Where do I begin… so much to say too little time. I will begin where I think I left off.
In December I saw divine favour and the glory of God made manifest. God continues to embarrass me with his mercy and grace.
When the work did not come to me I had to find it. In November I decided to organise a training program for 2 reasons; it is something I can do and secondly revenue assurance for December. I figured that training programs required direct marketing efforts because of the fee charged thus I would need to market to heads of departments and MDs to approve spending on employees. That would take a while to market and a lot of effort persuading senior executives to invest in their employees. I had planned to do a seminar in the course of the year so I changed the initial plan a little to accommodate that plan. I figured that an inexpensive seminar targeted at individuals would be cheaper and quicker to market and conclude. If I set a price that people didn’t have to think too much about, keep my costs low, I might be able to achieve my goal and earn a little income. What started as an idea on paper became a harsh reality the minute I sent out the first set of emails announcing the seminar.
The experience was one I will always remember. Emotionally draining yet highly exhilarating. Anxiety and tears of joy. I jumped for joy when I received email notifications of the first 2 payments then I cried because I was overwhelmed that I could send out emails on a seminar planned from my bedroom and people would PAY to attend. It was an honour. The days and weeks after were amazing and encouraging, the numbers went up steadily, and even my dad would call everyday for an update on the numbers. The final number was 75 participants; I can only give God all the praise and glory because what happened was not fathomable in my mind’s eye. That it was a success is still a dream and that the goodwill and support from special individuals I still find amazing. Help comes in mysterious forms from unexpected and surprising people and circumstances. I experienced kindness and support from unlikely folk. Again I say thank you, you know who you are.
Then I went on holiday. The coldest and whitest Christmas I have ever experienced. I travelled with my dad, it just so happened that our dates coincided. When we got to London it was freezing, we both had a few days in London before we were off to Maryland to spend Christmas. It was an unusual experience, as this was the first time in a very long while that 6 of the 7 members of my immediate family would spend Christmas together. It is a Christmas I will remember for many reasons but most especially that it was freezing and that there were 3 children present and I can’t remember spending that much time with small children so it was something new. Maryland was colder and windier and the snow was deep, approximately 16 inches deep before we arrived on Christmas Eve. Once it was over it was back to the UK and then back to the grind stone.
January, another interesting experience. It was time to organise the actual training program that the seminar ought to have publicised. As expected because of the price of the program it was not going to be one that individuals would be likely to sponsor themselves, hence the marketing efforts this time were different and required targeted and direct efforts. Something I am not used to doing. It was so much easier just sending out bulk messages from my laptop, this required relationship management and much more. I had to follow up mails with phone calls but still where help came from was the most unusual places. In the end we had 7 bookings, 2 of which were from the seminar. We had 1 last minute cancellation which was really more of a carry over to the next available month. So I am pleased to say I have 1 booking for the February class.
It’s not been easy, revenue's unpredictable because things don’t always happen as planned. Costs are more predictable although based on the environment there are unforeseen circumstances but so far they have not been as volatile as revenue.
Everyday is still exciting. I never know who’s going to call and for what purpose. Leads come in from different sources, like I said before, the most unlikely places. So I am expectant.
February is my birth month, a year older and wiser. 2009 was good because it ended well. I found love of a far more lasting kind. So for 2010 I am full of grand expectations. Jesus remains Lord and I am truly, deeply and madly happy. And I am looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Home Coming
When people tell me they want to move back to Nigeria, I respond with the question, why? Sometimes I get a puzzling reply bordering around the fact that Nigeria is after all home, like it or not! Other times I get a response on how much better things appear to be in Nigeria and how so and so came back a few years ago and is earning a fat salary and living the vida loca. I listen while they rant and go on and on and once they are done, my reply is the same. ‘Don’t come back if you have nothing to offer Nigeria, we have enough people in Nigeria who are just here for the taking, we don’t need anymore’.
Now I don’t mean to sound like a patriot but I have a deep rooted feeling and ambition that I am here for a purpose. Yes, I was in the UK for over a decade, schooled there, lived there and at one point was quoted to have said I couldn’t imagine living in Nigeria.
It’s been 7 years back in Nigeria and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My return to Nigeria was the beginning of many changes in my life. With my return I decided I would only ever work in a field I enjoyed. I took stock of myself and made decision to work with my strengths for a change. This meant no longer being stuck in some dead end profession just for the money. I developed a new philosophy around the premise of leveraging on my innate ability rather than my learned skills. I took myself back to a time where I was well known for talking and writing, the tender age of 7. My friends had told me I was good at advising and so with that extra bit of information I had my top three innate skills; Talking, Writing and Advising. The career finding exercise paid off. My first job in Nigeria was in Consulting. A profession that never ever crossed my thoughts when I was in the UK making the most of my IT career with Nokia UK designing software for mobile phones. A place I cherished for the exposure it gave me to world class systems but a job more mundane than a picking and packing job in a factory.
To return back to Nigeria, is not an easy option by any means because the situation is not as blissful as may be painted. Coming to Nigeria on holiday is no where near the same as coming back for good. It is easier to cope with black outs when you are on holiday but when you are here for good you don’t just cope, it also bites right deep into your pocket all through the year. More than anything else, I detest the traffic, the pot holes, the insecurity and the terrible driving habits so much so that I have developed a driving phobia. I tell anyone who would listen that you must be sick of your present state abroad to come back here otherwise that decision to return will never be made. There must be a trigger and you must have reached the end of your tether. There must be a deeper than superficial reason to come back here because on the surface it appears to be a crazy decision. When people tell me 101 reasons why they can’t come back yet I tell them not to worry because they aren’t quite there yet. When you are there you will know it.
Coming back to Nigeria for me marked my ‘coming of self’, A time when I came full circle in deciding what career path to follow. Nigeria represented the atmosphere for me to be me. My first job here was the most exciting of my whole life. Sunday blues, a feeling that lingered throughout my career in the UK became a thing of the past. As a young consultant I looked forward to going to work every morning. The people I worked with were like me, they spoke like me, behaved like me and understood my being. We joked at work, faffed around sometimes and even when we worked crazy hours on those crazy projects with manic deadlines we still loved what we did.
It’s different for everyone I guess but for me coming home brought out the best of my career. Career for me is not a job but an assignment strongly linked to my mission in life. Career for me is the God given gifts and talents I have naturally made beautiful by the skills I have acquired over the years. So understand why my decision to return to Nigeria is one I am grateful I made.
