“YOU DON’T WIN A FOOTBALL MATCH BY PLAYING DEFENCE ONLY” – TOPE FASUA, CEO, GLOBAL ANALYTICS

Tope Fasua is an economist, accountant, columnist, author and a consultant. A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Tope studied economics at the Ondo State University where he finished at the best graduating student in his department, faculty and university at large in 1991. He had his second degree, Msc Financial Markets & Derivatives, from the London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. He started his career in 1992 with the defunct Citizens Bank. He later worked with Standard Trust Bank and Equatorial Trust Bank where he rose to the position Principal Manager/ Regional Director (Abuja). With executive education courses from the London Business School and the Harvard University, Tope is a regular economic and financial markets analyst on television. He is the author os the books, CRUSHED! (2011) and THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOUR CAREER DISAPPEARS (2013). The former banker is the CEO of Global Analytics Consulting

This is the concluding part of our 4-part interview with Tope. SEE PARTS ONE , TWO AND THREE HERE

6. It is evident from your book, and even informal Social Media interventions, that you’re a heavy reader…what book will you say has the most influence on you?

Jarus (m) presenting plaque to Mr. Tope Fasua, FCA, CEO Global Analytics, after his presentation, while Participant Omotola Rashida assists

Haaa. There are too many books o. But I recall having a wow moment with Niall Fergusson’s Empire – A history of Great Britain. Another wow moment with Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. I was an Akure boy in the 80s but I walked the streets of Manhattan, hung by the beaches of Florida, Tampa City, with the fishing trawlers of Quay West, meandered through the alleys of Detroit and Chicago with my buddy James Hadley Chase. I used to be called “Chase” at a point because I always had one on me. I think my spoken and written English developed from there, such that today, I cannot even write a serious paper without some humour and I often speak in such a way. I grew up quite ‘westernised’, even though I didn’t step into the US until 2009 and the UK around 2001.

I think weeks after this interview, I will recall one book and say oh! Why didn’t I recollect that great book for JarusHub interview. In fact, I just recalled one that marked an epoch in my working life. It’s called “If You Want To Be Rich and Happy, Don’t Go To School”, by Robert Kiyosaki. The man not only taught us how to save and invest, but how to develop the right attitude of giving. But did I hear he went bankrupt recently? Anyway, he was a great guy!

8. What advice do you have for JarusHub readers who are majorly students, recent graduates and young professionals?

They should open their minds’ eye. Take on challenges. Know that life is not meant to be a bed of roses. They should try and catch their fun, within their work. My advise is like what Otto Van Bismarck told the Germans when he was asked the same question; “Work, Work, Work”. And so the Germans became known for the quality of their work. Here, unfortunately for now, we understand work as entertainment. Those who are flying high are those who can sing and dance and joke. They usually never say anything that will challenge the status quo and those running and perpetuating the status quo will benefit them for not upsetting the apple cart. So the status quo remains, and the future may even be tougher for us all.

I will tell them to build their dreams. There are no assurances anymore. Careers are disappearing because technology is redefining work, and taking most of the work from us. Now is the time to determine where you want to fit in and how you want to add value to stay alive. But if you are lucky and get a job with a bank, oil company, telecoms firm, give it your best damn shot. Note that the way you treat someone else’s work is the way you will treat yours when you start and it is the way someone else will treat yours. What goes around comes around.

Those who already have business must know that you do not win a football match by playing defense only. You have to attack. Take your business to the world. Don’t let the world come and take the little you have. Dazzol.

****CONCLUDED****

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