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Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 14 (June 3 – Sept 2, 2024)

By
Ndubuisi Ekekwe
-
2

Welcome! Unleash your leadership potential, master business excellence, and embrace transformation with Tekedia Mini-MBA. Join us and experience a cutting-edge business management & leadership program: online, self-paced, and world-class. At Tekedia Institute, we co-learn with thousands of professionals and students, from many countries, on the mechanics of business, connecting innovation, growth and operational execution, across market territories and industrial sectors.

Our Faculty members come from Microsoft, Google, Shell, Flutterwave, Nigerian Breweries, NNPC, Jobberman, Coca Cola, PwC, BUA Cement, and other great organizations. Besides pre-recorded courseware, thrice weekly, we hold live Zoom sessions (Tue, Thur and Sat at 7pm WAT). REGISTER and join us! – Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe, Tekedia Institute Lead Faculty.

Invent, innovate and drive organizational transformation, performance, and growth. Capture emerging opportunities in changing markets while optimizing innovation and profitability. Digitally evolve your business or functional area, turning digital disruption into a competitive capability and advantage. Master the concepts of building category-king companies, and thrive.

Registration for another edition of Tekedia Mini-MBA opens. Tekedia Mini-MBA, from Tekedia Institute, is an innovation management 12-week program, optimized for business execution and growth, with digital operational overlay. It runs 100% online. The theme is Innovation, Growth & Digital Execution – Techniques for Building Category-King Companies. All contents are self-paced, recorded and archived which means participants do not have to be at any scheduled time to consume contents. Our programs are designed for ALL sectors, from fintech to construction, healthcare to manufacturing, agriculture to real estate, etc.

More so, the sector- and firm-agnostic management program comprises videos, flash cases, challenge assignments, labs, written materials, webinars, etc and is delivered by a global faculty coordinated by Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe. When we finish, we will issue a certificate from the Tekedia Institute, Boston USA.

Register and join us. You will emerge transformed with tools and capabilities that engineer confidence, performance and growth.  Accelerate your leadership ascent with us! Here are our programs and costs.

Program Cost 

Note: After the early bird deadline, the price of MINI becomes $230 or N120,000; others are not affected.

How To Register

Curriculum for Tekedia Mini-MBA

Unlock Your Potential: Enroll in Tekedia Institute

More Early Registration Benefits 

Capstone Program

Here are the 12 tracks:

The program is completely capstone-based. Tekedia capstone is a research paper or a case study exploring a topic, market, sector or a company. It is the project component of Tekedia Min-MBA.

ALL Tekedia Programs and Costs Here

Selected Tekedia Mini-MBA Corporate Clients

Tekedia Mini-MBA Syllabus

Theme: Innovation, Growth & Digital Execution – Techniques for Building Category-King Companies

Introduction

Over the last few decades, digital technology has emerged as a very critical element in organizational competitiveness. It has transformed industrial sectors and anchored new business architectures, redesigning markets and facilitating efficiency in the allocation and utilization of factors of production. The impacts have been consequential: continents like Africa are moving towards knowledge-based economic structures and information societies, comprising networks of individuals, firms and states that are linked electronically and in interdependent relationships. In this program, we will examine this redesign within the context of fixing market frictions and deploying growth business frameworks in a world of perception demand where meeting needs and expectations of customers are not enough.

Program Time: June 3 – Sept 2, 2024

Venue & Format: Online via videos, articles, webinars, and flash cases. Program is self-paced which means you consume the materials at your own time and pace. It is completely online. Where you live or your time zone would not be an issue as program is not live-delivered.

Cost: US$170 (N90,000 naira). We have a payment plan, i.e. installment payment plan (email us for details)

Target Audience: This program is designed for professionals and students across functional areas like sales, marketing, technology, administration, legal, strategy, finance, etc across all business sectors and domains. The program is designed for:

  • Ambitious mid-level managers seeking to advance their careers by acquiring essential business knowledge and skills.
  • Busy professionals who value continued education but require a flexible alternative to a traditional MBA program.
  • Experienced professionals aiming to broaden their business acumen, enhance leadership capabilities, and explore new career opportunities.
  • Professionals in transition, committed to staying informed about business trends and developing skills for continuous professional growth.
  • Mid-level managers and executives across industries, driven to accelerate career growth and take on increased responsibilities.
  • Technology and innovation-focused professionals looking to strengthen business acumen and strategic thinking.
  • Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking a solid foundation in business management and growth strategies.
  • Consultants and advisors aiming to expand their knowledge base and provide comprehensive solutions to clients.
  • Professionals transitioning into new roles or industries, recognizing the value of upskilling for success.
  • Students and recent graduates seeking a competitive edge in the job market by combining academic qualifications with practical business skills.

