ENEMIES OF THE ORDINARY - THE PHILLIPS CONSULTING TOUCH BY DR UVIE-EMEGBO ANDERSON FAGBA, LAGOS, NIGERIA 14 - 06 - 2007

“No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others; or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist” – Calvin Coolidge, ex- American President 

Imagine the world without the ground-breaking, moment by moment, reliable news bulletins of the Cable news network (CNN); the cutting edge information technology of Microsoft, the ageless and priceless masterpieces of Michelangelo and Picasso or the sonorous, soul stirring classical pieces of Mozart, Bach or Beethoven. How would the world be without the likes of Exxon Mobil, Virgin Atlantic, FedEx, BMW, Walt Disney and Phillips Consulting Ltd (PCL)? Don’t even think of it! The world is a lot better with the significant value-adding contributions of such highly resourceful and much sought after individuals and organizations – “enemies of the ordinary”.

What inner stirring of the soul motivated men like Michelangelo, who between 1508 and 1512  created some of the most memorable images of all time on the vaulted ceiling of the Sistine chapel in the Vatican, while lying on  his back?

What force propelled Foluso Phillips, to leave the assured comfort and security of his management consultant role at Coopers and Lybrand International and SCOA Group Nigeria to found Phillips Consulting Ltd?

‘Enemies of the ordinary’ are inspirationally dissatisfied with the status quo. They are dynamic pacesetters who re-define the industry standard and eventually become the gold standard in their fields of Endeavour. They carve out their niche and leave behind a legacy that outlives their earthly existence. They are positive change agents who decide the agenda of nations.

Unarguably, PCL has established itself firmly as the pre-eminent consulting firm in Nigeria and a foremost leader in Africa.

The Total Quality Management (TMQ) methodology which was pioneered in Nigeria by its management has been successfully deployed in many organizations. Today, it has become a key quality of her service offering. By devising superior strategies, and designing superior systems, PCL has used the world-class expertise of its management team to assist some of Africa’s most successful commercial organizations in dealing with their implementation challenges.

Like “all enemies of the ordinary”, PCL has an unbridled passion for excellence. They have an ever changing quest to exceed, surpass and outshine their innate potentials. Outstanding achievers, they dare challenges and move boundaries. They do not belong to the company of pitiable complainers! “Enemies of the ordinary” give and accept no excuses. They accept no limitations - cultural, economic or environmental. Their single goal is to be better than themselves.

With each set back, their determination to succeed only grows stronger. To them “failure is not finite and success is never ending”. Every success only becomes a platform on which to rise to greater achievement. “Never-the-less” but “always-the-more” is the philosophy that drives them forward.

PCL is not alone. Like Harvard University, Readers Digest, Google, Sony, Nike, Yahoo, Gucci, Armani, the London School of Economics, Wits Business School  Cape Town, Tinapa, and the Lagos Business School, etc, it is in the league of corporate fame.

Welcome to the world of the extra-milers: one in which mediocres dread to thread. In an increasingly integrated world, moving from complacency, conformity and routine to one of distinction and distinctiveness, the world awaits their kind.

“Enemies of the ordinary” are by second nature proactive, visionary, result-oriented leaders with a “possibility complex” and a “can-do-it” attitude who constantly keep the big picture in view. A sure attestation to this and in line with its pan-African vision is PCL’s entrance to emerging African markets such as Uganda, Kenya and Ghana. By pioneering the most authoritative and comprehensive scholarship portal in Africa - its “Afroscholar Initiative”, she has further demonstrated that, with matchless zeal, her creativity and strong sense of social responsibility will contribute immensely to the development of the human and intellectual capacity of the African continent. These laudable people-oriented efforts are ground-breaking and worthy of support.

The contributions of Foluso Phillips and the entire dedicated team of PCL are timeless, priceless and enduring. Without them, the wheels of progress in consulting on the African continent would grind to a halt. I doff my hat for a great team…living legends and true enemies of the ordinary. And that’s why I call PCL, Africa’s Consultant.