Gbenga Osowe holds a B.Sc (Hons) in Materials Science and Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile –Ife, and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (ISMN). He is currently an office manager (the role is also called operations manager) at a tech company.
CN: What were you doing prior to this? Prior to this, I was the Operations Analyst in the same company as I am now. Before that, I was a Quantitative Reasoning instructor at Tractain Lagos saddled (alongside others) with the task of preparing students for exams at varied levels but the core focus was on postgraduate examinations especially GRE and GMAT. I also helped people prepare for SAT and job aptitude tests especially SHL. The job there also involved guiding prospective MBA and EMBA candidates of the Lagos Business School. I also did some freelance teaching and writing at the same time.
CN: What are your primary responsibilities at work?
The role of the Office Manager is a generalist one which requires one to be a jack of all trades and master of many. However, some of the things I focus on include budget planning and implementation, data analysis, policy creation and implementation, on-boarding support and management of associates, a bit of event planning, and process review and improvement.
CN: What do you consider to be the best career decision you’ve ever made?
The decision to be a teacher. It has helped me build a unique way of looking at situations and how I approach problems.
CN: What do you like most about your job?
Two things. One, the opportunity to help people and two, the chance to bring order to chaos. Being part of the core operations team in a company that is growing at a pretty fast rate means that you get to face lots of moving parts. Being able to keep it all in so we achieve our goals in spite of all the changes is one thing I enjoy.
A young person looking to prepare for a career in operations should get some training in project management, logistics, and data handling.
CN: What do you like least about it?
Hmmm… I think moments when you are unable to move on with an action due to the dependence on information coming from others especially when that info is not coming fast enough for you.
CN: How would a young person prepare for a career in operations?
A young person looking to prepare for a career in operations should get some training in project management, logistics, and data handling. There should be a healthy blend of theoretical studies, via courses online from platforms such as Coursera and edX and practical knowledge gained via internships and industrial training. A lot of on-the-job training in challenging places where you can understudy experienced operations personnel would help in developing your skill.
CN: If there were any other career that you would choose, what would it be? Teaching, writing.
CN: Who are your role models?
Operations: Mustapha Abokede, Founder/CIO, Sunstretch Energy, Kazeem Oladepo, an executive in a telecoms company. Poetry: Jeffrey Jaiyeola aka Plumbline Education: Dr Modupe Adefeso-Olateju (TEP Centre) Judith Okonkwo (Imisi 3D) Life & Leadership: Rev Alexander Faranpojo; daily I learn about practical Christianity from him, and Donna Obaseki; one person whose life keeps teaching about excellence in your career and passion.
CN: Which books have really made a difference in the way you think and live?
The Bible, so much wisdom for daily living cutting across all aspects of life. The Richest Man in Babylon and Rich Dad, Poor Dad are also books that have influenced how I think.
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