Tekedia Mini-MBA program offers a flexible and comprehensive learning experience tailored to the needs of ambitious professionals, providing the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge that has value and can be used in everyday business activities.

Learning Objectives: To innovate is to set a new basis of competition in an economy, business sector or market. Sometimes, it results in disruption. This program is designed for private (large, SMEs, startups, sole businesses), public and government institutions, and individuals. Participants will:

  • Master the mechanics of growth – the reward of innovation – through frameworks, cases and evolving strategies.
  • Understand how to undergo transformation journey that is fully aligned with corporate objectives through measurable and realizable benchmarks.
  • Acquire business capability tools that do not just RUN their firms but can TRANSFORM them.
  • Design corporate growth experiments in Lab sessions based on One Oasis Strategy, Aggregation Construct, Double Play Strategy, Accumulation of Capability Construct, and more.
  • ETC

Why Tekedia Institute

Interactive Online Learning: Engage with industry experts and fellow professionals through our state-of-the-art online learning platform, where you can access course materials, participate in discussions, and collaborate on real-world case studies.

Comprehensive Curriculum: Gain a deep understanding of key functional areas such as strategy, marketing, finance, operations, and more, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to excel in any business environment.

Practical Case Studies: Apply your learning to real-world scenarios through hands-on case studies and projects, allowing you to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Flexibility and Convenience: Access the program online from anywhere at your own pace, fitting your studies into your busy schedule without compromising your professional and personal commitments.

Expert Faculty: Learn from renowned industry practitioners and thought leaders who bring their expertise and real-world insights to the program, ensuring you receive the most relevant and up-to-date knowledge.

Benefits of Tekedia Mini-MBA

Enhance Your Leadership Potential: Unlock your leadership capabilities and develop the skills to lead teams, drive innovation, and navigate complex business challenges with confidence.

Master Business Excellence: Gain a holistic understanding of business functions, strategies, and best practices, enabling you to make informed decisions and contribute to organizational success.

Embrace Digital Transformation: Stay ahead of the curve by embracing digital technologies and leveraging them to transform your business and stay competitive in the digital age.

Accelerate Your Career: With the Tekedia Mini-MBA on your CV, you’ll stand out to employers, demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning and your readiness to take on new responsibilities.

Network and Collaboration: Connect with a diverse community of professionals, expand your network, and foster collaboration opportunities that can lead to future partnerships and career advancements.

Cost-Effective Investment: Enjoy the benefits of a comprehensive business education at a fraction of the cost of traditional MBA programs, maximizing the return on your investment.

Tekedia Institute offers the best business education in Nigeria and Africa you can get for value/

Tekedia Live Sessions

We run optional three Live Zoom sessions (two weekdays and one Saturday). This provides a way for our members to ask our Faculty and experts live questions and get feedback.

Tekedia Mini-MBA certificate sample

Tekedia Institute offers certificates at the end of all programs.

Our Contact Email: info@tekedia.com

Refund policy is full refund within 6 days from start of a program; after that, none, but we can defer as requested.

Lead Faculty of Tekedia Institute

Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe is the Lead Faculty of Tekedia Institute

  • PhD, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, USA
  • MBA, University of Calabar, Nigeria
  • BEng Electrical & Electronics Engineering ( Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria)

Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe invented and patented a robotic system which the United States Government acquired assignee rights. Dr Ekekwe holds two doctoral and four master’s degrees including a PhD in engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, USA. He earned undergraduate degree from FUT Owerri where he graduated as his class best student. While in Analog Devices Corp, he co-designed an accelerometer for the iPhone. A recipient of IGI Global “Book of the Year” award, a TED Fellow, IBM Global Entrepreneur and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Prof. Ekekwe has held professorships in Carnegie Mellon University and Babcock University, and served in the United States National Science Foundation Committee.

