HOW TO BECOME IMPORT /EXPORT BROKER‏

Hello freinds, 

Let's learn something new today...becoming import /export broker

An import-export agent or broker, also known as a trade agent or customs broker, is an individual or a company that sends and receives goods to and from different countries.

Import-export agents or brokers work with both importers and exporters by helping them prepare necessary documents for exporting or importing their products. They also help their clients establish connections in foreign companies. So, they work on both ends of import-export deals—that of the origin and that of the destination.

If you are looking to become an import-export agent or broker, then read on to understand the guidelines you need to get started.

How to Become an Import / Export Agent or Broker

1. Get a degree-: To become an import-export broker, you must understand the basic jargon of import-export law, currency transactions, trade policies, and everything else that goes into making profitable import-export deals.

This explains why your first step towards becoming a successful import-export agent or broker is to get a relevant degree or diploma in international economics or any other discipline that focuses on international business, international marketing, and import-export trading. You can enroll for this at any accredited institution within your state or country.

Obtaining a relevant degree will not only give you the basic conceptual and mathematical knowledge you need to understand and profit from both established and developing markets, but it will also give you insights into the problems and benefits of international markets. You must have all these because import-export brokerage is a risky business that you need to understand before plunging into.

2. Specialize-: After obtaining a relevant degree, you need to decide on a specific area of specialization. You can either focus on a specific type of products such as electronics or agricultural produce, or you can focus on a geographical area such as Southern China.

Specializing is necessary because it helps you understand and meet the licensing requirements of the specific products or geographical location you’re focusing on. Because the success of your import-export career hinges largely on your fluency in the legalities of both sides of the transaction, focusing on one political and geographical area is the best.

3. Study your area of focus-: After choosing an area of specialization, you need to study that area deeply. If you are focusing on a geographical location where a different language is spoken, your first step would be to study the native language and basic protocol that obtain in the country. This is necessary because there is no guarantee that all the documents you will be presented will be in English or that the people you will deal with will understand English.

In addition, you need to study the politics and economics of your area of focus. For example, if you are focusing on agricultural produce, you need to understand the rules and regulations binding these products in certain international markets, how the prices of the products change with times of the year, and so on.

Similarly, if you are focusing on a geographical location, you need to understand the danger, opportunities, and common problems that come with trading with that specific country.

4. Obtain the necessary licenses and permits-: If you are based in the United States, contact the United States Department of Commerce to apply for appropriate licensing or to find out the licensing requirements for doing business with certain other countries. But if you are outside the United States, visit the appropriate local agency to do the same.

5. Review your local export laws-: Before starting out as an import-export agent or broker, you need to understand your country’s export laws. In fact, this is equally as important as studying the import laws that obtain in the country you will be doing business with. You must avoid running into legal problems, as this can cripple your career and prolong your journey to success.

6. Find import-export opportunities and get started-: Once you have carefully taken all the previous steps, then you can apply for import-export job positions or start your own agency or brokerage firm. If you are starting your own business, you need to acquire an initial operating fund and secure office space.

7. Continue researching-:The import-export market is ever changing, and one of the keys to success as a broker or agent is to keep abreast of global economic trends and act accordingly. This is the ‘continuing education’ aspect of the business.

For example, the government in the country you are focusing on might make an announcement that will either increase opportunities or make things more unfavourable. If you get this information on time, you will be able to quickly shift some of your resources accordingly. This is how you build business.

Regards,

Written and submitted by Sunday I. E.

supplierlinks101@gmail.com

Nigeria Medical Association Declaration on Lassa Fever National Epidemic

Following the level of anxiety being expressed by people all over the country on the epidemics of Lassa fever currently being experienced in various states of the federation, the Nigeria Medical Association has deemed it proper that we make a press statement for everyone in these regards. NMA fully commends the efforts of President Mohammadu BUHARI, GCFR for his moral, timely and financial support towards curtailing the unfortunate Lassa epidemic.

We also commend and associate with the Honourable Ministers of Health for their tireless efforts towards nipping the Lassa epidemic in the bud. Their public enlightenment and proactiveness on this epidemic have been most heart warming. This is in addition, and without any prejudice whatsoever, to any other ones being made by the various governments, agencies and bodies in the country. In order to compliment the various efforts of the agencies of Government, the Nigerian Medical Association wish to make the following declarations:

1.    Lassa fever is an endemic (locally common) disease discovered as one of the new or emerging diseases since the 1950s or so. The first episode from which the virus causing it was identified was that of missionary Christian health workers in Lassa town in present Borno State of Nigeria and from which town’s name the disease got its name in 1969.

