YALI RLC: My Experience (Day 23)

Monday, the 16th of October, the 23rd of YALI RLC NC3, was very dramatic. A few of us did some physical exercise in the morning. A lot, if not all, of us took breakfast at about 7. Then we assembled at the lecture hall at about 8. Mr. Kappo made some announcement before we all split to our different tracks.

A lot was done at the business and entrepreneurship track. The 3 wise men actually did justice to all the lectures we had, but bulk of the first session was lectured by Dr. Obeng. We discussed extensively about "Entrepreneurship Marketing and Sales Strategies". It was said, according to Kotler & Armstrong, that marketing is the process by which companies create values for customers and build strong customer relationship. In the 'Organizational Philosophies', the marketing concept emphasizes customer focus, the allocation of resources towards understanding customers' needs, and offering products or services designed to meet those needs. We learnt about 'Marketing Theory', and saw how instrumental 'Environmental Analysis', otherwise known as SWOT, is. Dr. Pascal, then, taught us on 'Product (Service) Knowledge', 'Know the Market', and 'Know Your Customers'. He assigned some work to us on 'Competitor's Grid', where we're expected to compare (even with the aid of a scale) our product or service with 2 major competitors we (may) have, based on advert, availability, after-sale service, price, and training. It was said that it's easier to sell a solution than a benefit. We also learnt about the differences between prospects and suspects, and we should focus more on the former than the latter. We wrapped things up by looking at what positive words are expected to be said or stated vis-a-vis the negatives which must not be used by a salesperson while pitching.

Dr John Ayuba taught the policy makers about writing a winning grant proposal in which he went through all the steps of writing a winning grant proposal which includes preparation, proposal writing, review/ revision of grant proposal, and finalization of grant proposal. Conclusively, the components of a grant proposal are: The Problem, the “Solution” -- Innovative Idea, the Plan, the Organization, the Budget Evaluation, and the Future.

The civic leaders were taught by Mr. Baba Adongo who started building his points on stakeholder analysis from a recap by the class on the Songhai tour. Discovery, Dream, Destiny and Design form the 4D Cycle in the appreciative inquiry of a stakeholder analysis. The class was taken through Stakeholders-Management Approach, Stakeholders Mapping and Stakeholders Management Plan. There later was a group activity that ended with presentations.

Before lunch, we received a visitor from the Bank of Industry, Nigeria. He told us what we need to know about BOI, and how to access loans.

Israel Bayode

Contributors:
Paa Kwesy
Emmanuel Maduka.

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