I have just recently returned from delivery 2 x 2 day strategic marketing workshops in Nigeria.
I have to admit, I was concerned before I went (if you look at the Foreign Office website before you travel, you probably wouldn't go!). However, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I met some inspirational people, some very talented marketers and learned a great deal. They welcomed me like a long lost friend and appreciated everything that I did for them.
I have often found that as I travel around the world (this was my 52nd country), the marketers that you meet in developing countries (Nigeria, Kenya, Colombia are great examples) tend to be more motivated, entrepreneurial and keen to learn than their western counter parts. My trip was split into 2 parts, both 2 day workshops. The first one was with marketing managers and the second one was with the marketing leadership team. The second workshop was run over the weekend and no-one seemed to mind giving up their precious family time to learn. Nigerians are very spiritual people, who attend church in great numbers on a Sunday, so I know that attending the session was a major commitment for many.
I hope and expect this to be the start of a long and fruitful relationship with our client, Heirs Holdings. They are an impressive business with many interests around Africa in banking, healthcare and hotels. They have the inspirational Tony O. Elumelu as their leader and their work with the Tony Elumelu Foundation is helping small African entrepreneurs to grow and develop. Check out @TonyOElumelu on Twitter.
Here are a few photos of me with some of the delegates and Mr Elumelu
Thanks for sharing your Nigeria's feelings...
Posted by: Sawyer | January 24, 2019 at 06:33 PM