Channel partnership: Airtel’s unique way of boosting MSMEs
Airtel Nigeria is in the business of driving the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the telecoms sector through channel partnership.
Unlike many organisations, Airtel Nigeria regards its distributors as partners and believes they deserve sustainable growth and a business model that guarantees profitability.
The telecoms giant recently organised an award night for Channel Partners, where it rewarded them with top-of- the-range Sports Utility Vehicles and other prizes.
The trade partners were rewarded for their substantial contribution to Airtel’s N22 billion primary sales in 2014 and express shops expansion which hit 130 within the same period.
It also provided an opportunity to encourage them to sustain partnership with the company with a view to enriching the lives of Airtel customers..
While the award was an empowerment to the channel partners whose businesses are in the MSME category, it also provided an opportunity for light mentorship as the CEO of Airtel Nigeria took time to educate them on the need to understand that the aim of ideal businessmen was not just volumes but profits.
“There is no doubt that our highly esteemed Channel Partners deserve to be acknowledged and commended for the effort they have invested into their businesses and the drive they have shown towards the success of this brand,” Segun Ogunsanya, managing director/chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria said at the award night held in Lagos.
“It stands to reason that we offer you a warm handshake and encourage you to keep partnering with us to deliver better results. As you are all aware, the winning partnership is evident in our joint success and our passion to go the extra mile for each other,” Ogunsanya said.
He assured them that Airtel Nigeria would continue to provide support and assistance where needed and increase its investment in network quality and performance. .
“We are also continuously evolving with innovative new products to offer telecoms consumers across the country with bespoke, world class mobile solutions that will enrich their lives and empower them to realise their full potentials,” Ogunsanya further said.
Unyime Idem, an Akwa-Ibom- based Channel Partner and managing director of Idems Utilmate Limited, won the CEO’s Award for Excellence and the grand prize of a 2015 Mercedes Benz GL 450, while Ogoeze Nwabueze, another Channel Partner and managing director of C&N Abuson Investments Limited, won a 2015 Toyota Landcruiser for emerging as the National Primary Sales Champion.
Prizes presented to other winners included brand new Toyota Hiace buses, generators, laser jet printers, Shop on Wheels, mobile tabs and a 2015 Hyundai Elantra donated by Zenith Bank, one of the sponsors of the raffle draw.
The event, themed ‘Winning Customers for Life Partnership’ attracted over 70 Airtel Channel Partners drawn from across the country and provided a platform for the MSMEs business owners to continue to strive for sustainable growth while creating jobs and contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Some of the top executives of the company who graced the occasion were Godfrey Efeurhobo, chief sales officer; Maurice Newa, chief commercial officer; Krishna Menon, chief finance officer; Gbenga Rotimi, director, legal; Gbemiga Owolabi, director, HR, and Tenu Awoonor, director, strategy & performance management.
ODINAKA ANUDU