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Book Review
F
or as long as can be re-
membered, numerous books
have been written on how
to achieve success in the work-
place. Most of these books take
a variety of approaches on how
people can excel or fail at work.
Some explore employees’ be-
haviors and indicate that most
work failures are brought about
by employees not exercising
good common sense. Others
insist that having an Ivy League
education and creating value at
the workplace are the only sure
ways to be valued by employ-
ers, while majority of them regard
work place failure as personality
and character conflicts that in-
volve employees and employers
not being able to control their
fears, insecurities and other neg-
ative emotionality at work.
How to Excel at Work, a 176 page
book written by our very own, Bili
Odum, (Group Company Secre-
tary, United Bank for Africa Plc)
is significantly different and by
far more enriching than most
of these books. From the cover
design of Bili Odum in his trade
mark bow tie, and the high qual-
ity printing paper, the book looks
promising and its content really
delivered. It is a book that suc-
cessfully explains itself and its
straight forward style makes it an
easy ready. In addition, through-
out the book, biblical principles
are drawn from the scriptures on
the best way to conduct business
and how employees can suc-
ceed with higher personal morals
at work.
According to the book, while
academic qualification can en-
hance chances of getting good
job, it can no longer guarantee
career distinction. In order to
survive and succeed at the cur-
rent job climate, employers have
to follow proven strategies for
achieving high work place per-
formance. The strategies listed
in the book show (a) how to rec-
ognize and eliminate obstructive
career misconceptions (b) How
to empower yourself for career
distinction, (c) How to become
an indispensable worker, (d) how
to effectively manage your boss,
(e) how to manage and success-
fully relate with your colleagues
(f), how to be a workplace lead-
er, (g) Your career and your fu-
ture.
But the book doesn’t stop there;
the last chapter features suc-
cess notes that can guarantee
success in the work place by top
executives and some of Nigeria’s
finest leaders. These are men who
have performed and continue to
perform excellently well in their
chosen fields. Their very insightful
thoughts come straight from the
heart and read like a very well
written unrevised dissertation. In
addition, they shared some pret-
ty good quotes on how to excel
at work for both employees and
employers.
“To succeed, you must marry
your personal objectives and
goals with those of the organiza-
tions you work for” –
Tony Elumelu
“You must never scold people in
public. A humiliated staff even if
it is well deserved is a dangerous
and unhappy staff. Never lower
another person’s esteem at work.
Private scolding of staff has yield-
ed better results”
–
Emmanuel
Itoya Ijewere
“Understanding your interest,
your strong points and your weak
points will enable you avoid the
kind of job that is unable to em-
power you to excel –
Dr Christo-
pher Kolade
“The two most important qualities
of success are focus and con-
centration. Focus means know-
ing exactly what it is you want
and concentration means hav-
ing the discipline to concentrate
single- mindedly on one, the most
important thing until it is com-
plete” –
Bili Odum
For the employers, this book will
explain how to be responsible
to employees to bring out their
best. As an employee, this book
will get you thinking, (a) why am
I here? (b) What am I supposed
to be doing? (c) How do I know if
I am doing it right? (d) How can
I make a remarkable difference?
For the young ones starting their
career, this very well written book
will show how to pursue a career
of excellence and distinction.
The book is available for pur-
chase at major bookshops in
Nigeria and abroad and also at
www.howtoexcelatwork.com
Author:
Bili A. Odum
Name of Publisher:
Purple Wood Limited
Place of Publication:
Lagos, Nigeria
Year of Publication:
2008
Reviewer:
Ebi Akpeti
How to Excel at Work