Tola Elatuyi - Women of Rubies

In self development February 12, 2019 By Esther Ijewere

TOLA SPEAKS: WHAT’S YOUR WORK ROUTINE?

Getting better at doing the same thing takes few deliberate attempts especially in the work place to guarantee enjoyment. Trust me, some days are sapping while some are really light, but overall, I try to strike a good balance within the week. I have sort of created procedures that guide my everyday work life…but don’t consider me lucky yet, for now, it seems to be working.

So there are activities during the day that deplete my energy. I guess you’re familiar with them: meetings, running around, business trips, conducting a talk, a presentation… what have you. It’s inevitable that you will encounter some form of stress as you work. The good thing is, I set out a solitary time during the day where I reconnect with myself. I find balance in that energy and come out rejuvenated and refreshed. It can be as short as five minutes but it’s part of my daily routine and it’s something that I do on my own.

Additionally, I create a simple sequence of work activities like pre-designed templates which I use often to simplify work. Although, it usually requires little moderation but saves me considerable time which ultimately improves my performance.

I have found that defining this routine helps me outline the steps needed to ensure happiness amidst the long hours put at work. Our best output comes from something we have so much passion for, that the idea of failing bears no meaning. Being able to meet that purpose on a daily basis creates happiness at work. Defining this routine not only helps me recenter but jumpstarts my day which enables me achieve my goals better throughout the day.

Examine your day, do you have a daily routine?

Be Purposeful, Be Happy.

tolaspeaks

In Career Gems May 19, 2018 By Editor

MORTEIN PARTNERS WITH WITH LAGOS & OGUN STATE TO ORGANIZE THE ANNUAL MALARIA QUIZ COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS

In furtherance of its continuous efforts to stopping the spread of Malaria in Nigeria and in commemoration of 2018 World Malaria Day, leading insecticide brand Mortein, has strengthened its partnership with Lagos and Ogun State Governments through the States’ Ministry of Health and Education, to organize the annual Malaria Quiz Competition for students in public Secondary Schools in both States.

Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi (left); Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Erinosho Eniola (middle) and National Professional Officer, Malaria, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tolu Arowolo with participants at the 2018 Mortein Malaria Quiz Competition in Lagos.

The primary objectives of the competition were to promote and enlighten the students on the malaria scourge in the society, highlight best ways of prevention, treatment, and cure of malaria. The quiz on Malaria Prevention saw over 15 public secondary schools in participation who were pre-selected from secondary schools across the state.

Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi (left); Director of Public Health, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Qundus Yusuff (2nd left), Ogun State Malaria Programme Officer, Mrs Olamide Adeyinka and Senior Brand Manager, RB West Africa, Mrs Kuburat Sanusi, with participants at the 2018 Mortein Malaria Quiz Competition in Ogun State.
Speaking at the events, Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Mrs. Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi, said the partnership with the states demonstrate RB’s commitment to the anti-malaria fight towards a malaria free nation emphasizing the unalloyed support of the RB to the Government on the prevention of the scourge.

According to her, this competition is designed to arouse and re-awaken the interest of students in the knowledge of malaria and how to prevent it. “This competition is not just to identify winners and reward them accordingly, but to ultimately have advocates who would be championing the course of malaria prevention in their respective schools. Our expectation is that the Mortein Malaria Quiz Competition will continue to re-awaken the interest of students and teachers as well as educate the general public on preventive ways towards the eradication of mosquitoes in their immediate environment instead of curing it.

In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olajide Idris, charged students to engage their host communities in combating the malaria scourge.

Dr. Idris, who was represented by the Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Erinosho Eniola, noted that the students have the power of influence on their mothers and siblings which they can maximize in waging war against malaria for healthy society.

In his remarks, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Babatunde Ipaye, represented by the Director of Public Health in the Ministry, Dr. Qundus Yusuff, enjoined the students to put to use the knowledge they have acquired during the competition, tasking them to be committed ambassadors of the anti-malaria campaign.

He further expressed appreciation to Mortein for their initiatives and efforts in the fight against malaria in Ogun State.

In Lagos, five Secondary Schools in the State participated in the quiz competition, and was won by Agidingbi Senior Grammar School Ikeja, while in Ogun, 12 Secondary Schools participated and the 1st place trophy was won by Itoki Secondary School, Ifo.

In tolaspeaks February 14, 2017 By Editor

#TOLASPEAKS : SO WHAT’S WRONG WITH CORPORATE CUPID?

Its February , and love is likely to be in the air – seeing that we spend the most part of our day with colleagues within our organisation, chances are that falling in love in or around the office environment is highly likely and is happening now more frequently than ever.

The best predictor of attraction is propinquity; it’s really no wonder they happen considering we spend over 8 hours a day in the near presence of others, it is no surprise that you get to like and feel attracted to them. You are people with similar levels of education, interests and values being recruited to organisations so the process of assortative mating begins at corporate selection itself.

So why should the office not be a good place to find a partner? Can, or indeed should, anyone try to legislate matters of the heart or hormones?

Workplace relationships happen; full stop. Being open, grown-up and sensible is best.

Quite a few of us meet our partners at work, but you don’t need to be a killjoy to realise that workplace relationships can get us into trouble. Even if things go smoothly, undisclosed relationships can give rise to conflicts of interest, office gossip and there is always the risk of blurring boundaries, which could lead to allegations of poor performance or misconduct.

Here are a few tips to managing workplace relationships.

Keep communications and behaviour in the workplace professional.
Avoid a relationship with someone who reports to you, or to whom you report. If you think there may be a conflict of interest, consider disclosing the relationship
Remember confidentiality. You may be party to work-related information that you must not share, even with your partner
Consider how your workplace dealings with your partner may be construed by other colleagues
Have a plan for how to deal with what happens if the relationship breaks down.