To my brothers and sisters that want out of Nigeria I say to them by all means go. It is a good thing for one to be exposed to the ways of the rest of the world. There are so many things I learned in the UK. In fact my UK experience has been an added advantage to a lot of career moves I have made. I encourage exposure with a plan. I say with a plan because it is easy for one to forget the plan and get lost in learning the rudimentary skills required to thrive in a foreign culture. Also, it is not necessary to be in Nigeria to be part of the change; we have so many Nigerians in the Diaspora that are doing a better job of uplifting Nigeria than the multitude of Nigerians here.
Today, I still consult but I work for myself. I left corporate Nigeria to pursue my personal dreams and ambitions. I would love to be in government to influence policy formulation and execution. People think I am crazy when I say that but it’s just part of that desire to do something about the malady in this our country Nigeria.
There’s so much promise in Nigeria. Because there are so many issues there are an equal number of opportunities for people who love solving problems or puzzles which many times seem to be the Nigerian case. We need people on a mission here in Nigeria. People who want change and are willing to drive and be a part of the change process. People who see the big picture and the benefits associated with a better Nigeria. People who believe that the success story of Nigeria is not complete without them.
Now I don’t mean to sound like a patriot but I have a deep rooted feeling and ambition that I am here for a purpose. Yes, I was in the UK for over a decade, schooled there, lived there and at one point was quoted to have said I couldn’t imagine living in Nigeria.
It’s been 7 years back in Nigeria and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My return to Nigeria was the beginning of many changes in my life. With my return I decided I would only ever work in a field I enjoyed. I took stock of myself and made decision to work with my strengths for a change. This meant no longer being stuck in some dead end profession just for the money. I developed a new philosophy around the premise of leveraging on my innate ability rather than my learned skills. I took myself back to a time where I was well known for talking and writing, the tender age of 7. My friends had told me I was good at advising and so with that extra bit of information I had my top three innate skills; Talking, Writing and Advising. The career finding exercise paid off. My first job in Nigeria was in Consulting. A profession that never ever crossed my thoughts when I was in the UK making the most of my IT career with Nokia UK designing software for mobile phones. A place I cherished for the exposure it gave me to world class systems but a job more mundane than a picking and packing job in a factory.
To return back to Nigeria, is not an easy option by any means because the situation is not as blissful as may be painted. Coming to Nigeria on holiday is no where near the same as coming back for good. It is easier to cope with black outs when you are on holiday but when you are here for good you don’t just cope, it also bites right deep into your pocket all through the year. More than anything else, I detest the traffic, the pot holes, the insecurity and the terrible driving habits so much so that I have developed a driving phobia. I tell anyone who would listen that you must be sick of your present state abroad to come back here otherwise that decision to return will never be made. There must be a trigger and you must have reached the end of your tether. There must be a deeper than superficial reason to come back here because on the surface it appears to be a crazy decision. When people tell me 101 reasons why they can’t come back yet I tell them not to worry because they aren’t quite there yet. When you are there you will know it.
Coming back to Nigeria for me marked my ‘coming of self’, A time when I came full circle in deciding what career path to follow. Nigeria represented the atmosphere for me to be me. My first job here was the most exciting of my whole life. Sunday blues, a feeling that lingered throughout my career in the UK became a thing of the past. As a young consultant I looked forward to going to work every morning. The people I worked with were like me, they spoke like me, behaved like me and understood my being. We joked at work, faffed around sometimes and even when we worked crazy hours on those crazy projects with manic deadlines we still loved what we did.
It’s different for everyone I guess but for me coming home brought out the best of my career. Career for me is not a job but an assignment strongly linked to my mission in life. Career for me is the God given gifts and talents I have naturally made beautiful by the skills I have acquired over the years. So understand why my decision to return to Nigeria is one I am grateful I made.
To my brothers and sisters that want out of Nigeria I say to them by all means go. It is a good thing for one to be exposed to the ways of the rest of the world. There are so many things I learned in the UK. In fact my UK experience has been an added advantage to a lot of career moves I have made. I encourage exposure with a plan. I say with a plan because it is easy for one to forget the plan and get lost in learning the rudimentary skills required to thrive in a foreign culture. Also, it is not necessary to be in Nigeria to be part of the change; we have so many Nigerians in the Diaspora that are doing a better job of uplifting Nigeria than the multitude of Nigerians here.
Today, I still consult but I work for myself. I left corporate Nigeria to pursue my personal dreams and ambitions. I would love to be in government to influence policy formulation and execution. People think I am crazy when I say that but it’s just part of that desire to do something about the malady in this our country Nigeria.
There’s so much promise in Nigeria. Because there are so many issues there are an equal number of opportunities for people who love solving problems or puzzles which many times seem to be the Nigerian case. We need people on a mission here in Nigeria. People who want change and are willing to drive and be a part of the change process. People who see the big picture and the benefits associated with a better Nigeria. People who believe that the success story of Nigeria is not complete without them.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Man Proposes but God Disposes
The last few days have been somewhat low for me. I know I shouldn’t feel this way but I do although I know that things always happen for a reason.
This week was focussed on ensuring my application for the doctorate program was completed. I spent time writing a research proposal, getting my references and finalising all the requirements for the application.
Excited that all was finally ready, I sent it out by email, with every required document scanned and attached. I had dug out my old scanner and fixed it. I even scanned my signature for endorsement on the application form. The climax came when I pressed send. I saw a reply notification like 3 minutes after I sent the mail, so I decided to do other things as I figured it was just an acknowledgement email since it came so fast. When I finally got round to opening the message it read;
Dear Madam
I am afraid that due to exceptional demand, Aberdeen Business School have closed applications for DBA applicants for present. We can not confirm yet, when applicants will be able to reapply, but I am afraid that we cannot accept your application at present.
Research Degrees Office
Immediately a deep seated sadness overcame me. I wasn’t sure whether it was the right way to feel but somehow it wasn’t the response I was expecting. The response seemed so flippant and vague that I responded by asking them to give me specific timelines. I just felt I needed something more concrete as university admissions can be applied for future sessions, so I asked when the embargo would be lifted or whether it was an indefinite decision. The response I got was not positive. Again it appeared like they were neither here nor there. To be honest I was a little irritated that they weren’t able to give a more precise response. The final response which I received today read;
Dear Madam
I don't really think that there is much point in further discussions. ABS have stated that applications are currently closed and when they choose to re-open applications they will let us know. However, for the moment there is little point in applying if you don't know when your application will be considered by ABS.
