Let me share an experience that shaped my career... We had just won the pitch for Guinness Label Relaunch and there was excitement in the air within the agency. Coupled with the fact that the Marketing Manager had done a congratulatory mail to the team copying my MD (Udeme) and addressing it to me…Dear Yomi! It was a big deal! So we all got to the office the next day, still in the euphoria that we had just landed a big business into the agency’s kitty. Then someone announced (I think it was MD’s PA) “Everyone should please proceed to the car park, MD wants to speak to us”. In SO&U, once Udeme’s name is mentioned, trust me, it must be a serious issue. Kia, I don minimise my work for laptop and faced car park straight. After we had gathered, Udeme strolled in smiling and obviously happy. He expressed how that day was one of his best days as an MD and how proud he was of the Guinness team. This took like five minutes or there about. Finally, he asked me to step out. Step out to face a crowd made up of four companies? I didn’t bargain for this! So this whole thing was about me? I can’t recollect how I walked to meet Udeme, but I made it to his side. I can be crowd shy so I was literarily shaking. In fac,t I had to lean on his car, couldn’t stand by his side.. As in I was SHAKING! He asked everyone to clap for me, looking so proud of me. What a moment for me! I had never been celebrated like that in my life. Thanks to Biodun Adefila ( Client Service Director) and Tyga for making it happen. That happened under six months of being in SO&U. Let me be open with you, I had a plan. I knew how I was going to manage the Guinness business in my first year. I was disciplined enough to stick to my plan. Trust me it worked! Here's how to retain a client: CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: An Art Of Customer Retention Content: IGNITE (Phase 1) SUSTAIN (Phase 2) CONSOLIDATE (Phase 3) IGNITE (Phase 1) APPROACH THE APPROACHABLE Clients are regular everyday people like you and I. They eat, drink, hang out, date, go to church/mosque etc. They have a life outside work. But often time they only relate with us work wise. So it’s difficult to approach them and ask for friendship. Human beings are skewed differently, some of us are shy, rigid, outgoing, pleasant, warm and embracing. In every team, there will be one with the warm, embracing and pleasant character. This person is approachable. You need to be observant to identify this person. Once identified, approach this person with little information that you’ve gathered from sources like LinkedIn, Facebook etc and start up a conversation. Your future success on the account may be built on this strategic move, if well utilised. IDENTIFY THE DECISION MAKER & THE INFLUENCER In every brand team, there is always an influencer and often times a decision maker. It’s important to be very observant to identify both of them. Often times, it’s not a given. A decision maker most times is the head of a team, i.e Marketing Manager, he questions the norm, his opinions are always bought into and he takes decisions swiftly without having to consult. The influencer is the subordinate that gets the attention of the decision maker when issues are raised. The decision maker holds the capability of such person in high regards. His opinion is often respected by the decision maker and he hardly knocks down his suggestions. Once you’ve identified these two people, you will have to endear yourself to their hearts. CREATE A POSITIVE IMPRESSION Fastest way to endear yourself to the hearts of these two people is to crack a problem. If you solve a problem for them, you will be seen as a doer and not a talker. Clients respect doers. Once you claim you have a solution to a lingering problem, go the extra mile to deliver. Once you deliver, an impression is created and it’s a solid foundation. (To Be Continued)

Late Dora Akunyili's daughter, @AkunyiliCrosby creates portrait for the Obama Presidential Center. In a post by the former first lady, Michelle Obama posted the creative piece, celebrating Crosby's artistic Brilliance and her extraordinary style of infusion.

One of the things you must consistently long for as a man is the ability to heal and forgive. This is 🗝️.

My fellow Nigerians,   On this Democracy Day, I extend my warm greetings to every Nigerian at home and abroad. Today is more than a celebration of democracy. It is an opportunity for reflection.   It is a day to slow down and take stock of where we are as a nation, where we have come from, and where we are headed. It is a moment to honestly assess the state of our country, the quality of our leadership, the strength of our institutions, and the role each of us is playing in shaping Nigeria's future.   As we reflect, we must also give ourselves grace and gratitude. To every Nigerian who has refused to give up, who continues to work hard, speak up, raise a family, build a business, serve a community, defend the truth, or simply hold on to hope in difficult times: THANK YOU. Your resilience matters. Your sacrifices matter. Your commitment to a better Nigeria matter.   But reflection must lead to intention.   The Nigeria we desire will not emerge by chance. It will be built by citizens who choose, every day, to take responsibility for the future they want to see. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Nation-building is not the responsibility of government alone. It belongs to all of us.   Today, I invite every Nigerian to make a conscious decision. Decide to be more engaged. Decide to be more informed. Decide to hold leaders accountable. Decide to support what is right, even when it is difficult. Decide to contribute, in whatever way you can, to the progress of your community and your country.   The framework (on the principle developed by Chine and Chuba Ezekwesili) is simple: Reflect on where we are. Be grateful for how far we have come. Take responsibility for what must be done. Act intentionally to create the future we desire.   History has shown that no nation transforms because a few people wished for change. Nations transform when ordinary citizens make an extraordinary commitment to a shared future.   Nigeria still holds immense promise. Our challenges are real, but so is our potential. The task before us is great, but it is not greater than the collective determination of Nigerians who refuse to surrender their hope. Let this Democracy Day renew our resolve. Let us slow down and reflect. Let us be grateful. Let us take responsibility. Let us act with intention.   Together, we can birth the Nigeria of our dreams. Nigeria will be #OK. Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria.   Aisha Yesufu For a Better Nigeria 🇳🇬

The lack of chemistry between Shakira and Burna boy at the World Cup opening ceremony was just too glaring Can a super star like Burna be shy? #México

How powerhouse marketing executive, Bozoma "Badass Boz" Saint John became the head of global Consumer Marketing for Apple Music and iTunes

Consistency beats intensity. Let that sink. So it's fine to do it small but do it daily.

I will be attending the #LondonTechWeek 2026.

Motion attracts success.

It's official: I'm heading to #LondonTechWeek 2026 linkedin.com/posts/oriyomi-o…

Good homework by @business

What a risk! According to Tosin Eniolorunda, Mr Jim Ovia invested 5.5m USD in TeamApt "now moniepoint" in the year 2019 for 20% of the company at the time.

We need the world's attention on Nigeria right now.

The Cynthia Morgan story will never go away but this is what every entrepreneur should know about the Nigerian business terrain: linkedin.com/posts/changes-l…

Adeyinka Alaseyori has apologised. I strongly advise her PR team to do a Press Release that just states how sorry she is. If I were her, I would dissociate from any birthday party organised by any politician for now.

The death of Nine to Five! linkedin.com/posts/the-tradi…

I'm sure Adeyinka Alaseyori didn't think this through. Celebrities must know that in terms of "optics", they must be seen and perceived to be on the side of the masses. Her short live video where she apologised wasn't impactful. I will advise she puts out a Press Release, no story just APOLOGY.

If you want to have an idea of how the Nigerian economy will look like in the second half of the year, then take a look at the Q2 Global Market Review linkedin.com/posts/business-…

President @officialABAT this should be your focus right now. It will be a shame on us and a disservice to humanity if these people are not rescued.

Even with Seyi Vibez song blasting away, one can't really enjoy the best of time if you remember some kids were kidnapped back home in Naija and they spent their Salah in the forest.