The Nation Newspaper

Tag: corporate

  • FirstBank deepens Corporate Social Responsibility

    FirstBank has deepend its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The lender has pledged its support for The 2017 Annual Awareness Week of the Down Syndrome Foundation, which started yesterday and ends on October 27.

    The 2017 edition is not the first time the bank is supporting this initiative, as the Bank has over the last 8 years partnered and participated in a number of initiatives of The Down Syndrome Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation that was founded 17 years ago.

    The bank’s partnership and support to the Down Syndrome Foundation is in furtherance of its Hope Rising Initiative designed to provide various forms of interventions for persons living with disabilities as well as create advocacy and public enlightenment for them.

    The event themed; “Yes (I, You, We) Can… Make A Difference” is projected to feature activities such as press briefing, family fun fair and novelty match amongst others.

  • Be corporate governance watch dogs, shareholders urged

    Be corporate governance watch dogs, shareholders urged

    Shareholders have been urged to exercise their ownership functions in companies  they invest to encourage corporate governance.

    The Head, Investment Research & Corporate Strategy, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mr. Charles Omoera, made the call at the 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

    The theme of the AGM, which held in Lagos, during the week, was “The Agency Dilemma: The impact of Shareholders Engagement”.

    Omoera said: “Institutional shareholders should serve as corporate governance watch dogs over the companies they invested in. Majority shareholders almost always get their way and their interests are not necessarily aligned with those of the minority shareholders.”

    He said more than ever before shareholders should be addressed as key owners of a particular business unlike now where many companies organise their AGMs without their (sharholfders’) strategic input.

    He explained that companies who align with the several provisions protecting shareholders’ rights and also allow them to contribute to the agenda of their AGMs will grow the profitability of the businesses as they have deliberately made room for alternative opinion from a dispassionate stand.

    Omoera, who was once a Portfolio Manager in the Private Equity Unit of Standard Bank, said that embracing shareholders especially the minority shareholders in the decision making process of the company, and inhibiting domination by majority shareholders has the capacity to encourage economic prosperity of a given organisation.

    He added that embracing institutional shareholders in strategic decision making and cultivating their goodwill in any organisation could lead to enhanced management credibility through improved transparency.

    For effective AGMs, Omoera recommended that voting should be reviewed and minimum qualification and standards for members of audit committee improved and further made public.

    He also suggested the improvement of market practices and institutional shareholder engagement from particular sectors such as insurance, pension, foreign portfolio investors and accounting bodies. These, he advised, should be given specific slots at AGMs to ask questions and make comments.

    Furthermore, the expert advised that the Security & Exchange Commission (SEC) should do more to ensure best practices by listed companies while institutional shareholders take some time to fully understand regulations as set out by the SEC and

    Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

    Omoera observed that AGM’s do not necessarily achieve the required objective as majority shareholders have developed the art of managing the outcomes.

    He frowned at the fact that key structures do not function as expected – audit committee, independent directors, SEC and NSE.

    The expert also observed that though quality of financial reporting and disclosures by listed companies have improved over the years, they still fall short of international standards in some cases.

    He lamented that institutional shareholders either do not realize the powers they have or are reluctant to use them.

    Underscoring the strategic importance that informed shareholders hold, he referred his listeners to a case in 2013 when GSK UK disclosed its intention to increase its foreign controlling interest in GSK Nigeria from 46.4 per cent to 75.0 per cent.

    He said: “However, minority shareholders opposed the move saying it was a ploy to alienate them and delist the company from the NSE like Coca Cola used its controlling stake in NBC to delist in 2012”.

    Earlier in his keynote address, a fellow of the Institute, Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi dwelt on the expected manners of engagement shareholders should be having and what should inform the decisions of board of directors.

    He advised that in their pursuit, rule of law, accountability and transparency should be the guiding principle that should be adopted by all.  According to him, if this is done, it will be difficult to serve any other interest outside the interest of the company and that of the shareholders.

    Adeniyi said: “The paramount function of our regulators is to ensure that this principle is upheld at all times. When the regulators are lazy, not well grounded, or not adequately knowledgeable, or misguided, they become self serving, corrupt and an albatross of a sort”.

  • FirstBank marks Corporate Responsibility Week

    FirstBank marks Corporate Responsibility Week

    First Bank of Nigeria Limited(FirstBank) will, beginning from September 25, celebrate its Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) initiatives. The celebration will end on September 29.

