Sales For The Nigerian Business Person: The Sales and Marketing Blueprint

Are you wondering why your business is struggling to bring in revenue despite having a great product? The truth is, for many Nigerian businesses, the reason you are suffering is simply because you are non-responsive. You are letting your competition snatch away the market because you aren't responding to messages, or you are getting back to potential customers days or even a week late. I want...

Let's talk about something nobody really teaches us in business school or at the office: how to handle difficult customers.  Whether you are running a business or working a job here in Nigeria, you’ve likely realized that nobody gives you the "411" on what to do when you’re face-to-face with a customer who is making your life hard. I recently got a question about this from Sunday in...

I’m writing this today because I’ve noticed a recurring problem: many Nigerian business owners, entrepreneurs, and self-employed professionals haven't gotten the memo on how to actually close a deal. Far too often, we go for the meeting, make a great presentation, send over the PDF, and then—nothing. We just keep quiet, hoping the other person will magically ask for our account details. While...

How many deals did you close this week? How many did you close today? Yesterday? Last week? If you are a sales manager, business owner, or territory manager, these are likely the questions you are firing at your team to "ginger" them up and get results. You mean well—you want to motivate your people and see the business move forward—but I’m here to tell you that asking "How many dea...

Hello everyone, my name is Othniel. As a longtime listener of the podcast sales for the Nigerian business person/ Sales and Marketing with Tav, I wanted to take a moment to share how much of an impact this journey has had on my professional development. For a long time now, I have been tuning in to Mr. Tavashima’s episodes, and I can honestly say that his insights have helped me grow into a much b...

I see a lot of tension in the entrepreneurial space lately between the desire to build a career and the desperate urge to "blow," "hammer," or arrive at the pinnacle as quickly as possible. I recently had a conversation with a 24-year-old listener who really wants to hammer, and it reminded me that we need to talk about blowing up well and blowing up sure, rather than just blow...

I’ve been noticing something interesting lately. As I scroll through my WhatsApp messages, the quality of the outreach I’m receiving from Nigerian business owners and sales professionals is actually starting to change. It’s improving, and honestly, it’s commendable. People are finally moving toward a style of selling that is more valuable to the audience—one that actually spawns real conversations...

Are you struggling to grow your business or hitting a ceiling in your career? The truth is, many Nigerian business owners and salespeople are failing because they are making too many assumptions about buyer intent. We often assume we know who the customer is, what they want, and whether they are ready to buy, which leads to a "contracted" sales process where we cut the conversation short...

Stop worrying about "spiritual alignment" and "mental head trash." I know that might sound harsh, especially if you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while and know I don’t usually talk highly of those grand-sounding concepts. It’s not that things like motivation and believing in yourself aren't important; they are simply advanced techniques. Most of you listening righ...

To all my fellow Nigerian business owners and sales professionals, I have a message you need to hear: you have a superpower, and it is your subject matter expertise. Too many of you are losing money and clients because you put yourselves in a subservient relationship the moment a customer reaches out. You act like an "order taker" or a "boy boy" just because the other person is...

This happens a lot! a Nigerian business owner or salesperson puts up a great post on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok to stay accessible to their audience. Then, a potential lead—a real person ready to spend money—comments with a simple question: "How much is the cost of this service?" Instead of closing the deal, the business owner responds with: "Kindly reach out to us via DM to dis...

Is your business struggling with cash flow, stagnant revenues, or missing profit targets at the end of the quarter? If so, the hard truth is that your follow-up game is likely weak, and it is directly messing with your money. On the latest episode of the show, we tackled the common "sins" of sales communication and how to transform your approach from a "bother" into a professio...

Whether you’re a real estate agent, an architect, or a consultant in Nigeria, a site inspection is more than just a tour—it’s a strategic move to close a deal. Here is a simplified guide on how to handle these visits effectively. 1. Set the Right Vibe Don't be too "stiff" or overly formal. Start the visit with warm greetings and clear introductions. Your goal is to be approachable an...

