As you progress in your career, it is important to continually seek out new opportunities for learning and growth. This may include seeking out new job positions, taking on new responsibilities, or exploring new industries or fields, Harold Nwariaku, Managing Partner at Harold & Co Consulting, in this interview speaks about what he offers in value and procurement consultancy space:
How were you able to develop your career over the years?
These are the steps I took to develop my career and I recommend them to young professionals in any field. Identify your goals and what you want to achieve. This may include specific job titles, industries, or types of work.
Once you have identified your goals, it is important to build the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve them. This may include taking courses or training, gaining practical experience through internships or volunteer work, or seeking out mentors or advisors who can provide guidance and support.
Networking and building relationships with people in your industry or field can be valuable in terms of finding job opportunities, getting advice and guidance, and gaining exposure to new ideas and perspectives. Develop a strong professional brand, as this can help you stand out and make a positive impression on potential employers and colleagues, create a strong online presence through social media and professional networking sites and develop a clear and concise resume and cover letter. As you progress in your career, it is important to continually seek out new opportunities for learning and growth. This may include seeking out new job positions, taking on new responsibilities, or exploring new industries or fields.
This was how I developed my career and achieved my long-term professional goals.
How have you been able to stay relevant in the business environment?
I stay up to date on industry trends and developments: this has ensured that my skills and knowledge are current. Reading industry publications, attending conferences and events, and participating in professional development opportunities. I have developed a diverse range of skills which has made me more valuable and adaptable in the business environment. I chose to expand my skill set by taking courses and training, learning new technologies, and gaining experience in different fields like Business Development, Project Management, and Supply Chain. The business world is constantly changing, so it is important to be open to new ideas and approaches. I learned new technologies and I was willing to take on new roles and responsibilities.
I have built a strong professional network which has helped me stay connected to the industry and stay informed about work opportunities and trends. I am an active member of professional organizations, I attend industry events, and I network with colleagues and peers. I try to stay proactive, and I take the initiative to improve my skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the curve. I seek out new opportunities for learning and growth and I stay open to new challenges and experiences.
Give insight about your experience as a business consultant.
A business consultant must have a deep understanding of the client’s business to provide effective advice and recommendations. This involves conducting research and analysis, gathering data, and working closely with the client to understand their needs and goals. Business consultants must be able to clearly communicate their recommendations and ideas to clients, as well as listen actively to the client’s concerns and needs. Strong communication skills are essential for building trust and credibility with clients. Business consultants may work with clients from a variety of industries and sectors, and each client will have unique needs and challenges. As a result, we must be adaptable and able to tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of each client. We must stay current on industry trends and developments to provide relevant and valuable advice to clients. This involves ongoing learning and professional development. Business consulting is a demanding field, and consultants are required to work long hours and meet tight deadlines. A strong work ethic and the ability to manage time effectively are essential for success.
What is the best moment you have had while running a foundation involved in human capacity development?
Our workshops are engaging and interactive, with a mix of activities and techniques that keep participants interested and involved. The learning objectives of our workshop are clearly defined and communicated to participants, so they know what they can expect to learn and how it will be relevant to their work or personal development. The content of our workshops is relevant and practical, with a focus on skills and knowledge that participants can apply in their work or personal lives.
Our facilitators are experienced and knowledgeable in the subject matter and can effectively convey information and facilitate discussions. We conduct workshops in a supportive and inclusive environment, where all participants feel welcome and able to contribute. Participants can ask questions and provide feedback throughout the workshop, which helps ensure that they are getting the most out of the experience. By developing the skills and knowledge of individuals, our client organizations have improved productivity and efficiency.
This has led to cost savings and increased competitiveness. Developing the capacity of employees has helped to foster a culture of innovation, as individuals are better equipped to think creatively and come up with new ideas. Investing in the development of employees has helped to enhance their career prospects and increase their value to the organization. This has led to increased job satisfaction and retention. Developing the capacity of individuals improves their problem-solving and decision-making skills, which has led to better outcomes for the organization. Employees have also adapted to change and new challenges more easily, which is particularly important in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
What are the challenges you have encountered during the process?
There is the challenge of limited resources. Providing training and development opportunities can be expensive, and organizations may not have the budget or resources to invest in the development of their employees. Training and development programs can be time-consuming, and employees may not have the time to participate due to their workload or other commitments. Some employees may resist learning new skills or adopting new ways of working, which can make it difficult to implement capacity development programs.
Without clear objectives, it can be difficult to determine the impact of capacity development programs and measure their effectiveness. Investing in the development of employees may not always result in increased retention, as employees may still choose to leave the organization for other opportunities. Depending on the location and size of the organization, all employees may not have access to the training and development opportunities they need to improve their skills and knowledge.
How do you manage to achieve your client company objectives when unforeseen circumstances occur?
Unpredictability can often lead to change, so it is important for us to be flexible and adaptable to respond to new challenges and opportunities. We have stayed open to new ideas and approaches and have been willing to pivot or change course as needed. Having clear goals and objectives has helped us to stay focused and on track, even in times of uncertainty.
Setting measurable and achievable goals has also helped to track progress and adjust as needed. Encouraging a culture of innovation has helped us to be more adaptable and responsive to change. We provide opportunities for employees to share ideas, encourage risk-taking and experimentation, and provide resources for employees to develop new skills and knowledge. It has been helpful to develop contingency plans to prepare for potential disruptions or unexpected events; including identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate them, as well as having backup plans in place in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Staying informed about changes in the market and industry has helped us to be more proactive in responding to uncertainty. It has also been important to communicate effectively with employees, stakeholders, and customers to ensure that everyone is on the same page and aware of any changes or disruptions. By following these steps, we have been able to navigate unpredictability and helped clients achieve their objectives.
