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Don’t be lazy, learn to persevere, be consistent –Enobong Emah

Enobong Emah is a trade marketing and national key account manager at Kraft Heinz Company Nigeria. She speaks about her passion

What stirred your interest in the commercial space?
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurial people. My mum was always selling one thing or the other. I also have a Master’s degree in Business Administration. A part of business administration that I really liked is one which entails taking a product to a customer and convincing them to purchase it. It was very intriguing for me; so, when I concluded my Master’s programme, I decided to join Procter & Gamble as a key account manager. I managed Port Harcourt and Bayelsa, so all the sales in that region were my responsibility.
You said you are passionate about proffering sustainable solutions to business problems. Can you elaborate on this?
One of the things that really intrigue me about Lebanese and Chinese businesses is that in most cases, they pass through generations. In Nigeria, you barely find something like this. One of the things I realise that we are lacking here is structure. If a business has good structure, then it will outlive the person or people that started it. That is why I am very passionate about proffering sustainable business solutions that will outlive me. For me, the key thing is sustainability. It’s about how I can keep adding value even when I am not present. It is certain that everyone will die at some point and you wouldn’t want what you have worked hard to build to die just because you no longer exist. That is what I am very passionate about. While I was at P&G, before I proffered any solution to any issue, I always asked myself if the solutions would continue to solve problems even when I am not there. If you need to be there for something to work, then it is not the right solution. You need to empower other people to enable them to grow.
You are also a website editor/producer. What does the job entail?
That was during my National Youth Service Corps programme. Just like I have a business side, I also have a creative side. During my one-year NYSC programme, I decided to explore my creative side. I worked with a TV production company, Nigezie, and I was responsible for some programmes. I also helped to design their website back then. However, I don’t know if they still use that same website. Back then, people were really crazy about getting websites for their businesses because it was new. If you had a website at that time, it meant you knew what was in vogue. It was a very interesting experience because we created content that would interest people to stay on the site.
What is your educational qualification?
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. I also have a Master in Business Administration from the Lagos Business School.
How did you transform from engineering to commercial sales?
What I do today is as a result of my MBA. I have never really practised what I studied in the university. It is very common in this country to find people that read something from what they are practising. Once I was done with NYSC, I went for my master and it has been sales all through. If I am to pick one function to specialise in, it would be sales or fine arts. The acumen for sales comes easily to me because I grew up selling things. I also like meeting and talking to people. Transforming from engineering to commercial sales was a natural thing for me.
What is your current position?
I am the trade marketing manager and the national key account manager for the Kraft Heinz Company Nigeria. Basically, any trade marketing plan that is executed in Nigeria for Heinz comes from my desk. I also own a fashion and beauty company.
What are your responsibilities?
I am responsible for ensuring that the number of goods meant for Nigeria is delivered correctly. It is teamwork; so, when push turns to shove, everyone comes in to make sure that the numbers are delivered. I also design the trade plan.
What part of your career do you enjoy the most?
I love the strategy aspect of what I do; the part where I have to really think on the right plan that would work. Some people draw up plans that fail massively; so, before drawing up a plan, you have to ask yourself if your plan will be successful or not. I also enjoy interacting with consumers and dealers because that’s where all the actions take place.
Who are your role models and how have they influenced your career?
My first role model is my mom because she is amazing. I also love Oprah Winfrey. I admire her resilience and perseverance. I can only imagine how many times people told her no, but she kept trying. Once you believe in something and you are passionate about it, then, pursue it. What differentiates the rich, the poor and the middle class is the ability to do whatever it takes to succeed. If you read about some people, you will marvel at what they overcame to succeed. One thing that is consistent about these people is that they all came from nothing but they saw opportunities and capitalised on it.
What other accomplishments would you like to share?
That would be about my company, because I am running it along with my main job, without any one suffering. For me, it is something I am really proud of. It is very rare to see that, especially because my job is demanding. I have built structures that will make both coexist without affecting the other. I also have lots of things that I have accomplished, that have been successful.
What’s your advice for young people who want to achieve success in their career paths?
As a young person, you should persevere and be consistent. Be good at what you do even if it looks like nobody is taking notice. If you are lazy, nobody will entrust you with anything and you won’t go far. Though it is not always about working for somebody, because if you are the owner of a business, you need to collaborate and be consistent. Don’t jump on everything because it is trending; let people know you for something. Your years of consistency will surely pay off one day.

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