Song Of The Day!

I have seen God work before on my Behalf, I have experienced His Touch, His Blessings, His Visitation and because of this I sing, I dance, I rejoice, I BELIEVE because there is nothing too hard for you to do my Sovereign God, My Lord, My Life, My All..... I Bless your name O Lord. I Love you and want to keep Loving You.... Your Daughter.... Eleanor(The Lords Shining One)

You Gain Respect In Drops And Loose It In Gallons-Ian C Read

For anyone who is looking to be self employed and run ones own business, most times we start up with all positivity and the only that fills our mind is the need to succeed as a business. We look at successful companies and wonder what the secret is behind their success. Sometimes we even assume the recipe for success should be studied like rocket science. However to be successful in life, be it in business, relationships, pursuit of a passion, talent career etc is based on virtually the same principles. We think we have got to do extra ordinary things, but as always its the little things that have big impacts and leave lasting impressions which in the end define success. I came across Ian Reads  message on reputation and the reality of what he said, really inspired me. Have any views on this, or anything contrary? Lets share our views as you read his message below;

Reputation, built on our past, shapes our present and future. A good reputation can open many doors; a bad reputation can close many more. A good reputation generates respect. A bad reputation breeds suspicion.

Few things in one’s professional life are as important as building and protecting a good reputation. It determines recommendations we receive, or not, for jobs and work of all kinds. It helps define our place in our chosen field and in the organizations where we work. It’s central to any assistance or consideration we might seek when we find ourselves in a difficult situation.

The same is true for your company, no matter how big or small. Consider, for example, that if you need a plumber, you’re far more likely to call a local plumbing company based on its reputation than on the skills of its plumbers, even as that reputation is built over time on its employees’ work.

No Substitute

Our trust in a business is based largely on its reputation; and we respect that company, or not, accordingly. No amount of talk can substitute for the work they do and how they do that work. In fact, a company makes its reputation and earns respect across an array of actions and public interactions, by its employees and by the enterprise as a whole.

At Pfizer — with 165 years of history and more than 77,000 employees serving millions of healthcare providers and customers in 175 markets globally — the challenges and stakes are made all the greater by the nature of our business, which is to bring innovative therapies to patients to improve their lives. To this end, Pfizer invests billions of dollars annually in research and development, manages the attendant high levels of risk that see fewer than 1 in 10,000 compounds we discover making it to market and operates in one of the most highly regulated of industries. It’s a tall order of scientific risk management we perform each day; and the stakes, defined by the health of those who take our products, couldn’t be higher.

License to Operate

All of this means that many people — including not only regulators but also legislators and their constituents — have a say in how we can conduct our business. At the same time, many have a great and sometimes emotionally charged interest in what our business produces, what we charge for our products and how we sell them, among other topics. And all of this together shines a brighter light on our business than most others, which makes our reputation all the more important to us. In fact, everything from government reimbursement for our medicines to protection of our intellectual property to our ability to continue innovating in our labs depends on our reputation. Indeed, our virtual license to operate depends on this. It depends on earning the respect of our regulators, legislators, healthcare professionals, patients, R&D partners and of our employees, current and future.

This is why we made “earning greater respect from society” one of our four business imperatives not long after I was named CEO of Pfizer in late 2010.

Without this respect and the consideration that comes with it we could not sustain our business, with its innumerable collaborative dependencies and its central place in an area of life so important to us all, our health. Making reputation and respect all the more important to us is knowing that we gain it in drops, but lose it in gallons.

Actions Define Reputation

Understanding can enhance respect. We see this in our own lives when we’ve had a chance to talk with someone we previously had known only from a distance. Our respect for the person and our view of his or her reputation can go up or down, depending on whether we understand the person better in the end. The same is true for companies, which is why we work hard at Pfizer to connect with our stakeholders and make our positions as clear as possible.

But what’s most important is action. What people do matters far more to us than what they say. And the same is true for companies. We are judged, ultimately, by our actions. In the end, actions make, or break, our reputations.

So, ensuring that the work and actions of each individual in an organization are properly focused and that the enterprise acts accordingly is the most critical aspect of building a good institutional reputation and earning respect. And this places the responsibility squarely where it belongs in any organization: on the shoulders of its leaders, managers and employees, on the individuals who together are the company.

What people do matters far more than what they say. The same is true for a company

(http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140219125245-322581966-you-gain-respect-in-drops-but-can-lose-it-in-gallons?trk=mp-details-rc)

Nelly Abogu- Fighting Your Personal Demon....

