The beautiful city of Lagos in the country, Nigeria is a really mesmerizing sight, its saturated with great and wonderful people who are simple but yet intricate. Lagosian's are unique citizens with a rather ‘’advanced’’ way of life that could be studied. The fact is Lagos is really special as well as it’s residents known as Lagosian's. A typical Lagosian is someone who has stayed in the city for at least 5 years and understands the extreme roller coaster of daily living. Just visiting you can already sense the Lagos Spirit and the vibrancy. The parlance ‘’if you don't become sharp after staying in Lagos, you can never be sharp anywhere else’’ leaves everyone proactive and spontaneous
Trading activities are prime as it used to be the former state capital of Nigeria before independence. The ever vibrant trading activities that was present then during the colonial era was the stepping stone and reason for the escalation of business activities even till date as well as the fact that most of the major sea ports are situated there. From the airport to the parking lot, you can already feel the business vibe with different people at different locations offering either a service or product.
Carrying out trading activities is present by default in their DNA’s and inherent in their being.
There are stores, supermarkets, malls for buying and selling with sales in the traffic inclusive. I remember when my little cousin came visiting from the UK, was stuck in the traffic on our way home, she sighted a trader who had his stuffs well displayed in his mobile shop (his arm). Being a little girl who hadn’t seen such, I guess she imagined the only reason why edible products were held in the middle of the road was for free distribution. In a blink she reached out and had already collected a well packaged sausage know as gala thinking it was free (loool)...Then we have to enlighten her :)
Corporate organisations such as top companies and firms are not left out in this trade system. There is always an employee in every organisation who is responsible for carrying out purchases needed by the organisation as well as marketers who are responsible for creating awareness of their products because of the aggressive competition that exists.
This Lagos attribute is not just over the city but serves as an influences for other states. Even students go to major markets such as Balogun and Oshodi to purchase goods for resale in their school after which a considerable amount of profit is made
The most common type of trade however is street hawking, a small scale business which involves the trader displaying his/her wares on top of their heads in a tray. From the government of to Jakande down to Ambode the present Govenor. They all have frowned at the act of hawking by putting measure to eradicate street trading, however they have failed due to non compliance.
There have been cases of hawkers killed on expressways, Some ill minded individuals have taken advantage of hawking as a means to rob individuals on the highway.
The streets of Lagos are always busy, the hustle and bustle leaves most fatigued, so after a stressful long day at work on peoples way back, the thought of having to park just to get a bottle of soda and snacks could be devastating, this results in a large portion of the populace to encourage the act thereby making road hawkers part of the Lagos ecosystem.
Trade has however become more electronic in nature with the increased use of the internet in buying and selling as well as other transactions.
The introduction of of e-commerce has experienced commendable growth, with almost two decades down the line, it’s further being embraced and encouraged daily.
Social media is the new big thing in business, with the emergence of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well as messaging apps such as BBM and Whatsapp most companies and individuals have gotten the perfect platform to advertise and take their products and services to the next level, with posts like “Exclusive Deals! Now Offering Highly Quality Men Shoes, Call us on 08081xxxxx or add us on your bbm channel at C1001567 ’’ and the likes have helped individuals and companies grow their businesses as well as boost the exposure of their brand
Websites like Konga and Jumia as well are not left out as they have paved the way for traders to have their own online store.
The attribute of the typical business scene however has it’s pitfalls, the intense competition usually experienced. A new trader may decide to open a new store where he sells a particular type of merchandise, as soon as he begins to make good sales, new traders ‘’copycats’’ would open stores that sell similar stuffs as well thereby leading to fall in sales of the initiator. The funny thing is the new competitors could be hardcore who don’t necessarily put into consideration important factors but rather go ahead with setting up their store very close to the initial store of that line of business. This hasn’t deprived anyone the change of succeeding because as they say ‘’ the sky is big enough for everyone to fly’’ only thing is the level of competition which triggers consistency and introduction of strategies to outsmart each other. The relationships that exists among individuals however still keeps the system going, for example
Mr. John. has a friend who is Mr. Williams, Mr. John is in need of a service then goes ahead to ask Mr. Williams, Mr Williams then calls Miss Stephanie who has the capacity to render such service,
This is known as the relationship structure of business and it goes on and on. However, the structure/cycle has its problems as well
If Miss Stephanie. disappoints Mr. John with the service she renders. It would lead to both of them being at loggerheads. This would have no consequences on Mr Williams, just two angry individuals (except on rare occasions) where the whole situation could escalate. However, if the service was executed with no hiccups it would lead to more opportunities for Miss Stephanie as she could be introduced by Mr John to another client.