2.    Lassa fever is a zoonotic viral infection; in other words, a disease whose primary host is an animal, namely the multimammate rats (i.e., with double row of breasts under her female body) called Mastomys. These rats naturally live in bushes around human homes and visit such homes occasionally for extra food to eat.

3.    Human beings get infected with this virus from the contamination of their food or other edibles by the urine and other body excretions of these rats – on their foods, drinks, etc, – usually not properly hygienically stored; i.e., uncovered food!

4.    The dry season (such as we now are in) is usually the highest season of Lassa fever because of bush burning that drive these rats from the bushes into the homes, preferably. Other local and cultural habits of drying foods on the roads, streets and even around houses, carelessly (e.g., yam, cassava, plantain and other chips for making local flours for eating or selling) also provide avenues for the spread of the virus.

5.    Lassa fever, in the vast majority (some 80%) of cases, passes on un-noticed - with mild fevers, body aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, etc, as for many locally common diseases; and so, remain unnoticed. However in severe cases, these will progress with sore throat, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding from different body openings such as nose, anus, vagina and many others as a result of damage of many body organs caused by this virus. In these cases, mortality (death) rates from the disease may rise rapidly to high levels of up to 50% or more. Late reporting or hiding cases of the disease at home and so multiplying the infection is usually the reason for these types of high mortality rates.

6.    Hospital or other man-to-man transmission of the infection follow contamination with food or body fluid transfers, providing the reasons why home members and health workers wherever Lassa fever subjects exist or are taken for came must all practice the highest levels of personal and/or professional hygiene.

7.    Outside of Bauchi, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Edo and the other states in which the current epidemics are noted, all should know that no state in Nigeria should relax that they are not involved or affected. Lassa fever is not exclusive to any state because of the random population-mixing pattern in the country. In fact ALL the states have the potential to be at risk of being affected if we neglect to observe basic personal and communal hygienic practices at  the individual, family and community levels.

So we advise all and sundry in this country at this time as follows:

1.    The Federal Government and her Minister and Ministry of Health have risen up and are performing up to task on this matter so far – since the notification of the disease came to their attention. Nobody needs to panic on the matter now!

2.    Individual states, local governments, communities, societies, families and individuals should rise up and reciprocate these responses by doing the following:

To individuals

1.    Listen to the radios, TV and other mass media and keep yourselves properly informed on the present Lassa situation in the country as well as especially what you should do in the interval.

2.    Improve/increase in your personal hygiene along the lines outlined above as well as help your relatives, neighbours and friends to do the same.

3.    Ensure that your house is free from rats, all foods and drinks properly covered and/or stored, as may be needed.

4.    Encourage all cases of fevers to attend  a medical and properly manned health facility very early.

5.    Do not eat rats and improve rat control in your personal houses.

To families:

1.    Ensure that everybody in your family improves on their personal and group hygiene as outlined above.

2.    Do not partake in food drying in the streets, roads and such other places open for bush rat visitations.

3.    Ensure that all fevers or illnesses with symptoms as described above are taken promptly to medical facilities for early diagnosis and treatment as appropriate.

To communities:

1.    Encourage the cessation of free bush burning in your communities.

2.    Discourage the drying of food materials in the open streets and roads.

3.    Help to see that all cases of fevers (and other symptoms as listed above) are reported early to hospitals and that your village and LGA Health and Development Committees  assist to ensure that your hospitals and health centres are equipped, staffed and made to run properly especially in regard of Lassa and other epidemic diseases.

To local governments:

1.    Ensure that your health facilities are staffed, equipped and run properly in regard of Lassa and other such epidemic diseases.

2.    See to it that all rampant bush burning in the LGA are stopped or reasonably controlled.

3.    Ensure that the drying or cassava, yam and other food chips on the roads and streets is stopped completely or at least reasonably controlled.

4.    Help to see that all fevers in the LGA go to the health facilities very early and that all notifiable diseases are so notified by the health facilities in your LGA.

To state governments:

1.    Increase your public education especially in all state-owned mass media; increase disease notification and surveillance activities, especially in regard of Lassa and the other epidemic diseases.

