Tmarvelz

In the Moment

2023-01-02T20:13:00.002-08:00

Crushing It In The Moment

In the first release on the personal development lessons from the Tennis Court, I shared some 6Cs thoughts. These are, Crack It, Court, Coach, Club, Consistency and Counterattacks. Today, I would be sharing an additional C -Crushing It!

On the court, imagine playing double. In the play, there is a consistent flow, everyone is enjoying the rally. Then the game became more intense and turbulent. The shots are coming with more force and speed and now more often. You, like most are already gasping for oxygen. On the side and on the bench are eager and ready players to take their turns, yet they are enjoying the pleasure of your game and the game is on.

Your partner is better at the game than you. He understands the dynamics and has responsively scaled his game saving your team on many occasions. Your partner gave a damaging shot and the opponent managed to return it but leaving them strayed, unstable and off-court. Then the ball return to you high and set. At this point you and the world around you know that the moment has chosen you to finish up with a smash. You are right now In the Moment.

In the moment, you mobilized all the strength and energy from your inside. You galvanized same with all of your experiences and in your heart, you said a quiet little prayer. Then in splits of seconds, you are in ready position somewhere mid-court. Your eyes steady on the ball, your shoulders and arms now spreading, with a high force you have swung your racquet. Then boom...we heard the sound of tennis and in a flash the ball was irrecoverably in the opponents court. You have successfully executed a smash that ended the game.

You were in the moment, you have risen to the occasion with responsibility and grace, you have thrilled us. You Crushed it. Thank You!

In our businesses and careers, we know these moments when the come. We know the moments come with varying levels of stress. We know it requires high sense of responsibility. But we also know that God has orchestrated the moment for you and the world is eagerly waiting, anticipating that you would do us the honor of a heartfelt smashing. Take the shot.

Now, we are already in the moment of another beautiful year -2023. In this moment, there would be multiple strings of moments, do us the pleasure, bring in the momentum and gracefully take the shots. Crush it and move onto yet another and crush it again.

Have a splendidly smashing 2023!

EYE ON THE BALL, NOT BALL ON THE EYE

2022-12-18T14:22:00.014-08:00

EYE ON THE BALL, NOT BALL ON THE EYE

-Personal Development from Tennis Court

I have admired the game of Tennis for a very long time and had considered sometime in the future. In 2017, I was fortunate to have a direct boss who plays Tennis well. My boss motivated me and purchased some kits in preparation to start learning. Somehow, I procrastinated and never got to start learning. In 2020 however, as we grateful eased out of the COVID-19 lockdown, I switched and decided to change direction. Emerging from the sedentary lockdown, I was fresh, plum and a bit above my expected body mass index. It was apparent that I had to increase physical exercise. Taking advantage of this situation, I brought out my scanty kit, went out in search of a court and a coach and I started learning in November 2020.

Now, it is November 26, 2022, two years on. I decided to sit back to reflect and document what my journey has been like on the court and some of the lessons I draw from my trainings. I attempt to make it concise as possible for your pleasure and your feedback. In this release, let us consider the ten points below.

1. Crack it! Thanks to Nike, this is one of the best advertising lines I have seen. Almost all the reasons I had for not playing tennis from 2017 were still there in 2020 and even now in 2022. There will most likely be not perfect time to start doing the things that would give you the best of life adventures. So, get out there and do it afraid, do it in faith. The first step is your call absolutely. Just do it.

2. Coach. While you try your hand on developing new capacity, you need a guide, an expert, a mentor, or a coach. The coach is someone who could show you the techniques, enhance your strength, help you manage your blind spot, nudge, and cheer you on. Get a coach, get a mentor. This is very important.

3. Court. The court is the platform of engagement, of demonstration and yet development. For every skill you develop, you need a platform to proof the concept. Be on the lookout for such opportunities and embrace them with gratitude and honor. Value your platform, someone paid for it.

4. Club. The club is your social or professional environment. You must be intentional in choosing your circle or your environment based on your capability and interest. These are the people you collaborate, compete, and celebrate with. They are very important mix for your feedback and your growth.