This podcast highlights the mistakes many Nigerian business owners make on WhatsApp. The main takeaway is that trying to sell everything to everyone makes you look like an amateur. To grow, you need to pick one lane and stay in it until you’ve mastered it. Key Mistakes to Avoid:  * The "Everything" Seller: If your WhatsApp status shows you selling real estate, then bags, then skincare, y...

This podcast explains that solution selling is about being a consultant, not a pushy salesperson. Instead of just listing product features, a great salesperson acts like a doctor: they diagnose a customer’s specific problems first, then recommend the right "cure." Key Takeaways:  * Results Over and Above Features: Whether you are selling a car or skincare, customers don't care about...

In this podcast, a former lawyer reflects on his limited speaking time at the Elevate Women’s International Conference. He felt he wasn't given enough space to share his full expertise on economic empowerment. His central argument is that while legal rights for women are important, they aren't always enforceable in court. Therefore, he believes providing women with business development and...

At a recent women’s conference in Abuja, a male sales expert—who was the only man on his panel—shared his unique take on empowerment. Knowing he was the "odd man out," he broke the ice by asking the audience to see him as a supportive brother or son rather than an outsider. His main message was that while fighting for rights is important, women also need to master practical business and...

Moving from selling clothes to selling solar panels is a bigger leap than most people realize. For professionals in Nigeria, this transition requires a completely different mindset because the nature of the sale changes entirely. The Difference Between Simple and Complex Sales Think of Simple Sales (like fashion) as a quick sprint, while Complex Sales (like solar energy) is a marathon. Financial R...

Many business owners lose money because they wait for customers to come to them. Tavershima Ayede explains that you can grow your income without spending more on ads by making two major shifts: 1. From Passive to Active Selling Stop assuming that "serious" customers will just buy on their own. Most sales happen during the follow-up. If you aren't actively reaching out to people who s...

Many Nigerian entrepreneurs have too many ideas and don't know where to start. This podcast uses a listener named "Tega the Tiger" (not his real name)—who wants to do everything from filmmaking to tech—to show why doing one thing well is better than doing three things poorly. The 3-Step Plan to Get Unstuck If you have a million ideas, Tavershima suggests this specific order:  * Pick...

In the Nigerian market, being the "best" at what you do isn't enough. According to Tavershima, most clients can’t actually tell the difference between high-level technical specs. Instead of picking the most qualified expert, they usually hire the person they understand and like the best. The 3 Keys to Closing the Deal  * Ditch the Jargon: Stop using complex technical talk. Focus on N...

In today's podcast Tavershima advises Natasha, a spiritual healer in South Africa, that her business struggles aren't about which software she uses, but how she handles potential clients. Key Takeaways:  * The Real Problem: Natasha was focused on choosing between WhatsApp or Calendly, but the Tavershima argues her real issue is a lack of vetting.  * The "Discovery" Process: To sa...

Selling to other businesses (B2B) in Nigeria isn't just about "knowing the boss." This podcast explains that winning a contract is a team game where many people have a say. Here is a simpler breakdown of the key lessons: 1. Don't Just Target the "Big Boss" Many salespeople make the mistake of only pitching to CEOs or high-level executives. In reality, Nigerian companies...

In this podcast Tavershima breaks down how to move from "thinking about" content creation to actually doing it.  Here is the core advice: 1. Strategy Before Platforms Don’t just pick a platform because it’s popular. Decide on your financial goals and target audience first. These factors should tell you whether your content belongs on YouTube, TikTok, or a blog. 2. Don’t Copy Success; Cop...

In this podcast, Tavershima breaks down how to manage money better, whether you're in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. The goal is simple: stop living paycheck to paycheck and start building long-term security. Key Takeaways:  * Growing Your Money: It’s not just about earning; it’s about understanding how wealth builds over time.  * Saving vs. Investing: Saving keeps your money safe, but...