2.    Endeavour to resuscitate your state hospital for infectious diseases - as Lagos State has at Yaba and which played such tremendous role in the curtailing of the Ebola epidemic of 2014 in the country.

3.    Seek to establish your state Primary Health Care Agencies as soonest as possible, optimise them and seek to fully operationalise the ward-based PHC system with community nurse-midwives at these wards as well as the medical officer of health for each LGA, besides the other health facility-based health workers.

To the Federal Government:

1.    Please continue in the good efforts that you have brought to the present epidemic.

2.    Get the remaining three reported laboratories in the country that is able to identify the Lassa fever virus to full operation and/or establish new ones to augment these. This is very important in the Calabar-Enugu-Makurdi-Yola-Maiduguri axis of the country to augment the presently functioning ones in Lagos, Ibadan, Irrua, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano.


To health workers

1.    Please remember that this is your vocation; and a challenge like this one is actually an opportunity to do your best and to shine.

2.    Revise your training in the infectious diseases and standard and universal precautions in these regards and do so all of the time and with every patient care.


Signed

Dr.  Kayode OBEMBE ( NMA President)

Dr. Adewunmi ALAYAKI ( NMA Secretary General)

                                                                                                                   

Three Easy Steps To Earn $10-$200 Daily: Some Are Absolutely Free

Hello Friends,

I will not waste your time.

Part 1


I presently earn $2,500 per month from my online investment alone. You can drop your number with your first name here (olisasegun@gmail.com) to become member of my whatsapp group where men/women are taught how to fish.

These are the online investment companies that consistently pay me daily earnings in the last 12 months.


Merchant Shares

My Paying Ads


I will rate both 'Merchant Shares' and 'My Paying Ads' 10/10 in terms of honesty, consistency and sustainability. Below are links to MS and MPA reviews.


Merchant Shares Review

My Paying Ads Review


How to invest:

Step 1- Open an E-wallet with any honest and secure online processors. I use Perfect Money, Neteller and Payza but Perfect Money has the cheapest commission (there are many other processors accepted by each company, check the site for detail).

Step 2- Get a reliable exchanger to convert your local currency to dollar paid to your e-account/wallet.

Step 3- Go to your Dashboard/account and click on 'invest' as indicated. 

click appropriate processor and start earning money.

Online earning is real provided you are properly guided and mentored.


Part 2

This is absolutely free, though income is far lower compared to part 1.

Most Bitcoin faucets give average of 10,000 to 50,000 satoshi on daily basis.
People who spent more than 2 hours on their phones or computers and those who invite friends through referrer links can make money without investing a dime.

You can truly earn $5 and above if you have minimum of 20 downlinks using your referrer links.

Now to the steps;

Step 1- Get a phone or a computer with Internet connection.

Step 2- Open a Bitcoin wallet with Blockchain. Other Bitcoin wallets can also be used.

Step 3- Open the links below and register with your Bitcoin address given to you by Blockchain. Then start earning by just clicking on .


Bonus Bitcoin

Moon Bit

Bits For Clicks




Students, Corpers and others with free time, here is your chance to earn money.

Six Criteria You Must Meet Before Investing in Nigeria‏

Hello friends, 

Have you ever asked yourself these questions?
What are the best small scale business ideas in Nigeria? What is the best business to start in a harsh environment like Nigeria? What are the best small business opportunities for Nigerians (Investment Opportunities) living in Diaspora or oversea?
Think about it!

Are you an entrepreneur or investor looking for where to invest your money with good returns? Do you want to invest in Nigeria but you don’t know where to invest your money?? Do you want to know where to find fast growing business ideas in Nigeria? Then I advice you read on because this article was written specially for you.

For quite sometime now, my email box has been filled with request from fellow Nigerian entrepreneurs asking for the fastest growing business opportunities in Nigeria which they can invest in. Before I proceed with any detailed explanation, I want to state clearly that there are untapped small scale business opportunities in every industry both in Nigeria and all over the world; you just need to dig deeper to find such niches.

Now from my personal experience and interaction with Nigerians both home and abroad, I came to observe that many people are interested in investing in Nigeria by setting up their own companies but fear seems to hold them back. I have met individuals who have been living and working abroad for over ten years; they have made a lot of money over there.

