---
title: Prove your value with these 3 skills
image: https://maryakhaine.com/hubfs/SIP%20POD%20(2000%20x%201333%20px)-1.png
---

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Words are cheap

**Prove your value with these 3 skills**

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**

![649b2ccf86e6c77533148634](https://maryakhaine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/649b2ccf86e6c77533148634.jpg?width=2000&height=2000&name=649b2ccf86e6c77533148634.jpg "649b2ccf86e6c77533148634")

The Lagos Continental Hotel, Nigeria

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

![6543e8d9c28cae24905a90b7](https://maryakhaine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/6543e8d9c28cae24905a90b7.jpeg?width=2000&height=2000&name=6543e8d9c28cae24905a90b7.jpeg "6543e8d9c28cae24905a90b7")

Cobh (pronounced 'Cove'), County Cork, Ireland

**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.

 

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