When the Supreme Court ruled that Uber drivers in London should be classified as workers in February, many knew it has set a trajectory that will hunt the gig economy.
On Thursday, the Spanish government announced legislation that classifies food delivery riders as employees of the digital platforms they work for, AP reported.
The legislation is as a result of Spain’s Supreme Court ruling last September that classified delivery drivers as employees not independent contractors, following a case brought by a former Glovo driver.
The new law also requires the companies, such as Glovo and Deliveroo, operating the delivery platforms, to hand over to their workers’ legal representatives information about how their algorithms and artificial intelligence system function in assigning jobs and assessing performance, among other aspects, the report said.
The Spanish government, together with the country’s main business groups and trade union confederations agreed on the new law.
But it has ignited a fresh controversy, not only between the authorities and the digital platforms, but also some delivery men who want to remain self-employed because they like the flexibility it accords them.
The Minister for Labor, Yolanda Diaz described the law as pioneering and part of modernization of the labor market in Spain, updating regulations in accordance with technological developments to ensure workers’ rights are upheld.
She said the rule on disclosing how the digital system works is “epic” as it “neutralizes algorithmic punishments.”
There have been allegations by drivers that operators of ride-hailing apps, including Uber have been manipulating the system algorithmically to cheat on the gig workers.
Diaz and other concerned voices hope disclosing how the digital system works will help to protect drivers from algorithmic malpractice by the platforms.
But a statement issued by the Association of Service Platform said the new law is an attack on Spanish digital economy.
The statement said “the rule on disclosing algorithms is a measure which undoubtedly will have a very negative effect on the development of the digital economy in Spain”.
It added that “the rule is an assault on the most basic principles of the freedom to do business and intellectual property rights.”
Deliveroo has urged the authorities in Spain to reconsider the law as it would affect the food sector. Statement issued by the London-based food deliverer said “the measure will lead to less work for riders, will hurt the restaurant sector and will restrict the areas where platforms can operate.”
The law appears complicated as it means forcing drivers who want to remain under the gig economy model to become employees, taking their rights to control their time away.
California failed where London and now Spain succeeded in classifying gig workers as employees who deserve labor rights and benefits. With this development, the gig economy in Europe has come under threat as more countries in the EU bloc will likely follow the trajectory.
Uber, which runs UberEats has been in fight with the authorities both in the US and Europe to keep its drivers independent. The proposition 22 ballots, which allowed people to decide if they want Uber to continue with the gig model through vote, helped Uber and others win the challenge against the state of California in November, but the gig economy doesn’t have such a lifeline outside the United States.
In an apparent effort to take the attention of the authorities off its business model, Jamie Heywood, Uber’s regional general manager for northern and eastern Europe said the company “have made some significant changes to our business, guided by drivers every step of the way. These include giving even more control over how they earn and providing new protections like free insurance in case of sickness or injury.”
The new Spanish law indicates that authorities in Europe are not impressed by such efforts by Uber and other digital platforms to uplift the livelihood of their drivers.
Tomorrow is the day – Marketing in the FMCGs sector. They have called him the oracle of consumer marketing for his ability to create brands quickly. Emmanuel Agu, the Group Marketing Director of Jotna (the LaCasera Company) will lead Tekedia Live tomorrow as follows: Sat, March 13 | 7pm – 8.30pm WAT | Consumer Marketing in FMCG. The Zoom link in the Board.
More so, I am confirming that Transdisciplinary Agora for Future Discussions Inc. ( TAFFD’s )’s Georgia USA will be leading our session on April 6 to discuss exponential technologies and entrepreneurship. Four of their Fellows will be live and the session will run for two hours.
I just received a note that Nigeria has raised the price of petrol to N212 per litre. This is breaking hard news. Expect the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other stakeholders to protest over this increment. Yet, no matter how we see it, if we believe in the spirit of full liberalization, with no subsidy, this is the framework playing live. Yes, as the price of crude oil rises, petrol prices in Nigeria will rise. We hope it drops when the crude price drops. Crude oil price is rising which ideally should be a good thing in Nigeria – but with no working refinery, it is not looking great now!
This is a heavy one for President Buhari who began his tenure when the price of petrol was N87 per litre and now has to deal with itrising to N212. Of course, he “removed” the subsidy.
Tomorrow may be hotter in Nigeria as effective value of wages for most citizens crash! You may wonder – what next! Time for a state of emergency on Nigeria’s economy?
The fuel pricing regulator PPPRA said in its template released on Thursday night that a litre of fuel would now be sold for prices ranging from N209 to N212 per litre for March. This was against N186 the crucial commodity retailed for in February.