    The FirstBank CR&S Week themed “Promoting Kindness; Putting You First” will witness the consolidation of the bank’s interventions in social responsibility across communities in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, and FirstBank subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa.

    The programme is a reflection of the bank’s  brand promise to always put its customers first while it reinforces its role in driving sustainable development in the communities where it operates.

    The CR&S week is specially designed to reignite acts of kindness in our society, and the events are tailored towards re-orientating the society along the right values; encouraging the citizenry to intentionally create positive impact in their immediate environment.

    One of the major highlights of the week has been dubbed the Staff Promoting Acts of Random Kindness (SPARK) initiative.

    The week-long activities will see FirstBank’s employees give their time and resources to promote random acts of kindness within their communities, driving welfare through giving and visits to orphanage/less privileged homes and IDPs. The bank would also hold career counseling sessions with secondary school students across the regions which would have staff coordinate impactful sessions that will inculcate financial literacy and inclusion in young students.

    FirstBank’s CR&S Week is the first of its kind in the Financial Service industry in Nigeria and it would spotlight the Bank’s corporate citizenship interventions to drive positive impact across various communities all in one week.

    According to the bank’s Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, the CRS week was mooted to stimulate a better society with random acts of kindness. “As an institution, we want to encourage the values of random kindness and we implore Nigerians and indeed everyone to go the extra mile to promote and celebrate kindness this week. Kindness does not have to be monetary but would always leave us with a better society we can all be proud of”, she enthused.

  • ‘Odu’a run on corporate governance’

    Odu’a Investment Company Ltd Board Chairman Chief Segun Ojo has said the company’s activities are guided by corporate governance.

    Ex-Chairman of the board Chief Isaac Akintade, in an advertorial published in this newspaper, alleged that the company was being run contrary to corporate governance.

    In a letter to the six-owner-state governments, Ojo said the allegations by Akintade against the Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr. Adewale Raji, were not true.

    Ojo lamented that the former chairman, who served the company for seven years; four as director and three as chairman, could mislead the public with non-existent information.

    He said Akintade’s grouse about the GMD started the moment he (Akintade) was withdrawn as chairman of Odu’a Board of Directors following a March 22, 2017 letter directing his withdrawal by the Ondo State government.

    Ojo said: “The standard practice and procedure for appointment and withdrawal of directors in Odu’a is for the owner-states to nominate or notify of the withdrawal of a director through a letter to Odu’a after which Odu’a through the group managing director will issue a letter of appointment or withdrawal to the director.”

    He said since Akintade was formally notified of his withdrawal, it would be illegal for him to attend and preside as the board’s chairman.

    On the allegation of approval for payment of N65million to Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), Ojo said the process began with a plan to admit Lagos State into Odu’a Group. He said the board engaged the services of any of the top five consulting firms in the country to work out details of the process of admission of the state.

    He said Akintade’s claim that the management sought the payment of N65million to PwC for a job that had neither been discussed nor approved by the management committee, board committee and the whole board was spurious.

    Ojo added that consultants with specialised skills, such as KPMG, PwC and others were engaged to perform specialised services for the company, contrary to suggestions by Akintade that individual consultants, which he could influence, should be engaged.

    The board chairman, however, said under Akintade  the group witnessed challenges and losses. He listed factories that were shut down as Cocoa Industries Limited (2010), Nigeria Wire and Cables, Ibadan, Epe Plywood (2012), Askar Paints, Ibadan (2013), among others.

    On the N20billion forecast turnover in five years, Ojo said the initial efforts to recruit strategic talents to jump-start the actualisation of the plan in 2015 were frustrated by Akintade and others.

    The board dismissed the allegation that Raji used convoys with siren.

  • ‘Poor corporate governance to blame for airlines failure’

    ‘Poor corporate governance to blame for airlines failure’

    Sam Adurogboye is the General Manager, Public Relations, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the apex regulatory body overseeing airlines in the country. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf he gives a bird’s eye view of the challenges besetting airlines and proffers the way forward. Excerpts:

    What is the true state of the airlines in Nigeria?