If you know me, or read this blog intently, you will realise that I am one very real person. And when I say REAL, I mean REAL lol! And most times too real to my own hurt. But age and wisdom has taught me to be cautious, not to always say what I feel because sometimes feelings are not reliable and most of all at this point in time in my life, I am learning to make excuses for peoples shortcomings because I have got mine too. And also when I am inspired I bring it home to you. Today I bring this video to you. I have known Nelly since my high school days, we were not friends however but I knew her because of her size at the time. However I have watched her journey for the past year and I am so inspired. You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. Success isnt far away... Lovely weekend guys..

Friday Chic....

At the end of the week is the WEEK-END, and even individuals whose professions are deemed essential services and work '24' '7' identify with the fact that as the week winds up, even motivation levels tend to drop a bit. All we crave for at this point is that 'ME TIME' when we get back to what has been left on hold. The desire/choice of what to wear could become quite a chore lol! And randomly I decided to put up what some have on, on those cool Fridays. Fridays however could be lined up with those dreaded meetings, workshops, or the interesting after work dinner and drinks with colleagues and you fill in the the gap. However the various outfits reflect the different work and after work mode... Enjoy!!!

Have a Lovely weekend Peeps...

HABIT VS DREAM

…Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.’

Jeremiah 13:23 NIV

The founder of one of the world’s most successful companies said, ‘The individual who wants to reach the top must appreciate the might and force of habit. He must be quick to break those habits that can break him, and hasten to adopt those practices that will become the habits that help him achieve the success he desires’. This is true in all of life. A dream becomes a reality as the result of your actions, and your actions are controlled mainly by your habits. Speaker and author Robert Ringer says, ‘The world is saturated with intelligent, highly educated, extraordinarily skilled people who experience ongoing frustration because of their lack of success. Millions of others spend their lives working hard, long hours, only to die penniless.’ What’s the solution? 

Ringer says: ‘Remember, life is nothing more than the sum total of many successful years; a successful year is nothing more than the sum total of many successful months; a successful month is nothing more than the sum total of many successful weeks; a successful week is nothing more than the sum total of many successful days. That’s why practising successful habits, day in and day out, is the most certain way to win over the long term.’ You have to take a realistic look at yourself to know where your habits are taking you. If your habits don’t line up with your dream, then you need to either change your habits or change your dream. If you want to hold on to your dream, then be prepared to change your habits, because a bad habit never goes away by itself.

(http://www.ucb.co.uk/word-for-today.html)

Relationship Pizzazz....(Read Edition)

The media and all the make believe scenarios of the block buster movies as well as the style/approach/advice/perception of relationship of the people we hold dear to our heart who indirectly and unconsciously influence us in subtle ways, have a defining effect in the way we view relationships.

Truth be told however, I strongly believe that there is no hard and fast rule or rule book out there for a successful relationship. There are however basic principles to help  any relationship flourish. Be it between colleagues, siblings, associates, team members, family and lovers. These are the same principles that are mentioned now and again in the bible.

Relationship to me is an investment built upon the foundation of Truth and Sincerity, Selflessness, Giving, Understanding. And guess what? No one hits the ground running with all these. They come with time in two PATIENT people who have come to the realisation that the search for the PERFECT person is an endless one. Rather finding that person who makes you PERFECTLY happy, fulfilled, focus and is determined to see you improve/ make you better should be the goal. And the dividends you reap from this investment, is dependent on how much you are willing to invest.





Love means different things to different people. However the true meaning of Love is found in God Himself. He did not love us because we were sinless, perfect, good, shared the same ideas with Him, or did His will. No! He loved us just as we are, and proved this by sending His one and only son to die on our behalf.

You say you love her/him? There will be times when this so called love will be tested by time, differing opinions, financial struggles health crisis, parenting, career, the presence of a more appealing man/woman, distance and even the minute of reasons.

And when this happens, what do you do?? One thing I have learnt in life however is that it is very easy to make simple what is complicated and easy also to complicate what is simple. Secondly the right person is made not found...The right person emerges out of the right relationship.
Thirdly the right person comes from growing into each other. So give yourselves time and always be willing to make excuses for each others weakness.

Invest in people, cos like I said earlier, the people you meet create the paradise you dream of.
And most importantly, make peace with God, because it is only when you have sorted that area of your life that you are ready to LOVE another TRULY.

