Strategic Business Development Plan Will Improve Business Fortunes In 2021 »

By Akob Jacobs (FCFIA).

Compliments of the season to you all but particularly to all Nigerians and more specially to the entrepreneurs, business owners and SMEs operators on The Confluence State of Kogi, The land of profitable clusters of business opportunities.

I sincerely appreciate you all for your resilence to survived the toxic business environment of 2020 due to the turbulent experience of the demonic globally self inflicted COVID-19 and it’s associated protocols that kill businesses, strangulated the Economy and made life so unbearable across the world. Needless to talk about the devastating effects of EndSars protest in our Nation and the subsequent recession that ends the year.

It now seems to be a good news that vaccine for the ‘plandemic’ sorry, pandemic has been developed even though there are questions surrounding it’s efficacy and safety for human vaccination.

Thanks to collective efforts of all political economy teams across at all levels of government, economic institutions of our Nation like Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Nirsal Micro Finance Bank, other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as well meaning stakeholders in business world who are working assiduously with the backing of The Supreme Executive Head of Government in The Presidency, PMB ensuring Economy comes back to stream.

Although the speculated second COVID-19 wave and the intended ‘lockdown’ must be avoided and any temptation to impaired the SMEs operations with yet another lockdown should be Jettisoned at all cost. Our economy cannot further cope nor survives the devastating effects of ‘lockdown’.

Spot recognition of the efforts of New Direction Government under the able leadership of GYB and his able Deputy CEDO in ensuring prosperity return to The Confluence made the Government of The State to detest Covid-19 marketing, drama and it’s myths. Business policies and procedures on The Confluence has been so simplified but in total adherence to our laws and global best practices, year under review and going concern of businesses in our clime are by no means threaten compared to other climes. This has made foreign direct investment (FDI) nflow into the State in the 3rd quarter of the year so favourable as posited by Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC). Please be encouraged like undeterred investors who’s eyes are focused on profit maximisation and wealth creation to take advantage of Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) to achieve Business and Investment greatness in the coming year 2021.

Instinctively, I implore all the goal driven entrepreneurs to review their business model, processes and procedures applied in 2020 doing business to reveals all unprofitable pitfalls in the course of doing business within the year. Even in the mood of festivity, please consider the following aspect of your business for revision now. They includes but not limited to:-
(1). Finances/Financial records .
(2). Stocks.
(3). Sales and Marketing.
(4). Coordination/Managements.
Kindly be of strong will to correct any and all anomalies thus discovered for productive and profitable ventures in 2021.

To enjoy favourable business outing in 2021, effective strategic business development plan must be adopted. Business development involves task, process to develop and implementation of noticeable growth opportunities within an organization. It is a subset of the field of business, commerce and application of organization theory. It equally involves strategic business planning, research, innovation and creativity in business, Investment to further deep business fortunes, project management, sales and marketing, forecast as well as effective administrations of credit in business financing.

Adoption of the above mentioned antidotes and tapping into government measures, policies and palliatives aimed at aiding businesses will determine the winning entrepreneurs in 2021.

Consciously let your ears be on the ground for favourable business measures, palliative programmes and policies statements coming out periodically in the year as it concerns the sector where you play and overall Economy. Please plan to play big as the coming year will be buoyant in enterprising.

To all prospective INVESTORS, ENTREPRENEURS, local and international out there, be here informed of the promising, relatively conducive, Profitable and wealth creation investment clustered all over Kogi as it cut across all sectors of your interest. Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing, Solid and Industrial Minerals (Mining), Commerce/Trading, Technology, Healthcare, Education, Sales and Marketing, Transportation as well as Consultancy and many more. Investment in Kogi State is a SURE return Of FORTUNES. Remember, Entrepreneur don’t back off Business and investment regardless of the inadequacies of the business environment. You are welcome. Happy New Year.

Hon. AKOH JACOBS (FCFIA).
Lokoja – Nigeria.