    Going by the records in the defunct Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA), what we inherited was over 150 airlines. But by the time we went for audit in 2006, many had gone under. When we were clearing our register we discovered that all these 150 airlines said to be operating at one time or the other were no more there. Nobody blamed the FCAA for that. The question now is, for those airlines that went under the US did anybody blamed it on the FAA? No. Every business has free entry and free exit. As we speak, there are just about nine airlines that are functional and among the domestic operators, there are those that pick up bills that have never owed us. There are new airlines that are making profit despite the tcredit crunch in the economy. The fact is, if you do this business the way it should be run, you can break even. But if you do it by ‘Myself, Family and Nigeria Limited,’ without recourse to good corporate governance it’s a recipe for failure. For instance, there is a case of  an MD of an airline coming in and asking his staff how much did you make today and he goes away with the money even the one that ought to have been ploughed back for the business to pay insurance, for maintenance and all that is not being taken care of. There is no way such an airline can succeed. That has been the experience thus far.

    What is the role of the NCAA in all of this?

    Unfortunately, some stakeholders both within and outside the airline industry have been blaming the NCAA for the misfortune of some of these airlines. NCAA is a regulating agency for the industry and by law both within our domesticated statutes and universal law, it’s forbidden for a Civil Aviation Authority to run an airline or get involve in any commercial venture.  The only reason the NCAA exists is to ensure the safety of the aircraft and make sure it’s airworthy at all times. We oversight the operators, that is those who work on the aircraft including the pilots, the engineers and every other person that works with the aircraft. We use our certificates to regulate the industry. Now, the aircraft operates in an environment which is the airport, so we oversight the airport too. The aircraft flies through a space, which is a flight path, the airspace and that is being managed in Nigeria by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Then of course, people work in an aircraft and we try to find out where they are trained from. To do that we oversight the institution that trains the personnel as well. So the totality of everything we do revolves around the aircraft just for it to continue to be safe for air travellers. That’s the only reason why we exist.

    What are the requirements for setting up an airline?

    Now, if somebody is going to set up an airline, there are requirements. If you go to our website, it’s all laid out there in black and white. There are categories of aircrafts you can buy whether as a corporate body or as an individual or for third party use. There is a requirement if you want to buy commercial airline different from the one you want to use for yourself and so on and so forth. Now aside that requirements, there is an aspect security will come in, which we equally need and it will get to us confidentially about the source of the money, your antecedent, in order to give us your profile. The idea is to make sure the money was not stolen and things like that.

    Then we also ensure your capabilities in the area of safe operations. We have to see the aircrafts, your rented office, you must also have insured the aircraft, and you must have employed staff.  Of course, you must have done your own feasibility study and the business model you want to adopt.

    What will you say of the multiple charges and levies being paid by the operators?

    In aviation business whether in Nigeria, Ghana, Canada, Singapore, there are universal charges. So there is no question of multiple charges at all. It’s all part of statutory requirements. You can’t operate in an airport and you won’t pay for landing. Each time you bounce the aircraft on the runway, it is required to be maintained. You can’t operate an aircraft and refuse to have an office. You want to operate from one point and the other and you don’t want to pay navigational charges? Every plane that is flying follows a path. You don’t go to London and you find your way to Owerri. Why are you not on the way to Owerri? It’s because there is aid, the airspace is charted, and everybody follows a path. Navigational instruments are installed on routes to guide you. Somebody is in touch with you from the Tower, who hands you over to the next airspace manager if you move outside of their airspace and the other sides picks it up to guide you. Personnel and equipment being used cost money and this has to be catered for. It’s the same charges being paid here that is paid elsewhere. So it’s not any different. Insurance is dollarized. The cost of fuel is high. All these are not within the control of the NCAA. So you can’t blame this on the NCAA. We don’t joke with maintenance, aircraft must be 100% fit at all times. The maintenance is fixed.  If you move the aircraft from one point, you must carry out an A check and when you fly for some hours you go for a B check and another fix hours you go for C check, which is a little bit comprehensive and most C checks are not done in Nigeria, they’re done abroad and you don’t do it anywhere you like you have to do it at where we approve. Meaning that wherever you’re going to service your aircraft, we must be involved as long as you’re in our register. And when you’re even doing the servicing, we have to send our personnel there to monitor the process to ensure that things are done in line with the standard procedure. That’s how painstaking we’re.

    Can you clarify the issue of airline operators paying 5% surcharge to NCAA?

