Sales For The Nigerian Business Person: The Sales and Marketing Blueprint

Handling Grief and Death in Business: Here Tavershima Ayede discusses a tough but necessary topic: how a business stays afloat when a team member or leader passes away.Even when a tragedy happens, the world doesn't stop. Clients still expect their work to be done, and the business still has professional obligations to meet.Key Takeaways: * The "Key Man" Risk: Many businesses fail when one person dies because they are the only ones with the passwords, client info, or specialized knowledge. * Preparation is Essential: Every business needs Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and shared access to information so that others can step in during an emergency. * A Balanced Approach: You must respect the grieving process, mental health, and religious traditions of your staff, but you also need a pragmatic plan to keep the business running. * Protect Your Reputation: Preparing for the unpredictable ensures that your business—and your professional legacy—doesn't collapse during a personal or team tragedy.

From Lawyer to Consultant: A Change in Strategy. Tavershima Ayede didn't start in business; he originally studied law. He decided to switch to business consulting because he realized that being good at a "technical" skill (like law or design) isn't enough to keep a business alive. You also have to know how to sell.No "Rags to Riches" NeededTavershima believes you don’t need a dramatic "started from the bottom" story to be successful. Instead, he focuses on two practical things: * Networking: Who you know and how you connect with them. * Practicality: Focusing on what actually works and makes money today.Marketing is the PriorityMany people think they need expensive equipment or a fancy degree to start. Tavershima argues the opposite: Marketing education is more important than gear. * If you have the best tools but no one knows you exist, you have no business. * If you understand marketing, you can build a business even with basic tools.The Power of the CommunityTavershima credits his growth to "organic support"—meaning his listeners sharing his work because they find it valuable.The Bottom Line: Success isn't about having a prestigious background or the best equipment; it’s about mastering sales, building a network, and getting your name out there.

The Core Idea: Talk Like a Person, Not a Textbook! Tavershima argues that many people fail at sales because they write like academics. In the business world, formal, stiff letters actually create "walls" between you and your customer. To close more deals, you should trade formal writing for natural conversation.1. The Hierarchy of CommunicationNot all communication is equal. Tavershima ranks them by how effective they are at building trust and closing sales: * Face-to-Face: The most powerful way to connect. * Voice (Phone/Voice Notes): Captures tone and emotion. * Direct Messaging (WhatsApp/DM): Fast and informal. * Email/Formal Letters: The least effective for immediate sales because they feel "cold" and official.2. How to Fix Your OutreachIf you struggle with writing, Tavershima suggests two main tactics: * Use AI to Simplify: Don’t use AI to make your writing sound "fancier." Instead, feed your complex drafts into an AI tool and ask it to simplify the language so it sounds human and accessible. * The "Final Question" Rule: Never end a message with a period or a vague "I look forward to hearing from you." Every outreach should end with a clear question or a call to action to keep the conversation moving.3. Validating Your IdeaThe goal of this human-centric communication is speed. By talking directly to people rather than hiding behind formal emails, you can quickly find out if people actually want to buy what you are selling.The Bottom Line: If you want to grow your revenue, stop trying to sound "professional" and start trying to be approachable.

The Main Argument: Sales First, Aesthetics Later! Many new business owners in Nigeria make the mistake of focusing on how their business looks (logos, colors, and fonts) instead of how it sells. Tavershima argues that obsessing over branding before you have customers actually slows you down.1. The Purpose of a BusinessFollowing the philosophy of management expert Peter Drucker, Taver defines the goal of a business as one thing: to create a customer. This in turn is done through (a) Innovation: Creating a product people need, and (b) Marketing: Finding the people who need it.2. Branding vs. MarketingTaver clarifies a common misunderstanding:Marketing is the broad engine that drives sales.Branding is just one part of that engine.Real branding isn't something you "design" in a vacuum; it’s a long-term reputation built through consistent interactions with customers over time. You cannot have a brand without a track record.3. Focus on SurvivalFor a startup to survive, it needs revenue and validation.Direct Selling: Talk to customers immediately to see if they actually want your product.Market Viability: Prove the business works before spending money on a "perfect" visual identity.Trust: Familiarity and trust are built by delivering a good service, not just by having a pretty logo.The Bottom Line: Don’t wait for a perfect image to launch. Enter the market, sell your product, and let your brand grow naturally from your success.

How to Manage Your Professional Network: In this episode, Tavershima Ayede explains how entrepreneurs can stop guessing who to keep in their network. He argues that you shouldn’t let your ego or emotions decide who to talk to; instead, you should use a logical lead management system.The Main IdeaTaver suggests sorting your contacts into three simple categories based on their budget, their power to make decisions, and how soon they need help: * Hot Leads: Ready to buy or move forward right now. * Warm Leads: Interested, but need more time or information. * Cold Leads: People who aren't a fit for what you do.The Nigeria Radio StoryUsing his own experience trying to expand a radio program in Nigeria, Taver shows why "Warm" leads are the most important for growth. Even if someone isn't ready to work with you today, keeping that relationship alive (nurturing) can lead to opportunities later.The Bottom LineSpend your energy nurturing warm relationships and closing hot deals. Don’t waste your time or mental energy on "cold" contacts who will never move the needle for your business.

