Sunday, January 24, 2021
  • Markets & Companies
    • Stock Market
    • Companies
    • Appointments
    • Commodities
  • Business & Economy
    • Energy
    • Agricultural Economy
    • Insurance & Pensions
    • Aviation
    • Maritime
    • Road Transport
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Investment
    • Manufacturing
    • Consumer Goods
  • Innovation
  • MSME
  • Empire
  • Opinion
  • Cultural Currents
  • Features
  • AE Magazine
  • Corporate Rendezvous
Financial Street - Latest Business News
No Result
View All Result
  • Markets & Companies
    • Stock Market
    • Companies
    • Appointments
    • Commodities
  • Business & Economy
    • Energy
    • Agricultural Economy
    • Insurance & Pensions
    • Aviation
    • Maritime
    • Road Transport
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Investment
    • Manufacturing
    • Consumer Goods
  • Innovation
  • MSME
  • Empire
  • Opinion
  • Cultural Currents
  • Features
  • AE Magazine
  • Corporate Rendezvous
Financial Street - Latest Business News
No Result
View All Result

Selling a brand is not as difficult as many think – Samuel Abu

by Innocent Eneta
June 7, 2019
in Frontline
0
brand selling
0
SHARES
4
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on WhatsApp
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

The Chief Executive Officer of A. Sam Productions, Mr Samuel Abu, speaks with INNOCENT ENETA about his nearly two decades’ experience in printing and graphic design business

When did you start A. Sam Productions?
I started out in the year 2000, so I can say confidently that I have spent 19 years in the industry and I am still learning every day.

READ ALSO

Huawei boss: 5G making industries go digital at faster pace

5G’s impact on global GDP over $7.5tn — Huawei partner

In the industry, I do command a certain degree of commendation because of the way I handle my jobs. That is why most of my clients/customers always come back anytime they need the services of a brand manager or designer.

Read Also:

  • Good governance is 'speed dial' for greater tax paymentsGood governance is 'speed dial' for greater tax payments
  • Rethinking oil, gas licensing in AfricaRethinking oil, gas licensing in Africa
  • Buhari to inaugurate national oil centre – DPRBuhari to inaugurate national oil centre – DPR

As a printer and brand manager, how have you been able to adapt to technological changes?
I am always keen on technology development around me because I studied science in secondary school right from my secondary school days up till tertiary education level – I studied Building Technology at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State. My curiosity has made me stand out among those I started with in the industry.

Changes in technology have been a welcome development, especially in my profession. I am always on the lookout for innovations and new methodologies in my field of endeavour in order to sustain my competitive edge.

What are the major challenges facing operators in the industry?
The design industry is one that has far too many charlatans posing to be professionals; we need more enlightened people to educate them on how to achieve great brands and sell them to their would-be prospects.

This is one industry I know of where people get in because they need something to do and most of them rush out before long after realising that they can’t cope with the difficulties they see. One of the major challenges is lack of adequate power supply. Power is critical to the growth of any economy; without reliable power supply, it will be difficult for entrepreneur to run their businesses.

One of the major challenges the printing and graphic industry faces is sourcing for materials locally to work with as most of what we use in Nigeria are still being imported and we are at the mercy of the importers, considering the current exchange rate of the dollar to naira.

There are many who would want to expand their businesses but don’t have what it takes to acquire some good and useful machines made to aid the work of a graphic artist. For instance, the average laptop/desktop computer a graphic artist is supposed to work with has to come with graphic cards. Imagine an artist using Corel draw to design a 100-page magazine when he is supposed to use publishing software like InDesign? These computers don’t come cheap; a new i7 laptop with Nvidia cards costs as much as N320,000 to start with. How many young entrepreneurs can afford that to start with? Printing machines, finishing machines and packaging machines are also required.

I have also observed that many graphic design graduates from our higher institutions are not well groomed. How would a graphic design graduate not know what a brand manual is?

Africana Entrepreneur - Selling a brand is not as difficult as many think – Samuel Abu
Mr Samuel Abu. Photo Credit Facebook.com

How do you attract the right clients?
The world we live in today is more of a network of people and many people have a strong desire for excellence. When people saw the first complimentary card I did for myself, they liked it and wanted to have the same concept done for them.

As I was taught by one of my marketing mentors, you start from the known to the unknown – that is to say, you start your business presentations from your friends, family members, relations and close associates; they are the ones that will sell your ingenuity to others. And the trust that they repose in you has a way of rubbing off on others.