Do you have a medium to measure the impact you have made on individuals and businesses?
By identifying specific KPIs we are able to measure the impact of consulting on both the individual and the business. For example, the individual’s KPIs might include things like the number of projects completed, client satisfaction ratings, and new skills acquired. Business KPIs might include things like increased revenue, improved efficiency, and increased market share. We conduct surveys and gather feedback from clients, employees, and stakeholders which provide valuable insights into the impact of our consulting services on the business.
We do this through surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews. Analyzing data and tracking trends helps us to identify any changes or improvements in the business because of consulting. We look at financial data, customer satisfaction ratings, and other key metrics. We then evaluate the outcomes and results of our projects which provide a clear picture of the impact on the business. We analyze the success of specific initiatives or projects or compare results to pre-consulting benchmarks.
How do you identify current problems and implement solutions within the Nigerian market?
We gather information about the market through research and analysis. We study industry reports, analyze data on economic indicators, and gather insights from industry experts and stakeholders. We look for patterns and trends in the data that may indicate challenges or problems faced by businesses operating in the market. These include issues such as limited access to financing, poor infrastructure, or regulatory challenges. We engage with stakeholders such as employees, customers, and industry experts to gather more in-depth insights into these challenges and problems. Based on the information gathered, we develop potential solutions to the identified challenges and problems. This may involve identifying new technologies or approaches that could help to address the issues or working with relevant stakeholders to advocate for policy changes or other interventions. Once the solutions have been developed, we take care to implement them effectively and monitor their impact. We work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the solutions are implemented in a way that addresses the identified challenges and problems.
What are your expansion plans/forward-looking goals?
We will determine which industries and sectors we want to focus on, and what types of clients we want to target. This will help us to develop a clear and focused growth strategy. We are reviewing our marketing plan to help us reach potential clients and promote our consulting services using tactics such as increasing our online presence, attending more industry events, and networking with potential new clients. As our business grows, we may need to hire additional consultants or support staff. We plan to develop a plan for building and expanding our team to ensure that we have the resources and expertise to meet the needs of our clients.
We are considering the expansion of our services to meet the changing needs of our clients and to tap into new markets. We will be developing new offerings and partnering with other firms to provide a wider range of services. We will regularly monitor and track our progress toward our growth goals and adjust as needed. We will keep reviewing our financial data, keep gathering feedback from clients, and continue to conduct market research to identify new opportunities.
How do you manage managers and buyers through a group transformation project?
We clearly communicate the vision and goals of the procurement transformation project to managers and buyers and explain how it will benefit the organization. This helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same objectives. We involve key stakeholders, including managers and buyers, in the planning process for the procurement transformation project to ensure that their concerns and needs are considered and that they feel invested in the success of the project. We ensure that managers and buyers have the necessary training and support to effectively implement the procurement transformation project.
This includes providing training on new processes and technologies or assigning dedicated support staff to help with the transition. We regularly monitor and measure progress toward the goals of the procurement transformation project and communicate this progress to stakeholders. This keeps everyone informed and motivated and allows for adjustments to be made as needed. We are also responsive to concerns and issues that may arise during the procurement transformation project, and work with stakeholders to address them in a timely and effective manner.
How has it been with delivering commercial targets as regards turn-around times and cost reduction?
We conduct a thorough analysis of current processes and identify opportunities for improvement in terms of turn-around times and cost reduction by looking for bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the process and identifying ways to streamline or automate tasks. We also engage with stakeholders such as employees, customers, and suppliers to gather insights and ideas for improvement.
This may involve conducting focus groups, surveys, or holding workshops to solicit input. Based on the information gathered, we develop a plan for improving turn-around times and reducing costs, implementing new technologies, streamlining processes, or negotiating better terms with suppliers.
Once the plan has been developed, we implement it effectively and monitor its progress. This may involve setting benchmarks and tracking key metrics such as turn-around times and cost savings. We then identify and eliminate unnecessary steps or bottlenecks in the process and implement automation or other technology solutions to streamline the workflow. This helps reduce turnaround times and improve efficiency. We go further to look for ways to eliminate waste in the process, such as by reducing rework, eliminating unnecessary activities, or finding more efficient ways of completing tasks.
We provide training and support to team members to help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to deliver high-quality work efficiently by empowering them to take ownership of their work to drive process improvement. Then we regularly monitor and measure progress against targets and use data to identify areas for improvement.
Bottlenecks or other issues that are causing delays or increasing costs are clearly brought to the fore. We encourage strong communication and collaboration within the team and with clients can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. We are prepared to adjust as needed to ensure that the plan is effective in delivering commercial targets and to revise the plan or implement additional measures as needed.
What differentiates you from others who render similar services?
We try to be different in the way we do business by identifying our unique selling points (USPs). We identify what makes our service business unique and what sets it apart from competitors, our specialized expertise, our problem-solving methodology, and our excellent customer service. We clearly communicate our USPs to potential customers through marketing and branding efforts. We highlight our unique selling points in our marketing materials, on our website, and in our interactions with customers. It is important that we deliver on the promises that we make to our customers to differentiate our business. We consistently provide high-quality services, strive to always meet customer needs, and we go above and beyond to exceed expectations. We stay up to date on industry trends and developments and remain open to new ideas and approaches, which help our service business stand out. We try to introduce new services and technologies and adopt innovative approaches to solve our client’s problems. We build strong relationships with customers and try to foster customer loyalty. This has helped to differentiate our business and set us apart from competitors.
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