5. Consistency. I realize that when I am more consistent at going to the court, my love, skill, delivery, and love on the game rise significantly. Training and practice are important part of the roadmap to mastery. However, for you to deconstruct and reconstruct your habit, mindset, and skillset you need to build in consistency. Create time to build precept upon precept, you will habit-set, skill-set and mind-set soon enough. Be consistent, the sweet spot is within your racquet.

6. Counterattacks. I feel really good when I return a serve or give a sweet shot. You’ll hear the encouraging applause from the sideline. Cool, yes! I would be taking it in and try to pull myself back. In split of seconds the ball is back in my court and then a miss. Keep the ball moving. Then the coach would say always be ready for counter attacks. When return a good shot you either encourage or provoke you opponent to return even more stamina. In your personal development, when you hack a competence, an opportunity, or a growth, stabilize quickly and get going, and get ready for another opportunity. Sometimes, the things are in strings that you do not want to break.

Bonus: Focus…. One early morning, I was on the court with daughter to train. My coach and started rallying and became intense. Then occasionally you hear my couch say ‘eye on the ball’ to keep me focused. Unfortunately, I lost focus and mishit a backhand and the ball spinning into my left eye. Pained, I heard my daughter watching on the sideline, ‘Eye on the ball daddy, not ball on the eye” she screamed. Reflecting on my daughters later, I thought to myself that she was right. That when you in the game, be all in. In career of business, If you are focused, you will hit the sweet spot of opportunities but with lack of focus you may hurt yourself when opportunities present.

These are the initial personal development lessons I am tracking from my tennis experience. I hope you will find it useful until I bring the follow on parts.

A Bug in the System and the Weakest Link Mantra; Lessons from COVID-19 for Resilient Global Supply Chain

2021-01-30T18:56:00.002-08:00

ABSTRACT: Building a resilient global supply chain is a prominent theme in the recommended strategies for managing disruptions of the scale brought by the COVID-19 Pandemic. This work is a systematic review of the history of pandemics in the past 100 years and their relation with the global supply chain and the economy at the time. It queries the weak link in the global supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies lessons to shape the design of future global supply chains. In the review, the causes of the pandemics and impacts via trade routes and other economic factors were compared. We also compared the pandemic severities and economic impacts on most affected countries. Tracking the global supply chains route and travel routes is a key lesson for countries trying to contain and mitigate future pandemics. The COVID-19 challenge has begun to reengineer global supply chains and we concluded with a recommendation of re-identifying the weakest links, consider distributed or decentralized supply chain networks and consider Africa and the global south as an alternative for resilient global supply chain post-COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19, Global Supply Chain, Pandemic, Resilience and Strategy Full Article Here

Disruptive Innovations and Technologies For Supply Chain of Vaccine In Difficult Terrain

2019-12-25T20:36:00.001-08:00

Compliments of the season!

In December 2017, I quoted IBM's report that the smarter supply chain of the future will be far more Instrumented, Interconnected and Intelligent. To advance this and position supply chain for the future and in partial fulfillment of my Masters in Strategic Supply Chain Management at the University of Roehampton, I ran a research titled; Emerging Innovations and Technologies in Vaccine Supply Chain, Nigeria.

At the time I considered five major technologies and innovations with potentials to change the paradigms in the supply chain space. My intentions then was to bring the awareness into my space (public health), assess the preparedness, highlight confounding factors and set the agenda in the next steps towards possible adoption for supply chain improvement and the optimization of resources in the Low and Middle Income Countries.

In the quest, I used different models and theories (like UTUAT, TAM, TOC and Diffusion of Innovations) to pose important questions. The template of Nigeria vaccine supply chain was used to highlight the challenges/frictions and how the selected emerging techs and innovations could help solve the frictions.

