Adewale Adeyipo, who was hitherto the Executive Director of Sales and Marketing Development, CWG PLC was last week announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of CWG Plc, touted as biggest integration company in Nigeria. In interview with Journalists in Lagos, Adewipo speaks on CWG’s achievements and challenges in 2018 and his plans for CWG going into 2019.
You have been the Executive Director of Sales and Marketing Development before your appointment as Chief Executive Officer. What has been the experience so far?
This position requires me to be responsible for the entire sales operations and engagement for existing and new product development; which ranges from conceptualization to market research, product development, go-to market strategy and if necessary, partnership with other stake holders to achieve the end result of generating incremental revenue /profit for the organization.
In your former role, what were the most challenges?
I would say identifying opportunities and ensuring delivery to achieve speed to market is the most challenging I have seen so far. With our current traditional way of doing business deploying new platforms timely requires a major cultural change in the delivery of our and I think we have successfully dealt with that and we are doing very well right now.
How will you rate CWG PLC in the last half year?
I dare say we have not done badly, though we can do better. It also depends on who is asking and what exactly you are measuring and what yardstick you are measuring with. Looking at the global products and services scale, CWG has been able to joggle the market in the last twelve months with some of the developmental initiatives that had been brewing in the last three years. I think this has been one very successful year, we have more products in the market, some other products have gotten into their maturity state where we can start to earn revenue; whilst we have a whole bouquet of products that have been in R&D for eighteen months and in 2018, alone we have had over four to five of these products successfully launched into the market. An example is our Smart Metering Utilities Solution which is our 4GWIFI enabled metering solution; one we have worked on launching with other key Stakeholders in alliance with the Office of the Vice President, to be able to provide Independent Power Plantsusing our Smart Utility Systems in some strategic markets in Nigeria. A few short weeks ago, we were able to join in the commissioning of the Sura-Market Metering Project, in Lagos Island; that was one major and successful project we achieved this year. Our Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) platform which we call SMERP is also one major successful platform, which had been previously launched, but with key features for the Logistics Industry launched this year. These and many more projects which have been on for over 18 months, but have gained major traction this year, gives me confidence to push on for greater achievements to set the tone as the major player in that field come 2019.
It was announced last week that you will resume in January 2019 as the MD/CEO of CWG PLC. What is your reaction?
That is true. I will be assuming the role of the Acting CEO come January 1st, 2019 and that is because our current CEO’s tenure with be concluded by 31stDecember 2018 and he has decided to move over to some other very strategic line up for the organization, coupled with some other personal goals he has lined up. So the Board of CWG PLC has appointed me to take over the reins as the Acting MD / CEO.
Do you have fears for 2019?
If anybody tells you they do not have fears, then they probably do not give it their all. 2019 will be another interesting year for us as a country, which is way beyond the organization. So with it comes a lot of anticipations and uncertainties; one major one are the elections. We all know the risks and exposures these events bring; yet in the midst of all these also are the many opportunities. So, the best we could do as an organization is to understand our strength, create scenarios for varying outcomes, good or bad and be prepared for it. So, it is not so much fear, but more of being better prepared for any economic ups and down. I think as an organization we have been on this road many times before and we clearly know what needs to be done at times like this and I am sure CWG is prepared to weather all outcomes that the year brings.
Are you sure you have the support of the staff of CWG PLC?
I have been around for a while, and I have been in CWG PLC for over ten years, so I will be working with individuals that I know very well. People that I have had daily interactions with as a regular staff as well, delivered several projects and initiatives as a team; so, from where I stand now, I would tell you, yes, as CWG Plc overall is like one very big family. There will be some tough times, but we are all matured enough to know the demands of each other’s roles, appreciate the deadlines and work with the organization’s key values in mind. I am very confident about the team here at CWG Plc and of their support in ensuring that we deliver to the highest standards we preach and achieve a more profitable organization.
Do you have the support of your family also, with this new position?
So, there are some things you get immediately and there are some other things you get as you progress. With my family, support is definite; but I cannot tell you yet if they clearly understand what this entails. I however have a very supportive wife; I mean, she has been a very constant and strong pillar over the years. I am sure she is capable and I could say that, yes, I have her support and backing when it comes to this.