He called a meeting and we went. He asked the contractor, you are going to install structured office wiring in the NAF base in Port Harcourt, in the civilian wing. Congratulations for winning this contract. Come back next week with everything you need from my office to make this execution successful: “My [multinational oil company] has appointed me the project manager of this project, and I will work with you to ensure execution”, he concluded.
I was an intern, learning. The next week, the contractor came back with a list. The project manager provided help as required. Project was done on time and within cost. As I did internship in that oil giant, I learned one thing: they do not embark on projects without identifying the x-factors (“variables in a given situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome”), from both angles – their own side and also from the contractor’s side.
That takes me to the book in the Bible where you can learn the eternal secrets of executing projects on time. There is a case study on project management. It comes down to understanding the most important thing needed to make projects successful.
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His ancestors had dedicated a Temple around 10th century BC to Yahweh. But Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed it during the siege of Jerusalem. He grew up, and rose to become one of the most important men in Persia: a cup-bearer to Artaxerxes, king of Persia, and later, the king made him a governor of Persian Judea. And he was to rebuild the Jerusalem wall.
To rebuild the wall, he needed an x-factor. The king asked him to put in his request, and Nehemiah asked to use the timber from the king’s forest. In imperial Persia, the king’s timber went with the king’s builders and security. The wall was rebuilt within 52 days. If Nehemiah had used any timber that was different from timber from the king’s forest, he might have failed.
Simply, any project that received timber supplies from the king’s forest was as good as executed. And only the most important projects qualified. As the aides shipped the timber, the guards would follow, making sure that none was wasted. Another set of guards would monitor compliance. That was why as the wall was being rebuilt, the soldiers fought the enemies – and the project was executed on time.
Did you notice Nehemiah’s x-factor? Cheap sheet: the timber from the king’s forest. What is your x-factor for that project at work? What is your x-factor for your career ascension? Discover the #xfactors. Happy Sunday.
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This is quite fascinating and enlightening. Its indeed important to factor in the x-factor for success.
What’s the x-factor in political leadership in Nigeria and continental Africa? Until we crack that code, we will remain essentially useless, because we are yet to worth a thing in the grand scheme of things. Our theses and education must translate to better life and development in Mother Africa, anything else is irrelevant.
We have been too irresponsible as a people, time to face our shameful performance and tackle the problems the motherland is beset by.
Each of us should always ask before embarking on anything: how does what I am about to do help make my homeland and Africa better? Always ask yourself that question, to know if you are building or destroying the motherland.
Note: Nehemiah must have been a diligent person to have gotten the attention of his master (A king) that he would take cognisance of his countenance and enquire and give him things to take on his journey not fearing that he might squander things entrusted to his care.
Yes,! Nehemiah was as delivery as he was selfless and spiritually upright too. He thought of the House of the most high God being in shambles, while they as captives were living in luxurious homes sleeping on quilted beds.
For this reason, and more, Nehemiah needed to show courage by first, silently saying a few words of prayer. In essence, he was of good conduct right from time to have gained the king’s notice, all these coupled with the zeal to return the heritage of the True God to their home land spurred him to action which met with God’s blessings and the king’s approval.
But forget not that the multitude of the people were then born in the land, so the not readily know of home, others were then,too old to attempt the journey and yet many more became prosperous that they thought twice of making the journey back home. Indeed,it was a huge sacrifice for those who went….were they entirely satisfied afterwards? Humans will always remain imperfect. But Ne