The five emerging technologies and innovations considered in the research are;

1. Blockchain Technology

2. Big Data Analytics,

3. Thermostable vaccines

4. 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing

5. Drones/UAV

I am glad to have had a group of experts and colleagues pooled together to critique and present the work and our findings neatly into five (5) scholarly articles and published in different peer reviewed journals. These findings as in the articles below are sneak peak into catalog of opportunities in the marketplace for digital innovations and Africa in a digital age.

Publications;

1. The Challenges of Nigeria Vaccine Supply Chain, a Community of Practice Perspective https://www.rsisinternational.org/virtual-library/papers/the-challenges-of-nigeria-vaccine-supply-chain-a-community-of-practice-perspective/

2. Blockchain and Big Data Analytics in the Optimization of Nigeria Vaccine Supply Chain http://www.globalscientificjournal.com/researchpaper/Blockchain_and_Big_Data_Analytics_in_the_Optimization_of_Nigeria_Vaccine_Supply_Chain.pdf

3. Thermostable Vaccines in the Optimization of African Vaccine Supply Chain, the Perspective of the Nigerian Health Supply Chain Professionals http://www.globalscientificjournal.com/researchpaper/Thermostable_Vaccines_in_the_Optimization_of_African_Vaccine_Supply_Chain_the_Perspective_of_the_Nigerian_Health_Supply_Chain_Professionals.pdf

4. Additive Manufacturing/3D in the Optimization of Nigeria Vaccine Supply Chain http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-1119/ijsrp-p9529.pdf

5. The Use of UAV/Drones in the Optimization of Nigeria Vaccine Supply Chain https://www.ijser.org/onlineResearchPaperViewer.aspx?The-Use-of-UAV-Drones-in-the-Optimization-of-Nigeria-Vaccine-Supply-Chain.pdf

As you enjoy the holidays, you may want to peek into the future by clinking the links above for a good read.

Thank You and Merry Christmas !!

Timi.

Tmarvelz: The Mix and Paradox; Change is Transformation!

2015-01-31T08:34:00.001-08:00

Tmarvelz: The Mix and Paradox; Change is Transformation!: Change. I like the word and the concept of change. It gives me the opportunity to begin in new and better ways. It puts me on the good pl...

The Mix and Paradox; Change is Transformation!

2015-01-31T08:28:00.001-08:00

Change. I like the word and the concept of change. It gives me the opportunity to begin in new and better ways. It puts me on the good platform on a game plan. It quickens my pulse to being proactive and gives me the flavours of adventure. But what is change? What changes and what makes change(s) worthwhile?

Transformation. This implies a marked change in form, nature and appearance. I love transformation because it is organic, introspective and still dynamic. That is when you look at transformation in the form of transformational leadership style. Who is transforming what and for what or for who?

Enough of this!

Change or Transformation, grammatically and in practice, you hardly talk about or do one without the other. In context they are actually synonyms!

The Mix and the Paradox. For me it amazing to see the hypes for change and transformation in Nigeria 2015 and the political parties. It seems to me that grammatical physiology of this two words is literally playing out in the anatomy of Nigeria politics. They are just the same with the same agenda, good or bad. Why fighting yourselves when you actually the same and fighting for the same thing; prosperity and/or poverty of Nigeria.

Largely you can not define transformation without change. So it is here. The Change crew is a defining version of the transformation crew. They have sang the song of transformation without actions and they left us with no results, now the song of change is over the roof......so what?!

Change or Transformation with whichever, we all need the 'disciplined culture' to do the right thing. I am adding that I am tired of the sound of generating set in my balcony, give me light and give me quality life!

MALARIA; prevention, a key approach.

2010-08-31T19:35:00.001-07:00

Malaria, the old time killer disease kills nearly one million people yearly. About eighty five percent of this are children under five years of age. Africa is the most affected by malaria about 80% of cases, though it is still of significance concern in Asia and Latin America. A multifacet approach at different levels is the main stay to eradication, prevention and treatment of malaria.