But rather than come back to Nigeria and start a business, taking advantage of the currency exchange difference between the Naira and Dollar, Euro or Pounds; they would rather stay abroad because they are afraid of the uncertainty of doing business in Nigeria.

Over the years of doing business, I have met a lot of Nigerians and some foreigners with a lot of cash; but they just don’t know where to invest their money. Some even tried to invest in the stock market and they lost their money, not because the stock market is bad but because they lack the needed experience and knowledge to invest in the stock market. Well, I still invest in the stock market regardless of its ups and downs; because I have the needed technical know-how.

Well, if you are one of such individuals that is scared of coming back to Nigeria to establish a company, the points below will help quell that fear.

6 Reasons Why You Should Start a Business in Nigeria Today

1. Now Nigeria still remains a hub for most entrepreneurs and investors despite economic challenges.  In fact, Nigeria is now the largest economy in Africa, the number one destination for Foreign Direct Investment in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. That’s why South African and Chinese companies are scrambling to invest in Nigeria.

Tiger brand acquired Aliko Dangote’s stake in Dangote Flour. MTN South Africa mopped up shares of MTN Nigeria and Wal-Mart has moved heavily into Nigeria through its subsidiary, Shop Rite. GlaxoSmithKline U.K has increased its stake in GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria PLC. General Electric is partnering with power generation companies in Nigeria to boost the nation’s power supply. Chinese companies are partnering with Nigerian companies to setup manufacturing plants right here in Nigeria. An example of such plant is Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing company in Nnewi. Nissan has also established an auto manufacturing plant in Nigeria.

The list goes on and on but the point I want to stress is that this is the right time to invest in Nigeria. Please if you are in doubt of any of the information listed above, Google it. Just do a search.

2. There are over 150 million people resident in Nigeria and the population in Nigeria is been predicted to overtake that of United States by 2050. Now what this means in essence is that the market is big enough to absorb any product, provided enough marketing and awareness is created. Another positive impact of this population statistics is that there is cheap labour. One of the reasons China grew to become an industrial hub is because of her large population, which in turn brought down the cost of labour.

3. Nigeria is fast developing and there is a huge need for innovative products. If you are resident in Nigeria, kindly reflect on the position of Nigeria ten years back and compare it with her present state; you will agree with me that there is a huge change.

Economically, technologically, etc.; Nigeria is growing, whether you admit it or not won’t change the fact. That is why entrepreneurs and institutional investors from countries like South Africa, China, Lebanon, Brazil, India, etc are scrambling to invest in Nigeria because they see the potential that we citizens don’t see.

4. Nigeria is currently riddled with problems and the government is currently battling to tackle these problems. I am talking about challenges such as falling oil prices, security, infrastructural decay, unemployment, power failure, corruption, fall in education standard, accommodation, etc. The average minds believe these problems can never be resolved and if it is to be resolved, it should be done by the government.

However, people with entrepreneurial mindset know that these problems are opportunities; and only those who act will turn these opportunities into profitable businesses.

5. The government is working to improve the economic condition of the country, by implementing several policies aimed at encouraging local content production and small scale enterprises. If you are well positioned to take advantages of such opportunities, you will make something from it.

6. The eye of most entrepreneurs and investors doing business in Nigeria is usually on Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. However, tremendous opportunities are laying waste in other states cities such as Owerri, Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ibadan, Enugu, etc.

Now to be honest with you, I don’t take heed to what the World bank and IMF statistics say about Nigeria. I am equally not moved by the politically inclined propaganda promoted on the media about Nigeria. I am an entrepreneur on ground, and I have personally assessed the situation on ground and charted out ways to harness it.

I would rather work with my own hard facts and proposed solutions than work with the media statistics. I think I have said enough. So without wasting your time, below are some small scale business ideas and opportunities in Nigeria you can invest in today.

Six Criteria You Must Meet Before Investing in Nigeria

Now for those who are eager to start a business or invest in Nigeria, there are a few criteria you must meet; so as to ensure you are well positioned for success.

1. You must be prepared to be on ground in Nigeria

Yes, I have had so many people call me to talk to me about the possibilities of starting a business in Nigeria while running it from overseas. Now the honest truth is that you can successfully operate a business in Nigeria without being physically present; but not in the start-up phase of the business.

You just don’t start a new business, turn it over to someone and travel out of the country; hoping that the person you handed your business over to will do a good job. This is one of the mistakes most Nigerians in Diaspora make.

