VENTURE IN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (VIMP) 2017

                  FOCUS: A VALID KEY TO SUCCESS!

At midday Sunday 19^th, February, 2017, all 50 participants of the Venture in Management Program (ViMP) 2017 arrived from different locations across Nigeria. The lead chaperon for the group, Mr. Adegbola Abiodun, Senior Programs Manager, JAN and other JAN staff were on ground to receive each percipient as they arrived.

On settling in, Ms. Adaeze Oputa, Associate Director, JAN gave a thorough introduction of JAN while Mr. Ifeanyi. Ajaebili, Marketing Manager, LBS gave a welcome address on behalf of the institution.  In the course of this session, participants shared their excitement and how privilege they feel for being a part of ViMP.

Later, Mrs. Rita Odion, Programs Manager and Mr. Titilade Adeniran trained the participants on JA more Than Money and JA Its My Biz in preparation for the CSR activity later in the week. The highlight of the day was the remark from ViMP Alumni Christina Olusile, Tax Analyst, KPMG and Samuel Adeoye, Intern, Ove Arup.

Christina and Samuel in their short talk shared their experience at ViMP and how it gave them a canva on which they designed their future. However the crux of their remark was a need for focus in this generation. Christina Olusile said “ViMP will make you see life differently and probably have you confused for some time. ViMP will cause a shift in your life and focus is the only thing that will help you pull through”.

The need for focus was highly emphasized as participant were advised that focus is a valid key to success. Without it, that ambitious journey to succeed might be futile after all.

                            DAY 1: THINK BIG. WORK HARD. SHOW LOVE.

Today Monday 20^th February, 2017 was the participants’ first day at the Lagos Business School. The schedule for the day was in four parts. First the History and Inspiration of LBS which included a tour of the LBS, then Writing a CV and Preparing for an Interview and Analysis of Business Principles.

The fourth session was facilitated by a special industry guest Mr Danladi Verheijen, CEO, Verod Capital. Mr. Danladi shared deep entrepreneurship insights with the ViMP 2017 participants.

In a bid to defining a course for his life, Mr. Danladi said that he asked himself a major question that redefined what he wanted to do in life. Having gone through several years of working in the industry as a consultant and serial investor, he applied all of his experience into Verod Capital.

While reeling out his life experiences, Mr. Danladi also noted that although he had an undergraduate education in Electrical Electronics Engineering and a master’s degree in Operations Management, he still found love in the private equity industry. Verod Capital., which started operation in the year 2008, was built with the following value: boldness, passion, integrity, long-term greediness, and integrity.

Before delving into the core of his lecture, he reeled out statistics and reports to depict worrisome happenings in the global socio-economic space and also in the Nigerian power sector. He said, “I was always concerned about this dilapidated state of the Nigerian economic space, which led him to choose entrepreneurship.

He advised the participants to always look for people who have done the business that they are about venturing into in other to reduce the business risks attached to their business. In his words he noted, “Leverage on the experiences of other people”.

At the end of the session, Mr. Danladi said “one of the major drive he has towards work has been propelled by the abilities to conquer impossibilities. He advised participants to, “analyse, identify the problems to be solved, assess the profitability, and be mindful of financial security. Above all, think big, work hard, and show love”.

 

 

       DAY 2: LEADERSHIP, FINANCE, BRANDING PRINCIPLES DEMYSTIFIED

Junior Achievement Nigeria programs are built on three pillars: financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. The framework of the Venture in Management Program is richly influenced by the values of JAN and the Lagos Business School. This real life case study approach to each study session makes the one week mini-MBA even more robust.

Today, participants were taken through excellent and very thorough sessions on Leadership, Finance and Branding. The sessions were facilitated by LBS faculty, Mr. Henry Onukwuba, Dr. Emenalo Chukwunonye and Dr. Uchenna Uzo.

On leadership, participants were advised that true leadership is not only a function of results but of character. Both in performance and behavioral. Finance on the other hand was made so easy and even engaging not only for the finance gurus and mathematicians but also for those in the arts. The session on the principles of branding helped participants understand why Product + Advert = Brand. Branding he added is about value.      

                   

               

                   DAY 3: TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS EXPECTED

Today Wednesday 22^nd, February, 2017 is best described as a day for giving and gratitude. The day kicked off with the traditional CSR activity carried out by midweek of every ViMP week and later the ViMP Alumni Mixer.