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoa called, plasmodium, a microorganism of different types. This micro-organism carried or transmitted by a vector, called anopheles mosquito.
We always hear “prevention is better than cure”. As old as it may, this is still valid till tomorrow. Prevention is the most trusted and reliable approach to the managing the age long crisis, malaria. This is the trick. Eradication or at least reduction in population of mosquito reduces the chances of mosquito bites. Reduction in or avoidance of mosquito bites profers reduction in chances of infection and eventual malaria fever.

Treating malaria accounts for 40% public health expenditure and 25% of household income. This means that alot of resource that could be well channelled into some more useful venture are been spent on either drugs or other adjunts to treat an infected person. This makes prevention very indispensible in dealing the menace of malaria.

The prevention of malaria has to begin with the proper public enlightenment. This enlightenment should include the lifecycle and habitat of the vector, mosquito, personal and environmental hygeine, the proper use of Insecticide Treated Nets, etc. Let us try to focus on the things we can do by and for ourselves rather than waiting for a policy or reform like forever. Envaronmental sanitation, a public health, self reliant approach to eradicating malaria tells us more. Watchout for the next publication.

HIV; radical approach, positive or not.

2010-08-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. The virus is a retrovirus. it grows and reproduces using the nutrients of human cells especially the immune cells.
A person may be HIV Positive without being an AID patient. An HIV positive patient would be said to have AIDS if he or she meet one or both of the following;

The presence of one or more AIDS related infections or illnesses
CD4≤200Cells/mm3 of blood (normal range =450-1200cells/mm3 of blood)

UNAIDS estimates that about 33million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. About 3.6% of Nigerians were said to be infected with HIV and about 192,000 dying of AIDS. Most HIV positive persons live without symptons for about 10-12 years; this makes voluntary counselling and testing very essential and indisputable.

Early diagnosis is the key to management of HIV/AIDS. In essence, proper management begins with early diagnosis. Therefore, go test yourself, know your status and do it regularly. There are several free Voluntary Counselling and Testing, VCT points in the country today, e.g heart to heart centres.

Treatment and care is relatively available and accessibility has progressively increased in Nigeria in recent years. It is however very basic, and fundamental for everyone to test and every positive person makes themselves available for treatment and care. If anyone is not infected he or she should stay negative. Let every one get involved by caring for oneself and the next person.

An average Nigerian knows where to go, what to do, or even what to take whenever he he or she has headache or malaria, same should be true with HIV/AIDS. Let everyone be informed and take responsibility for adressing this crisis as expect more political and policy commitment.

Kofi Annan said
“The solution to AIDS crisis in Africa must primarily from Africa itself with support from wider International Community”.
But Timi says further,
“The solution to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa is primarily a function of education, attitude and the sense of responsibility of everyone with all necessary political and policy support and commitment”.

Subsenquent publications shall deal with step-by-step procedure to counselling and testing, awareness about mode, risk and rate of transmission, prevention rules and techniques, prevention of mother to child transmission and treatment and care of positve patients with Antiretrovirals, ARVs and other drugs.

THE EXTRA FAT!

2010-08-31T18:23:00.000-07:00

Obesity (over weight) is implicated in so many disease condition. For example, diabetes, arthritis, cardaic failure etc. However we still see obese people tending to eating too much. You don’t blame them for that, you blame the extra fat. They would usually need some more glucose to power the extra fat they carry thus, tends to eat more.

They complain about their weight but they still eat so much. They can hardly move their legs and we advocate physical exercise. Some of them suffer from ulcer(peptic ulcerative disorder) and we recommend starving and so on. What a paradox!

Diet, physical exercise and life style adjustment are still the main stay in the management of obesity. It is important to note however that, certain aggressive approaches are needed to overcome the inertia to put management on course.

Something that works, a result oriented and cost effective approach. Drug therapy, harbal or orthodox medicines are significant to starting management. Fat burners, anticholesterol drugs, fibers are a magic tricks to kick-starting the management of obesity and lossing weight.

Subsequently, links and clues shall be provided in articles about products, pharmacies, hospitals, Gyms and groups for complete management of weight and obesity.

this spike in blood sugar!

