John Egwu, VP, Supply Chain at Cars45, a leading online market place for cars in Nigeria, can be described as daring and adventurous.
On this week’s How I Work, we speak with John to learn how he moved up the career ladder and how he stays productive.
Full name: John Egwu
Current role: VP, Supply Chain at Cars45
Location(s): Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya
Current computer: HP Envy x360
Current mobile device: Samsung
Describe how you work in one word: Meticulous
Tell us briefly how you started out and how you got where you are today
I started my journey as a call centre agent with Jumia Nigeria. Fortunately for me, I had this insatiable appetite for data and strategy fuelling my courtship with business intelligence. I grew through the ranks from a BI analyst to a senior BI analyst before transitioning into sales management while at Jumia.
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Adventurously, I joined The Concept Group as national channel manager consumer credit to get more insights on financing. At Cars45, I have traversed the organisation: business optimisation, commercial operation, sales, and now, supply chain management.
In summary, I will say I have always applied myself to be the guy who brings value and solves problems with a very positive attitude.
Walk us through a typical workday
I am an early starter but not always with work. My quiet time allows me to start the day right. I catch up with mails/messages on my phone. I am at my desk before 9 a.m. aligning the team's execution with our set goals and providing due feedback and guidance as necessary.
Late mornings to 4 p.m. are lined up with external strategic meetings, internal meetings, and global team calls. On good days I squeeze out 30 mins/1 hour to research and study new areas of interest. I would naturally review the performance numbers across board by 5 p.m. then end the day formulating/aligning tasks and strategies with the team. You will not catch me awake by 10 p.m.
What apps, gadgets, or tools can’t you do without?
Laptop and phone apps, WhatsApp, Medium, and YouVersion.
What’s your favourite shortcut or hack?
I mute my phone notifications and avoid social media from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What task(s) do you dislike but still do?
Selling 🙂 I cannot miss an opportunity to sell.
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
A to-do-list and my notepad to write things down.
How do you recharge or take a break?
At work; break is a luxury for me. If I get a breather I spend it connecting with younger colleagues and highlighting the impact of their efforts on the company.
Besides work, what do you spend time doing? What do you enjoy?
I love my sleep, quality time with my wife and daughter, and I like to read.
What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to? What do you recommend?
The Lean Turnaround: How Business Leaders Use Lean Principles to Create Value and Transform Their Company by Art Bryne.
Recommend: Masters of Scale by Reid Hoffman.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Time resolves everything -- be patient and diligent.
What’s a problem you’re still trying to solve?
How to make everyone see the value in Africa and believe in its potential.
Who would you like to see answer these questions?
Kola Oladunmoye - House on the Rock.
