By Hembadoon Ode
As part of efforts to advance a healthy and mutually beneficial working relationship with its clients, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Directorate of Corporate Affairs, has organised a one-day training session on effective client management. The program was held at the Council headquarters in Abuja, focused on enhancing staff skills in client relations and professional conduct.
Opening the event, Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Chukwuma Ngaha, emphasized the significance of the training, noting that it could not have come at a more opportune moment. He urged staff to fully engage with the program, reiterating the statement, “As the Director General, Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, often reminds us, this department is the most important within the Council.” Mr. Ngaha highlighted that with incoming legislation on value addition and tax incentives for manufacturers, the Council expects a surge in interest from high-net-worth investors and stakeholders. “We need to be professionally trained to manage clients and represent the Council’s image effectively,” he said.
The Head of the Digital Unit, Directorate of Corporate Affairs (DCA), Mrs. Adaora Adibe, presented an overview of Client Management, stressing that managing and maintaining good client/ stakeholder relationship is critical to building a great RMRDC brand. She explained that, “Client management is the art of building, nurturing, and sustaining strong relationships with clients to achieve mutual satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term business success”.
Mrs. Adibe said that it encompasses the strategies, processes, and practices organizations like RMRDC use to manage their interactions with existing and potential clients effectively. She further highlighted that in today’s competitive marketplace, building strong client/stakeholders’ relationships is critical for long-term success and a better brand. “Creating a sense of value and attentiveness not only secures client loyalty but also attracts new opportunities for the organization,” she remarked. Quoting a well-known adage, Mrs. Adibe reminded participants, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
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Presenting his paper, the Assistant Director of the Protocol Unit, Mr. Festus Obot, addressed the importance of understanding client needs and having comprehensive knowledge of Council operations. He encouraged staff to maintain professionalism, especially during clients’ first interactions with the Council, and to continually hone their communication skills to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings.
In her paper, the Assistant Director, Public and Media Relation Unit, Mrs Stella Azi urged participants to embrace the SWOT analysis, in order words understand their areas of Strength, weakness, opportunity and threat in order to manage clients effectively.
Concluding the presentation, the Deputy Director Client Services Unit Dr (Mrs) Grace Abidoye in her paper titled “The image maker as a client manager” adviced everyone to take customer relationship seriously because customers are always important. She informed staff that managing clients is of utmost importance for the image of the Council. She urged every one to be intentional to ensure the Council image is well projected.
The session concluded with participants expressing enthusiasm about their enhanced capabilities and readiness for the significant responsibilities ahead as the Council embarks on the implementation of the new value addition initiatives.