2010-08-31T18:06:00.000-07:00

This is a group of metabolic-endocrine disease that is characterized with chronic hyperglycaemia (i.e high blood sugar/ glucose). It is a condition in which the body can not properly convert food into energy. The consistently high blood glucose is associated with acute, as well as long term complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, feet, nerves, cardiovascular system etc.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes are;
 Increased thirst, polydipsia and urination, polyurea,
 Constant hunger, polyphegia,
 Weight loss,
 Blood vison,
 Extreme fatique, etc

There are three main types of diabetes mellitus as follows;
(a) Type I or the Juvenile diabetes. This results from the destruction of the pancreatic β cells usually by autoimmune processes. It presents at young age especially at teens and twenties. It requires daily use of insulin for survival, thus called insulin-dependent diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that is produced and secreted by the endocrine system in the body. It usually comes as pharmaceutical product(drug) in the form of injectibles but also scarcely produced as aerosols, patches and tablets as a more convinent dosage form.

(b) Type II. The type II diabetes mellitus is commest type of diabetes. It is characterized with insulin resistance or/and abnormal insulin secretion, though both are usually present. It is more common in adult above 40 years of age. The management of this type usually requires the of oral antidiabetic drugs.

(c) Gestational diabetes occurs for the first time or only in pregnancy. It needs treatment and attention to avoid other complications like disordered child growth, development, delivery and eclampsia.

Management of Diabetes Mellitus

The management of diabetes mellitus begins with early and accurate diagnosis. Biochemical diagnosis revealing a random blood glucose ≥ 11.1mmol/L or fasting blood glucose ≥ 7.0mmol/L consistently with any of the hyperglycaemic symptoms confirms diabetes mellitus. Early diagnosis is cardinal to management, thus regular laboratory test by everybody is encouraged.

A very important non pharmacologic approach in the management is proper empowerment and education of diabetes mellitus patients for self-care and adherence. This will require a the formation of interactive forum/fora such as diabetes club for contemporary issue to be discussed.

Education and empowerment should include:

Diet,
Obesity and weight lost,
Physical exercise,
Drug therapy and adherence,
Foot care and prevention of amputation and
Management of emergency eg hypoglycaemia.

The aforementioned points of education are core to the management of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, a localized forum would be developed to make management tangible and attainable. These and more would subsequently be discussed sequentially with valid link to the appropriate drugs and needed care.

DON’T TELL MY DADDY!

2010-08-31T17:37:00.000-07:00

“Study hard, work hard and be focused” were more familiar statements from my father. I can bet with my kidney that those statements were as valid as the rising of the sun. However something very important was missing all along.

My daddie was happy and comfortable with the things happening with me. I was on top of my game. I was at my best. I was spinning at top of my class and my principal too was happy about everything. Nonetheless, i was still ignorant of one important contemprary issue.

Toyin was an incredibly beatiful jewel, a damsel, a friend and classmate of mine. She was also on top of her game, brilliant. I tell you grammer failed to describe how fabulously elegant she was.

It was our friend’s birthday party. I there with my sister and she was too. Toyin was different, not in her usual school uniform, she was pretty to say the least. Then, i started feeling something i only feel in the morning in my room. “What should i do now, this is embarassing” i said to myself. Toyin rushed up to me with excitement, “hi, what’s up handsome?” with a warmth hug. Damned, i felt something in my brain, and i prayed it was just that. Unfortunately, it went beyond that. A pressure against my pant, uncontrollable. My sister came at that moment, i timidly stuttered ‘good’ to reply Toyin as we ease off. Guilty and embarassed, i told Betty, my sister “please don’t tell daddy” then she pulled me aside to ask what the matter was. I softly confided in her as usual. Bettie explained that telling daddy was probably the best for me and reluctantly i agreed to that.

My dad bursted into laughter on the report. He came into my room with sense of guilt, appologized and explained how moral it is for me to feel what i felt with Toyin. He talked about everything about sex education and puberty. I was poised to know that my dad would be so interested in something i feel ashemed to tell him about. Sex education therefore should be part of every education and training to ensure proper or healthy growth and development.