31

The past 31 days of my life
The past 31 days of colour
The past 31 days that amounts to the month of August
The past 31 days that amounts to the best month of my life
This month I learnt that
Everyday can be ur birthday if God picks on u for favour
Humble beginnings r there to make u appreciate success better when it comes
I learnt to keep quiet and listen
I learnt to accept success as only a birthright
I learnt to appreciate life more
I learnt from my mistakes
And I learnt to remain a life-long learner.
.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN

SYNERGY

Do u ever wonder why some people shine so well in school and at the end of the day they seem to have been forgotten.  This piece u are reading will expose u to my opinion on this issue.

I keep saying it that if Covenant University graduates will stick together and not seek to shine alone, we'll go way higher than this. 

If u will seek to create a product for Covenant University graduates then u have created a product for every other Nigerian graduate. 

Any product within the circle of Covenant University graduates will find its way to unimaginable locations without stress. NACK is one of the strongest brands that has ever grown out of Covenant University; can u see where NACK is today? NACK is all over the UK now

If LESLYZ can buy LaCasera at #85 wholesale price and sell it at #130 in Daniel Hall and we wld be rushing, often times queing to buy it then there's must be something he can do to raise a multibillion dollar global organisation if he will not get distracted by a supposedly 'juicy' #3million/annum job opening with GLO.

Why do people end up as local champions?

I see it as a case of unfaithfulness. Spiritual faithfulness might be a major factor but that is not what I'm focusing on at this point in time. 

By unfaithfulness I mean 'not staying true to key fundamental factors that yielded success' and one of this major factors is relationship. 

Growing brands thrive on relationships

Business start-ups thrive on relationship

Tade sells shoes - Alpha collection:

First u buy those shoes because Tade is ur roommate, coursemate, co-service unit member, friend to best friend, or one funny link like that. 

Tade releases Omega collection

U ask urself "how was my last buy?" 

"I bought it 3months back, I wear it everyday and it still looks fresh"

"it's a good product, let me buy for a friend"

In other words, ur first sale is all about the producer-consumer relationship and subsequent sales thrive on consumer satisfaction derived from the first sale. 

Now over time, some entrepreneurs get carried away with expanding producer-consumer relationships i.e. They want to want to have more first-timers enjoying their product and in a bid to achieve that they lose interest in the original first-timers. 

In more practical terms now

Tade produces these shoes for CU peeps and after he leaves CU he's definitely craving to reach out to all other shoe lovers in Lagos. 

The best way to do this is to ensure that the CU graduates keep getting these shoes, this way people that have the impression that CU peeps always dress smart will want to wear the kind of shoes they wear, so these grads link those guys up to Tade. 

But Tade will not do that, he's now to busy for his CU customers, who beyond loving his shoes, do have love for him as an individual, his personality and business savvy. They've told him "it's not done that way out there" "the business climate is different" "grow up men, think big, forget those small boys" 

Tade will rather go to these bankers as a 'nobody' and because they don't know that the smart looking guy on the 2nd floor has been wearing Tade's collection for 2yrs running, they don't see no need to let go off their trusted Guccis and Armanis.     

**shaking my head** Success is cheap!!!! Too cheap!

Hence my proposition "if Covenant University graduates will stick together and not seek to shine alone, we'll go way higher than this." 

I'm already thinking of a Covenant University brand day as I'm writing this. Let's come together in a brand fair and showcase what we have.

I mentioned BB batteries last week and I just hope and pray someone has caught that fire already and is already doing something about it!

I don't believe the diary plans will take us anywhere, it's time to come open with ideas and find people with similar interests to build it with. 

I'm bored right now, A-Z hasn't given me the satisfaction I want as an achiever and it will never do; instead of giving me that satisfaction it has been an eye-opener to the looooong journey ahead. God will never be impressed with a 26chapter, 94 page book...it is how the content of those pages affect mankind that HE is after; so book sales don't count up there. So I can't rejoice yet

Mind u, if there was no Jaye Aderounmu, Funso Fasanya, or Modupe Macaulay....there would have been no A-Z Life lessons, so can u now imagine how terrible I will fail if tomorrow comes and I decide to launch into something fresh without counsel from these guys? I dare not do that! They are God's gift to me. HE will question me if I try such.

When myself, Funeh, Chima, Tanga and Jaye emerged as the 'TRUMP family' we know what powerful things we saw ahead what passion sparked us to quit being ordinary, so will I now let go of such company of friends that spur me to think BIG? It will be a destiny-crashing move!

How will I want to organise a mega event now and I will relate with Aniekan, Harry or Adebayo?

There's something HE has placed in me that the entire world needs to hear.

How will I get such platforms in China if u my friend don't become the richest investor in the Chinese economy. This is why I pray for my friends on a daily basis; it's too crowded at the bottom, lets step up!

As ure climbing up push the person on top of u higher, drag up those that are below. 

Synergy!

Do me a favour, let's argue out this opinion of mine if u perceive it as invalid. 

Pls leave a comment.

