Stakeholders in the business sector have called for strategic investment in human capital, stronger business structures, and a focus on sustainable growth models to balance efficiency with innovation.
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Speaking at the Business Leaders Conclave, they noted that the need for skill-based recruitment, streamlined processes, and innovation-driven expansion.

The convener and team lead at Fasthire, Richard Okiasi, stressed that competence and skill should take precedence over job titles, advising companies that fall under MSMEs to adopt generalists recruitment before seeking specialists in their businesses.

“To build an effective team, continuous engagement is key. Business leaders must prioritise communication, mentorship, and ongoing support to help employees grow. Investment in the recruitment process and proper training will also ensure long-term success.”

According to him, favoritism within a team creates weaknesses, while businesses that attract talent solely with financial rewards may struggle to retain committed employees.

He, however, warned against common pitfalls in team management, particularly sentiment-based hiring and over-reliance on financial incentives.

Principal consultant, Amarachi Stanley-Duru, in her presentation on “Operational Efficiency and Business Sustainability,” stressed that businesses must optimise resources such as time, money, and labor to remain competitive.

Stanley-Duru noted that efficient business operations translate to cost savings, improved customer satisfaction, higher-quality service delivery, and better employee engagement.

On his part, Convener of Startup-South, Uche Aniche, also provided a comprehensive overview of primary funding sources and strategies for accessing capital.

He urged business owners to cultivate relationships with multiple financial institutions and be prepared to negotiate terms when seeking equity financing.

Aniche stressed the importance of maintaining a strong credit history and preparing a robust business plan that highlights cash flow projections.

During the event, Stanley-Duru was honoured with the Business and Management Award for her work on operational efficiency while Aniche received the Entrepreneurship Supporter Award for his contributions to fostering business growth.
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