Research Degrees Office
Hmmm, now I don’t even know how I feel anymore, quite disappointed and somewhat confused as to what to do next. I am wondering whether its not meant to be? The choice of school was really based on the fees. They are the only one I think I can mange to fund by myself the next available school charges double the fees and I really cannot afford that right now. Also the other schools have workshop that you must attend and I really need the flexibility of a distance learning program. The other school I applied to at the beginning of the year requested that I do a relevant masters first before embarking on their program. O gosh what do I do now? This just throws my plans off.
Hmmm, I do know things happen for a reason but I am still feeling down at this realisation. If ABS at least gave me a timeline of even next year I would at least know that delay is not denial. Anyway, Arrrrrrrrgh! God please help!!!
This week was focussed on ensuring my application for the doctorate program was completed. I spent time writing a research proposal, getting my references and finalising all the requirements for the application.
Excited that all was finally ready, I sent it out by email, with every required document scanned and attached. I had dug out my old scanner and fixed it. I even scanned my signature for endorsement on the application form. The climax came when I pressed send. I saw a reply notification like 3 minutes after I sent the mail, so I decided to do other things as I figured it was just an acknowledgement email since it came so fast. When I finally got round to opening the message it read;
Dear Madam
I am afraid that due to exceptional demand, Aberdeen Business School have closed applications for DBA applicants for present. We can not confirm yet, when applicants will be able to reapply, but I am afraid that we cannot accept your application at present.
Research Degrees Office
Immediately a deep seated sadness overcame me. I wasn’t sure whether it was the right way to feel but somehow it wasn’t the response I was expecting. The response seemed so flippant and vague that I responded by asking them to give me specific timelines. I just felt I needed something more concrete as university admissions can be applied for future sessions, so I asked when the embargo would be lifted or whether it was an indefinite decision. The response I got was not positive. Again it appeared like they were neither here nor there. To be honest I was a little irritated that they weren’t able to give a more precise response. The final response which I received today read;
Dear Madam
I don't really think that there is much point in further discussions. ABS have stated that applications are currently closed and when they choose to re-open applications they will let us know. However, for the moment there is little point in applying if you don't know when your application will be considered by ABS.
Research Degrees Office
Hmmm, now I don’t even know how I feel anymore, quite disappointed and somewhat confused as to what to do next. I am wondering whether its not meant to be? The choice of school was really based on the fees. They are the only one I think I can mange to fund by myself the next available school charges double the fees and I really cannot afford that right now. Also the other schools have workshop that you must attend and I really need the flexibility of a distance learning program. The other school I applied to at the beginning of the year requested that I do a relevant masters first before embarking on their program. O gosh what do I do now? This just throws my plans off.
Hmmm, I do know things happen for a reason but I am still feeling down at this realisation. If ABS at least gave me a timeline of even next year I would at least know that delay is not denial. Anyway, Arrrrrrrrgh! God please help!!!
Customer Service Failure at Starcomms Plc
I am ashamed to say but I spent most of today being angry. Angry at the mediocrity we are often forced to deal with in this country of ours. Angry that as a customer, I am not valued even despite the fact that I am part of the reason why Starcomms Plc is in business. I was so mad till I decided the only thing that would make me feel better was to write to them and get an opportunity to vent out my utmost dissatisfaction with the poor service rendered to me and any subscriber suffering a similar plight.
October 9, 2009
Chief Executive Officer
Starcomms Plc
Plot 1261C, Bishop Kale Close,
Victoria Island,
Lagos
Attention: Management
Re: Customer Service Failure
I am an angry customer. I am angry because I feel I am being taken for granted and that Starcomms Plc is ripping me off my money’s worth. I feel that rather than partnering with its customers, Starcomms Plc is cheating its customers.
I run a small business and I subscribe to the 24/7 internet service provided by Starcomms Plc. Every month I make a conscious effort to pay my subscription rate on time to avoid being disconnected and every month I suffer the same plight.
Yesterday on the 8th of October 2009 I went into a GTB bank myself and paid in my subscription fee to avoid being disconnected on the following day. My service was disconnected at exactly 12 midnight of the 8th of October 2009 and it is now 2 pm of the following day and my internet connection is still not back up.
What I cannot understand is why an ISP like Starcomms, in this day and age cannot provide a seamless internet connection service for customers like me who want to ensure that they are connected 24/7 just like the name of the tariff plan suggests.
Today and every month because of Starcomms Plc, I cannot do business with my customers for at least two thirds of a day as I am usually reconnected in the afternoon of the following day. I do not understand this phenomenon so I ask;
Starcomms Plc, why must we be disconnected every month even though we try so hard to do everything we need to do to ensure we are not disconnected?
Starcomms Plc, why do you collect payment for a service that you cannot render? If we have exchanged money then I believe you owe me a service from the moment you receive my money. In the worst case even if you had not recognised the money I paid in yesterday on the day it was paid in, why am I not re-connected first thing in the morning of the following day i.e. by 8am today the 9th of October 2009?
Why do I always have to call in to Starcomms every month, harassing people I know who work there to speed up the reconnection of my Starcomms internet service? What would I do if I didn’t know people who could help me?
If I am billed based on a 31 day cycle why would you count a reconnection time of 3pm on a particular day as day 1 of my service? Especially since I had made payment on the previous day but due to your own service failures I am reconnected at 3pm on the following day. What happens to the lost hours between 12 midnight and 3pm where I had no service and yet Starcomms had received payment for those hours? If I pay for 31 days I should get 31 days, no more, no less.
I am frustrated and tired of your poor service and this is not the only problem I have had with your organization.
Two months ago I suffered a similar plight where I had to buy a new USB modem for the internet connection I currently have. I had problems with the USB on the day it was bought and proceeded to return it the next day. I was told that I could only return it at the Starcomms shop that it was bought at. I live in Ilupeju and I bought it at Lekki on a Saturday. I had to drive all the way to Lekki on a Sunday just to return it. That in itself is a shame for such a large firm with branches all over the country to request that refunds must be made at the same store of purchase.
