Supermart Urges Startups on Skill Sets for Business Sustainability

RAPHAEL Afaedor, co-founder and chief executive officer, Supermart.com.ng, has encouraged startups, particularly, techpreneurs to prioritise development of adequate skill sets for their business sustainability.

Afaedor, one of the pioneer CEOs of Jumia Nigeria told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that they are replicating the experience garnered then at Supermart.

Admonishing other startups, he said, “On building a sustainable SME you need to have the right skills set, because businesses are apparently difficult to build. Actually, working in the team as a founder is helpful, but a co-founder is better. Then, you need a very talented team. You can find them locally. It is important you quickly realise you are not just like any starter out there.

The concept of a startup gives the impression you are allowed to make some mistakes.

“But what you need is to grow the company very quickly. At supermart.com, for instance, we have aggregated all the supermarkets in the city and been able to put their inventories online. People go there to buy everything they want. Our duty is to pick up the items and deliver to them. We do this because we believe there is a segment of customers we serve, especially the ever-busy professionals. They can’t afford to spend so much time in traffic. So, with that clear customer segment in mind, we are pursuing our vision tailored to their needs. I think that is how startups need to think; know your customers. If you do that, the customers will reward you with their money”.

Afaedor cautioned startups against self-styled business leadership, adding he prefers co-founder business model in fine-tuning business ideas.

The Supermart.com.ng CEO said, “On entrepreneurs being on their own, I will always prefer to have a co-founder and a solid founding team.