Lagos commercial label: The Dos and should not be done

This article is part of the new FT Globetrotter guide to Lakes

So you have decided to come to Lagos for a business trip. Because? But seriously, welcome.

You may have heard that lakes can be chaotic at best. That’s true. It is an inevitability when the smallest state in the country on land surface also has its largest urban population of more than 20 mn. There are more people in Lagos, a small strip of land surrounded by water, than in London and New York combined. Sunscreen package – the sun In fact shines here. Heat and humidity can leave people with more just skin that look quite red.

The first thing to know is that lakes is not for the weak hearts. Many visitors have opined that the airport, particularly the old international terminal that is now fortunately undergoing some renovations, can often be a sample of what is to come. The airport also has a valuable lesson: it must exercise patience, much, in each step of lakes.

Outside the airport, an expanding city with grunt traffic is expected. Lagos is a mirror in the broader Nigerian society where wealth, often striking and sometimes extreme, lives along with the dazzling poverty. If you, dear reader, are visiting lakes for a business trip, you are likely to see the communities of floating marginal neighborhoods as you are a brilliant towers in the business district of Victoria Island or the elegant private members clubs that dotted Ikoyi and its surroundings.

Anyway, welcome once again. And keep in mind that the only universal code in Lagos is that there are almost no rules and everything is being invented as we advance. If you are a fan of order or time, as is usually, that can be incredibly frustrating and you need to learn to roll with the blows. But if you are a free soul that does not oppose fun, you have found the perfect city. If there is one thing that Lagos knows how to do, it’s how to have a good time. After all, it is the home of Detty December, the season of fun and good vibrations of one month which marks the end of each year and also brings to the Nigerian diaspora and other nationalities.

The only universal code in Lagos is that there are almost no rules and everything is being invented as we advance

Lagos is also the capital of Afrobeats, the musical genre that the world has taken by assault and made people dance worldwide, from Johannesburg to London, New York and Australia. As the Banky W singer pointed in his seminal success of 2009 “Lagos Party”“There is no party like a lake party.” He is right.

Greetings

Hugs with people you barely know are rare (abundant when you know them); French -style kisses on the cheek are non -existent. A firm hands -hands works in most commercial environments in lakes, regardless of the person’s genre at the receiving end. Like the rest of the country, Lagos has a great culture of a cosplay respect aloud, so a kind of arch while shaking hand, especially with a much greater person, is very useful. It doesn’t cost you anything like a stranger and it generates a lot of good will. There are no problems for this.

In the meetings in restaurants, wait for a lot of “sir” and “ma” of the waiting personnel, that they splashed each interaction with one or the other. I find most of this dominant, but these are the unwritten customs of the earth. Never call anyone by his first name unless they specifically ask him to do it. And even then, restriction exercise. In general, it is better to address people as “Mr.”, “Mrs.” WHO”. Most people here use an honorary; It is almost certain that you will meet a “boss” or “Dr.”. They call them “boss” and you are halfway to gain your trust. Respect, or, rather, pointing to respect, is a large part of the Nigerian culture. Go against your own risk.

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Meetings

Schedule your meetings, but be fully aware that starting times are a suggestion in Lagos instead of a binding agreement. If it arrives 10 minutes late, there is still a very good possibility that you will arrive early. But always punctual and plan how to overcome traffic.

You may have to wait. It is not unusual for you to keep your heels for 30 minutes or more, especially if you meet a “Big man“

After joking, there will be a talk about how lakes are finding, questions about his family, how the wife/husband and children are getting home. Don’t worry; His interlocutor is not gathering Intel for disastrous purposes. They are trying to relax before deepening the question of the day. Enjoy it.

The phones will sound during meetings. Your host will surely interrupt a meeting to respond to one of your many phones at some point. Bring a presentation card and deliver one to all on the table. It matters little that they already have their data.

The most important thing, do not come with empty hands: bring “essence.” What is essence, do I hear you ask? In Nigerian language, it is a relaxed talk or gossip, which can be sprayed during their meeting or conversation. It is possible that he has come to discuss an oil or telecommunications agreement, but will also participate in this dissemination of information from the non -public variety, on a senator, for example, that he has secured a doubtful contract or an executive in disgrace with the authorities. A friend of mine who lives in London who regularly visits Lakes for work tells me that her meetings are incomplete without this ritual. It is always better if the element of its essence is true, but does not deter by sharing that scandalous history of third or fourth hand that collected from another meeting. The city runs in Gist.

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Clothing code

Look smart and look good dressed. This is important. People here often wear a person as a person for their wealth or standing in society. Mark Zuckerberg’s soft t -shirts wouldn’t make favors here. I always advise men to leave costumes if possible in favor of Oxford shirts and pants, because heat is suffocating and scorching. But I am a journalist who is not necessarily linked to commercial clothing rules. If you are a man, use a suit: it may or may not complete with a tie. Dresses are usually fine for women.

In the correct circumstances, especially if it is at night, do not be afraid to use “tradition”, since traditional African outfits are called in street jargon. Use this as a foreigner, either as a color person or a Oyinbo (White person), he will only delight his hosts and give him praise.

Buy traditional while here too. The tailors will generally deliver to the hotels, and their commercial partners will have tailors to recommend who, for a main sum, can turn their raw fabric into an attire ready to use in a matter of days.

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Socialization

There is a great possibility of inviting you to lunch, dinner or drinks. Say yes. It is unlikely that this is a fast coffee. Wait a party. The city has Excellent gastronomic optionsAnd people are very happy to welcome their homes.

Being on a business trip does not prevent you from having fun, so lean on it. If this is your first time in Lagos, request to try Jollo Rice, the Western Africa dish, many countries in the region discuss who is the best version. I am partial but for me it is from Nigeria.

Booze will flow in events after work. Many deals are sealed in these relaxed adjustments. Drink in moderation, especially from Monday to Friday. It is a bad way for people to assume that you are a drunk. If you are Teetotal, attend the many virgin cocktails that the restaurants here have in their menus. WARNING: They are sugary.

Wait eat in. . . No meals. Dinner could be at 6 pm or 11 pm, depending on how late one night comes. Time is a concept invented in lakes. You will have to ignore your sleeping time and push.

Lagos loves a strident party that spends a lot of time at night, particularly on weekends. The game scene is striking and ostentatious, with exotic liquor bottles that are sold for multiples of the national minimum wage. That could be too much for a middle -aged business executive in the city for business; Ask your contacts to take one of the city’s private member clubs, where fun is more serene and controlled.

It is always better to have effective, but card transactions work mainly well here too. Lagos is the epicenter of the technology industry of Nigeria, and the Fintechs and the banks have largely resolved digital payments. The economy is in ruins, and it is very likely that you have spent more on a seat than your waiter throughout the month. Having foreign currency at a time when the local Naira is falling also puts it in advantage. Generously tip.

AANU ADEOYE is the correspondent of Western Africa and Center of FT

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