloved country Nigeria, mediocrity and impunity stare you in the face.  This sad development which pervades most facets of our national and private lives has now become a Sub-Culture. This also explains why most Nigerians prefer foreign products to Made-In-Nigeria ones, irrespective of price.  The reason for this is that the production of most foreign goods are driven by a Culture of Excellence.

Thankfully many Nigerians have taken the bull by the horn and have gone all out on the fight against mediocrity. One of such Nigerians is Dr. Femi Paul. 

Dr. Femi Paul, a Lawyer by profession, is the Senior Pastor of Grace Assembly Churches, Lagos. He attended the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. He later went on to the University of London for two Masters Degrees in Shipping Law and Intellectual Property. He is also a certified graduate of the Oxford Princeton School of Petroleum Studies.  He practiced law in Lagos for many years, before moving into the Shipping & Maritime Industry.  His last foray in secular business was into the Oil & Gas Industry, after which he settled into full time ministry in 2001.

Dr. Femi Paul has delivered various papers, keynotes and workshops on Excellence In Life at several organizations, institutions and conferences around the world.  In 2015, he was honored with a Doctorate Degree by Northwestern Christian University for his excellent contribution towards Christian Education. He is also a pastor and the founder of Grace Assembly Church, a ministry committed to inspiring people and transforming lives.  

Dr. Femi Paul is mostly known for his exceptional “Spirit and Lifestyle of Excellence”. This has earned him many accolades and also inspired him to birth the vision “Life Class with Femi Paul”, and also the Excellence-In-Life Series where he shares Life Transforming Principles that shaped his life. 

Dr. Femi Paul is the Convener of the EXCELLENCE-IN-LIFE SERIES, a National Transformation Initiative aimed at eradicating the prevalent culture of mediocrity in our society. According to Dr. Femi Paul, "It is in my patriotic quest to salvage our country, build a culture of excellence and leave a lasting legacy for future generations that I present to you, THE EXCELLENCE IN LIFE SERIES!"

The EXCELLENCE IN LIFE SERIES, a bi-monthly meeting is the tool by which the visionary, Dr. Femi Paul hopes to eradicate the prevalent Culture of Mediocrity and propagate in its place, the much needed Culture of Excellence.  This initiative promises to transform mindsets and inevitably optimize the potential of individuals, institutions and the nation alike.

Excellence-In-Life, is not another Certification Course, because when it comes to Excellence, you don’t tender certificates.  Excellence is simply about doing things well, and it is WAR AGAINST MEDIOCRITY!

 

Due to his passion for eradicating mediocrity and extolling the spirit of Excellence, Pastor Femi Paul has made The Excellence in Life Series a Bi- Monthly event featuring world class speakers. The next one holds this Saturday the 21st of May 2016 and speakers like Ibukun Awosika, the Chairman of First Bank PLC and Mrs Bukky George of the Health Plus Pharmacy chains will be some of those imparting the wealth of knowledge and experience in many Nigerian who will be attending.

Join in the WAR AGAINST MEDIOCRITY!

The Bella Community August Meet Up

Based on a research and survey we carried out recently amongst creative entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, we have come to the conclusion that to sustain an online community of African made products and services, an offline community will strongly enhance the growth of the online vision. Bellafricana (a company that promotes African made products and services) hereby presents “The Bella Community”.

The Bella online community is growing very healthily and in fact we are so excited and convinced that an offline community will richly benefit and add more value to our community members. We are a community of creative entrepreneurs, but we also want to connect with intrapreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs.

When you are running a business, your business inspiration can come from almost anywhere. However, a few small business owners forget to use one of the most important tools readily available to them. One of the most important tools that you can use is community. In any city there will always be a community to connect with, and as an entrepreneur, you need this.

Calling all CREATIVE MINDS; artrepreneurs, handmade crafters, fashion designers, interior decorators/designer, bakers, shoe makers, musicians, poets, oh dear the list is endless and all other entrepreneurs and working professionals, wonder why I started listing (phew). You are a creative entrepreneur if you have a business how about that, hmm!

Wondering what benefits you get joining the Bella community? Here are 5 reasons;

1. Learn from other’s mistakes: Hearing what is going on with other people’s businesses enables you to really understand the real story of what is happening in their business. This may serve as a guideline on what to avoid in your business and the opportunity of being able to use their tricks for some great success tactics in your own business.

2. Exchange tips of business: For any entrepreneur, intrapreneur or aspiring entrepreneur, just starting out is so exciting, but this time of ideas and beginnings can also be confusing. Having other people that have had some experience be there to give you tips and secrets that you can use helps tremendously. You will be able to start off smoothly and keep growing strong during tough times.

3. Pass on knowledge: One of the biggest functions of the bella community of entrepreneurs is to pass on the knowledge that has been gathered from experienced professionals to the less experienced entrepreneurs. This is also a great place where you can find a mentor, and/or become a mentor for someone else. You meet a group of trusted entrepreneurs which grows to become a valuable business partnership and establish yourself with each other as a safe place to gather advice when you have a challenging decision to make.

4. Make valuable connections: Meet with like-minded creative minds. Networking is a skill that is essential in business and in your personal life. If you don’t know how to do this naturally, learn about it. Making these connections within the bella community is the greatest reason the community is here.

5. Learn new business skills: You get to learn new business skills together with real-life entrepreneurs and professionals.