The PPPRA said the landing cost of petrol in March would be N189.61 per litre as against N163.74 in February.
The PPPRA has been setting guidelines for petrol sales since the Buhari administration announced partial deregulation of the oil sector, but the government maintains control of policies that determine ultimate retail costs.
The new hikes come barely a day after President Muhammadu Buhari promised to return fuel price to below N100 for Nigerians.
Update: The government has deleted the post. “In the wake of the outrage that greeted the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, on Friday, deleted an earlier published template announcing that the new price of petrol has reached N212.6 per litre. The deletion came hours after the agency published the template on its website, http://pppra.gov.ng/pms-guiding-price-for-march-2021/, and after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation insisted that there was no increment in the ex-depot price of petrol.”
The state minister of petroleum resources, Timipre Sylva, also released a statement: ”Irrespective of the source of that information, I want to assure you that it is completely untrue. Neither Mr President who is the Minister of Petroleum Resources nor myself who deputise for him as minister of state has approved that the petrol price should be increased by one naira. I therefore urge you to disregard this misleading information.”
Welcome to Tekedia Institute. We run an amazing business school which has attracted professionals and students from 36 countries. Our Faculty members come from Microsoft, Shell, Flutterwave, Nigerian Breweries, Jobberman, Coca Cola, and other great organizations. Thrice weekly, I personally coordinate live Zoom sessions on the mechanics of business systems. We bring our Faculty and Guests on those sessions, covering industries and business domains. REGISTER today and join us! – Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe, the 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 the 5th edition of Tekedia Mini-MBA (June 7 – Sept 1, 2021) 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 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 and have access to speak with me on your career and professional development! Here are our programs and costs.
Code
Description
Cost
MINI
Tekedia Mini-MBA. And WhatsApp School
US$170 or N120,000 naira
MINF
Annual Package: 3 consecutive MINI, and 2 optional capstones.
$340 or N180,000
MINR
(optional) Homework review; faculty will review your homework with feedback.
$30 or N10,000
CAPS
(optional) Tekedia capstone is a research paper, analogous to final college project.
Supply Chain Management, Global Partnership & Contracting – Adebayo Adeleke, ex-Chief of Contracting and Deputy Chief, Business Operations Division, US Army
Intellectual Property: Strategy, Management & Commercialization – Ifeanyi Okonkwo, University of Cape Town & Jackson, Etti & Edu
Business Relationship Management & Negotiation Skills - Charles Okeibunor, CEO IRMP
Due Diligence and Business Intelligence – Chike Obimma, Partner at NICCOM LLP (Commercial Law Firm)
Week 10: Leadership, Human Capital & Project Management
Leadership, Knowledge Management – Prof. Ayodeji Oyebola, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Human Resources Management - Adora Ikwuemesi, Director Kendor Consulting
Leading and Managing Teams, Stakeholder Management with NICER Model – Dr. Chisom Ezeocha, Project Delivery Manager, Shell
Career Planning – Precious Ajoonu, Manager, Jobberman
Tax Treaties and Their Benefits - Emmanuel Eze, Manager, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)
Regional Case: Tax Law and Compliance in Lagos State - Abimbola Abdur-Rahman Lekki, Lagos Internal Revenue Service
Effective Product & Service Pricing, Accelerated Revenue, Profit Maximization - Saima Khan, Partner, Strategic Pricing Management Group, Toronto, Canada
Establishing Business Consulting & Advisory Services - Mustafa Yusuf-Adebola, Founder, Provisio Professional
Driving Profitable Growth, Marginal Cost, Scaling – Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Stimulating New Markets Through Innovation and Perception Demand – Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Week 14: Startups, New Businesses, Products, Markets, Customers
The Mechanics of Minimum Viable Product and Product Development - Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe
The NEP Framework – Discovering and Listening to Customers - - Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Customer Validation and Building for What Customers Really Want. - - Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Knowing and Defining Your Market - Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Navigating Business Growth Phases - Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe
ChatGPT, DALL-E 2 and Emerging AI Innovations: Business Opportunities in Africa - Zion Pibowei, Head of Data Science, Periculum Canada
How to Scale a Business/Startup - Jane Egerton-Idehen, Head of Sales Middle East & Africa at Meta (Facebook parent company)
Final Week: Execution and Closure
The Call to Business Execution, Closure – Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Graduation Day – Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Tekedia Live: Optional Zoom session which holds thrice per week (Tue, Thur, Sat at 7pm WAT). It is archived for those unable to make the session live. Our faculty members and invited guests rotate to anchor the sessions. Live provides a platform for members to ask questions and get live responses.