    Our only source of revenue is 5% of ticket handling and it’s  in the Civil Aviation Act of 2006. NCAA is run and sustained by passengers because we exist for the safety of the passengers. When I fly now, I buy a ticket and become a passenger as well. The 5% is added to the airfare paid by the passengers to the airline for a one hour flight. The airline only collects this on behalf of the NCAA to remit to us later. So it’s not a surcharge to the airline in the first place. No. Even the idea of collecting on our behalf was a decision taken by the airlines at a Civil Aviation Committee Review because our officers use to collect it. But the Committee said rather than us  having our officers at the counters, let’s collect on your behalf and remit later. So how does it now become a surcharge? That is deliberate propaganda and lies against the NCAA by those out to deceive the uninformed publics. There is also hue and cry about NAMA charging navigational fees. All these are standard procedures done abroad nothing is arbitrary here.

    Does this charges applies to foreign airlines operating in the country as well?

    Of course, the foreign airlines operating in Nigeria are also paying and they pay it in dollars too. But the local operators who pay in naira just don’t want to pay. Are you saying the foreign airlines are not facing recession too? Nobody is immune from it,  not even the U.S. There are more mergers of airlines in America than anywhere else in the world. As we speak, bigger carriers are merging. There is  no airline that doesn’t belong to one alliance or the other. British Airways, for instance, belongs to Star Alliance, One World; etc. Everybody is pairing up because they know they can’t do it alone in view of the prevailing economic situation afflicting most countries. What I expect from local operators is to sit down and look at how to get over the worrying economic situation rather than resort to the blame game.

  • IFC, SEC to implement corporate governance scorecard

    IFC, SEC to implement corporate governance scorecard

    Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, will begin the implementation of the Nigerian Corporate Governance Scorecard in January 2017.

    In 2014, IFC and SEC partnered to develop the Nigerian Corporate Governance Scorecard which was launched in November 2015. Following the launch, both institutions have jointly trained various stakeholders to prepare for implementation. These stakeholders include chief finance officers, company secretaries, audit committee and board chairpersons. The training sessions generated awareness for the new disclosure requirements of SEC. These disclosures will be used annually to assess corporate governance practices of listed companies in the country.

    Both SEC and IFC at the weekend confirmed that the implementation of the Nigerian Corporate Governance Scorecard will start in January 2017.

    Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mounir Gwarzo said a major focus of the apex capital regulator is to provide regulatory oversight to ensure public companies comply with best practices in corporate governance and boost their performance.

    “Having built considerable market awareness for the scorecard with IFC’s support, we hope that as companies comply, they will improve their performance and contribute to growth in the nation’s economy,” Gwarzo said.

    According to him, the scorecard will identify strong performers through enhanced disclosure, strengthen investor confidence and encourage foreign investments in the country.

    Country Manager, Nigeria, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Eme Essien Lore noted that IFC works with firms to attract and retain investment by promoting the adoption of good corporate governance practices and standards.

    “We have partnered with SEC over the last two years, developing the corporate governance scorecard and sensitising stakeholders. We hope that as implementation begins in January 2017, the trained officials would translate progress made into ongoing processes that boost performance, attract investments and help the economy grow,” Essien Lore said.

    Corporate governance refers to the structures and processes by which companies are directed and controlled. Companies become more accountable and transparent to investors, which encourages new investments, boosts economic growth, and provides employment opportunities.

    Corporate governance scorecards are quantitative tools used to measure the level of observance of a code or standard of corporate governance. The scorecard was developed using indicators from the SEC code of corporate governance and will assess individual, sectorial and market-wide level of compliance with standards of best practices.

    IFC’s Africa corporate governance programme is funded by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland. IFC is the implementing partner for the programme.

  • ‘Corporate governance key to good performance’

    ‘Corporate governance key to good performance’

    Managing Director, FBN Merchant Bank Limited, Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe, has underscored the importance of sound corporate governance as a cornerstone for good and sustainable corporate performance in the banking sector.

    He said sound corporate governance must go beyond compliance and check-lists; it must become a way of life and all stakeholders have the duty to ensure that sound corporate governance permeates the length and breadth of Nigerian banks.

    Akinkugbe, who delivered a keynote speech at the monthly meeting of the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCCOBIN), noted that the principles of corporate governance must form the basic framework for ensuring that stakeholders are able to enjoy long term benefits and value from banks.

    He added that sound corporate governance also serves as strong pillars that ensure overall market confidence in institutions.

