WHO really are you?
I am a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of Associate of Chartered Accountant (ACCA) in UK and a member of the Institute of Chattered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) and CITN. I also have an MBA from Oxford University in UK and several other qualifications. I currently live and work in the United Kingdom as an accountant and business consultant. I am an investor in e-commerce and my unrelenting pursuit now is to make sure Nigerians are not left behind in the global internet trade. There are limitless opportunities on the internet and we can redirect the energy of our youths to embrace these opportunities.
What exactly is your company all about?
We have released our highly functional and secure website (www.MannaStores.com ) where Nigerians can shop online without the challenges of payment cards acceptability or delivery. The website is already making waves as we have received a lot of orders and a lot of waiting list as I talk to you. The process of registration is simple and we help you find what you intend to buy, buy it and deliver it to your doorsteps. Alternatively, you may pick it up in our office at A&B Plaza 88 Ekoro Street Lagos and the full direction is on our website. We also have an office in the UK which does the purchasing and shipping for customers. This innovation saves time and money travelling to buy goods abroad and it’s a lot cheaper for retailers of all kinds of products. We also pay school fees, subscriptions, and gifts among others on behalf of our Nigerian customers to universities, dating websites, clubs, software websites or any other websites worldwide. Nigerians are also reluctant to use their cards online for fear of security, but we take the risk on their behalf and deliver the goods to their homes.www.mannastores.com
Your company also owns www.MannaMart.com and the blog www.MannaMart.blogspot.com and now www.MannaStores.com?
Yes.There is synergy between www.MannaMart.com and www.MannaStores.com ; our aim is for retailers to buy in bulk through MannaStores and sell them in retail through our online classified website www.MannaMart.com. So, it was a deliberate plot to start Mannamart.com first and it is doing very well and then introduce www.MannaStores.com which is a bigger project. This allows young entrepreneurs to start trading without the need for huge capital. They can put all their resources in stock to get quick and higher returns.
What sets your company apart from others?
We find values for our customers and we have a department which does the research of which company is selling good quality items at low prices. In the Western world, companies produce for seasons and towards the end of the season, they dispose of the seasonal products at ridiculously low prices. Sometimes at reduction of up to 80% and it is called ‘Sales’; this is a big opportunity for our customers to buy at these times and make good profit. We constantly update our blog www.MannaMart.blogspot.com with information on where to find the ‘Sales’. There are also other secrets of finding values which we would not disclose now but our customers would always find them featured on our website and blog periodically. So our customers should constantly check to find them. We deliver first-class service to our customers from the first point of contact to delivery of goods and also ensuring that you are happy even after delivery. This is the basic TQM and we implement it to the letter. We set example of gold service that is difficult for anyone else to replicate and you may test it out and see for yourself. We aim to deliver everything we promise at all times.
Why do people need your services since they can buy on the internet themselves?
We enjoy economy of scale in terms of our purchasing logistics and therefore we are able to offer customers quick quality service than they are able to do themselves. There is also a challenge regarding jurisdiction; if a customer in Nigeria buys from a seller in UK, it is difficult to pursue the seller for a refund if he defaults because of different legal systems and the legal cost of doing so. As a registered company in UK and in Nigeria, we can pursue default by sellers in UK to get justice for our customers.
Why do you have a special delivery package for wedding materials?
People like their wedding materials to be of good quality and also affordable. Therefore, we source where they may get it and offer to deliver at short notice at a little cost than ordinary delivery if time is tight on their side. We realise that it is difficult to know the value of rings, especially if you are not an expert; therefore, we have a link to reputable companies selling quality rings and you will get good value for your money.
How affordable are your charges?
It would surprise you to know that we charge only 10% for the incredible service level that we provide to our customers. Henry Ford said ‘ the surest way not to make money is to be greedy for it but when you focus on rendering incredible service to your customers, money will naturally flow to you’. I totally agree with Henry Ford and therefore I base my business model on rendering excellent service first and foremost and one of the ways to do this is to make good service affordable to many. Small to medium size companies may grow very quickly by taking advantage of our services by investing their money in buying stock instead of spending it on travel and accommodation abroad.
What is the ultimate vision of your company?
The focus of our business model is to build a business that delivers value to customers, our vision is to create a platform of wealth for our customers and do good for the environment and our mission is to generate outstanding returns to our shareholders, create a fantastic work environment for our employees, uphold reciprocal relationship with our suppliers and exceed the expectation of our customers with due regard for the environment. I hope to integrate Nigerians with the rest of the world through this platform and create one of the most outstanding companies in Africa.
Why did you choose the internet for delivering your services?
The future of businesses is on the internet and the quicker we embrace it, the better for our economy. The market reach on the internet is limitless; we have had hundreds of thousands of visitors on our MannaMart classified website in less than six months and even a lot more on our Mannamart.blogspot; it would take years to accomplish that with a lot of advertising budget offline. The era of sellers’ market is over and now you have to cater to your customers to build a successful business and the internet allows you to do that effectively through payment convenience and prompt delivery. Customers may now order from the convenience of their homes and expect prompt delivery in a few days at a cheaper price than going to the market directly. We are determined to bring the benefits of internet trade to our customers and ensure Nigeria is not left behind in the global trade phenomenon.
What is your message to your customers?
My message is that they should take advantage of the value available on the internet and they should be wary of unscrupulous elements as well. As a business focused on long-term sustainability, we would support them to achieve their business goals through our excellent service delivery.
What is your hope for Nigeria?
I am a strong believer in Nigeria. I want Nigeria to become prosperous by individuals getting up to do something about their situation and not just blaming government for everything. If you have a little money, don’t use it to buy expensive lace material you cannot afford; come and find something you can buy from MannaStores and go and sell it on MannaMart and start creating wealth for your future. The future of Nigeria is not in oil, but in individuals doing their bits for our dear country. Government should endeavour to provide infrastructure like electricity, good road networks and railway links throughout the country to support the private sector which I believe is capable of outstanding productivity. There are many Entrepreneurs like me who believe in Nigeria and would continue to invest in it because we want to make a difference and I know we can!
No comments:
Post a Comment