The South African press called him “a doctor of innovation” for helping organizations on the mechanics of business innovation, strategy, and growth. Since 2009, the Chairman of Fasmicro Group which controls many startups and entities has been writing in the Harvard Business Review. He was recognized by The Guardian as one of 60 Nigerians Making “Nigerian Lives Matter” on Nigeria’s 60th Independence Day (Oct 1, 2020).

Enroll in Tekedia Mini-MBA today

Selected Faculty & Testimonials

We have more than 250 Faculty members; see the full list here.  For selected testimonials on our program, click here.

OpenAI CEO Declares ChatGPT “Much Less Lazy” After Fixing User Complaints

By
Samuel Nwite
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0

In a recent announcement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed user complaints about ChatGPT’s perceived laziness, assuring the community that the issue has been resolved with a software update. Altman stated that GPT-4, the latest iteration of the chatbot, is expected to be “much less lazy now.”

Altman shared his sentiments in a post on platform X, acknowledging the initial hiccups GPT-4 faced in adhering to its New Year’s resolutions. The CEO’s comments come after numerous users reported instances where ChatGPT refused to complete tasks and even exhibited a sassy attitude.

Late last year, one frustrated startup founder requested ChatGPT to generate a list of all the weeks between November 2023 and May 2024, only to receive a response claiming the chatbot couldn’t provide an “exhaustive list.”

This sparked a wave of similar complaints from users who experienced challenges in obtaining desired outputs.

“It’s good that we’re seeing more people voicing their concerns, there’s two topics being simultaneously discussed here and perhaps we should discuss them separately,” a user complained in December last year.

He said that ChatGPT’s performance in handling files is dwindling (or is gradually ramping up) and that the chatbot’s general performance is slowing down, probably intelligently, to save on resources, processing, and costs.

“Although I’m beginning to understand point 1 better from the responses on this thread, I still feel that point 2 is more prevalent, I see more and more of it daily, even though I clearly instruct ChatGPT to “provide full and complete code with comments” I end up getting with missing code, shortcuts, deflection of responsibility for me to carry out its instructions, or runtime errors or network errors, etc.

“I read a joke that it probably got promoted to a senior developer level and now talks at a high level just like a senior dev does, which although sounds like a joke might be true, who knows?

“I wish to see this fixed. Or else why would OpenAI charge monthly fees if its performance isn’t satisfactory,” he concluded.

Some users, however, found creative ways to incentivize ChatGPT to provide more comprehensive responses. One user reported that the AI model would offer longer answers if promised a $200 tip.

OpenAI took note of these issues and swiftly responded with a software update in January, aiming to address the reported “laziness” in the advanced GPT-4 “turbo” model.

The root cause of ChatGPT’s reluctance to perform tasks remains unclear. AI models, by their nature, can exhibit unpredictable behaviors that may be challenging for their creators to fully comprehend. OpenAI emphasized that different training runs can lead to models with diverse personalities and quirks, even when trained on the same data.

Speculations arose regarding the cause of ChatGPT’s lackadaisical behavior, with one developer suggesting the possibility of the chatbot taking a winter break. Rob Lynch shared on X that his test on GPT-4 turbo indicated statistically shorter answers when the model “thought” it was December rather than May.

As OpenAI continues to fine-tune and enhance its AI models, Altman assured users that the recent fix should significantly improve ChatGPT’s responsiveness and willingness to complete tasks.

The company said it remains committed to addressing user concerns promptly and maintaining a positive user experience as it navigates the evolving artificial intelligence industry.

LemFi Subsidiary RightCard Obtains Approval From Bank of Ghana to Resume Operation of Its Remittance Services

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
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0

RightCard Payment Services Limited, a payment subsidiary of Nigerian fintech startup LemFi, has obtained approval from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to resume the operation of its remittance services in Ghana.

RightCard resumption of its remittance services in Ghana is coming following a temporary suspension in November 2023.

The Fintech subsidiary was suspended by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), along with several international money transfer companies, which include Wise, Zeepay, LemFi, and others.  The bank disclosed that the suspension was a result of its efforts to enforce the Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987), which regulates payment services in Ghana.

The central bank further asserted that LemFi and the mentioned companies were operating without the necessary license or authorization to function as electronic money issuers or payment service providers in Ghana.

Additionally, the BoG alleged that these companies violated the Foreign Exchange Act, of 2006 (Act 723), which prohibits the use of foreign currency as a medium of exchange within Ghana.