On returning the USB modem to the shop, I was told by the customer service advisor that company policy would not allow them refund my money till somebody else had bought the same item as the cash received from the person would be used to give me a refund. As a result, I left the Starcomms shop with no service, no USB modem and no money. Starcomms a big firm, kept hold of N26,500.00 belonging to a small firm like mine on the basis of a company policy that makes no sense and shows low regard for the customer. I was called back 3 days later to pick up my refunded cash. During this time, Starcomms cared less about the fact that I would have no internet service for the period they held my cash.
In my entire life, I have never seen where customers are treated like beggars with no choice.
Starcomms Plc is taking its customers for granted, forgetting that your customers make you who you are today. You may get away with it in the short term but you will not get away with this in the long run. It is sad and appalling that in this day and age with everything we know about customer service that companies like Starcomms are cheating their customers.
What is even sadder is that with advancement of technology solutions, Starcomms cannot device a means of ensuring that the services of loyal paying customers like me are not disrupted every month.
Starcomms Plc, I want you to know that it is technically feasible to device a system that detects customers who have paid before their subscription fee expires so that they can enjoy a seamless transition to the next month without being constantly reminded that they are at your mercy. Please invest in the right systems and service your customers by giving them value for money not lost business and wasted time calling your office.
Starcomms’ role should be one of a business partner and not a business destroyer. Small businesses and entrepreneurs suffer enough in this country. Starcomms should not add to the plight of the small business owner or its customer base as a whole, whether businesses or individuals. We demand and deserve value for our money. Please speak our language!
Yours Sincerely,
Their response is below and was received after sending an email to ceo@starcomms.com, I guess they thought I was a guy. Note; no reference to a refund for loss time, business losses or grievance.
Dear Mr,
Please accept our sincere apologies for the delays you have experienced in your renewals. I would request that you let us have your data device number with the payment particulars including location of payment to help us facilitate your renewal.
Yes, we are aware of the issues with time delay in payments made by the bank and Starcomms has been working on resolving this issue and ensuring that customers do not have to be in agony on the delays experienced.
Starcomms has just soft launched not one but three different modes of online renewal process for its Retail Data Subscribers who can now pay from the comfort of their home or office and experience instant renewal of their desired subscription pack. The three different modes of online renewal are detailed below.
1. Through SMS from your Starcomms handset. This is by sending a pre-defined string as an SMS/ Text to 37938 from a Starcomms handset.
Package ID Package Name Value
241 1MTH PURPLE ALWAYS-REN 15,950
242 PURPLE 100 HOURS REN 6500
243 PURPLE 250 HOURS REN 15,000
244 1MTH PURPLE NIGHT REN 5,000
245 1MTH PURPLE BUSINESS REN 7,000
246 PURPLE 7-11 REN 1 MONTH 5,000
The string would be *Package ID*Data Device number*1234#.
For example for a renewal on an 1 month Purple Always Renewal plan you need to send the following SMS *243*07028962561*1234# to the number 37938.
1. The second and third mode of renewal are both through the web. You need to visit our website www.starcomms.com and register yourself and you could pay either using our recharge cards or an Interswitch card.
Regards
Sajan
Sajan R Suvarna
Deputy Director – Data & Retail Sales
October 9, 2009
Chief Executive Officer
Starcomms Plc
Plot 1261C, Bishop Kale Close,
Victoria Island,
Lagos
Attention: Management
Re: Customer Service Failure
I am an angry customer. I am angry because I feel I am being taken for granted and that Starcomms Plc is ripping me off my money’s worth. I feel that rather than partnering with its customers, Starcomms Plc is cheating its customers.
I run a small business and I subscribe to the 24/7 internet service provided by Starcomms Plc. Every month I make a conscious effort to pay my subscription rate on time to avoid being disconnected and every month I suffer the same plight.
Yesterday on the 8th of October 2009 I went into a GTB bank myself and paid in my subscription fee to avoid being disconnected on the following day. My service was disconnected at exactly 12 midnight of the 8th of October 2009 and it is now 2 pm of the following day and my internet connection is still not back up.
What I cannot understand is why an ISP like Starcomms, in this day and age cannot provide a seamless internet connection service for customers like me who want to ensure that they are connected 24/7 just like the name of the tariff plan suggests.
Today and every month because of Starcomms Plc, I cannot do business with my customers for at least two thirds of a day as I am usually reconnected in the afternoon of the following day. I do not understand this phenomenon so I ask;
Starcomms Plc, why must we be disconnected every month even though we try so hard to do everything we need to do to ensure we are not disconnected?
Starcomms Plc, why do you collect payment for a service that you cannot render? If we have exchanged money then I believe you owe me a service from the moment you receive my money. In the worst case even if you had not recognised the money I paid in yesterday on the day it was paid in, why am I not re-connected first thing in the morning of the following day i.e. by 8am today the 9th of October 2009?
Why do I always have to call in to Starcomms every month, harassing people I know who work there to speed up the reconnection of my Starcomms internet service? What would I do if I didn’t know people who could help me?
If I am billed based on a 31 day cycle why would you count a reconnection time of 3pm on a particular day as day 1 of my service? Especially since I had made payment on the previous day but due to your own service failures I am reconnected at 3pm on the following day. What happens to the lost hours between 12 midnight and 3pm where I had no service and yet Starcomms had received payment for those hours? If I pay for 31 days I should get 31 days, no more, no less.
I am frustrated and tired of your poor service and this is not the only problem I have had with your organization.
Two months ago I suffered a similar plight where I had to buy a new USB modem for the internet connection I currently have. I had problems with the USB on the day it was bought and proceeded to return it the next day. I was told that I could only return it at the Starcomms shop that it was bought at. I live in Ilupeju and I bought it at Lekki on a Saturday. I had to drive all the way to Lekki on a Sunday just to return it. That in itself is a shame for such a large firm with branches all over the country to request that refunds must be made at the same store of purchase.
On returning the USB modem to the shop, I was told by the customer service advisor that company policy would not allow them refund my money till somebody else had bought the same item as the cash received from the person would be used to give me a refund. As a result, I left the Starcomms shop with no service, no USB modem and no money. Starcomms a big firm, kept hold of N26,500.00 belonging to a small firm like mine on the basis of a company policy that makes no sense and shows low regard for the customer. I was called back 3 days later to pick up my refunded cash. During this time, Starcomms cared less about the fact that I would have no internet service for the period they held my cash.
