The NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, also said the agency would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.
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Execution Plain and Simple
Author: Robert Neiman
Author: McGraw-Hill
Reviewer: Goke Ilesanmi
This text entitled “Execution Plain and Simple”, with the subtitle ‘Twelve Steps to Achieving Any Goal on Time and on Budget” is written by Robert Neiman, a holder of a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University. Neiman is a partner in Robert H. Schaffer & Associates, a management consulting firm that has pioneered the theory and practice of managing change and building high-performing organisations for over forty years.
Based in Stamford, Connecticut, the firm helps organisations achieve rapid improvements in results, sustain progress and link strategic planning, organisation development and operational innovation to succeed in rapidly-changing environments. This author has helped major corporations achieve tremendous gains in performance and profitability.
According to Neiman, better execution is one of the great untapped opportunities for improving organisational performance. This author says it is basic and is what managers do all the time. He stresses that yet, in too many organisations, execution falls inexcusably short.
Neiman adds that despite its importance, execution has been in the background of management thinking, taken for granted, dismissed as obvious, even considered mundane in contrast with the sparkle of new strategies, new technologies, etc.
Structurally, this text is divided into two parts of 16 chapters. Part one is generically christened “Twelve Steps to Achieving Any Goal on Time and on Budget” and accordingly contains 12 chapters. Chapter one is based on the subject matter of taking responsibility. According to Neiman here, “The underlying assumption of execution is that your own sense of responsibility and your initiative will be the driving forces of achieving your goals. All the tools and techniques work only in the hands of a responsible initiator.”
This author educates that taking responsibility and initiative is not a problem for entrepreneurs or solo operators whose whole work existence depends on their own initiative. “Taking responsibility and initiative is not a problem for managers in complex organisations who have a clear assignment, enthusiasm about tackling the assignment, plenty of people and resources available to help, and who feel confident they can carry it off,” adds Neiman.
He says the first step for execution is mental preparedness. Neiman says you should think of yourself as someone who has an assignment or opportunity and it is time to get moving.
Chapter two is interrogatively entitled “What’s that again? Define your assignment – in writing”. Here, this author says ideally, execution begins with an assignment, an official charge to tackle a goal. “A good assignment generates a spark, enthusiasm, a spring to your step. It comes from your boss, your management team, or your board, and it spells out what you need to accomplish and gives you some guidance on how to proceed,” illuminates Neiman.
He adds that ideally, you will be able to discuss the assignment first, then you will get a written memorandum summarising it. He says the tone will be encouraging and you and your boss will both have a warm feeling that you are all together and off to a good start.
In chapters three to eight, he examines concepts such as organising your core team and creating a strategy; getting input and support from key players; holding a compelling kick-off event to create momentum; making all the pieces fit by using plans, schedules, budgets and controls; making demands effectively; and following up like crazy without driving people crazy.
Chapter nine is based on the subject matter of using political skills to win constituents and overcome opposition. According to Neiman here, “Political skill is essential to get things done in an organisation. You made a start on this process when doing the reconnaissance to test your strategy… Then you uncovered issues to deal with, discovered the attitudes of people with respect to your strategy, and made adjustments to your strategy to accommodate what you learned. In this chapter, we get into greater depth on the politics of execution to deal with some of the more difficult issues.”
He says for great execution, five basic political skills critical are focusing on readiness rather than resistance; getting behind the masks that difficult people wear; building a mission and a constituency that can win; communicating a consistent message strategically and dealing with the unengageable few.
In chapters 10 to 12, this author analytically X-rays concepts such as using creative problem-solving to overcome unforeseen risks, delays and obstacles; managing an intense push to get the final results and rewards; and capturing and spreading what you learn.
Part two is summarily woven together as “Accelerated execution: Using small breakthrough projects to achieve large strategic goals” and contains four chapters, that is, chapters 13 to 16. Chapter 13 is based on the subject matter of what crises can teach us about accelerated execution. According to Neiman here, “Just think how much more organisations produce in a crisis than under normal conditions. Crises reveal for an instant the extraordinary execution capability of an organisation…capability not visible before. People rally round and do whatever it takes to deal with the situation. And nothing has changed except the urgency and importance of the challenge to be met and the level of execution to respond.”
In chapters 14 to 16, this author beams his intellectual searchlight on concepts such as getting crucial results fast, generating momentum and building new organisational capabilities; multiplying breakthrough project successes to reach the big goals; and focusing your organisation on the few most crucial goals.
Conceptually, the book has depth. Stylistically, it is okay. The language yields itself to easy understanding and the concepts are logically and didactically presented. Neiman makes the text practical and interactive by including a worksheet/exercise section to test readers’ understanding and arouse their active participation.
