3 Critical Lessons You’ve Missed from Petrol Black Marketers
With every fuel scarcity comes opportunity. At least for some hustlers.
The fuel situation in the country has worsened over the past few months and while we complain and argue about the inadequacies of the government, some people have become the ultimate representation of the basic principles of economics.
The theory of Demand and Supply.
Meet the black market dealers
These necessary evil is usually the first warning signs of an impending strike. Even when you didn’t hear the news or for some reason you’re isolated from society, the instant you see a group of guys with various sizes of kegs, strategically positioned on the road informs you they have the supply to your demands. With their activity, you can already smell the usual scarcity coming and with a heavy heart brace yourself for the coming painful week.
However, as we complain, there are a few lessons everybody can learn from them about market trends and market analysis, customer service, building customer base and so much more but I’ll list just a few here for you.
1.Understand your market.
Black market dealers thrive on the basis of deep market insight and information.
They know which fuel stations will sell to them. They are friendly with the fuel attendants. They get up earlier than most and get to the stations early enough to get their products and get ready for sale.
This simplicity is borne out of the fact that they know that there will be a strike and they know there will be a demand for their product.
All they have to do is make sure they have this product ready for sale –supply. The same should apply to you; to everyone who’s trying to make a headway in this current interesting times.
You therefore, should understand your industry very well.
For example, a jobseeker should know the demands of potential employers and ask this question to himself: “What kind of skills do these employers demand beyond my certificate?” “What do I know about this industry beyond the basic names?”
Doing adequate research into the employment trends of potential employers will enable you target your most likely employer.
2. Assess your value
The black market price varies according to location, length of the scarcity or availability of fuel at fuel stations among other things. As such, black marketers and those who are in need of their product will try to bargain with them based on our assessment of these indices.
However, it all boils down to how much it is valued at the time of demand.
Basically, as a person you have expectations of other people. You have high expectations of some and of others you have lower expectations but it all depends on how much value you place on their capabilities.
The same should apply to you.
What exactly are you worth? And no I’m not asking you to put monetary values on yourself. But here, I’m asking for what you have to bring to the table in your everyday interaction with others.
Do you honestly see yourself as one who impacts positively on others? If yes, then kudos to you. But do you think you can do better? That isn’t just posed as a question but a statement.
You should always strive to be a better version of yourself in all facets.
Check this out:
A baker must bake the best cakes to be considered the best baker. A mechanic is valued according to his know how. A tailor and a fashion designer offer the same services but one demands more remuneration than the other based on the value he believes he brings to the table. You should constantly strive to increase your all round value in order to have the grounds to demand more from others.
If you lead, you must be a good leader to demand undivided following from your team and as a team member, you must create a void when you don’t show up.
3. Always Deliver
It is not enough when you have the skill set and product but when it comes to delivering, you’re unavailable. I mean, what’s the point?
This is one of the most important lessons you should take away from the fuel marketers.
If you cannot deliver, find someone who can deliver the product. Ensure you fulfill your promise, if you know the popular Yaba market in Lagos, you’ll find marketers who have no stores but will stand outside looking for customers for those who have the goods.
Note, the lesson here isn’t really the marketing but making a statement of intent and following through by ensuring you deliver. Nigerian tailors are most notably criticized for always failing to deliver but the minute you find one that works according to schedule s/he becomes your savior for life.
Whatever you promise, base it on your abilities and in the case that you’re extremely talented, never ever fail to deliver.
As the fuel marketers compete for sales, you realize they all have the product but you eventually go for the one that seems the best value for your money.
This therefore posits that you’re not the only one available but when you build the right goodwill, the situation allows that you’re the only one that should be trusted which leads to more referrals or good will.