In my entire life, I have never seen where customers are treated like beggars with no choice.
Starcomms Plc is taking its customers for granted, forgetting that your customers make you who you are today. You may get away with it in the short term but you will not get away with this in the long run. It is sad and appalling that in this day and age with everything we know about customer service that companies like Starcomms are cheating their customers.
What is even sadder is that with advancement of technology solutions, Starcomms cannot device a means of ensuring that the services of loyal paying customers like me are not disrupted every month.
Starcomms Plc, I want you to know that it is technically feasible to device a system that detects customers who have paid before their subscription fee expires so that they can enjoy a seamless transition to the next month without being constantly reminded that they are at your mercy. Please invest in the right systems and service your customers by giving them value for money not lost business and wasted time calling your office.
Starcomms’ role should be one of a business partner and not a business destroyer. Small businesses and entrepreneurs suffer enough in this country. Starcomms should not add to the plight of the small business owner or its customer base as a whole, whether businesses or individuals. We demand and deserve value for our money. Please speak our language!
Yours Sincerely,
Their response is below and was received after sending an email to ceo@starcomms.com, I guess they thought I was a guy. Note; no reference to a refund for loss time, business losses or grievance.
Dear Mr,
Please accept our sincere apologies for the delays you have experienced in your renewals. I would request that you let us have your data device number with the payment particulars including location of payment to help us facilitate your renewal.
Yes, we are aware of the issues with time delay in payments made by the bank and Starcomms has been working on resolving this issue and ensuring that customers do not have to be in agony on the delays experienced.
Starcomms has just soft launched not one but three different modes of online renewal process for its Retail Data Subscribers who can now pay from the comfort of their home or office and experience instant renewal of their desired subscription pack. The three different modes of online renewal are detailed below.
1. Through SMS from your Starcomms handset. This is by sending a pre-defined string as an SMS/ Text to 37938 from a Starcomms handset.
Package ID Package Name Value
241 1MTH PURPLE ALWAYS-REN 15,950
242 PURPLE 100 HOURS REN 6500
243 PURPLE 250 HOURS REN 15,000
244 1MTH PURPLE NIGHT REN 5,000
245 1MTH PURPLE BUSINESS REN 7,000
246 PURPLE 7-11 REN 1 MONTH 5,000
The string would be *Package ID*Data Device number*1234#.
For example for a renewal on an 1 month Purple Always Renewal plan you need to send the following SMS *243*07028962561*1234# to the number 37938.
1. The second and third mode of renewal are both through the web. You need to visit our website www.starcomms.com and register yourself and you could pay either using our recharge cards or an Interswitch card.
Regards
Sajan
Sajan R Suvarna
Deputy Director – Data & Retail Sales
Monday, October 5, 2009
Update...
Where do I even begin? It was hectic the week before but all is well that end’s well.
After thinking I had been eased out of the job. I started getting emails on that job I was told had been outsourced to an American firm. This time I was confused because the last meeting I had attended I was out of the deal.
So I tried to manage the situation by telling my subcontractor to tell the main contractor that I would not be working on the project since we had been told it had been outsourced. They wanted me to come for a meeting on Sunday and I was like hell no. Not another meeting especially when I have been told that my services were not required. By Monday still no clarity then the emails came in again. It looked to me that these people were not sure what they were doing so I opted to go and meet with them to come to an agreement as we were now 48 hours till the D-day and still no formal contract had been approved.
Well at about 10.30 pm we finally agreed on a budget and deliverables. The budget was halved, so I just believed I would have to work within it in the best way I could. I was able to hire 6 people to work with me on the project which was to manage a team building event for 250 people.
I thank God it ended well. My body ached all over and my feet screamed for tender loving care. Almost 2 weeks later and there is this dark tan mark formed around the areas of my body that were exposed to the sun. I literally spent over 15 hours in the sun as the sun was out by 8.30am and didn't do down till 6pm. Oooh, I want my complexion back.
Anyway, I am happy with that and it’s back to not knowing where the next deal will be coming from. The life!
O well, in all things we thank God, I continue to be grateful, each and everyday!
After thinking I had been eased out of the job. I started getting emails on that job I was told had been outsourced to an American firm. This time I was confused because the last meeting I had attended I was out of the deal.
So I tried to manage the situation by telling my subcontractor to tell the main contractor that I would not be working on the project since we had been told it had been outsourced. They wanted me to come for a meeting on Sunday and I was like hell no. Not another meeting especially when I have been told that my services were not required. By Monday still no clarity then the emails came in again. It looked to me that these people were not sure what they were doing so I opted to go and meet with them to come to an agreement as we were now 48 hours till the D-day and still no formal contract had been approved.
Well at about 10.30 pm we finally agreed on a budget and deliverables. The budget was halved, so I just believed I would have to work within it in the best way I could. I was able to hire 6 people to work with me on the project which was to manage a team building event for 250 people.
I thank God it ended well. My body ached all over and my feet screamed for tender loving care. Almost 2 weeks later and there is this dark tan mark formed around the areas of my body that were exposed to the sun. I literally spent over 15 hours in the sun as the sun was out by 8.30am and didn't do down till 6pm. Oooh, I want my complexion back.
Anyway, I am happy with that and it’s back to not knowing where the next deal will be coming from. The life!
O well, in all things we thank God, I continue to be grateful, each and everyday!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Talk, Talk...
I eventually had a bath about 6pm yesterday. Bill popped in as he was in the area. Once I had a bath I just had this urge to dress up and in another 20 minutes I was all dressed up and ready to roll.
My friend who invited me to the party is becoming a funny character. I tried his phone and it was switched off. So I sent a text and well bottom line is I didn’t go to his party which was good anyway as that is not really my scene but I just wanted to go out since I was dressed up. Then I returned a call from Kene as I was really in the mood to roll. He happened to be going out later at about 8.30, that would work.