    According to him, the institution of corporate governance, backed by legislative, economic and financial reforms intended to promote transparency, accountability and the rule of law in the economic life of the country, are critical in assuring the banking public retains trust and confidence in such essential of bodies.

    He pointed out that good corporate governance not only ensures compliance with legal and ethical standards, but helps in building the strength of financial institutions within an economy.

    He noted that in recent years, corporate governance has attracted considerable interest, particularly following the global financial crisis and other corporate scandals, which have led to the promulgation of rules and directives aimed at creating strong internal systems and controls that are comparable for financial institutions across the globe.

    “We are proud to be part of a larger Group, FBN Holdings Plc,  which has a strong heritage of promoting corporate governance practices that have resulted into over 120 years of uninterrupted service and continued growth,” Akinkugbe said.

    He restated the commitment of FBN Merchant Bank towards maintaining a strong posture on sound practices.

    He urged all chief compliance officers to engage, review and update policies and procedures to meet evolving business needs, and ensure familiarisation amongst all stakeholders, noting that this is critical to ensuring that the goal of running sustainable banking institutions is achieved.

  • FCMB backs NSE’s Corporate Challenge

    FCMB backs NSE’s Corporate Challenge

    First City Monument Bank (FCMB), for the third time in a row, is throwing its weight behind this year’s edition of the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s (NSE) Corporate Challenge. The exercise would help the parties raise funds, which would be donated towards providing mobile cancer screening centers in the country.

    The event, which holds in Lagos on May 14, is driven by the lender’s desire to checkmate cancer, which has seemingly brought humanity to its knees, especially in Nigeria. The event kicks-off at 7am and  will have participants take-off from the Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island, Lagos, passing through Ozumba Mbadiwe Road to Akin Adesola Street, to  end the race at the same take-off point.

    With theme: “Erase Cancer”, the event is a call to action for Nigerians, especially corporate bodies, including over 100 listed companies and broker dealer firms in the NSE whose representatives and staff are expected to participate in the five kilometer walk, jog and run competition to stand against this menace.

    This initiative aligns with various aspects of FCMB’s corporate social responsibility and its strong belief in the Sustainable Development Goal, which focuses on health for all.

    FCMB’s Group Head, Corporate Affairs, Diran Olojo said it is the lender’s concern for cancer patients and their painful experiences that drives FCMB’s support for this laudable project.

    “This is more apt when one remembers that cancer accounts for 13 per cent of all deaths registered globally. And in Nigeria, about 10,000 cancer related deaths are recorded annually while 250,000 new cases are recorded yearly. This is quite painful to imagine,” he said.

    “FCMB as a socially responsible and conscious corporate body, is keenly interested in this fight. We want Nigerians to know that most types of cancer including breast, cervical, oral and colorectal cancer can be cured if detected early. It is also important to know that our diet and lifestyle play a crucial role in reducing the scourge of cancer. One must maintain a healthy lifestyle and go through regular medical check-ups,”he said.

    The NSE Corporate Challenge has been designed exclusively for companies listed on the NSE and capital market participants to promote teamwork and a healthy community. The event provides opportunity for positive competition among corporate teams, as well as a chance to network within the business community.

  • FRC ignores CBN’s contributions to Corporate Governance Code

    FRC ignores CBN’s contributions to Corporate Governance Code

    The war between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) is far from over. The apex bank complained at the weekend that the Council did not consider its recommendations on the ongoing review of the National Code of Corporate Governance.

    In a circular signed by CBN’s Director, Financial Policy & Regulations, Kelvin Amugo, titled: ‘Exposure Draft of the National Code of Corporate  Governance Issued by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria,’ he said most of the CBN’s input/observations, submitted during the public hearing which it considered critical to the smooth operation of the banking industry were not considered in the released drafts.

    The FRCN, after a public hearing held on June 30, last year, released drafts on the National Code of Corporate Governance, for Private, Public Sectors as well as Not-for Profit Organisations, on December 29, 2015.

    The CBN said it also observed that other significant contributions from a number of banks and other financial institutions on the private sector code, were not also considered by the FRCN. “We advise on the need to ensure that relevant inputs that would enhance the status of the codes, as well as facilitate the efficient and effective operation of the financial system are factored-in by the FRCN before the codes are finalised,” he said.