The state government has reviewed the different trading/business structures in place and is working on putting measures in place to create a better and ever friendly business atmosphere. However if you wish to take a trip to Africa, I suggest you visit Lagos state, the atmosphere is very energetic, so many places you could visit and exotic African dishes to try. If you are the king/Queen of turn up’s, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights are the best of days as the whole cruise would leave you engulfed in the perfect fantasy and state of bliss
Till then, don’t be surprised to see the weirdest of things being hawked on the streets of Lagos. It’s just being driven by the zealous and overly dedicated residents who have embraced the art of trade as a way of life and medium to success.
''If you can make it Lagos, you can make it anywhere''.
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Images:
http://www.100resilientcities.org/cities/entry/lagos-resilience-challenge
http://www.100resilientcities.org/cities/entry/lagos-resilience-challenge
https://www.naij.com/493826-5-top-shopping-malls-in-lagos.html
https://www.naij.com/531841-photos-top-20-interesting-facts-victoria-island-didnt-know.html
http://guardian.ng/property/professionals-urge-compliance-to-lekki-master/
Excellent post! A lot of useful information and beautiful pictures!
Thanks @garik-vrn :)
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Thanks for the recognition, have actually been undervalued on all my post, have recieved so many commendations on most of my post but yet nothing to show for it, i guess because am still new and haven't gotten the required exposure on the platform. However, would really appreciate if you could help out as regards boosting my exposure or if you could share with me a tip or 2 on how i could accomplish a much greater exposure for my posts. Thanks once again.
looks busy!
Yes it is @doitvoluntarily.
Great photos ! Im tired out just looking at that one with all those people ! Never mind actually being there ! Thanks for shareing !👍
Thanks @karemckersie and congrats on your retirement :)
Oh im not retireing yet ! But im saving up for it on steemit , so that I can retire sooner rather then later ! Lol ! Thanks for replying ! Steem on !👍
Oh, my bad :), I actually thought you have, that a really nice retirement plan, saving in anticipation of the future, wishing you all the best as you progress :)
You give me far too much credit ! Lol ! Im just tired of working and wanting to get back to Beaverdell where i moved from into town for work ! I just want to bake and garden , go fishing and raise chickens plus of course steemit all the time lol ! Even any help from steem I save will be an asset to maybe even get a loan to build a small house ! Anyone can do it ! Even if you save for 2 years on steemit and the price of steem sky rockets and more people join on mass , we will all be rich !!
Just keep posting and once in awhile whales will show you some love ! It takes time , once people get to know you more and like your stuff they will put you on their bot list ! So every time you post the bots automatically upvote you ! Good like ! Never give up and just enjoy blogging ! Steem on !😊
Am not just giving credit to flatter, am just being sincere :), I like the plan.. you wanting to go back to Beaverdell to bake, garden, fish and raise chicken's is really nice, that's the best way to live after retiring, going back to doing things you love and having fun. I hope to get a whale to put me on their bots list and also getting rich here (lol), am really looking forward to that :)... you are nice and so much fun, would really like to see and hear more from you..followed you already :-)
Thanks ! I started on steemit 6 months ago , because i have a small piece of property out in the country , in the mountains about an hour from town where I work and share an apartment with my 2 sons now 26 and 29 !
I need the money to put up a power shack , and build a small house ! Then i can steem full time in my new house and quit my job ! Haha ! Thats the plan anyways ! Just need the price of steem to go up after i save enough up in steem power ! Woot ! Thanks for replying back ! Steeming on !👍😎
Wow, that's really nice, you really have everything planned out, it's really nice that you have a well mapped out plan to gain full financial freedom even after you stop working . I am sure your financial intelligence must be a 100..hehehe...Actually am still new on this platform, joined December last year and still trying to get more exposure, its could really be disheartening and discouraging when one takes time out to make up a nice piece and gets nothing on it, even though that's what steemit is all about , enabling good writers get paid on their post. Am just trying to steem on regardless, Hoping everything works out well for us both...was really a pleasure conversing with u :), Thanks for replying.
Thanks for such kind replys ! Im following you now as well ! Good luck ! 👍😉
Thanks for taking time out to reply as well, following u already ;)