Love & Us

Secret Place

Sometimes in life, it seems like we have it all going and at some other times, it seems like we have lost grips entirely. And like some will say, 'when it rains, it pours'. The rain here is lifes challenges and for the most part its like there is more turbulence in life than quietness. From relationships, failed marriages, financial upheavals,stubborn teens, career palavas, failing health, unfulfilment from living someone else's dreams, rather than ours....... and it goes on and on. But that makes us more human/natural, but we can still come to a supernatural God who knows and accepts us just as we. When we come to that 'SECRET'place, He shields us from the attack of the enemy. We have the assurance that He goes ahead of us to make every crooked path straight, relief our pains, re-ignite our hopes, speaks peace to every turbulence, and gives us many more reasons to TRY again, because the battle isnt for the 'FAINT HEARTED'. Discover your SECRET place and you discover that the problem, is not the problem but your attitude to it, is the problem.

TODAYS TOTS......

             THE PEOPLE              YOU MEET, 
             CREATE THE              PARADISE 
             YOU WANT...

The Most Valuable Lesson I've Learned as a CEO- JEFF WEINER

I love listening to all Jeff Weiner has to say, with so much passion which I have to not only run my own business but consult for businesses, he brings so much simplicity and reality to the success of businesses. Most of the ideas he has put across has helped me a great deal in my personal life and in my perception of situations/ people in and outside of the work environment. I said it in my former post about him on managing compassionately that I love this guy, and I really do lol. if you missed it see it HERE  He was  recently invited to join the CEO of a Silicon Valley tech company for a fireside chat at his annual global leadership summit and read the interview, I found it really interesting and helpful. Enjoy!

I was recently invited to join the CEO of a Silicon Valley tech company for a fireside chat at his annual global leadership summit. He's been interviewing other CEOs at the event for years as he and his team value hearing the perspectives, experiences, and best practices of other companies. He did a great job moderating and I truly enjoyed the event.

One of the questions he asked is one I get frequently: What's the most valuable lesson you've learned as CEO?

My answer was simple: Don't leave the pitcher in the game for too long.

For those less familiar with baseball, some explanation may be necessary. Picture the following:

It's the eighth inning of a game. A star pitcher is on the mound and has been pitching well. His team is up by a few runs. The bullpen is well rested and ready for action should he start to tire. The inning opens and the pitcher gets the first out, continuing his already strong performance. Then it begins.

The opposing team gets a hit.

And then another.

It's increasingly clear the pitcher's arm is tiring and his velocity is wavering. His manager, recognizing the situation, approaches the mound and asks how he's feeling. The pitcher replies exactly as you'd imagine (remember he's a star pitcher; he didn't get that way for lack of confidence):

"Skip, you've got nothing to worry about. I misplaced that first pitch and that last hitter got lucky. I've got this."

The manager returns to the dugout and watches in disbelief as the opposing team eventually ties the game and goes on to win in extra innings. For baseball fans, you may be nodding in agreement with how familiar this scenario is. (To Red Sox fans, my apologies for reminding you of this.)

I've seen the same scenario play out countless times, both directly and indirectly. However, I'm not referring to baseball. I'm talking about business.

Leaving a member of your team in a key role when it's no longer the right fit is one of the most common -- and costly -- mistakes a manager can make. The good news is that with practice and experience it's also one of the most avoidable.

Here are a few of the lessons I've learned to help address the issue:

1. In nearly 20 years of doing business, no one has ever approached me and said they couldn't do their job. Not once.

No matter how challenging the role, people will be inclined to believe they can get it done. It's human nature, equal parts ego and optimism. Simply put, we're programmed to finish what we've started. Admitting that we can't do it is just too hard for most of us, a particularly acute trait among overachievers.

As a result, just like the star pitcher in the late innings of an important game, most individuals are not in a position to objectively evaluate their own performance. That's where management comes in.

As a manager it's up to you to identify the potential performance issue and act accordingly. Perhaps that will result in leaving that individual in the role, perhaps not. Regardless, it's ultimately your responsibility, not theirs. The sooner you hold yourself accountable for that decision, the better for everyone involved.

2. If you have to ask whether or not someone is up to the task, you already know the answer

Deep down, we all know how to identify performance issues as soon as we see them. The challenge is that given the consequences, many of us may not want to admit the issues exist. In turn, we may end up asking others for their opinion in the hope we've somehow got it wrong, which may only serve to further muddy the waters.

There is a simple rule of thumb here: If you have to ask yourself (or others) whether or not someone on your team is doing their job, you likely already know the answer. They're not.