Access to any Facyber Certificate program for free. Facyber offers online cybersecurity programs on policy, technology, management, and forensics.
A recent Tekedia Live on “Satellite Broadband, SpaceX Starlink and Opportunities Ahead in Nigeria & Africa”. During an edition, we do Tekedia Live thrice weekly.
Certificate Program
Here are the 12 tracks:
CLSM: Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
CBIS: Certificate in Business Innovation, Growth & Sustainability
CMAB: Certificate in Media, Advertising & Branding
CSBM: Certificate in Startup and Small Business Management
CIBA: Certificate in Business Administration
CPFM: Certificate in Personal Finance & Wealth Management
CMSM: Certificate in Marketing and Sales Management
CDBG: Certificate in Digital Business Growth
CIAM: Certificate in Agribusiness Management
CHRM: Certificate in Human Resources Management
CETS: Certificate in Exponential Technologies and Singularity
CBPM: Certificate in Business Transformation & Project Management
The Certificate program is completely capstone-based. Tekedia capstone is a research paper or a case study exploring a topic, market, sector or a company. Tekedia Institute supervises the work.
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: nations like Nigeria 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 7 – Sept 1, 2021
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. You will have something to complete within 7 days. You decide when you do that within the window. Where you live or your time zone would not be an issue as program is not live-delivered.
Cost: US$140 (N50,000 naira). We have a payment plan, i.e. installment payment plan (email us for details)
Target Audience: This program is designed for professionals across functional areas like sales, marketing, technology, administration, legal, strategy, finance, etc across all business sectors and domains.
Learning Objectives: To innovate is to set a new basis of competition in an economy, business sector or market. Most times, it results to disruption. This program is designed for private (large, SMEs, startups) and public institutions. 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
Tekedia Advanced Diploma Programs – Immediate Access Upon Payment
Each track of Tekedia Advanced Diploma programs runs for 8 weeks (2 months). A track has no Live Zoom session, and it is completely self-paced and online. Upon payment, you have immediate access to start learning. The program includes class notes, flash cases and videos, but no webinar. Each track costs $100 or N36,000 naira per participant. The tracks and curriculum are presented below.
DLSM
Advanced Diploma in Logistics & Supply Chain Management
DBIS
Advanced Diploma in Business Innovation, Growth & Sustainability
DBPM
Advanced Diploma in Project Management
DIRM
Advanced Diploma in Risk Management
DIBA
Advanced Diploma in Business Administration
DIDT
Advanced Diploma in Innovation & Design Thinking
DIAT
Advanced Diploma in Accounting, Auditing, Forensics & Taxation
Part A – General for All Tracks
In the first 4 weeks, all the tracks take the same courses.
Week
Part A – Common to All Tracks
1
Innovation & Growth:
Growth and Innovation of Firms
Digital Transformation, Innovation & Strategy
2
Business Systems & Processes:
Grand Playbook of Business & Entrepreneurial Pursuit
Process Improvement and Operations Management
3
Business Model & Transformation:
Modern Business Models and Growth Execution
Effective Organizational Change Management
4
Design and Innovation Lessons:
Innovation Lessons (5in5, Global, Africa)
Product Design and Packaging
The electives for the tracks are presented on this slider-table.
