On the theme, “Running Faster and Smarter with the Vision” which was hinged on a Bible scripture; Habakuk 2:2, the Jospong Group of Companies last week held its annual leadership conference for directors, managers, supervisors and all of its management staff across the country.

Addressing the six-day conference which opened on January 21, 2018, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong said “As a group, we know our vision is to be the most successful African holding company leading in every sector we operate and this year, we aim to give meaning to it by running faster and smarter”.

He explained that running faster meant working harder with speed and having the group’s over 40 subsidiaries work with a sense of urgency.

“Improvements obviously don’t happen overnight but if we run fast enough, we will continue to be ahead of the competition”.

“In addition to running fast, we must also run smart by keeping our focus and not be unnecessarily distracted; adopt simple but modern technologies to improve speed and invest in research and knowledge gathering”.

“Coupled with this, we must pay attention to detail and so the right thing by being compliant with national and international standards”, Dr. Agyepong urged.

Annual conference

The Jospong Leadership Conference is an annual leadership development conference held for leaders and potential leaders within the group interact and share experiences with entrepreneurs, professionals and mentors.

Leadership lessons and ideas that will transform the group and propel it to achieve its vision are also shared at the conference.

This year’s conference attracted over 25 speakers including banking executives such as the Executive Director of Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited, Mr. Alhassan Andani and the former Managing Director of ADB Bank, Rev. Daniel Asiedu.

Also addressing the staff were top security personnel such as Commissioner of Police (COP) Nathan Kofi Boakye and Major General William Omane Agyekum of the Ghana Armed Forces, as well as the Minister of Works and Housing; Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, a renowned lawyer; Mr Yonny Kulendi, senior members of the clergy and other professionals.

Topics discussed included “The Vision, Race and Ethics”, “Constumer Service Delivery that Sustains the Vision and Increases Profit”, “The Smarter Team; Winning Team”, “Sustaining the Passion to Win”, “Etiquette”, “Turning Talents Into Visionary Leaders: What They Do”.

Have rules

Speaking to the Jospong staff last Tuesday, Mr Kulendi urged “We must have rules that set the guidelines in the specific area of operation. Morality and ethics are imperative to any organisation that has set itself to be the best. Be modest in your ambition and do things step by step.

“Let’s run fast but let us stay in the track by playing by the rules and do not cut corners. That way, we will endure the criticisms of those outside the fence”.

Mr. Akyea, who took his turn last Monday, told the Jospong leaders, “Whether you like it or not you will meet people who are irrational or unreasonable. There are destiny destroyers. Prosperity and opulence will attract jealousy. You will meet destroyers of reputation but you have to keep your focus”.

“Any man can make mistakes but only an idiot persists in it. On the surface, some mistakes might seem like the end of the world but they strengthen your character and shape your knowledge. Don’t dwell on your past or your scars”, he said.

Visionary leaders

Addressing the staff on the topic, “Visionary Leaders: What they do” COP Boakye said when visionary leaders speak, people must feel fulfilled”.

“A visionary must not only be concerned about the goals of the organisation but you should also be concerned about the emotions and feelings of the people you work with”.

“If you are not concerned with the emotions and feelings of the people you work with, no matter the millions you make, you have failed”, he explained.
COP Boakye listed other qualities a visionary leader must have as: being open minded and open to suggestions, resolute, persistent, collaborative, bold, imaginative and optimistic.

“Visionary leaders inspire hope for the future and vision is very important in times of crisis and vision gives comparative advantage over your competitors and shapes the future of an organisation”, he added.

Teamwork

For his part, the Manager of the Accra Compost Plant (ACARP), Dr. Richard Amponsah who spoke on the topic, “The God Speed”, urged the staff to be burdened to have a vision and connect themselves to God in order to be faster and smarter.

A presentation on the need for teamwork in order to win by the acting Director of Administration of the Jospong Group, Mrs Gloria Anti received wide commendations and applause from the staff.