This year’s CSR was exceptional as ViMP participants visited more than two schools for the first time. The ViMP 2017 Class were separated in 6 groups to teach JA programs at the following schools:

Edidot Secondary School, Badore

1. Adeyemi Ololade Faith
2. Onakomaiya Ayobami
3. Adedugbe Emmanuel Damilola
4. Kayode Bisola
5. Yusuf Ayodele
6. Okorie Emmanuel

Edidot Primary School, Badore

1. Adams Abdulakeem.O
2. Ndigwe Chisom
3. Damilola Adediran
4. Adesanya Oluwasegun
5. Abraham Olufemi
6. Fawole Mayowa

Edukids International School, Badore

1. Abdulsalam Okubadejo

Canterbury Primary School, Ajah

1. Adegoke Ireoluwa
2. Ogeye Ololade

Ado Primary School, Ado

1. Oluwatomi Ojo
2. Faith Akor
3. Benedict Ashiedu
4. Agunji Michael Jnr
5. Adesegun Sunmola
6. Gbolahan Ajijola
7. Chukwuemeka Maduako

Sangotedo Primary School, Sangotedo

1. Sarah Adewusi
2. Thankgod Eboh
3. Oluwaseun Ogundipe
4. Emmanuel Igwe
5. Abdulakeem Ismail A
6. Abiodun Idowu.O
7. Victor Adegboye
8. Temitayo Adelabu
9. Justin Keke
10. Omotola Sangofadeji
11. Adeshola Afolabi
12. Ikechukwu Dike

Olomu Primary School, Ajah

1. Oghafua Nosa
2. Ata Odinakachukwu
3. Akinsulere Olubukola
4. Babajide Oluwase
5. Ebuka Itumoh
6. Orekoya Oluwafemi
7. Adindu Chiagoziom
8. Adebambo Adewale
9. Saleh Victor Odiye
10. Ugonna Adeloke
11. Ifechukwude Daniel
12. Onyendi Chukwuemeka Anthony
13. Nwaiwze Iheanyichukwu

For most of the participants this was their first volunteering opportunity, for others, it was their second may be the third. However, the unifying factor was they had never experienced volunteering this way.

ViMP participant Shola Afolabi said “I have volunteered because I consider it something good people do. Volunteering with JAN for me, is an opportunity to give back to the society. The way the kids responded to what we taught them about entrepreneurship and finance was very inspiring. I now see volunteering from a new perspective. Something real leaders do”

The Alumni Mixer held later at Southern Sun Hotel & Suites, Ikoyi. In attendance were about 200 ViMP alumni, Ms. Oare Ehiemua, Africa Capital Alliance Foundation, Dr. Uchenna Uzo, Head of MBA Programs, LBS, Mr. Ifeanyi Ajaebili, Marketing Manager, LBS, Mrs. Simi Nwogugu, Executive Director, JAN and the JAN Team.`

DAY 4: EXCELLENCE, REPUTATION, AUTHENTICITY

Mr. Ladi Balogun, CEO, First City Monument Bank, spent the first hour of the day with participants at the Lagos Business School. He shared his experiences as a professional and entrepreneur. He shared tips on how to have sustainable and profitable relationships with mentors. He encouraged participants to strive for excellence, a good reputation and authenticity. In his words, “excellence is largely a function of reputation and authenticity is a journey”.

Mrs. Simi Nwogugu, Executive Director, JAN added the need for participants not to rest on their oars and not neglect all that they have learnt during their time at ViMP. She also added that it is important for participants to give back to society.

The next session was on Venturing for Social Impact facilitated by Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie who with her expertise taught participants on how to become entrepreneurs with a difference. She also enlightened them on the possibility of starting a business with as little as 5000 naira.

                       DAY 5: THE FIFTEEN Cs TO SUCCEED AS A LEADER

Day 5 which was the final day of the ViMP 2017 week when the ultimate case competition would hold began with a surprise visit by Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Chairman, JAN BOD. This made the morning very exciting and highly engaging for all participants as they had so many questions to ask after Mr. Yusuf’s very precise wisdom nuggets he summarized into the 15Cs for success as a leader.

1.      Competence

2.      Character (a good one)

3.      Communication

4.      Courage

5.      Consistency

6.      Collaboration

7.      Conscientiousness

8.      Confidence

9.      Credibility

10.  Contribution

11.  Contentment

12.  Continuous Learning

13.  Connection

14.  Compassion

15.  Clarity

He advised participants to be honest, reliable, humble and be careful not to make irresponsible decisions as they go on in life.

Participants in four different teams made an exceptional presentation for the case competition. Dr. Ifeanyi Iheanacho of LBS, who was the acting investor commended participants where necessary also giving constructive and corrective comments.

At the end of the competition, group 4 came fourth with 62%, in third position was group 3 with 65%, group 1 in second place with 72% and group 2 emerging winners with a total of 75%.

Certificates were presented to participants by Mrs. Simi Nwogugu, Executive Director, JAN, Ms. Oare Ehiemua, African Capital Alliance Foundation.

The ViMP week will be incomplete without a job fair. An opportunity for talented participants to be discovered by top organizations like Deloitte Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC, Oracle Inc.and more. This year, Deloitte Nigeria and Pulse.ng came scouting for talents amongst participants. Participants had the opportunity to share their career interests and goals with representatives of these organisations. They also exchanged contacts and set dates for aptitude test and possible interview.

To wrap up the week’s activities was an inspiring movie night. Participants saw the award winning movie, Hidden Figures. Lessons learnt from the movie reflected a huge part of what ViMP is about which is teaching young leaders the importance of excellence. 

Articles by: Petra Erhiyoma, JAN