Let’s make this official, join us at our first meetup on the 20th of August. This will be a monthly meetup. Every 3rd Thursday of the month from 5pm- 8pm.

Get ready to swap ideas, business cards, resources, shortcuts, strategies, traditional/digital marketing tools & tactics, put your business online, meet other key professionals and get valuable introductions to various thought leaders.

This is a real community, coming to you soon, so get ready and tell somebody…

There’s a limit of 40 seats, and they’re sure to be snatched up quickly, so register today and share this link.


JOIN THE BELLA COMMUNITY TODAY!

August Theme (Let’s Discuss): “Creating an outstanding brand in a competitive market”

Guest Speaker: Mr Lanre Adisa, CEO Noah’s Ark (A Creative & Brand Expert)

BIOGRAPHY: Lanre started his career as a Trainee Copywriter at MC&A: Saatchi & Saatchi in 1990. He left as a Copy Group Head in 1994 and later joined Rosabel (Leo Burnett) Advertising as a Copy Manager in 1995.

He moved to Franchise Communications as a Senior Copy Manager in 1996 and joined Insight-Grey as a Senior Copywriter in 1997 and was later made a Joint Deputy Creative Director in charge of the Creative Department in 1999.

He left Insight-Grey as an Associate Creative Director in 2003 when he joined TBWA/Concept as a Creative Director and was appointed to the Board of TBWA/Concept as an Executive Creative Director in 2005.

Under him, TBWA/Concept was adjudged the most creative agency in the country dominating the local award scene. He left TBWA/Concept to start Noah’s Ark in 2008. Within its first five years of existence, Noah’s Ark has scored a few first for Nigeria.

In 2012, Noah’s Ark became the first agency in West Africa to have its work published in Lurzer’s Archive. Noah’s Ark also became the first Nigerian agency to be recognized at Cannes Festival winning two national diplomas in craft for two of its entries.

Noah’s Ark ended the year 2013 as the second most awarded agency at the local LAIF Awards
Lanre has vast experience working on brands like Indomie Noodles, Malta Guinness, Samsung, Peak Milk, First Bank, FUMB (now Fidelity Bank), MTN, Econet, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Nigeria, UAC among many others.

He’s the first Nigerian Creative Director to attend Cannes Advertising Festival as a delegate in 2004. He served as a member of the Management Board of the Lagos Advertising & Ideas Festival (LAIF) from 2006 to 2012. He currently serves as an Adviser to the LAIF Board. He’s the President of the newly formed Creative Directors Circle (CDC)

Noah’s Ark is now evolving into a group of marketing communications service providers with the launch of Integrated Indigo and Underdog Productions in 2013. While the former provides PR, Events Management and Experiential Marketing services, the latter is focused on Audio-Visual Productions and Content Creation.

Beyond advertising, Lanre and his wife ventured into the Quick Service Restaurant sector in 2014 with the launch of Roots Foods Limited. The flagship restaurant of the company, Labule, opened its doors to the public on May 29, 2014.

ENTRY FEE: ₦3500 (Comes with a free meal and drink)

Venue: Labule Restaurant, 42A Ogudu Road, Lagos.




Call Bukky or Blessing on 08086363970 to become a member of the Bella Community and to Register!

This is a real message, so get real and tell somebody

Project Management for SMEs - Debo Ajayi #guestpost

Hi, my name is 'Debo Ajayi and I am a Project Consultant and Strategist.

A few years ago, I discovered something called Project Management. Let me be clear, I didn't actually invent it (someone just breathed a sigh of relief) I just happened upon it. And I discovered that I was born to do this. It came easily and seamless to me.

Now over the years, I have worked in quite a few industries. From Non- governmental to Entertainment, then Management consulting, Construction, Security, training and capacity building and now Business Consulting, I have noticed that one constant factor in all my business and career endeavors is Managing Projects.

I currently run a fantastic organization called Endive Projects and one of the things we have done is create a Product for Business Owners called Project Management for SMEs. Many start-ups have great ideas. The question is how to turn these "fantastic" ideas into great products and services.....That's where Project Management comes in. It enables organizations turn strategic goals into desired outcomes. Every entrepreneur should take a Project Management course and there would be a radical transformation in businesses with astronomical growth and productivity.

Also I discovered that we have a cultural challenge that inhibits us firm achieving our goals in our environment and country (Nigeria). I observed that we are good Initiators, and even executors, but we are terribly poor at planning and closing out Projects or ideas. We are quick to blame governments for failed and abandoned projects. But the problem is cultural. How many of us know people who never finish what they start (hehe, I see guilty faces, plus me), how many of us can identify uncompleted buildings around our routes and streets. Indeed how many of us have ideas that we started on but haven't followed through on? Yeah. I guessed you also have a few (yes we do),don't be alarmed. We can learn and transform our experiences.

Truth is our nation is a reflection of its people. So we need to change certain patterns to make a huge difference in our businesses and careers.

Project Management is the Number one skill required in Management staffs in the world's fortune 500 companies and great multinationals. (Says who?)

Here's just me jumping in with this picture I found that quite sums up why women especially need project management!! See!

Source: http://www.impacttrainingservices.com

Endive Projects helps businesses execute and ensure project success...we also run Project Management training for interested parties.

If you desire to join any of our programs or need our expertise on a Project, please contact

'Debo Ajayi
debo.ajayi@endiveprojects.com
08095763213

Thank you.