A few years ago, three beautiful ladies walked majestically to my guest house in Lekki. They wore skirts and blouses that matched their bodies, giving them curves that could send any man to his early grave.
Out of curiosity and to avoid showing my penchant for good things, I took a step towards my gate and asked the gateman to open it for these august visitors. I couldn’t resist myself when I politely offered them a seat in the lobby and requested to know their mission.
They introduced themselves as marketers from Heritage Bank and explained that they were there to introduce various packages offered by their bank. They told me that their bank was customer-friendly and assured me of total satisfaction. Although I don’t remember what else they said about their bank, my eyes and mind had traveled thousands of miles away from them.
Their driver drove in, and all of them joined us in a conversation ranging from politics to other meaningful topics relevant to the well-being of the human race. We forgot about their bank and whatever they were there to advertise. They started showcasing their talents from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. We spent the time appreciating each other in a godly manner.
When it was time for them to leave, they brought out one or two customer registration forms for my gateman and one of my aides to sign. They would present these forms at their office as their achievement for the day. Only God knows how many places they had visited and returned to their boss claiming they had performed their daily duties for which they were paid.
This is one of the problems in our society. People often neglect what they are supposed to do, which could add value to their lives, and instead pursue things that will not help them in the long run. To them, they treated their job as if, whether they sold anything or not, their salary was guaranteed. Unknown to them, they were destroying their future.
If they believe they can only work when their boss is in the office and immediately slack off once the boss leaves, they should continue. Where they draw their salaries from will eventually fold up, and they will realize they have messed up their lives in a significant way.
Every action we take, no matter how small, contributes to our overall success and the success of the institutions we represent. These young ladies, although charming and engaging, missed an opportunity to genuinely promote their bank and secure new clients. Instead, they chose to focus on superficial interactions that did not serve their professional purpose.
In many ways, their approach symbolizes a broader issue within the workforce. When employees do not fully commit to their responsibilities, the entire organization suffers. A company’s reputation is built on the collective efforts of its employees, and when individuals fail to perform, it reflects poorly on the institution as a whole.
Imagine a scenario where every employee gave their best effort every day. The results would be transformative. Companies would thrive, customer satisfaction would soar, and employees would feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. This vision is not unattainable; it requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to excellence.
In the context of Heritage Bank, the collapse can be seen as a culmination of many such missed opportunities. Each time an employee chose to prioritize personal interests over professional duties, the bank moved one step closer to failure. This is a lesson for all of us: our actions have consequences, and we must strive to act in ways that contribute positively to our goals and the goals of our organizations.
The story of Heritage Bank is a cautionary tale, but it is also an opportunity for reflection and improvement. By learning from these mistakes, other organizations can avoid similar pitfalls and build stronger, more resilient operations. This requires a collective effort, with everyone from the top down committing to doing their part.
The downfall of Heritage Bank serves as a reminder that success is not guaranteed. It must be earned through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. Let us take this lesson to heart and strive to be the best versions of ourselves, both personally and professionally.
In conclusion, while the collapse of Heritage Bank was unfortunate, it provides valuable insights into the importance of employee commitment, effective leadership, and customer engagement. By addressing these areas, other organizations can build a strong foundation for long-term success. The choice is ours, and our collective efforts can make a significant difference.
Our attitude determines our altitude in life.
Our actions today will shape the future we create. Let us choose to act with integrity, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. In doing so, we can build a better future for ourselves, our organizations, and our society as a whole.
Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.
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