One of the errors noticed is “His 12-steps provide…” (outside back cover) instead of “His 12 steps provide…” Also, a technical error of prepositional redundancy is noticed on page one thus: “Twelve Steps to Achieving Any Goal on Time and on Budget” instead of “Twelve Steps to Achieving Any Goal on Time and Budget.” These errors need to be corrected in the next edition.
Finally, this text is highly recommended to all managers and organisations that want to achieve success through proper execution strategy.
GOKE ILESANMI (FIIM, FIMC, CMC), CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Professional Public Speaker, Career Mgt Coach and Certified Mgt Consultant. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant.
Tel: 08056030424; 08055068773; 08187499425
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com.ng
News
Invoke executive order for state, LG police, Afenifere tells Tinubu
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Saturday, urged President Bola Tinubu to invoke an Executive Order for the establishment of state and local government Police.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi,in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also called for the erection of close-circuit television sets and deployment of modern technology for security purposes in strategic locations to end insecurity.
Ajayi said, “There are indications that Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace. Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists and armed robbers.
“On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit which opened on that day in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security. Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.
“President Tinubu should get state and local government police off the ground immediately through the invocation of an Executive Order while the process of amending the Constitution continues.
“Close circuit television sets, deployment of modern technology for security purposes including drones must be effected immediately.”
He explained that the statement was motivated by the recent reports of banditry and kidnapping in Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara and Niger States, respectively which made a research organization declare Nigeria as one of the top nations where kidnap ranks highest globally.
Ajayi noted that Fulani herders and farmers’ clashes kept occurring in Osun, Ondo and Oyo State; Otu, Igbeti and Alaga in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State were the latest victims.
The Afenifere spokesperson also said, “In order to end insecurity, enhance people’s welfare and ensure the sustenance of Nigeria as one of the top investment destinations in Africa as desired by the government, there is the urgent need by the Federal Government and security agencies to be more innovative and decisive.”
He lamented that banditry, including armed robbery, kidnapping was still occurring on South-West roads such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode; Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan; Ore-Ijebu Ode-Lagos, Ikirun-Osogbo-Ilesa; Lokoja-Abuja, Owo-Benin and Ibadan-Iseyin-Saki.
“Latest reports have it that on Monday, May 13 instant, eight cocoa farmers were kidnapped at Marindoti Cocoa Farmers’ settlement in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Three students of Millicent Secondary School in the same area on their way to write their Senior Secondary School Examination, were also kidnapped at the same time.
“A sum of N31 million was reportedly paid to ransom three people who were kidnapped at Longe village on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road last week Sunday. On Thursday, May 16, one Seliat Adeniji (nee Raji) was kidnapped in her Ebedi home in Iseyin, Oyo State. Her guard was killed in the process.
“Hon Bello Hassan representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives last Tuesday claimed that terrorists have sacked about 50 communities and abducted over 500 people in his area of Zamfara State as bandits overran Zurmi, the second most populous town in the state killing palace officers as well as policemen.”
To put a serious check on all these, the Afenifere spokesman said that there was an urgent need to dig deep into the roots of the menace and to be decisive in applying the necessary measures.
News
NAFDAC shuts cosmetic shops in Lagos, seizes counterfeit products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut three shops and raided others during a clampdown on the sale of unregistered “Dr. Teal’s” brand of cosmetics in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed this in a post on its X handle on Saturday, stating that the action came after a complaint from the trademark holder.
The statement read, “NAFDAC has shut down three cosmetics shops and raided others, targeting the sale of unregistered ‘Dr. Teal’s’ brand cosmetics. This action follows a complaint from the trademark holder regarding potential counterfeit products.
“Two suspected shops along Excellent Line at the Trade Fair Complex were targeted, resulting in sealed shops and invitation letters issued to attendants.”
It added that another development unfolded at Okas Global Link Limited where NAFDAC confiscated over 200 cartons of various Dr. Teal’s products and other unregistered cosmetics, suspecting them to be the source of distribution.
A shop identified as Cubana Stores at Phil Hallmark Plaza was also reported to have been sealed for stocking and selling the moisturising body and bath products of the alleged unregistered Dr. Teal’s brand.
NAFDAC added that according to its regulations, shop owners found guilty of selling unregistered products face penalties of up to ₦5m fine.
It said shop owners were also being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
In the statement, the agency emphasised the health risks associated with fake cosmetics, stating the potential dangers of using products containing harmful substances.
News
Traders, soldiers clash at Banex Plaza in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed intelligence officers to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja following a conflict that ensued between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.
A viral video seen by our correspondent on X on Saturday showed a multitude of civilians overpowering some soldiers during a free-for-all fight at Banex.
The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.
Meanwhile, a trader who simply identified himself as Abdul, told our correspondent on Saturday that the conflict ensued over the sale of a mobile phone.
“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” Abdul simply revealed.
When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“The CP has deployed the Intelligence Response Team to the scene,” Adeh confirmed.
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