10,000 jobs threatened as Shell, Chevron withdraw from OKLNG

The unemployment rate in Nigeria is set to rise further as Chevron Nigeria Limited and Shell announced their withdrawal from the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas Project, OKLNG, thus putting the fate of about 10,000 workers on the line.

The companies underpinned their reason for withdrawal to include lack of commitment from the Federal Government to pursue the completion of the project, the non-passage of the petroleum bill, PIB. However, Shell’s withdrawal still remains a doubt as they are yet to confirm their pull out. Likewise, the word is mum at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, the principal partner in the project, which had been informed on the oil majors decisions, and had over the years had seconded a lot of its staff to the OKLNG project.


However, after almost a month of taken the decision, Chevron, in a statement signed by its General Manager, Policy, Government & Public Affairs, Mr. Deji Haastrup, said that the company effectively pulled out of the project on July 31, 2013, adding that efforts over the last eight years to mature the project have not resulted in a final investment decision, FID.

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Take pride in your work, not yourself by Harvey Mackay

pride is being self-confident, but not egotistical. Pride is having a positive, can-do attitude because you will settle for nothing less than your level best.

I want people....(to be)... proud of the work they perform. Here are ways to build the pride that I look for:

• Build your reputation. Whatever you do for a living, your signature is on it. You can’t buy a reputation for doing good work; you must earn it. Reputation is one of the few assets that your competition cannot undersell or destroy. Would you buy a product or service from someone who didn’t take pride in their work?
• Play your role. Everyone has a specific job to do, no matter how small it might seem to you. Do it to the best of your ability. Be a good team player. The boat won’t go if we all don’t row.
• Be confident, but not cocky. There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishments, but you don’t have to tell the world. Keep your ego in check. A person who has the right to boast doesn’t have to. Self-esteem is a must for a prideful person.

• Stay positive. Don’t let others bring you down, which is why I don’t hang around with negative people. Be friendly to everyone, including the people you dislike. As Michael Corleone said in “The Godfather Part II”: “Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.”

• Build trust. The most important five-letter word in business is trust. Trust is central to doing business with anyone. People do not or cannot trust each other if they are easily suspicious of one another. When we trust people, we are optimistic not only that they are competent to do what we trust them to do, but also that they are committed to doing it.
• Be knowledgeable. Learn as much as you can, and then keep on learning more. Knowledge is power.
• Know that you don’t know everything. The way I like to say it is: I know that you don’t know, but you don’t know that you don’t know. You can’t know everything, but you can know people who do. The best remedy for conceit is to sit down and make a list of all the things you don’t know, but should know.
• Do good. Be a nice person and polite to everyone. Help people who need help. Try not to be judgmental.
• Be kind. The Golden Rule applies here: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Smile and ignore anyone who wants to be mean to you.

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Thinking of starting a business? Think again! by JAMIE SALVATORI

I’ve been running my own small business for over a decade and I often speak with people who are thinking about starting their own business. Listening to their expectations usually results in my shaking my head later and thinking, “They have no idea what they’re getting themselves into!”

Running your own business is no fairy tale. It’s just about the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. It can be simultaneously frustrating and rewarding. It can provide the highest highs and immeasurable lows. One day, it can validate your struggles and you can feel on top of the world. The next, it can make you wonder how you could have ever been so wretchedly stupid.

Buckle up. It’s a wild ride.

Your business will probably fail. You’ll probably either give up or run out of money before your business has a chance of succeeding. To avoid the latter requires creativity. The former requires a thick skin, iron will, and endless determination.

Being your own boss is no picnic. As it turns out, your boss is kind of a jerk. He makes you think about the business nearly every waking minute of the day.

Your business plan is probably worthless. Going through the exercise of creating a business plan is a great way to ensure that you’ve thought about aspects of the operation that you may have overlooked during the “back of the napkin” stage, but thinking that anything will actually turn out the way you’ve “planned” is ludicrous. Be flexible.

Equity is everything. If you need money, go to a bank. Only exchange equity for something that you cannot get any other way. Thinking that a partner will make starting a new business easier is wishful thinking. As a new business, your only ally against established businesses is your ability to pivot and move quickly. With partners, every decision requires debate and is an enormous time suck. You must find validation of your ideas from within.

Only fools think anything is foolproof. Everything will go wrong. Just be prepared for when it does.

Making more money is not a good motivation for starting a business. Money doesn’t equal happiness or fulfillment. It’s difficult to be successful doing something you hate. That being said, the purpose of a business is to make moneyas it’s the only thing that separates a business from a charity. Welcome to the paradox!..........

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3 Things Never to Say in a Job Interview

Discussing compensation is one of the more delicate parts of the job interview process. You might be asked what your salary requirements are, and freeze. Or you could be offered your dream job, but with a nightmare salary. 

Luckily, you don't need a degree in negotiation to successfully navigate this conversation. Mostly, it means not saying things that are akin to shooting yourself in the financial foot. Here are three phrases likely to sabotage any chance of getting paid what you think you deserve:
"What does this position typically pay?"
If you give this response to the "what are your salary requirements" question, you'll likely lower their offer before it's even made. In the same way that you can attempt to fudge your number when asked how much you currently make, your future potential employer may bend the numbers to their advantage when discussing the standard salary. You could also come off as lazy. "It shows you haven't done your research," says Colette Ellis, founder of InStep Consulting. You can find this information through sites like Glassdoor.com, or through friends and colleagues in the industry.
"Yes, that sounds good."
It's called salary negotiation for a reason -- an employee's initial number is typically just a starting figure. This is important to remember, whether the number sounds lousy or fair. "Be prepared to come back with examples of your skills and value that support your worth," says Ellis. They want you, so remind them of why and they may be willing to fight for you in the form of added compensation.
"...but I'm flexible on that."
This phrase essentially negates whatever number came before it. "Don't negotiate your salary target down for the employer by saying, 'I'm willing to accept less if that's not in your budget,' " says Ellis. Instead, make your case and if they can't come closer, ask about bonuses or stock options that might be on the table. The key is doing your research, and then simply having the confidence to ask for what you want.

