New Years Eve
I really am thankful for 2010. An interesting year in my life. As usual god embarrassed me with His love and showed me that He truly takes care of His own, a true shepherd.
2010, a year I did not lack as the Lord was indeed my shepherd and I wanted not. I can only lift my voice in prayer.
The biggest surprise I guess is that I got married. I still don’t believe I did and I think it will take me a while to come to terms with. It really took me by surprise if I could predict it I wouldn’t have guess myself. It’s like going 360 degrees twice. One day I was single and the next thing it was like an unstoppable train.
I am not happy to be married. I am overjoyed and over whelmed because of who I married. Marriage in itself as an institution didn’t appeal to me but I prayed for a life partner and God answered. He answered when I least expected. When I was lukewarm and indifferent about relationships. I am so grateful because it is better than I ever imagined. I married my friend. I didn’t think I’d feel this way but I can’t have married anyone else. He is the kindest, most rational and caring man I know. I cannot believe how blessed I am.
God answers prayer. He may not answer you when you want your answer but He will and the best answer is gotten when you have learned a few things. There’s really no short cut. He is the only way and the best and most fulfilling way. What God gives you no human being can ever give you. If you can imagine it, then it’s not from God. Stick with him and be surprised and of course embarrassed at his favour.
Ps: I must write more articles in 2011. Gosh I cannot believe how little I wrote in 2010. Too much was happening in my life but that should be settled now.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
500 Days of Summer
Today I have to write, I just took off the bunch of bangles on my left wrist and the wrist watch on my right wrist. I must write today. It’s been too long.
I watched an interesting movie on the plane going to London at Christmas. I find the plane experiences my chance to catch up on what Hollywood had to offer for the year. It was titled ‘500 days of Summer’.
The wonderful thing about art is that the interpretation is in the hands of the beholder. Whatever message the movie set out to achieve, I obviously will interpret it based on my own understanding and my own unique experiences. The title in itself was a pun. It was a love story\romantic comedy. Actually it is not a love story it is a story about love. The lead character Tom falls in love with a rather eccentric female named Summer, now you see why I say the title itself was a pun. So the 500 days I believe depicted the length of the relationship with Summer. It’s an interesting story for several reasons. The first being that the guy is madly, deeply and truly in love with this girl whom he has tagged as ‘the one’. Our girl on the other hand says she doesn’t believe in love and doesn’t want a boyfriend. She’s quite happy to be ‘just friends’ but they end up more than friends. We watch the relationship develop, Tom falls deeper in love and Summer is pretty lukewarm till she dumps him when he seems to be at his most vulnerable. There are so many perspectives to this movie and I believe you don’t necessarily have to resonate with Tom or Summer but appreciate the perspectives of each character. Tom writes for a Greeting card company. His real passion is to be an architect which he studied but somehow hasn’t the zeal or determination to pursue his dreams. In some scenes Summer is almost questioning what she seems to interpret as Tom’s inertia towards achieving his heart’s desires.
Another interesting thing about the relationship is that they are colleagues at work. Office romance. When Summer dumps Tom it’s unbearable to go to work. A clear repercussion for many office romance relationships. They don’t work and I’ll leave the explanation for another day.
Tom never really moves on as he remains heartbroken for months after the break-up. He bumps into Summer at a wedding and they dance. She invites him for a party at her house the following week. His heart is lifted for a moment when he sees her at the party only to be dashed again when he notices she is wearing an engagement ring. He walks out taking solace in alcohol and junk food. He cannot make head or tail of what has happened but I find the whole thing amusing and spot on.
A few months later, sitting in his favourite spot in the city. Summer joins him and they talk. Now married, she tries to explain to him what I don’t think he quite understood- that he was not ‘the one’. She explains that when she met her husband she finally understood what Tom had tried to describe to her about true love and knowing when you meet ‘the one’. She clarifies that when she met her husband she knew he was the one;-). How ironic but such is life. I mean she was the one for Tom but Tom was not the one for her. I guess that sums it up. Unrequited love. I guess real love is when you are both the one for each other? I wish it was that simple.
My interpretation; no matter how much we love someone if the feeling is not mutual it simply is an exercise in futility. What struck me most was that Tom was so convinced she was ‘the one’ and she was so convinced otherwise. Love sometimes makes a fool of us. I mean how can you love someone so much and rationalise that it is ok to receive nothing in return. In my belief that kind of love is not the type lovers share. When you are ‘in love’ you should receive love in return. I mean Summer made it clear she didn’t want a boyfriend and Tom was willing to sacrifice his own needs just to suit someone who didn’t love him. He accepted her terms in words but in his heart he wanted so much for her to be his girlfriend that he stuck around even when her terms clearly did not meet his emotional demands. He made excuses on her behalf, disillusioning himself that even though Summer did not want anything serious she was still his girlfriend because they did what people in relationships did. His hopes were on the premise that she would come around eventually and realise she loved him. How sad how sometimes we deceive ourselves into the most awkward situations.
Love is and will always remain a verb. It is action and not thoughts or mere words. Reminds me of an interesting quote I heard from a dear friend Yemisi, ‘never marry a stone or you may have to carry it for the rest of your life’. The first day I heard her say it, I thought to myself so why would anyone ever even date a stone let alone marry one. Then I remembered my moment of madness actually 2 moments of madness when I did date stones. The stone represents the cold and the unemotional. Carrying it represents the heaviness and burdens for the heart that follow. Why settle? That’s why it is very important to first know and understand yourself. Only then can you get the kind of love you deserve.
The best outcome in the movie is what the heartbreak and pain does for Tom’s career. Remember I mentioned I felt Summer’s discomfort with Tom’s inertia in pursuing his dream career as an architect. In his misery, after finding out about Summer’s engagement he quits his job and finally heeds to Summer’s advice to pursue his dreams. There was a bit of me that felt that was what Summer felt was missing in this man. As a woman, I could resonate with the insecurity that perhaps this man will not have the will or guts to go for what he truly desires. There were questions that needed answers. The kind of questions a sensible woman would ask if a man had to be taken seriously. Will he be able to live up to his responsibilities and expectations if he can’t even sort out his personal life?
I also got this feeling that perhaps if he had met Summer at a time in his life where he had dealt with his own fears, things may have turned out different. The gusto may have appealed to Summer, rather than the Tom that appeared the be the somewhat over emotional, fearful, insecure man.
I know we cannot predict anything for sure but I cannot help analysing. After I saw this movie, it really resonated with me in so many ways. I believe I have been on both sides. Either side is a burden. I have found it frustrating to be ‘the one’ to someone I clearly don’t share the same feelings for. It’s even more frustrating when you are hopeful someone is ‘the one’ and their actions not words prove their feelings for you are nothing compared to yours.
May we all find love, of the mutually benefiting kind.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
No way!
I cannot believe that I have not posted anything since February. I have so much to say maybe I have just been saying it in my head.
God has been good and faithful. Business is blessed beyond measure and life has been filled with wonders and goodness.
Anyway, it is well.
where do I begin? Business, Love or Life?
Stay tuned! I'll be back!
God has been good and faithful. Business is blessed beyond measure and life has been filled with wonders and goodness.
Anyway, it is well.
where do I begin? Business, Love or Life?
Stay tuned! I'll be back!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Another Year...
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.
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.
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
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