If you are really serious about establishing a business in Nigeria, then you must be willing to be on ground to run the business for at least one year. Secondly, forget about doing business with your family members or close friends; it usually doesn't end well. Rather, I will advice you seek professional help, incorporate your company and make sure your back is covered legally.

2. You must have knowledge of the business

To succeed as an entrepreneur in Nigeria, you must have skill and competence. Competence is a product of knowledge mixed with experience while skill is something you can develop over time through training. Please don’t start a business blindly simply because a family member or friend recommended such a business, the result of such a venture is usually devastating. Invest time first to learn everything you can about a business before you invest your money.

3. You must have a short or long term plan to employ people

To keep cost low, you may choose to start as a self employed entrepreneur operating from home, a shop or an office. There is nothing wrong with starting out this way, after all; I started out as a self employed entrepreneur working from home. But as you grow in business, you will need to bring in competent hands. However, you shouldn't wait till then before you plan towards it, start now.

4. You must have capital

There is no much explanation to do here. To successfully set-up a business in Nigeria, you must have capital. This is needed to get things done. Now when I say capital, I want to emphasize that it doesn't have to be a million dollars. You can start with the little you have even if it is just enough money to get a laptop and an internet connection.

5. You must make sure your proposed business has an evergreen demand

Another mistake you must avoid is starting a business whose trend is dying. Take for instance a cyber café business, this business is dying because the trend is shifting towards mobile connectivity. Why go to a cyber café to access the internet when you can do it more cheaply at home?

6. You must always remember that success is not an overnight flight

Yea, this one is especially for those who are looking for a business to start that will provide a steady cash flow or a return of 30% – 50% in approximately one year. The truth is that it doesn't work that way. Success can never be achieved or attained by sudden flight; it is a product of consistent, unyielding effort. So stop looking for the best business to start, instead; look for the best business you are willing to stick to regardless of the surrounding circumstances.

For Your Success

Written and submitted by Sunday I. E.

HOW TO START BUSINESS IN NIGERIA‏

Let's go straight to the point.

1. Prepare Yourself

The first step to starting a small business in Nigeria is to adequately prepare yourself. You may think this is not important but it can be the thin line between success and failure. Running a business on Nigerian is tough but highly rewarding; so to survive, you have to be tougher. Nigeria is a harsh terrain to operate in but since we are Nigerians; I believe we are well grounded to tackle the challenges on ground. Now how do you prepare yourself?

You can prepare yourself by attending a seminar on the chosen line of business you wish to venture in and getting all the necessary information about your chosen industry. You can also prepare yourself by accepting the reality that you can fail tomorrow; you prepare yourself by increasing your risk bearing capacity. And ultimately, you prepare yourself by making up your mind to succeed despite the odds and competition.

2. Have a Good Business idea

To successfully start a small business in Nigeria, you must have a good idea. In fact, any idea or business opportunity will do; except you are pioneering a new invention. I emphasized that any business opportunity will do because most Nigerians focus solely on the business idea without knowing that a business idea is just a tip of the iceberg in the entrepreneurial process of building a business.

A business idea is just another idea. But an idea backed by a strong feasibility, a thorough business plan and a smart business team is no longer an idea. It’s now a solid business opportunity worth pursuing.

A good business idea alone does not guarantee success in business; an average business idea with good business fundamentals does. The world is filled with brilliant “million dollar ideas” but the world lack seasoned entrepreneurs.

You don’t need to crack your head to create something new; don’t bother re-inventing the wheel, just find a proven business line and learn the fundamentals. You can even decide to buy a franchise if the capital is on ground. Nigeria has the needed population to absorb any product that is backed by a strong business sense.

3. Do a Feasibility study

The third step to starting a small business in Nigeria is to do a thorough feasibility study before investing a dime in any business opportunity. This is basically where the failure of most Nigerian entrepreneurs begin. I have seen people invest in a business idea or opportunity simply because a friend or relative said the business is profitable.

I have seen people jump into an industry blindly in reaction to unverified information. I know entrepreneurship is all about risk taking but jumping into an industry without an adequate knowledge of its fundamentals is suicidal. I know this because I am talking from experience; my dad made this very mistake and he paid dearly for it.