How To Make Your Dream Employer Notice You [4 Smart Ways]

Standing out from the crowd is not always easy, especially if academically you’re pretty average. There is always a plethora of younger, brainier, prize-winning ‘cream of the crop’ types vying for the best jobs – so why would an employer notice your application? Here’s some top-tips to help get your application considered…

1. Get Online

When did you last Google yourself or try to find your profile on Linkedin? If you’re seriously hunting for a job you should be regularly checking and maintaining your online persona. It should be complete, relevant and consistent between platforms.

You wouldn’t send a recruiter a half finished resume, so make sure that you’ve carefully completed your online profile. By filling out each section you’re maximising your chances of showing up in search results. Don’t just talk about what you’ve done…reveal where you want to be! E.g. If you’re interested in moving into a specific industry or sector mention it on your profile and be as specific as you can (without closing doors for yourself): “Looking for marketing/sales, product development roles for SMEs & fast growing enterprises within Tech/Media sector”

Things to avoid: Vague un-inspiring statements expressing only the benefits for you and not the recruiter: “my aim is now to find a role in the corporate world suitable for building on my skills and experience”

There are hundreds of platforms, networks & forums where you can create a profile. Perhaps choose 3 or 4 to host your profile to start with. Choose 1 large professional networking website, choose 2 niche forums or networks relevant to you and 1 other ‘personal outlet’ (e.g. a blog or twitter profile). All social profiles should be kept private.

2. Get Networked

Do you know the names of the hiring manager, recruiter, HR team at your dream company? You can easily find their professional profiles on professional networking sites. Do a quick people search and send them an introductory message to get connected. You can see which networks they’re in, and other profiles they’re connected with…and if they’ve got any status updates or comments announcing what type of candidates they’re looking to recruit!

All of these things will help you when writing a cover letter or prospective email. Also, it helps put your profile right under their noses…and if you’re profile is good enough maybe they’ll just invite you for an interview!

Further reading at How To Build a Brilliant Professional Network in College.

3. Get Creative

Obviously this comes more naturally to some, but being creative can poll-vault your average application right onto the laps of a recruiter. There’s the guy who created a website dedicated to asking ‘Google please hire me’, or the girl one who personally delivered a beautiful hand-made parcel containing their resume right to the desk of the CEO of a multi-national. Both worked but only because both were relevant, well planned & executed effectively.

But things can get carried away – heat sensitive resume paper that changes colour when touched… Seems a ‘touch’ desperate perhaps? If you want to do something wacky gauge your market carefully, perhaps try to find others already working within that company or industry and check their reactions to your plan, then make sure you implement it perfectly.

4. Get In-demand

When hiring someone it always is a plus point if they’re ‘in-demand’ – do they have other interviews or job offers on the table? The best people always do…so make sure that you’re courting a number of dream companies instead of just targeting one! Aim for your dream company (of course) but also consider their major industry competitors. You could ‘follow’ all the company profiles and take an active interest in industry news. When you score an interview make sure the interviewer knows you’re being shortlisted or offered roles with their competitors – it’ll make you irresistible!

More ideas at Personal Branding: Blending In To Stand Out.

Sian Fleming Jones is one of the directors at BusinessBecause.com – a website dedicated to connecting people before, during and after their MBA. On BusinessBecause there’s loads of MBA jobs and information about the MBA job market including an editorial series completely dedicated to getting the inside view on top jobs. Follow BusinessBecause on Twitter @businessbecause.

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Continuing education sustains competitive advantage of businesses

Continuing education is a key strategy many companies use to equip their employees with new skills and knowledge. According to a 2011 study by Dr. Divina M. Edralin, a company usually spends around P1.2 million annually for training and development.

Why spend on training and development?

For many companies, it’s a question of not only survival, but also maintaining the so-called competitive advantage, or that which makes a company better than, or at the very least, comparable to, its competitors. In a fast-paced global economy filled with flux and folly, a company must be ready to adapt at any moment. And this is where training and development comes in as a strategy.

The study cites improving work performance, enhancing creativity and problem -lving skills, as well as developing employee capability to contribute in enabling organizational flexibility to adapt to change. These are some of the reasons why companies choose to train their employees. With a well-trained workforce, an organization can more easily retain its edge, allowing the company to perform at its best......

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Important Role of Female Small Business Owners

While opinions are strong—and they vary—one thing all should be able to agree on is that entrepreneurship and business ownership are good things for women. In fact, if recent research is any indication, more women entrepreneurs is a good thing for everyone in the community: men andwomen.

Let'stake a look at the numbers: There are more than 10 million businessesowned by women, employing more than 13 million people and generating $1.9 trillion in sales. Not only that, women-led businesses are one of the fastest growing types of the small businesses—a rare bright spot in today's sluggish economy. The number of women-owned businesses increased nearly 60 percent since 1997. Lastly, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners' (NAWBO) 2013 State of Women-Owned Businesses Survey, 2013 looks to be the "Year of the Female Entrepreneur," with women business owners' optimism at high levels (81 percent) on the opportunities that lie ahead.

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