The BOG Woman- Yemi Gbeja

The marketplace is like a battleground where only the fit survives. Your colleagues come with skills, sometimes matching yours and some with better skills. So, everyone is expected to come armed with a winning strategy. The reality is that some of us come in with a skill set and never bother to improve on those skills.

When was the last time you deliberately learnt new skills that can improve your work output?

We cannot just work and hope to grow in the organization. Hope is not a strategy. You must have career goals and an execution strategy to achieve your goals at every stage of your career.

On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy took the oath of office to become America’s 35th president. On that day, JFK delivered what has become a landmark inaugural address. the most memorable and enduring section of the speech came towards the end when Kennedy said, “my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

He inspired all who listened. It is my hope that I inspire at least one woman to service.

November 2010, I left a job where I had an official car, a driver and a fully furnished serviced apartment in Victoria Garden City Why? Was I crazy? Well, money has never been my motivation in life, purpose and passion drives me. I didn’t see a future in the path I was on.

When I walked in through the doors of BOG, 9 years & 4months ago, armed with purpose, passion for learning, little skill and knowledge of supply chain management, I had a strategy for growth. I had done it before, I knew I could do it again. If I had remained with the same skill and knowledge that I came in with, I won’t be here today.

My journey of growth in BOG has been one driven by a mindset of service and value addition that JF Kennedy espoused in his speech 59 years ago. Every year, I review my skill set and set a goal for myself – to increase the value I bring to my employer. I raise the bar consistently.

Ladies, excellence is the best way to defeat sexism.-

Your personal value proposition (PVP) is at the heart of your career strategy. It’s the foundation for career progression — targeting potential employers, attracting the help of others.

Make yourself attractive to your employer, customers and stakeholders through your excellent service delivery. Never stop learning. Every new task is an opportunity to learn a new skill.

I’ve been given the opportunity to learn critical management and planning skills from my mentor KT. Every meeting with him is an opportunity to learn.

No job is too difficult to learn. That’s the right attitude to have.

You teach people how to treat you. Don’t disrespect yourself or sell yourself short by thinking your body and a beautiful face is what you need to get to the top of your career. No! I’m here by virtue of hard work, diligence, passion, commitment, service and values-driven mindset and the grace of God.

The BOG woman