Common sense HR tips for Managers in Nigeria

Hi folks, In this day of too many workers and too few jobs, many managers have made the mistake of under utilizing their staff and turning into corporate bullies simply because staffing has become less of an issue. However, we lose millions each year in possible earnings when we refuse become effective leaders. Effective leaders recognize and appreciate our people. Becoming an effective boss doesn't mean you become a push over or over emotional, it simply means you start utilizing your staff properly in order to improve productivity, increase income, and stop wasting hours used to manage unhappy staff. These are a few tips you should keep in mind to becomee and effective boss in 2014. #HRtipsforbosses Organizational success is not determined by your fastest learners, but your slowest. Be a leader #HRtipsforbosses your workers are not mind readers, make your plans known and disseminate goals to the last level in your organization. #HRtipsforbosses people can't reach for the stars if they don't know where the sky is. Let your people know what you expect from them. #HRtipsforbosses Nepotism will kill your business from the inside out. If you must hire family, ensure their skills align with your need. #HRtipsforbosses Don't think because the unemployment rate is so high you can treat people unfairly. Your bad reputation will speak louder than any sales efforts and will eventually drive away both staff and customers. #HRtipsforbosses treat people fairly and be honest. #HRtipsforbosses you have to walk the talk. Be an example to your staff or hire an MD who will. #HRtipsforbosses if you know you can lead a business, but not people, hire a manager who can. Not all leaders make effective bosses. If as a manager, you want to discuss any of the tips further, do buzz me at insitefulsolutionsconsult@gmail.com Have a great day everybody!!

THE FUTURE OF WORK SERIES #1: 'HOW NOT TO MESS UP AN INTERVIEW IN 10 MINUTES

Good evening everybody!!

 It’s another beautiful gorgeous Friday in the beautiful city of Abuja and I and my interns are hard at work already. Now one of the goals we had this week was publishing and marketing posts by guest bloggers and we have our 1st one!! Hurrah! It comes from Obasa Olorunfemi aka Femi who is the co-founder of The Fleuri Academy; an on-line start-up designed to provide learning on the go using chat applications and live interactions and co-founder of restless Versatility - A social media and blogs management outfit.  Femi has a background in water resources management with professional certifications spanning Music, Safety, Environment and Project Management and has earned his battle scars and working experience in Environment assessment, Design and Recruitment. He will be writing an ongoing series on best practice recruitment tips which will include real life case studies and best practice responses to various situations job seekers face in Nigeria. Now on to the first article:

The Future of work

 #1: ‘How “NOT” to mess up an interview in the first 10 minutes’

Please tell me about yourself?

This is the first question usually asked at interviews. I believe it helps the recruiter analyze your fluency in English, your level of intelligence and most importantly to get you relaxed for the subsequent conversation.

In my short time with candidates, I have heard over a dozen infuriating, comical and often wrong answers to these questions. Let me share some of them:

Case #1

Q: Please tell me about yourself
A: My name is Tolu. I am the First son of my parents. I am humble, caring and kind. My favorite food is rice and beans. My favorite color is pink. I am born-again.

Case #2
Q: Please tell me about yourself
A: I am Jane. I am a Jobless girl from a family of five. I studied econs at gwagz.

 Please note that while I have left out parts of the responses, I have not edited either. I have also only illustrated with two so you do not think I am making an attempt at comedy. In the ever-growing distance in-between what the labor market wants and what our universities need, we will continue to have this challenge.

In my experience the correct answer to the above question includes a summary of your education and work history delivered in a precise and professional manner. The smart candidates find a way to include relevant character information not present in their CVs but key to their engagement. I’ll also advice less experienced job applicants to rather opt for a brief summary of educational, work history as well as skills sets when asked the question during an interview.

and there you have it folks. In interviews at some point you will be asked tell me about yourself. I've had people blush, start to cry, stammer, and begin to narrate their CV back to me, all in the name of telling me about themselves. This is wrong, wrong, wrong! Practice what you will say in accordance to the tips mentioned above and we look forward to you joining us for the next series article next week Monday: “Deadliest responses to interview questions heard in 2014.”

That's all folks! if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them. Have a wonderful weekend

Nikky the HR Agony Aunt is back!!!!

Has it ever happened to you guys that you get so sucked up in the activities of those around you, your vision is temporarily put to one side? well it happened to me and two things that suffered were my blog and my website. Luckily I have been able to find some balance and I'm once again back in the swing of things when it comes to my blog and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this time I'm consistent.

It's been depressing to see articles go unwritten and comments go unanswered. So to my dear readers i can only say I'm sorry and assure you that I'm back. I'm back. I'm back.

Articles, events, press releases, question and answer sessions are coming.

So what have I been doing? as you may or may not know, I run an independent consultancy and two months ago, a client I respect and look up to, Jacqueline Farris of Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja referred to me to a potential client. I made myself available thinking it would be a little side job but instead I received a lucrative, complex, tasking, and wonderful set of projects that introduced me to people I know love (and loath) allowed me to network with a group of people I had only previously dreamt of meeting, and allowed me buy things I had previously only dreamed of.

I learned powerful lessons in the last few months including:

1. Priorities everything or you end up doing nothing.

2. Always give your 100% in what you do

3. The right network, business partners, and support system can make or break you.

4. Know when to say yes to stressors at work/life and when to say a big fat giant NO

5. It's not every business lead you need to explore.

More on these lessons coming soon.

Ciao people!!

NEW POSTS COMING FROM NIKKY THE HR GURU

Aloha Readers!!

How have you all been this fabulous April? It's been really hectic for me. I’ve decided to take my career to the next level, put my money where my mouth is, and literally take my life by the horns including speaking at events and mentoring young folks. But something happened that didn't make me happy. I had no time to write. It seemed that every minute was occupied with activities and I realised I am no longer just busy, I am also busy being busy. So I am back. I refuse to stop writing and teaching over the Internet and I want to remain loyal to you my dear readers.

So I am back. With news, topics, events, training sessions, and even vacancies across Nigeria!

I have missed you all so much and i hope to hear from you all as the articles fill up my blog. And least I forget, I still will be providing HR news and articles. I will also be sharing business tips along with news, tips, articles, and trainings to improve the careers of employers, employees, and business owners out there.

Have a great week every body.