U never can tell, synergy might become a course in the next TTG  

Build your brand

Before u enjoy the secrets I'm about to share I want u to go over to www.google.comand search for the words "Tolulope Akanni"

I want u to do same on www.facebook.com

U will discover there are 2 'Tolulope Akanni's on Facebook and 2 'Akanni Tolulope' none of which includes me

For the 1st 3 pages of ur google search, u will realise that all the 'Tolulope Akanni's point to me!

It didn't happen by chance. It was a calculated arrival birth forth by simple, plain strategies. With little or nothing, u too can be all over and everywhere. 

In this age where employers google names of prospective employees it is essential that u build a very strong online presence. From time to time google ur name on Facebook, it will help u realise how the world sees you. 

Start a blog

U don't need the oratory prowess of Aniekan not the inquisitive mind of Damilare, not the bare mind of Chino nor the poetical tint of Harry to blog. Just say something, u can't tell me ure a thinker if u don't own a blog! 

There's a clear difference btw those who read and those who do not 

It's nt by carrying books of 600pages all around, it's not by having a degree in literature all those things are not enough. Read and read relevant current materials; current materials keeps u on ur feet. Read biographies..nothing inspires better than biographies. "The secrets of men lie in their stories" 

Be ever ready for that golden 30secs

 Very few times in ur sojourn in life u will get a golden 30secs to sell urself to that one person uve always wanted to meet. Get prepared for that moment, have a rehearsed package for that moment. It might just be that 20secs u spend in the lift from the ground floor to the 6th floor with Bishop Oyedepo or Richard Branson or Fela Durotoye or Oprah Winfrey. What is it that u will say to them that will lead to exchange of business cards?

Know how to write letters/emails

 If u can't compose a letter/mail u r finished! Bye bye, stop reading and come over to my house for personal coaching...lol

But it is a terrible thing to not know how to compose powerful emails! In my short sojourn I've been privileged to communicate with great men in this country via emails. After I'm done typing, I kabash over those mails and it's not possible for them not to reply.

Never stand alone. Promote mother brands

 The worst mistake I can make is to introduce myself as Tolulope Akanni and just leave it at that. There's no platform I speak that I don't introduce myself as a Covenant University graduate, and the reason is logical while the effect is magical. 

 Why should u stand alone?

  There are 7,000 covenant university students and about 7,000 graduates as well. Bishop David Oyedepo has millions of followers all around the country and is even a force to reckon with outside the shores of this country. So why should I stand alone when I can present myself as Oyedepo's son? But because some people want to shine alone they end up not shining at all. 

Let your friends meet your friends

 This is one of the cheapest things I've done. Link friends with similar interests up with each other, create platforms for ur friends to meet ur friends; if it yields they will be forever grateful to u

I go "A meet B, he's also into xyz" and what do I get in return?

"I met him thru Tolu" "I met her thru Tolu"

And on the long run people go "that Tolu boy is connected"

Meet parents

 Don't be limited to the experience ur own parents share with u, meet other parents it will help u a lot.

Conferences seminars

There's no way u can cope without them, go all out to hear ur mentors speak at conferences and seminars, network with new folks.The right seminars set u in that sober, reflective/thirsty mood for success....they spark up that insatiable thirst for 'what next?'

Ppl love statistics

(figures, dates, time)Especially in a society like ours in which people don't attach much relevance to making discoveries, when u come across to people as someone who is filled with facts, they go WOW!This is what motivational speakers use as openers "Do u knw that 3million ppl do bla bla every bla bla bla" and because it's absolutely new to us. We are dazed and amazed!

In this world, packaging is everything,

Build ur brand!

Random thoughts

Raaaaaandom thoughts......

Is it possible to arrive
Can anyone ever arrive?
Why do people go about with their big heads like they've arrived?
Can u see why I hate success?
Success is self consuming
Everyone should quest for greatness cos u become great by virtue of what u do for others


I had a good time at the Silverbird Bookjam, I hate being on high tables....it denies me of side talks, side pings and slouching. Though as much as I look forward to that, I've never been on one with any old friend. I always have to make new friends on high tables.

So I had loads of questions to answer today, most of which I didn't get a full grasp off....all I knew was that I kept on talking. I was just saying things and it seemed they were satisfied....me I dunno oh

But for reals, there are very few interviewers I've enjoyed. Myne gave me a great start, Funmi did same, Anna helped me a lot, Bro Femi, Ada's interview was pretty cool, the STV babe was equally on point, then I had intelligent questions to answer at my book launch.

Overall, I'm sorry to say but from experiences I've come to realize that Nigerians don't know how to construct questions! Especially when they are not one-liners
I've always noticed this at seminars and conferences, they never just put it right. If u don't believe me I have CDs of seminars that had Q&A sessions and if u sit to analyse u'll just realize that there's something wrong with the construction of these questions.

