The question I asked a CEO that got him really laughing

Oluwatobi Adesanya
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read

“In order for any business to succeed, it must first become a system so that the business functions exactly the same way every time down to the last detail”

Rick Harshaw

That was 2015 just right out of Youth Service when I got employed as the Program Coordinator for a newly formed NGO in Lagos.

I had been working for a couple of weeks developing project plans and a vision document for the next one year of the organization.

So, the day came and I had to meet with the Founder of the NGO and her Husband (a very busy Business Mogul).

I sat myself down while they also took seats at the table in her husband’s office. We got talking on many things and cemented plans to hit the ground running.

Finally, I had my chance to pop a question to him.

By the way, her husband ran 4 companies- a Facility Management Company (that provided services for Airtel amongst other top brands), a Janitorial and Cleaning Company (that Nestlé, British American Tobacco and other top brands), an IT Company (provided services for Central Bank), a Micro Finance bank.

I couldn’t miss the opportunity to ask a question and to break the ice of conversations with him.

Those who know me understand I love to pop questions.

So I said…

“Can I ask a question?”… He signaled for me to go ahead.

I asked, “If you were given an opportunity to work with Bill and Melinda Gates and he promised to pay you $1 Billion dollars monthly, will you take it?”

Almost like a bullet, he rebuffed in his deep rich voice, “By all means…”

… He and his lovely wife burst out laughing for a while.

His wife even said, “If he does not take it, I’d fight him.”

Here was his reason…

He said business is about systems. He had built the business to a point and he said he could set up more efficient systems that will keep the business running without his direct supervision. Meaning he can seize bigger opportunities when they come his way.

I always felt if one has passion for something he should stay glued and keep on working on it irrespective of the opportunities that may show up.

But now, I think differently.

Business isn’t just about passion. It is about building systems.

A great business isn’t one that it’s founders will have to work in it every single day till they die. Rather it is one that can thrive successfully even in the absence of its founder.

I hope this helps someone.

Funny I can still hear the sound of this laughter…

Oluwatobi Adesanya

Written by

Oluwatobi is a ghostwriter and Creative Director of Heart2World Publishing #Ghostwriter #Editor #Publisher #LoverofHisPresence Heart2worldpublishing.com

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