In this podcast, Tavershima Ayede explains how to handle "difficult" clients who ask you to break rules or do things that feel wrong. Here is his simple advice for staying professional while keeping your peace of mind:1. Speak Up ImmediatelyWhen a client asks you to do something against your policy or ethics, don't keep quiet and get angry. "Call it out" right away. Have a polite and honest chat with them to explain why you cannot do what they are asking.2. Find the "Why"Sometimes a client asks for something "illegal" or "wrong" because they are frustrated and just want a solution. * The Position: What they are asking for (e.g., "Give me a discount I don't qualify for"). * The Interest: Why they want it (e.g., "I am on a very tight budget").   If you understand the why, you can offer an ethical alternative that helps them without breaking any rules.3. Build Real RelationshipsTo make your business grow, focus on being relatable. Talk to your clients like human beings, not just "money bags."4. Know When to Walk AwayYour integrity (your good name and honesty) is more important than any deal. If a client insists that you must do something dishonest to work with them, you must be brave enough to walk away.It is better to lose a bad deal than to lose your peace of mind and your reputation. 5. Set BoundariesDon't guess what a client wants—ask them. Clear boundaries and honest communication prevent "headaches" later and help your business grow the right way.

If you want to grow your business from a "one-man show" into a real company that can run without you, you need to follow a few simple steps. Here is how to stop doing everything yourself and start building a winning team:1. Create a "Business Playbook" (SOPs)Before you hire anyone, you must write down exactly how your business works. This is called a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Think of it like a recipe book. It should explain: * How to find the right customers. * How to get people interested in your product. * How to convince them to finally buy it.2. Hire for Character, Not Just DegreesWhen looking for staff, don't just look at their school certificates. Instead, look for people who are: * Teachable: They are willing to learn your way of doing things. * Responsible: They take ownership of their work and don't make excuses.3. Use the "Pay for Results" ModelTo keep your sales team motivated, use commission-based pay. This means the more they sell, the more money they make.Important Rule: You must always have total integrity. If you promise a staff member a certain bonus for a sale, pay them exactly what you promised, on time. If they don't trust you, they won't work hard for you.Step Back to Move ForwardThe goal is to move from being "self-employed" (where you do all the work) to being a "business owner" (where your team does the work). By building this structure, you can multiply your sales and grow much faster than you ever could alone.

In this episode, host Tavershima Ayede coaches a listener named JCole (not his real name), who just started a stationery business. The goal of their conversation is to move the business from "basic" to "extraordinary."Key Takeaways * The "Value Trinity": To make a product irresistible, you must offer three types of benefits: physical (the item itself), financial (the savings or profit it brings), and psychological (how it makes the customer feel). * Master the Basics: Don't look for "secret" sales tricks until you have mastered the fundamentals, like knowing exactly who your customer is and what they need. * Smart Use of AI: Use tools like Google Gemini for brainstorming ideas, but don't automate your customer service too early—staying personal is important in the beginning. * No Shortcuts: To grow a business, you have to invest either significant time or significant money. There are no easy ways to skip the hard work.The Big Idea: Focus on providing real value and mastering the business basics before trying to automate or scale too quickly.

In this episode, host Tavershima Ayede helps a student entrepreneur fix common business mistakes. Although his main focus is sales, he explains that many businesses fail because owners mix their personal money with their business cash.His main advice includes: * Stick to what works: He tells her to grow her current perfume business instead of starting a new soap business. * Keep customers happy: Success comes from being consistent so customers keep coming back. * Beat the competition: He introduces the "Value Trinity," a way to win over customers by offering better financial, physical, and emotional benefits than competitors. * Be a good student: He reminds listeners that to get the most out of a mentor, you need to be professional and open to feedback.

In this podcast episode, business consultant Tavershima Ayede breaks down his upcoming 10-day sales training (starting January 19, 2026) and shares a refreshing take on how to do business with integrity.Here is a simpler breakdown of his key points:1. Trust Over ProfitAyede’s first rule is simple: If you don’t trust him, don’t pay him. He believes that "smooth-talking" a skeptical person into buying only leads to trouble later. He even encourages doubters to keep listening to his free content until they feel 100% confident in his methods. For him, a clean business relationship is better than a forced sale.2. No "Magic" GuaranteesHe is brutally honest about results. He provides the "medicine" (the strategy and plan), but he cannot "swallow it" for you. He offers no financial guarantees because your success depends entirely on your own hard work and how well you execute his advice.3. The Training CurriculumThe course is designed to fix the most common mistakes Nigerian entrepreneurs make. * Mindset: Overcoming the fear that "prices are too high" (using a case study of a woman selling 40-million-naira solar systems). * Lead Management: How to build a list of at least 10 prospects so you aren't devastated by a single "no." * Discovery: Learning to ask deep questions to find out exactly what the customer wants before you start pitching. * Closing: Using "assumptive closing"—a technique used by Lagos street traders—to help hesitant customers finally make a decision.4. A No-Pressure ApproachAyede concludes by inviting people to collaborate but insists on a zero-pressure environment. He wants to be a part of his clients' success stories in 2026, but only if they are ready to put in the "reps."

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