So Bill came, I rushed dinner. He wanted to borrow my Troy DVD as I had told him that it had an extra CD that had a documentary on Greek mythology, describing the main Greek gods and a bit on their roles in the Trojan war. I love stuff like that so I went back upstairs to get him the DVD. On my way back down en route the living room upstairs I bumped into Dad, he just got back a few days ago. He's been with his wife in London for almost 2 months so I have been home alone. Anyway he hands me a duty free bag, with the usual, perfume. I get a lot of comments that I smell good, people tend to ask me what I am wearing, someone once said that every time I leave her office there’s just a long lingering sweet smell. Well it's courtesy of my Dad o. I don't think I ever run out or have to ever buy any perfume if I don't want to. He always comes back with a bottle. Courtesy of him I have worn perfumes I probably wouldn't have bought myself. My dad does have taste when it comes to stuff like that. I have been wearing 'Fancy' by Jessica Simpson and it's got such a sweeeeet smell, but this I think is more sophisticated. It's Eau de Parfum which is stronger than Eau de Toilette; ‘Absolutely Irresistible' by Givenchy. It has such a classy smell not my usual sweet, fruity stuff which is what I get when I have to request or buy perfume myself. My dear I love my Dad o, not because of times like this but because he takes care of me. I am not a child anymore but when you say someone is caring, that is my dad. He has his issues o and I won't even begin to go there but my dad will always ensure you always have a comfortable life. I say this because I speak to other people and I know what their fathers’ do and do not do for them. Getting money out of him is like squeezing blood out of stone. But he will give you a comfortable roof over your head, he will give you food, he will give you transport, he will make sure you are well dressed and that you are in good health. He does not joke with any of these areas... but 10 kobo you will not get from him. That's just his style.
Sometimes I actually wonder whether or not I have not been spoilt. I have been financially independent since I was 21. All the while in uni I never lived at home because I always schooled outside of London which was where we lived. When I left uni I moved out of home for while and then I moved back home. But when I moved back to Nigeria 7 years ago, I moved in with my Dad and I really don't think I can afford the level of comfort my dad provides me elsewhere especially with regards to security in this Lagos. I can count how many times I have slept outside my home. It's too much of a struggle. I have people come over all the time but to go over and sleep over is tough o.
Been planning to move to Abuja but I will just be moving to my dad's house there. Gosh, my dad has provided for his children, that is one thing no one can take away from him. I will never forget when I first moved back to Nigeria and needed some money and asked my dad to lend me 100k and he looked at me and asked me where he would get the money from…tee hee hee. My dad is something else. Both my parents are such frugal people. They just raised us to realise that money is to be worked for. In my house you borrow money and you pay back, you are not given money but you are given food, shelter, transport and clothing...
I met a guy a few days ago who said that his daughter cannot be 30 and live with him, in fact he went on to say that any woman who is unmarried and 30 has failed....I chuckled. I chuckled because over time I have realised that life is not so black and white, there are grey areas. I know my dad is seriously praying that a good man will come and marry me but I know he is happier that I am here while I am unmarried than out living on my own. Rest assured, I shall be here till I decide I want to leave or I marry. I am like my parents; I do not spend unnecessary money. Paying for rent that is not necessary. I am not under lock and key and my folks are more than enlightened so they do not cramp my style in anyway. Anything I cannot do when they are here, I don't want to be doing anyway.
Anyway we ended up at a show, some guy called ‘Jaiye’ playing an electric guitar with his band. It wasn’t bad at all. I had one shot of Baileys Irish cream for the road, funny that the last time I had that it was with the same person. Night ended on a good high note. Kene’s car has been in the workshop for a month now so I dropped him off at home. His sister comes out to open the gate just as we are outside. Really funny cos me and her supposed to be going out later this afternoon. Yep, I met his sister through him and we became friends so we hang out every now and then. So she’s kinda surprised to see me as we have planned to see the next day i.e. today and I tell her I came to drop her brother off. I can imagine what she’s thinking…
Ok enough said, I need to do at least 45 minutes on this elliptical today before I go out, not sure what to do as per where I will be going this afternoon with ken’s sister and her friend, I think we will just go to some lounge. Ok I need to get dressed.
Life is stranger than fiction and I will tell you why soon…
My friend who invited me to the party is becoming a funny character. I tried his phone and it was switched off. So I sent a text and well bottom line is I didn’t go to his party which was good anyway as that is not really my scene but I just wanted to go out since I was dressed up. Then I returned a call from Kene as I was really in the mood to roll. He happened to be going out later at about 8.30, that would work.
So Bill came, I rushed dinner. He wanted to borrow my Troy DVD as I had told him that it had an extra CD that had a documentary on Greek mythology, describing the main Greek gods and a bit on their roles in the Trojan war. I love stuff like that so I went back upstairs to get him the DVD. On my way back down en route the living room upstairs I bumped into Dad, he just got back a few days ago. He's been with his wife in London for almost 2 months so I have been home alone. Anyway he hands me a duty free bag, with the usual, perfume. I get a lot of comments that I smell good, people tend to ask me what I am wearing, someone once said that every time I leave her office there’s just a long lingering sweet smell. Well it's courtesy of my Dad o. I don't think I ever run out or have to ever buy any perfume if I don't want to. He always comes back with a bottle. Courtesy of him I have worn perfumes I probably wouldn't have bought myself. My dad does have taste when it comes to stuff like that. I have been wearing 'Fancy' by Jessica Simpson and it's got such a sweeeeet smell, but this I think is more sophisticated. It's Eau de Parfum which is stronger than Eau de Toilette; ‘Absolutely Irresistible' by Givenchy. It has such a classy smell not my usual sweet, fruity stuff which is what I get when I have to request or buy perfume myself. My dear I love my Dad o, not because of times like this but because he takes care of me. I am not a child anymore but when you say someone is caring, that is my dad. He has his issues o and I won't even begin to go there but my dad will always ensure you always have a comfortable life. I say this because I speak to other people and I know what their fathers’ do and do not do for them. Getting money out of him is like squeezing blood out of stone. But he will give you a comfortable roof over your head, he will give you food, he will give you transport, he will make sure you are well dressed and that you are in good health. He does not joke with any of these areas... but 10 kobo you will not get from him. That's just his style.
Sometimes I actually wonder whether or not I have not been spoilt. I have been financially independent since I was 21. All the while in uni I never lived at home because I always schooled outside of London which was where we lived. When I left uni I moved out of home for while and then I moved back home. But when I moved back to Nigeria 7 years ago, I moved in with my Dad and I really don't think I can afford the level of comfort my dad provides me elsewhere especially with regards to security in this Lagos. I can count how many times I have slept outside my home. It's too much of a struggle. I have people come over all the time but to go over and sleep over is tough o.
