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In late November 2014, I was two weeks into university life and struggling to catch up. Documentation, classes, settling down in the hostel - I couldn’t focus on all at the same time.
But when Dr. Gabriel Bassey Egbe (now Professor) slammed a door in my face because I was one minute late to his class, I knew what NOT to do. Never be late to class
Since my graduation from university in 2018, I have been employed by over seven (7) institutions.
I’ve seen good managers showcase time and again who their favourite employees and contractors are – the criteria they use in selecting the best performers and those who need improvement.
I’ve also worked as a freelance academic writer, and I ran a shoe business for just over a year. From the times I failed and my successes, I know what made people either fall in love with my work or avoid me.
What I want to highlight in today's letter is:
What are the top 3 criteria to be a high value individual (entrepreneur/employee/freelancer) when it comes to work?
I'll mention each one with a short story 🙂
No 1:
In Ireland, I have worked 2 different jobs as a Marketing analyst - at a law firm and an aesthetic clinic. One common role for both was social media management, including running ads on Meta/Instagram for different goals (usually to get leads or clients).
The thing about Meta Ads is - you can’t lie about results. In the law firm, I once told my manager that we would get XYZ customers on a 5euro daily budget. After the ad was completed, we did not reach that goal. There was no way to sugarcoat that my plan didn't work, I didn't deliver on the result I promised.
Afterwards, I decided to research about the average client conversion rate in our industry, on that budget. I realized I had overpromised on results, because in realty, we did well compared to the average.
So what is criteria No 1? It’s twofold:
a. Deliver exactly the results you promise, or above
b. Never overpromise on results. Do your research first
No. 2:
As a data analyst at MTN Telecoms (2022-2023), I spent 3 hours creating a data report on consumer usage for a specific tariff plan. When I showed my manager, he didn't look at it. He said it was no longer relevant (he had to make a decision 2 hours earlier, one that the data should have helped him make).
In that same scenario, if I had asked him what he needs the report for, and how soon he needs to make the decision, I would have known to focus on the basics in the report and ignore the rest, keeping my contribution valuable, and limiting the time spent to 1 hour or less.
He should have mentioned the time limit, yes. But he didn't, and I could have asked, to keep my work relevant.
Criteria No 2 is: Time Management. In other words, Consciousness about Deadlines
No 3:
In 2021, when running my shoe business in Abuja, I had to make an impromptu trip from home to a client’s house because the delivery driver didn’t show up. He did not call to say why. And I had confirmed from him, just hours earlier (on the same day) that we would come.
I had to learn where 6th Avenue in Gwarinpa Abuja is, and walk under the scorching sun to give a beautiful client the palm slippers she already told her boyfriend he would get that day. I was recovering from malaria, but it had to be done.
I didn't want to be be called a "scam Instagram vendor" (she found me on IG and ordered from me for the first time)
Needless to say, I did not use that delivery company again (company, not just that driver). And it would have all been mitigated if he did one simple thing - tell me before hand (and early enough) that he could not make the delivery.
I'm sure you get the gist. Number 3 criteria: Timely, consistent and adequate communication.
If you struggle in any of the three, start working to resolve it asap. It's hard build a good working reputation without all three intact.