100 days of Aladdin: The Journey, Vision & People
Today marks 100 days since I started working as a content writer at Aladdin digital bank. But unlike the first 100 days of a president, where we take stock of his/ her achievements. This story is quite different because I take stock of the things I have learned about the vision and people behind Aladdin.
Finding my way
I remember getting lost on my first day going to the Aladdin office in Lekki, a high brow area in Lagos, Nigeria. I trusted Google Maps to guide me like always but this time around, I ended up at the wrong address. Thankfully, I got to the office in time for my interview which went smoothly by the way. Just a few days back, I had been offered a job in a media company but turned it down because I knew I wanted to be part of an organization that challenged my thinking and took me out of my comfort zone. I struggled with the idea that I had made a mistake but somewhere deep down I knew I was right.
During my interview meeting with the co-founder and CEO of Aladdin, Mr.Darlington Onyeagoro, I listened carefully as he spoke passionately about the vision of the bank. “ Aladdin is breaking walls”, …“ Every customer is more than just a bank account number…. ” he said. Before now, the traditional banks I knew keep people waiting in long queues for various reasons ranging from network issues to insufficient staff. Hence, I was really happy that a bank in Nigeria was solving this problem in such an innovative way and that I was also going to be a part of the team that will tell Aladdin’s story to the world.
High on Innovation
One of the things I always looked forward to is the brainstorming sessions with the team. From the management meetings in Mr. Darlington’s office to the WhatsApp creative meetings with the design and communications team and the company-wide meetings with all members of the company. I usually come out of these meetings feeling motivated and equipped to take on the tasks ahead. At Aladdin, my mind is constantly tasked to solve problems and do things that I used to think were impossible.
As a content writer, the environment and creative minds I interact with on a daily basis make me better. Whether I am getting positive feedback or constructive criticism, everyone from the customer delight executives to media, tech, management, and recovery teams work together to see each other excel in our roles.
As I mark this 100th day at Aladdin, I am grateful for growth as an individual and the milestones we have achieved as an organization. I have a better understanding now that building a great career, business, product or service takes time, hard work, diligence, and faith.