Been planning to move to Abuja but I will just be moving to my dad's house there. Gosh, my dad has provided for his children, that is one thing no one can take away from him. I will never forget when I first moved back to Nigeria and needed some money and asked my dad to lend me 100k and he looked at me and asked me where he would get the money from…tee hee hee. My dad is something else. Both my parents are such frugal people. They just raised us to realise that money is to be worked for. In my house you borrow money and you pay back, you are not given money but you are given food, shelter, transport and clothing...
I met a guy a few days ago who said that his daughter cannot be 30 and live with him, in fact he went on to say that any woman who is unmarried and 30 has failed....I chuckled. I chuckled because over time I have realised that life is not so black and white, there are grey areas. I know my dad is seriously praying that a good man will come and marry me but I know he is happier that I am here while I am unmarried than out living on my own. Rest assured, I shall be here till I decide I want to leave or I marry. I am like my parents; I do not spend unnecessary money. Paying for rent that is not necessary. I am not under lock and key and my folks are more than enlightened so they do not cramp my style in anyway. Anything I cannot do when they are here, I don't want to be doing anyway.
Anyway we ended up at a show, some guy called ‘Jaiye’ playing an electric guitar with his band. It wasn’t bad at all. I had one shot of Baileys Irish cream for the road, funny that the last time I had that it was with the same person. Night ended on a good high note. Kene’s car has been in the workshop for a month now so I dropped him off at home. His sister comes out to open the gate just as we are outside. Really funny cos me and her supposed to be going out later this afternoon. Yep, I met his sister through him and we became friends so we hang out every now and then. So she’s kinda surprised to see me as we have planned to see the next day i.e. today and I tell her I came to drop her brother off. I can imagine what she’s thinking…
Ok enough said, I need to do at least 45 minutes on this elliptical today before I go out, not sure what to do as per where I will be going this afternoon with ken’s sister and her friend, I think we will just go to some lounge. Ok I need to get dressed.
Life is stranger than fiction and I will tell you why soon…
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Rain, Rain Go Away...
It’s raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring...
I was woken up by a phone call this morning. A new friend called me. I met him last week when I broke the USB for my internet connection. He was referred to me by another friend I had made at the Starcomms office the week before.
Everywhere I find myself I try to make friends because the people you know often make life easier, especially in Nigeria. I cannot imagine what my day at Starcomms would have been like if I didn't know anyone there. If there is one thing I don't like doing, it is waiting. I can be very impatient. I don’t like to wait on queues especially when they are a result of a poor system. Anyway, I ended up not waiting and they fixed my usb in a few minutes for free. All this is because I made a friend the week before when I went to buy the usb. And as I left there I was making another friend with the guy who helped me fix it. I gave him my card and number and I took his number. He gladly told me to come and have it fixed anytime I had a problem.
Well, this week, I had a problem again when I paid for the internet subscription,so I called him again and I also called my previous contact there. They were both very helpful and the matter was resolved. Since then we have been talking quite a bit on the phone. So far, I think he is a smart guy and I don’t meet a lot of people who are versed in different subject matters, so that has really intrigued me and kept the conversations going. The other day he gave me an interesting analogy on how sometimes we need to look beyond the goal and focus on the process. I.e. often the process builds character and there are lessons learnt in the actual journey. For example if one focused on money without focusing on the means to make the money, you will find that character will not be built and the person does not really learn much because they never appreciated the process of achieving a goal. Anyway, I have thought about what he said and it did make a lot of sense to me so I am saving that piece of insight and pondering on it.
Yesterday I went to see my former colleagues in my 2 last jobs. I went to both offices. I needed to use a printer for a proposal I was submitting yesterday so I was able to get it printed and generally just chit chat with my friends at the same time.
I ended hanging out with my buddy, same one from last Friday, he was a former colleague from my previous job. We tried to see a movie but there wasn't anything good out there and the good stuff we had seen already. Also the timing was a bit late for me as the next movies were like 10pm,so I just chilled with him. We ended up going to a supermarket and buying bread, butter, crisp, mayonaise and ribena and just ate it at his house. He said he had tasted some bread and mayonaise in the morning and had been craving it ever since. The butter was for me I wasn't with him on the mayo thing. Not bad for a Friday night I guess.
We talked about different things, life, love, work etc. I have this belief that people who are very good in one area of their life often lack in the other. Let me explain. We were talking about star performers at work and colleagues that are really good at their jobs. I believe that apart form the passion you exhibit at work, the time you dedicate to your job determines what is important to you and if you are spending 12- 18 hours at work everyday then it seems like that is your focus and other areas of your life will suffer.
For example, I have a fantastic doctor; I have never met anyone like him before. In fact at one point I started thinking wow this guy is not bad at all. He may be in his 50s I guess. He is divorced with children. Every time I have a consultation he has something extra to offer me. Sometimes counselling, sometimes something he printed off the internet. He really takes time to explain things to me and answer all my questions. After the consultation he sees me off downstairs. And no it's not special treatment for me. He gives out his personal phone number to his clients so his phone is buzzing with their calls. In my opinion he is a wonderful doctor. I interpret his behaviour on the job to one of a very caring doctor. It makes me think of him as a very caring person too but am I right?
One day I asked him a direct question about getting back together with his wife because he said they maintained a cordial relationship. He replied that they couldn’t ever get back together because the reason why they split up is still there...work. In fact my guess is that he was a lousy husband. I put myself in his wife's shoes and realised that if I were married to him, I’d hardly see him, he's always be at work, when he wasn't at work his phone would be always buzzing with patient calls. He loves his work a lot and he is at what he does. In fact it would be very easy to misinterpret his work behaviour as who he was as a person. To his patients he is loving and caring but to his wife he was the opposite. What I am trying to say is sometimes I think when it’s great on one side then on another side it’s not so great. Passion doing something is one thing but time spent doing that thing is another. The place we invest our time is really where the heart and mind is. And we can’t be in more than one place at the same time so if we are at work till late most of the time then we cannot be with friends or family at the same time, unless you work for Google perhaps. I have fancied a guy who was great at work, he worked long hours and spent 7 days a week working but he was so detached with his emotions outside work. But if you judged him based on his behaviour at work, he was a great guy, but that was were his loving and feeling behaviour ended…at work. Passion at work is a wonderful thing,don't misunderstand me but long hours invested at work is a sure sign of other areas lacking in attention given. So what do you spend most of your time doing?