What is unique about your brand?
Every brand has its own uniqueness; I love branding, creating, customising and trademarking.

To sell a brand is not as difficult as many see it today.

First, you must have passion for what you do or do what you intend venturing into.

Secondly, you brand should be 100 per cent your idea of paradise; so, the brand plays a major part in bringing about prosperity for you and the business.

Always have in mind your core values, aims and objectives, coupled with integrity.

How do you cope with competition?
From one of the marketing training programmes I attended, I learnt that it is very important for every business to have a unique selling proposition – that uniqueness in service or product synonymous to you and you only; something that makes you stand out from the crowd. My unique selling proposition is my creativity and promptness of delivery.

Are you planning to scale up your business?
Yes, we are constantly looking for expansion opportunities and we are in the process right now as we speak to move to a bigger space to accommodate more work and activities.

Where do you see the Nigerian graphic design and printing industry in the next five years?
I see greater possibilities and more professionals emerging and really coming up with out-of-this-world ideas that will revolutionise the industry. I believe we will have smaller machines that can do what the enormous ones are doing but faster and with less supervision and technicalities.

What is your advice to other entrepreneurs who want to invest in the industry?
They should always be ready to acquire innovative means to surpass competitors and be always in the know about what is obtainable in the industry. They must be ready to educate themselves primarily through the Internet, print exhibitions, publications and seminars.

close

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

Tags: A. Sam ProductionarchitecturebrandingBusinessdesignsInnocent EnetaSamuel Abu

Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now.

Unsubscribe

Related Posts

Hadi Sirika, minister of Aviation
Frontline

Huawei boss: 5G making industries go digital at faster pace

July 6, 2020
386 operators investing in 5G, launched in 42 countries  -GSMA Report
Frontline

5G’s impact on global GDP over $7.5tn — Huawei partner

July 1, 2020
Africa's blockchain startups and roadmap to prosperous future
Frontline

Africa’s blockchain startups and roadmap to prosperous future

June 21, 2020
HIV test kit
Frontline

SPONSORED: Enter the new HIV test kit

May 23, 2020
SME Growth
Frontline

Survival of Nigerian start-ups and SMEs amid COVID-19

April 29, 2020
Sledgehammer On The Ant
Frontline

Sledgehammer On The Ant

April 11, 2020
Next Post
CBN to train 10, 000 Women, youths on agribusiness

Econet, Yara unveil new initiative for African agri-food entrepreneurs

RECENT STORIES

Chevron denies spilling oil in Bayelsa

Chevron denies spilling oil in Bayelsa

January 23, 2021
Financial Street - nter corporate Okada

Cars45, Gokada offer low-priced courier service to Lagosians

January 22, 2021
Wari to begin cross-border remittance in Africa, other continents

Wari to begin cross-border remittance in Africa, other continents

January 22, 2021
Good governance is 'speed dial' for greater tax payments

Good governance is ‘speed dial’ for greater tax payments

January 22, 2021
Global Islamic 'finance assets' to hit $3.69tn

ITFC approves $10m for SME financing in Uzbekistan

January 22, 2021
Senegal to host W’Africa energy investment summit in October

Senegal to host W’Africa energy investment summit in October

January 21, 2021
Role of technology in unlocking East Africa’s trade value

Role of technology in unlocking East Africa’s trade value

January 21, 2021

TRENDING

  • Senegal heavy fuel use hurting earth, says Fortesa boss

    Senegal heavy fuel use hurting earth, says Fortesa boss

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Buhari to inaugurate national oil centre – DPR

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘Billions At Play’ prescribes solutions for Africa’s energy sector

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Biden unveils details of stimulus measures for US economy

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Wari to begin cross-border remittance in Africa, other continents

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Financial Street - Latest Business News

© Financial Street 2020. All Rights Reserved.

More Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Markets & Companies
    • Stock Market
    • Companies
    • Appointments
    • Commodities
  • Business & Economy
    • Energy
    • Agricultural Economy
    • Insurance & Pensions
    • Aviation
    • Maritime
    • Road Transport
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Investment
    • Manufacturing
    • Consumer Goods
  • Innovation
  • MSME
  • Empire
  • Opinion
  • Cultural Currents
  • Features
  • AE Magazine
  • Corporate Rendezvous