Dr Agyekum Addo: I worked for ten years without a holiday
The founder of the Kama Group of Companies says he succeeded in business through hard work and with the benefit of goodwill
Michael K Agyekum Addo, the founder of the Kama Group of Companies, says that he had to make personal sacrifices, working for ten years without a holiday, in order to succeed in business.
Speaking to Kwaku Nhyira-Addo on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (5 January) about “Starting 2022 right: principles for building synergies”, Dr Agyekum Addo said he also succeeded in business because of goodwill.
“In February 1986 … it wasn’t easy, but I managed [to establish my first pharmacy, in Kumasi]. Along the line … the owner decided to eject me because he was increasing the rent now, unnecessarily, astronomically. So, eventually, I was ejected in 1988 – that is, two years later,” he said.
“… and I must say that, by dint of prayer and my faith, I [found] another shop somewhere else to continue my business.”
Dr Agyekum Addo added: “For ten years it was hard work, hard work, hard work. What do I mean by ‘hard work, hard work’? From Sunday to Sunday, January to January, for ten good years – 1988 to 1998 – no holidays, because I wanted to make it.”
The founder of the Kama Group further advised entrepreneurs to make customer service their topmost priority and to see their clients as their “God”.
“I don’t sack staff who embezzle”
Dr Agyekum Addo also said sacking employees who embezzle money or who otherwise misbehave is not a tool in his organisational culture.
He said he adopted this strategy because, with time, such people start to feel uncomfortable in the organisation and leave of their own accord.
“Another thing which is so unique with my style is the fact that if you steal, if you misbehave, I never sack anybody. I don’t sack. I know that it is the philosophy of so many people: that the moment they catch you, that you are stealing, you have embezzled, they sack you. I don’t sack, but others sack,” he said.
“I know that the longest that such people stay in my business is three weeks, they feel so uncomfortable that they leave themselves. Why don’t I sack? I don’t sack because they will misinterpret and misinform the public that he didn’t do anything wrong and you just sacked him.”
He added, “But if you sack yourself, then you don’t need to come and tell me that you didn’t do anything wrong and I sacked you, no. But I will prove to you that you added zeros, you did not put the money in the bank. I won’t use you again for certain sensitive positions and certain businesses. So you will be within the system and all the staff will know that you were a thief. You will not feel comfortable and you will leave yourself …”
He explains that such a strategy has contributed to the growth of his companies and Kama’s subsequent recognition as a Club 100 company.
“So, these are some of the strategies that will make a company grow,” Dr Agyekum Addo said. “My company has grown so big and I am one of the members of the Ghana Club 100,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Fred Dzakpata
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