Today, I am not sure what I am doing. I am supposed to meet with a friend of mine to discuss some training we want to organise before the year runs out. My yesterday’s meeting with the client’s client didn’t go so great, it appears that they have outsourced the team building component of the conference to an American firm. So it appears that the work I was supposed to do is being handled by another firm and they just want me to help organise the people and logistics and materials required for the workshops. Hmmm, I will have to pass because that is not what I do, besides they can get someone in their team to do that for them and not have to pay them a dime. Unless they tell me something different from what I heard at yesterday’s meeting, it appears there isn’t really much for me to do anymore. So well, I guess yesterday’s proposal is what I will be praying about now…
It’s stopped raining. O yes, I remember I was invited to a party at 4pm today. Hmmm it supposed to be some ceremony of some sort of some big shot person but those kind of parties are really not my thing. I am not sure I will go, I rather just stay in good company and gist or even laze around.
I was woken up by a phone call this morning. A new friend called me. I met him last week when I broke the USB for my internet connection. He was referred to me by another friend I had made at the Starcomms office the week before.
Everywhere I find myself I try to make friends because the people you know often make life easier, especially in Nigeria. I cannot imagine what my day at Starcomms would have been like if I didn't know anyone there. If there is one thing I don't like doing, it is waiting. I can be very impatient. I don’t like to wait on queues especially when they are a result of a poor system. Anyway, I ended up not waiting and they fixed my usb in a few minutes for free. All this is because I made a friend the week before when I went to buy the usb. And as I left there I was making another friend with the guy who helped me fix it. I gave him my card and number and I took his number. He gladly told me to come and have it fixed anytime I had a problem.
Well, this week, I had a problem again when I paid for the internet subscription,so I called him again and I also called my previous contact there. They were both very helpful and the matter was resolved. Since then we have been talking quite a bit on the phone. So far, I think he is a smart guy and I don’t meet a lot of people who are versed in different subject matters, so that has really intrigued me and kept the conversations going. The other day he gave me an interesting analogy on how sometimes we need to look beyond the goal and focus on the process. I.e. often the process builds character and there are lessons learnt in the actual journey. For example if one focused on money without focusing on the means to make the money, you will find that character will not be built and the person does not really learn much because they never appreciated the process of achieving a goal. Anyway, I have thought about what he said and it did make a lot of sense to me so I am saving that piece of insight and pondering on it.
Yesterday I went to see my former colleagues in my 2 last jobs. I went to both offices. I needed to use a printer for a proposal I was submitting yesterday so I was able to get it printed and generally just chit chat with my friends at the same time.
I ended hanging out with my buddy, same one from last Friday, he was a former colleague from my previous job. We tried to see a movie but there wasn't anything good out there and the good stuff we had seen already. Also the timing was a bit late for me as the next movies were like 10pm,so I just chilled with him. We ended up going to a supermarket and buying bread, butter, crisp, mayonaise and ribena and just ate it at his house. He said he had tasted some bread and mayonaise in the morning and had been craving it ever since. The butter was for me I wasn't with him on the mayo thing. Not bad for a Friday night I guess.
We talked about different things, life, love, work etc. I have this belief that people who are very good in one area of their life often lack in the other. Let me explain. We were talking about star performers at work and colleagues that are really good at their jobs. I believe that apart form the passion you exhibit at work, the time you dedicate to your job determines what is important to you and if you are spending 12- 18 hours at work everyday then it seems like that is your focus and other areas of your life will suffer.
For example, I have a fantastic doctor; I have never met anyone like him before. In fact at one point I started thinking wow this guy is not bad at all. He may be in his 50s I guess. He is divorced with children. Every time I have a consultation he has something extra to offer me. Sometimes counselling, sometimes something he printed off the internet. He really takes time to explain things to me and answer all my questions. After the consultation he sees me off downstairs. And no it's not special treatment for me. He gives out his personal phone number to his clients so his phone is buzzing with their calls. In my opinion he is a wonderful doctor. I interpret his behaviour on the job to one of a very caring doctor. It makes me think of him as a very caring person too but am I right?
One day I asked him a direct question about getting back together with his wife because he said they maintained a cordial relationship. He replied that they couldn’t ever get back together because the reason why they split up is still there...work. In fact my guess is that he was a lousy husband. I put myself in his wife's shoes and realised that if I were married to him, I’d hardly see him, he's always be at work, when he wasn't at work his phone would be always buzzing with patient calls. He loves his work a lot and he is at what he does. In fact it would be very easy to misinterpret his work behaviour as who he was as a person. To his patients he is loving and caring but to his wife he was the opposite. What I am trying to say is sometimes I think when it’s great on one side then on another side it’s not so great. Passion doing something is one thing but time spent doing that thing is another. The place we invest our time is really where the heart and mind is. And we can’t be in more than one place at the same time so if we are at work till late most of the time then we cannot be with friends or family at the same time, unless you work for Google perhaps. I have fancied a guy who was great at work, he worked long hours and spent 7 days a week working but he was so detached with his emotions outside work. But if you judged him based on his behaviour at work, he was a great guy, but that was were his loving and feeling behaviour ended…at work. Passion at work is a wonderful thing,don't misunderstand me but long hours invested at work is a sure sign of other areas lacking in attention given. So what do you spend most of your time doing?
Today, I am not sure what I am doing. I am supposed to meet with a friend of mine to discuss some training we want to organise before the year runs out. My yesterday’s meeting with the client’s client didn’t go so great, it appears that they have outsourced the team building component of the conference to an American firm. So it appears that the work I was supposed to do is being handled by another firm and they just want me to help organise the people and logistics and materials required for the workshops. Hmmm, I will have to pass because that is not what I do, besides they can get someone in their team to do that for them and not have to pay them a dime. Unless they tell me something different from what I heard at yesterday’s meeting, it appears there isn’t really much for me to do anymore. So well, I guess yesterday’s proposal is what I will be praying about now…
It’s stopped raining. O yes, I remember I was invited to a party at 4pm today. Hmmm it supposed to be some ceremony of some sort of some big shot person but those kind of parties are really not my thing. I am not sure I will go, I rather just stay in good company and gist or even laze around.
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