The Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria, APTAN, Alimosho Chapter, at the weekend, held its annual capacity-building seminar for members.
Tagged, APTAN Day, the event is organised yearly to equip members with innovative ideas that will assist them in further improving on their skills for optimum service delivery.
The theme for this year’s seminar was “Soft Skills for Business Owners.”
The Guest Speaker, Mr. Ismail Toba, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Main Earnest Global Resources, while discussing the topic, “Acquiring Basic Skills for Maximum Efficiency,” said soft skills are non-technical skills that describe how one works and interact with others.
These skills, according to him, are often built through experience over the years.
Mr. Toba highlighted those soft skills needed by business owners to include communication, work ethics, teamwork, networking, problem-solving and time management skills.
He said it is not enough for any business owner to rely only on the technical capabilities, saying that without combining such with soft skills, business will not thrive or grow as expected.
He added that soft skills help to build and maintain relationships, navigate complex situations and achieve goals.
Mr. Toba, who is also the Proprietor, Earnest Schools, Ayobo, Lagos, therefore charged members of the APTAN to up their game and inculcate the skills in order to take their businesses to profitable level.
“People who wish to go into the future should have two skills to succeed- ability to deal with people and the ability to sell,” he said, quoting Shiv Kheran.
In a remark, the Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers, NIEE, Lagos State Chapter, Eng. Yusuf Majolagbe, who was a guest at the event, said “most of our Artisans are highly skilled at what they do, however, soft skills like networking, branding, communication, digital and creative skills would complement their work in getting bigger contracts.”
“In terms of networking, you may just be one or two calls away from your desired client. Hence, establish that call to network you to your future client,” he added.