Following the recent approval of RightCard to offer remittance services, the Payment Services can now deliver its services in Ghana through payment companies, such as BigPay and ExpressPay, as approved by the Bank of Ghana.

Speaking on this development, LemFi’s Country Manager in Ghana, Precious Ama Kwartemaa Oduro, said,

“We are grateful to stakeholders at the Bank of Ghana as well as our partners for their role in ensuring service restoration. We resume our operations with a better understanding, and we are now better positioned to address the evolving needs of the Ghanaian market.”

LemFi’s return to Ghana is marked by a renewed focus on improved customer satisfaction, strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders, and a commitment to fostering financial inclusion.

Founded in 2020, LemFi offers remittance services to Africans in the diaspora. Users can hold, send, and receive money in at least two currencies that of their host country and home country.

In 2021, Lemfi acquired UK-based Rightcard Payment Services, which enabled the fintech company to obtain an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide customers with more services, such as higher transaction limits, e-money accounts, and more

The startup also acquired an International Money Transfer Licence (IMTO) in Nigeria, allowing it to process remittances to Nigerian bank accounts without an intermediary.

RightCard delivers innovative services and products in various markets, through the LemFi app. The startup has been very deliberate and strategic in acquiring licenses and building a robust network of financial institution partners to facilitate cross-border payments for immigrants.

It aims to empower the next generation of immigrants by offering a multi-currency platform that facilitates seamless transactions, including sending, receiving, holding, converting, and saving in both the user’s country of origin and their country of residence. 

A Look At How Stock Performance Correlates with Economic Growth

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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0

One of the common misconceptions about investing is that markets always reflect the current state of the economy or society. According to this view, when things are going well, stocks should rise, and when things are going poorly, stocks should fall.

However, this is not how markets work in reality. Markets are forward-looking, meaning they anticipate future events and expectations, not just react to present ones. Therefore, sometimes stocks can go up when things are bad, and vice versa.

This phenomenon can be explained by the concept of market efficiency, which states that all available information is already incorporated into the prices of securities. This means that markets are constantly adjusting to new information and expectations, and that prices reflect the consensus opinion of all market participants.

When things are bad, markets may already have priced in the worst-case scenario, and any positive news or signs of improvement can cause a rally. Conversely, when things are good, markets may already have priced in the best-case scenario, and any negative news or signs of deterioration can cause a sell-off.

The cynical view of markets is that stocks go up when things are bad because investors are greedy and irrational, and they ignore the reality of the situation. However, this view is too simplistic and ignores the complexity and diversity of market forces.

Markets are not monolithic entities that act in unison, but rather collections of individuals and institutions with different goals, preferences, strategies, and expectations. Some investors may be optimistic and buy stocks when things are bad, hoping for a recovery. Others may be pessimistic and sell stocks when things are good, fearing a downturn.

Some may be contrarian and do the opposite of what the majority does. Some may be passive and follow the market trends. Some may be active and try to beat the market. Some may focus on fundamentals and long-term value. Others may focus on technicals and short-term momentum. Some may invest in specific sectors or industries. Others may diversify across different asset classes.

The point is that there is no single or simple explanation for why stocks go up or down in any given situation. Markets are dynamic and complex systems that reflect the collective actions and reactions of millions of participants with different information, expectations, and behaviors.

The cynical view of markets is not only inaccurate but also unhelpful for investors who want to make informed and rational decisions. Instead of relying on stereotypes or biases, investors should try to understand the underlying factors and drivers that influence market movements, such as economic data, corporate earnings, interest rates, inflation, geopolitics, consumer sentiment, etc.

By doing so, investors can better assess the risks and opportunities in different scenarios and adjust their portfolios accordingly.

The job market is accelerating just as it was meant to be sputtering

Meanwhile, many economists and analysts predicted that the job market would slow down in the first quarter of 2024, as the effects of the pandemic, the trade war, and the environmental crisis would take their toll on the global economy.

However, the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the opposite is happening: the job market is accelerating, adding 321,000 jobs in January, beating expectations and marking the highest monthly gain since November 2023.

What is driving this unexpected surge in employment? There are several factors that may explain this phenomenon. First, the vaccination campaign has been successful in reducing the spread of the virus and boosting consumer confidence.

According to a survey by the Conference Board, consumer confidence rose to 113.8 in January, the highest level since March 2020. This means that more people are willing to spend money on goods and services, creating more demand and more jobs.

