Experts outline strategies for long-term business growth

Industry experts have underscored the crucial role of efficiency, strategic funding, effective team building, and scalable business models in ensuring long-term business growth.

At a recent business conclave-themed “Masterplan” Amarachi Stanley-Duru, a principal consultant in her presentation highlighted the need for organisations to deliver products and services most cost-effectively while maintaining high quality.

She emphasised that operational efficiency involves optimising resources such as time, money, and labour to maximise output and minimise waste.

According to Stanley-Duru, achieving operational efficiency requires streamlining processes, reducing waste, and eliminating redundancies that do not add value for the customer.

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Uche Aniche, convener of Startup-South also provided a comprehensive overview of primary funding sources and strategies for accessing capital.

Comparing funding options for traditional businesses and startups, Aniche stressed the importance of maintaining a strong credit history and preparing a robust business plan that highlights cash flow projections.

“Business owners should cultivate relationships with multiple financial institutions and be prepared to negotiate terms when seeking equity financing,” he said.

In his session on scaling businesses, Oladamola Soares stressed that successful scaling requires innovation, adaptability, and a clear focus on long-term growth.

He explained that a scalable business model should address a significant problem, provide an efficient solution, and target a large, paying market.

According to Soares, businesses that prioritise scaling can achieve optimized profits, increased competitiveness, and sustainable growth. He asserted that the true market leaders are not the first movers but those who successfully scale their operations.

On the flip side, Richard Okiasi, the convener of the BLC and team leader at Fasthire, led a session on “Ways to Build an Effective Team.” He advised business owners to prioritize skills and competence over specific job positions and to hire generalists before specialists.

Okiasi stressed the importance of ongoing communication, supporting team members’ growth, and investing in the recruitment process. He cautioned against hiring based on sentiment or relying solely on financial incentives to attract talent, as these approaches could undermine team cohesion and long-term success.

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The event hosted by Fasthire Services, a career and human capital development brand that helps employers attract the right talents to promote the growth of their organisation saw notable individuals that were present at the Business Leaders Conclave 2025.

During the event, Aniche received the Entrepreneurship Supporter Award for his contributions to fostering business growth, while Stanley-Duru was honoured with the Business and Management Award for her work on operational efficiency.

A highlight of the conclave was a business pitch session where four entrepreneurs showcased their ventures to potential investors and clients. Attendees also had the opportunity to network and present their businesses, fostering new professional relationships beyond the event’s formal proceedings.

Despite being a free event, the BLC maintained a professional atmosphere and delivered high-value content. Attendees expressed appreciation for the quality of insights and the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals.

“The truth is, the event was so engaging that I never cared about the timing. I could have spent the whole day and more without even noticing. Long live the Fasthire BLC team and their members,” said Kezia Jonathan.

Another attendee, Miebaka Kalio, remarked, “Thank you so much for this wonderful program. I learned a lot, and I will implement what I learned. God bless the convener and his team.”

Timothy Gospel said, “This masterclass was truly insightful. Kudos to the speakers, and a special thank you to the convener, Richard Okiasi, for organizing it.”

In his closing remarks, Okiasi announced that the Business Leaders Conclave will become an annual event, continuing to provide a platform for business leaders to share knowledge, foster innovation, and drive economic growth in the region.