Adversity Teaches Us to Innovate – Jim Ovia

Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, hosted the second edition in its Sharing Experiences Series. The President and Chairman of Council of the NBCC, Mr Kayode Falowo said during his welcome address that the series was designed to provide a platform for the world to learn from the experience of exemplary leaders and achievers in the organized private sector.

The July 2020 edition with the theme ‘Building a Brand’ had as Guest Speaker, the Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia CON. During his presentation, Mr Ovia emphasized that successful brands were built through innovation, he also said that adversity had the power to push people to adapt, innovate and that the mantra for a time such as this should be ‘survival of the most creative’.

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Speaking on building the Zenith Bank brand, he said global organizations and brands that had lasted 100 years are his major inspiration and reason Zenith Bank had a long-term succession plan. Mr Ovia shared during the Q & A session that his personal methodology for brand building was honesty and that organizations who want to build lasting brands must be transparent in their dealings, respect corporate governance and always honour signed contracts.

Mr Ovia encouraged entrepreneurs to keep pushing despite the seemingly harsh conditions of Nigeria’s economy and think creatively to create brands and problem-solving solutions that will be disruptive and change the game across sectors. As parting advice to organizations and individuals, he said, ‘the best assets of any company are the people’ and hiring the right people on your team will ensure the organization’s brand goals are met.

About the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce
For over 40 years, the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce has been fostering increased trade & investment between Nigeria & Britain. The NBCC is an international affiliate of the British Chamber of Commerce, BCC, which grants its members access to a network of 53 Chambers of Commerce across the British Commonwealth. To watch this event and past NBCC webinars, click here.