Second, the government stimulus package that was passed in December 2023 has also had a positive impact on the job market. The package included $600 billion in direct payments to households, $300 billion in extended unemployment benefits, $350 billion in aid to state and local governments, and $200 billion in funding for infrastructure, education, and health care. These measures have injected money into the economy and supported millions of workers who were at risk of losing their income or their jobs.

Third, the trade war between the US and China has eased somewhat after both sides agreed to resume negotiations and suspend some of the tariffs that were imposed in 2022. This has reduced the uncertainty and the costs for businesses that rely on international trade, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. As a result, some of these businesses have increased their hiring and investment plans.

Finally, the environmental crisis has also created some opportunities for job creation, especially in the green economy. The Biden administration has made climate change a priority and has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

To achieve this goal, the government has launched several initiatives to promote renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, and carbon capture. These initiatives have stimulated innovation and entrepreneurship in these fields and have generated new jobs for workers with different skills and backgrounds.

All these factors combined have created a favorable environment for the job market, which is showing signs of resilience and dynamism. However, there are still some challenges and risks that could derail this positive trend. For example, the pandemic is not over yet, and new variants of the virus could emerge and cause new outbreaks.

The trade war could also escalate again if the negotiations between the US and China fail or if other countries join the dispute. The environmental crisis could also worsen if natural disasters such as floods, droughts, or wildfires become more frequent and severe.

Therefore, it is important to remain cautious and vigilant about the future of the job market and not take anything for granted. The job market is accelerating just as it was meant to be sputtering, but it could also sputter just as it was meant to be accelerating.

Germany’s justice minister stands by rejection of EU supply chain law

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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0

Germany’s justice minister, Christine Lambrecht, has defended her decision to reject a proposed EU law that would require companies to ensure that their supply chains are free of human rights violations and environmental harm. Lambrecht said that the law would impose excessive burdens on businesses and undermine national sovereignty.

The EU supply chain law is a proposed legislation that aims to make companies more responsible for the social and environmental impacts of their business activities. The law would require companies to conduct due diligence along their supply chains, which means to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for the potential or actual harms that their operations may cause to human rights, the environment and good governance. The law would also enable victims of corporate abuses to seek justice and compensation in European courts.

The EU Commission presented the draft law in April 2021, aiming to create a legal framework for corporate due diligence and accountability across the bloc. The law would oblige companies to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for the adverse impacts of their operations on human rights, the environment and good governance. Companies that fail to comply could face fines, lawsuits and reputational damage.

However, Lambrecht argued that the law would go too far and interfere with the autonomy of member states. She said that Germany already has its own national law on supply chain due diligence, which was passed in June 2021 and will come into force in 2023. She claimed that the German law is more balanced and proportionate than the EU proposal, as it only applies to large companies with more than 3,000 employees and does not include extraterritorial liability.

Lambrecht also expressed concern that the EU law would create legal uncertainty and complexity for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She said that the law would impose a “one-size-fits-all” approach that does not take into account the different circumstances and risks of different sectors and regions.

She added that the law would create a competitive disadvantage for European companies in the global market, as they would have to comply with stricter standards than their competitors.

Lambrecht’s position has been criticized by human rights groups, trade unions, civil society organizations and some members of the European Parliament. They argue that the EU law is necessary to ensure a level playing field for businesses and to protect the rights and interests of workers, consumers and communities affected by corporate activities.

They also point out that the German law has several loopholes and weaknesses, such as excluding SMEs, allowing self-regulation by industry associations, and lacking effective enforcement mechanisms.

The EU law is currently under negotiation between the Commission, the Council and the Parliament. The Council, which represents the governments of the member states, has not yet adopted a common position on the proposal.

The Parliament, which represents the citizens of the EU, has expressed its support for a strong and ambitious law. The final outcome of the negotiations will depend on the political will and compromise of all parties involved.

The EU supply chain law is seen as a landmark initiative that could set a precedent for other regions and countries to follow. The law is expected to have positive effects on the protection and promotion of human rights, the environment and good governance around the world. The law is also expected to benefit businesses by creating a level playing field, enhancing trust and reputation, reducing legal risks and fostering innovation.

However, the EU supply chain law is not yet final. The law is still under negotiation between the Commission, the Council and the Parliament, which are the three main institutions of the EU. The Council represents the governments of the member states, and some of them have expressed reservations or opposition to the law.

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