While employees are entitled to a private life, employers should only interfere in personal relationships only when there is a direct impact on the workplace.

Setting Cupid aside for a moment, Good working relationships give us several other benefits: our work is more enjoyable when we have good relationships with those around us. Also, colleagues are more likely to go along with changes that we want to implement, and we’re more innovative and creative. It also gives us freedom, enabling us to focus on opportunities. Maintaining good relationships will not only make you more engaged and committed to your organization; it can also open doors to key projects, career advancement, and raises.

Just remember – not all relationships will be great; but you can make sure that they are, at least, workable!

ABOUT TOLA

Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola is a Regional Marketing Manager for West Africa in an FMCG. A firm believer in empowering others for success in the work place as she is a well sought after facilitator on Marketing and Business management. She also manages Workplace Management columns and Consumer Insight columns in magazines published across West Africa as well as volunteering with NGO’s as a child educator.

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Twitter: alottola

In tolaspeaks January 13, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#TOLASPEAKS : MY NEEDS, MY WANTS…..

And what’s wrong with a little girly lust over a lipstick?

You and I consume; we are consumers. The global economy is set up to enable us to do what we innately want to do—buy, use, discard, and buy some more.

Yes, absolutely buy some more. My latest resolution is trying to live a minimalist life. Seriously, no jokes. But that doesn’t mean I still don’t own stuff. Now, stuff here is very subjective as I’ve realised my decisions to buy were based on several factors and emotions at the time. Although I’ve also come to realise that excessive consumption promises happiness, but never delivers. True life must be found somewhere else and am now in search of that…..Wish me luck!

The greatest challenge I see as consumers is why we keep actively searching the web and our Malls/ Supermarkets in pursuit of something to buy? And honestly, most of the time we aren’t in “need” of anything, like practical work trousers; we are simply trolling for something. Anything. We may be seeking to live a minimalist life, but we are still consumers. After all, to live is to consume.

Consumption is necessary, but excessive consumption is not.

It is time to take a step back and realize that excessive consumption is not delivering on its promise to provide happiness and fulfilment. And life can be better lived (and more enjoyed) by intentionally rejecting it. More importantly the ability to distinguish between a need and a want which is fuelled by desire.

Our Personal credit limits allows us to make purchases beyond our income-level coupled with several marketing advertisements which subtly reshape our desires around material possessions.

To crown it all, keeping up with the consumption culture that surrounds us begins to make excessive consumption appear natural and normal – A desire for more… a desire which is promoted by the world around us which slowly begins to rob us of life consuming our limited resources. Excessive consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, trendier clothes, fancier technology, and overfilled drawers and wardrobes. It promises happiness but as usual never delivers.

Consider these practical benefits of escaping excessive consumerism in your life:

1) Less debt. Staying out of debt should be the goal of every consumer. Debt causes stress in our lives and forces us to work jobs that we don’t enjoy to keep up with our lifestyles. ….Truth is, you can do without it!

2) Owning Less. The never-ending need to care for the things we own is draining our time and energy. We are far better off owning less.

3) Less desire to upscale lifestyle norms. The television and the Internet has brought lifestyle envy into our lives at a level never before experienced in human history. But today’s media age has caused us to envy (and expect) lifestyle norms well beyond our incomes by promoting the lifestyles based on brand proposition which are superior and enviable. Fulfilment is not on sale at our local stores—neither is happiness. It never has been. And never will be. We all know this to be true. We all know that more things won’t make us happier. It’s just that we’ve bought into the subtle message of millions upon millions of advertisements that have told us otherwise.

Hence, my new simple rule: Fewer things, more peace. The less we have, the less overwhelmed we feel. And the less overwhelmed we feel, the happier we are.

The grey area between these two is when the desire to obtain a particular thing is so extremely great, that a person may misinterpret a want, and see it more as a need. In order to know whether what you desire for is a want or a need is to basically ask one fundamental question: “Have you been able to survive without it?” If your answer is ‘yes’, then what you desire for is a want, no matter how much you crave for it right now.

By: Tola Elatuyi

Email : alottola@gmail.com

In tolaspeaks September 13, 2016 By Esther Ijewere

#TOLASPEAKS : BY THE WAY….

With so much enthusiasm, I listened on. The recruiter profiled the job and how I was well suited for the role. How the hiring manager profiled me and how I was a good fit for the company. A couple more minutes and the tone change……By the way.

His ‘by the way’, heralded a deeper tone, a more serious one, very affirmative and concise and suggestive of something serious.

I pressed my phone closer to my ear, it was a ‘but’ situation, but in a different kind of way. He continued on how they company was desirous of more growth, a notch higher on skill set and some fundamentals which they were looking out for. How as usual most candidates feel they meet all the criteria but someone else had a more relevant strength or experience. The conversation was coming to an end. This time more negative than it had started, tones dropped, pitch lowered, It landed roughly, maybe he didn’t know how to say it, maybe it was suggestive, it just wasn’t quite clear.

This situation plays out often within the recruiter and the candidate. If a recruiter has decided to give feedback, it needs to be given quickly so the candidate doesn’t keep hanging on. Or the awkward feeling of simply hoping the candidate gets the message when they don’t hear anything back from the recruiter.

An important part of the recruitment and selection process is the opportunity for applicants to have good quality, constructive feedback following interviews. However, feedback is rarely given, partly because organizations fear legal risk or because they do not know how best to convey it. However, it’s highly important to share feedback after an interview especially when the candidate has gotten to the final selection process.