SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR: GAINING INDEPENDENCE

The first small business seminar offered by the American University of Nigeria School of Business and Entrepreneurship was held on October 1, Nigeria's Independence Day. Independence, innovation, and accountability were important themes discussed by the sixty plus participants who attended the day-long workshop.

The small business seminar generated interest in many Yola/Jimeta business owners.

Dr. David Huwiler, President of AUN, welcomed the attendees in the spacious Maiduguri Classroom. Dr. Ahmed Hosseini, Dean of the School of Business, led off his remarks by inviting the participants to ask themselves if they were true entrepreneurs who could think creatively enough to turn other people's needs into the entrepreneur's products and services.

"Every time someone has a need," Dr. Hosseini said, "you have the opportunity to fill that need." Dr. Hosseini gave the example of a local welder who made the barbeque grills that the University required during opening ceremonies for students and parents. "The welder made a sample," Dr. Hosseini said, "which the University liked." But, Hosseini added, the University needed a bigger grill than the sample. So, the welder made another. Eventually, Hosseini said, "that welder sold eight grills to the University."

Attendees at the event came from a spectrum of businesses. Mr. Mike Agbon is the Managing Director of Vaniah Ventures, Ltd., which sells home care supplements. He is also a decorator. "This seminar has really notched up the ideas I have," he said. "They can be a goldmine." Mr. Agbon was especially pleased to learn new ideas that he can apply in Yola.

Likewise, Adamu Tukur, the owner of a farming and poultry production business, was pleased at the quality of the seminar. "I've been very much enlightened," he said. "I have learned more about the aspect of coordinating and managing activities that will help me in my business."

Participants, about ten of whom were female entrepreneurs and business owners, also heard a lecture from Ms. Bridget Anigbogu who is the Administrative Assistant to the Director of the AUN Library and also has a Masters degree in Law. "I outlined the four types of business organizations," Ms. Anigbogu said, "and described the advantages and disadvantages of each."

A panel of faculty and staff from the University discussed with the audience the many services that businesses might offer. For example, Dr. Tarkek Madkour, a chemistry professor from Egypt, said that he and his wife, Rosha, must delay all of the shopping until the weekend because both are working. "If a market or a pharmacy offered a delivery service," he said, "we would use it during the week."

Participants watched a presentation by Dr. Hosseini.

Dr. Martha Plettner, the Director of the AUN Library, said that she missed art galleries and theatres and wondered why there were so few of these kinds of businesses in Yola. Several members of the audience said that there was not enough demand in the area for artists to make a living by operating a gallery. Another participant said that too few schools offer art or music courses in the curriculum and thus people in rural areas have not learned to appreciate the arts.

The sentiments of the panel were summed up by the statement, "Make it easy for me and I'll buy from you."

The seminar concluded with accounting lessons from Dr. Hosseini and more encouragement to think "outside of the box" while using proper accounting practices to grow the business. He gave the example of a Jimeta baker who supplied the donuts to the seminar for the coffee and tea breaks. "The baker had to use money from his business to test new kinds of donuts on the customer," Dr. Hosseini said. "Today, the guy is selling more donuts than he ever imagined possible."

For more information on upcoming seminars or to sponsor a seminar, e-mail ahmad.hosseini@aaun.edu.ng.

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