Today I want to share a bit of my experiences in the private sector. I like to share my own experiences so it doesn’t come across like a gossip or ‘e say him say she say but he didn’t say him say…’. More comfortable when I own the story and so can answer for it. Besides, everyone of our experiences could aid those of the nearby person. I hope you’d get to share yours with me someday soon…I’ve got loads to hear and learn from. 

I recall one of the issues to deal with was labor/employee relations. The company was acquired with huge unpaid gratuity and it was wobbling financially so payment of salaries was not certain. I needed to build staff morale so I assured them that everyone would get paid their gratuity, so if they choose to remain with the nw company that was fine else they could leave without any fear. However, it was funds generated from their activities that would be used as I would not encourage the company to borrow and pay salaries and staff entitlementse. They agreed and we started the journey. Along the line, they got their Labor Union to try and cause confusion. I called them and explained that Union is only necessary where they are convinced Management is being insincere otherwise they would have to pay out of their meager salaries to sustain the Union. Fortunately they reasoned with me and until I left, there was no mention of Union and all their gratuity were paid and monthly salaries too. 🙏🏾 Lord I’m grateful. Just remembered their faces of gratitude then, especially the very elderly ones. 

Then we had to deal with the issue of community relations. The company needed to pay a certain amount monthly to youths to arrest their restiveness. I’m like how does that help those youths? So I insisted that the affected communities present us with employable youths that would be employed with clear job functions. There was the initial resistance but when I’m positive about my path Stubborn becomes my other name…so those that agreed got their youths employed while the others were left high and dry…and our operations were not hindered in any way. At my dad’s funeral one of them came, introduced himself and thanked me. We give God all the glory. 

And so when I had to leave, I handed over to a young lady we employed and groomed. Some years later she called me. My Madam your training has paid off. I’ve just been appointed the Acting Managing Director. Wow! And when eventually I paid them a visit, she recalled all the talks and advice and caution and stress etc I heaped on her way back and how “every every” in God’s time has brought her to the limelight for the Board was not informed the company had competent hands to run the place so they kept trying out different categories of men. One day, they were stuck and she offered to help out because she remembered I had taught her how to handle the issue at hand and that’s how she was discovered. Again, we thank God. In His time, He makes all things beautiful. 💭 David & Goliath?

So, let’s be diligent on our beat, learn all we can, stay committed and the benefits would come pouring in in due course. 

Such joy and gratitude I feel each time God reminds me of the things He has used me to accomplish although at those times they were tough! for me.