Part B.1 - Elective for Business Administration
Week
Part B – Business Administration
5
Quality & Project Management:
Quality and Asset Management
Effective Project Management
6
Finance & Fundraising:
Capital Markets, Investing and Fundraising
Accounting, Building Sustainable Enterprises
Financial Modelling
7
Delivery and Execution:
Marketing and Sales Management
Supply Chain & Logistics Management
8
Understanding Technologies and Sectors:
Technologies: Cybersecurity, Blockchain, AI & Cloud, Data Management, 5G
- Execution – Business Objectives and Technologies
7
Modelling
- Accounting, Building Sustainable Enterprises
- Financial modelling
- Internal Auditing Strategy for SMEs
8
Sustainability
· Sustainability Strategy and Social Innovation
- Sustainability Innovation for Business Growth
Part B.5 - Elective for Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Week
Part B – Logistics & Supply Chain Management
5
Supply Chain
- Outlook on Supply Chain Management
- Supply Chain Systems & Management
6
Partnership and Contracting
- Global Partnership & Contracting
- Law, Contracting & Negotiation
7
Models and Planning
- Planning Supply Chain
- Accounting, Building Sustainable Enterprises
- Financial Modeling
8
Business Cases
· Zido Logistics & Freight
- Foodlocker (Ecommerce Logistics)
Part B.6 - Elective for Innovation & Design Thinking
Week
Part B – Innovation & Design Thinking
5
Design Thinking
- Introduction to Design Thinking
- Digital + Design + Thinking
6
Innovation & Design Thinking
- Design Thinking Lab, Action Planning
- Human Productivity Innovation
7
Sustainability and Execution
- Sustainability Strategy and Social Innovation
- Execution – Business Objectives and Technologies
8
Quality & Project Management:
- Quality and Asset Management
- Effective Project Management
Part B.7 - Elective for Accounting, Auditing, Forensics & Taxation
Week
Part B – Accounting, Auditing, Forensics & Taxation
5
Accounting
- Accounting, Building Sustainable Enterprises
- Managerial Accounting, Business Decision Making and Growth
6
Auditing
- Auditing, Forensics, Policies and Controls
- Internal Auditing Strategy for SMEs
7
Taxation and Tax Law
- Tax Management for SMEs
- Tax Treaties and Their Benefits
8
Digital and Case
- Information Security and Digital Forensics
- Case Study: Tax Law & Compliance in Lagos State, Nigeria
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 Diploma program certificate sample
Tekedia Certificate program certificate sample
Amazon AWS Credit to Innovators
Tekedia Mini-MBA is a quasi startup accelerator, extending the school core innovate & grow mindset to support innovators. That means, innovators and companies can have access to resources which our Fund provides. If you are in our program, and need support, we will help. We have credits to support founders and companies in Tekedia Mini-MBA who are bootstrapping or have raised small money. Then, as you grow, we will offer you more credits.
Special Weeks
Tekedia runs two special annual programs – Tekedia Career Week (not designed for finding jobs but rather planning careers) and Tekedia Innovation Week for our members. Admission is that member must have attended a Tekedia Mini-MBA program in that year. The dates are announced in our program curriculum. For the last edition, click here.
Our Career Week is not designed for finding jobs. Rather, it is structured to TRANSFORM workers, founders & professionals into business leaders and champions of innovation in their companies. The sub-theme is Nurturing Innovators: Career Planning & Resilience During Disruption. It is packaged under the Tekedia Mini-MBA theme of Innovation, Execution & Growth. Our knowledge experts for the Week include human resources experts and leaders from MNCs and startups, across industries and global regions:
Other Tekedia Mini-MBA Programs
Tekedia CollegeBoost is a version of the Advanced Diploma in Business Administration for colleges and schools.
Tekedia Mini-MBA for Corporates is a customized version of the general Tekedia Mini-MBA for companies.
Tekedia Mini-MBA for Governments is a customized version of the general Tekedia Mini-MBA for governments, government agencies and related public institutions.
For more details about these programs, click here. For institutions, if you need a brochure, email us for one.
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 Live Matter” on Nigeria’s 60th Independence Day (Oct 1, 2020).
Selected Faculty & Testimonials
We have more than 85 Faculty members; see the full list here. For selected testimonials on our program, click here.
Testimonial from Soulmate Industries Ltd
ebook Free for early registrantsFree for early registrants
One week, one issue and another one is coming on March 20, 2021. Yes, “This is to inform you that instant completion for international transfers on our digital platforms will cease from March 20, 2021. All international third-party transfers initiated on any of our digital channels will be completed at the back office after receipt of relevant supporting documents,” says a bank circular.
What does that mean? You need documentation to use money in your dorm account. Indeed, the government is looking at how to keep that dollar in Nigeria as it fights the battle to protect Nigeria and Naira.
The circular below…
“This is to inform you that instant completion for international transfers on our digital platforms will cease from March 20, 2021. All international third-party transfers initiated on any of our digital channels will be completed at the back office after receipt of relevant supporting documents. Kindly ensure you send relevant supporting documents for your international transfers immediately transaction is initiated online to……….
“Samples of supporting documents to be provided for international transfers to third parties are;
Invoices
Bills
Demand Notes, etc
“For Medical, insurance, school fees, subscriptions and other similar invisible payments. For transparency and in line with CBN eligibility requirement, purpose of payment must be clearly indicated for all international transfers in the narration section provided.
“Please note that for control purposes, all payments initiated without the relevant supporting documents being sent to the above noted email will be rejected after the existing currency cut-off time (EURO- 1.30PM, GBP & Others- 2.30PM and USD- 3.30 PM) same day.” source: Nairametrics
