No matter what you were taught in school, business comes down to ADDITION, and addition of customers. If you are lucky to add the right customers, you will find glory.

As a secondary school kid, I followed a kinsman to buy bricks for his house project in the village. When we got there, the owner of the brick molding business offered us “nzu” (a white stone) which is a symbol of peace and growth in Igbo tradition (Nigeria). When new babies are born, villagers typically gather to share “nzu” because joy & growth has arrived!

As you dip your fingers to pick a little, and rub on your wrist, the man would usher “whatever has brought you here would flourish, and the funds where this project will come will flourish”. He was a master salesman who out-competed every other brick-maker in a largely commoditized business.

In business literature, commoditization is defined as the process by which goods that have economic value and are distinguishable in terms of attributes (uniqueness or brand) end up becoming simple commodities in the eyes of the market or consumers.

Mazi Ikea was not selling bricks; he was selling good wishes and fortunes to young men who visited home to start building projects. People associated his bricks with great favour and everyone bought from him.

Never underestimate the power of saying Thank You Sir for the opportunity to serve that customer. Find ways to deliver more than products – give intangibles that make you unique. You must sell bricks, packaged with good fortunes!

Good people, I will be on BBC World News on Friday. While I have done many audio-only interviews for BBC, this one will be video. It would be great. I will share exact time once I have that.

Zenvus Founder Ndubuisi Ekekwe Speaks to BBC World Service

Sanwo-Olu vs. Sanwo-Olu. I came into Lagos for few hours of commerce and flying out in hours. As I moved across connections meeting clients, one thing was evident on the billboards: Sanwo-Olu (APC Lagos state gubernatorial candidate) was running against Sanwo-Olu.

Then, I saw the most magical micro-messaging: Sanwo-Olu spoke in Igbo, thundering “Igbo kwe nu” and below it, he has “Support Growth”. He has the best team in political campaign in Nigeria. The messaging changes as you travel from VI to Yaba, Oshodi to Ikeja. Let me say this: he is winning.

People, I am yet to see a billboard for the PDP gubernatorial flagbearer for Lagos state. Simply, we have a political asymmetric warfare here where Sanwo-Olu is winning hands-down.

Mr. Governor, Sanwo-Olu: congratulations.

As I have long predicted that once solar makes decent improvement on our electricity needs, government will remember it for revenue generation.  That is how we behave in this African nation: everything must be money and more money for government.

So, it has happened: government is piling 10% tariff (from 5%) on solar panels which are imported into the nation. Simply, the price of solar panels will go up since no one makes any in Nigeria as you need grid electricity before you can make solar panels, and since we do not have any reliable grid electricity, everyone imports.

Nigeria’s plan to produce 30 per cent of its electricity through renewable energy may be stalled as the price of generating solar power has soared, The Nation has learnt.

Solar energy is the commonest and cheapest form of renewable energy produced by individuals, local and state governments. Private firms also see it as cheaper compared to biomass.

It was gathered that the price of generating solar power has gone up, following Federal Government’s decision to increase customs duty on solar power equipment from five to 10 per cent.

Findings at the weekend also revealed that the issue had resulted in the closure of many solar firms, as they could barely procure materials for operation. It was also discovered that price of solar panels, batteries and other equipment had risen considerably.

Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) President, Mr Segun Adaju, said the development was expected as there was no other means of generating solar electricity except through importation of solar equipment.

But there is good news: Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) President, Mr Segun Adaju, has written the government, national assembly and the customs, seeking for a reversal. Usually, that is impossible as that revenue is also allocated for something.

Mr. Elon Musk and Tesla, welcome to Nigeria as you plan to arrive with your solar business. We hope your AI can model the stochastic nature of Nigerian business policies. As it stands today, budget additional 5% to the cost of your product as the original model has already changed!

A nation in motion. Yes, when most nations are subsidizing renewable energy and incentivizing its citizens to adopt same, Nigeria wants to fix its budget holes from it. That is unfortunate. I hope they reverse this decision as it does nothing to provide accessible electricity in Nigeria.

I walked into an executive suite of a company. Three male executives with a lady were discussing around a table. As soon as I arrived, the men stood up and extended their hands. We shook hands and greeted. The lady looked up and did nothing. Without knowing her reason, I extended my hand, but she withdrew. Then, one of the men said “Meet our Chairman and our major shareholder”.

Quickly, the lady stood up and then extended her hand to me: I ignored her. I excused the three leaders as I needed to pass an important insight in person to them, while in town. The lady was a contractor to the firm. As I spoke with our team, I watched her looking at her palm – perhaps it has caused her problem.

To cut the story short: the lady no matter her capabilities failed a simple test – authenticity. I said no word but was surprised that she sent an apology via our team. In my response, I wrote:

“Team, she did nothing to me. But consider if that attitude was extended to our junior colleagues especially in your absence. She may show respect to three of you because you pay her bills, but I am nearly sure she does not really have any interest in this business except the bank alerts. Her issue was NOT not greeting me – her major challenge was deciding to act after she discovered who I was. That spirit kills vision as she could denigrate our junior colleagues because she knows better. There is a better person; discover him or her”.

You need authentic people to execute Missions – make sure you have them.

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Whether you call it eye, lip, leg or hand service, it’s a virus that has infested large swathes of mankind, originality and authenticity is obviously a premium.

There is a big difference between compliance and commitment, many people you see around are forced to do the former, while you are watching, but the real deal is the latter; that’s how you separate fake people from the original ones.

We fake love, friendship, empathy, professionalism; in fact, authentic humans are rare breeds, if you have ever met a handful of them, congratulations, you are one of the luckiest people on earth.