    The apex bank is, therefore, asking banks “to forward their input and/or concerns on the National Corporate Governance Codes to the Director, Financial Policy and Regulations Department by March 29, 2016 to enable us articulate a common position for the banking industry and to engage with the FRCN in respect thereof.”

    FRCN Executive Secretary, Jim Obazee, had during the hearing explained that modern society believes that the era of very weak and persuasive corporate governance codes is long gone due to stiff competing environment for foreign direct investment; of which binding regulation is a major factor being considered by investors and stakeholders, hence the need for new code.

    He said provisions have been made for the development and enforcement of a National Code of Corporate Governance in the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act No. 6, 2011.

    He said that Section 50 of the FRC Act, 2011 provides that the objectives of the Directorate of Corporate Governance shall be to develop principles and practices of corporate governance ; promote the highest standards of corporate governance; promote public awareness about corporate governance principles and practices; on behalf of Council, act as the national coordinating body responsible for all matters pertaining to corporate governance  and promote sound financial reporting and accountability based on true and fair financial statements duly audited by competent independent Auditors.

    Obazee said the Council shall enforce and approve enforcement of compliance with accounting, auditing, corporate governance and financial reporting standards in Nigeria.

  • How to sound articulate in corporate environment

    Dear Harriet,

    It is alarming at the rate simple courtesy is declining mostly in our corporate environment. Please, give counsel on this. Thanks.

    Tunde Oni, Lagos.

     

    IF there is anything so important now and would play a major role in the life of every worker, it is the

    social and corporate outlook.  A man’s charm is primarily judged by his appearance and utterance.

    A proper blend of both cultivates a perfect man. We are in a society where the recognition and observance of good art of speaking is largely ignored. Also, our general ability to talk intelligently with one another seems to be declining. In fact, bad and terrible talks permeate every level of our corporate and civil lives. Until we master the speaking attitude, our day-to-day business dealings in office, telephone conversation and oral presentation would remain bland and inept. We should first realize that our personality reflects in the way we speak. A subordinate speaking to his boss should be bold to look straight into the eyes of his boss to pass on information or argue a point. Talking to the floor with our heads bowed and our knuckle cracking incessantly in sham obeisance strips us of self-confidence that may yet reside in us. To be a good speaker, you should add value to whatever you say. You must be confident and be willing to say it in the most precise manner. Undue circumlocution only betrays your level of intelligence. The office environment is one good place where a worker’s temperament or his general outlook can be determined. In office, an individual comes in contact with people of diverse backgrounds.

    His or her ability to use words so effectively to indulge in constant chatter without rancor matters a great deal. Simple courtesy words like “may I use your calculator please? Or may I have your magazine for a moment please?” will not only bring a smile to face of our interlocutor, but they could also illuminate the charm in us. If there is one place politeness seems to have lost its value today, it is the corporate environment. The kind of conversation we hear on the telephone, even on casual discussions, is drained of politeness. Speaking on the telephone in the office should be a courteous exercise. Anger or disgust can be expressed in a subtle manner such that the desired result could be better achieved. The use of imperative statements, especially when a request is to be made is disastrous to a telephone conversation. If while making enquiries you say “let me ask you a question”, you would sound less polite than when you say “may I ask you a question please” what if you were receiving a call and the request is for your colleague, do you say for example “she is not back from lunch yet or she is away from her desk, but I expect her soon” no doubt the second option sounds more polite and courteous. In addition still on conversation, for the receptionist the statement “can I help you” has become such a polite cliché that it is said most often with a patronizing glare as if that is just the best that could be offered. This same expression could still be used with more attention and politeness for the visitor to feel more welcome. Imagine how a visitor will feel if the receptionist or the front desk officer with a smile in his or her face says “good morning, how may I help you please” it is pertinent to know that a face conversation is always more compelling than a telephone conversation. Whatever mode we use, we should be conscious that those who master the speaking attitude will always have a much better shot at winning the battle of ascendancy. The world may be agog with new technologies every day but they can never take the place of plain conversation. Speaking well in the office can enhance your career prospect, improve your chances of promotion and enhance your social life. Every worker must, therefore, see it as an act that must be cultivated.

    Harriet ogbobine is a counselor and a motivational speaker. Send your questions and suggestions to her on bineharriet@gmail.com or txt message only 08054682598. You can also follow her on twitter: @bineharrietj