What could I possibly learn
from a tout - an uneducated, violence-prone, abusive, dirty and unkempt person
as a bus conductor, especially the ones in Lagos? The above is a
near-description to what you have running through your mind upon reading the
title of this piece. So many times we are clouded by
sentiments, prejudice and biases so great and so little, we fail to learn even
from the smallest of things (ants) expecting our lessons to come from the most
structured places (classrooms, trainings, seminars, conferences etc.).
After learning from one of
Nigeria’s finest life coaches Steve Harris on Business lessons from hookers (#bizlessonsfromhookers) and after
reading from my Bible Life lessons from
ants (#lifefromants) I have drawn Lessons
from Lagos bus conductors (#lessonsfromlagosconductor)
which I will share with you and hope you draw inspiration from, sharing other
lessons with us as well.
#lessonsfromlagosconductor
the
first thing noticeable about him is that he has a very strong, thick and coarse
voice! Oh yes! That is what makes you know you are in Lagos. Your business must
have a voice. He knows that the only way he can reach his customers is through
that voice also, the best way he can withstand his competitors, union members
and co. is by having that voice. Your business, brand or whatever it is must
have a voice and you should know the appropriate channel through which to make
this voice heard.
#lessonsfromlagosconductor
another
thing is his character. He has a strong character which is his major tool of
oppression or resilience either on his passengers or on his fellow union
members. It is this strong character that makes you readily comply with his
demand for smaller denominations (money) with you once he says ‘do not enter
without change’.
#lessonsfromlagosconductor
the
power of vision! Oh yes! (you must be laughing by now) He has vision else, how
would he sight his passengers? He has his target, he doesn’t want the bus to
move along empty therefore he must be quick to see opportunities (passengers)
and communicate same to his driver when they get to that point to then maximize
the opportunity. To excel, we must have the ability to recognize opportunities
when they come our way and then maximize same and it is only when you have
vision that you recognize an opportunity that is in tandem with the vision you
have.
#lessonsfromlagosconductor
he has negotiation skills. He is a good
negotiator. When he mentions a price and it is inconvenient for the passenger,
he negotiates with the passenger and based on the outcome of the negotiation,
decides to either pick the passenger or let him be. His ability to negotiate
well gets him a passenger or makes him lose one and so the success of any
enterprise depends on how well you are able to negotiate for sole benefit or at
worst, mutual benefit. Only those who are able to negotiate their way through
life always get the best out of it.
#lessonsfromlagosconductor
he
has calculative skills! (laughs) yes, the same simple calculative skills that
you probably struggle with. This one fundamental skill is required in his
business in order to save him time amongst other things therefore, (assuming
you gave him N200 for a N70 fare with an expected change back of N130) you then
hear things like ‘do you have N20 there so I can give you N150?’ That is indeed
simple calculation of addition and subtraction and he gets his problem solved
in a jiffy. In other words, to be able to solve problems, you must have an
analytical mind capable of solving problems that would otherwise have cost you
time and resources by virtue of not being solved.
#lessonsfromlagosconductor
he
monitors the environment and assesses competition. The same bus that will delay
you at a bus stop looking for passengers is the same one that will decide not
to stop at a particular location, racing on to the next. I have observed that
once he sees a bus going in same direction with his, he tells the driver to
move on to the next stop preferring to get there first before this other bus gets
there.
#lessonsfromlagosconductor
from
the above, we also see that he has the power of foresight! You should be able
to see what the market holds for your business or what the strides of your
competitors are and race into the future before they get there so when the
future eventually comes, you will not be stranded rather maximizing all the
gains and value it has to offer. A perfect example is a company like Nikkon
which continues to be relevant in the photography industry long after the
demise of the film/dark room technology.
So, what lessons have you learnt from your everyday bus conductor which have gone unnoticed? Why not share them with us and let everyone draw inspiration from them!
Adios!
Follow me on twitter @FemiBellos and add me on BBM 2AE5A00E
this is a really good one femi...thumbs up!!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely write-up! Several notable lessons can indeed be learnt from the most inconspicuous figures. Have u ever noticed the way they straighten and fold Naira notes? They tactically arrange the notes according to their denomination(Order of importance).I love dat about them,the more other Nigerians desecrate Naira notes, the more conductors repair the mess!
ReplyDeleteAwesome lesson iranwo. Will publish ur comment in part2. Thanks
DeleteFood for thought. Taking note of seemingly unimportant things and applying the lessons learnt is simple wisdom. Well done sir
ReplyDeleteFantastic writeup. For their kind of business appearance is key. They look dirty n shabby because they believe that look would not encourage disrespect from tax collectors n competitors. So guys look your business, let ur appearance intimidate ur competitors.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteEvery business has a look suitable for it abi? Got that! Will publish in part2!
DeleteGreat article here. Additionally,Lagos bus conductors have a remarkeable memory. Don't even try to fool them. They pick passengers randomly which puts each passenger's fare at variations. Trust them to know where they picked you from/exact amount due. Lesson is in businesses and our careers paths, we cannot afford the consequences of an unsound mind and inarticulation.
ReplyDelete@Soul Pips deep! Awesome lesson! You are very right!
DeleteWill feature in part2
Delete