4. Understand your Market

Before jumping into any business or industry; make sure you have thorough understanding about its fundamental metrics. Every business has an inside secret and if you must succeed; you must find such secret. Understand the market of the industry you are going into and you will increase your chances of success. The best way to begin such is by asking yourself the questions below:

Who are the customers?How do they want to be served?Who are your major competitors?Who is the market leader?Do you have a chance for survival?

Can you grab some market share in that proposed business industry of yours? These are the questions you must answer before starting a small business in any industry.

5. Write a simple Business Plan

This is another point where most Nigerians miss it. It is estimated that over 85 percent of small business owners in Nigeria operate without business plans. While I won’t criticize them because I started my first business without any business plan; I think it’s worthwhile you separate yourself from the pack.

Since majority business owners are operating without business plans; why can’t you capitalize on it and make it a competitive advantage for your business. Banks don’t lend money to businesses that are operated without business plans but what if you have one? Well, I leave that for you to answer.

Please write a business plan for any business venture you want to undertake. Even if it is an informal, one page business plan; write it. Your one page business plan may not get you the bank’s attention but it’s a way forward because it will help you concentrate on fulfilling your business mission.

6.  Find a Good Location

So you want to start a small business in Nigeria? If yes; then where are you going to locate your business?

Are you going to site your business within your neighbourhood or are you going to site your business in an industrial area?Are you going to separate yourself from the crowd by building your own brand in a specially selected location?Or you are going to operate from the centre of trade or commercial places in Nigeria?

If you intend dealing on general merchandise; then you can consider locating your business in districts such as Aba, Yaba, Tradefair, Idumota, Lagos Island, Oshodi, Mile 12, etc. But if you are in a service business or you are building a specialized brand; you can situate in areas such as Ikeja, Allen Avenue, Apapa, VGC, Victoria Island, CMS, Ikoyi, etc. But wherever you choose to situate, make sure you are well prepared to face the challenges of that terrain.

7. Obtain the necessary Licenses and Permit

Well, I don’t need to hit much on this. If you don’t want to have the government and its law enforcement agents on your heels; make sure you obtain the necessary licenses and permit needed to operate your line of business. Every industry has regulatory bodies governing it; so be sure to check their operational policy to make sure you are not going against the law. Also remember that you may need licenses and permits from both the local, state and federal government. So make sure you factor their costs in your budget.

8. Register your company

Most businesses operate as sole proprietorships in Nigeria; you can choose to go the same way. But if you are truly out to build a successful business that will stand the test of time; I will advice you register a business name or factor it in your cost projections as a short term plan.

You can choose between the sole proprietorship; limited liability or public liability form of entity. After choosing your business entity, you can get your business name registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission’s office in Abuja, Alausa Lagos or anywhere nearest to you. I will advice you go through a lawyer to avoid unnecessary mistakes.

9. Raise Capital

Before making up your mind to start a small business in Nigeria, I want to assume that you have the necessary capital to at least launch the business.

10. Start the business

After going through all the processes above; this is where you get down to the real deal, this is where you start the business. Most people make wonderful plans, do feasibility research and even raise the needed capital to start a business. But for reasons best known to them; they just fail to start. Maybe it’s because of the fear of failure; but what I do know is that not everybody has the guts to start a business. Most can only dream of it but only few dare to take the risk. Are you willing to take the risk and start your own business here in Nigeria? Only you can answer that.

Actually, this is where your work as an entrepreneur gets tougher because statistics reveal that 75% of all new businesses started fail in their first five years. And of the 25% that survived; 80% of them will fail in the next five years. It means that about 90% of all businesses started will fail in their first ten years. This statistics may be harsh but it’s the truth in its entirety. Are you prepared to lose it all? If your answer is yes, then start.

11. Look for Leverage

The fastest way to grow in business is to leverage on the structure of well established businesses. So if you want to grow; then look for leverage. Leverage can be in the form of getting a bank loan, getting credit line from suppliers; striking strategic alliance with a bigger player or getting a contract. No matter what leverage you decide to pursue; go for it.

12. Survival is the Game

If you can make it to this stage, then it’s congratulations because you've just started your own small business in Nigeria. You have started the game and showed resilience; now is the time to break it through.

At this stage, survival is the name of the game. You might take some pounding from stronger competitors; you might make a business mistake or even face intricate business challenges like a change in government policy but don’t give up. Stay strong and fight it through, I will see you at the top.

For Your Success,
Written and submitted by Sunday I. E.