The key to managing out under performers or poor cultural fits is not so much about identifying the fact they're falling short of expectations. If we're being honest with ourselves, we're already well aware of the problem. The key is in determining whether or not that person will ever be capable of doing the job. Which brings us to #3...

3. Create a timetable

Once you've recognized a performance issue with a member of the team, more often than not, the natural inclination is to rationalize it away. This is typically a byproduct of fear: Fear of how difficult it will be to replace the individual, fear of hurting them, fear of how their team will react, etc. That fear will inevitably lead to sub-optimal decisions that have the potential to do far more harm than the fear itself.

The solution is to create a timetable as soon as you've recognized an issue exists, i.e. how long will you give the situation until making the final determination that the person can't perform in the role?

Bear in mind, there is not a single, uniform answer for this. It all depends on the individual and the situation. Whether one month, three months, six months, or a year, make sure you are doing everything possible within the allotted time to help the individual clear the bar. Be transparent about your timing and expectations. Let them know the specific measures you'll be putting into place to assist them, e.g. coaching, access to specific learning and development tools, reduced workload, organizational changes, etc. Hopefully, the changes work and that individual begins to flourish over time.

However, if it's still not enough, do everything within your power to transition them out of the role compassionately.

4. Managing compassionately should not be confused with avoiding difficult decisions

Whenever talking about this subject, inevitably the question arises: How can you transition someone out of their role compassionately? Given how much it's going to hurt them, isn't that an inherent contradiction?

My response is that the least compassionate thing you can do in this situation is leave someone incapable of doing their job in that role for too long.

Think about the last time you saw someone on your team that was struggling: The slumped shoulders, the increasingly hushed tone of their voice, their overall lack of presence during important discussions. It's all a byproduct of the fact they know consciously or unconsciously that they aren't getting the job done. Subsequently, it's draining their self-confidence, and it's only going to get worse over time. Their inability to perform is hurting them, their team, the company, and perhaps worst of all, they are bringing that energy home to their families.

The most compassionate thing you can do in this situation is to alleviate their suffering by transitioning them out of the role as gracefully and constructively as possible.

One person I know who went through this kind of transition returned several months later and said as much as they fought to hold onto their job, and as fearful as they were about the repercussions, moving on was one of the best things that had ever happened to them, both professionally and personally.

One final thought on the subject: After responding to the question about the most valuable lesson I've learned as a CEO, the moderator of the fireside chat added a somewhat unexpected observation. He said that while the other interviewees had not used the same baseball metaphor, 100% of the CEOs he's interviewed thus far responded with the same answer.

Hope you can benefit from the lessons we've learned.

(http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140203145935-22330283)

I Am A Christian

Religion has been a subject of so much debate. Be it as it may however, we are all entitled to our beliefs and I also believe that our views should be respected. But again where do we draw the line? Someone comes up and says "he believes that, anyone who provokes him/her should be killed"?. For Petes sake, that belief needs no respecting at all, regardless of how hard we try to claim that 'ITS A FREE WORLD'. There are a lot of things going on in the world today, there are a lot of things we have learnt to be mute about, a couple others we have resulted to shake off, a lot is being shoved in our faces like we have no option/right to have a contrary view. However regardless of how we force ourselves to believe that "ITS A FREE WORLD" and make up our own rules for living, we still come to the hard truth of knowing that "IT MIGHT BE A FREE WORLD, BUT WE CAN NEVER NEVER BE FREE FROM THE CONDEMNATION OF OUR OWN CONSCIENCE".Yes in the bible we read that some consciences have been seared with hot irons and have no feelings anymore. However at this point, the peace of mind is traded for that state of mind. Being a christian is much more than belonging to a denomination, a name tag, or following the trend. If you dont believe it, dont say it. And if you say you are one, then be one. And be a christian in truth and let everything you do, reflect your religion. Christians however are not perfect people, but imperfect people who have come to the realisation, that there is a higher/supernatural God, who is the maker of everything and rules in the affairs of men and has set standards for living for our own benefit. Christians are imperfect people who serve a perfect God and who are daily transforming to be more like Him. So next time you are tempted to judge someone based on the fact that they say they are christians, WATCH IT! Because we are not perfect people but a work in progress. This does not give the christian licence to keep doing the wrong stuff, but it should be a wake up call for us to know that the world is watching and make an effort to live as God would want us to live. Listening to Isaac Carree sing Redeemed just nails all I have been saying. Live everyday, with the thought that one day, you will only be a memory, and do your utmost to be a good one by fulfilling His purpose for your creation.