If u came for the John C. Maxwell bookjam outing u should remember how the Atrium Consults guy had to rephrase almost every question they asked him (except for mine *wink* n a few others) and this was the same thing

Only God will help me oh cos I dunno if it's me or them

Also at the bookjam they made me remind myself why I don't want to be just an author, they talked about how great authors first have to publish outside Naija before they gain recognition and all of those historical/statistical things.....there's more to my life than writig books jare.



In conclusion, I feel for everyone one of us, there must be that one thing u can do right now that will give ur world a glimpse into the days of greatness ahead of u.
Facebook note was it for me at some point, soon enough it was blogging, later on it was A-Z. But today I feel it's a combination of the 3.
Find that one thing and exploit it to the maximum

Today on STV

At exactly 8:02am today Friday, 27th August, 2010 I was aired on Silverbird TV as I sat in the studio with the presenter in a 15mins interview that bordered on my inspiration for writing A-Z Life lessons, the lessons in the book, and the reading culture of Nigerians. 

In the moments that followed phone calls started rolling in. Family and friends calling to exchange congratulatory gestures, at some point I had 22 unread IMs on my BBM (I've never seen 10 b4!)

Everyone was pleased, proud of me, happy for me, yet others were shocked by my 'packaging' and delivery. Everyone had one good thing or the other to say. Not only were my friends watching, they were watching with their parents!

In the moments that followed my head grew heavy, not that pride heaviness now, my head was just heavy. It didn't feel as light as it used to be. I was processing a million thoughts at once while exploring contrasting emotional states. In that heaviness the tears rolled freely.

I was excited yet bitter

I was happy yet sober

I felt like dancing yet I was in tears

And yes, the tears are flowing freely as I'm typing out these thoughts

It was evidently the best moment of my life

After the calls from my pastor n family friends, Yinka was d first friend to call me n he kept on screaming "this is d dream"

"this is d dream"

True to it, this is the dream

I saw it coming but I never anticipated I wouldn't be able to handle it, each time I sat down to reflect was....*cnt find words 4 it*

As I leaned towards Foluso he reminded me that "HIS grace is sufficient for you"

As I rolled over to Gbubemi's he said "you have nations to handle so get used to it"

I have never felt like this before

I can't find the perfect words to describe this feeling

I think Bukola said "surreal" yeah

I keep juggling between two emotional states firstly because I'm happy, I'm excited and indeed grateful to God. But again, like a said on radio yesterday "I'm starting too early so it's a difficult task maintaining relevance"

This responsibility is MEGA

But I know with GOD, I will pull through

On days like this memories of those cold lonely nites I spent weeping and crying out to God for a first class degree, memories of moments when I thought the heavens had forsaken me, memories of moments when I doubted HIS love for me.....and now I feel like a fool because indeed "HIS ways are not our ways"

As long as we keep at that one thing God has placed in our hands, as long as we remain positive in our disposition toward life, we will see light at the end of the tunnel. 

I would have remained ordinary if I had graduated from the university with my dream first class honours, I wouldn't have explored other talents, I would have been contended with my first class 'big head'

I probably wouldn't be up late every night placing words that I can use to better the lives of others together. It wouldn't have been about my world, it would have been all about me but see what God is doing today. 

Beyond reasonable doubts, God has great plans for each one of us, it's only a matter of time before we realize what HE's been up to all along.  

Just believe

Before I hit the screens...

U know when u know it somewher deep down that u'l be fine
But u stil hv to enjoy the anxiety that comes before the golden moment

Too many possible scenarios running thru my head
Too many lyrics
Too many lines

Mixed with anxiety is excitement
Another dream about to come true
This excitement comes with gratitude
Gratitude to God Almighty
For taking me this far
This early

I appreciate his name
Glory to His most high name

Pray for me
Nigeria will be watching

The best days

I unfortunately wasn't privileged to enjoy the excitement of graduating from the university on my convocation day. All through the early hours of that day I had one question on my mind "was A-Z Life lessons printed to quality?"


The printer had delivered the day before and my parents were to come with it that day, very early before the convocation ceremony. But they couldn't make it before the procession, so I didn't see even get to see the book before it started selling!
Yes, they handed it over to my sales rep immediately!
When I finally held it in my hands and I saw quality, I saw class I said to myself that this book will sell in any part of the world!
Soon that excitement faded as thought of selling 200copies in one weekend saturated my mind!
God did it and 200copies were cleared in 2days!


July 9 was then the best day of my life! The book launch was a mega-success, I was too happy! As tired as I was I couldn't sleep that nite. I was filled with excitement.


July13 soon became the best day of my life. Seating on the high table with John C. Maxwell, getting a handshake, getting his endorsements. Dream moment!


July30 came and it was yet again another best day of my life, the book presentation at Abuja was very successful, the reception from the audience was awesome. It was the best weekend of my life cause the following day was my first time on radio and all of that.


The memories of the Abuja reigned tops for a very long time then Today, August 26 came and God did it again!
TV and Radio in one day!
Radio interview was live while the TV was recorded and will be aired tomorrow but mehn, it's been the best day of my life!


GOD just keeps me in awe every hour and this post is dedicated to God for proving it over and over again in my life that dreams come true!